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Governance – UPSC GS2

This module of the GS Paper 2: Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR course covers transparency, accountability, civil services and e-governance. It has 2 study lessons and a 15-question practice quiz. Free lessons can be read in full; premium lessons show a preview.

Lessons in this module

1. Transparency and Accountability

Free 7 min

Good governance means a government that is transparent, accountable, responsive, efficient, inclusive and follows the rule of law. The World Bank and the UN use similar elements. Any citizen can ask for information from a…

2. Civil Services and Citizen-centric Administration

Premium 7 min

Civil servants are the permanent executive. They advise ministers, implement policy, ensure continuity when governments change, and deliver services to citizens. Sardar Patel called the All India Services the "steel frame" of India. Integrity, impartiality…

 Module quiz: Governance (15 questions)

Maps & infographics in this module

Flowchart of an RTI request from application to the PIO through first and second appeal
The Act turned secrecy into openness.
Five-step cycle from citizen charter to delivery, grievance redress, feedback and improvement
Charters work only when grievances lead to fixes.
Table of Articles 309 to 312 and 315 to 323 on the civil services
Article 311 balances the doctrine of pleasure with protection for honest officers.

Frequently asked questions

Lessons: Transparency and Accountability; Civil Services and Citizen-centric Administration.

Answer: 48 hours. Information about life or liberty must be supplied within 48 hours.

Answer: MGNREGA. The MGNREGA mandates social audits by the Gram Sabha.

Answer: Article 312. Article 312 allows Parliament to create AIS after a Rajya Sabha resolution.

Answer: Veerappa Moily. The 2nd ARC (2005) was chaired by Veerappa Moily.

Related modules

Polity and the Constitution4 lessons
Constitution Making and Basic Features5 lessons
Fundamental Rights5 lessons
DPSP and Fundamental Duties2 lessons
Union Executive4 lessons
Parliament3 lessons
Judiciary4 lessons
Federalism and Centre–State Relations5 lessons
State Government2 lessons
Local Government3 lessons
Constitutional Bodies and Elections4 lessons
Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies3 lessons
Amendments and Basic Structure2 lessons
Governance in Practice4 lessons
Social Justice2 lessons
Welfare of Vulnerable Sections3 lessons
Health, Education and Hunger3 lessons
International Relations2 lessons
India and its Neighbourhood5 lessons
India and the Major Powers4 lessons
India and the Wider World5 lessons

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