Are you preparing for the UPSC Mains with Public Administration as an optional? Then, identifying the pattern, themes, and repetition tendencies in previous year questions (UPSC PYQs) is critical. In this guide by ProdEgyIAS, we provide complete topic-by-topic previous year questions(PYQ’s) for Public Administration Optional paper from 2013 to 2024, divided into Paper I and Paper II topicwise.Here you can download PDFs for Public Administration Optional Paper Topic-Wise Previous Year Questions (2013–2024) for UPSC Mains Whether you’re studying Administrative Theories, Governance, or Indian Administration, it’s intended to help you identify high-weightage areas and improve your answer writing skills.
These Public Administration PYQ’s are organised not only by year, but also by topic, allowing you to better focus your preparation. The collection, created under the guidance of Ashutosh Pandey Sir at ProdEgyIAS, one of the most trusted mentors in Public Administration, serves as a road map for deciphering UPSC’s changing expectations.
Get the complete list of topic-wise PYQs for Public Administration Optional paper (2013–2024) to strengthen your UPSC Mains preparation. These questions are classified as per the official syllabus of Paper I and Paper II, helping you understand trends, repetition, and high-weightage areas.
Trend Analysis of Past Years Questions (PYQ’s) in Public Administration optional paper (2013–2024)
Public administration has undergone a noticeable and gradual change as an optional in the UPSC Civil Services Examination over the last ten years. In the past, static theory—questions based on textbook methods, strict definitions, and classical thinkers—was the main focus. However, that is no longer true.
The type of questions has changed in recent years. Real-time governance concerns, interdisciplinary analysis, and practical application are becoming more and more popular. Aspirants are now expected by UPSC to apply administrative concepts to current situations, government initiatives, and policy issues in addition to understanding them. Candidates are evaluated on their capacity to think like future administrators in both Public AdministrationPaper I and Paper II.
The growing usage of case-based questions is one obvious trend. Candidates must be prepared to write critical responses based on actual administrative situations, whether the topic is bureaucratic accountability, decentralization, or disaster management. This makes it even more crucial to relate your responses to current events and use Indian administration as an example.
Every serious candidate should use the method of routinely completing Public Administration test papers from 2013 to 2024. In addition to the fact that four to five questions are nearly always the same, studying these papers can also help you comprehend the paper’s structure, recurrent themes, and time management strategies.
In addition to downloading previous UPSC Public Administration question paper PDFs, we at ProdegyIAS advise candidates to closely examine trends like as
✅ Change the questions from static to dynamic
✅ A greater emphasis on contemporary governance issues
✅ Cross-disciplinary interaction with sociology, political science, and ethics
✅ Emphasis on analytical presentation over rote learning
You can better align your preparation for the upcoming 2025 Mains Exam by being aware of these trends.
Public Administration Paper I (2013–2024) Topic-Wise PYQs
Introduction to Public Administration
Year
Questions
2013
Public Administration is more philosophical than technical. Examine.
2014
“Public and Private Administrations are two species of the same genus.” Comment
2016
“Public Administration is an Art and Science.” Explain.
2020
Evaluate the relevance of Public Administration in the context of post-liberalization era.
Administrative Thought
Year
Questions
2013
Examine the basic postulates of the Human Relations Theory. How far are they applicable to contemporary organizations?
2015
“Scientific Management and Human Relations School are incompatible.” Comment.
2018
Critically examine the contribution of Chester Barnard to the field of management.
2021
Assess the contribution of Herbert Simon to the field of decision-making in public administration.
Administrative Behaviour
Year
Questions
2013
How does motivation influence administrative behaviour? Compare the contribution of Maslow and Herzberg in explaining motivation.
2016
Discuss the concept of emotional intelligence and its relevance for modern public administration.
2019
How can leadership theories be used to improve public service delivery?
2022
Discuss the relevance of communication theory in administration.
Organizations
Year
Questions
2013
Examine the contribution of Max Weber in the development of organizational theory.
2015
What is the relevance of system theory to modern organizations?
2017
Explain the concept of learning organization and its usefulness in administration.
2023
Evaluate the principles of New Public Management in public organizations.
Accountability and Control
Year
Questions
2014
Discuss the role of CAG in ensuring accountability in public administration.
2017
Explain the concept of administrative accountability and how it can be enforced.
2019
What is the significance of social audit in ensuring public accountability?
2023
Examine the effectiveness of Lokpal and Lokayuktas in ensuring administrative accountability.
Administrative Law
Year
Questions
2013
Describe the role of administrative tribunals in India.
2016
Discuss the relevance of principles of natural justice in public administration.
2018
How is delegated legislation controlled in India?
Comparative Public Administration
Year
Questions
2013
Discuss the contribution of Riggs in Comparative Public Administration.
2015
How relevant are the models of CPA in today’s globalized world?
2020
Evaluate the ecological approach to comparative public administration.
Development Dynamics
Year
Questions
2013
Examine the role of bureaucracy in development.
2016
Critically evaluate the concept of sustainable development.
2021
What is the significance of participatory development? Illustrate with examples.
Personnel Administration
Year
Questions
2014
What are the tools and techniques of performance appraisal? Explain with reference to Indian civil services.
2017
Examine the role of training in changing the behaviour of civil servants.
2019
Discuss the need for civil service reforms in India.
Public Policy
Year
Questions
2013
Explain the process of policy formulation and implementation.
2015
Discuss the role of pressure groups in public policy.
2022
Evaluate the effectiveness of public policy monitoring and evaluation.
Financial Administration
Year
Questions
2013
Explain the role of the Finance Ministry in budget formulation.
2018
Critically examine the Zero-Based Budgeting system in India.
2021
Discuss the challenges of fiscal federalism in India.
