Governance, Transparency and Accountability
Governance for UPSC: RTI Act 2005, Information Commissions, citizens' charters, Sevottam, social audit, e-governance, grievance redress and whistle-blower protection.
SyllabusGS II · Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens charters, transparency and accountability and institutional measures
Good governance is the part of GS II where the Constitution meets the office file. This chapter covers the tools that let citizens see what government does (transparency), make it answer for what it does (accountability), and receive services as a matter of right (citizen-centric administration).
What UPSC asks
- Prelims: the RTI Act’s sections, time limits, exemptions and Information Commission structure; the 2019 RTI amendment; key 2nd ARC reports; the origin of citizens’ charters and the Sevottam model; landmark RTI judgments.
- Mains GS II (and GS IV): RTI’s impact and dilution, citizens’ charters vs enforceable service guarantees, e-governance successes and limits, social audit, and whistle-blower protection.
Key sub-topics
| Sub-topic | Core source |
|---|---|
| Meaning of good governance | UNDP characteristics; World Bank (1992) |
| Right to Information | RTI Act, 2005; Article 19(1)(a) |
| Information Commissions | Sections 12–20, RTI Act; 2019 amendment |
| Citizens’ charters | 1997 action plan; Sevottam; 2nd ARC 12th Report |
| Social audit and grievance redress | Gram Sabha audits; CPGRAMS |
| E-governance | NeGP (2006); Digital India (2015); 2nd ARC 11th Report |
Read the main note, RTI and Accountability Mechanisms, then the quick revision sheet and the practice questions.