Given below are two statements:
Assertion (A): A manager remains accountable for the performance of a task even after delegating authority for it to a subordinate.
Reason (R): Delegation helps a manager to extend his area of operations beyond what he himself can do.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Assertion (A): A manager remains accountable for the performance of a task even after delegating authority for it to a subordinate. — True. Delegation does not mean abdication. The manager stays accountable for the assigned task to the same extent as before delegation.
Reason (R): Delegation helps a manager to extend his area of operations beyond what he himself can do. — True. Without delegation, a manager could do only what he himself can handle. Delegation lets him extend his area of operations.
Why R does not explain A?
A is about who answers for the outcome after delegation. R is about a benefit of delegation, the wider reach it gives the manager. A wider area of work does not make the manager answerable, so R does not bring about A.
The correct reason for A is that accountability cannot be delegated. Authority is delegated and responsibility is accepted by the subordinate, but answerability for the final outcome stays with the manager.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Delegation … Delegation helps a manager to extend his area of operations as without it, his activities would be restricted to only what he himself can do. However, delegation does not mean abdication. The manager shall still be accountable for the performance of the assigned tasks. Moreover, the authority granted to a subordinate can be taken back and redelegated to another person. Thus, irrespective of the extent of delegated authority ,the manager shall still be accountable to the same extent as before delegation.” “Elements of Delegation … (iii) Accountability: Delegation of authority, undoubtedly empowers an employee to act for his superior but the superior would still be accountable for the outcome: Accountability implies being answerable for the final outcome. Once authority has been delegated and responsibility accepted, one cannot deny accountability. It cannot be delegated and flows upwards, i.e., a subordinate will be accountable to a superior for satisfactory performance of work. …” |