CSS Public Ad Past Paper Analysis
CSS Public Ad Past Paper Analysis
ADMINISTRATION
PAST PAPER ANALYSIS
@csspublicad
CHAPTER 1
Public Administration: Concepts, Approaches and Context
Discuss why it may be in the best interest of both the public and government for
administrators to have public administration background rather than having degree
in the area of economics, political science, or business studies? (2018)
1. Definitions; Role and Scope of Public Administration in Society
Describe the characteristic features of Public Administration and highlight the
strengths and weaknesses of governmental machinery in Pakistan. (2000)
Public Administration is detailed and systematic application of law. Every
particular application of law is an act of administration. (Woodrow Wilson)
Discuss the scope of public administration in the light of above statement. (2004)
In a democratic state, government is said to be the WILL of the people in action.
This concept has widened the scope of Public Administration. What should be the
new role of public administrator, as per expectations of the people. (2005)
Discuss the general problems comprising the elements of public administration in
details. (2007)
It is said ‘Public Administration is nothing less than the whole government in
action'. What is your view about the nature of public administration? (2008)
Write a short essay on the intellectual history of Public Administration. (2009)
Define Public Administration. Explain and justify your definition in comparison
with various other competing definitions of Public Administration. Do you think
Public Administration is different from business administration both in theory and
practice? (2010)
Define public administration and discuss the commonalities and differences
between public and private administration. (2015)
Public Administration refers to the implementation of public policy. Discuss in
detail. (2011)
Role of public administration in modern welfare state. (2013) (short note)
Define Public Administration and discuss its nature and scope. Critically examine
the challenges of Public Administration in the 21st Century with reference to
Pakistan. (2014)
Write short notes on any TWO topics: (a) Woodrow Wilson's contribution to
Public Administration (2014)
Write short note on: Woodrow Wilson’s contribution to Public Administration
(2022)
2. Issues in Public Administration Theory and Practice: Democracy versus
Bureaucracy, Politics versus Administration, Efficiency versus Equity
Politics – Administration Dichotomy (2001) (short note)
Discuss three major issues in public administration theory and practice. State
clearly your position on these issues and support your viewpoint with examples.
(2003)
In democracy, political neutrality of civil servants is only a normative value. They
have to endorse and follow the policies of the ruling party as they cannot afford to
act otherwise. Discuss and suggest remedies. (2005)
It has been said that "Administration is the most obvious part of government; it is
government in action; it is the executive, the operative, the most visible side of the
government and is of course as old as government itself." Discuss the above
statement in light of the theory and practice of Public Administration. (2006)
Bureaucracy and Democracy are antithetical. Bureaucracy is hierarchical, elitist,
specializing and informed while democracy is communal, pluralist, generalizing
and ill informed. Keeping in mind the quantum of expectations in Pakistan and the
reality of the civic culture discuss the above statement. (2009) (2020) (2022)
It is easier to make a constitution than to run it. Discuss in the light of Politics
Administration dichotomy. (2016)
Define Public Administration. Discuss the relationship between politics and Public
Administration. (2019)
3. Core Values of Public Administration: Rule of Law, Efficiency, Equity
and Fairness, Responsiveness
Public Administration is a broad ranging and amorphous mix of theory and
practice. The purpose of Public Administration is to frame a superior
understanding of
government and its relationship with the society it governs, as well as to promote
public policies responsive to social needs. Public Administration also institutes
managerial practices attuned to effectiveness, efficiencies, and a deeper human
requisite of the citizenry. Discuss. (2009)
4. Traditional Public Administration
5. New Public Management
Compare & Contrast the Bureaucratic model with New Public Management
(NPM). Do you think NPM has replaced the bureaucratic approach to Public
Administration? Support your views with examples from Pakistan. (2010)
New Public Management Concept (2011) (short note)
Explain the basic theme and theoretical bases of the 'New Public Management'.
What are the different mechanisms that have used in pursuing NPM goals by the
governments in different parts of the world, especially in Pakistan? (2012)
Compare and Contrast the Bureaucratic Model with New Public Management
(NPM). Do you think NPM is relevant to developing countries like Pakistan?
