Lohit Matani - Lohitmatani

7/22/2014 Lohit Matani | lohitmatani
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Author: Lohit Matani
Hidden Syllabus of Public Administration

for CSE
UPSC has been asking questions from topics not directly mentioned in the syllabus. These topics
may be derived from the existing topics by a veteran player, but newcomers may find difficulty
in doing that. UPSC can also ask questions from these hidden topics, as and when it wants to
“punish” the aspirants opting for Public Administration.
I have tried to make a list of these hidden topics. If any of the veteran players find something
wrong or something extra please mention that so that I can correct it.
P.S : I got a clue of some topics from the “speculated new syllabus”, which was never released by
UPSC.
Paper 1
Unit 1: Introduction
a. British and French philosophy of Public Administration.
b. Minnowbrook 3 and its comparison with Minnowbrook 1 and 2.
c. Public Administration: emerging crisis and new directions.
Unit 2: Administrative Thought

a. Karl Marx
b. Dwight Waldo
c. Yehezkel Dror.
d. View of Indian leaders like Gandhiji, and Chinese leader Mao Zedong on Public
Administration.
Unit 3: Administrative Behavior

Nothing hidden.
Unit 4: Organization
a. Theories- (a) Critical Theory of Public Organization, (b) Postmodernism and Poststructuralism
in Public Administration.
http://lohitmatani.wordpress.com/author/lohitmatani/ 1/20
in Public Administration.
b. General understanding of the following theories of organization- Classical, Neo-Classical,
Systems, Structural, Structural-Functional, neo-Human Relations, Pluralist, Organizational-
Social Psychological, Strategic-contingencies, Market, Critical.
c. Organisational Culture and its effect on organizational efficiency.
Unit 5: Accountability and control

a. Judicial Activism
b. Ombudsman- Lokpal
c. Whistleblower
d. Concept of Social Capital.
Unit 6: Administrative Law

a. Administrative Law in France, UK, Germany, and US.
Unit 7: Comparative Public Administration

a. Comparative study of Administrative systems: U.K., France, U.S.A, Brazil and China- recent
structures should be emphasized.
Unit 8: Development Dynamics

a. Supermarket State and development.
b. Karl Marx views on development.
c. Amartya Sen’s views on development.
d. Bhagwati Sen and Amartya Sen debate over development.
Unit 9: Personnel Administration

Nothing hidden, it is a clear topic.
Unit 10: Public Policy

This is a very dynamic topic and UPSC generally asks difficult questions from it. Its good to read
more in this topic to be on the safe side. Every year UPSC throws a surprise by asking something
different. So, the best one can do is to understand the answers of the questions asked previously.
Unit 11: Techniques of Administrative Improvement

a. Social Impact Assessment.
b. Management by Objective.
c. Program Evaluation ( given nicely in Nicholas Henry, and also read about the program
evaluation scenario in India).
Unit 12: Financial Administration

The topic is clear and complete.
Paper 2:
Unit 1: Evolution of Indian Administration

a. Comparison on Kautilya with western thinkers like Weber, and so on.
Unit 2: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government

a. Gandhian and Nehruvian approaches to development: critical assessment.
Unit 3: Public Sector Undertakings

a. Status of Navratna and Maharatna undertakings.
a. Status of Navratna and Maharatna undertakings.
Unit 4: Union Government and Administration
a. Regulatory Authorities- SEBI, IRDA, TRAI, and so on.
Unit 5: Plans and Priorities

The syllabus is clear and complete.
Unit 6: State Government and Administration

a. Emerging Trends in Union-State Relations: Recent trends in inter and intra governmental
relations in the context of federalism.
b. Chief Ministerialization of State Governments in the contexts of liberalization and coalition
governments.
Unit 7: District Administration since Independence

Unit 8: Civil Services

Unit 9: Financial Management

Unit 10: Administrative Reforms since Independence

a. Important committees and commissions; a critical review of ARC I and ARC II.
b. Performance Mointoring and Evaluation Systems (PMES) and Results Framework
Document(RFD)
c. Social and political obstacles to reforms.
Unit 11: Rural Development

a. Ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, Jayaprakash Narain, and so on.
b. PESA act and problems in its implementation.
c. Local governance in 5th and 6th schedule areas; status of local governance in all the north-east
states.
Unit 12: Urban Local Government

