History Previous Questions

Indus valley Civilization

1. Give an appraisal of Town planning of the Indus cities and evaluate the various reasons for their decline (1979)
2. Discuss the trade and cultural contacts and the extent of the Indus Valley Civilization within and the outside India and describe in detail any one of the Indus sites within India (1980)
3. Was India civilized before the advent of the Aryans? State briefly the extent and striking features of the earlier civilization if any (1982 – Short)
4. How do you account for the decline of the major cities of Indus Valley Civilization (1984 – Short)
5. ‘On circumstantial evidence Indra stands convicted.’ Explain and discuss briefly different views about a sudden end of the Indus Valley Civilization. How would you explain the presence of those elements in Indian Culture and Civilization which are found to have existed in the Indus Valley period? (1986)
6. ‘The Indus Valley Civilization had an abrupt end’. Discuss the statement and explain how the Indus Valley Civilization could influence Indian Culture in its later history’ (1988)
7. ‘The Indus civilization did not have an abrupt appearance. Discuss the statement. How does the Indus civilization stand, in view of its geographical expansion and chronology in relation to the Vedic civilization? (1990)
8. External trade of Harappans (1991 –Short)
9. The burial customs in the Indus Civilization (1993)
10. Discuss the pattern of trade during the Indus valley Civilization. How far did it affect the nature of contemporary settlements in the Indian subcontinent (1994)
11. The religion of the Indus civilization (1996 – Short)
12. ‘The continuity of the Indus Civilization into later ages was not confined to the religious and spiritual fields alone’. Analyze the statement (1997)
13. Discuss salient feature of the Indus valley Civilization. Mention important place from where relics of civilization have been recovered so far. Causes of its decline (1999)
14. Analyze the elements of Urban Civilization in the Harappan culture. What factors are responsible for its decline? (2002)

Vedic Civilization

1. Give an account of the geography of the Vedic texts and describe the social life during the Vedic times? (1979)
2. Discuss the political pattern and the major religious ideas and rituals of the vedic age?(1980)
3. Examine the contribution of Vedic Culture in the sphere of social institutions and religion. Was there any continuity between the Indus and Vedic Cultures in this respect? (1983)
4. What was the position of Varuna in the Vedic system of Gods? 91984 – Short)
5. Discuss the geographical areas known to the Rigvedic people? Were they familiar with the sea? (1985)
6. Democratic elements in the political system of the early vedic period (1986 – Short)
7. Compare the economic, social and religious life of the Indus Valley people with that of the early vedic people and discuss the relative chronology of the Indus and the early Vedic culture (1987)
8. Position of woman in Rigvedic society (1988 – Short)
9. Discuss briefly the development of religious ideas and rituals in the Vedic age. Do they show any parallelism with the religion of Indus Valley Civilization? (1989)
10. The formulation of social system in the later vedic period (1990 –Short)
11. Analyze the differences and similarities between Indus Valley and Vedic Cultures (1992)
12. The Vedic Gods of terrestrial region (1993 – Short)
13. Bring out the elements of change and continuity between the early Vedic and late Vedic culture (1993)
14. Vedic literature (1995 – Short)
15. Vedic rituals (1997 - Short)
16. Give a brief account of the social and economic conditions of the later Vedic Aryans. What role did iron play in changing their political and economic life? (1998)
17. Describe the social life of the later Vedic people. How was it different from the Rigvedic life? (2004)
18. Evaluate the various approaches to the understanding of vedic religion (2009 -30 Marks)
19. Examine the view that the sacrifice was a ritual and a form of social exchange in Vedic India (2010 – 30 Marks)

