NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
General Studies – 1
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Chapter 1- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact created by the revolt of 1857.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by briefly mentioning how the 1857 uprising was successfully quelled by the British.
Body:
Mention the various re-alignment policies in administration such a British crown taking over control from EIC, Military strengthening, Transfer of Power, Divide and Rule, New Policy Towards the Princess, Search for New allies etc brought by the British as a way to avoid any such future uprising.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning that although the British succeeded in overpowering the Uprising, it proved to be the beginning of resistance from the people of India.
Introduction
The cumulative effect of British expansionist policies, economic exploitation, and administrative innovations over the years had adversely affected the positions of all—rulers of Indian states, sepoys, zamindars, peasants, traders, artisans, pundits, maulvis, etc. The simmering discontent burst in the form of a violent storm in 1857, which shook the British empire in India to its very foundations.
Body
Various causes for the defeat of the rebel
- All-India participation was absent: Limited territorial spread was one factor; there was no all-India veneer about the revolt. The eastern, southern, and western parts of India remained more or less
- All classes did not join: Certain classes and groups did not join and, in fact, worked against the revolt.
- Big zamindars acted as ‘break-waters to storm’; even Awadh talukdars backed off once promises of land restitution were spelt out.
- Moneylenders and merchants suffered the wrath of the mutineers badly and, anyway, saw their class interests better protected under British patronage.
- Poor Arms and Equipment: The Indian soldiers were poorly equipped materially, fighting generally with swords and spears and very few guns and muskets.
- On the other hand, the European soldiers were equipped with the latest weapons of war like the Enfield rifle. The electric telegraph kept the commander-in-chief informed about the movements and strategy of the
- Uncoordinated and Poorly Organised: The revolt was poorly organised with no coordination or central leadership.
- The principal rebel leaders—Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope, Kunwar Singh, Laxmibai—were no match to their British opponents in general ship.
- No Unified Ideology: The mutineers lacked a clear understanding of colonial rule; nor did they have a forward-looking programme, a coherent ideology, a political perspective, or a societal alternative. The rebels represented diverse elements with differing grievances and concepts of current politics.
Re-alignment policies in administration by British post 1857
The revolt of 1857 marks a turning point in the history of India. It led to far-reaching changes in the system of administration and the policies of the British government.
- Direct Governance of Queen: Even before the revolt could be suppressed fully, the British Parliament, on August 2, 1858, passed an act for the Better Government of India. The act declared Queen Victoria as the sovereign of British India and provided for the appointment of a Secretary of State for India (a member of the British cabinet).
- The direct responsibility for the administration of the country was assumed by the British Crown and Company rule was abolished.
- The assumption of the Government of India by the sovereign of Great Britain was announced by Lord Canning at a durbar at Allahabad in the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’ issued on November 1, 1858.
- Princely states and paramountcy: As per the Queen’s proclamation, the era of annexations and expansion had ended and the British promised to respect the dignity and rights of the native princes. The Indian states were henceforth to recognise the paramountcy of the British Crown and were to be treated as parts of a single charge.
- The people of India were promised freedom of religion without interference from British officials.
- Rule of law: The proclamation also promised equal and impartial protection under law to all Indians, besides equal opportunities in government services irrespective of race or creed. It was also promised that old Indian rights, customs, and practices would be given due regard while framing and administering the law.
- Army reforms: The army, which was at the forefront of the outbreak, was thoroughly reorganised and British military policy came to be dominated by the idea of “division and counterpoise”.
- The British could no longer depend on Indian loyalty, so the number of Indian soldiers was drastically reduced even as the number of European soldiers was increased.
- The concept of divide and rule was adopted, with separate units being created on the basis of caste/community/region.
- Recruits were to be drawn from the ‘martial’ races of Punjab, Nepal, and north-western frontier who had proved loyal to the British during the revolt. Effort was made to keep the army away from civilian population.
- Divide and Rule: The policy of divide and rule started in earnest after the Revolt of 1857. The British used one class/community against another unscrupulously.
