2024
Q.1 Public charitable trusts have the potential to make India’s development more inclusive as they relate to certain vital public issues. Comment.
Q.2 The Doctrine of Democratic Governance makes it necessary that the public perception of the integrity and commitment of civil servants becomes absolutely positive. Discuss.
Q.3 The Citizens’ charter has been a landmark initiative in ensuring citizen-centric administration. But it is yet to reach its full potential. Identify the factors hindering the realisation of its promise and suggest measures to overcome them.
Q.4 e-governance is not just about the routine application of digital technology in the service delivery process. It is as much about multifarious interactions for ensuring transparency and accountability. In this context evaluate the role of the ‘Interactive Service Model’ of e-governance.
2023
Q.1 The crucial aspect of the development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy. (150 words, 10 marks)
Q.2 Discuss the role of the Competition Commission of India in containing the abuse of dominant position by the Multi-National Corporations in India. Refer to the recent decisions. (150 words, 10 marks)
Q.3 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, 10 marks)
Q.4 “Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (250 words, 15 marks)
Q.5 Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (250 words, 15 marks)
2022
Q.1 To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? (150 words, 10 Marks)
Q.2 The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous co-ordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. (150 words, 10 Marks)
Q.3 The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (150 words, 10 Marks)
Q.4 Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment. (150 words, 10 Marks)
2021
Q.1 Pressure groups play a vital role in influencing public policy making in India.” Explain how the business associations contribute to public policies. (150 words, 10 Marks)
Q.2 Has digital illiteracy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with lack of Information and Communication Technology(ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification. (150 words, 10 Marks)
2020
Q.1 “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context suggest reforms in the Civil Service for strengthening democracy. (150 words, 10 marks)
Q.2 “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (150 words, 10 marks)
2019
Q.1 The central administrative tribunal which was established for redressal of grievances and complaints by or against central government employees nowadays is exercising its power as an independent judicial authority. Explain. (150 words, 10 marks)
Q.2 What are the methods used by the farmers’ organisation to influence the policy-makers in India and how effective are these methods? (150 words, 10 marks)
Q.3 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, 10 marks
Q.4 “In the context of neo-liberal paradigm of development planning, multi-level planning is expected to make operations cost-effective and remove many implementation blockages.” Discuss. (250 words, 15 marks)
Q.5 The need for cooperation among various services sectors has been an inherent component of development discourse. Partnership bridges the gap among the sectors. It also sets in motion a culture of ‘collaboration’ and ‘team spirit’. In the light of statements above examine India’s development process. (250 words, 15 marks)
2018
Q.1 “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, 10 marks)
Q.2 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, 10 marks)
Q.3 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 development projects? (250 words, 15 marks)
Q.4 Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction & duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella human rights commission? Argue your case. (250 words, 15 marks)
Q.5 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, 15 marks)
2017
Q.1 Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people. (150 words, 10 marks)
Q.2 ‘The emergence of Self Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities’. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs. (250 words, 15 marks)
Q.3 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, 15 marks)
2016
Q.1 “In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.2 “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, 12.5 marks)
Q.3 In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.4 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, 12.5 marks)
Q.5 “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.6 “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (200 words, 12.5 marks)
2015
Q.1 Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.2 Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.3 The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.4 In the light of the Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency, accountability. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.5 “For achieving the desired objectives, it is necessary to ensure that the regulatory institutions remain independent and autonomous.” Discuss in the light of the experiences in recent past. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
2014
Q.1 The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.2 Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non-news media like a trade publication and general entertainment channel, the government is mulling over the proposal for increased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increase in FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.3 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, 12.5 marks)
Q.4 Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow change in India? Critically examine. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
Q.5 Two parallel run schemes of the Government, viz the Adhar card and NPR, one of 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 development benefits and equitable growth. (200 words, 12.5 marks)
2013
Q.1 Many State Governments further bifurcate geographical administrative areas like Districts and Talukas for better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that more number of smaller States would bring in effective governance at State level? Discuss. (200 words, 10 marks)
Q.2 Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the informal face of politics. With regards to the above, assess the structure and functioning of pressure groups in India. (200 words, 10 marks)
Q.3 The legitimacy and accountability of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their patrons, the micro-finance outfits, need systematic assessment and scrutiny for the sustained success of the concept. Discuss. (200 words, 10 marks)
Q.4 The basis of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is rooted in establishing connectivity. Comment. (200 words, 10 marks)
Q.5 The product diversification of financial institutions and insurance companies, resulting in overlapping of products and services strengthens the case for the merger of the two regulatory agencies, namely SEBI and IRDA. Justify. (200 words, 10 marks)
Q.6 A national Lokpal, however strong it may be, cannot resolve the problems of immorality in public affairs’. Discuss. (200 words, 10 marks)
Q.7 The concept of Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India with early beginnings in Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates and success. (200 words, 10 marks)