Nothing extra.
Unit 13: Law and Order Administration

Nothing extra.
Unit 14: Significant issues in Indian Administration

a. Tribal development administration.
b. Water Management.
c. Environment and Sustainable Development.
d. Land acquisition for development.
e. Women in administration – sexual violence.\
f. Corporate Social Responsibility.
JULY 8, 2014
CIVIL SERVICES EXAM, CSE, HIDDEN SYLLABUS, IAS, PUBLIC
CIVIL SERVICES EXAM, CSE, HIDDEN SYLLABUS, IAS, PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
24 COMMENTS
UPSC / IAS Preparation: Geography Optional

by IAS Chanchal Rana (AIR 7, CSE 2013)
Lohit Matani (http://lohitmatani.wordpress.com/author/lohitmatani/):
Hi.. I am reblogging the strategy for Geography optional shared by Chanchal Rana ( Rank 7,
CSE 2013). This is for the purpose of the aspirants not connected to Chanchal.
Originally posted on Khelo India
(http://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/geog-optional):
This post has been entirely written by IAS Chanchal Rana (AIR 7, CSE 2013). I am merely
hosting it. Please direct your queries to him on his fb a/c
https://www.facebook.com/chanchal.rana.5 (https://www.facebook.com/chanchal.rana.5) or
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])…
*****************************************************************
Disclaimer: All that the esteemed reader is to find below are based solely on my experiences with
the subject for 3 consecutive attempts. The tips or the sources are not full or final and hence not
prescriptive in nature and the reader is expected to use his own wisdom in the course of
preparation for the subject.
[I plan to answer/ help all my dear aspirants (HEREINAFTER ADDRESSED as SIR) in the form
of FAQs]
My Credibility (if at all it is !!!) for scribbling in this blog::

Attempt Paper-1 Paper-II
1st (CSE 2011) /600 marks 120 145
2nd (CSE 2012)/600 marks 95 170
3rd (CSE 2013)/500 marks 88 130
1. Why should SIR choose Geography as…
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1,936 more words
JULY 5, 2014
LEAVE A COMMENT
UPSC / IAS Preparation: How to
Read Newspapers
Hi. I am reblogging this post by Gaurav Aggarwal. He has very nicely explained the method
to read newspapers. It would be helpful to save time and read with focus.
P.S. This is for the purpose of the aspirants not connected to Gaurav.
Originally posted on Khelo India
(http://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/2014/07/04/how-to-read-newspapers):
Disclaimer: Below is purely my personal opinion and may not be the best way of going about this
task. This is just the way I followed. Optimum way for others may vary from person to person.
***************************************************************************************
All of us read newspapers, but many of us don’t read it in the way it should be read for UPSC
exam. There is a common complaint that we spend too much time on newspapers or we read the
topic, still couldn’t write well in the exam on it. Many people complain of quantity versus quality
tradeoff in the exam i.e. how to attmept maximum number of questions while maintaining good
quality in answers. This happens mostly because we are not able to structure our thoughts well in
the exam and don’t recall our points quickly. And the main reason for this is unorganized way of
studying. Our mode of study should be…
View original (http://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/2014/07/04/how-to-read-

newspapers) 776 more words
JULY 4, 2014
4 COMMENTS
History Optional Strategy
Hi.. This is just a Reblog of the strategy uploaded by Gaurav Gupta. He got the highest marks
in history in CSE 2013.
Originally posted on Abhipraay: The Blog

Originally posted on Abhipraay: The Blog
(http://abhipraay.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/history-optional-strategy):
History as optional -
First of all one should take optional based on his interest as this subject is you would be reading
for next 1-2 years or more so you must have zeal to go deeper, read new books by new writers to
learn and understand various perspectives. And that is why I took History as optional despite
being told by some people that it is not ‘scoring’, or it has ‘large syllabus’. However once I
decided, I made sure that I should not get such thoughts. In UPSC all subjects are scoring
provided you are answering what is asked.
Other benefits of History as optional (once you have decided that you have interest in it) -
I take history as very scientific, analytical and objective subject as you have to frame your
answer based on historical evidences/facts and records.
I liked to read about how was our past…
View original (http://abhipraay.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/history-optional-strategy)