- Thus, socially, there was irremediable deterioration. While British territorial conquest was at an end, a period of systematic economic loot by the British began.
Conclusion
For the British, the Revolt of 1857 proved useful in that it showed up the glaring shortcomings in the Company’s administration and its army, which they rectified promptly. These defects would never have been revealed to the world if the Revolt had not happened.
For the Indians, the 1857 Revolt had a major influence View In conceptual terms, the British who had started their rule as ‘outsiders’, became ‘insiders’ by vesting in their monarch the sovereignty of India. Bernard Cohn (in context of the Queen’s Proclamation) on the course of the struggle for freedom. It brought out in the open grievances of people and the sepoys, which were seen to be genuine. The Revolt of 1857 did establish local traditions of resistance to British rule which were to be of help in the course of the national struggle for freedom.
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Chapter 30 – A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publishers)
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the evolution of education in India under the colonial rule and its impact.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning the Macaulay’s minute setting the stage for introduction of education system by the British in India.
Body:
Trace the evolution of education system in British India – orientalist v/s anglicist debate, setting up of Universities, Hunter Commission report, education system during the period of Diarchy rule, evolution of primary and higher education etc. You can make use of a flow chart for better presentation.
Write about the both positive and negative impacts of introduction of modern education in India.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning the contribution of modern education in rise of nationalism in India.
Introduction
For the first 60 years of its dominion in India, the East India Company, a trading and profit-making concern, took no interest in the promotion of education. With the advent of the British Rule in India, their policies and measures breached the legacies of traditional schools of learning which resulted in the need for creating a class of subordinates. To achieve this goal, they instituted a number of acts to create an Indian canvas of English colour through the education system.
Body
Evolution of education system in British India
- Orientalist vs Anglicist: Within the General Committee on Public Instruction, the Anglicists argued that the government spending on education should be exclusively for modern studies.
- The Orientalists said while western sciences and literature should be taught to prepare students to take up jobs, emphasis should be placed on expansion of traditional Indian learning.
- Medium of instruction:Even the Anglicists were divided over the question of medium of instruction—one faction was for English language as the medium, while the other faction was for Indian languages (vernaculars) for the purpose.
- Macaulay’s minute: This famous minute settled the row in favour of Anglicists—the limited government resources were to be devoted to teaching of western sciences and literature through the medium of English language alone.
- Wood’s despatch: In 1854, Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control sent his recommendations known as ‘Wood’s Despatch of 1854″ reorganizing the whole structure of education.
- Wood’s Despatch is regarded as the Magna Carta of English education in India. It recommended for the establishment of Anglo-Vernacular Schools throughout the districts, Government Colleges in important towns and a University in each of the three Presidencies in India.
Positive impacts of modern education in India
- Modern ideas, if not education, did filter down to the masses, though not in a form desired by the rulers, but through political parties, press, pamphlets, public platforms, etc.
- Social analysis by Indians:Modern education only helped this process by making available the basic literature on physical and social sciences to nationalists, thus stimulating their capacity to make social analysis—otherwise the content, structure and curricula of modern education served colonial interests.
- Drain theory: The theory proposed that poverty in India was caused by the colonial rule that was draining the wealth and prosperity of India. This realization by Dadabhai Naoroji and others were due to modern education introduced by British and helped in awakening nationalism in Indians.
- Ideas of liberty and equality: The liberal and radical thought of European writers like Milton, Shelley, John Stuart Mill, Rousseau, Paine, Spencer and Voltaire helped many Indians imbibe modern rational, secular, democratic and nationalist ideas.
- Rationalism: Rationalism which advocated faith in reason and a scientific attitude was again due to modern education of Indians.
- Middle class intelligentsia: The English language helped nationalist leaders from different linguistic regions to communicate with each other.
- Those among the educated who took up liberal professions (lawyers, doctors, etc.) often visited England for higher education.
- There theysaw the working of modern political institutions in a free country and compared that system with the Indian situation where even basic rights were denied to the citizens.
