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Tuesday, 10 February 2026

📘 Public Administration – Paper II
Previous Year Questions
Evolution of Indian Administration

Q1. Trace the evolution of Indian administration from ancient to modern times.

Answer Framework:

Ancient: Centralized monarchy, Arthashastra, village administration
Mughal: Mansabdari system, revenue reforms
British: ICS, district collector, centralized bureaucracy
Post-independence: Democratic and developmental administration
Continuity with constitutional transformation

Conclusion: Indian administration reflects historical continuity with democratic change.

Q2. Examine the colonial legacy in Indian administration.

Answer Framework:

Centralized administrative structure
District collector system
Rule-based bureaucracy
Focus on law & order and revenue
Need for democratic accountability reforms

Conclusion: Colonial legacy persists but adapted to constitutional democracy.

Q3. “Indian administration is a product of both continuity and change.” Discuss.

Answer Framework:

Continuity: Bureaucratic structure, district administration
Change: Welfare orientation, decentralization, transparency
Democratic institutions
Citizen participation mechanisms
Administrative reforms initiatives

Conclusion: Modern Indian administration blends tradition with transformation.

Q4. Critically analyse the transition from colonial to developmental administration.

Answer Framework:

Colonial focus: Control and extraction
Post-independence focus: Welfare and development
Expansion of state functions
Role of planning and Five-Year Plans
Challenges in implementation

Conclusion: Transition reflects shift from control to citizen-centric governance.

Prepared by Shaktimatha Learning
Study the Past → Understand the Present → Score in Mains

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