Question 87 from UPSC CSE 2020 - POLITY & GOVERNANC E

Question

In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. An agency for the implementation of public policy

Strategy: Focus on bureaucracy's core, universally accepted function: executing and ensuring the application of public policies as decided by the government. This aligns with its primary administrative and policy implementation role in India.

Key Info: Bureaucracy in India refers to the permanent civil service or executive responsible for administering and implementing government policies and decisions. It is a hierarchical system based on merit, recruitment, and political neutrality, ensuring administrative continuity despite changes in the elected political executive.

Key features include:
- Operates under the framework of the Constitution and various statutes, primarily through organizations like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
- The 'permanent executive' manages day-to-day governance and implements laws, rules, and policies framed by the government (the 'political executive').
- Does not directly broaden parliamentary democracy or federalism, nor does it directly facilitate political stability or economic growth, though effective policy implementation can contribute indirectly.
- Its core mandate is the impartial, efficient, and rule-based execution of public policy across central, state, and local governance. Major functions include revenue administration, law and order, development project execution, and regulatory administration.
- Governed by instruments and frameworks such as the All India Services Act, 1951, and service-specific conduct and disciplinary rules.

Answer

Option A: An agency for widening the scope of parliamentary democracy

Answer

Option B: An agency for strengthening the structure of federalism

Answer

Option C: An agency for facilitating political stability and economic growth