Public Sector Undertakings – Public Administration Optional PYQs (1995–2026)

Here are all 35 Public Sector Undertakings questions asked in UPSC Public Administration Optional Paper II 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.

3.1] Public sector in modern India

4 questions

1. “The steady expansion and the gradual decline of the public sector has been one of the most conspicuous development in post-Independence India.” Discuss this statement and suggest measures to arrest the decline of the public sector in India. [2003/60m/4]

2. Comment on: “Public undertakings no longer occupy ‘commanding heights’.” [2002/20m/200w/5d]

3. “Despite liberalization, privatization and globalization of economy, the public sector has its own relevance for India.” Discuss the functions and role of public sector in the new economic scenario and the changes that they need to bring about in them. [2001/60m/4]

4. “Indian public enterprises are neither adequately ‘public’ nor truly ‘enterprising’.” Comment. [1998/30m/3a]

3.2] Forms of Public Sector Undertakings

4 questions

1. Evaluate the performance and efficacy of the Maharatna, Navratna and Miniratna type of Public Sector Undertakings in the context of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG). [2016/10m/150w/1d]

2. Can the holding company’s structure act as an institutional change to add to efficiency? Give your answer with appropriate illustrations. [2011/30m/7a]

3. Comment on: “The Public Corporations in India are like exhausted Leviathans.” [1999/20m/200w/1d]

4. Comment on: “The departmental public undertakings have necessarily been placed under the full control of the government and Parliament.” [1995/20m/200w/1d]

3.3] Problems of autonomy, accountability and control

11 questions

1. “Autonomy to Public Undertakings is a myth.” Analyse. [2024/10m/150w/1c]

2. “The New Economic Reforms during the past three decades have not only reduced the scope of industrial licensing and areas reserved exclusively for Public Sector but also infringed the autonomy of existing public sector undertakings.” Examine. [2022/20m/3a]

3. Explain fully how a balance can be struck between autonomy and accountability of India’s public enterprises. [2015/20m/3b]

4. Argue the case for and against creating Indian Public Enterprises and Industrial Service for boosting the moribund public sector in India. [2015/10m/8c]

5. “Public Sector Undertakings must learn to survive and be entrepreneurial without assured government budgetary support.” In the light of this statement give your suggestions for strengthening their autonomy and reviving the health of sick Public Sector Undertakings. [2014/20m/2a]

6. “Autonomy to public sector undertakings is a myth.” Analyse in the context of the use of government expenditures by politicians who control governments at different levels. (In about 150 words) [2013/10m/150w/2c]

7. “‘Memorandum of Understanding’ scheme between the Government and Public enterprises has forced public undertakings to improve their overall performance.” Do you agree with this statement? [2012/12m/150w/1d]

8. Is it correct to state that “one of the major reasons for the failure of many ……. public sector undertakings was due to departures from the original concept of autonomy”? [2010/20m/200w/1b]

9. “‘Memorandum of understanding scheme’ between government and public enterprise has forced public undertakings to improve the overall performance.” Comment. [2007/20m/200w/1d]

10. “The blame for our poor public sector performance can be laid on the way our bureaucracy is structured.” Comment. [2007/20m/200w/5a]

11. Discuss the major problems of management and working of Public Sector Undertakings in India. Give suggestions in the light of liberalization policy to improve their performance. [2000/60m/4]

3.4] Impact of liberalization and privatization

16 questions

1. The reforms in public sector enterprises is not only enduring but also evolving. Explain. [2026/10m/150w/1b]

2. Government of India has done Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Boards. Discuss the rationale in the light of Disinvestment Policy of the government. [2026/20m/3b]

3. 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. [2025/20m/3b]

4. Public sector undertakings have been the bedrock of welfarism in India for many decades. Evaluate the pros and cons of current disinvestment scenario. [2024/20m/4a]

5. “The Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG) has enhanced the participation of private sector in Indian Economy.” Comment. [2024/10m/150w/5e]

6. “The New Economic Reforms during the past three decades have not only reduced the scope of industrial licensing and areas reserved exclusively for Public Sector but also infringed the autonomy of existing public sector undertakings.” Examine. [2022/20m/3a]

7. The government policy of large scale privatization of the key sectors of economy may affect India’s economic health. Comment. [2021/10m/3c]

8. Does the privatization of key public sector bodies augur well for welfarism in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations. [2020/20m/3a]

9. Public Sector Undertakings were expected to take the Indian economy to the ‘commanding heights’, instead the successive governments have been pushing for disinvestment. Critically examine how the scenario has changed over the years. [2019/20m/2b]

10. “The market-driven profitability concerns have shaken the foundation of the public sector undertakings.” Do you agree? Give reasons. [2018/20m/2a]

11. “Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India face tough competition from the private enterprises and Multi-National Corporations (MNCs).” Explain. [2017/10m/150w/1d]

12. Evaluate the performance and efficacy of the Maharatna, Navratna and Miniratna type of Public Sector Undertakings in the context of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG). [2016/10m/150w/1d]

13. “In the context of liberalisation the role of Public Sector and its welfarist approach is being drastically changed.” Elucidate. [2004/30m/3b]

14. Comment on: “The role of public sector has been changing tremendously in the context of liberalisation.” [2002/20m/200w/1d]

15. “Despite liberalization, privatization and globalization of economy, the public sector has its own relevance for India.” Discuss the functions and role of public sector in the new economic scenario and the changes that they need to bring about in them. [2001/60m/4]

16. Discuss the major problems of management and working of Public Sector Undertakings in India. Give suggestions in the light of liberalization policy to improve their performance. [2000/60m/4]

« Previous: Philosophical and Constitutional Framework of Government | Next: Union Government and Administration »

Back to: Public Administration Optional PYQs – Topic-wise | Also see: Public Administration Optional year-wise question papers

Last updated: 30 October 2026