RBSE SS Public Administration key terms

The organized activity of government in carrying out laws and public policy, covering both the machinery of offices and the behaviour of officials who deliver services to citizens.

Luther Gulick's summary of managerial functions: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting and budgeting. It presents administration as a set of transferable executive skills applicable to any organization.

Taylor's approach to work design based on time-and-motion study, standardized methods, selection of the best worker for each task and close supervision, aiming at maximum efficiency in production.

A form of organization marked by hierarchy, written rules, defined jurisdictions, appointment by qualification and impersonal application of rules, analysed by Weber as the rational-legal type of authority.

A school of thought, associated with the Hawthorne experiments, holding that informal groups, morale and social relationships at work shape productivity as much as formal structure and incentives.

The view of an organization as an open system of interdependent parts that takes inputs from its environment, transforms them and returns outputs, with feedback keeping the system in balance.

The arrangement of positions in graded ranks from top to bottom, in which each level is accountable to the one above and commands the one below, fixing channels of authority and communication.

The number of subordinates a superior can effectively supervise. A narrow span produces tall structures with many levels; a wide span produces flat structures with fewer levels.

Line agencies have direct authority for achieving the organization's main objectives; staff agencies advise, assist and service them without commanding, as with a finance or personnel department.

The assignment of work, authority and responsibility by a superior to a subordinate, who remains accountable upward. Authority may be delegated but ultimate responsibility for results stays with the delegator.

The dispersal of authority, functions and resources from higher levels of government to lower levels or field units, giving local bodies real discretion rather than merely carrying out central instructions.

The head of the administrative system, whether a president, governor, chief minister or city manager, who appoints key officials, directs policy execution and bears general responsibility for administration.

A form of government in which the executive is drawn from and remains responsible to the legislature, holding office only while it commands a majority, with a ceremonial head of state distinct from the real executive.

A form of government in which the head of state is also head of government, is elected separately from the legislature and serves a fixed term, with ministers answerable to the president rather than the assembly.

The central staff agency that services the union cabinet, prepares agendas and minutes, coordinates inter-ministerial business and follows up cabinet decisions, without exercising executive command over ministries.

India's constitutional recruiting body for all-India and central services, conducting competitive examinations and advising on appointments, promotions and disciplinary matters, though its advice is not binding on government.

Recruitment and advancement based on competitive examination, qualifications and recorded performance rather than patronage, intended to secure competence and political neutrality in the public service.

The practice of filling public posts with supporters and party loyalists as a reward for political service, criticized for replacing competence with patronage and weakening continuity in administration.

Binding regulations that govern the behaviour of public servants, covering political neutrality, integrity, secrecy of official information, restrictions on private business and acceptance of gifts, with penalties for breach.

The periodic written assessment of an official's work by superiors, recording achievements, weaknesses and overall grading, and used as the basis for confirmation, promotion and training decisions.

A financial statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for a coming period, sanctioned by the legislature, which also serves as an instrument for allocating resources and controlling the executive.

The independent examination of accounts and transactions to verify legality, accuracy and economy, reporting findings to the legislature so that spending is checked against the authority granted.

India's constitutional auditor, who audits the accounts of the union and states, controls the issue of money from the consolidated fund and reports to the legislature through the president or governor.

The set of legislative and executive devices, including budget approval, appropriation, vote-on-account, supplementary grants and audit, by which public money is kept within sanctioned limits and purposes.

The body of rules, judicial decisions and procedures governing the exercise of public authority, covering delegated legislation, administrative discretion, natural justice and remedies against official action.

Rules, regulations and orders made by the executive under authority conferred by a statute, allowing detailed and flexible regulation but requiring parliamentary scrutiny to prevent abuse of power.

The power of courts to examine administrative acts and decisions for conformity with the constitution, statute and principles of natural justice, and to quash those found unlawful or unreasonable.

The obligation of officials to answer for their decisions and use of resources to superiors, legislatures and the public, and to accept consequences when performance or conduct falls short.

A legislative committee that examines audit reports on government spending, questions officials on irregularities and reports to the house, serving as a key instrument of financial accountability.

A movement of the late 1960s and 1970s that urged administrators to pursue social equity, responsiveness and change rather than mere efficiency, and to engage with values and client needs.

A reform agenda applying market logic to government through contracting, performance targets, customer orientation and managerial autonomy, seeking economy and measurable results in public services.

A standard of public management emphasizing participation, transparency, accountability, rule of law, responsiveness and efficiency, promoted by international agencies as a condition for effective development.

A deliberate course of action adopted by government to address a public problem, passing through agenda setting, formulation, adoption, implementation and evaluation, and shaped by many actors.

The body that prepared India's five-year plans, allocating investment among sectors and states and coordinating development goals, until it was replaced by the NITI Aayog in 2015.

India's three-tier system of elected rural local government at village, block and district levels, given constitutional status by the 73rd Amendment to promote democratic decentralization.

The 1992 amendment inserting Part IX into the Constitution, making panchayats mandatory, listing their functions, reserving seats for women and weaker sections and establishing State Election Commissions and Finance Commissions.

The chief administrative officer of a district, combining revenue collection, magisterial duties and coordination of development programmes, and acting as the main link between state and local administration.