Support your argument with key indicators. (2020)
Q7. New Public Management has been hailed as the dominant paradigm for public
service (20) in the last two decades. In your opinion, how viable is NPM for
developing countries taking into account the distinct and complex environment of
public sector organizations in such countries? (2023)
6. New Public Service
7. Governance Approach to Public Administration
Requirements for Good Governance (2000)
Devolution and Good Governance (2001) (short note)
Critically examine the role, of bureaucracy, in good governance in general and with
particular reference to Pakistan. (2001)
Define the notion of good governance. Discuss the scope and functions of public
administration within the framework of governance. (2001)
Discuss how good governance can be introduced in the Bureaucracy of Pakistan and
used as an instrument of rapid economic growth. (2002)
What is good governance? Explain the role of Public Administration in good
governance particularly with reference to Pakistan? (2010)
Explain the concept of Good Governance. How can good governance ensure
efficient and effective public service delivery at the grass roots level in Pakistan?
(2011)
Describe the basic elements of good Governance and evaluate the role of media
and civil society institutions in improving the performance of governance. (2015)
Write short note on: Governance challenges in Pakistan (2020)
Difference between Good Governance and E-Governance. (2022) (short note)
8. Islamic Concept of Public Administration
9. Historical roots of Public administration in Pakistan.
CHAPTER 2
, “On what basis shall it be decided to allocate x dollars to activity A instead of activity B?” Key believed that
personal values and priorities ultimately determine where money is spent. Developing “criteria” to decide
how public resources should be spent is nearly impossible, given that people’s values and priorities differ.
These diverse values and priorities are reflected in budgetary choices. The budget, therefore, is an interest-
oriented process defined by constant struggle—struggle to determine whose interests and preferences will be
given consideration. Politics ends up being very much a part of this struggle (Wildavsky 1992).
CHAPTER 5
1. Spoil system versus Merit System in Public Employment;
The excessive zeal for scientific management which arose as a corollary to the
merit system has produced adverse effect on administration but civil service has
become synonymous to merit system. Describe briefly the merit system and its
advantages. (2007)
2. Personnel versus Human Resources Management;
Discuss the role of government in human resource management at enterprise level
with particular reference to Pakistan. (2001)
Describe the scope of personnel administration with special reference to
aristocratic system of personnel administration. (2004)
Human Resource Management (HRM) is a contemporary approach to managing
people in business org. What are the salient features of HRM model? Do you think
this model is being applied to reform personnel system in Pakistan? (2010)
The system of Public Personnel Management in Pakistan. (2012) (short note)
Elaborate the interference of Hallo Effect and Stereotyping in the recruitment of
knowledge workers? (2013)
Discuss the salient feature of the system of Public personnel Management of
Pakistan and critically examine the needs to evolve the Human Resource
Management in Public Sector of Pakistan from an administrative and operational
role to a strategic one. (2014)
3. Close system versus Open System of Public Employment;
Compare and contrast the closed and open career system models. Which of these
two models best explain the career system of public bureaucracy in Pakistan?
(2001)
4. Functions of Human Resources Management;
5. Implementation of HRM in Public Sector: Key Issues and Challenges.
What structural changes would you suggest to change the orientation of public
personnel management in Pakistan from ruling elite to serving civil servants to
achieve the objectives of poverty alleviation and development. (2000)
Analyze the Recruitment and training process of Central and Provincial Service?
(2008)
What is meant by personnel administration? What critical issues need to be taken
care of in devising efficient system of personnel management? (2015)
Describe the role of government in HRM at enterprise level. Elaborate key
challenges in Public sector enterprises in Pakistan and way forward. (2020)
CHAPTER 6
1. Meaning;
Administrative Law (2005) (short note)
2. Scope and Significance;
3. Nature and Contents of Administrative Law,
4. Administrative Ethics,
Administrative Ethics (2003) (short note)
The professional ethics and consciousness is a sort of built-in control mechanism
and it prompts the administrative leadership to maintain high standard of efficiency
and integrity. Do you agree with this statement? Discuss. (2008)
5. Delegation of Authority and Legislation,
The Supreme Court in Pakistan asserts the right of Judicial Review. Explain how in
the development of Administrative Law the right of Judicial Review was first
enforced by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1803 in the case of Marbury V. Madison.