Pre-Mauryan Age

1. What were the causes of the origin of the heterodox sects in the 6^th BC? (1984 – Short)
2. Discuss the social and economic factors for the rise of Buddhism. How far was it influenced by Upanishadic thought? (1987)
3. The intellectual revolution in the 6^th BC (1998 –Short)
4. Trace the rise of Magadhan imperialism up to the times of the Nandas with particular reference to its policy towards the non-monarchial states. Discuss the factors that contributed to its success (1990)
5. Give an account of the republics in the Pre-Mauryan period. Discuss the factors which contributed to their decline (1992)
6. Essence of Early Jainism (1995 – Short)
7. Social and Economic conditions of North India during the Pre-Mauryan period (600 – 325 BC) (1996 – Short)
8. Analyze the causes of the success of the Magadhan imperialism up to the reign of Ashok the Great. (2001)
9. ‘The 6^th BC was a period of religious and economic unrest in India ‘. Comment (2003)
10. Explain the social aspects of Buddhism and account for its decline in India. (2004)
11. Write what you know of the rise and spread of Buddhism before the first century AD. (2007)

Mauryan Age

1. Discuss the nature of Asoka’s Dhamma. What is responsible for the downfall of his empire? (1979)
2. Critically examine the sources for the study of Mauryan dynasty. How are they useful in understanding the Mauryan administration? (1980)
3. Bring out the elements of change and continuity in the domestic and foreign policies of Asoka? (1981)
4. Do you think that the economic factors were alone responsible for the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire? (1982 – Short)
5. Analyze Asoka’s policy of Dhamma and account for its failure. (1983)
6. Examine the administrative system of the Mauryans and discuss briefly the causes of the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire? (1984)
7. Discuss critically the relative importance of the different sources for the history of the Mauryan period. (1986)
8. Mauryan court art as an alien grafting (1988 – Short)
9. Discuss the comparative merit of Arthasastra the Indica and Ashokan inscriptions as sources for the administration, socio-economic conditions and religious life in the Mauryan period. (1989)
10. The Mauryan policy of regulating and controlling economic activities. (1980 – Short)
11. Contents of Ashoka’s keenness to propagate dhamma (1991 – Short)
12. Examine the importance of Asoka’s Rock Edict XIII for determining the extent of the Mauryan Empire. Did Ashoka’s policies and reforms contribute to the fall of the empire? (1993)
13. Determine the veracity of Megatanese descriptions of Indian society and economy with the help of other contemporary evidences. (1994)
14. Inscriptions of Asoka (1995 – Short)
15. Mauryan Municipal Administration (1996 – Short)
16. Examine sources of information for Mauryan dynasty throw light on historical significance of Asoka’s inscriptions (1999)
17. How did Asoka contribute to the moral and administrative welfare of his people? (2000)
18. Examine the nature of Mauryan state. Bring out the features of their administrative system. (2002)
19. Determine the extent of the Mauryan Empire. (2005)

Post-Mauryan / Pre-Guptan

1. How was overseas trade organized in South India up to 300 AD? Discus this with special reference to Roman trade and point out its impact on Indian Economy? (1984)
2. The role of guilds in the economic life of India from 200 BC and 300 AD? (1986 – Short and 2010)
3. Bring out the salient features of the religious developments in the post-Mauryan period. How was contemporary art influenced by it? (1988)
4. Indian participation in the silk trade through Central Asia? (Short – 1990)
5. Origin, Chronology, Characteristics and Geographical spread of Gandhara Art? (1991 – Short)
6. Discuss the military activities of Kharavela of Kalinga. Do you think that his reign is significant for military expeditions alone? (1993)
7. Buddhist writing in Sanskrit in the post-Mauryan Period?  (1993 – Short)
8. The centuries between 200 BC – 300 AD constitutes landmark in the socio-religious history on India. Analyze the proposition. (1995)
9. Furnish a critical and comparative account of various schools of art in the Post- Mauryan period (200 BC – 300 AD) (1998)
10. How justified are we in characterizing the post-Mauryan five centuries as the ‘Dark Period’ of Indian History? Give reasons in support of your answers (2008)
11. How do recent archaeological findings and Sangam literary texts enlighten us about the early state and society in South India? (2008)
12. Examine the significance of the deities depicted on the coins of the Kushans (2010 30 Marks)

