GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

An important requisite for ensuring probity in governance is absence of corruption. Analyse.

Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2021

Probity in GovernanceCorruptionAccountability and Ethical Governance

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 8 answers · about 150 words · 38% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A definition100%

Body

  • Points75%
  • Points and prose13%
  • Continuous prose13%

Close

  • A summary50%
  • No separate close38%
  • A source13%

The toppers’ answers

Gamini SinglaAIR 3 · CSE 2021 · 154 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Probity refers to the adherence to high moral standards and moral uprightness eg honesty, dedication to service

Body · points and prose

Probity in governance

As per 2nd ARC report on good governance, probity is essential to abide by essential values such as

  1. Transparency :- being open to scrutiny
  2. Accountability → being answerable
  3. Political neutrality → abiding by constitutional morality
  4. Objectivity - abiding by truth
  5. Impartiality ; - judgement solely on merit
  6. Empathy : kindness towards public

Absence of corruption: a prerequisite for governance

Corruption is an act of omission or commission in words, thoughts or deeds, in violation of law to serve personal gains.

Diagram
- Types of corruption - Individual - eg taking bribe to do work - Collusive - eg administrator-corporate nexus in sanctioning an environmentally harmful project

Threat to probity in governance → Prioritise personal good over common good → Mistrust in public → Violates social contract theory → Harms the collective interests

Close

eg 2G scam, Telecom 3G scam,

India must strive to improve it's rank from 86 in Transparency International's Index to ensure probity

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