Administrative Reforms Since Independence – Public Administration Optional PYQs (1995–2026)

Here are all 39 Administrative Reforms Since Independence 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.

10.1] Major concerns

11 questions

1. Administrative reforms in India have been a double-edged sword. Comment. [2026/10m/150w/5c]

2. Traditionally structured administrative systems have outlived their utility. Discuss as how administrative reforms can revamp, restructure and redesign the existing governmental structure to meet the new challenges faced by the Indian administrative set-up. [2021/20m/3b]

3. The institutional legacy of ‘well-entrenched state’ affected the post-reforms promises in India. Explain the statement in the light of economic reforms in India. [2021/20m/8b]

4. “Contracting out tasks without effective accountability mechanisms can be counter-productive for effective service delivery.” Comment. [2018/10m/150w/1e]

5. With reference to India, discuss the assertion that administrative reforms are multi-dimensional and need to be substantiated by reforms in other related areas of state action. [2010/30m/3a]

6. In your view, which have been the five most important administrative reforms implemented after Independence? What has been their impact? [2009/30m/7b]

7. ‘The shift from the Nehruvian to the liberalisation model of development has necessitated reinventing government.’ Comment. [2008/20m/200w/1a]

8. Comment on: “The size of the leviathan goes on expanding, despite the country’s recent commitment to downsizing or rightsizing.” [2003/20m/200w/5a]

9. Do you agree that globalization, liberalization and privatization policies are going to change the very fabric of Indian Administration? What, according to you, are the major challenges before it in the 21st century? [2000/60m/8]

10. Do you agree with the view that the Indian reform effort has been conservative or orthodox, not breaking radically newer ground, but only modifying the existing structures and processes? Give arguments. [1999/60m/8]

11. In tune with the winds of administrative change blowing throughout the world, the Indian administration has also taken certain noticeable initiatives in administrative restructuring in the nineteen nineties. What are these initiatives and how effective have they been? [1998/60m/6]

10.2] Important Committees and Commissions

9 questions

1. In the context of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission recommendations, evaluate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a preferred mode of implementing infrastructural projects. [2023/20m/8a]

2. “The recommendations of various commissions on administrative reforms have not made a radical departure from the Paul Appleby Report.” Do you agree? Give reasons. [2018/20m/6b]

3. “The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) makes a strong case for the principle of subsidiarity.” Elaborate. [2017/10m/8c]

4. What are the major concerns of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission on Civil Service reforms? Indicate the current status of their implementation. [2015/10m/6c]

5. Explain the important recommendations of V. T. Krishnamachary Committee (1962) on Indian and State Administrative Services and problems of District Administration. (In about 150 words) [2013/10m/150w/6c]

6. “The recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission on reforming the Civil Service are radical yet implementable.” Do you agree? [2009/30m/2b]

7. Briefly discuss the main recommendations of any two of the following: (i) Paul Appleby (1953 and 1956) (ii) Santhanam Committee (iii) Hota Committee (iv) Sixth Pay Commission. [2009/30m/3a]

8. National Commission to review the working of the Constitution has suggested revolutionary changes in administrative culture. Analyse its major recommendations on Civil Services and Administration. [2007/60m/7]

9. Comment on: “Administrative Reforms in India are not necessarily the result of the recommendations of any specific committees or commissions.” [2001/20m/200w/5d]

10.3] Reforms in financial management and human resource development

4 questions

1. Effective ‘Performance Management System’ needs to precede ‘taking deadwood out’ from bureaucracy. Comment. [2019/10m/150w/5d]

2. “Performance management requires identification of indicators and measures to ensure that goals are achieved efficiently.” Discuss. [2018/10m/6c]

3. ‘Performance Appraisal Systems’ with special reference to the Performance Management and Evaluation System (PMES) are expected to transform the bureaucratic culture of Indian administration. Do you agree? Give reasons. [2011/30m/4b]

4. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission, in its 10th Report, observes that “the common perception is that the incentive structure in government is too weak and inadequate to motivate better performance.” Elucidate. [2010/30m/6b]

10.4] Problems of implementation

15 questions

1. Lack of political will to support several administrative reforms has led to their inadequate implementation. Critically validate. [2026/20m/8b]

2. “The success of administrative reforms in a country like India depends upon the political will.” Comment. [2024/20m/6a]

3. Implementation of administrative reforms is humongous and arduous. What lacks the push to realize the changes? [2020/20m/6b]

4. Considerable attention has been paid to the restructuring of the administrative systems at the Central and local levels, but very few reforms have been undertaken at the State level. What steps would you suggest to rectify it? [2019/20m/4a]

5. “Excellent ideas but poor implementation have characterised the administrative reforms in India since Independence.” Critically examine the statement giving examples from the Union and State Governments. [2015/20m/6a]

6. “Unimplemented reforms in administration weaken the administrative reforms process most.” Do you agree? Give your answer citing specific cases as illustrations. [2014/20m/7c]

7. ‘Efforts made towards administrative reforms so far have been lacking in congruence between strategy, structure and substance.’ Discuss with illustrations. [2012/30m/6b]

8. “Administrative reforms get diluted because of constant tinkering on the margin rather than a holistic transformation.” Discuss the statement in the context of reforming district administration in India. [2011/30m/2b]

9. “The real problem of administrative reforms in India at the State and the local levels is that they are imposed from above.” Comment. [2011/20m/200w/5a]

10. “All efforts in the field of reforms in public administration by the political executive have resulted in no significant output.” Comment. [2006/20m/200w/5b]

11. Comment on: “Efforts made towards administrative reforms so far have been lacking in a congruence between strategy, structure and substance.” [2005/20m/200w/5c]

12. “In spite of valuable suggestions through Administrative Reforms, still we have not been able to come up to the expectations of the people.” Discuss. [2004/30m/7a]

13. “The problems of administrative improvement in India are larger and more complex than in any other country in the world.” Comment. [2002/30m/7b]

14. Comment on: “Most administrative reforms have a political cost.” [2000/20m/200w/5b]

15. Comment on: “The success of administrative reforms in a country like India depends upon political as well as administrative will.” [1998/20m/200w/5a]

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Last updated: 30 October 2026