(2016)
6. Administrative Tribunals;
7. Administrative Law in Pakistan.
What is administrative law? Discuss the principles and practice of administrative
law in Pakistan. (2003)
E – government (2005) (2011) (short note)
Ombudsman (2005) (short note)
Describe the powers and functions of ombudsman office in Pakistan and examine its
role in controlling administrative injustices to the common citizen. (2015)
CHAPTER 7
1. Planning;
What is planning? Why are the disadvantages of planning called potential
disadvantages? Outline the relationship among the six steps in the planning
process. (2013)
What is administrative planning? Explain it in the light of personnel and
techniques. (2004)
One of the writers on planning Mr. Pfeiffer points out that the constitution of a
country is a plan. Every planning and purposeful activity is preceded by
preparation for action. Do you agree with this statement? Discuss. (2007)
Explain the system of project planning in the government of Pakistan and how
does it extend to the provinces and local governments? (2009)
Planning Machinery in Pakistan. (2012) (short note)
2. Decision Making,
Compare & Contrast rational, incremental and NPM approach to decision making
in Public Administration. Explain your views with examples from Pakistan. (2010)
Traditional managerial approach to public administration stresses the need for
rationality in decision making. List and discuss the necessary steps to be taken to
develop a rational comprehensive model in decision making. Also give a specific,
comprehensive and logical critique of the same model. (2018)
Describe the four basic stages in the rational model of decision making and
problem solving. When do bounded rationality, satisficing and heuristics enter
your own decision making for better? For worse? (2020)
3. Conflict Management;
Explain dispute settlement process. Do you think that major methods of redressal of
public grievances in Pakistan are adequate? Argue your case. (2019)
4. Leading,
5. Communication,
Communication breakdown in organization. (short note) (2002)
Write in detail the main hindrances of effective communication. Can these be
remedied? (2004)
What are the communications issues for the Citizen-Government relationship in
Pakistan? (2013)
6. Administrative Buffering;
Administrative Buffering (2019) (short note)
7. Managing Change;
8. Managing Diversity;
9. Stress Management;
10.Delegation;
11.Public Service Motivation;
Harnessing intrinsic motivation within the public servants is prelude to better
public service delivery and effective curb on corruption. Discuss the statement in
the light of public service motivation paradigm and its requisite ingredients
enunciated by James L. Perry. (2017)
12.Creativity and Problem Solving; (2020 question)
13.Issues of Public Management.
CHAPTER 8
1. Historical Background of Civil Service,
The CSP officers were accused of harboring a colonial mentality, of being little more
"Brown Englishmen's in the conduct of duties. Do you agree with this observation,
comment? (2008)
2. The Structure of civil Service;
3. History of Civil Service Reform;
The government is seized the objective of implanting civil service reform in order to
create a structure that is more efficient and responsive. Suggest how the
government should balance its strategy between the effort to improve the personnel
as well as the organization and methods of its government offices. (2016)
4. Management of Civil Service;
5. Institutional and Cultural Context of Civil Service;
6. Role of Civil Service in Good Governance, Gender and Civil Service.
CHAPTER 9
1. Governance Structure of Provincial Administration;
Discuss the Organizational and functional setup of the Federal and Provincial
Governments in Pakistan. How their relationship can further be strengthened?
(2002)
2. Organization of Provincial Secretariat;
3. Organization and Functions of Provincial Authorities and Agencies and
their Relationship with Government Departments;
4. Post-devolution Local Governance;
Discuss the structure and functions of district government under the new system of
local government being implemented by the present regime in Pakistan. (2001)
Why the recently introduced reforms by the Government of Pakistan are severely
criticized by some of the Government Servants, suggest remedies for
improvement. (2002)
Explain briefly the Devolution Program of the Government. Highlight its strengths
and weaknesses. (2006)
Explain the new administrative setup under Local Government Ordinance 2001. How
far it affected the efficiency of Bureaucracy? (20)
Critically Analyze NRB-5Ds Model developed in 2001 in context with; Devolution of
Political Process, Distribution of Resources to Districts, Diffusion of Power
Authority Nexus, Deconcentrating of Management Functions and Decentralization
of Administrative authority. (2020).
5. Organization and Functions of District Government and Administration;
6. Organization and Structure of City District Government;
7. Issues and Challenges of Local Governance.
CHAPTER 10
1. Theories of Administrative Reforms;
2. Types of Administrative Reforms;
3. Privatization;
Define the term "Privatization’ in the context of Pakistan. How can privatization be
useful in transforming the manufacturing and service sector of Pakistan? Answer
this question in the light of the Privatization policy of Government of Pakistan.