Guptan

1. Describe the expansion of the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta with the help of the Allahabad Pillar inscription? (1979)
2. Examine the development of religion, literature and fine arts under the Guptas? (1980)
3. How far d the coins of the Guptas provide clues regarding trends in economy, polity, religion and art?? Discuss them in the light of corroborating evidence from archaeological and literature? (1981)
4. Describe the conditions of economic life in the age of the Guptas? (1982)
5. The Gupta period stands at the Centre of Indian History? Discuss the development of arts and literature in the Gupta period in the light of this statement. (1985)
6. The significance of the polity of matrimonial alliances for the expansion and consolidation of the Gupta Empire? (1986 – Short)
7.  The economic prosperity in the Gupta Period? (1990 – Short)
8. In what ways does religion as reflected in the Vedic texts differ from the religion of the Gupta period? (1991)
9. Analyze the characteristic feature of Gupta art and compare them with those of the Mauryan Art? (1992)
10. Factors that led to the rise and fall of the Gupta Empire? (1996 – Short)
11. Skandagupta’s War with the Hunas? (1997 – Short)
12. Highlight the achievement of the Gupta period in the field of literature, science and technology? (1998)
13. Assess the status of women in India from 4th BC to 6th AD (2005)
14. What are the salient features of the administrative system of the Guptas? (2005)
15. Describe the expansion of th Guptan Empire under Samudragupta (2006)
16. Throw light on the condition of common man in the Guptan period (2007)
17. Give an account of  the use of gold coins by commoners in the Guptan period (2009 30 Marks)
18. What light do early inscriptions and literature throw on the status of women in politico-socio-economic spheres (2010)

Post-Guptan

1. Discuss the contribution of the Pallavas to South Indian Art. Was this art wholly indigenous? (1979)
2. Discuss critically the main aspects of polity and society under the Pallavas? (1981)
3. Trace the origin and developments of the political authority of Chalukyas of Badami and discuss their contribution to religion and architecture? (1982)
4. Who were the Pallavas? Review briefly their contribution to art and administration? (1983)
5. What was the contribution of Chalukyas of Badami to Indian Architecture? (1984 – Short)
6. Critically examine the sources of information for the study of Harshavardhana and discuss his religious policy? (1984)
7. Trace briefly the history of the struggle between the Chalukyas and the Pallavas. Analyze its causes and bring out its importance? (1985)
8. The contributions of the Pallavas to Indian Architecture (1986 – Short)
9. Harsha is described as ‘The lord of the whole of North India’. Determine the extent of his empire and discuss his political relations with Sasanka, Bhaskaravarman and Pulakeshi – II. (1986)
10. Harsha owes his greatness largely not to any real achievements but to formulate description by two famous men.’ Discuss? (1987)
11. The Maukharis paving the way for glory of Harshavardhana (1988 – Short)
12. Evaluate the importance of the contributions of the Pallavas in the history of the development of art and administration in South India? (1988)
13. Discuss critically the role Harsha played in the political history of his times (1989)
14. Make a comparative study of the administrative system and development of art under the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Chalukyas of Vatapi? (1990)
15. In what ways would the period of the Pallavas of Kanchi and that of the Chalukyas of Badami mark the beginning of a new historical phase in peninsular India? (1991)
16. How far is it true to say that the strength and vigor of Indian history during 500-750 AD lay in the south of Vindhyas? (1995)
17. Give an account of the society of Northern and Central India since the death of Harsha to the Muslim conquest of North India? (1996)
18. Of all events that had a singular bearing on the history of India, Harsha’s death in 647 AD is significant, why? Explain (1996)
19. Assess the achievements of the Pallavas in administration and art? (1997)
20. ‘Harshavardhana was himself was great, but he has been made greater by Bana and Yuang Chaing’ critically examine the statement (1999)
21. Who were Maukharis? Discuss their political relations with the later Guptas of Magadha? (2000)
22. Give an account of the struggle for supremacy in South India between Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas? (2000)
23. Examine the information of Fahien about the political, religious, social and economic conditions of India. Make a comparative study of his account with that of Yuang Chanwg? (2003)
24. Give an account of the rise of the Chalukyas of Vatapi and their struggle with other rules. Write a note on their patronage of arts? (2004)

History Model Questions

Indus Valley Civilization

1. ‘Both the beginning and the end of the IVC were not sudden’ do you agree. Give reasons.
2. Write the salient features of IVC with special reference to town planning.
3. ‘(By 1750 BC) what ended were cities of IVC but not the culture’. Elucidate.
4. Discuss the growth of Art and Architecture in IVC.

