Governance & Public Administration — UPSC CSE Questions

9 UPSC CSE practice questions on Governance & Public Administration, part of Indian Polity & Governance. Below are 9 of them in full, each with the answer and a written explanation.

Questions & explanations

1. With respect to the role of civil services in a democracy, consider: 1. They provide continuity across changes of government. 2. They are meant to formulate the broad political agenda of the ruling party. 3. They implement policies decided by the political executive. Which are correct?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 1 and 3 only
  3. (c) 2 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Civil services provide continuity and implement the political executive's policies. They do NOT formulate the ruling party's political agenda - that is the role of the elected political executive.

2. Which Commission's reports are most associated with recommending fixed tenures and a Civil Services Board for governance reform?

  1. (a) First Administrative Reforms Commission
  2. (b) Second Administrative Reforms Commission
  3. (c) Sarkaria Commission
  4. (d) Punchhi Commission

Answer: (b) Second Administrative Reforms Commission

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2005-09) recommended fixed tenures, performance appraisal and a Civil Services Board to insulate postings from political interference.

3. Under Article 312, a new All India Service can be created only if a resolution is passed by:

  1. (a) The Lok Sabha by simple majority
  2. (b) The Rajya Sabha supported by two-thirds of members present and voting
  3. (c) Both Houses by special majority
  4. (d) The President alone

Answer: (b) The Rajya Sabha supported by two-thirds of members present and voting

Article 312 requires the Rajya Sabha to pass a resolution, supported by two-thirds of members present and voting, declaring a new All India Service to be in the national interest.

4. The body that conducts recruitment to the All India and Central Services and advises on disciplinary matters is the:

  1. (a) Staff Selection Commission
  2. (b) Union Public Service Commission
  3. (c) Central Vigilance Commission
  4. (d) Lok Sabha Secretariat

Answer: (b) Union Public Service Commission

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), established under Article 315, conducts recruitment to the higher civil services and advises on disciplinary matters.

5. Lateral entry into the civil services refers to:

  1. (a) Promotion of State Service officers to the IAS
  2. (b) Direct recruitment of specialists from outside into senior government posts
  3. (c) Transfer of officers between states
  4. (d) Deputation of officers to PSUs

Answer: (b) Direct recruitment of specialists from outside into senior government posts

Lateral entry means inducting specialists from the private sector, academia or public bodies directly into senior posts, bypassing the regular UPSC exam route.

6. A Citizens' Charter primarily serves to:

  1. (a) Recruit civil servants
  2. (b) Declare service standards and grievance remedies to citizens
  3. (c) Transfer officers
  4. (d) Audit government accounts

Answer: (b) Declare service standards and grievance remedies to citizens

A Citizens' Charter publicly declares the services, standards, timelines and grievance remedies that citizens can expect, making delivery accountable.

7. Which Article of the Constitution provides safeguards to civil servants against arbitrary dismissal, removal or reduction in rank?

  1. (a) Article 309
  2. (b) Article 310
  3. (c) Article 311
  4. (d) Article 312

Answer: (c) Article 311

Article 311 protects civil servants by requiring an inquiry and a reasonable opportunity to be heard before dismissal, removal or reduction in rank.

8. The Supreme Court judgment that directed states to set up Civil Services Boards and fix minimum tenures for officers was:

  1. (a) Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997)
  2. (b) T.S.R. Subramanian v. Union of India (2013)
  3. (c) S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
  4. (d) Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006)

Answer: (b) T.S.R. Subramanian v. Union of India (2013)

In T.S.R. Subramanian (2013), the Supreme Court directed Civil Services Boards, fixed tenures and recording of oral instructions for civil servants.

9. The civil services were famously described as the 'steel frame' of India by:

  1. (a) Jawaharlal Nehru
  2. (b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  3. (c) B. R. Ambedkar
  4. (d) Lord Cornwallis

Answer: (b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel described the civil services as the 'steel frame' of India in the Constituent Assembly, defending the All India Services.

More Indian Polity & Governance topics

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