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GS Paper: GS2

  • “The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.

  • Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.

  • ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss.

  • How do pressure groups influence Indian political process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as powerful than formal pressure groups in recent years?

  • Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people.

  • ‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.

  • In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?

    The US withdrawal from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in 2018 and subsequent reimposition of sanctions, has heightened tensions in West Asia.

    Impact on India’s National Interests

    Energy Security

    Regional instability inflates global oil prices, aggravating India’s current account deficit and rupee depreciation.

    Connectivity Challenges

    US sanctions complicate financing and insurance for the Chabahar Port and INSTC– critical to India’s access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe.

    India’s exports to Iran (pharmaceuticals, rice, machinery) face banking restrictions.

    Strategic and Diplomatic Dilemmas

    Challenge of maintaining strategic partnerships with both Washington and Tehran, while avoiding diplomatic friction.

    Security Concerns- Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz threatens India’s sea-borne energy supplies and security of Indian diaspora in the Gulf. Eg- Red sea crisis in 2024

    How India Should Respond

    Short-term Measures

    Energy Diversification- Strengthen long-term import contracts with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia, and the US, and expand strategic oil reserves.

    Protect Maritime Routes- Enhance naval surveillance in the Arabian Sea under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

    Use rupee-rial trade mechanisms and alternate payment channels.

    Medium to Long-term Strategy

    Secure waivers for Chabahar Port and accelerate linkage with INSTC to strengthen access to Eurasia.

    Energy Transition- Fast-track investments in renewables, LNG, and green hydrogen.

    Regional Multilateralism- Promote India-GCC-Iran dialogue for maritime security and conflict de-escalation.

    Supporting IAEA-based diplomacy for restoring JCPOA through peaceful dialogue and achieving Nuclear disarmament.

    A balanced, multi-vector foreign policy is essential to safeguard India’s economic and security interests while sustaining its role as a stabilizing power in West Asia.

  • What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?

    The WTO, established in 1995 under Uruguay Round of the GATT, was designed to promote rules-based multilateral trade and ensure that global trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely.

    Major Challenges Facing the WTO

    Since 2019, WTO’s dispute settlement system has been defunct due to US blocking judge appointments.

    Deadlock over Doha Development Agenda and Agreement on Agriculture

    Opposition of developing countries for ‘New Issues’

    WTO rules lag behind in Digital Trade & E-commerce

    Dispute over “Developing Country” Status – The US opposes self-declared developing status at WTO, arguing that countries like India and China should be treated as developed.

    Mega-regional trade pacts like the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), bypassing WTO norms.

    Proposals by India in the High-Level Mini-Ministerial Meeting

    Revival of the WTO Dispute Settlement System to maintain WTO’s credibility and rule-based order.

    Institutional & Negotiation Reforms

    Move from consensus-only decision-making to hybrid or majority-based models for efficiency.

    Enhance voice of developing nations in agenda-setting and committee representation

    Reform of Special and Differential Treatment – Retain S&DT as a core principle ensuring policy space for developing countries.

    Agricultural Trade Reform

    Rationalize domestic support and export subsidies in developed nations (EU, US).

    Permanent solutions for public food grain stockholding programs

    Ensure food security exemptions are protected under Article 18.4 of AoA.

    Tackling Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) by ensuring transparency, science-based standards, and non-discriminatory application of NTBs.

    Addressing Distortions by Non-Market Economies – Eg- China’s export quotas on rare earths

    Develop balanced rules on data localization, digital taxation, and cross-border flows to prevent dominance of Big Tech

    Prevent misuse of green trade barriers as disguised protectionism. Eg- EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

    Permanent WTO Reform Council to propose systemic reforms every five years.

    India must lead the Global South coalition to ensure reforms are inclusive, equitable, and development-centric.

  • 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 or the Citizens Charter.

    The Citizen’s Charter, introduced in India in 1997 (DARPG) following the UK model, aims to make public services transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric by clearly defining service standards, timelines, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

    Role in Ensuring Transparency and Accountability

    Defines Service Standards – Eg- Passport Seva Kendra specifies delivery within 3 working days for Tatkal applications.

    Enhances Administrative Transparency – Makes procedures, responsibilities, and timelines public, reducing scope for arbitrariness and discretion.

    Promotes Accountability of Officials – Identifies responsible officers for each service and grievance redressal, ensuring answerability for delays or failures.

    Empowers Citizens to demand better service delivery, question inefficiencies, and seek grievance redressal through defined channels.

    Builds mutual expectations between government and citizens, enhancing trust in public institutions.

    Provides a benchmark for assessing departmental efficiency and monitoring service outcomes through periodic audits.

    Promotes feedback-based improvement by institutionalizing citizen input in service reforms.

    Limitations of Citizen’s Charter

    Charters are non-statutory and lack penal provisions for non-compliance, reducing accountability.

    Top Down Approach – Charters are formulated by bureaucrats without citizen consultation, making them non-representative and unrealistic.

