Public Administration 2021 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Elaborate

Q1

Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) "Governance is about managing self-organizing networks." Elaborate. (10 marks) (b) "Two-dimensional taxonomy was used by Herbert Simon to describe the degree to which decisions are programmed or non-programmed." Explain. (10 marks) (c) Examine the approach of public service motivation as an inducement to bring the desired level of efficiency in public service delivery. (10 marks) (d) In theory, the 'civil society organizations' promote cooperation between people and public service organizations, but in practice, their activities restrict the promotion of government programmes. Analyze. (10 marks) (e) Fayol and Taylor had different management perspectives, while having similar goal of organizational efficiency. Comment. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए : (a) "शासन स्व-संगठित नेटवर्कों के प्रबंधन के संबंध में है।" विस्तार से बताइए। (10 अंक) (b) "हर्बर्ट साइमन ने निर्णयों में प्रोग्राम या गैर-प्रोग्राम की व्याख्या के लिए द्वि-आयामी वर्गीकरण का उपयोग किया था।" व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक) (c) लोक सेवा प्रदान में दक्षता को वांछित स्तर पर लाने के लिए लोक सेवा अभिप्रेरण उपागम का एक अभिप्रेरक के रूप में परीक्षण कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) सैद्धांतिक रूप से 'नागरिक समाज संगठन' जनमानस और सार्वजनिक सेवा संगठनों के मध्य सहयोग का संवर्धन करते हैं, किन्तु व्यवहार में उनकी गतिविधियाँ सरकारी कार्यक्रमों के संवर्धन को सीमित करती हैं। विश्लेषण कीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) फेयोल और टेलर के प्रबंध दृष्टिकोण भिन्न थे, किन्तु संगठनात्मक दक्षता का लक्ष्य एकसमान था। टिप्पणी कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Elaborate

This question asks you to elaborate. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'elaborate' in part (a) demands expansion with theoretical depth; other directives vary—'explain' for (b), 'examine' for (c), 'analyze' for (d), and 'comment' for (e). Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 total), spending roughly equal time given equal marks, but prioritize conceptual precision over narrative. Structure each sub-part as: definition → theoretical anchor → brief illustration → critical nuance.

Key points expected

  • (a) Governance as network management: cite Rhodes (1996) on 'governing without government', highlight self-organizing networks replacing hierarchical control, mention steering not rowing
  • (b) Simon's two-dimensional taxonomy: programmed vs non-programmed decisions, structured vs unstructured problems, link to bounded rationality and satisficing
  • (c) Public Service Motivation (PSM): Perry-Wise dimensions (attraction to policy-making, commitment to public interest, compassion, self-sacrifice), intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, PSM-performance link
  • (d) Civil society paradox: theoretical cooperation (Putnam's social capital) vs practical constraints—NGO-ization, donor dependency, accountability deficit, regulatory harassment (FCRA amendments)
  • (e) Fayol vs Taylor: administrative theory vs scientific management, universal principles vs time-motion studies, top-down vs bottom-up, unity of command vs functional foremanship, both seeking efficiency

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Precise definitions across all five parts: correctly identifies Rhodes' network governance, Simon's decision types with both dimensions, PSM's four dimensions, civil society's dual role, and distinguishes Fayol's 14 principles from Taylor's scientific management without conflationBroadly accurate definitions with minor errors—e.g., conflates programmed/non-programmed with strategic/tactical, or treats Fayol-Taylor as identical rather than complementarySignificant conceptual confusion—e.g., describes governance as government, mistakes PSM for monetary incentives, or claims Taylor and Fayol were contemporaries with identical approaches
Theoretical anchor20%10Robust theoretical grounding: Rhodes for (a), Simon's Administrative Behavior for (b), Perry-Wise for (c), Putnam/Toqueville vs Chatterjee for (d), and clear attribution of administrative vs scientific management schools for (e)Mentions key theorists without elaboration—names Simon but doesn't explain bounded rationality, or cites PSM without Perry's dimensional frameworkMissing or incorrect attribution—e.g., attributes network governance to Wilson, confuses Simon with Barnard, or presents PSM as a recent Indian innovation without Western origins
Indian administrative examples20%10Contextualized illustrations: networked governance via JAM Trinity/Aadhaar ecosystems for (a); IAS decision-making patterns for (b); Mission Karmayogi/7th Pay Commission's PSM recognition for (c); NGO sector under FCRA 2020, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) success vs foreign-funded NGO restrictions for (d); LBSNAA training blending both traditions for (e)Generic or partially relevant examples—mentions NGOs without specific policy context, or cites efficiency reforms without linking to Fayol/Taylor specificallyNo Indian examples, or inappropriate ones—e.g., uses corporate sector cases for public administration, or confuses civil society with government programs like MGNREGA implementation
Reform / policy angle20%10Critical policy engagement: for (a) critiques network governance's accountability gaps in Indian context; for (c) evaluates PSM measurement challenges in Mission Karmayogi; for (d) analyzes the tightening regulatory framework for CSOs; for (e) assesses contemporary relevance of classical theories in New Public Management eraDescriptive policy mention without evaluation—lists Mission Karmayogi without assessing PSM implementation, or notes FCRA changes without analyzing impact on civil society-state relationsNo policy connection, or anachronistic suggestions—proposes reforms ignoring current frameworks, or suggests abandoning classical theories without justification
Conclusion & forward look20%10Synthesized conclusion recognizing complementarity: network governance needs state capacity; Simon's taxonomy remains relevant for AI-era decisions; PSM requires institutional nurturing; civil society needs balanced regulation; classical and modern management must integrate for 21st century administrationSeparate concluding statements per part without synthesis, or generic conclusion about 'good governance' without specific forward linkagesMissing conclusion, or contradictory endings—e.g., dismisses all classical theories as obsolete after praising them, or advocates both more and less civil society regulation simultaneously

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