GS2 · Topic
Transparency and Accountability
RTI, audit, whistleblowing and the institutions that enforce answerability.
241 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Transparency and Accountability that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Highlight the need for the creation of an independent umbrella authority for central investigation agencies. Do you think it will solve the concerns associated with the status of 'Caged Parrot' of CBI?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesJudiciary
The vital role envisaged for the office of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) necessitates its independence. Comment.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Constitutional BodiesTransparency and Accountability
Despite their intended purpose, Citizen's Charters in India have fallen short in transforming administration into a citizen-centric service system. Do you agree? Justify your answer.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Citizen Charters and Grievance RedressTransparency and Accountability
Social audit has a crucial role in effective implementation of social sector programmes. Comment. Also discuss its strengths and limitations.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Transparency and AccountabilityPolicy Design and Implementation
Several issues related to adopting new technologies, transforming processes and improving implementation of NeGP need to be addressed. Discuss. Also, enumerate the sets of principles guiding the design and implementation of the e-Kranti Program (NeGP 2.0).
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
E-GovernancePolicy Design and Implementation
Though Public Interest Litigation (PIL) were instruments for the common man to reach higher judiciary, with vested interests, it has turned into "Personal Interest Litigation". In this context, provide a critical account on the performance of PIL in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
JudiciaryTransparency and Accountability
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
Timely ventilation and redress of grievances ensure public trust in the government. In light of this statement, present an account of the various steps taken by the government of India for effective public grievance redressal.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Transparency and AccountabilityCitizen Charters and Grievance Redress
Defiance in the current regulatory system stem from deeper rooted problems in the regulatory structure. In this context, highlight the need of a principles based regulatory system in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesPolicy Design and Implementation
Parliamentary privileges are fundamental for lawmakers to discharge their duties without undue influence. However, ensuring the responsible exercise of these privileges is crucial for fostering public trust and ensuring the accountability of public institutions. Analyse.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
The Citizen charter plays a prominent role in ensuring citizen centric governance but its implementation in recent times is riddled with complications. In this context, discuss the key problems in implementation of citizen charter in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Citizen Charters and Grievance RedressTransparency and Accountability
Judicial accountability and independence are mutually reinforcing. Do you agree? In what ways can judicial accountability be enhanced without impinging on its independence?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
JudiciaryTransparency and Accountability
Citizens' Charters make administration both accountable and citizen-friendly. However, over time, in a large number of offices, Citizens' Charters have fallen into disuse. Suggest measures that can make these charters effective tools for bringing accountability in public service.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Citizen Charters and Grievance RedressTransparency and Accountability
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
Assess the effectiveness of SEBI in fulfilling its envisaged role of regulating the securities market, ensuring transparency, and protecting investors' interests.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesTransparency and Accountability
The Right to Information Act is one of the significant instruments that has reinforced the centrality of citizens in India. Critically examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Transparency and Accountability
Assess the effectiveness of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance in the last two decades.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers
Transparency and Accountability
"Data is the raw material of Artificial Intelligence." In this context, discuss the need for transparent and accountable data governance frameworks in India. What steps has the government taken in this regard?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Transparency and AccountabilityE-Governance
Social Audit is an important mechanism to enforce accountability and provide transparency in the administration. Highlight various legislative supports available for social audit in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Transparency and AccountabilityLocal Government
Explain how Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, while aiming to safeguard privacy, risks weakening the transparency framework established by the Right to Information Act, 2005.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Transparency and Accountability
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
An active, diverse civil society often plays a valuable role in helping advance democracy. It can discipline the state ensure that citizens' interests are taken seriously and foster greater civic and political participation. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Pressure Groups and AssociationsTransparency and Accountability
What is GOVTECH 3.0? By highlighting its guiding principles, assess the benefits of adopting this approach in enhancing public service delivery in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
E-GovernancePolicy Design and Implementation
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
How do the provisions of the recently passed Election Laws Amendment Act, 2021 helpful in addressing the issue of duplicate voting? Also, highlight the concerns associated with the Act.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Elections and RepresentationTransparency and Accountability
The bureaucracy in India is facing a number of serious challenges from diminishing human capital to political interference that, if left unaddressed, will lead to further institutional decline. Discuss. How can these challenges be addressed?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Civil ServicesCorruption and Probity
Throw light on the role of Parliamentary committees and give a contemporary evaluation of their functioning so far.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
Discuss the role of the Departmentally Related Standing Committees in strengthening parliamentary democracy in India.
12.5 marks · 200 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
Discuss the importance of involving civil society in pre-legislative scrutiny and mention the steps that can be taken by the government to increase public engagement in it.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Transparency and AccountabilityParliament
In context of the need to strengthen corporate governance, the Kotak panel report has called for a major overhaul in norms for listed companies. Critically discuss the impediments to corporate governance in India and evaluate how the recommendations can help in overcoming them.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesTransparency and Accountability