optional · CSS study notes
Past-paper MCQs · II · 2024–2026 (15 questions)
Syllabus home: II. Public Administration: Classical and Contemporary Theories and Concepts
15 questions · 1 mark each. Extracted from the supplied 2024–2026 papers. These are reasoned study answers, not an official FPSC key. Where wording or options are defective, the likely intended answer and the precise concept are distinguished.
2024 · Q1(3)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2024.pdf, PDF page 1
Main structural elements of Max Weber’s concept of bureaucracy include:
- (A) Hierarchy of authority
- (B) Career structure through specializations
- (C) Both (A) & (B)
- (D) None of these
Answer: C
Weberian bureaucracy combines a hierarchy of offices with specialised functions and a professional career structure.
2024 · Q1(10)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2024.pdf, PDF page 1
In 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, the legislative lists dealing with all federation and provincial issues included:
- (A) Federal Constitutional List
- (B) Provincial development plans’ List
- (C) Local Government List
- (D) None of these
Answer: D — as printed
The correct name is Federal Legislative List, not Federal Constitutional List. The original 1973 framework also contained a Concurrent Legislative List, later omitted through the Eighteenth Amendment.
Wording/key caution: Defective terminology: do not silently rewrite option A.
2024 · Q1(14)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2024.pdf, PDF page 1
The theory that highlights formal and informal governance structures within societies and examines individual’s’ social processes is called:
- (A) Institutional Theory of Governance
- (B) Transitional Administration
- (C) Contingency Administration
- (D) None of these
Answer: A
Institutional theory examines formal rules, informal norms and how institutions shape behaviour and social processes.
2024 · Q1(17)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2024.pdf, PDF page 1
Rational choice theory is based on the assumption that the person making a decision or taking an action will do so on the basis of his / her:
- (A) Assessment of personal needs
- (B) Assessment of community needs
- (C) Assessment of family needs
- (D) None of these
Answer: A — closest
Rational-choice models normally assume actors choose in light of their own preferences and perceived benefits and costs. Preferences need not be exclusively selfish and can include concern for others.
2024 · Q1(19)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2024.pdf, PDF page 2
An organization’s efficiency and effectiveness can be improved through the application of administrative principles falling under:
- (A) Administrative management theory
- (B) Bureaucratic management theory
- (C) Scalar chain theory
- (D) None of these
Answer: A
Administrative management theory develops principles and managerial functions intended to improve organisation-wide coordination and performance.
2025 · Q1(3)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2025.pdf, PDF page 1
Who is considered as father of Bureaucracy:
- (A) Max Weber
- (B) Taylor
- (C) Drucker
- (D) None of these
Answer: A
Max Weber is associated with the systematic theory and ideal type of bureaucracy. Taylor is associated with Scientific Management.
2025 · Q1(4)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2025.pdf, PDF page 1
Network Governance promotes:
- (A) Inter-organizational coordination
- (B) Bureaucratic structure
- (C) Formal association
- (D) None of these
Answer: A
Networks coordinate interdependent organisations through relationships, shared purposes and negotiated arrangements.
2025 · Q1(5)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2025.pdf, PDF page 1
Proactive Strategies imply to:
- (A) Actions based on condition and circumstances
- (B) Reaction based on events
- (C) Anticipation and prevention based on planning
- (D) None of these
Answer: C
Proactive strategy anticipates conditions and prepares responses before events force reactive action.
2025 · Q1(6)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2025.pdf, PDF page 1
Organizational Structure is a:
- (A) Framework to perform managerial and operating tasks
- (B) Framework to solve issues
- (C) Framework to bring social reforms
- (D) None of these
Answer: A
Organisational structure defines the arrangement of roles, responsibilities, authority and coordination through which work is performed.
2025 · Q1(13)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2025.pdf, PDF page 1
Open System is:
- (A) More complex than close system
- (B) Simpler than close system
- (C) Easier to handle
- (D) None of these
Answer: A — likely intended
An open organisational system exchanges resources and information with its environment, adding uncertainty and interdependence. However, complexity is not its defining criterion, and “open system” could also refer to public employment.
Wording/key caution: Under-specified: A is a textbook simplification, not a universal law.
2025 · Q1(20)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2025.pdf, PDF page 2
Bureaucracy is considered as:
- (A) Traditional Authority
- (B) Personal Authority
- (C) Leadership Authority
- (D) None of these
Answer: D
Weberian bureaucracy is associated with rational-legal authority, which is absent from the options. Traditional authority is a different Weberian category.
2026 · Q1(1)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1
The founding father of the theory of Bureaucracy was:
- (A) Herman Finer
- (B) Henri Fayol
- (C) Albert Lepawsky
- (D) None of these
Answer: D
The expected scholar is Max Weber, who is not listed. Henri Fayol is associated with administrative management and fourteen principles.
2026 · Q1(6)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1
Which theory argues that bureaucratic behavior is driven by self-interest and utility maximization?
- (A) Human Relations Theory
- (B) Public Choice Theory
- (C) Institutional Theory
- (D) None of these
Answer: B
Public Choice applies incentive and utility-based reasoning to political and bureaucratic behaviour. It is an analytical model, not proof that every official is selfish.
2026 · Q1(10)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1
Network Analysis assumes that help one another because they believe that cooperation advances their goals.
- (A) Organizations
- (B) Interest groups
- (C) Bureaucrats
- (D) None of these
Answer: A
Interorganisational network analysis considers cooperation among organisations whose resources and objectives are interdependent.
2026 · Q1(13)
Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1
The famous fourteen principles of organization were given by:
- (A) Max Wener
- (B) Plato
- (C) Fredick Taylor
- (D) None of these
Answer: D
Henri Fayol formulated the well-known fourteen principles. The paper’s misspelled names are retained as printed; Fayol is not among the options.