UPSC Public Administration – Complete Ultimate Digital Library | Shaktimatha Learning

 

📘 Model Answer 7
New Public Administration (NPA)

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 Question

“New Public Administration shifted the focus of Public Administration from efficiency to social equity.” Discuss.

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Model Answer (250 Words)

New Public Administration (NPA) emerged in the late 1960s, particularly after the Minnowbrook Conference (1968), as a response to the growing social unrest and inequality in American society. It challenged the value-neutral and efficiency-oriented orientation of traditional administrative theory.

NPA emphasized social equity, responsiveness, and democratic participation as central goals of administration. Scholars such as Dwight Waldo and H. George Frederickson argued that administrators must actively address issues of poverty, inequality, and marginalization rather than merely ensure procedural efficiency.

The approach broadened the scope of Public Administration by integrating ethical responsibility, citizen engagement, and commitment to public interest. It shifted focus from neutrality to proactive involvement in social transformation.

However, critics contend that NPA’s normative orientation lacked clear operational mechanisms and sometimes compromised administrative neutrality. Excessive politicization of bureaucracy could undermine professional competence and impartiality.

In contemporary governance, the spirit of NPA is reflected in inclusive policies, affirmative action, welfare schemes, and participatory governance mechanisms in India.

Thus, New Public Administration redefined the discipline by embedding social justice within administrative practice, though its implementation requires balance with efficiency and neutrality.

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Prepared by Shaktimatha Learning
Social Equity + Democratic Values = Normative Depth Marks