- This ever-expanding English educated class formed the middle-class intelligentsia who constituted the nucleus for the newly arising political unrest.It was this section which provided leadership to the Indian political associations.
Negative aspects of British education
- Neglect of mass education: The Government soon made English as the medium of instruction in its schools and colleges and opened a few English schools and colleges instead of a large number of elementary schools, thus neglecting mass education.
- Downward filtration: The British planned to educate a small section of upper and middle classes, thus creating a class “Indian in blood and colour but English in tastes, in opinions, in morals and in intellect”who would act as interpreters between the Government and masses and would enrich the vernaculars by which knowledge of western sciences and literature would reach the masses. This was called the ‘downward filtration theory’.’
- Creating clerks:Although there were a few Englishmen who wanted to spread education for its own sake, the government was chiefly concerned only with its own concerns.
- There was a huge demand for clerks and other administrative roles in the company’s functioning.
- It was cheaper to get Indians rather than Englishmen from England for these jobs. This was the prime motive.
- Low Literacy rate: No doubt it spread western education among Indians, but the rate of literacy was abysmally low during British rule.
- In 1911, the illiteracy rate in British India was 94%. In 1921, it was 92%.
- Scientific and technical education was ignored by the British government.
- Women’s education:The state of women education was pathetic. This was because the government did not want to displease the orthodox nature of Indians and also because women could not generally be employed as clerks.
Conclusion
Thus, the education system introduced by British had both positive and negative impacts. It was injected to ensure a cheap supply of educated Indians to increase a number of subordinate posts in administration and in British business concern. That’s why the emphasis on English as a medium of instruction and also glorified British conquerors and their administration.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article provides an overview of the Law Commission’s report on the Sedition law in India. The report suggests that the sedition law should be used restrictively and proposes several recommendations for its amendment.
Key Demand of the question:
To discuss the issues related to the implementation of the Sedition law in India and address the demands for its reform.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context of section 124A of IPC.
Body:
In the first part, write about the objectives behind sedition law.
Next, in detail write about the various issues within the sedition law – potential misuse and infringement on freedom of speech, interpretation raises concerns, suppressing legitimate criticism and targeting of activists, journalists, and political opponents etc
Next, write about the need of sedition law in the present day. Write recommendations by law commission.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating a balanced opinion on the issue.
Introduction
According to the Section 124A of IPC, Sedition is an act that brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise. Colonial administrators used sedition to lock up people who criticised the British policies.
Recently, The Law Commission of India has recommended the retention of the 153-year-old colonial law on sedition in India..
Body
Background
- The section 124A of Indian Penal Code is a pre- independence provision, which covers sedition charges against government.
- Various verdicts by Indian Judiciary have led to re-interpretation and re-examination of ‘sedition’ in light of Article 19 of the Constitution.
- There has been an effort to strike a balance between right to free speech and expression and power of State to impose reasonable restrictions (Article 19(2)).
- In 1962, the Supreme Court in Kedar Nath Singh vs. State of Bihar upheld Section 124A and held that it struck a “correct balance” between fundamental rights and the need for public order.
- The court had significantly reduced the scope of Sedition law to only those cases where there is incitement to imminent violence towards overthrow of the state.
- Further, the Court held that it is not mere against government of the day but the institutions as symbol of state.
Should sedition be scrapped?
- Against democratic norms: It stifles the democratic and fundamental right of people to criticize the government.
- Inadequate capacity of State Machinery: The police might not have the “requisite” training to understand the consequences of imposing such a “stringent” provision.
- Possibility of Misuse: It has been used arbitrarily to curb dissent. In many cases the main targets have been writers, journalists, activists who question government policy and projects, and political dissenters.
- The draconian nature of this law as the crime is non-bailable, non-cognisable and punishment can extend for life—it has a strong deterrent effect on dissent even if it is not used.
- Used to gag press: The press should be protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.
Arguments in favour of Section 124A
- Not really a draconian law: Now after the Supreme Court directions, its jurisdiction has been narrowed down. It can be applied only on grounds laid down by the court.
- Application is a part of reasonable restrictions: It is provided under the Article 19 (2).
