With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
- N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it.
- In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister’s charge.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 Only
This question tests knowledge about administrative reform recommendations and the establishment of the Department of Personnel. Statement 1 incorrectly attributes a recommendation to the N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee that was actually made by the first Administrative Reforms Commission, while Statement 2 correctly describes the establishment of the Department of Personnel in 1970 under the Prime Minister's charge.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The recommendation to designate a minister and secretary solely for administrative reform was made by the first Administrative Reforms Commission (1966), not the N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee (1949), which focused on reorganization of Central Government machinery and establishment of the O&M Division.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Department of Personnel was indeed established in 1970 based on the recommendations of the first Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) and was placed under the Cabinet Secretariat, which functions under the Prime Minister's direct charge; it was later reorganized into the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in 1985.
📝 Short Notes: Administrative Reforms and Department of Personnel
| Committee/Commission | Year | Key Recommendations/Focus |
|---|---|---|
| N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee | 1949 | Reorganization of Central Government machinery; Grouping of ministries; Establishment of Organisation and Methods (O&M) Division |
| First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) | 1966 | Designation of minister and secretary for administrative reforms; Establishment of Department of Personnel (implemented in 1970) |
| Department of Personnel | 1970 | Established under Cabinet Secretariat; Under Prime Minister's charge |
| Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions | 1985 | Reorganized from Department of Personnel; Continues under Prime Minister's charge |
Question 2 of 5 Council of Ministers
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