Vedic Civilization

1. Discuss the growth of religious and philosophical literature during Vedic age.
2. Discuss the significance /contribution /legacy of the Vedic culture and how it was different to the earlier civilization.
3. Give a brief account of the changes in the political system from Rig Vedic to Later Vedic period with special reference to the evolution of Monarchy.
4. Discuss the element of change between early vedic economy and later vedic economy. What role did iron lay in this change.
5. Discuss the social system of Vedic age with special reference to emergence and salient features of Varna system. Was it (Varna) so rigid in ancient period?

Pre-Mauryan Age

1. Trace out the Persian and Macedonian invasions and their impact over India.
2. ‘The differences between Monarchies and Republics of 6^th C BC are seen not only in politico-administrative sphere but in the whole way of life’. Discuss.
3. Describe the early state formation in Indo-Gangetic basin. Trace out the factors that led to ascendancy of Magadha.
4. Describe the factors that contributed to the urbanization in Indo-Gangetic basin. How it was different with early urbanization?
5. ‘Among many factors that led to the emergence of heterodox religion in 6^th C BC, the intensification of social stratification is the main one’. Do you agree?
6. Describe the factors responsible for the rise and growth of Buddhism and Jainism.

Mauryan Age

1. Discuss the comparative merits of Ashokan inscriptions over the literary evidences, as the source of information, for the study of Mauryan Empire.
2. Describe the principles of Ashoka’s Dhamma in the light of his edicts. Do you think that it is still relevant to the present society?
3. ‘The Mauryan art is the first imperial art in India’. Discuss.
4. Briefly discuss the administration of Mauryans with special reference to their foreign policy/ external relations.
5. To what extent Ashoka is responsible to the decline of Mauryan Empire.

Post-Mauryan / Pre-Guptan

1. Give an account of Sangam texts. To what extent they are useful to study the society of Tamilham in early centuries of Christian era. (South to Vengalam Hills to Kanyakumari – Tamilham i.e. three Tamil kingdoms)
2. Discuss the economic developments in post-Mauryan period with special reference to foreign trade and growth of urban centers.
3. Briefly discuss socio-religious conditions of India between 200BC to 300AD.
4. Describe chief Schools of Art developed in post-Mauryan period. How they were influenced by the contemporary economic-religious developments.

Guptan

1. Critically examine the conquests of Samudragupta in the light of Prayaga (Allahabad) prasasti.
2. Discuss the social conditions of the Guptan Age describing the position of common man and women.
3. Briefly describe the economy of the Guptan Empire with special reference to land grants and decay in urban centers.
4. Bring out the striking differences between Mauryan and Guptan administration. Do you find any feudal elements in Guptan administration?
5. Guptan age witnessed, if not golden age, classical age the history of ancient Indian. Examine the statement explaining the growth of literature, art and architecture in this period.

Pub Ad Chapter wise references and questions

Chapter – I Introduction

 
1a) Meaning, Scope and Significance of Public Administration
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 1-9] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 1 -11] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 1 -10]

Questions

1. ‘Publicness’ of public administration in an ideal democratic government remains the ultimate value in theory and practice. Elucidate. 2001 (200 Words)
2. ‘The advent of the concept of ‘roll back of the state’ since the nineteen eighties has been altering the role of public administration but certainly not diminishing its central place in human society.’ Discuss. 2003 (200 Words)
3. ‘If public administration is to play a major legitimizing role in governing our complex society, it needs to be more fully conceptualized.’ Discuss. 2003 (200 Words)

1b) Wilson’s vision of Public Administration
References
Administrative thinkers – Prasad et al [Pg: 41-49]

Questions

1. ‘Administrative questions are not political questions’. Discuss. 2003 (200 Words)
2. ‘Calling Woodrow Wilson, the father of Public Administration is doing injustice to equally or even more eminent contributions made prior to him.’ Comment 2008 (200 Words)
3. ‘The field of Public Administration is a field of business.’ (Woodrow Wilson) 2009 (200 Words)

