Saturday, 17 January 2026

 

GS Paper–II Mains – Previous Year Questions & Answers

Page–13 : Governance Philosophy & Value-Based Administration

Shaktimatha 369 Learning


Q61. “Good governance is ultimately about ethical governance.” Examine.

Good governance is often defined through efficiency, transparency, and accountability. However, these attributes remain incomplete without an ethical foundation. Ethical governance ensures that power is exercised in the public interest and not for personal or political gain.

Ethics guide decision-making in situations where rules are ambiguous or competing interests exist. Integrity, impartiality, and empathy enhance the quality of governance and public trust.

Thus, ethical governance provides the moral legitimacy necessary for sustainable and democratic governance.


Q62. “Constitutional values act as a compass for public administration.” Discuss.

Constitutional values such as liberty, equality, justice, and fraternity form the normative framework for public administration in India. They guide policy formulation, implementation, and institutional conduct.

Public administrators are expected to translate these abstract values into concrete governance outcomes through inclusive and fair decision-making. Deviation from constitutional values can erode legitimacy and weaken democratic institutions.

Therefore, constitutional values serve as a compass that aligns administrative action with democratic ideals.


Q63. “Neutrality of civil services is essential but increasingly challenged.” Analyse.

Civil service neutrality ensures continuity, professionalism, and impartiality in governance. It allows administrators to serve successive governments without political bias.

In recent times, increased politicisation, frequent transfers, and external pressures have challenged this neutrality. Such trends can affect morale and administrative effectiveness.

Strengthening institutional safeguards, merit-based appointments, and ethical standards is essential to preserve civil service neutrality and democratic governance.


Q64. “Democratic accountability must coexist with administrative autonomy.” Examine.

Administrative autonomy enables officials to make timely and professional decisions based on expertise and evidence. At the same time, democratic accountability ensures that such autonomy is exercised responsibly.

Excessive control can lead to bureaucratic inertia, while unchecked autonomy may result in arbitrariness. Institutions such as parliamentary oversight, judicial review, and audit mechanisms maintain this balance.

Thus, harmonising autonomy and accountability is vital for effective governance and democratic legitimacy.


Q65. “Public trust is the most valuable capital of governance.” Discuss.

Public trust determines the effectiveness of governance more than coercive authority. When citizens trust institutions, compliance improves and governance outcomes are strengthened.

Trust is built through transparency, fairness, consistent service delivery, and ethical conduct. Loss of trust can lead to resistance, policy failure, and social unrest.

Therefore, nurturing public trust is essential for democratic stability, administrative effectiveness, and long-term development.


End of GS–II MAINS – PAGE–13

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