Public Administration 2025 Paper I 50 marks Analyse

Q6

(a) F. W. Riggs's 'industria'-interdependent economy is a precursor for some features of post-modern Public Administration. Analyse. (20 marks) (b) The role and responsibility of the State in the development process has been overemphasized and given undue importance. Critically examine. (15 marks) (c) Affirmative action for equal opportunity is a corner-stone in recruitment to public services. Discuss it in global context. (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) एक. डब्लू. रिग्स की 'औद्योगिक'-अन्तर्निर्भर अर्थव्यवस्था उत्तर-आधुनिक लोक प्रशासन के कतिपय लक्षणों की पूर्वसूचक है । विश्लेषण कीजिए । (20 अंक) (b) विकास प्रक्रिया में राज्य की भूमिका एवं उत्तरदायित्व को आवश्यकता से अधिक बल और अनावश्यक महत्व दिया गया है । आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए । (15 अंक) (c) लोक सेवाओं में भर्ती के लिए समान अवसर सुनिश्चित करने में सकारात्मक कार्रवाई एक आधार स्तम्भ है । वैश्विक सन्दर्भ में इसका विश्लेषण कीजिए । (15 अंक)

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Directive word: Analyse

This question asks you to analyse. 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 primary directive is 'analyse' for part (a), with 'critically examine' for (b) and 'discuss' for (c). Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, and roughly 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure: Introduction linking Riggs's ecological approach to contemporary governance challenges → Body with three distinct sections addressing each sub-part with theoretical depth and empirical illustrations → Conclusion synthesizing how the three themes interconnect in 21st century public administration.

Key points expected

  • For (a): Explain Riggs's 'industria' concept from his prismatic model—characterized by functional specialization, achievement orientation, and market-based exchange relationships—and trace how these features anticipate post-modern PA themes like networked governance, public-private partnerships, and co-production.
  • For (a): Demonstrate how industria's interdependence prefigures contemporary complexity theory, collaborative governance, and the shift from hierarchical to heterarchical structures in post-modern administrative discourse.
  • For (b): Critically examine the debate on state vs. market in development—present arguments by Hayek, Friedman (minimal state) versus Keynes, Sen, and the East Asian developmental state experience; evaluate India's mixed economy experience and liberalization outcomes.
  • For (b): Balance the critique by acknowledging state failures (bureaucratic inefficiency, rent-seeking) versus market failures (inequality, externalities) and the emerging consensus on 'bringing the state back in' (Evans, Rueschemeyer, Skocpol).
  • For (c): Discuss affirmative action in global context—compare India's constitutional reservations (Articles 16, 335) with US affirmative action (Executive Order 11246, Bakke, Grutter, SFFA v. Harvard), South Africa's BEE, and Malaysia's NEP.
  • For (c): Evaluate effectiveness debates—merit vs. representation, creamy layer exclusion, judicial scrutiny standards (strict scrutiny in US vs. reasonable classification in India), and emerging alternatives like class-based preferences.

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Precisely defines 'industria' as differentiated, achievement-based social structure with market exchange; accurately distinguishes post-modern PA features (network governance, co-production, complexity); correctly identifies state roles in development (regulatory, developmental, welfare); accurately describes affirmative action mechanisms across jurisdictions.Basic understanding of industria but conflates with 'diffracted' model; generic treatment of state role without theoretical specificity; superficial comparison of reservation policies without institutional nuance.Misidentifies industria as industrial sector; confuses post-modern with New Public Management; presents one-sided state-market argument; conflates affirmative action with anti-discrimination laws.
Theoretical anchor20%10For (a): Cites Riggs's Ecology of Public Administration, prismatic-diffracted continuum, and links to Frederickson's new public administration, Fox and Miller's post-modern discourse, or Rhodes's network governance; for (b): Deploys Evans's 'embedded autonomy', World Bank's 'World Development Report 1997', or Leftwich's developmental state; for (c): References Rawlsian justice, Kymlicka's multicultural citizenship, or Sowell's critique.Mentions Riggs without model specificity; cites generic state-market theories without application; names reservation articles without constitutional philosophy or comparative theory.No theoretical framework; relies on newspaper-level commentary; confuses thinkers or misattributes concepts.
Indian administrative examples20%10For (a): Illustrates industria features through India's IT sector governance, Startup India partnerships, or smart city SPVs; for (b): Analyzes India's shift from License Raj to liberalization, NITI Aayog replacing Planning Commission, or welfare schemes (MGNREGA, DBT) showing state recalibration; for (c): Discusses Mandal Commission implementation, creamy layer evolution (Indra Sawhney), lateral entry debates, or judiciary's representation deficit.Generic mention of liberalization or reservations without specific scheme/program identification; dated examples from 1990s without contemporary relevance.No Indian examples; or irrelevant examples (using private sector cases for public administration); factual errors about constitutional provisions.
Reform / policy angle20%10For (a): Connects industria to current reforms—collaborative governance in Aspirational Districts, PM GatiShakti's multi-modal connectivity; for (b): Evaluates cooperative federalism, competitive sub-federalism, or regulatory state emergence (TRAI, SEBI, CCI); for (c): Proposes evidence-based reforms—creamy layer rationalization, sub-categorization (EWS judgment), or sunset clauses for affirmative action.Lists reforms without analytical connection to question themes; descriptive rather than evaluative treatment.No reform discussion; or proposes constitutionally impermissible solutions; confuses policy instruments across domains.
Conclusion & forward look20%10Synthesizes three sub-parts: how industria's interdependence necessitates reimagined state role (neither overemphasized nor marginalized) and inclusive recruitment; proposes 'developmental network governance' or 'state capacity 2.0' as emergent paradigm; acknowledges India's unique constitutional morality balancing efficiency and equity.Summarizes each part separately without integration; generic conclusion on 'need for balance' without specific insight.No conclusion; or abrupt ending; or conclusion contradicting body arguments; no forward-looking element.

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