1,389 more words
JUNE 30, 2014

LEAVE A COMMENT
Strategy for Public Administration Paper 2
Note:
1. This paper is straight forward and scoring. But one needs to maintain a standard language and
cover all the points while writing answers. So its better to decide your sources and read them 3-4
times.
2. Please read any report that is released during the preparation period, e.g., Damodaran
Committee Report on Regulation of Business and Planning Commission report on CPSEs.
3. Moreover, watching “Big Picture” on Rajya Sabha at 9:30 pm on Moday to Friday may help
in honing your knowledge and making it current based.
4. Nothing is more important than writing answers to the questions asked in last 20 years
question papers. Book by KBC Nano provides unit wise division of questions.
5. Again, make notes of material other than standard textbooks, like ARC, reports, and so on. It
will make your life easy.
Unit wise source
1. Evolution of Indian Administration- Very beautifully covered in Part 1 of the book “Indian
1. Evolution of Indian Administration- Very beautifully covered in Part 1 of the book “Indian
Administration” by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora. Read it diligently several times.
2. Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government-
a. Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism; Political culture- Chapter 4, 5

and 6 of the book Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora.
b. Bureaucracy and democracy; Bureaucracy and development- Chapter 3 and 4 of the book
“Social Theory and Development Administration” by Mohit Bhattacharya.
3. Public Sector Undertakings: Chapter 9 of the book ” Public Administration” by M

Laxmikanth. + “S.K Roongta Committee”
report- http://planningcommission.gov.in/reports/genrep/rep_cpse1912.pdf
4. Union Government and Administration- Read pertinent topics from Rajni Goyal and
Ramesh Arora. + read ARC report on Union Administration.
5. Plans and Priorities- Again pertinent topics from Rajni Goyal and Ramesh Arora + any new
report on the website of Planning Commission.
6. State Government and Administration- This is a very important topic.
a. Read chapter 9, 16, 17 and 18 from Rajni Goyal and Ramesh Arora.
b. Read the report of Punchchi Commission. It is very important. One can always quote it.
c. Read the ARC report 15th on State and District Administration.
7. District Administration since Independence-
a. Changing role of the Collector- Chapter 33 of the book ” Indian Administration” by Avasthi
and Avasthi.
b. Union-state-local relations- Punchhi Commission report.
c. Imperatives of development management and law and order administration- The first topic is
current based and is also covered in the 15th report of ARC. Second topic will be covered in law
and order administration.
d. District administration and democratic decentralization- Part 5 of Rajni Goyal and Ramesh
Arora + 15th report of ARC.
8. Civil Services- Already covered in paper 1.
9. Financial Management- Sources mentioned in Paper 1+ Part 7 of Rajni Goyal and Ramesh
Arora.
10. Administrative Reforms since Independence-
a. Major Concerns- Chapter 30 of Rajni Goyal and Ramesh Arora.
b. Important Committees and Commissions- Just make a summary of all the major reports
released after independence. A list of them is provided in the book “Indian Administration” by
Avasthi and Avasthi.
c. Reforms in financial management and human resource development- These topics will be
covered in ARC reports on financial management and Personnel Administration. Also keep a
track on newspaper reports for these topics.
d. Problems of implementation- This is a dynamic topic. So read newspaper reports for problems
in implementing various reforms. 12th plan document would also be very helpful for this topic.
Reading it is anyway necessary for GS.
11. Rural Development- Pertinent topic from Rajni Goyal and Ramesh Arora + ARC report on
local governance.
12. Urban Local Government-
a. Municipal governance: main features, structures, finance and problem areas; 74th
Constitutional Amendment;
Globallocal debate- Pertinent topic from Rajni Goyal and Ramesh Arora + ARC report on local
governance.
b. New localism- Refer to this link http://swapsushias.blogspot.in/2012/09/what-is-new-

localism.html
c. Development dynamics, politics and administration with special reference to city management-
ARC report on local governance + Chapter 12 of Nicholas Henry book.
13. Law and Order Administration- “Indian Administration” by Avasthi and Avasthi + ARC
report on public order+ Annual report of MHA+ Report on Punchchi Commission.
14. Significant issues in Indian Administration-
a. Values in public service- already covered in paper 1
b. Regulatory Commissions- already covered in paper 1
c. National Human Rights Commission; Problems of administration in coalition regimes- Book

by Avasthi and Avasthi + this is a current based topic so please read newspaper articles on this
topic+ Big Picture on Rajya Sabha may also help.
d. Citizen-administration interface- already covered
e. Corruption and administration- New Horizons of Public Administration- Chapter 13, 21, 22, 26
+ ARC report on ethics in governance & DoPT report on “Values in Administration:
f. Disaster management- One can read the MHA report on Disaster Management. It is
voluminous, so making notes once would be helpful.
JUNE 24, 2014

