GS2 · Topic
NGOs, SHGs and Civil Society
Non-state actors in development, their funding and regulation.
73 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on NGOs, SHGs and Civil Society that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2018–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are emerging as vehicles of socio-economic transformation in rural India. Examine the role of government in scaling their reach and effectiveness.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWelfare Schemes
How is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) emerging as a business-led solution for addressing development challenges in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Policy Design and ImplementationNGOs, SHGs and Civil Society
How do partnerships between Civil Society Organizations and Government Entities contribute to India's development goals?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
The SHG-Bank Linkage Programme has been hailed as an indigenous tool for poverty alleviation in India. Examine its impact on improving rural livelihoods and reducing multi-dimensional poverty.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
India is emerging as a global hub for social entrepreneurship. Can social enterprises effectively complement the state in achieving inclusive development?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
How far do you think Citizen-led environmental movements have proven to be effective tools of ecological preservation in recent years? Justify with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Pressure Groups and AssociationsPolicy Design and Implementation
How do corporate donors aid NGOs in facilitating holistic development in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
Discuss the role of microfinance institutions (MFI) in rural financial empowerment in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
Discuss the significance of the cooperative model of development in addressing the issues of rural growth.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Policy Design and ImplementationNGOs, SHGs and Civil Society
Discuss the unique challenges and opportunities Self Help Groups (SHGs) encounter in urban areas compared to rural ones, and how can microfinance be adapted to tackle urban poverty.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
To what extent collaboration between the state and civil society organizations (CSOs) help in addressing poverty and malnutrition in the country?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
Civil society organizations, play a pivotal role in fostering "collective private action for the public good". What challenges do they face in local resource mobilization (LRM) and corporate funding through corporate social responsibility (CSR)? Also, suggest measures.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyTransparency and Accountability
As a social safety-valve, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can be the principal vehicles through which communities voice their concerns. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyTransparency and Accountability
The wellbeing of civil society depends upon its social capital and the way it works. Can a diverse and heterogeneous nation like India have strong social capital? What role does civil society organizations (CSO) play in building a strong social capital in India?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPressure Groups and Associations
To what extent, in your opinion, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India have enabled women led development at the grassroot level?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
Have the NGOs acted as 'drivers of change' in the Indian democracy? Illustrate with examples, the barriers that impact the efficient functioning of NGOs in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyTransparency and Accountability
Analyze the potential challenges and benefits involved in leveraging SHGs as platforms for skill development, entrepreneurship, and income generation among marginalized communities to effectively counter poverty.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
State the reasons behind the poor performance of cooperatives in India. Also, discuss the reforms undertaken by the government to overcome the shortcomings.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesNGOs, SHGs and Civil Society
Outcome-based finance models such as social impact bonds have the potential to truly catalyse change and deliver socio-economic impact at scale. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Policy Design and ImplementationNGOs, SHGs and Civil Society
"The increasing regulatory oversight on civil society organisations risks shrinking democratic space." Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyTransparency and Accountability
Although India has more than six million Self-Help Groups (SHGs); the goal of women empowerment seems distant. In this context, discuss the major issues faced by the SHGs and the potential of digital technologies in overcoming them.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
Examine how Community-based financial institutions promote responsive governance and address structural inequalities, especially for marginalized women.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
The role of the State does not diminish when non-State actors get involved in service delivery, it just becomes different. Elaborate the statement in the context of partnership of State and non-State actors in the governance in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
Discuss ways to empower NGOs in India to carry out development activities for safeguarding the environment. Also, throw light on the primary obstacles that may impede progress.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
A healthy democracy rests on the twin pillars of a functioning civil society and a responsive government. Justify the statement in the context of India with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Transparency and AccountabilityNGOs, SHGs and Civil Society
Self Help Groups (SHGs) are the panacea for the socio-economic development of the country. Discuss the steps taken by the government to promote these groups.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWelfare Schemes
The role of the State does not diminish when non-State actors gets involved in service delivery, it just becomes different. Elaborate the statement in the context of partnership of State and non-State actors in the governance in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
Poverty is driving women into the workforce, while education seems to drive them out of it. What explains this anomaly? How can Self Help Groups (SHGs) correct this aberration?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
The changed nature of civil society due to its professionalization has helped in deepening of democracy but at the cost of participation and accountability. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyTransparency and Accountability
A middle point between socialism and capitalism, cooperatives bring the best of the both worlds. Assess the utility of the cooperative model in effecting rural prosperity.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation