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QUESTION 10
GS4
20 marks

In a democratic polity, ministers form the political executive and bureaucracy the permanent executive. Over time, political involvement in routine administration, pressure on bureaucrats, declining respect for upright officials, materialism and acquisitiveness have contributed to the ‘politicization of bureaucracy’. What are the consequences of this politicization? Discuss.

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14 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Discuss: answer the exact PYQ as framed — “In a democratic polity, ministers form the political executive and bureaucracy the permanent executive. Over time, political involvement in routine administration, pressure on bureaucrats, declining respect for upright officials, materialism and acquisitivene…” Treat each scoring limb separately instead of writing a general note on Case Studies — Public Sector.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Map the stakeholders, facts, competing obligations and the ethical/public-interest conflict embedded in the case≈65 words
  2. 2Answer each explicit sub-question in the case and compare feasible options using legality, consequences, rights, fairness and integrity≈65 words
  3. 3Choose and justify an implementable course of action, including safeguards, accountability and follow-through≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Key facts and stakeholdersEthical/legal issuesRealistic options with consequencesReasoned choiceImplementation safeguards and accountability

Where marks usually go

  • Writing generally about Case Studies — Public Sector without directly resolving: “In a democratic polity, ministers form the political executive and bureaucracy the permanent executive.”
  • Under-developing the second scoring limb: “Over time, political involvement in routine administration, pressure on bureaucrats, declining respect for upright officials, materialism and acquisitiveness have contributed…”

Value addition

  • Stakeholder map + options-versus-values decision matrix
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.