Citizen Charter, transparency, accountability & other aspects
Editor’s Pick
- “Discuss the key elements of governance, focusing on transparency and accountability. Include e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential. Also, address citizens’ charters, institutional measures, and other steps towards enhancing transparency and accountability.” (200 words)
- Do you believe that the ‘Charter Mark’ can address the challenges encountered in implementing the Citizen’s Charter in India? Please provide reasons for your answer. (200 words)
- What are the potential benefits and limitations of social accountability mechanisms in improving governance in India? (200 words)
- Can you elaborate on the concept of participatory governance and how it contributes to enhancing transparency and accountability? What are the key challenges faced in implementing it in India? (200 words)
- Has the Right to Information (RTI) Act become redundant due to the challenges faced by the Office of the Central Information Commission? Analyze. (200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- The Citizens’ Charter is an ideal instrument of organizational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizens’ Charter. (250 words) [UPSC 2018]
- Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people. (150 words) [UPSC 2017]
- “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent.” Discuss their relationship in the context of India. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- In the light of the Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency and accountability. (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
E-governance
Editor’s Pick
- How should measures to improve the performance of e-governance projects be adopted, considering the perspectives of planners, implementers, and beneficiaries? Discuss. (200 words)
- How has Information and Communication Technology (ICT) reshaped governance at the grassroots level in India? What are the major challenges in fully harnessing its potential? (200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- E-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (150 words)[UPSC 2023]
- “The emergence of Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (150 words) [UPSC 2020]
- Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based Projects/Programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors, and suggest measures for their effective implementation. (150 words) [UPSC 2019]
- E-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the use value of information. Explain. (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
Editor’s Pick
- “In a democratic country like India, civil servants are responsible to both the political leadership and the public. Analyze their dual accountability. Additionally, discuss the various mechanisms in place to ensure the accountability of civil servants in India.” (200 words)
- Do you believe that adopting the meritocratic model of the private sector in the public sector is the most effective way to reform the civil services in India? Provide reasons for your answer. (200 words)
- How does the politicization of the civil services undermine the ‘steel frame’ of governance in India? What steps can be taken to mitigate this impact? (200 Words)
- Frequent transfers are a widespread issue within the higher civil service in India. Analyze the negative impacts of such transfers on civil servants and propose reforms to address this challenge.( 200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context suggest reforms in Civil Service for strengthening democracy. (150 words) [UPSC 2020]
- Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services? Comment. (250 words) [UPSC 2017]
- “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow change in India? Critically examine. (200 words) [UPSC 2014]
Local Governance
Editor’s Pick
- Examine the evolution of local government in India and discuss the changes introduced to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by the 73rd Amendment Act. (200 words)
- “Discuss the main features of the Aspirational Block Programme and examine its potential impact on enhancing governance and service delivery at the block level in India.” (200 words)
- “The PESA Act of 1996 recognized the Gram Sabha as the central institution of local governance in Scheduled Areas. Discuss the challenges faced by Gram Sabhas in these areas and the measures that should be taken to enhance their effectiveness.” (200 words)
- Critically assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented to strengthen the functioning of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in improving local governance in India. (200 words)
- What are the financial challenges encountered by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India, and what steps can be implemented to enhance their revenue generation? (200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- The strength and sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of ‘Functions, Functionaries and Funds’ to the contemporary stage of ‘Functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times.(250 words) [UPSC 2020]
- “The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.” Comment. (250 words) [UPSC 2019]
- Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (250 words) [UPSC 2018]
- “The local self-government system in India has not proved to be an effective instrument of governance.” Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation. (150 words) [UPSC 2017]
- In the absence of a well-educated and organized local-level government system, ‘Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.(200 words) [UPSC 2015]
Government Policies in Various Sectors
Editor’s Pick
- How can the successful implementation of e-Kranti transform service delivery in India? Discuss with examples. (200 words)
- The existing framework of sports governance in India faces numerous challenges, resulting in widespread mismanagement and corruption. Discuss these issues and suggest potential measures to address them. (200 words)
- Analyze and assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the Smart Cities Mission in India. (200 Words)
- How effectively has the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) fulfilled its primary objective? ( 200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process? Justify your answer. (250 words) [UPSC 2022]
- “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation’ to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
- “In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change? (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit the consumers, the Indian Railways or the private container operators. (200 words) [UPSC 2014]
- An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement. (200 words) [UPSC 2014]
- Two parallel run schemes of the Government, viz. the Adhaar Card and NPR, one as voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits, discuss whether or not both schemes need run concurrently. Analyse the potential of the schemes to achieve developmental benefits and equitable growth. (200 words) [UPSC 2014]