UPSC Prelims 2021 Q78: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Department of Personnel: Origin and Placement
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested minister and secretary for administrative reform | FALSE | The 1953 A.D. Gorwala Report and later the 1966 Morarji Desai/K. Hanumanthaiya Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) dealt with administrative reform. N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar's 1949 report was primarily on reorganisation of the machinery of government but did NOT specifically recommend a dedicated minister + secretary for admin reform. UPSC answer key treats this as incorrect. |
| 2 | 1970: Department of Personnel constituted on ARC 1966 recommendation, placed under PM | TRUE | The Department of Personnel (DoP) was created in August 1970 under the Cabinet Secretariat, later shifted to Prime Minister's charge. Based on Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), 1966 recommendations. Later renamed Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) - still under the PM. |
Only statement 2 is correct. Answer: (b).
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 misattributes the recommendation for a dedicated admin reform ministry.
- (b) CORRECT. Only statement 2 is correct - Department of Personnel was created in August 1970 based on the 1966 ARC recommendations and placed under the Prime Minister's charge. Statement 1 wrongly attributes this to N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is factually wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is a documented historical fact.
Key point
Department of Personnel (1970) = created on ARC 1966 recommendation, placed under Prime Minister's charge (later DoPT). Statement 1 misattributes to N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar. Only statement 2 correct. DoPT remains one of PM's key ministries.
Remember
The Department of Personnel was constituted in 1970 on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) and placed under the Prime Minister's charge (statement 2 correct). N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar's role in this is misattributed in statement 1. Answer: (b) 2 only.
Common mistakes
- Confusing N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar's 1949 report (machinery reorganisation) with A.D. Gorwala's 1953 report (public administration) or the 1966 ARC (Morarji Desai/Hanumanthaiya).
- Not knowing DoPT is always under the Prime Minister's direct charge - reflecting personnel matters' political sensitivity.
- Missing that ARC I (1966-70) submitted 20 reports; ARC II (2005-09) headed by Veerappa Moily submitted 15 reports.
Exam tip
Administrative reform milestones: N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar (1949, machinery), A.D. Gorwala (1953, administration), ARC I (1966-70, Morarji Desai/Hanumanthaiya), ARC II (2005-09, Veerappa Moily), Central Vigilance Commission (1964, Santhanam Committee), Sarkaria Commission (1983-88, Centre-State relations).
Sources
- Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961: Department of Personnel and Training
- Administrative Reforms Commission Reports (1966-70)