Q.1 Which of the following best describes the concept of 'policy feedback' in public policy?
Policies create incentives that shape future political behavior
Policies are always neutral in society
Policies only reflect public opinion
Policies are independent of political institutions
Explanation - Policy feedback refers to the way existing policies influence future political behavior by creating incentives or constraints for actors involved.
Correct answer is: Policies create incentives that shape future political behavior
Q.2 The 'Median Voter Theorem' is primarily used to explain which aspect of politics?
The role of bureaucracy in policy implementation
How parties position themselves on issues to maximize votes
The structure of federal governments
The influence of media on elections
Explanation - The Median Voter Theorem suggests that parties will adopt policies close to the preferences of the median voter to secure majority support.
Correct answer is: How parties position themselves on issues to maximize votes
Q.3 Which of the following is a primary function of public policy?
Regulating society, allocating resources, and promoting welfare
Increasing political party membership
Generating profit for private firms
Reducing citizen participation in governance
Explanation - Public policy functions to regulate societal behavior, allocate resources efficiently, and promote the general welfare of citizens.
Correct answer is: Regulating society, allocating resources, and promoting welfare
Q.4 What does 'incrementalism' in public policy imply?
Policy changes are large and revolutionary
Policy changes happen gradually through small adjustments
Policies are dictated entirely by international organizations
Policies remain fixed once established
Explanation - Incrementalism posits that public policy usually evolves through small, gradual changes rather than radical shifts.
Correct answer is: Policy changes happen gradually through small adjustments
Q.5 Which of the following statements is true about 'policy implementation'?
It refers only to the drafting of policy
It involves translating policy decisions into actionable programs
It is the same as policy evaluation
It excludes the role of bureaucrats
Explanation - Policy implementation is the process of executing decisions made in policy formulation into programs, involving bureaucrats and institutions.
Correct answer is: It involves translating policy decisions into actionable programs
Q.6 The 'stages heuristic' in policy analysis refers to:
Viewing policy as a linear process through stages like agenda-setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation
Ignoring the role of political actors
Focusing exclusively on policy outcomes
Emphasizing only the drafting stage
Explanation - The stages heuristic is a framework that breaks down policy-making into sequential stages to analyze the process.
Correct answer is: Viewing policy as a linear process through stages like agenda-setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation
Q.7 Which of the following is considered a non-state actor in public policy?
Political parties
Interest groups and NGOs
Legislatures
Supreme Court
Explanation - Non-state actors like NGOs and interest groups influence policy without holding formal governmental power.
Correct answer is: Interest groups and NGOs
Q.8 Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'policy diffusion'?
A policy in one country influencing the adoption of similar policies in other countries
A single law applied uniformly across a state
Policies being implemented only by bureaucrats
Policy evaluation conducted internally
Explanation - Policy diffusion refers to how ideas and programs spread from one jurisdiction to others, influenced by success, emulation, or coercion.
Correct answer is: A policy in one country influencing the adoption of similar policies in other countries
Q.9 The concept of 'wicked problems' in public policy refers to:
Simple problems with clear solutions
Complex societal problems that are difficult to define and solve
Problems limited to economic policy
Issues resolved quickly through legislation
Explanation - Wicked problems are those that are multi-dimensional, involve conflicting stakeholders, and have no clear solution.
Correct answer is: Complex societal problems that are difficult to define and solve
Q.10 Which of the following is an example of distributive policy?
Subsidies for farmers
Taxation of citizens
Criminal law enforcement
Anti-corruption regulations
Explanation - Distributive policies allocate resources to specific groups in society, like subsidies or infrastructure projects.
Correct answer is: Subsidies for farmers
Q.11 The term 'regulatory policy' primarily refers to policies that:
Provide financial aid to citizens
Restrict or mandate certain behaviors to protect public interest
Allocate public land for private use
Eliminate government agencies
Explanation - Regulatory policies impose rules or standards to guide behavior and ensure public welfare.
Correct answer is: Restrict or mandate certain behaviors to protect public interest
Q.12 Which Indian commission is primarily responsible for evaluating the impact of public policies?