CIVIL SERVICES EXAM, CSE, GENERAL STUDIES, IAS, PAPER 2, PUB AD,
CIVIL SERVICES EXAM, CSE, GENERAL STUDIES, IAS, PAPER 2, PUB AD,
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, UPPSC, UPSC
15 COMMENTS
Strategy for Public Administration Paper 1
Public Administration- Unit Wise Source of Preparation
Note: Please make personal notes from IGNOU, ARC reports and any other source one may
read over the internet, because it will become very difficult to come back to the sources again
and again. On the contrary, making personal notes will make life easy.
1. Introduction
a. Meaning, scope and significance of Public Administration- IGNOU pdf on the
same topic- (MPA 012 Administrative Theory Unit 1)
b. Wilson’s vision of Public Administration- Prasad and Prasad
c. Evolution of the discipline and its present status- Chapter 2 of Nicholas HenryParadigms
of Public Administration.
d. New Public Administration- IGNOU pdf on the same topic- (MPA 012 Administrative
Theory Unit 18)
e. Public Choice approach- IGNOU pdf on the same topic- (MPA 012 Administrative Theory
Unit 19)
f. New Public Management- IGNOU pdf on the same topic- (MPA 012 Administrative Theory
Unit 21)
g. Good Governance: concept and application- IGNOU pdf on the same topic-(MPA 011 Unit
17) + New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya – Unit 20
h. Challenges of liberalization, Privatisation, Globalisation- Nicholas HenryPage 375, 376;
IGNOU MPA 011- Unit14; New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya-
Unit 24, 25
i. Minnowbrook Conference 1,2 and 3: IGNOU unit on NPM +
http://www.scribd.com/doc/36606803/Minnow-Brook-III
(http://www.scribd.com/doc/36606803/Minnow-Brook-III) for Minnowbrook 3
Note: Also go through Mohit Bhattacharya for the above topics after reading the
above sources. Just do a reading to see that you are not missing something important.
2. Administrative Thought
a. Scientific Management and Scientific Management movement- Chapter on Taylor by
Prasad and Prasad+ Revision from Mohit Bhattacharya + IGNOU MPA 012 Unit 4
b. Classical Theory- Mohit Bhattacharya
c. Weber’s bureaucratic model – its critique and post-Weberian Developments : Chapter on
Weber by Prasad and Prasad + IGNOU MPA 012- Unit 6 and 7.
d. Dynamic Administration (Mary Parker Follett)- Chapter on M P Follett by Prasad and
Prasad.
e. Human Relations School (Elton Mayo and others)- Chapter on Mayo by Prasad and
e. Human Relations School (Elton Mayo and
7/22/2014
others)- Chapter on Mayo by Prasad and
Lohit Matani | lohitmatani
Prasad. + IGNOU MPA 012 Unit 8

f. Functions of the Executive (C.I. Barnard)- Chapter on Barnard by Prasad and Prasad. +
IGNOU MPA 012 Unit 15
g. Simon’s decision making theory- Chapter on Simon by Prasad and Prasad + IGNOU MPA
012 Unit 9
h. Participative Management (R. Likert, C. Argyris, D. McGregor)- Chapter on them by

Prasad and Prasad + IGNOU MPA 012 Unit 11 and 13.
Note: Also go through Mohit Bhattacharya for the above topics after reading the above sources.
Just do a reading to see that you are not missing something important.
3. Administrative Behaviour: This unit is an extension of unit 2 only. But it would be good to
understand the concepts of this unit, especially on leadership and decision making, from any
book on Organisational Behaviour. I referred to the chapters 6, 11,
13, 15, 19 of Organisational Behaviour by Margie Parikh and Rajen Gupta.
Morale- Read this topic from Awasthi and Maheshwari
4. Organisations:
a. Theories – systems- already covered with Bernard; contingency- already covered with
decision making.
b. Structure and forms: Ministries and Departments, Corporations, Companies,
Boards and Commissions; Ad hoc and advisory bodies; Headquarters and
Field relationships- Public Administration by Laxmikanth Unit 9 ( sub topic Public Enterprise)
+ ARC 13th Report- Organisational structure of Govt of India
c. Regulatory Authorities – ARC 13th Report- Organisational structure of Govt of India+
Damodar Committee Report
(http://indiainbusiness.nic.in/newdesign/upload/Damodaran_Committee_Report.pdf
(http://indiainbusiness.nic.in/newdesign/upload/Damodaran_Committee_Report.pdf))
d. PPP- Go through the introduction of this bookhttp://books.google.co.in/books?
id=pKAvNQmpXkUC&printsec=frontcover&sou
rce=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Note: Be in touch with website of MoF, Planning commission etc for new concepts and reports of
various committees and website of PIB for report on PSE’s in india.
5. Accountability and control-

