VAJIRAM & RAVI PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: Important Topics for Mains 2012 (Paper -I)

Reproduced from: http://www.vajiramandravi.com/Forms/ImpTopicsPA.pdf

Chapter-1
 Woodrow Wilson’s vision of PA—i.e. dichotomy theory and his recommendations on  business-like admn (‘pvt admn’ v/s ‘pub admn’ contrast)
 NPA-NPM-NPS Models: the  comparison of emphasis, the interconnections between them and the evolving emphasis; how do they reform the PA; which is most conducive to Good Governance, Gary Wamsley’s Blacksburg Perspective
 PCA/LPG in the context of Institutional Pluralism and Networked Admn
 Service Guarantee Acts and their purpose as a Good Governance  initiative, linking it to the concept of Citizens Charter and also to Right Based Laws (Entitlement Theories)


Chapter-2
Important  Thinkers  This Year  (Ch 2,3,4):  Gullick-Urwick, Mayo, Weber, Simon, Argyris, Maslow-Herzberg, Norbert Weiner, Lawrence and Lorch
 Criticisms of POSDCoRB and of Principles/Classical Theory/Science of Administration
 Mayo’s ideas and its relevance for Indian Admn and Esp for Morale
 Post Weberian developments; Parkinson’s Law--Peter Principle, Critical Theory Jurgen Habermas; Reforms to make bureaucracy suitable to developing countries

Chapter-3
 Decision making: Value-fact premises and bounded rationality theory of Simon
 Motivation (importance and theories; Maslow-Herzberg; Indian applications)
 Leadership (contemporary theories/ role of participative leadership, transformational leadership in India today)

Chapter-4 (alongwith Ch-3 of Paper-II for PSUs)
 Open Systems/Contingency theory  –concept of cybernatics -- linking it to the concept of ‘ecology of administration’
 Reforms in PSUs disinvestment, accountability, autonomy etc
 Regulatory Organisations (role in checking malpractices/corruption and whether they have made any difference)

Chapter-7
 Current Status of Comparative Public Administration and its applied benefits
 Idea of Ecology in P.A.; Ferrel Heady's analysis of role/impact of ecology components
 Critical appraisal of Riggs, challenges of devt in prismatic societies
 Development dilemma in terms of Differentiation-Integration, Exogenic-Endogenic, stages of Development

Chapter-8
 State v/s Market debate and current perspective on it (state-mkt partnership for development)
 Anti- development thesis (its relevance to India)
 MDGs and their progress/prospects in India
 Various schemes/policies for Gender-inclusive development in India and role of self help groups

Chapter-10
 Policy Paralysis in the current context—linking with anarchy theory and pressure groups, reasons for govt inaction; Mixed Scanning Model and its relevance
 Challenges involved in Post-policy processes-implementation, monitoring, evaluation & review, problems faced and possible solutions

Chapter-11
 Potential/Role of e-Governance applications in India (hurdles/lessons learnt & future roadmap); e-Gov case studies in India; NeGP 2006
 Role of Network Analysis (PERT/CPM) in the light of role to Infrastructure development in Modern India

Aspects related to other chapters (not taught by me)
 Chapter-5 (Accountability and Control) is very important for  2012, especially its links with Chapter-1 (Good Gov) and Chapter-8 (Development Dynamics)
 Civil Society (its role, civil society engagement esp in the wake of the Lokpal Bill Experience)
 Judicial Accountability Act and its potential in Good Governance and  accountability
 Whistle blowers protection and its role in corruption combating
 Gender budgeting/Outcome Budgeting/Performance Budgeting, role of Social Audit