Accountability in Public Administration
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Essential for understanding the principles of good governance, the ethical framework for public service, and the institutional mechanisms designed to ensure probity, integrity, and responsible conduct within the administration.
Accountability in public administration refers to the obligation of public officials and institutions to answer for their actions, decisions, and performance, ensuring transparency, ethical conduct, and responsible use of public resources. It is a fundamental principle of good governance, crucial for fostering public trust and preventing misuse of power and corruption.
Facts & tables
- Dimensions
- Encompasses legal, administrative, ethical, and political accountability.
- Mechanisms
- Achieved through various mechanisms like vigilance agencies (CBI, CVC), Lokpal, Right to Information (RTI), judicial review, and parliamentary oversight.
- Importance
- Ensures efficient service delivery, promotes ethical governance, prevents corruption, and upholds the rule of law.
- Challenges
- Often hampered by lack of transparency, bureaucratic inertia, political interference, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Conceptual area | Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Central Bureau of Investigation | Ensures |
| Central Vigilance Commission | Ensures |
| Lokpal | Ensures |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions
- Public officials' obligation to answer for actions.
- Ensures transparency, ethical conduct, resource use.
- Fundamental to good governance and public trust.
- Mechanisms: CBI, CVC, Lokpal, RTI, judicial review.
- Challenges: lack of transparency, political interference.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2014 | Institutional roles and functions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
-
Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2014
Institutional roles and functions, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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CBI arrests IAS official in Haryana govt. funds misappropriation case
Accountability in public administration is the obligation of officials to answer for their actions, ensuring transparency and ethical conduct. It's vital for good governance, using mechanisms like CBI, RTI, and judicial review, but faces challenges like inertia and political interference.
See also
Past papers
2014–2025 · 3 questions
In the news
CBI arrests IAS official in Haryana govt. funds misappropriation case
Accountability in public administration is the obligation of officials to answer for their actions, ensuring transparency and ethical conduct. It's vital for good governance, using mechanisms like CBI, RTI, and judicial review, but faces challenges like inertia and political interference.
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).
With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements:
I. The Governor of a State is not answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his/her office.
II. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the Governor during his/her term of office.
III. Members of a State Legislature are not liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said within the House.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
The Indian Constitution provides legal immunities and privileges to ensure the independent functioning of constitutional offices and legislative bodies. ✅ Statement I: Correct * As per Article 361(1), the Governor is not answerable to any court for actions taken in the course of their official duties. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* Article 361(2) states that no criminal proceedings can be initiated or continued against a Governor during their term. ✅ Statement III: Correct
* Article 194(2) grants immunity to State Legislators for anything said or any vote given within the House or its committees.
Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?
1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct: The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the preparation of the agenda for Cabinet meetings and circulation of papers related to Cabinet discussions. Statement 2 is correct: It provides secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees and ensures implementation of Cabinet decisions through coordination among ministries. Statement 3 is incorrect: The Cabinet Secretariat does not allocate financial resources — that function is performed by the Ministry of Finance through the Budget Division and related departments.
Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India:
I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review.
II. The President can exercise this power without the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement I is correct: President’s pardoning power can be subjected to limited judicial review, especially on grounds like mala fides, irrelevant considerations, or arbitrariness (as held in Kehar Singh, Epuru Sudhakar cases). Statement II is incorrect: President cannot act independently; the power must be exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 74.
Which of the following is/are correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces?
|Army | Airforce | Navy|
|------- | -------- | --------|
|1. Brigadier | Air Commodore| Commander|
|2. Major General | Air Vice Marshal | Vice Admiral|
|3. Major | Squadron Leader | Lieutenant Commander|
|4. Lieutenant Colonel | Group Captain | Captain|
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Pair 1 is incorrect: A Brigadier (Army) is equivalent to an Air Commodore (Air Force) and a Commodore (Navy). A Commander in the Navy is actually two ranks junior to a Brigadier. Pair 2 is incorrect: A Major General (Army) is equivalent to an Air Vice Marshal (Air Force) and a Rear Admiral (Navy). A Vice Admiral is a rank higher (equivalent to a Lieutenant General). Pair 3 is correct: A Major (Army) is equivalent to a Squadron Leader (Air Force) and a Lieutenant Commander (Navy). Pair 4 is incorrect: A Lieutenant Colonel (Army) is equivalent to a Wing Commander (Air Force) and a Commander (Navy). A Group Captain and Captain (Navy) are equivalent to a Colonel in the Army. The correct equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces are: | Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| --------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Field Marshal | Admiral of the fleet | Marshal of the Air Force |
| General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Lt. General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal |
| Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal |
| Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore |
| Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
| Lt. Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |
| Major | Lt. Commander | Squadron Leader |
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer | Thus only pair 3 is correctly matched, hence option D is the correct answer
Show 3 more PYQs
Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The National Development Council (NDC) in India is comprised of the following members: * The Prime Minister (who chairs the council)
* Ministers of the Union Cabinet
* Chief Ministers of the States The Chairman, Finance Commission - while the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in recommending the devolution of financial resources from the central government to the states, the Chairman is not a member of the NDC. _Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it.
2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister’s charge.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. Sh. N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, in his Report namely Reorganization of the Machinery of Central Government in 1950 recommended for the grouping of ministries, improvement in the capabilities of the personnel, and also in the working of the O&M Division. It nowhere mentions that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it. Statement 2 is correct. In 1970, based on the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission, the Department of Personnel was set up in the Cabinet Secretariat. It was placed under the Prime Minister's Office.
Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of 'Gandhi Peace Prize'?
I. The President of India
II. The Prime Minister of India
III. The Chief Justice of India
IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
❌ Statement I: Incorrect
*The President of India is NOT a member of the Jury.* ✅ Statement II: Correct
*The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of the Jury.* ✅ Statement III: Correct
*The Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by the CJI) is a Jury member.* ✅ Statement IV: Correct
*The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (or leader of largest opposition party) is a Jury member.* Correct Answer: Statements II, III, and IV are correct.