a. Concepts of accountability and control; Legislative, Executive and Judicial control over
administration- New Horizons of Pub Ad- Unit 21+ ARC report on Citizen Centric
Administration.
b. Role of media and interest groups- IGNOU MPS 003 Unit 15 and 16 + ARC report on
social capital.
c. Civil society- New Horizons of Pub Ad- Unit 26 and 28 + ARC report on Citizen Centric
Administration.
d. Citizen’s Charters- ARC report on Citizen Centric Administration
e. Right to Information- New Horizons of Pub Ad- Unit 27+ ARC Report on RTI+ RTI Guide
(http://mofpi.nic.in/H_Dwld.aspx?
KYEwmOL+HGoC3PktBWCmTRa5aMHH7uT6BV0hU4XftgsBo6t5yowVJA==
(http://mofpi.nic.in/H_Dwld.aspx?
KYEwmOL+HGoC3PktBWCmTRa5aMHH7uT6BV0hU4XftgsBo6t5yowVJA==))
6. Administrative Law- Read all the topics from this pdf

(http://persmin.gov.in/otraining/UNDPProject/undp_modules/Administrative%20Law
6. Administrative Law- Read all the topics from
7/22/2014 this |pdf
Lohit Matani lohitmatani
(http://persmin.gov.in/otraining/UNDPProject/undp_modules/Administrative%20Law
(http://persmin.gov.in/otraining/UNDPProject/undp_modules/Administrative%20Law)
%20N%20DLM.pdf) + Read about administrative tribunals from DD Basu.
7. Comparative Public Administration- Read the complete book CPA by Ramesh K Arora (
it’s only a 180 page book) + chapter on Riggs by Prasad and Prasad.
8. Development Dynamics- Social Theory and Development Administration by Mohit
Bhattacharya- Unit1, 2, 3, 4, 16, 18
9. Personnel Administration-
Note: Read this topic with Civil Services of Paper 2.
a. Importance of human resource development- IGNOU MPA 014- Unit 1
b. Recruitment, training, career advancement- IGNOU MPA 014- Unit 5 and 10
c. position classification- IGNOU MPA 014- Unit 4
d. performance appraisal- IGNOU MPA 014- Unit 6
e. promotion, pay and service conditions- IGNOU MPA 014- Unit 7,8,9 and 19
f. employer-employee relations- IGNOU MPA 014- Unit 18
g. grievance redressal mechanism- already covered in IGNOU unit 19
h. Code of conduct- ARC report on Ethics in Governance
i. Administrative Ethics- New Horizons of Public Administration Unit 22+ ARC
report on Ethics in Governance.
10. Public Policy
Note: Very well covered in MPA 015 Public Policy and Analysis. Please read it
carefully as UPSC asks typical questions from this topic, and those question’s
answers could mostly be found in these IGNOU notes.
a. Models of policy-making and their critique; Processes of conceptualisation,
planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review and their
limitations- Covered in the IGNOU notes
b. State Theories- Read from any book on political science the following topicspluralist theory,
elite theory, Marxist theory, capitalist theory, and patriarchal
theory of policy making.
11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement
a. Organisation and methods- Given in Awasthi and Maheshwari.

b. Work study and work management: Management aid tools like network
analysis, MIS, PERT, CPM: New Horizons of Pub Ad Unit 30.
c. PERT and CPM: IGNOU notes on PERT/CPM.
(http://www.slideshare.net/lohitmatani/ignou-pert-cpm
(http://www.slideshare.net/lohitmatani/ignou-pert-cpm))
d. e-governance and information technology: New Horizons of Public
Administration Unit 29+ ARC report on E-governance.
12. Financial Administration
Note: Read this topic with Financial Management of Paper 2.

a. Monetary and fiscal policies; Public borrowings and public debt- These topics
can be very well understood IGNOU economics notes. + Read Economic Survey+
Read Monday edition of The Hindu with focus.
Read Monday edition of The Hindu with focus.
b. Budgets – types and forms: Nicholas Henry- Chapter 8
c. Budgeting Process: Awasthi and Awasthi
d. Financial accountability; Accounts and audit- Rajni Goyal and Ramesh AroraUnit 27 and 28;
ARC Report on Financial Management.
JUNE 23, 2014

CIVIL SERVICES EXAM, CSE, GENERAL STUDIES, PUB AD, PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION; IAS; PAPER 1, UPPSC, UPSC
4 COMMENTS
PhD: Innovation Journeys in Community

