GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

Critically examine the impact of the Right to Information (RTI) on enhancing ethical accountability in public administration. How effective has RTI been in preventing bureaucratic corruption and improving service delivery?

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Transparency and InformationAccountability and Ethical GovernanceCorruption

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 100 words · 67% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening2 of 3
  • A constitutional or legal provision1 of 3

Body

  • Points and prose2 of 3
  • Points1 of 3

Close

  • No separate close1 of 3
  • A summary1 of 3
  • A way forward1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 104 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

The RTI, 2005 has been termed as Golden key to good governance by 2nd ARC, Report.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
* RTI Provisions * Promotes suo moto disclosures * Appoints dedicated PIOs

RTI being effective

  1. Helped to oust misuse of public funds Ex: MGNREGA scam

ii) Participation increased → ₹ 10 can give any info of public nature

iii) checked corruption, Ensured Accountability

(iv) Statutory backing

Challenges with RTI, 2005

(i) withholding of Information Ex) 80% requests to PMO withheld.

(ii) Pendency of cases; vacancies unfulfilled

(iii) Not the sole panacea → needs other tools like S. Audits, etc.

(iv) 2019 Amendt. } dilutes the provisions.

Diagram
- Way Ahead - Reducing pendency - Constitutional status - ↑sing Awareness
Diagram
- Table/Structure: Service Quality - Column 1: Citizen Charter - Column 2: Accountability - Column 3: GPMS - Text to the right: All are facilitated by RTI

Close

Thus, Data is the new oil, Info. is the new currency.

More on Transparency and Information

Information sharing and transparency in government, the Right to Information, and the limits of disclosure.

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