GPSC MAINS 2018 Paper 2

Points to Remember: Good governance encompasses efficiency, transparency, accountability, and participation. Ethical governance focuses on moral principles, integrity, fairness, and justice. While good governance is a necessary condition for ethical governance, it is not sufficient. Ethical governance requires a commitment to values beyond mere procedural efficiency. Introduction: The terms “good governance” and “ethical governance,” while … Read more

Points to Remember: Judicial Review: The power of the judiciary to review laws and government actions for their constitutionality. Judicial Activism: Judges actively shaping public policy through their interpretations of the law, often going beyond the literal text. Judicial Overreach: Judges exceeding their constitutional authority and encroaching upon the domains of the legislature or executive. … Read more

Points to Remember: Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Respect: Treating others with consideration and dignity. Public Service: The provision of services to the public by government employees. Manifestation: How these virtues are demonstrated in action. Introduction: Public service is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy, aiming to serve the citizenry effectively and … Read more

Points to Remember: Key features of the Public Service Code recommended by the 2nd ARC. Emphasis on ethics, accountability, and efficiency. Provisions for performance management and grievance redressal. Focus on capacity building and training. Introduction: The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2nd ARC), established in 2005 by the Government of India, aimed to improve governance and … Read more

Points to Remember: The Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014 (WPA) and the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI) are both aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in governance. The WPA aims to protect whistleblowers who report corruption and wrongdoing. The RTI empowers citizens to access government information. The relationship between the two acts is indirect but … Read more

Points to Remember: Digital India’s three pillars: Digital infrastructure, digital government services, and digital literacy. Interdependence of the three components. Challenges and successes of the program. Future prospects and necessary improvements. Introduction: Launched in 2015, Digital India is a flagship program of the Indian government aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and … Read more

Points to Remember: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. Key additions and alterations: Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles, Emergency Provisions. Impact on federalism, judicial review, and parliamentary supremacy. Long-term consequences and criticisms. Introduction: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, often dubbed the “Mini Constitution,” significantly altered the Indian Constitution. Enacted during the Emergency declared by … Read more

Points to Remember: Kautilya’s Arthashastra’s core tenets: Realpolitik, statecraft, economic policies, and military strategy. Its relevance today: applicability of its principles to modern governance, economic management, and international relations. Limitations: contextual differences between ancient India and the modern world. Introduction: Kautilya’s Arthashastra, written sometime between the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE, is a seminal treatise … Read more

Points to Remember: Civil Service Neutrality: Impartiality and objectivity in public service. Rule of Law: Supremacy of law, equality before the law, accountability to law. Interrelation: How neutrality ensures adherence to the rule of law and vice-versa. Challenges: Instances where neutrality is compromised, undermining the rule of law. Way Forward: Strengthening mechanisms to uphold both … Read more

Points to Remember: The role of Governors in Indian states. The discretionary and obligatory powers of Governors. Factors influencing Governor’s decisions: political pressure, personal biases, constitutional provisions. Instances where Governors acted similarly in dissimilar circumstances and dissimilarly in similar circumstances. Need for greater transparency and accountability in the Governor’s office. Introduction: The Governor, as the … Read more