Characteristic of Bureaucracy in India UPSC Prelims PYQ 2020
In the context of India which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for Bureaucracy?
- An agency for widening the scope of parliamentary democracy
- An agency for strengthening the structure of federalism
- An agency for facilitating political stability and economic growth
- An agency for the implementation of public policy
Explanation
Option (d) is correct
- Bureaucracy, also known as the administrative machinery or civil service, plays a crucial role in governance. In India, it is responsible for assisting elected representatives and ministers in formulating policies and ensuring their implementation. The bureaucracy operates under the control and supervision of the political executive (ministers) and remains politically neutral. It does not take political stances and works to implement the policies of the ruling government, irrespective of which party is in power.
- The main function of the bureaucracy is to implement public policies effectively, making option (d) the most appropriate characteristic. Other options like widening parliamentary democracy, strengthening federalism, or facilitating political stability and economic growth are indirect consequences of effective public policy implementation but are not the primary roles of the bureaucracy.
Answer: (d) An agency for the implementation of public policy; Difficulty Level: Easy