Finance Commission
Planning Commission / NITI Aayog
Election Commission
Law Commission
Explanation - NITI Aayog, the successor to the Planning Commission, evaluates and recommends public policy initiatives in India.
Correct answer is: Planning Commission / NITI Aayog
Q.13 Which of the following best describes the principle of 'subsidiarity' in public policy?
Decisions should be made at the lowest effective level of government
Central government should control all policies
Policies must be identical across countries
Private firms must lead policy implementation
Explanation - Subsidiarity emphasizes local decision-making and decentralization to increase efficiency and accountability.
Correct answer is: Decisions should be made at the lowest effective level of government
Q.14 Which of the following is an example of a redistributive policy?
Progressive taxation
Road construction
Subsidized fertilizers
School lunch programs limited to certain districts
Explanation - Redistributive policies shift resources from one group to another, such as taxation to support welfare programs.
Correct answer is: Progressive taxation
Q.15 The 'Garbage Can Model' in policy-making emphasizes:
The chaotic and non-linear nature of decision-making in organizations
Strict adherence to policy stages
Centralized decision-making only
Policy evaluation by independent agencies
Explanation - The Garbage Can Model shows that policy-making often involves randomness, timing, and multiple actors rather than orderly steps.
Correct answer is: The chaotic and non-linear nature of decision-making in organizations
Q.16 Which of the following best defines 'agenda-setting' in public policy?
The process of identifying and prioritizing issues for government attention
Implementation of a policy
Evaluating the outcomes of policies
Distributing government subsidies
Explanation - Agenda-setting is about which issues attract attention from policymakers and the public.
Correct answer is: The process of identifying and prioritizing issues for government attention
Q.17 The term 'evidence-based policy' refers to policies that:
Rely on empirical research and data to guide decision-making
Are based solely on ideology
Avoid statistical analysis
Ignore policy outcomes
Explanation - Evidence-based policies use data, research, and evaluation to design and implement more effective interventions.
Correct answer is: Rely on empirical research and data to guide decision-making
Q.18 Which Indian constitutional body plays a critical role in shaping economic policy through fiscal recommendations?
Finance Commission
Election Commission
Union Public Service Commission
Comptroller and Auditor General
Explanation - The Finance Commission advises on the distribution of revenues between the Union and States, influencing public policy decisions.
Correct answer is: Finance Commission
Q.19 The concept of 'path dependency' in policy-making implies that:
Historical choices constrain future policy options
All policies are independent of history
Policies always follow public opinion
Policy failures are ignored in future decisions
Explanation - Path dependency suggests that decisions made in the past shape the options and directions available in the future.
Correct answer is: Historical choices constrain future policy options
Q.20 Which of the following is a characteristic of 'good governance' in public policy?
Transparency, accountability, and responsiveness
Centralization of power
Ignoring citizen participation
Ad hoc decision-making
Explanation - Good governance involves clear, participatory, and accountable processes in policymaking.
Correct answer is: Transparency, accountability, and responsiveness
Q.21 Which Indian act primarily governs the transparency of public policy through information access?
Right to Information Act, 2005
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Companies Act, 2013
Representation of People Act, 1951
Explanation - The RTI Act allows citizens to access information held by public authorities, enhancing accountability in policy-making.
Correct answer is: Right to Information Act, 2005
Q.22 Which of the following is an example of a regulatory policy in India?
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
Subsidies for rural electrification
National Rural Health Mission funding
Income tax rebate for senior citizens
Explanation - Regulatory policies like the Motor Vehicles Act impose rules to control behavior for public safety.
Correct answer is: The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
Q.23 Which of the following is an example of a symbolic policy?
Issuing a national award to promote environmental awareness
Imposing taxes on tobacco
Constructing highways
Providing subsidies to farmers
Explanation - Symbolic policies are largely ceremonial or intended to signal intentions rather than produce substantial change.
Correct answer is: Issuing a national award to promote environmental awareness
Q.24 What is the main purpose of policy evaluation?
To assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of policies
To implement new policies
To centralize decision-making
To create legal frameworks for society
Explanation - Policy evaluation analyzes whether a policy has achieved its objectives and informs future policymaking.
Correct answer is: To assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of policies