Public Section Preview
Glossary
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Hierarchy | Graded arrangement of authority from top to bottom of organisation | Core organisation concept |
| Scalar Chain | Fayol's 14th principle: unbroken line of authority top to bottom | Hierarchy synonym |
| Unity of Command | Each employee receives orders from only one superior (Fayol) | 2/5-mark Q |
| Unity of Direction | One head, one plan for each organisational activity (Fayol) | Distinguish from unity of command |
| Span of Control | Number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise | Graicunas formula |
| Graicunas Formula | Relationships grow exponentially with subordinates (1933) | Specific quantitative fact |
| Tall Organisation | Many hierarchical levels; narrow span of control | Organisation design |
| Flat Organisation | Few levels; wide span; more autonomy; NPM-favoured | Organisation design |
| Delegation | Assignment of authority and responsibility from superior to subordinate | 5-mark process Q |
| Authority | Power to make decisions and give orders; can be delegated | Delegation element |
| Responsibility | Obligation to perform a duty; cannot be delegated | Fundamental principle |
| Accountability | Being answerable to a superior for results | Delegation element |
| Centralisation | Concentration of decision-making at apex of organisation/government | 5-mark comparison |
| Decentralisation | Systematic dispersal of authority to lower levels | 73rd/74th Amendment |
| Deconcentration | Transfer of authority to field offices within same level | Type of decentralisation |
| Devolution | Transfer of authority to elected local bodies | True decentralisation |
| 73rd Amendment | 1992 — constitutionalised PRIs; 3-tier system; 11th Schedule | India decentralisation |
| Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) | Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad | 73rd Amendment |
| 11th Schedule | 29 subjects transferred to PRIs; added by 73rd Amendment | Decentralisation detail |
| Coordination | Integrating different units toward common goal without duplication | Follett's 4 principles |
| Line Organisation | Direct executive authority from top to bottom; carries out primary mission | Organisation type |
| Staff Organisation | Advisory; provides specialist expertise to line; no direct command | Organisation type |
| Functional Authority | Authority of staff officers to issue technical directives to line | Hybrid model |
| Gangplank (Fayol) | Direct horizontal communication allowed for urgency; superiors informed | Exception to scalar chain |
| DISHA Committee | District Development Coordination Committee — MP/MLA chairs; Collector coordinates | Rajasthan coordination |
Sources: Henri Fayol (1916/1949) General and Industrial Management; V.A. Graicunas (1933) "Relationship in Organization"; Lyndall Urwick (1956) "The Manager's Span of Control" HBR; Mary Parker Follett (1933) papers collected in Dynamic Administration; Chester Barnard (1938) The Functions of the Executive; Louis Allen, Management and Organisation; Constitution of India (73rd and 74th Amendments, 1992); Balwant Rai Mehta Committee Report (1957); 2nd ARC Reports (2005–09); RPSC Mains PYQ 2013–2023.