AIR 16 · CSE 2025 · GS2 · 51 pages

Monika Srivastava: GS2 answer copy

14 answers by Monika Srivastava, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1Alternate Dispute Redressal (ADR) mechanism is essential for a robust justice system. Discuss. Q2. State Finance Commissions are critical for the fiscal health of local self-government institutions. Explain their role and the issues faced by them.
  2. Q3Discuss the significance of 'Special Category Status' and its role in bridging regional imbalances. Also examine how the values of Justice are manifested in current government policies.
  3. Q5Discuss the significance of accreditation in higher educational institutions in India. What are the limitations of the current system?
  4. Q66
  5. Q7Recently released SDG progress report highlights that we are on track to achieve only 17% of the goals. Discuss strategies to accelerate progress towards SDGs. Also, discuss challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and suggest measures to ensure their rights and dignity.
  6. Q99.
  7. Q10Q10
  8. Q1212
  9. Q1313
  10. Q16Q 16
  11. Q17Q17.
  12. Q18Technology can be a game changer in resolving the persistent issues of healthcare accessibility in India. Discuss.
  13. Q19Explain the concept of 'soft power' and examine its significance for a country's foreign policy goals with reference to India.
  14. Q2020

The answers

Question 1 · 379 words written

Alternate Dispute Redressal (ADR) mechanism is essential for a robust justice system. Discuss. Q2. State Finance Commissions are critical for the fiscal health of local self-government institutions. Explain their role and the issues faced by them.

Opening · a definition

None written.

Body · points and prose

Q1

Alternate Dispute Redressal (ADR) refers to the settlement of judicial disputes outside a traditional court. It is provided for in Section 89 of the Civil Procedure Code and also the Legal Services Act, 1987.

Streamlined and efficient Approach

  1. Provides quicker way of dispute resolution
  2. Lowers the cost of dispute resolution as no lawyer fee, court fee etc. has to be paid
  3. Prevents any further burden on judiciary (already has 4.4 crore pending cases as per NJDG)
  4. Prevents any ill will between parties as mediation based approach is used - "Win win" outcomes. (5) Makes justice more accessible to peoples -> removes stigma of courts and police. (6) Online mode of ADR can significantly help e commerce (e.g. Sama -> online Dispute Resolution Platform for Snapdeal.

However challenges exist -> lack of awareness and trust on ADR

Digital divide and illiteracy (e.g. only 37% in rural areas) Often leads to court cases when parties not satisfied

Way Forward -> ↑ awareness through legal awareness camps. -> Promoting mandatory mediation in few cases.

"It is the spirit and not the form of justice which keeps it alive" ADR upholds the spirit of justice.

Q2

The State Finance Commissions have been constituted under the mandatory provisions of the 73rd and 74th amendment acts under Article 243.

Role in ensuring fiscal autonomy

(1) Recommend the distribution of taxes from the States to the Local bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities (Vertical distribution).

(2) Recommend horizontal distribution of taxes among various local bodies.

(3) Recommend the amount of grants to be made to the local bodies.

(4) Seek to increase the share of revenue of local bodies to ensure smooth functioning (Their Own Revenue Source is only 5% (40% in Brazil)).

(5) Fiscal autonomy promoted by them can further help in true democratic decentralisation.

However, some issues exist :—

(1) State finance Commissions are not permanent -> need to be reconstituted every 5 years. (2) Often not reconstituted on time. (3) Positions in several state finance Commissions lying vacant (4) Recommendatory nature of provisions -> often not followed.

Way Forward -> Making State Finance Commissions permanent bodies -> Binding recommendations on States

Close · a way forward

These steps will lead to true empowerment of local bodies and realise Article 40