Energy Initiatives (Jake Barnes)
Originally posted on Grassroots Innovations
(http://grassrootsinnovations.org/2012/04/12/phd-innovation-journeys-in-community-energy-
initiatives-jake-barnes):
(http://lohitmatani.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/energy-projects1.jpg)Jake’s PhD research focuses

on the micro level of community energy activity and seeks to inquire into the nature of
community energy innovations and the journeys they undertake. As such it complements the
meso level focus on ‘niches’ of the larger research project ‘Community Innovation for Sustainable
Energy’ and develops temporal knowledge on how grassroots actors go about their innovations. It
is expected that this micro level analysis is likely to find higher levels of contingency, reinvention,
flux, expanding and contracting etc. than has previously been acknowledged within grassroots
innovations literature and will develop insights into the particular challenges they faced.
The research uses a ‘social systems framework’ (after Van de Ven, 1993) as a means to understand
the variety and diversity of actors involved in the sector and uses core innovation concepts of
ideas, people, context, outcomes and process to inquire into community energy innovation
journeys.
Jake aims to…
View original (http://grassrootsinnovations.org/2012/04/12/phd-innovation-journeys-in-

community-energy-initiatives-jake-barnes) 157 more words
MAY 15, 2014

LEAVE A COMMENT
Civil Services Personality Test, 2013
30th April, 2014, Forenoon Session. Board: Dr. Mrs. Kielemsungla
Profile: BTech, MTech in Material Science and Technology; Optional: Public Administration;
Hobby: Watching documentaries, keeping a track of national and international events of current
importance.
importance.
Board was very cordial.
Here is how it went:
CM: Are you from Rajasthan:
Ans: Maam, I am from Uttar Pradesh. I was born in Rajasthan.
CM: Nowadays, we are hearing about hate propaganda. How will you solve it being in
government?
Ans: Firstly, I will take strict and swift action against the person by banning his further speeches.
Secondly, I will ensure swift punishment to him in case under IPC. Thirdly, I will work to
empower local governance so that candidates are selected by the people among themselves rather
than party nominating them.
CM: What is good governance:
CM: What impact does ICT and digital technology has had on the social and cultural front?
Ans: ( I misunderstood the question). I said, participation in policy making and service delivery
has increased. (She interrupted)
CM: Please tell the effects on social and cultural front.
Ans: I am sorry maam. On social front, social capital has enhanced because of the use of social
media. Regionalism has decreased and intermingling of cultures has taken place.
CM: You are from north. Have you attended any cultural festival of south india?
Ans: I am sorry maam, I have not done that.
CM: Which places have you visited in your life?
Ans: Kota, Noida, Agra, Varanasi, Jammu, Bangalore, Guwahati ( why did I said that)
CM: Tell me something about Guwahati?
Ans: ( I thought a bit). Guwahati is the capital of Assam and the nerve centre for development in
the North East. We have an IIT there, because of which I went there to attend a festival. River
Bhramaputra passes from it and it may leads to flood in the area. Generally, Guwahati is a
peaceful place but a year back some riots took place there because of Bangladeshi migrants.
Guwahati connects North East to the rest of India. ( I was not satisfied with my answer.)
CM: NE and Jammu and Kashmir feel ISOLATED . What will you do to decrease that if you
are posted as DM there.
Ans: Firstly, I will ensure the security of the people and emphasise on law and order. Secondly, I
will seek for people’s participation in the development schemes. Will try to provide them with
skills and then employment in different parts of the country. Fourthly, I will try to intermingle the
culture of different parts of India and these places by emphasising on cultural exchange
culture of different parts of India and these places by emphasising on cultural exchange
programmes.
CM: What are the desirable qualities of a civil servants.
Ans: Told about the qualities written in GS paper 4.
CM asked M1 to ask.
M1: You have worked for an NGO Spandan. How much time did you worked for it.
Ans Six months
M1: You know that there are bogus NGOs. What do you think about it and what will you do
about that?
Ans: Sir, first of all I would like to say that there are NGOs which are doing good work like for
polio eradication.. ( he interrupted me)
M1: We know that. Tell us about bogus NGOs and how you will deal with that.
Ans: Sir, some NGOs don’t have a proper accountability mechanism. That’s why they do not
properly utilise their funds. Secondly, some of them are also involved in money laundering. Being
a DM, I will try to accredit them. Based on that, I will ask them to build a proper accountability
mechanism… ( He interrupted..)
M1: Very good. You talked about accrediting them. Do you have any agency for that right now?
Ans: No sir, we have plans to build it. But we have CAPART for regulation of NGOs in rural
areas. But as a DM, I can take such steps at the local level.
M1: What is going on in Middle East.
Ans: Firstly, in Egypt ( told about Mahlab and elections in few months.) Secondly, situation in
Syria and election next month. Third, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabi, Palestine ( whatever was in news.) (
At least somewhere my memory helped me.)
M1: What development took place in Iran.
Ans: Told about Geneva talks.
M1: But there is a big if of success there..
Ans : Yes sir
Over to M2
M2: You like to play cricket ( I dint wanted questions on cricket)
Ans: Yes sir, I used to play in my college time. But I have not played in last three years.
M2: Do you follow it.
Ans: Sir, I used to follow it. But off late I am not able to do that. But I read the news in the
newspaper.
Ans: Sir, I used to follow it. But off late I am not
7/22/2014 able
Lohit to| lohitmatani
Matani do that. But I read the news in the
newspaper.
M2: ( Still he asked a question on cricket) What is a superover. ( aah… a simple question)
Ans: I answered it.
M2: What is the major revolutions taken place in industries?
Ans: Sir, IT revolution.. ( he interrupted)
M2: Go a bit back.
Ans: Sir, Iron and Steel ( again interrupted)
M2: Go even back.
Ans: Sir, navigation technology.. ( again interrupted)
M2: I am telling you four technologies. Arrange them in chronological order. Iron and Steel, Rail
and road ( both came at quite different times, but he clubbed them together), Textile and IT.
Ans: Textile, Iron and steel, rail and road, IT.
M2: Which is the next big technology?
Ans: Sir…. I think renewable energy technologies like solar cells and wind power.
M2: No. Have you heard about nanotechnology?
Ans: Yes sir. I agree that nanotechnology is the next big technology.
M2: Why is it so important?
Ans: Because we can modify the property of the material by varying its structure at the nano
level… (Interrupted again)
M2: Therefore, we can use nanotechnology in all fields like solar cell and medicines.
Ans: Yes sir. Thank you sir.
M2: Tell me the use of Zinc Oxide nano rods in electricity generation.
Ans: I am sorry sir I don’t know the exact answer but can I make a guess according to my
knowledge.
M2: Ok
Ans: ZnO is piezoelectric. If we apply mechanical pressure on it than electricity will be generated.
M2 : Piezoelectricity is something different . ( I don’t know why he said that)
Ans: I am sorry sir. I don’t know the exact use of ZnO.
M2: What is the use of CNT if water flows through it.

