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UPSC Notes

Institutional Failure and Erosion of Public Trust in Governance

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the health of democratic institutions, the challenges to good governance, and the factors that contribute to public dissatisfaction is fundamental for civil servants.

Robust democratic institutions, including the media, judiciary, and executive, are essential for checks and balances and maintaining public trust. When these institutions are perceived to fail in their duties, it can lead to a significant erosion of public faith in the political system and governance.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Manifestations of failure

Perceived mismanagement of public services (e.g., examinations), implicit collusion between authorities, failure of media and other checks and balances.

Contributing factors

Growing centralization of power, undermining of institutional safeguards.

Consequences

Youth taking matters into their own hands, increased protests, decline in faith in the political system, potential for political instability.

Need for reform

Political parties and authorities must adopt measures to stem the decline in faith and reset the compass of governance.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance
Conceptual areaGovernance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
MediaFails to discharge responsibilities
Political InstitutionsReduced salience in dealing with situations
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Institutions (media, executive) failing checks & balances.
  • Perception of deals, mismanagement, collusion.
  • Centralization of power undermining safeguards.
  • Leads to youth taking matters into own hands.
  • Requires political will to restore faith.

Elimination traps

Authority vs ministry — Distinguish between general 'authorities' and specific ministries/departments responsible for institutional oversight.

Ministry sets policy; regulator often has quasi-judicial powers.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city. Recently, she was involved in approving a contract f...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2025Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: Provision in the Constitution of India – Stated under I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law...

Indian PolityOpen question

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law...

Indian PolityOpen question

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Indian PolityOpen question
2017Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that -

Indian PolityOpen question
2016Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

Indian PolityOpen question
2015Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. 2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Cha...

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & GovernanceGovernance
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. 2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Cha...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

Open question
Prelims 2017· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that -

Open question
Prelims 2019· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law...

Open question

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Open question
Prelims 2021· Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law...

Open question

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: Provision in the Constitution of India – Stated under I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city. Recently, she was involved in approving a contract f...

Open question

Youth discontent and the changing face of protest

16 Sep 2026 · Perceived failures of democratic institutions and growing centralization of power are eroding public trust, particularly among the youth, leading to governance challenges and social unrest.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Institutional Failure and Erosion of Public Trust in Governance

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Institutional Failure and Erosion of Public Trust in Governance in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Institutional Failure and Erosion of Public Trust in Governance

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city. Recently, she was involved in approving a contract f...

2026·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

2016·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. 2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Cha...

2015·Indian Polity
Solve

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that -

2017·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following pairs: Provision in the Constitution of India – Stated under I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of ...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

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