AIR 3 · CSE 2019 · GS2 · 52 pages

Pratibha Verma: GS2 answer copy

20 answers by Pratibha Verma, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1Citizens' Charters make administration both accountable and citizen-friendly. However, over time, in a large number of offices, Citizens' Charters have fallen into disuse. Suggest measures that can make these charters effective tools for bringing accountability in public service.10 marks
  2. Q2Discuss the importance of involving civil society in pre-legislative scrutiny and mention the steps that can be taken by the government to increase public engagement in it.10 marks
  3. Q3Poor standards of tertiary education are a drag on India's competitiveness. Elucidate. Also enumerate the initiatives taken by the government in the past few years to improve the quality of higher education in India.10 marks
  4. Q4Social audit has a crucial role in effective implementation of social sector programmes. Comment. Also discuss its strengths and limitations.10 marks
  5. Q5What are the major welfare schemes for elderly in India? Do you think the benefits of such schemes are reaching a wide section of the target segment? Give reasons.10 marks
  6. Q6Welfare policies in India have undergone a paradigm shift in recent decades, yet they retain certain elements of continuity. Discuss with examples.10 marks
  7. Q7Discuss whether changes recommended by the Law Commission in its 268th report can help in addressing the problems of undertrials languishing in jails in India. What other measures can be taken in this regard?10 marks
  8. Q8While various government initiatives and policies have created opportunities in the affordable housing segment, there are challenges that still persist. Discuss.10 marks
  9. Q9Demographic dividend may become demographic liability in the absence of adequate skill development. In this context, discuss the importance of National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015.10 marks
  10. Q10Highlight the need for whistleblower protection in India. Critically analyze whether the Whistleblower Protection Act provides sufficient protection to the whistleblowers.10 marks
  11. Q11What are the factors which have been responsible for slow pace of growth of coverage under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Enumerate the recent steps taken by the government in order to increase this pace to achieve universal coverage swiftly.15 marks
  12. Q12Highlight the ways in which digital divide perpetuates and manifests itself in India. Discuss the importance of steps taken by the government to bridge this divide.15 marks
  13. Q13What are the objectives of National Health Mission? Why, in your opinion, non-communicable diseases have acquired salience in recent times? What are its implications for health policy in the country?15 marks
  14. Q14Over the years, there has been a growing realisation that undue interference from the State, lack of autonomy and widespread politicisation has severely impaired the functioning of Cooperative sector and there is a need to introduce urgent reforms in the Cooperative sector. Discuss.15 marks
  15. Q15With the current system of health financing in India being largely out-of-pocket payments, examine the need for reforms in healthcare finance. Also discuss the issues associated with reinforcing insurance as the long-term strategy for health financing in this regard.15 marks
  16. Q16Explain the significance of the recently launched National Nutritional Strategy in the light of sliding ranking of India along the Global Hunger Index. Also, discuss with examples, the role that local self governments can play in promoting, monitoring and sustaining nutrition initiatives.15 marks
  17. Q17The bureaucracy in India is facing a number of serious challenges from diminishing human capital to political interference that, if left unaddressed, will lead to further institutional decline. Discuss. How can these challenges be addressed?15 marks
  18. Q18While many people have been able to rise above poverty line, India is still home to the largest number of poor. Discuss briefly the underlying factors responsible for the prevalence of poverty in India. What are the areas in which focussed efforts need to be made in order to accelerate poverty eradication in a sustainable manner?15 marks
  19. Q19In context of the need to strengthen corporate governance, the Kotak panel report has called for a major overhaul in norms for listed companies. Critically discuss the impediments to corporate governance in India and evaluate how the recommendations can help in overcoming them.15 marks
  20. Q20Several issues related to adopting new technologies, transforming processes and improving implementation of NeGP need to be addressed. Discuss. Also, enumerate the sets of principles guiding the design and implementation of the e-Kranti Program (NeGP 2.0).15 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 170 words written

Citizens' Charters make administration both accountable and citizen-friendly. However, over time, in a large number of offices, Citizens' Charters have fallen into disuse. Suggest measures that can make these charters effective tools for bringing accountability in public service.

Opening · a definition

Citizen charters are documents outlining commitment of an office towards public delivery of service. It includes rights of citizen, quality commitment, timebound delivery & grievance redressal mechanism among other things. Thus answerability of office towards public increases with public awareness about their rights and entitlement. Therefore citizen charters are important tool in increasing accountability and be responsive to people. However its use has decreased -

Body · points

(1) Not compulsory to release citizen charters. (2) No legal accountability and compulsion to adhere to promises (3) Grievance redressal mechanism not in place. (4) Rampant corruption and low public service values decrease quality. (5) Offices dont have moral & ethical obligation to follow citizen charters. They treat it as orders from seniors.

Measures to improve - (1) Along with citizen charters, need to enact public service guarantee act as e.g. in Madhya Pradesh. (2) Strengthen grievance redressal e.g. CPGRAMS → online tracking. (3) Code of conduct & ethics should include relevant provisions. (4) Training of officials on how to deliver promises. (5) Curb corruption

Close · no separate close

None written.