- Does not really curb free speech: One can use any kind of strong language in criticism of the government without inviting sedition. However, such dissent should not be turned into some kind of persuasion to break the country.
- Threats to unity and integrity of nationdue to presence of anti- national elements and divisive Forces such as naxals, separatists who are receiving support from inside and outside the country.
- Mere misuse cannot be a ground of repeal, rather provisions should be made where such misuse is eliminated.
Conclusion
The guidelines of the SC must be incorporated in Section 124A as well by amendment to IPC so that any ambiguity must be removed. Only those actions/words that directly result in the use of violence or incitement to violence should be termed seditious. The state police must be sufficiently guided as to where the section must be imposed and where it must not. Need to include provisions where the government can be penalized, if it misuses the section. This will ensure that section 124 A of IPC strikes a balance between security and smooth functioning of state with the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article discusses India’s self-reliance in the production of pulses (legumes) while highlighting its dependence on imports for edible oil.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons for achieving self sufficiency in pulses and write about the key lessons from it to make edible oil production self sufficient.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
First, cite statistics to show growth in India’s pulses and reduced import dependence. Next, write about the reasons for reduction in Import and how India achieved self-sufficiency in pulses.
Next, throw light on the current status of edible oils. Mention the issues because of which India is import dependent for edible oils.
Next, mention the measures that are needed to remedy this situation.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
India has achieved over 90% self-sufficiency in dals, thanks mainly to increased chana production. However, India needs 25 million tonnes of edible oils to meet its requirement at current consumption level of 19 kg per person per year. Out of the total requirement, 10.50 million tonnes are produced domestically from primary (Soybean, Rapeseed & Mustard, Groundnut, Sunflower, Safflower & Niger) and secondary sources (Oil palm, Coconut, Rice Bran, Cotton seeds & Tree Borne Oilseeds) and remaining 70%, is met through import.
Body
Import of edible oil vis-à-vis Pulses
- Between 2013-14 and 2022-23 (April-March), the value of India’s vegetable oil imports has soared from $7,249.85 million (Rs 44,038.04 crore) to $20,837.70 million (Rs 167,269.99 crore). Much of this has been in just the last two fiscal years
- Out of the 24-25 million tonnes (mt) cooking oil that the country consumes annually, only 9-10 mt is from domestically produced grain. The balance 14-15 mt is imported.
- In quantity terms, India’s imports of pulses more than doubled from 3.18 mt in 2013-14 to 6.61 mt in 2016-17. From those peaks, they have come down to 2.70 mt in 2021-22 and 2.52 mt in 2022-23.
- Thus, the nation has actually seen a decline, unlike in vegetable oils, where the quantum of imports too has surged from 7.94 mt to 15.67 mt between 2013-14 and 2022-23.
- The reduction in pulses imports have come essentially on the back of higher domestic production.
- According to the Agriculture Ministry, India’s pulses output has increased from 19.26 mt in 2013-14 to 27.50 mt in 2022-23.
- Private trade estimates of production are lower at 23-24 mt.
Reasons for edible oil import dependence in India
- India’s import dependence in this has worsened to over 70%. Oilseed growers in India are in distress as a result of increased imports.
- The planted acreage has stagnated and the yields also continue to be abysmally low.
- This is primarily because growers have no incentive to improve agronomic practices.
- The marketability of the crop grown is also weak as the price support mechanism is nearly non-existent.
- Market – Liberal policies with zero or low rate of duty and free market operations of the last 25 years have contributed to unfettered imports.
- This has worked against protecting the interests of domestic growers.
- About 10-15% of the current import volume is speculation driven. It often represents stock transfer from Indonesia and Malaysia to India.
- Huge inventories of as much as 2 million tonnes are often piled up in India, in turn affecting the domestic market.
Measures to boost domestic production of edible oils
India has a serious import dependency in edible oil. One of the biggest constraints to raising oilseed output has been that production is largely in rain-fed areas. Only one fourth of the oilseed producing area in the country remains under the irrigation.
