Public Administration 2024 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

Q5

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) The Anti-Development Thesis is a critical perspective on the traditional development models. Comment. (10 marks) (b) Civil Servants should be allowed only to cast vote or to participate in the electoral process of the country. Examine. (10 marks) (c) Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to plan and manage project effectively. Discuss. (10 marks) (d) Auditing is not about finding faults, it is about ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information. Analyse. (10 marks) (e) The study of Public Administration must include its ecology. Discuss. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में लिखिए : (a) विकास-विरोधी थीसिस पारंपरिक विकास प्रतिमानों पर एक आलोचनात्मक परिप्रेक्ष्य है। टिप्पणी कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) सिविल सेवकों को केवल वोट डालने या देश की चुनावी प्रक्रिया में भाग लेने की अनुमति दी जानी चाहिए। परीक्षण कीजिए। (10 अंक) (c) क्रिटिकल पाथ विधि (सी० पी० एम०) एक परियोजना प्रबंधन तकनीक है, जिसका उपयोग परियोजना की प्रभावी ढंग से योजना बनाने और उसे प्रबंधित करने के लिए किया जाता है। विवेचना कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) अंकेक्षण दोष ढूंढने के बारे में नहीं है, यह वित्तीय जानकारी की सटीकता और सत्यनिष्ठा सुनिश्चित करने के बारे में है। विश्लेषण कीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) लोक प्रशासन के अध्ययन में इसकी पारिस्थितिकी को सम्मिलित किया जाना आवश्यक है। विवेचना कीजिए। (10 अंक)

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2024 Public Administration questions

Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. 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

This multi-part question requires balanced treatment of five 10-mark sub-parts within 150 words each. For (a) 'Comment' demands critical appraisal of Anti-Development Thesis; (b) 'Examine' needs balanced argument on civil servant political neutrality; (c) 'Discuss' requires explaining CPM with applications; (d) 'Analyse' calls for deconstructing the auditing statement; (e) 'Discuss' needs elaborating ecological approach. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 total), spending roughly 6-7 minutes per part. Structure each mini-answer with: definition/thesis → 2-3 analytical points → brief conclusion.

Key points expected

  • (a) Anti-Development Thesis: Critique of Eurocentric modernization theory; mention Escobar, Sachs or post-development theorists; highlight alternative development paradigms
  • (b) Civil servant electoral participation: Reference Article 311, Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964; argue for restricted participation maintaining neutrality vs. democratic rights
  • (c) CPM: Define as network analysis technique; explain critical path, float/slack time; mention PERT-CPM difference; cite project applications in Indian infrastructure
  • (d) Auditing: Distinguish between fault-finding (traditional) and value-addition (modern) approaches; reference CAG's performance audit, INTOSAI standards
  • (e) Ecology of PA: Reference Riggs' ecological approach; explain how social, economic, political environment shapes administrative systems; cite Indian administrative adaptations

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Precise definitions across all five parts: correctly identifies Anti-Development Thesis as post-development critique, distinguishes CPM from PERT, captures auditing's evolving purpose, and accurately explains Riggsian ecology without conflating with environmentalismGenerally correct definitions with minor errors; may confuse CPM with PERT, or conflate ecological approach with environmental administration; superficial grasp of post-development critiqueFundamental conceptual errors: describes Anti-Development Thesis as anti-growth without nuance, treats auditing only as fault-finding, or misunderstands ecology as literal environment
Theoretical anchor20%10Appropriate theorists cited: Escobar/Sachs for (a), Riggs for (e); Weberian bureaucracy for (b); network theory origins for (c); INTOSAI/performance audit theory for (d); demonstrates command of PA theoretical foundationsSome theoretical references present but incomplete or mismatched; may mention theorists without connecting to argument; generic references without specificityNo theoretical grounding; entirely descriptive without scholarly framework; missing key thinkers like Riggs, Weber, or post-development theorists where essential
Indian administrative examples20%10Contextualized Indian illustrations: CAG's performance audit reports for (d); NHAI/Metro projects using CPM for (c); All-India Services neutrality norms for (b); Indian development critiques or NITI Aayog's sustainable development for (a); Indian administrative adaptations for (e)Some Indian examples but generic or forced; may cite Western cases when Indian ones available; examples not tightly linked to analytical pointsNo Indian examples despite ample opportunity; entirely Western-centric or abstract treatment; misses chance to demonstrate applied understanding of Indian administration
Reform / policy angle20%10Critical reform perspectives: for (b) discusses Second ARC on political neutrality; for (d) cites CAG's shift to performance audit; for (a) suggests alternative development metrics; for (c) links to project monitoring reforms; for (e) connects to administrative reforms adapting to changing ecologyMentions reforms superficially without depth; may list recommendations without analysis; reform angle present but not integrated with main argumentNo reform or policy dimension; purely academic treatment ignoring contemporary administrative reforms; misses Second ARC, CAG reforms, or development policy shifts
Conclusion & forward look20%10Each sub-part ends with succinct synthesis: (a) balanced view on development alternatives; (b) nuanced position on neutrality-democracy tension; (c) CPM's continued relevance; (d) auditing as accountability-enabler; (e) ecology's enduring importance; demonstrates integrative thinkingConclusions present but repetitive or generic; may merely summarize without forward look; uneven quality across sub-parts; some conclusions missingNo conclusions or abrupt endings; purely descriptive without synthesis; fails to address directive demands (comment, examine, analyse, discuss) in final assessment

Practice this exact question

Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.

Evaluate my answer →

More from Public Administration 2024 Paper I