1c) Evolution of the discipline and its present studies
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg: 62-66] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 12-14; 49-57; 77-80] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 10 -15; 22-28; 449-454] and
Public Administration and Affairs by N Henry (2009 Edn) [Pg 27-40]

Questions

1. Describe the evolution of the discipline of public administration with special emphasis on post-1970 developments. 2002 (Essay)
2. Give an account of major landmarks in the growth of the discipline of public administration in the 20th century. What are the possible trends in its growth in the first decade of 21st century? 2003 (Essay)

1d) New Public Administration
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg: 40-43] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 58-69] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 15-22]

Questions

1. Minnobrook Conference in USA identified four features crucial to ‘new public administration’. Explain. 2001 (200 Words)
2. ‘New public administration is… a revolution or radicalism in words, and (at best) status-quo in skills or technologies.’ Comment. 2009 (200 Words)

1e) Public Choice approach
References
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 77-80] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 22-23]

1f) Challenges of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization
References
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 439-447]

Questions

1. Explain the impact of privatization on public administration with special reference to: 2010

           The issue of user fees (20 M)
           Public-private partnership (20 M)
           Outsourcing technique (20 M)

1g) Good Governance: Concept and Application
References
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 81-85] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 405-410]

Questions

1. Democracy and good governance are contradictions in terms. Discuss with Examples. 2004 (Essay)
2. In what ways and how can information technology play a crucial role in effective government-citizen interaction in the context of good governance? 2005 (Essay)
3. ‘Not merely governance but good governance is the key factor in achieving the United Nations Millennium Goals (2000).’ 2010 (200 Words)

1h) New Public Management
References
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 70-6] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 387-402]

Questions

1. ‘The New Public management’ (NPM) is an incarnation of a new model of public sector management in response of the challenges of liberalization, international competitiveness and technological changes.’ Explain. 2003 (200 Words)
2. In the last two decades, almost all countries of the world have experienced transformations in their administrative system.’ Explain this phenomenon with examples from the developed and the developing nations in the context of New Public Management Movement. 2008 (Essay)
3. It is said that ‘the perspective of public administration, developed over a century, with a tradition of management of public institutions and services has received a jolt from the novelty of NPM.’
4. Bring out the core values, approachers and assumptions of traditional public administration and show how the NPM has attempted to change or retain them, and to what extent. 2009 (Essay)
5. ‘NPM is dead; long live digital era of governance.’ Comment 2010 (20 M)

Chapter – II Administrative Thought

2a) Scientific Management and Scientific Management Movements
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg: 194-198] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 125 -129] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 54 -57]
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Pg 60 – 70] (2010 Edn)

Questions

1. ‘Taylor scientific management ignored social and Psychological factors.’ Comment. 2007 (200 Words)
2. Taylor’s contribution was not a set of general principles for organizing work efficiency, but a set of operating procedures that could be employed in each concrete situation to secure their application.’ Comment. 2009 (20 M) (200 Words)

2b) Classical Theory (Fayol, Urwick and Others)
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg: 189 - 191] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 121 - 125] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 57 - 60] and
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Pg 49 – 58 and 82 - 93] (2010 Edn)

Questions

1. Why do all administrative organizations consider ‘hierarchy’ as the many splendored ‘technique’? Discuss. 2001 (Essay)
2. ‘The failure of classical science of administration lies in its capacity to confront theory with evidence’. Discuss. 2005 (Essay)
3. Critically examine the Classical Science of Administration with special reference to its criticism by Dwight Waldo and Robert Dahl. 2006 (Essay)
4. ‘The distinction between line and staff is relative rather than absolute.’ Discuss. 2007 (200 Words)
5. From Woodrow Wilson to Herbert Simon most writers on administration have taken the achievement of efficiency as the central objective. Justify the statement with references to the work of major writers. 2009 (Essay)

