STD 8 ABCD Bureaucracy

Q1. Identify if the following statements are correct or wrong and rewrite the wrong sentences
in their correct form.
(1) In a parliamentary democracy, representatives elected by people and ministers bear the
administrative responsibility.
(2) Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recruits candidates for civil services in
Maharashtra.
Answer 1: The statement “In a parliamentary democracy, representatives elected by people
and ministers bear the administrative responsibility” is correct.
Answer 2: The statement “Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recruits candidates for civil
services in Maharashtra” is wrong.
The correct statement is “UPSC recruits candidates for all India Services and Central Services.
Maharashtra Public Service Commission recruits candidates for civil services in Maharashtra”.
II Explain the following statements with reasons
1. Reservation policy is followed even in civil services.
Ans The reservation policy is followed even in the civil services for the following
reasons:
a. To provide opportunities to all sections of society to enter the civil services.
b. To ensure that weaker sections are not left out due to social inequality.
2. It is necessary for civil servants to be politically neutral.[any 3]
a. Regardless of the political party in power, the bureaucracy is supposed to carry
out the implementation of their policy decisions with the same efficiency and
commitment.
c. The civil servants should abstain from taking a political stand or act according
to their political views.
d. If a political party fails to win elections, it has to leave government and another
party that wins elections come to power.
e. The new government may change some policies of the earlier government.
Even in such case, the bureaucracy is expected to remain neutral while
discharging its duties.
III Answer the following in 25-30 words
1. Explain the role of the ministers and civil servants in the efficient
administration of the department.
a. The efficiency of a particular government department depends upon the inter-
relationship between the Minister and Department Secretaries and Deputy
Secretaries.
b. The decisions relating to the department are made by concerned minister but
necessary information to make such decisions is given by the civil servants.
c. Civil servants meaning bureaucracy, has complete control over information.
d. It is the civil servant who knows the financial provisions for a particular scheme
or plan.
e. Civil servants are aware of the history of successes and failures of policies.
f. Hence ministers are dependent upon the civil servants.
2. Explain how the bureaucracy provides stability to the political system.
a. Today we see many positive social changes reaching to a common people.
b. These changes have been brought by the Indian Bureaucracy by implementing
the policies made by the Government.
 c. Bureaucracy gives stability to the political system.
d. Water supply, public cleanliness, health, agricultural reforms, prevention of
pollution and such other services are every day needs of the people and need
to be consistently provided to them.
e. This brings stability in the day-to-day life of the people.
IV Complete the Concept picture
Type of Civil Services

All- India Services Union or Central Services State Civil Services

Example: Example: Example:
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Indian Forest Service (IFS) Block Development officer,
Indian Police Service (IPS) Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Tehsildar, Deputy District
Indian Forest Service(IFS) Collector
V) Discuss characteristics of bureaucracy
The Various characteristics of the Bureaucracy are:
i. Permanent mechanism:
a. Tax collection, environmental protection, maintenance of law and order
and provisions regarding social security are certain important tasks that
have to be consistently undertaken by the bureaucracy.
b. This is possible because the bureaucracy is a permanent mechanism.
c. The Prime Minister and their Council of Ministers change after every
election but the bureaucracy under their control remains constant. It is
permanent in nature.
ii. Political neutrality:
a. The bureaucracy is political neutral.
b. This means that regardless of the political party in power, the bureaucracy
is supposed to carry out the implementation of their policy decisions with
same efficiency and commitment.
c. In this regard, the civil servants should abstain from taking a political stand
or act according to their political views.
d. If a political party fails to win election, it has to leave government and
another party that wins elections comes to power.
e. The new government may changes some polices of the earlier government.
f. Even in such case, the bureaucracy is expected to remain in neutral while
discharging its duties.
iii Anonymity
a. Anonymity means that a civil service should not be held directly responsible for
any success or failure of policy.
b. It is the minister who is responsible for the efficient and smooth functioning of the
concerned departments.
c. It is the minister who, as the head of that department, is accountable for any
inefficiency.
d. Civil servants are never publicly criticized.
e. The Parliament holds the minister responsible for malpractices.
f. In such a situation, the minister bears the responsibility and protects the
bureaucracy.