Accountability and Transparency in Governance
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Core principle of good governance, essential for democratic health, public trust, and efficient administration. Directly linked to ethical governance and citizen-centric administration, a key area in GS2 and GS4.
Accountability and transparency are pillars of good governance, ensuring that public institutions and officials are answerable for their actions and that governmental processes are open to public scrutiny. These principles are vital for fostering public trust, preventing corruption, and ensuring the efficient and ethical delivery of public services in a democratic setup.
Facts & tables
- Role in preventing malpractices
- Lack of accountability and transparency in examination conduct often leads to repeated malpractices like paper leaks.
- Political discourse
- Political leaders frequently demand accountability from the government regarding failures in public service delivery or examination integrity.
- Building public trust
- Transparency in governmental processes helps prevent corruption and is crucial for building and maintaining public trust.
- Effective governance
- Ensuring accountability is fundamental for the effective implementation of welfare schemes and the ethical delivery of public services.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Conceptual area | Ethics & Integrity |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Executive (Government) | Responsible for overall governance and accountability |
| Legislature (Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition) | Holds executive accountable |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions
- Accountability: officials justify actions to public.
- Transparency: accessible information on government operations.
- Importance: builds trust, prevents corruption, ensures efficiency.
- Challenges: political will, institutional weaknesses, information asymmetry.
- Reforms: RTI, e-governance, independent oversight bodies.
Ministry sets policy; regulator often has quasi-judicial powers.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions |
| 2019 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2013 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
-
Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
-
Ethics & Integrity
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2015
Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions
-
Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2019
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2020
Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Theft of youth’s future: Rahul Gandhi on Maharashtra TET ‘paper leak’
Accountability and transparency are fundamental to good governance, requiring public officials to justify actions and make information accessible. Failures in these areas, such as in public examinations, erode trust and demand stronger oversight and ethical conduct.
See also
Past papers
2013–2022 · 6 questions
In the news
Theft of youth’s future: Rahul Gandhi on Maharashtra TET ‘paper leak’
Accountability and transparency are fundamental to good governance, requiring public officials to justify actions and make information accessible. Failures in these areas, such as in public examinations, erode trust and demand stronger oversight and ethical conduct.
Try these PYQs
In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection ' to the Government's notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal, having its headquarters at Kolkata and field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Kothagudem and Asansol. It collects and maintains coal production data of all private and public sector coal mines in the country. The information is collected every month. Statement 1 is correct. Under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority concerning coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India. Statement 2 is correct. It is entrusted with the task of monitoring captive mines. Work such as permission for the opening and reopening of coal mines has been entrusted to the CCO. Statement 3 is correct. Under the Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957- the Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government's Notification relating to the acquisition of coal-bearing land and to furnish his reports to the Central Govt. Statement 4 is incorrect. Ensuring that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time is not the function of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO).
The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that -
The main advantage of a parliamentary form of government is that c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature. [Article 75(c)] Here's why the other options are not the main advantage: a) The executive and legislature actually work closely together in a parliamentary system, as the executive is drawn from the legislature.
b) Continuity of policy can be a benefit, but it's not the main advantage. Parliamentary systems can still be efficient in passing laws.
d) The head of government (Prime Minister) can be changed through a vote of no confidence in the legislature.
Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?
The Sarkaria Commission was established by the Government of India in 1983 to review Centre-State relations and recommend improvements. One of its key areas of focus was the appointment of Governors. Recommendations on the Appointment of Governor: - The Governor should be an eminent person with a distinguished record in public life. - The person must be from outside the State to ensure impartiality in administration. - The Governor should not have participated in active politics for some time prior to the appointment. - He should be a detached figure, not closely linked to local politics, to maintain neutrality. - The appointment process should involve wider consultation, including the Chief Minister of the State, the Vice President of India, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. These recommendations were aimed at ensuring that the Governor functions as an independent and neutral constitutional authority, rather than a political appointee of the ruling party at the Centre.
The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the
The Government of India established NITI Aayog to replace the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission was established in 1950 and played a vital role in India's economic development through five-year plans. However, NITI Aayog, formed in 2015, was designed to be a more agile and forward-looking institution compared to the Planning Commission.
There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because:
(A) is incorrect: Direct election of the lower house is a feature of Representative Democracy. Many Presidential systems (such as the USA) also have directly elected legislatures; therefore, this is not the distinguishing factor of a Parliamentary system. (B) is incorrect: The authority to amend the Constitution is a matter of Constitutional Sovereignty. This power exists in various forms of government, including both Parliamentary and Presidential models. (C) is incorrect: The fact that the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house is a Federal feature intended to maintain the representation of the States. It does not define the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. (D) is correct: As per Article 75(3) of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This "Collective Responsibility" is the bedrock of the Parliamentary form of government, as the executive's survival depends on the support of the legislature.
Show 3 more PYQs
In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of Parliament.
2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
3. Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
In the context of India's parliamentary government, the following principles are implied institutionally: Statement 1 is correct. Close Link Between Legislature and Executive: By requiring Cabinet members to be MPs, a close connection is established between the legislative and executive branches. This ensures the government is accountable to the legislature, which represents the people. Statement 2 is correct: Collective Responsibility The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Cabinet functions as a unified body. If the Parliament loses faith in the government through a no-confidence motion, the entire Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, is expected to resign. Statement 3 is incorrect: Cabinet is not headed by the Head of State. In India, the President is the Head of State, but the Prime Minister leads the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is the head of government and wields significant executive power.
A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which
Option B is the correct answer. A parliamentary system of government is one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature. This responsibility means that the executive stays in power as long as it enjoys the confidence of the house. The moment the confidence is lost, it can be removed by Parliament by passing the no-confidence motion. This is the same feature which hampers the stability of the parliamentary system. Options A and C are incorrect. Parliamentary system functions irrespective of whether all parties have representation. The government is not directly elected by the people but indirectly through their representative in Parliament. Therefore, the instrument to remove the government through public vote is not available in the parliamentary system; this is a feature found in direct democracies. Option D is incorrect. It goes against the fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy which requires an executive responsible to the legislature. Therefore the correct answer is B.
Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government:
The Cabinet form of Government is a fundamental feature of a parliamentary system, where the executive (Council of Ministers) is collectively responsible to the legislature. This principle is enshrined in Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, which states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Key Aspects of Collective Responsibility: - Decisions of the Cabinet are binding on all ministers and even if they personally disagree, they must publicly support them. - If Parliament passes a vote of no confidence, the entire Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign. - This ensures accountability, transparency, and democratic control, preventing arbitrary rule by the executive. Hence, the correct answer is option C.