Sumit Kumar Rai|AIR-54|Public Administration

Profile in brief

SUMIT KUMAR RAI, AIR 54, CSE 2018.

• Petroleum Engineer, Cairn India.
• IIT (ISM) Dhanbad - 2008-2013.
• Interest in governance & administration.
• Home District: Gopalganj, Bihar.

His Tryst with Public Administration

Sumit Kumar Rai has had a deep and enduring relationship with the subject of Public Administration. His interest in the field began during his college years and has been a consistent part of his academic journey. He has attempted the optional paper in Public Administration for four consecutive years, achieving notable scores in each attempt:

• 2015: 228 marks
• 2016: 297 marks
• 2017: 290 marks
• 2018: 307 marks

This consistent performance underscores Sumit's dedication and passion for the subject. His journey with Public Administration started with the acquisition of Laxmikanth's book on the subject and was further enriched by reading multiple books and research papers. While he has focused more on the approach and analysis of the subject matter, Sumit has also made it a point to share his experiences and insights in this write-up.

Sumit's approach to studying Public Administration is centered around understanding the subject's nuances and relevance. He emphasizes the importance of developing an analytical mindset and linking various concepts to real-world scenarios. Sumit believes in the power of cumulative learning, which is evident in his recommendation for aspirants to engage with the subject through different sources and to develop a strong understanding of its theoretical and practical aspects.

The essential books: The must-read books

Sumit recommends several essential books for aspirants preparing for the Public Administration optional:

• Aribam-Paper 1 & Paper 2: These books provide a strong foundation for understanding the basic concepts and theories in Public Administration. They are ideal for beginners and should be the starting point for anyone new to the subject.
• Administrative Thinkers: Prasad & Prasad: This book can be read alongside Aribam to provide a more in-depth understanding of key thinkers in the field. It is particularly useful for those who wish to understand the philosophical underpinnings of Public Administration.
• Mohit Bhattacharya: New Horizons of Public Administration: This book is more challenging in terms of language but offers profound insights into the evolution of Public Administration. A thorough reading of the book, possibly during the second or third reading, can provide a clearer conceptual understanding.
• Shubhra Saxena: Public Administration Super 50: This book is particularly useful for revising and enriching the content of the subject. It covers 25-25 topics from Paper 1 and Paper 2 in a concise and engaging manner.
• Vikram Singh: Public Administration Dictionary: This book is valuable for understanding complex concepts in an easy and accessible way. It is particularly useful for integrating theoretical concepts into practical answers.
• Frederickson, Smith & Others: The Public Administration Theory Primer: This primer provides a comprehensive overview of various theories and concepts in Public Administration. Sumit recommends focusing on specific chapters such as Postmodern Theory, Governance, and the Future of Public Administration.

The non-essential books

While not strictly essential, Sumit recommends the following books for those who wish to delve deeper into specific aspects of Public Administration:

• Mohit Bhattacharya: Restructuring Public Administration: A New Look: This book deals with the New Public Management (NPM) and Post-NPM development, explaining concepts like the Neo-weberian state (NWS) in a detailed manner. It is recommended to be read after "New Horizons of Public Administration".
• Mohit Bhattacharya: Social Theory and Development Administration: This book covers a range of social theories and their application to development administration. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the intersection of social theories and Public Administration.
• Ramesh K. Arora: Comparative Public Administration: This book offers insights into the comparative study of Public Administration in different countries. It is particularly useful for understanding the global context and differences in administrative practices.

Hidden Syllabus

Sumit highlights the importance of exploring the hidden syllabus in Public Administration, which includes studying key concepts, thinkers, and contemporary issues. Some of the areas to focus on include:

• Public Administration in other countries: Studying the French and American versions of Public Administration, as well as the impact of Thatcherism and Reaganism on administrative practices.
• Minnowbrook conferences: Familiarizing oneself with the Minnowbrook conferences and the latest advances in the field of Public Administration.
• Key thinkers and theories: Understanding the views of thinkers like Marx, Hegel, Hayek, Nozick, Talcott Parsons, Aaron Wildavsky, and others.
• Gender and Administration: Exploring the role of gender in administration, particularly in terms of gender administration and gender budgeting.
• Ferrel Heady and Comparative Public Administration: Studying the contributions of Ferrel Heady to the field of Comparative Public Administration.
• Complex concepts and theories: Understanding and applying complex concepts like Neo Classical Theorists, Neo Marxism, Post Structuralism, Post Modernism, Pareto Optimality, Critical Theory, Habermas, and others.
• Technical aspects of administration: Familiarizing oneself with techniques of administrative improvement such as CPM, PERT, Gantt Charts, and Management Information Systems.

Road to good score

Sumit offers several strategies for aspirants aiming to score well in the Public Administration optional:

• Use simple language: The key to a good score is using simple and clear language that conveys your understanding without requiring the examiner to re-read sentences.
• Focused introduction: Ensure that your introduction is sharp and focused, avoiding unnecessary details that can lead to tangents.
• Linking with contemporary examples: For Paper 1, it is crucial to link contemporary examples from Indian administration with the theories and thinkers studied. This not only boosts your understanding but also makes your answers more relevant and engaging.
• Constitutional articles and commissions: Use constitutional articles and recommendations from commissions like the 2nd ARC, Punchhi Commission, and Sarkaria Commission to augment your answers. Sumit recommends thoroughly studying the selected chapters of the 2nd ARC covered in Aribam's books.
• Use of flowcharts and diagrams: Incorporating flowcharts and diagrams can significantly improve the presentation of your answers and help you save time. For example, using a balance to illustrate Barnard's contribution-satisfaction equilibrium or the participation ladder for PRIs and Social Audit.
• Quoting examples: Try to quote at least one example for each answer to illustrate your points. Sumit suggests maintaining a collection of best practices and their linkages to enhance the relevance of your answers.
• Peer group discussions: Engage in regular discussions with a good peer group to benefit from the confluence of different ideas. This can be done on platforms like ForumIAS or Telegram.
• Practice answer writing: While Sumit did not focus much on answer writing, he highly recommends regular practice to improve presentation and clarity. Joining test series and studying toppers' answers can provide valuable insights and help in internalizing key concepts.

Sumit concludes with a note of encouragement and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of cumulative learning and community engagement in mastering the subject of Public Administration.