2c) Weber’s bureaucratic model – its critique and post-Weberian Developments
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg: 191 - 194] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 129 - 132] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 68 - 90] and
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Pg 71 – 80 (Mark Weber) and 256 – 269 (Karl Marx)] (2010 Edn)

Questions

1. Critically examine the models of Maximum Weber and Chester I Barnard with reference to ‘bureaucratic authority’. 2001 (200 Words)
2. ‘Weberian model of bureaucracy lacks empirical validity when applied to modern democratic administration.’ Examine 2003 (200 Words)
3. Bureaucracy can exist only when the whole service of the state is removed from the common political life of the people, its chiefs as well as rank and file. Its motives, its objectives, its policy, its standards must be bureaucratic.’ Discuss. 2004 (200 Words)
4. Weber’s ideas of impersonal detachment and esprit de corps are incompatible. Explain. 2004 (Essay)
5. Consider the statements below and identify the theoretical context and analyses the above statements. 2009 (300 Words)
6. ‘Technically, the bureaucracy represents the purest type of legal-rational authority.’
7. ‘Bureaucracy does not represent the only type of legal authority.’

2d) Dynamic administration – Mary Parker Follett
References
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 132 - 135] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 64 - 67] and
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Pg 95 – 104] (2010 Edn)

Questions

1. In Follett’s view, ‘authority belongs to job and stays with the job.’ Explain. 2005 (200 Words)
2. ‘The main problem with Mary Parker Follett’s work is that her idealism is showing.’ Explain. 2006 (200 Words)
3. ‘Mary parker Follett was far ahead of her times.’ Discuss. 2008 (200 Words)

2e) Human Relations School (Elton Mayo and Others)
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 202 – 207] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 137 - 143] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 93 - 94] and
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Pg 104 - 114] (2010 Edn)

Questions

1. Explain the contribution of George Elton Mayo to the development of the Human Relations School. How did behavioral scientists modify his basic findings? 2002 (Essay)

2f) Functions of the Executive (Chester I Barnard)
References
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 135 - 137] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 96 - 97] and
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Pg 136 - 151] (2010 Edn)

Questions

1. ‘The inculcation of belief in the real existence of a common purpose is an essential executive function.’ Comment. 2001 (200 Words)

2g) Simon’s Decision Making Theory
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 208 -211; 709 -725] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 278 - 284] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 175 - 178] and
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Pg 129 - 139] (2010 Edn)

Questions

1. A fairly adequate analysis of the administrative organization in government is possible when we treat ‘bureaucracy’ as a ‘structure’ and ‘administration’ as a ‘function’. Discuss. 2001 (Essay)
2. The ‘decision-making scheme’ and ‘satisficing model’ of Hebert A. Simon is the major component of administrative theory. Comment. 2001 (Essay)
3. ‘Simon’s work has had major implications for the study of public administration and the practice of public administration professionalism.’ Comment. 2006 (200 Words)
4. Examine the respective roles of facts and values in the decision-making process. Is it possible to make value-free decisions in government system? How can government decisions be made more rational? 2008 (Essay)
5. ‘Simon’s identifying decision-making as the core field of public administration appears logically acceptable but his positivist under pinning is problematic.’ Critically examine the statement. 2010 (40 M)

2h) Participative Management [R Likert, C Argyris, D Mc Gregor]
References
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad [Likert Pg 186 – 197; Argyris 161 - 172; McGregor 150 – 159]

Questions

1. Analyze McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y. Do you agree with the view that with every passing year, McGregor’s message has become more relevant and more important? Substantiate your answer (Essay) 2007
2. ‘In McGregor’s view, the managerial cosmology meaningfully addresses the understanding of manager and his role perceptions. Explain (200 Words) 2010
3. ‘The successful management leaders are found in Likert’s System-4 approach to organizational leadership.’ Examine (200 Words) 2010

Chapter – III Administrative Behavior

3b) Communication
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 687 -709] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 285 - 293] and
Essentials of organization and behavior by Robbins and Judge [Pg 158 – 170]

Questions

1. The nature and role of communication in administration vindicate that ‘Communication is authority’. Comment (200 Words) 2001