    Low Public Awareness – Eg- only 36% of users knew of service standards (NITI Aayog, 2023).

    Weak Grievance Redressal – Absence of clear escalation mechanisms leads to ineffective resolution and loss of citizen confidence.

    Bureaucratic Resistance – Many departments treat the Charter as a procedural formality rather than a reform instrument.

    Poor Review and Monitoring – Charters are rarely updated or evaluated; lack of performance metrics weakens impact.

    Fragmented Implementation – No uniform structure or standards across ministries and states, causing inconsistency in service quality.

    Accessibility issues due to absence of regional language versions

    Measures for Greater Effectiveness

    Enact a Citizen’s Charter Act with penalties for non-compliance, similar to Right to Public Services Acts in MP and Bihar.

    Integration with Grievance Systems – Link Charters with CPGRAMS and State Service Guarantee Acts for real-time grievance tracking.

    Regular Review and Evaluation – Institutionalize annual audits and third-party evaluations to assess compliance and update service commitments.

    Conduct public awareness campaigns and train officials under the Sevottam Framework for citizen-oriented delivery.

    Technological Integration – Promote digital dashboards, online service tracking, and data-based performance monitoring.

    Performance Incentives and Accountability – Introduce reward mechanisms for compliant departments and penalties for persistent failures.

    By aligning it with the 2nd ARC recommendations, it can evolve from a symbolic commitment to a practical framework for responsive, transparent, and citizen-centric governance.

  • Assess the importance of 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.

    73rd and 74th CAA are the embodiment of grass-root democracy and democratic decentralization in India. They are inspired by Gandhiji’s concept of “Oceanic Circles of Power” and “Swaraj”.

    Importance of PRIs

    Rajni Kothari – Described local bodies as “schools of democracy” where political awareness and participation are cultivated at the grassroots level.

    Democratic Decentralization – Eg- Kerala’s People’s Plan Campaign grants local bodies control over 40% of the state’s plan budget.

    Capacity Building– Training programs for PRI members. Eg- e-Panchayat initiative

    Efficient Local Service Delivery- Addresses local needs in sanitation, drinking water, roads, housing, and education. Eg- Hiware Bazar Model of watershed development.

    Transparency– Direct accountability to local constituents. Eg- Rajasthan’s Social Audit Mechanism

    Implementation of Schemes, ensuring that benefits reach the grassroots. Eg- MGNREGA.

    Financial Autonomy– PRIs have the power to levy taxes and mobilize resources, which helps them fund and manage local development projects.

    Conflict Resolution- Reports indicate a 30% reduction in petty disputes reaching district courts due to effective Panchayat mediation.

    Inclusivity– Reserving seats for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Eg- Women’s Representation at 46.44%

    Challenges

    “PRIs exist as over-structured but underpowered organisations.” (2nd ARC)

    No decentralisation of power, rather decentralisation of corruption – Mani Shankar Iyer Committee

    Dependence on higher tiers- Around 95% of Panchayat funds come from Central/State transfers, limiting fiscal autonomy.

    Limited own-source revenue- Poor tax collection efficiency (>1% own tax).

    Barriers to Local Taxation- Freebie culture and fear of losing popularity discourage local taxation.

    Incomplete devolution- less than 20% of States have transferred all 29 subjects under 11th Schedule (MoPR, 2022). (​​overall Panchayat Devolution Index is only 43.89% (2021-22))

    Centralised Welfare via Cash Transfers – The welfare state now relies on DBT through JAM, bypassing panchayats and reducing local accountability and participatory governance

    Shortage of staff- Average 0.67 Panchayat Secretaries per Gram Panchayat, as low as 0.33 in Uttar Pradesh.

    Weak Gram Sabhas- Low participation, elite domination, and token meetings.

    Gender and social barriers leading to proxy control. (Sarpanch Pati)

    Alternate Sources of Panchayat Financing (Beyond Government Grants)

    Own Tax Revenues- Property/House tax, Profession tax, Market fees, and Entertainment tax.

    Non-Tax Revenues- Rent from panchayat buildings, water usage fees, license fees, and user charges for services.

    Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for solid waste management, renewable energy, or tourism projects. Eg- waste-to-energy projects.

    Community Contributions- Voluntary labor (Shramdaan), local donations, and community funds for infrastructure.

    Borrowings and Bonds- Soft loans from NABARD and Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for rural projects.

    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)- Eg- Tata Steel CSR projects in Jharkhand villages for drinking water and sanitation.

    Using funds from MGNREGA, 15th FC grants for rural infrastructure development.

    Way Forward

    Strengthen State Finance Commissions (SFCs) with mandatory action on their recommendations.

    Manishankar Aiyar Committee recommendations – Adopt activity mapping for clear delineation of 3Fs – Funds, Functions, Functionaries.

    Flexible Funding Norms under CSS

    To realise the vision of “Gram Uday se Bharat Uday”, India needs second-generation Panchayati Raj reforms