The Learners Community 1 Index T able Lesson 1: Indian Administration ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 2 Lesson 2: Decentralisation and Local Self Governance ................................ ................................ ............ 19 Lesson 3: Budget ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 36 Lesson 4: Technology and Public Administration in India ................................ ................................ ........ 45 Lesson 5: Social Welfare Policies ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 55 Lesson 6: Issues and Debates in Public Administration ................................ ................................ ........... 63 Previous Year Questions Paper and Exam Level Answer ................................ ................................ .............................. 72 Connect With US. Instagram: @the_learners_community_dusol Telegram: The Learners Community DU SOL Telegram: The Learners Community YouTube: @TheLearnersCommunityDUSOL Notes Store: The Learners Community DU SOL NCWEB NOTES App Link: The Learners Community DU SOL The Learners Community 2 Lesson 1: Indian Administration Introduction to Public Administration Public Administration is considered a cornerstone of governance and how society is structured. It covers both the academic study and the practical implementation of government policies and the delivery of services to the public. This lesson explores the basic ideas, historical development, and importance of public adm inistration in modern society. Theoretical Foundation and Definition Origin of the Term • The words "Public Administration" originate from two Latin words: " ad " meaning service , and " ministrare " meaning management Academic Origin • The formal academic study of public administration began in 1887. • Woodrow Wilson defined Public Administration in his important essay published in 1887 as "the systematic and detailed application of law ". Evolution and Perspectives There are two main ways to look at public administration: the Traditional View and the Modern Comprehensive View. A. Traditional View • Focus: This view mainly refers to the government's executive branch and its activities. • Role: The traditional approach views public administration as an instrument of governance. Its primary job is to carry out pre - determined laws and policies using the government machinery. • Emphasis: Traditional theorists, including thinkers like Woodrow Wilson and Luther Gulick, stressed the importance of administrative efficiency and the hierarchical organization of government operations. They saw administration primarily as a tool for simply implementing decisions made by politicians. B. Modern Comprehensive View • Scope: This detailed and broad understanding was articulated by F.A. Nigro and L.G. Nigro. • Key Features (According to Nigro and Nigro): 1. It involves cooperative group effort in public places. 2. It covers all three branches of the government — executive, legislature, and judicial — and the relationships between them. This moves past the old idea of only focusing on the executive branch. 3. It plays a decisive role in creating public policy and is therefore part of the policy process. The Learners Community 3 4. It is significantly different from private administration in several ways. 5. It is closely linked with private organizations and individuals engaged in community service • Modern Role: This viewpoint expands the role of administration to include participation in forming policies . The administrator is viewed as an important participant in the political process, not just someone who implements policy. • Current Understanding: A crucial element of this modern approach is the clear recognition of factors (like accountability, scope, and purpose) that set public administration apart from private administration. It emphasizes that public administration is focused on community service , working with private groups to deliver essential services. It sees administration as a part of the broader governance process , moving away from a rigid, mechanistic, implementation - only approach toward a more service - oriented a nd dynamic one. • Context for Change: This shift in perception occurred because government functions have become more complex, and citizens expect better public services and responsiveness from their governments. Introduction to Public Administration in India • Historical Nature: Public Administration in India has a unique and ancient history that combines colonial traditions with modern governance practices. • Key Institutional Milestones: ◦ The formal study began in 1937 when the Diploma in Public Administration (DPA) course was launched at the University of Madras. ◦ The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) was established in New Delhi in 1954. ◦ The National Academy of Administration was set up in Mussoorie in 1959. ◦ Training for the first batch of IAS officers started at Metcalfe House in Delhi in April 1959, later moving to Mussoorie in September 1959. ◦ The National Academy of Administration was renamed the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in 1972. ◦ The institutional structure for administrative education was further strengthened when the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recognized Public Administration as a separate discipline in 1986. State Administrative Training Institutes were also establi shed. • Transformation Post - Independence: Since India’s independence, the administrative system has undergone major changes. It evolved from a colonial system focused on regulation to an administrative structure centered on development and service . This evolution aligns with India’s commitment to public welfare under the Welfare State concept mentioned in the Constitution. • Structure and Function: The administrative machinery operates through a three - tier structure (central, state, and local levels). This structure implements policies and programs designed to encourage social and economic development. The Learners Community 4 • Contemporary Challenges and Approach: The current Indian administrative system, which operates within a democratic federal framework, faces both unique challenges and opportunities in serving its vast population. The administration attempts to balance traditional bureaucratic procedures with modern management techniques. It emphasizes cooperative federalism, citizen - centric governance, and technological integration , while still fulfilling its primary role of policy implementation and public service delive ry. • Future Focus: The study of public administration in India continues to develop, embracing new concepts like e - governance, participatory administration, and sustainable development, while simultaneously addressing issues of accountability, efficiency, and transparency i n service provision. Colonial Legacy The foundations of India’s civil services originated with the British East India Company . The Company’s structure was initially divided into three setups: Military, Naval Services, and Commercial setup. The term Civil Services was created to distinguish the administrative staff from the military and naval officers, who were not involved in administration or commerce. Although administrative tasks were present during Warren Hastings’ time (1773 - 1785) , Lord Charles Cornwallis (Governor General of India, 1786 - 1793) is often credited with establishing India’s civil services. Administrative Structure and Early Reforms Lord Charles Cornwallis organized the civil services into two categories: 1. Covenanted Services: These represented senior administrative positions and were reserved only for British officials. 2. Uncovenanted Services: These comprised lower administrative positions that were open to both British and Indian personnel. To tackle widespread corruption, Cornwallis introduced comprehensive administrative reforms. These reforms included: • Enhanced pay (remuneration) for civil servants. • Strict rules prohibiting private trading activities • The establishment of a seniority - based promotion system to be utilized within a five to six - year period. Cornwallis’ successor, Richard Wellesley (1798 - 1805) , further formalized administrative training by creating Fort William College in Calcutta (1800) . However, after Wellesley left, the East India Company transferred civil service training to British soil by establishing Haileybury College in London