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.
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
The various developmental initiatives by the government have fallen short of achieving their intended objectives. Is it a design issue or an implementation bottleneck? Suggest measures to improve the effectiveness of developmental schemes.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Policy Design and ImplementationTransparency and Accountability
Highlight the need for whistleblower protection in India. Critically analyze whether the Whistleblower Protection Act provides sufficient protection to the whistleblowers.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Transparency and AccountabilityCorruption and Probity
What steps are required for the constitutionalization of a Commission? Do you think granting constitutional status to the Central Information Commission (CIC) would strengthen the RTI regime in India? Give reasons.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Constitutional BodiesTransparency and Accountability
What are the challenges in the implementation of e-Governance in India? what measures need to be taken to overcome it?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
E-GovernanceTransparency and Accountability
How can e-governance initiatives be leveraged to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions and enhance citizen participation in local governance in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Local GovernmentE-Governance
Examine the influence of international donors and charities on India's development sector. How can India ensure that foreign aid aligns with national priorities and maintains accountability?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
The application of technology in governance initiatives to check leakages on one hand, and the need to protect the right to privacy of citizens on the other, poses a unique challenge to policy makers. How far do you think these concerns are valid? Give arguments in support of your answer, providing suitable measures to address these concerns.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
E-GovernanceTransparency and Accountability
How coordinated action between government and judiciary would not only help reduce the pendency of litigation in Indian courts but also facilitate ease of doing business? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
JudiciarySeparation of Powers
Any democracy needs thriving and coherent opposition. How can the role of the opposition be made more effective for the better functioning of the democracy?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
The true test of good governance is the degree to which it ensures accountability towards citizens and delivers on the promise of sustainable and inclusive human development. Discuss in the context of challenges to good governance in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Transparency and AccountabilityE-Governance
Harnessing public sector data is vital for informed decision making, accelerating socio-economic transformation and democratizing innovation in the country. In this context, highlight the various bottlenecks in public data sharing and suggest strategies for unlocking true value of data.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
E-GovernanceTransparency and Accountability
Social Audit involves citizen's participation in governance along with increasing accountability of the government towards citizens. Substantiate the statement with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Transparency and AccountabilityPolicy Design and Implementation
Leveraging real-time data in policymaking has become indispensable for achieving good governance. In this context, analyse the role of e-governance in enhancing the effectiveness of developmental policies.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
E-GovernancePolicy Design and Implementation
Critically analyse the role of the Citizen's Charters in ensuring transparent and accountable governance in India. Suggest measures to overcome the associated limitations and realise their full potential in the Indian context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Transparency and AccountabilityCitizen Charters and Grievance Redress
Technology has the potential to bring drastic changes in the field of law and transform the court system. In this context, discuss the need for digitization of Indian judiciary and challenges faced in this regard.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
JudiciaryE-Governance
With specific examples, elaborate upon the conditions that led to the emergence of a new civil society in urban India in the last few decades. Also, highlight its contribution towards effecting governance and policy changes.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Pressure Groups and AssociationsTransparency and Accountability
Parliamentary committees serve as vital tools for legislative oversight, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance processes. In light of the statement, examine the role of the Public Accounts Committee in establishing financial accountability of the executive.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
Mention the key features of the Citizen's Charter that make it an effective tool for ensuring administrative accountability. Discuss its limitations and suggest improvements.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Citizen Charters and Grievance RedressTransparency and Accountability
What are the factors due to which there is a strong demand of judicial accountability and transparency in higher judicial system? How can it be ensured? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
JudiciaryTransparency and Accountability
Do you think the electoral bond scheme disrupts the basic principles of India's democracy by infringing upon the citizen's "right to know"? What significant changes should be made to reform electoral finance in India?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Elections and RepresentationTransparency and Accountability
Governance is a broader concept than government, as it keeps people at the centre of the developmental process. In light of the statement, discuss the paradigm of good governance in the country and highlight the challenges associated with its on-ground implementation.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Transparency and AccountabilityE-Governance
The citizen charter plays a prominent role in ensuring citizen centric governance but its implementation in recent times is riddled with complications. Discuss key problems in its implementation.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Citizen Charters and Grievance RedressTransparency and Accountability
"Electoral bonds are a double edged sword, providing anonymity to donors while raising concerns around transparency." To what extent have electoral bonds further legitimized opacity in electoral funding?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Elections and RepresentationTransparency and Accountability
It has been argued that over the years there has been a steady decline in the efficacy of Parliament as an institution of accountability. Analyse and also suggest appropriate measures to address the relevant concerns.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
ParliamentTransparency and Accountability
How do pressure groups influence the policies of the government? In the Indian context, do they have a democratization effect or are they mere promoters of narrow interests? Illustrate with suitable examples.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Pressure Groups and AssociationsTransparency and Accountability
Examine the scope of partnership between the State and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) towards improving public service delivery to benefit the common citizen.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
"The success of good governance lies in citizen-centric administration." Examine the significance of the Sevottam model in this context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Transparency and AccountabilityCitizen Charters and Grievance Redress
How does the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) contribute to the regulation and development of fair and transparent markets in India while promoting corporate governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesTransparency and Accountability
Good governance requires institutional reforms in governance and dynamic policy shifts. Enumerate the reforms undertaken by government in this direction.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Transparency and AccountabilityE-Governance