Here are all 39 Administrative Law questions asked in UPSC Public Administration Optional Paper I from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 4 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.
Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.
6.1] Meaning, scope and significance of administrative law
14 questions
Administrative Law has evolved from the need to create a system of Public Administration under law. Elucidate. [2025/10m/150w/1e]
Judicial review, prevention of misuse or abuse of administrative power and provision of suitable remedies are the basic principles of administrative law. Justify as how various organs of the State are able to uphold these principles. [2021/15m/3b]
“Developments in the field of Administrative Law reflect an increasingly blurred boundary between the state and society, and between justice and administration.” Has administrative law become more constitutional than the Constitution itself? Argue. [2020/20m/4a]
“Red light and Green light theories provide contrasting approaches to the role of administrative law.” Which of the two theories will be effective in achieving the objectives of administrative law? Justify your choice. [2019/15m/3b]
“Administrative law is recognised by its substance rather than its form.” Discuss. [2017/10m/150w/1e]
“The central concern of Administrative Law has been the legal limitation of administrative discretion.” Give reasons. [2016/15m/2c]
“Legislative action is not subject to the rules of natural justice.” Explain the exceptions to the rule of natural justice. [2015/15m/3c]
“The conceptual division between administrative and constitutional law is quite porous, and that along many dimensions, administrative law can be considered more constitutional in character than the constitutions.” How would you justify the statement? [2014/10m/150w/1d]
Why is le droit administratif regarded alongside the Napoleonic Code as the most notable achievement of French legal science? [2012/20m/6c]
“Today the content of administrative law is driven primarily by the scope of public administrative activity.” Explain. [2006/60m/4]
“Today the content of administrative law is driven primarily by the scope of public administration activity.” Explain. [2005/60m/3]
Comment on: “Administrative Law in the modern governmental system is inevitable.” [1998/20m/200w/5c]
Comment on: The central concern of administrative law has been the legal limitation of administrative ‘discretion’. [1997/20m/200w/5c]
Comment on: The field of administrative law, after a century of litigation and adjudication, remains alive with simmering issues. [1995/20m/200w/5c]
6.2] Dicey on administrative law
8 questions
“Dicey’s three principles of the ‘Rule of Law’ have been further developed to meet the immense needs of a democratic society.” Discuss. [2026/10m/150w/1e]
The foundations of Public Administration, New Public Management and Public Governance rest on ‘rule of law’. Discuss. [2025/15m/3b]
“Arbitrariness in the application of rule of law is a primary cause of poor governance.” Discuss. [2020/10m/150w/1c]
“The Journey of Administrative Law has moved much beyond A. V. Dicey.” Comment. [2018/10m/150w/5a]
Do you think that there is an unresolved and often overlooked tension in Dicey’s concept of rule of law, considering that the other principle of parliamentary sovereignty in English constitutional system runs counter to it? [2012/20m/6a]
Would you agree that the strong Rechtsstaat version of the rule of law found on the Continent never existed in England because of its particular history? [2012/20m/6b]
(i) Make a critical assessment of Dicey’s understanding of the Rule of Law and Droit Administratif. (15) (ii) Make out a case for Delegated Legislation. (15) [2011/30m/4b]
“Dicey was wrong not only in his concept of the rule of law, but he also overlooked the significance of the administrative law.” Comment. [2002/20m/200w/1d]
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13 questions
Examine the tension between the functional efficiency of delegated legislation and the risks it poses to accountability and the rule of law. [2026/15m/4b]
“Delegated legislation should be clear and should confine to the limits determined by the legislature.” In light of the statement explain how misuse of administrative discretion can be checked? [2025/20m/4a]
“Subordinate legislation has its drawbacks; this does not negate the fact that it is also quite beneficial.” Examine. [2023/15m/4c]
“The administrative state is the creation of a power to bind us, with rules … that are not made by legislature.” Discuss the constitutionality of the administrative state and its future. [2022/20m/2a]
“Delegated legislation has become a strategic tool in the hands of the executive despite its utility.” Comment. [2019/10m/150w/1e]
“The principle of delegated legislation, is I think right, but I must emphasise that it is well for Parliament to keep a watchful and even zealous eye on it at all stages” — (Herbert Morrison). Analyse. [2017/15m/4c]
“Delegated Legislation is a necessary evil.” Comment. [2015/10m/150w/1c]
(i) Make a critical assessment of Dicey’s understanding of the Rule of Law and Droit Administratif. (15) (ii) Make out a case for Delegated Legislation. (15) [2011/30m/4b]
“Delegated legislation is a necessary evil.” Examine. [2007/20m/200w/1d]
Delegated Legislation is not absolute. Explain. [2004/20m/200w/1c]
“Increased delegated legislation is a phenomenon of a modern positive state.” Elucidate. [1999/60m/6]
How far is it true to state that delegated legislation has become a present day necessity and it has come to stay; it is both inevitable and indispensable? [1997/30m/7b]
Bring out the reasons for the growth and the dangers of delegated legislation. [1995/30m/7a]
6.4] Administrative Tribunals
4 questions
The development of administrative law in Welfare State has made administrative tribunals a necessity. Examine. [2024/15m/3b]
All tribunals are courts, but all courts are not tribunals. Explain. [2022/10m/150w/1c]
Discuss the view that “tribunals should have the same degree of independence from the executive as that enjoyed by the Supreme Court and the High Courts, especially for those tribunals that look over the functions of High Courts.” [2013/10m/150w/1e]
Write a short note on: Effectiveness and utility of Central and State Administrative Tribunals. [2000/20m/200w/5c]
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Last updated: 30 October 2026