3c) Morale
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 682 -686] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 302 - 304] and
Organizational behavior by L M Prasad [Pg 373 – 350]

Questions

1. What is meant by morale? There is a belief that ‘morale and productivity go hand in hand and higher the morale, higher the productivity.’ Do you agree? Substantiate. (Essay) 2007

3d) Motivation Theories – Content, Process and Contemporary
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 665 -682] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 294 - 302] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 190 – 194] and
Essentials of organization behavior by Robbins and Judge [Pg 69 – 86] and
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad et al [Pg 141-149 (Maslow) and 173-184(Herzberg)]

Questions

1. Compare Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation and Herzberg’s motivation – hygiene theory. Do you think that they are universally applicable? If so, why? If not, why not? (Essay) 2002
2. Motivation theory is not synonymous with behavior theory. The motivations are only one class of determinants of behavior while behavior is almost always motivated; it is also almost always biologically, culturally, and situationally determined as well. Comment (200 Words) 2004
3. The Barnard – Simon theory of Organization is essentially a theory of motivation. Comment (200 Words) 2009

3e) Theories of Leadership
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 633 -665] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 260 - 267] and
Essentials of Organization Behavior – Robbins and Judge [Pg 175 – 195]

Questions

1. ‘Leaders do the right things, managers do them rightly.’ (Bennis) Comment (200 Words) 2008

Chapter – IV Organizations

4a) Theories – Systems, Contingency
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 211 - 215] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 150 - 151] and
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 175 – 195] and
Organizational Behavior – L M Prasad [Pg 383 – 386]

4b) Structure and Forms - Ministers and Departments, Corporations, Companies, Boards and Commissions; Ad-hoc and Advisory Bodies
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 241 - 305] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 155 - 204]

Questions

1. Public corporations are not an end in themselves but an extension of the government activities designed to promote public welfare – Substantiate (200 Words) 2002
2. Autonomy and accountability in Public Enterprises cannot walk together. Explain (200 Words) 2008
3. To claim that a company or a corporation form is always more effective than a departmental form of organization is an outdated view. The real test of a sound structure is its capacity to balance decisional autonomy and operational flexibility with optimal accountability. Critically examine this statement. (Essay) 2008
4. There is not doubt that departmentalization is fraught with complexities. These are in part technical, in part political. Discuss (200 Words) 2009

4c) Headquarters and Field Relationships
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 306 - 323] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 233 - 243]

4d) Regulatory Authorities
References
Public Administration in Theory and Practice – Sadhana and Sharma [Pg 267 - 276] Or
Public Administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 205 - 209]

Chapter – V Accountability and Control

5a) Concepts of Accountability and Control
References
Public administration - Avasthi and Maheshwari [Pg 582 – 585] and
New Horizons of Public administration by Mohit Bhattacharya [Pg 182 – 188]

Questions

1. The administrator needs autonomy and discretion in much the same way as the politician needs control and intervention. Discuss (200 Words) 2004

Pub Ad Weekly Questions

1)Globalisation has resurrected comparative public administration. Comment (200 Words)

2)Micro-finance institutions have become albatross of women and development. Critically analyse. (30 Marks)

3)Answer the following:
a)Training is multi-purpose – besides enhancing the professional competence, should also focus attitudinal change. Examine (40 Marks)
b)The concept of civil service neutrality is to be reinterpreted. Elaborate (20 marks)

4)Globalisation poses challenge to the role of government and public administration in the twenty first century. Discuss (300 Words)

5)Do you agree with Follett’s view that ‘all management problems were basically problems in human relations and man is essentially constructive and cooperative?

6)‘Decision making is the core of administration.’ Explain the above statement with special reference to:
a)Simon’s rational actor model (40 M)
b)Dror’s optimum/rational model (10 M)
c)Allison’s organisational process and governmental politics model (10M)

7)The effectiveness of an organisation is contingent upon: technology, environment and degree of differentiation. Comment (300 Words)

8)Media, interest groups, voluntary organisations and the civil society are overplaying the lapses of the UPA government. Examine (Essay)

9)Administrative tribunals are the watch dogs of public administration. Explain (200 Words)