I will be writing the UPSC Mains this year, hopefully; I'll be sure only when the Prelims results are out. Here are some basics that I am going through as part of my studies for the Mains that will help those who wish to appear for the exam. It is very rigorous and if you wish to appear for it next year you need to start preparing right away. There is no need to spend 10-14 hours studying, just maintain a consistent approach, build awareness of the world around you and spend time in systematic coverage of the syllabus. The rest is easy. :D
Exams like UPSC are meant to recruit those who have the ability and personality to be public administrators, and in essence, public servants. Those preparing, already have some knowledge of the prestige associated with these posts but one also needs to remember that IAS officials are just cogs in a wheel. They get an opportunity to shine when the need arises, however, it is important for them to know what to do and how to do it right, since the responsibility of running the administration of a whole society depends on them.
So let's get down to preparing for this test. And I hope to see many of you as my colleagues in the near future. :)
Public administration has been described by many as a discipline but more importantly it is also an activity. It is the action part of the government. Since all of the government's decisions regarding our day to day administration like building hospitals and roads, engaging police to maintain law and order and even deciding which new social sector programmes to launch in order to help the poor and underpriviledged are visible to all, we all know what public administration basically means.
Not only is public administration very visible, it is also quite complex. Each new initiative be it in the manufacturing sector, rural development schemes or provision for health and sanitation for the urban poor, the government has a wide role to play in deciding which ones to take on itself and which ones to entrust on private enterprises through PPPs.
To be able to decide which initiatives are likely to benefit the majority, the government officials need to be aware of the needs and aspirations of the people they are meant to administer and serve. This requires a deep understanding of the diversities in contexts at different places, in different situations with different populations. For example, work for the rural poor through MGNREGS in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan will be significantly different from the work done by villagers in Burdwan district of West Bengal. Therefore, a comparative study of public administrative methods, though beneficial, has to be modified to suit local requirements.
Besides these, the work of a public administrator is always open to scrutiny by oversight bodies. There is, therefore, a need to maintain balance in administering the people and being open to suggestions and public opinion. The government is accountable to the people for all of its policy decisions and the rise of civil society groups in recent years and legislation like the RTI Act has lent transparency to government activities and provided a platform for the public to voice their opinions.
The task of transforming India into a global player though massive, is inspiring, and those wishing to join the services need to remember that the administrators are to be the catalysts of change, taking India forward from her roots.
Exams like UPSC are meant to recruit those who have the ability and personality to be public administrators, and in essence, public servants. Those preparing, already have some knowledge of the prestige associated with these posts but one also needs to remember that IAS officials are just cogs in a wheel. They get an opportunity to shine when the need arises, however, it is important for them to know what to do and how to do it right, since the responsibility of running the administration of a whole society depends on them.
So let's get down to preparing for this test. And I hope to see many of you as my colleagues in the near future. :)
Public administration has been described by many as a discipline but more importantly it is also an activity. It is the action part of the government. Since all of the government's decisions regarding our day to day administration like building hospitals and roads, engaging police to maintain law and order and even deciding which new social sector programmes to launch in order to help the poor and underpriviledged are visible to all, we all know what public administration basically means.
Not only is public administration very visible, it is also quite complex. Each new initiative be it in the manufacturing sector, rural development schemes or provision for health and sanitation for the urban poor, the government has a wide role to play in deciding which ones to take on itself and which ones to entrust on private enterprises through PPPs.
To be able to decide which initiatives are likely to benefit the majority, the government officials need to be aware of the needs and aspirations of the people they are meant to administer and serve. This requires a deep understanding of the diversities in contexts at different places, in different situations with different populations. For example, work for the rural poor through MGNREGS in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan will be significantly different from the work done by villagers in Burdwan district of West Bengal. Therefore, a comparative study of public administrative methods, though beneficial, has to be modified to suit local requirements.
Besides these, the work of a public administrator is always open to scrutiny by oversight bodies. There is, therefore, a need to maintain balance in administering the people and being open to suggestions and public opinion. The government is accountable to the people for all of its policy decisions and the rise of civil society groups in recent years and legislation like the RTI Act has lent transparency to government activities and provided a platform for the public to voice their opinions.
The task of transforming India into a global player though massive, is inspiring, and those wishing to join the services need to remember that the administrators are to be the catalysts of change, taking India forward from her roots.
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