UPSC Public Administration – Complete Ultimate Digital Library | Shaktimatha Learning

 

📘 Public Administration – Paper I
Page–2: Evolution of Public Administration
Previous Year Questions & Model Answers

Prepared for UPSC Mains by Shaktimatha Learning

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Q1. Critically examine the Politics–Administration Dichotomy.

Answer Framework:

• Meaning of dichotomy – separation of politics and administration
• Proposed by Woodrow Wilson to ensure efficiency and neutrality
• Merits: professionalism, administrative expertise
• Criticism: administration is value-laden and policy-influencing
• Modern view: distinction exists, but complete separation is impossible

Conclusion: Politics and administration are distinct but functionally interdependent.

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Q2. Examine the contribution of the Principles of Administration movement.

Answer Framework:

• Associated with Gulick and Urwick
• Administration viewed as a science with universal principles
• POSDCORB as functional approach
• Contribution: systematisation of administrative study
• Criticism by Herbert Simon – principles lack scientific validity

Conclusion: Despite criticism, principles laid the foundation of administrative theory.

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Q3. How did the Human Relations movement change the course of Public Administration?

Answer Framework:

• Reaction against mechanical classical theory
• Hawthorne experiments by Elton Mayo
• Emphasis on social needs, morale, informal groups
• Shift from structure to behaviour
• Limitations: neglect of power and conflict

Conclusion: Human Relations humanised administration and influenced modern HRM.

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Q4. Behavioural approach is a corrective to classical administrative theory. Discuss.

Answer Framework:

• Led by Herbert Simon
• Criticised vague administrative principles
• Focus on decision-making behaviour
• Concept of bounded rationality
• Introduced scientific rigour and realism

Conclusion: Behaviouralism made Public Administration more empirical and analytical.

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Q5. Trace the evolution from traditional Public Administration to New Public Administration.

Answer Framework:

• Traditional PA – efficiency and hierarchy
• Behavioural PA – human behaviour and decisions
• New Public Administration – social equity and values
• Focus on relevance, ethics, and responsiveness
• Reaction to status quo and inequality

Conclusion: Evolution reflects changing role of the state and citizen expectations.

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Prepared by Shaktimatha Learning
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