M2: What is the use of CNT if water flows through it.
Ans: ( I could have guessed correctly but I wanted to avoid that). I am sorry sir, I cannot think of
the exact answer now.
M2: What is CNT.
Ans: This was easy so I told him.
M2: What is fullerene.
Ans: Easy so I told this also.
M2: Who discovered them?
Ans: I am sorry sir but I cannot recall their names.
Over to M3
M3: I will tell you four things. Choose two from them. Women Security, Bureaucratic Corruption,
( I don’t remember the other two)
Ans: Women security and bureaucratic corruption.
M3: How will you address them?
Ans: View based answer. So I gave five points on both of them.
M4: Why bureaucracies still carry the culture of British raj? How will you change it?
Ans: Simple pub ad question. Answered it.
M4: Why was British bureaucracy exploitative?
Ans: Mostly answered it wrongly. Because I emphasised on economic exploitation of whole British
raj rather than answering why the bureaucrats were exploitative.
M4: Importance of generalist in today’s era of specialist?
Ans: Simple pub ad question again.
M4: What is domain competence?
Ans: Simple pub ad question again. He was happy with my answer and said very good.
In the end, M2 sought permission of CM to ask some more questions. ( again he asked difficult
questions.)
M2: What was the topic of your dissertation?
Ans: Electrocaloric materials for thermal refrigeration. ( Was not the topic of his interest so he did
not asked any question on it.)
M2: Under whom?