- In 1986, government had launched a Technology Mission on Oilseedsto improve productivity. This resulted in some growth but then growth in this field has been sluggish only.
- Current Government is promoting National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)during 2012-17. This mission has some clear cut objectives such as:
- Increasing Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR) in oil crops with focus on Varietal Replacement;
- Increasing irrigation coverage under oilseeds from 26% to 36%;
- Diversification of area from low yielding cereals crops to oilseeds crops; inter-cropping of oilseeds with cereals/ pulses/ sugarcane;
- Use of fallow land after paddy /potato cultivation;
- Expansion of cultivation of Oil Palm and tree borne oilseeds in watersheds and wastelands;
- Increasing availability of quality planting material enhancing procurement of oilseeds and collection; and
- Processing of tree borne oilseeds.
- National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO): To increase domestic availability and reduce import dependency, a National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) is proposed for next five years (2020-21 to 2024-25). NMEO covering three Sub-Missions to increase production of oilseeds and edible oils from
- Primary Sources (Annual Crops, Plantation Crops and Edible TBOs),
- Secondary Sources (Rice bran oil and Cotton seed oil) and
- Consumer Awareness for maintaining edible oil consumption constant at 19.00 kg per person per annum.
- The proposed mission will aim to increase production from 30.88 to 47.80 million tonnes of oilseeds which will produce 7.00 to 11.00 million tonnes of edible oils from Primary Sources by 2024-25. Similarly edible oils from secondary sources will be doubled from 3.50 to 7.00 million tonnes.
- The following action point will be initiated for increasing production and productivity of oilseeds and promotion of Secondary Sources of Edible oils:
- Increasing seed replacement rate and varietal replacement rate
- Promotion of oilseed in rice fallow/ potato areas
- Promotion of oilseeds through intercropping
- Extending oilseed cultivation in non-traditional area
- Targeting 100 low productivity districts
- Crop diversification in different reasons
- Promotion of community-based oil extraction unit
- Value addition and promotion of export
- Promotion of rice bran and cotton seed oil
- Consumer awareness for judicious consumption of oils for good health
Conclusion
India must become self-sufficient in edible oil production and this must become a part of India’s Atmanirbharta. Certain WTO compliant incentives must be given to farmers in increasing the growth of oilseed production in the country to ensure domestic cultivation.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article discusses the resurgence of foreign investors in the Indian stock market.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about FPI, its importance and increased trends in FPIs and bottlenecks for FPIs in India.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining FPI. Cite statistic related to the extent of FPI in India.
Body:
In the first part, write about importance of FPI as mode of investment and its importance to the Indian economy.
Next, give context regarding the increased inflows of FPI, potential bottlenecks for it and steps that are needed to resolve them.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to ensure that withdrawal of FPI does not affect the economy.
Introduction
Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) consists of securities and other financial assets held by investors in another country. It does not provide the investor with direct ownership of a company’s assets and is relatively liquid depending on the volatility of the market. Along with foreign direct investment (FDI), FPI is one of the common ways to invest in an overseas economy. FDI and FPI are both important sources of funding for most economies.
Body
Background
- India has remained one of the attractive destinations for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) with total inflows at Rs 61,958 crore so far in the current fiscal.
- However, post Adani-Hindenburg episode, market regulator Sebi’s proposal to ask FPIs to disclose the ultimate beneficiaries of high-risk FPI funds is likely to impact the inflows
FPI regime as a route for foreign investment in India
- FPIs are the largest non-promoter shareholders in the Indian market and their investment decisions have a huge bearing on the stock prices and overall direction of the market.
- FPIs hold sizeable stakes in private banks, tech companies and big caps like Reliance Industries.
- India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and rising risk appetite are the reasons for the rise in FPI investment in the country’s market.
- FPI invested Rs 11,631 crore in April, Rs 43,838 crore in May and Rs 6,489 crore in the first two days of June into the domestic equity market, according to National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) data.
- In the first three months of FY23, FPIs had massively sold Indian stocks amid risk aversion due to the Ukraine-Russia war.
