Public Administration 2025 Paper II 50 marks Examine

Q3

(a) While the Constitution offers a strong framework for decentralized and accountable governance, the real test lies in how institutions, civil society and citizens uphold constitutional values in practice. Examine. (20 marks) (b) Liberalization of Indian economy has forced public enterprises to enhance their efficiency, but the effects of these reforms have been a topic of debate. Analyze. (20 marks) (c) Centre-State administrative relations are a matter of debate as constitutional provisions created a strong Centre. Discuss. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) यद्यपि संविधान विकेन्द्रीत और उत्तरदायी सरकार का शक्तिशाली ढाँचा प्रदान करता है, किन्तु वास्तविक परीक्षण इस पर निर्भर करता है कि संस्थाएँ, नागरिक समाज और जनता कैसे संवैधानिक मूल्यों को आचरण में बनाए रखती हैं। परीक्षण कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था के उदारीकरण ने लोक उद्यमों को अपनी कुशलता को बढ़ाने पर विवश किया है, किन्तु इन सुधारों का प्रभाव बाद-विवाद का विषय बना हुआ है। विश्लेषण कीजिए। (20 अंक) (c) केन्द्र-राज्य प्रशासनिक संबंध एक बहस का विषय है क्योंकि संवैधानिक प्रावधानों ने एक शक्तिशाली केन्द्र का निर्माण किया है। विवेचना कीजिए। (10 अंक)

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2025 Public Administration questions

Directive word: Examine

This question asks you to examine. 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 'examine' for part (a) requires critical investigation of constitutional framework versus ground reality, while 'analyze' for (b) demands systematic breakdown of liberalization effects, and 'discuss' for (c) needs balanced presentation of Centre-State debates. Allocate approximately 40% time/words to part (a) (20 marks), 40% to part (b) (20 marks), and 20% to part (c) (10 marks). Structure with a composite introduction addressing all three themes, separate sections for each sub-part with internal analysis, and a unified conclusion synthesizing governance challenges across decentralization, public sector reform, and federal relations.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Constitutional provisions for decentralized governance (73rd/74th Amendments, Article 40, Schedule 11/12) contrasted with implementation gaps—political and administrative decentralization divergence, role of State Election Commissions, Finance Commissions' recommendations vs actual devolution
  • Part (a): Mechanisms of accountability—RTI, CAG, Lokpal, social audit—and civil society's role in actualizing constitutional values through citizen participation, pressure groups, and judicial activism
  • Part (b): Liberalization measures affecting PSEs—disinvestment policy, Navratna/Maharatna status, autonomy packages, competitive neutrality—and their impact on efficiency parameters (turnaround of VSNL, BHEL, ONGC)
  • Part (b): Debated effects—job losses vs productivity, strategic vs non-strategic disinvestment controversies, Raghuram Rajan committee concerns, residual control and autonomy paradox, performance of privatized vs retained PSEs
  • Part (c): Constitutional provisions creating strong Centre—Articles 256, 257, 365, 356 (now restricted by 44th Amendment), All-India Services, integrated audit—and Sarkaria/SR Bommai/Punchhi Commission recommendations on administrative relations
  • Part (c): Contemporary tensions—GST implementation, NIA/CBI jurisdiction, PM-KISAN/DBT conditionalities, cooperative federalism vs competitive federalism, use of Governor's office in administrative coordination

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Precise articulation of constitutional provisions (73rd/74th Amendments, Article 356, Schedule 11/12), accurate distinction between political and administrative decentralization, correct understanding of PSE reform instruments (MOU system, Navratna criteria), and proper characterization of Centre-State administrative mechanisms (All-India Services, integrated audit)General awareness of decentralization and liberalization concepts with some constitutional references but conflating political with fiscal decentralization, treating all disinvestment as privatization, or confusing legislative with administrative relationsFundamental errors such as attributing 73rd Amendment to 42nd Amendment, confusing Finance Commission with Planning Commission roles, or describing Centre-State relations solely through legislative lists ignoring administrative dimensions
Theoretical anchor20%10Application of relevant frameworks: Kothari's 'crisis of the state' for implementation gaps, New Public Management for PSE efficiency, cooperative federalism theory (Wheare/Basu), and concepts of 'hollowing out the state' or 'steering not rowing' for liberalization critiqueMention of generic federalism concepts or public choice theory without specific application to Indian context, or listing commission names without theoretical integrationAbsence of theoretical grounding, purely descriptive treatment, or inappropriate application of foreign models without Indian adaptation
Indian administrative examples20%10Specific illustrations: for (a)—Kerala's People's Plan Campaign, Rajasthan's MKSS-led RTI movement, 73rd Amendment implementation variance across states; for (b)—BHEL/ONGC turnaround, Air India privatization debate, NITI Aayog's PSE performance review; for (c)—Sarkaria Commission recommendations, recent use of Article 356 in Uttarakhand/Arunachal (struck down), GST Council functioningGeneric references to panchayats functioning or PSE losses without specific cases, or mentioning Sarkaria without its specific recommendations on administrative relationsNo concrete examples, hypothetical illustrations, or factually incorrect cases (e.g., attributing 73rd Amendment failure to non-existent states)
Reform / policy angle20%10Critical evaluation of: for (a)—16th Finance Commission's local body grants, e-governance initiatives (Digital India), citizen charter implementation; for (b)—Strategic Disinvestment Policy 2021, National Monetization Pipeline, PSE Boards autonomy; for (c)—Inter-State Council revitalization, NITI Aayog's cooperative federalism mandate, one-nation-one-ration card administrative coordinationListing reforms without critical assessment of their effectiveness, or conflating old and new policy frameworks without chronological clarityNo engagement with contemporary reforms, outdated policy references (pre-2014 without context), or purely normative suggestions without policy anchoring
Conclusion & forward look20%10Synthesized conclusion connecting all three parts through governance theme—constitutional values require administrative capacity building, PSE reform needs balance between efficiency and equity, Centre-State relations demand institutionalized cooperation; forward look includes 17th Finance Commission expectations, PSE professionalism through lateral entry, and federalism strengthening through administrative decentralizationSeparate conclusions for each part without integration, or generic statements about 'strengthening institutions' without specific mechanismsNo conclusion, abrupt ending, or conclusion contradicting the body of the answer; purely aspirational statements without analytical foundation

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 2025 Paper II