GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

The fundamental principle in a democracy is that all public functionaries are trustees of the people and this trusteeship relationship requires that the authority entrusted to the functionaries be exercised in 'public interest'. Discuss.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021

Probity in Governance Civil Service Values Accountability and Ethical Governance Utilisation of Public Funds

Syllabus: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 160 words · 33% drew a diagram.

Opening

No separate opening2 of 3
A definition1 of 3

Body

Points3 of 3

A source1 of 3
A summary1 of 3
A way forward1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Aishwarya VermaAIR 4 · CSE 2021 · 90 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Public servants and people share a fiduciary relationship with each other based on trust.

To maintain this trust service should be exercised in public interest.

Body · points

By showing probity in governance (procedural uprightness)
Transparency through proactive information disclosure → Section 4 of RTI act
Responsive to public needs
follows rule of law.
participative in nature through

tools like Citizen's charter 6) inclusive and equitable service delivery 7) By constant interaction with public.

Diagram

- issues faced - erosion of ethical value - opaque nature - lack of will to transform - corruption collusion

Close · a source

Public servants should adhere to public service values of Nolan committee to strengthen trust.

More on Probity in Governance

The concept of public service and the philosophical basis of governance and probity, taken as the syllabus states it.

All GS4 questions on Probity in Governance