- Between April and June 2022, they pulled out Rs 1.07 lakh crore from the equity market. During FY2023, FPI outflows from the equity segment stood at Rs 37,632 crore.
Impact of SEBI tightening on FPI
- Recently, Sebi floated a consultation paper proposing tighter disclosure norms for high-risk FPIs.
- Assets of Rs 2.6 lakh crore, or 6 per cent of total FPI equity AUM, and less than 1 per cent of Indian equity market capitalisation may potentially be identified as high-risk FPIs that meet either of the 50 per cent group concentration or the Rs 25,000 crore fund size thresholds, Sebi says.
- The tightening could dampen sentiment in equity and forex markets.
- The proposed amendments would result in “disclosure down the the rabbit hole to find the final beneficial owner in certain high-risk investor categories
- It will help prevent violations of public float standards.
Conclusion
The heavy inflow of FPI can provide Indian economy a non-debt creating source of foreign investment. It also reduces the pressure of foreign exchange gap. The FPI has an added advantage of the flow of resources into the capital-scant countries like India. Significant reforms like wider taxation bracket, KYC norms, land arbitration, ease of doing business ,ease of governance will definitely attract FPI in coming years.
General Studies – 4
Topic: accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance;
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about ways to build and maintain a culture of transparency and accountability in government organisations
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining transparency and accountability.
Body:
First. Write about how it transparency and accountability are not prioritised in government offices.
Next, with relevant examples elaborate on how an culture of accountability can be instilled – citizen charters, RTI, Reward & Recognition, Autonomy & Trust, Feedback & Coaching, communication etc.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer writing about the link between accountability and efficiency.
Introduction
The idea of good governance is as old as Indian civilization. ‘Raj Dharma’ was the supreme code of conduct or the rule of law that governed all the actions of the ruler. This description of good governance is found in ancient Indian scriptures such as the Mahabharata, Shukracharyas’s Nitisar, Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, Valmiki’s Ramayana and especially in Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Two main aspects of good governance are transparency and accountability.
Body
Transparency involves the release of information and requires an open attitude about actions and decisions, indicated by the degree to which the principal (on whose behalf the agent is supposed to act) can monitor and evaluate the actions of the agent (who does the action) Transparency, in governance context, is honesty and openness.
Transparency is about information. It is about the ability of the receiver to have full access to the information he wants, not just the information the sender is willing to provide.
Accountability exists in a relationship between two parties where one has expectations of the other, and the other is obliged to provide information about how they have met these expectations or face the consequences of failing to do so. There are two components of accountability: Answerability & Enforcement.
Ways to ensure transparency and accountability
- The Right to Information Act, 2005: This establishes the legal right for a citizen to access the information that they want. Right to Information law not only require governments to provide information upon request, but also impose a duty on public bodies to actively disclose, disseminate and publish, as widely as possible, the information of general public interest even before it has been requested (as per section 4(1)(b) of the Act).
- Thus, RTI is a tool through which citizens can examine, audit, review and assess the government works and decisions to ensure that these are consistent with the principles of public interest, integrity and justice.
- Under the Right to Information Act, public servants can also be questioned on their conduct Polity & Governance and, thus, it makes them accountable.
- Right to information therefore promotes openness, transparency and accountability in administration by making the government more open to public scrutiny.
- Citizen’s Charter Act: Under the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressed of their Grievances Act, 2011 every public authority is required to publish a Citizens Charter specifies the category of goods supplied and services rendered by it, the time frame within which such goods shall be supplied or services be rendered; to establish information and facilitation centre for efficient and effective delivery of services and redressal of grievances.
- Social Audit: Social audits refer to a legally mandated process where potential and existing beneficiaries evaluate the implementation of a programme by comparing official records with ground realities. These audits were first made statutory in the 2005 Rural Employment Act. The objectives of social audits include providing accurate identification of requirements; prioritization of developmental activities as per requirements; proper utilization of funds; the conformity of the developmental activity with the stated goals and; quality of service.
