Governance Questions (2013–2023)

This document organises Governance questions from the sources by year, identifies the relevant UPSC syllabus point, and highlights key terms essential for examination focus.

2023

• Human Resource Development: Measures to address inadequate attention in India.
• Competition Commission of India: Role in containing abuse of dominant position by MNCs.
• E-governance: Inadequacies hampering effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.
• Vulnerable Sections: Discriminatory nature of development and welfare schemes.
• Skill Development: Linkages between education, skill, and employment.

2022

• Decentralisation: Changes in the grassroots governance landscape.
• Gati-Shakti Yojana: Coordination between government and private sectors for connectivity.
• Disability Rights: Sensitisation of functionaries regarding the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Reforming delivery systems and its limitations.

2021

• Pressure Groups: Contribution of business associations to public policy.
• ICT and Development: Impact of digital illiteracy and lack of ICT accessibility in rural areas.

2020

• Civil Service Reforms: Strengthening democracy through institutional quality.
• Fourth Industrial Revolution: E-governance as an integral part of government.

2019

• Central Administrative Tribunal: Role as an independent judicial authority.
• Farmers’ Organisations: Methods and effectiveness in influencing policy-makers.
• ICT Implementation: Factors causing failure and measures for effective implementation.
• Multi-level Planning: Cost-effectiveness and implementation blockages in a neo-liberal paradigm.
• Service Sector Cooperation: Partnership and collaboration in India’s development process.

2018

• Environmental Protection: Policy contradictions among competing sectors and stakeholders.
• E-governance: Importance of the ‘use value’ of information.
• Panchayat System: Sources of financing for development projects.
• Commissions for Vulnerable: Merging overlapping commissions into an umbrella human rights body.
• Citizens’ Charter: Limitations and measures for greater effectiveness.

2017

• Public Accounts Committee: Role in establishing government accountability.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs): Role in developmental activities and government promotion.
• Civil Service Reforms: Necessity of reforms for neutrality and effectiveness.

2016

• Non-state Actors: Marginal vs central role in the Indian governance system.
• People’s Participation: Relationship between participation and government effectiveness.
• Public Morality: Factors causing India's low standing in the Integrity Index.
• LPG Reforms: Response of the governmental system to Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation.
• Bureaucratic Structure: Impact of traditional culture on socio-economic development.
• Demographic Dividend: Measures to enhance productivity and employability.

2015

• Khap Panchayats: Actions against extra-constitutional authorities and human rights violations.
• NGO Funding: Critical examination of changes in FCRA rules.
• SBLP: Effectiveness of the SHG Bank Linkage Programme in poverty alleviation.
• Corporate Governance: Changes in transparency and accountability post-Satyam Scandal.
• Regulatory Institutions: Importance of independence and autonomy.

2014

• Rural SHGs: Socio-cultural hurdles in development programme participation.
• FDI in Media: Pros and cons of increased FDI in news media.
• Rail Tariff Authority: Impact of fare regulation on consumers and Indian Railways.
• Cadre-based Civil Services: Whether it causes slow change in India.
• Aadhaar vs NPR: Concurrent running of schemes and potential for equitable growth.

2013

• Bifurcation of States: Effectiveness of smaller states for governance.
• Pressure Groups: Structure and functioning in the Indian political context.
• SHG Accountability: Assessment of micro-finance outfits for sustained success.
• PURA: Connectivity-rooted urban amenities in rural areas.
• Regulatory Merger: Case for merging SEBI and IRDA due to product diversification.
• Lokpal: Limitations in resolving immorality in public affairs.
• Mid Day Meal (MDM): Objectives, mandates, and success of the scheme.