Ans: Prof. D Pandey. (A big name in the research field and he knew him).
M2: Have you used X-ray diffraction?
Ans: Yes sir, but under the guidance of a phd student.
M2: Under whom?
Ans: Now why was he asking everyone’s name? I had no clue.
M2: Tell me the specifications of the machine?
Ans: ( I truly did not remember anything about it.) Told him 2-3 things I can recall and said sorry
to him for my week memory.
M2: How did you prepare the samples?
Ans: I was telling him the right procedure but in between I told him a wrong thing ( to add
acetone in the powder sample).
M2: No, it’s wrong we don’t add acetone?
Ans: I am sorry sir. I understand that adding acetone is not completely correct. But I added it to
hold the sample together so that it does not come out from the sample holder.
M2: Have you done the experiment yourself or you are lying?
Ans: No sir. I have done the experiment myself. (He gave a weird look.) (I hope he was just
acting like that to see my reaction, and was not unhappy by my replies.)
M2: Who was in the viva of your project?
Ans: Told him the name of three professors and two doctors. ( I missed the name of one lecturer.)
M2: Mr X (the one I missed) was not there?
Ans: I am sorry sir. He was also there. (I hope this does not have an effect on my inclusive
outlook.)
CM: Thank you. Your interview is over.
P.S. Apart from M2 board was cordial. But I hope M2 was interested in me and, therefore, he was
testing me more. I really liked the persona and knowledge breadth of M2. I hope he would be
lenient to me.
MAY 14, 2014

GUWAHATI, MATERIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, OPTIONAL: PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
3 COMMENTS
Inventions I have done
God is sometimes gracious on us. There was one such time when God wanted me to do something
for technology, more precisely for wireless power transmission technology. This was a time I was
just 18 years old. But my brain was much matured and determined.
Me and my team at GE went ahead to invent new materials for wireless power transmission
systems. We also designed novel antennae for wireless power transmission using those materials.
These materials have various applications, which I can not disclose over here. But if any one finds
one, please contact me for technology transfer.
The links to the inventions I did are:
1. US Patent 8586495 B2 (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8586495.pdf) (granted) (Dielectric

materials (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8586495.html))
2. US Patent 20140028105 (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20140028105.pdf) (DIELECTRIC

MATERIALS FOR POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM
(http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2014/0028105.html)

(http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2013/0193770.html))
4. US Patent 20120306280 (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20120306280.pdf) (RESONATOR

STRUCTURES AND METHOD OF MAKING

MATERIALS (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0281718.html))


MATERIALS (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2011/0281717.html))

MAY 13, 2014

DIELECTRIC MATERIALS, POWER TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY, WIRELESS
POWER TRANSMISSION
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What topics are mentioned as hidden syllabus for Public Administration?

What topics are mentioned as hidden syllabus for Public Administration?

What theories of organization are discussed?

What theories of organization are discussed?

7/22/2014 Lohit Matani | lohitmatani

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Author: Lohit Matani

Hidden Syllabus of Public Administration

Unit 2: Administrative Thought

Unit 3: Administrative Behavior

Unit 5: Accountability and control

Unit 6: Administrative Law

Unit 7: Comparative Public Administration

Unit 8: Development Dynamics

Unit 9: Personnel Administration

Unit 10: Public Policy

Unit 11: Techniques of Administrative Improvement

Unit 12: Financial Administration

Unit 1: Evolution of Indian Administration

Unit 2: Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government

Unit 3: Public Sector Undertakings

Unit 4: Union Government and Administration

a. Regulatory Authorities- SEBI, IRDA, TRAI, and so on.

Unit 5: Plans and Priorities

Unit 6: State Government and Administration

Unit 7: District Administration since Independence

Unit 8: Civil Services

Unit 9: Financial Management

Unit 10: Administrative Reforms since Independence

Unit 11: Rural Development

Unit 12: Urban Local Government

Unit 13: Law and Order Administration

Unit 14: Significant issues in Indian Administration

UPSC / IAS Preparation: Geography Optional

Lohit Matani (http://lohitmatani.wordpress.com/author/lohitmatani/):

Originally posted on Khelo India

My Credibility (if at all it is !!!) for scribbling in this blog::

1. Why should SIR choose Geography as…

View original (http://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/geog-optional)

UPSC / IAS Preparation: How to

Lohit Matani (http://lohitmatani.wordpress.com/author/lohitmatani/):

Originally posted on Khelo India

View original (http://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/2014/07/04/how-to-read-

History Optional Strategy

Lohit Matani (http://lohitmatani.wordpress.com/author/lohitmatani/):

Originally posted on Abhipraay: The Blog

View original (http://abhipraay.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/history-optional-strategy)

JUNE 30, 2014

Strategy for Public Administration Paper 2

Unit wise source

2. Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government-

a. Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism; Political culture- Chapter 4, 5

3. Public Sector Undertakings: Chapter 9 of the book ” Public Administration” by M

6. State Government and Administration- This is a very important topic.

c. Read the ARC report 15th on State and District Administration.

7. District Administration since Independence-

b. Union-state-local relations- Punchhi Commission report.

8. Civil Services- Already covered in paper 1.