(2001)
Crises in public corporation of Pakistan (2002)
Public Corporations are created because government departments are not conducive to
initiative and flexibility required in modern times. Discuss as to what extent these
objectives have been achieved by public corporations in Pakistan. Give examples,
where possible. (2005)
What is the importance of Public Private Partnership in Effective Governance?
Discuss the concept of Public Private Partnership with example from Pakistan.
(2006)
How and why governments implement public programmes by hiring the private sector
to do work for them. In writing your answer, also discuss the concepts of
privatization and public private partnership. (2009)
Critically examine the structure and functions of public corporations. What are the
major causes of widespread inefficiencies in the public sector enterprises of
Pakistan? (2015)
Privatization as a global phenomenon has major implications for Bureaucratic role and
scope, especially in state-dominated political system. Discuss, the statement with
for or against arguments. (2017)
Public sector innovation creates value for society either through new or improved
processes or services. Discuss factors which hamper procedural innovation in
public sector in Pakistan. (2017)
Market Failure
Describe in detail the four classical types of potential market failure and provide
examples of each type. What is the relevance of the concept of market failure to
government intervention in the economy? Explain. (2022)
4. Regulation;
5. De-regulation;
6. Decentralization;
Devolution and Good Governance (2001) (short note)
There are three major forms of administrative decentralization; deconcentration,
delegation and devolution each with different set of characteristics. Argue which
one is the most suitable form within the Pakistan’s socio-political context? (2017)
Types of Decentralization (2019) (short note)
7. Partnerships and Collaboration;
8. Business Re-engineering,
Public Business Re-Engineering (2020) (short note)
9. Quality Assurance;
10.Administrative Reform in Pakistan.
CHAPTER 11
1. Bureaucratic Responsiveness;
2. Representative Bureaucracy;
3. Citizens Engagement in Public Service;
Q5. Public officials at all levels have established processes to encourage more
substantive forms of citizen engagement. What is citizen engagement? Give
examples of these efforts, and what is the potential, in your opinion, for these
efforts to create truly meaningful engagement?
4. Accountability & Control;
Accountability and Control are the essential aspects of Public Administration in
Democratic Government'. Explain. Also suggest means for strengthening the
system of administrative accountability in Pakistan. (2012)
What is the difference between power and authority? Describe the role of power in the
control process. (2013)
Critically examine the control mechanisms and process in Pakistan and suggest
measures to strengthen the system to overcome maladministration and corruption.
(2014)
5. Concept and Approaches to Public Accountability;
The judicial remedies and accountability for the citizen of the country against the
abuse of power has become prevalent in the modern time. What are those
remedies? Elaborate. (2007)
The judicial remedies and accountability for the citizens of the country against the
abuse of power has become prevalent in the modern time. What are those
remedies? (2009)
6. Institutional Framework for Administrative Accountability;
A fair, free and transparent system of accountability is a pre-requisite of public
administration in a democratic state. Identify the causes and suggest remedies for
the failure of system of accountability during the democratic regimes in Pakistan.
(2000)
The administrative accountability of the public services is done under two heads that
is internal and external control in Pakistan. (2004)
Explain the salient features of National Accountability Strategy as prepared by the
National Accountability Bureau. Can it be called a complete strategy of Effective
Governance? (2006)
Despite the plethora of controlling institutions, administrative accountability is still
a pipe dream in Pakistan; why? (2015)
7. Legislative, Executive and Judicial Control over Administration;
Role of Executive, Legislature & Judiciary in public administration (2000)
What are various methods of legislative control over executive in Pakistan? Why
these controls are not so effective and taken lightly by the bureaucracy? (2005)
Parliamentary oversight of the executive is an important aspect of any democratic
system. How is this role being exercised by the Parliament in Pakistan? What
recommendations would you suggest for making this role more effective? (2011)
Appropriate separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial
branches ensure effective check and balance and hence accountable public
administration. Discuss, the statement in the light of historic Watergate Scandal,
which forced Nixon to resign as head of public bureaucracy. (2017)
8. Administrative Corruption;
Corruption is an evil which has played havoc in the socio-economic development
of societies. Also sources of corruptions are similar in all public administrative
settings. Having this in mind what are various types, causes and how to control
corruption in public sectors organizations. (2018)
Examine how corruption in public services undermines democracy. Discuss its
possible redressal mechanism. (2021)
9. Role of Civil Society in Good Governance;