AIR 529 · CSE 2022 · GS2 · 48 pages

Ghazalpreet Kaur: GS2 answer copy

18 answers by Ghazalpreet Kaur, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1What is the difference between e-governance and m-governance? Analyze the benefits of m-governance over e-governance in the Indian context.
  2. Q2A healthy democracy rests on the twin pillar of a functioning civil society and a responsive government. Justify the statement in the context of India with suitable examples.
  3. Q3The 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.
  4. Q4How far do you think the convergence of welfare schemes would lead to their better implementation on the ground?
  5. Q5Gender budgeting can be a useful tool to mainstream gender-responsiveness in the developmental policy formulation and resource allocation. Discuss.
  6. Q6Mission Antyodaya has proved to be an important step towards alleviation of multi-dimensional poverty in India. Critically Analyze.
  7. Q7What is Learning Poverty? Analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the learning poverty of children in India.
  8. Q8Examine the significance of SVAMITVA scheme in achieving the objectives of socio-economically resilient rural India.
  9. Q9Although India has more than 6 million SHGs; the goal of women empowerment seems distant. In this context, discuss the major issues faced by SHGs and the potential of digital technologies to overcome them.
  10. Q11Timely ventilation and redress of grievances ensure public trust in the government. In light of this statement, give an account of the various steps taken by government of India for effective public grievance redressal.
  11. Q12“Transparency and openness are the main pillars of good governance”. In this context, examine the functioning of Central Information Commission. Also, suggest remedial measures to augment their functioning.
  12. Q13Do you think that the cooperative sector has suffered due to a lack of democratic spirit and skewed geographical penetration? Argue your case with suitable examples.
  13. Q14Mission Karamyogi is a transformational approach for improving the capacity building of civil servants, strengthen public institutions and for effective delivery of services. Comment
  14. Q16Privatisation of educational institutions in India has led to the commercialisation of education. Do you agree? Justify your views
  15. Q17The recent global recognition of India's ASHAs (accredited social health activists) highlight their significant role in public health delivery. Discuss the challenges faced by ASHAs and suggest measures to address them.
  16. Q18Have the NGOs acted as 'drivers of change' in the Indian democracy? Illustrate with examples, the barriers that impact the efficient functioning of NGOs in India.
  17. Q19PESA was enacted to deepen grass-root-level democracy in tribal areas. How far has the Act been successful in achieving the same? Critically evaluate.
  18. Q20Women bear a disproportionate burden of the gaps in our healthcare system. Do you think a constitutional right to health will help in bridging the gap? Also suggest suitable alternatives.

The answers

Question 1 · 214 words written

What is the difference between e-governance and m-governance? Analyze the benefits of m-governance over e-governance in the Indian context.

Opening · a definition

e-governance is the governance technique which involves the use of information and technology tools to provide various government services. m-governance is the recent phenomenon, which is a subset of e-governance, which involves the use of mobile phones to avail all the services in hand.

Body · points and prose

Differences :

e-governancem-governance
→ wider term to include various modes of service delivery online like community service centres, mobile phones etc. even at home using computers, laptops→ narrow term to include governance through mobile phones.

Benefits of m-governance over e-governance

1.) Reach → Mobile phone penetration in India increased tremendously. India is the 2nd largest producer of mobile phones.

  1. Accessibility → Mobile phones help to avail services in hand, rather than going to government departments/agencies to avail services. India needs to provide it to 1 billion population
  2. Affordability = cost of travel decreases
  3. More user friendly
  4. Faster service delivery.

No doubt, there are immense benefits, but there are challenges as well:

  1. Smart phones are not affordable (cheaper than laptops/computers (e-gov))
  2. Digital literacy
  3. Internet availability

Close · a way forward

Government has adopted various methods to boost m-governance - payment interfaces (BHIM app, AEPS etc.) These have immense capability to give SMART citizen friendly governance.