UPSC Mains 2025 · GS II · Q8 · 10 marks · 150 words

Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.

हिन्दी में

नागरिक समाज संगठनों को गैर-राज्य अभिनेता की तुलना में प्रायः राज्य-विरोधी अभिनेता माना जाता है। क्या आप सहमत हैं? औचित्य सिद्ध कीजिए।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Civil Society Organizations bridge the 'governance gap' between citizens and the government, however sometimes their activities restrict the promotion of government programmes as well. In this regard, do you think stricter limitations on CSOs are justified? Argue”

MadhaviAIR 446 · CSE 2024 · 170 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Civil society organisations acts as the 'pressure groups' to influence the government policies and programmes towards the interests of neglected sections. Hence they bridge the governance gap between citizens and the government.

However, they restrict the continuation of policies through

Body · points and prose

Hence they bridge the governance gap between citizens and the government.

However, they restrict the continuation of policies through → Violence → Bandhs, strikes → Loss of public property

activities like these disrupt the society and break the law and order, also causes economic loss to the government.

limitations on CSO's :

→ limitations should be there to prevent any untoward activities but not to curb their rights of dissent and Rights of freedom of expression.

Because 'Right to peaceful protest' is a fundamental Right granted under Article 19.

→ They are necessary to highlight the policies and nuances, acts as a regulator of government policies and laws.

Close · a summary

Thus prevent the government policies and interests which neglect the others.

In a democratic form of Government, opinion of every single person matters. Civil society organisations are the ones which become voice for the voiceless and power for the powerless people.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper II, Q8. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.