- The involvement of people in developmental activities through social audit ensures that money is spent where it is actually needed along with reduction of wastages and corruption.
- It promotes integrity and a sense of community among people and leads to improved standard of governance.
- Ombudsman: Also called the Lokpal and the Lokayukta, it is an anti-corruption authority constituted at the national and state levels respectively. It investigates allegations of corruption and mal-administration against public servants and is tasked with speedy redressal of public grievances. The public can directly approach the Lokayukta with complaints of corruption, nepotism or any other form of maladministration against any government official.
- A Lokayukta inquiries into allegations of corruption, misuse of authority and wrong doings of public functionaries, including the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs.
- e-Governance: The National e-Governance Plan aims at electronic delivery of all public services to citizens through common service delivery outlets. It ensures greater efficiency, transparency & reliability of such services at affordable costs to realize the basic needs of the common man.
Conclusion
Governments today operate in a very complex environment with stakeholders consisting of different interest groups, competing demands on limited resources and complex legal requirements, therefore a more resilient accountability and transparency mechanism is required that encourages responsible governance.
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about Rawls’ theory of justice and its implications
Directive:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context of Rawls’ theory of justice.
Body:
Write about the theory – It emphasizes equal basic liberties for all individuals, ensuring personal autonomy and dignity. The difference principle advocates for inequalities that benefit the least advantaged, reducing disparities and providing a safety net for the vulnerable.
Next, write about the criticism of the theory.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
John Rawls was an American moral and political philosopher in the liberal tradition. Rawls’s theory of justice revolves around the adaptation of two fundamental principles of justice which would, in turn, guarantee a just and morally acceptable society. The first principle guarantees the right of each person to have the most extensive basic liberty compatible with the liberty of others. The second principle states that social and economic positions are to be to everyone’s advantage and open to all.
Body:
John Rawls theory of Social Justice guarantees a just and morally acceptable society:
- Rawls’ theory of justice as fairnessencompasses a central contention that principles of justice is essential to the structure of a constitutional democracy. It must be viewed as political in contrast to more comprehensive moral, philosophical or religious doctrines.
- His concept of social justice gives emphasis to fairness, it must be fair to all, to the most talented as well as the most disadvantaged section.
- Rawls uses the idea of a veil of ignoranceto argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds. He says that if a person keeps herself/himself under the ‘veil of ignorance’ then s/he would come up with the just distribution, fair laws and policies that would affect the whole society.
- Rawls further says that the institutions must be fair or just. They must keep themselves above parochial interests. In many societies there are such institutions which have been created to serve group’s interests and such institutions cannot serve the interests of justice.
- The contents of the “social primary goods” specified by Rawls are of particular importance, for the fair distribution of them, namely, liberty and opportunity, income and wealth and basis of self-respect in a society will undoubtedly help to achieve the much-needed social justice.
- For example:The recent 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections in education and jobs; reservations for SC/ST etc.
- Another important aspect of his theory is that while laying emphasis on the equal distribution of the “social primary goods”, he envisages “an unequal distribution” of the “social primary goods” if such unequal distribution is “to the advantage of the least favoured”.
- Example:progressive tax system in India, multi-tiered GST system, Philanthropy.
- In envisaging such “unequal distribution” of the social primary goods to benefit the “least favoured” in the society.
Conclusion:
His works have influenced famous thinkers like Amartya Sen, Thomas Nagel, Thomas Pogge etc. The concept of Social and Economic Justice is adopted in our Constitution in the form of Directive Principles of State Policy.
Value addition:
Basic principles of his theory:
- Rawls suggests two basic principles of justice.
- Principle of Equal Liberty:
- It means each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.
- Examples: freedom of thought, speech and expression, universal suffrage, freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure, the right to hold public office etc.
- Difference Principle: There are 2 parts under this
- Fair equality of opportunity: It postulates that public policies are reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage and public position and offices are open to all.
- Difference principle: It justifies only those social and economic inequalities that maximize benefits to the least advantaged citizens.
- These principles provide an operating logic for the determination of public interest by the decision- makers.
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