GS Paper 2 Roadmap: Governance, Polity & Administration
Module 1: Role & Functions of Government
1.1 Functions of Government
Dimensions:
- Developmental, Regulatory, Welfare, Protective roles
- Role of State in Liberalisation and Globalisation
- State as facilitator and enabler
- Principle of Subsidiarity
Social Contract theory and modern governance
- PYQ Link:
- “Discuss the role of the state in ensuring social justice through affirmative action.”
- “Evaluate the changing nature of governance in the era of globalisation.”
1.2 Issues in Organizational Structure of Government of India
Dimensions:
- Redundancy, overlapping jurisdictions
- Silo functioning, inter-ministerial coordination gaps
- Lack of lateral entry and specialisation
Reforms recommended by ARC
- PYQ Link:
- “The success of e-governance initiatives lies in bureaucratic reforms. Comment.”
Module 2: Governance Principles, Ethics & Bureaucracy
2.1 Good Governance and Citizen-Centric Administration
Dimensions:
- Accountability, Transparency, Efficiency, Responsiveness
- Citizens’ Charters and Sevottam Model
- Inclusive decision-making and decentralisation
- PYQ Link:
- “Good governance is the key to a nation’s progress. Discuss.”
2.2 Ethics in Governance (ARC)
Dimensions:
- Corruption: Types, Causes, Remedies
- Values in public service: integrity, impartiality, empathy
- Role of Lokpal, Whistleblower Protection
- PYQ Link:
- “Corruption is the greatest obstacle to economic and social development. Discuss.”
2.3 Reforms in Indian Bureaucracy
Dimensions:
- Mission Karmayogi, Lateral Entry
- Politicisation vs Neutrality
- Performance-based appraisal
- PYQ Link:
- “Civil service reforms are necessary to improve service delivery. Examine.”
2.4 Performance Appraisal System in Bureaucracy
Dimensions:
- SPARROW, 360-degree appraisal
- Link with accountability and results
- Biases and subjectivity in evaluations
- PYQ Link:
- “Performance-based appraisal system is key to bureaucratic accountability. Discuss.”
2.5 Curb on VIP Culture
Dimensions:
- Equality before law
- Public perception and trust
- Administrative orders and SC guidelines
- PYQ Link:
- “VIP culture contradicts the essence of democratic governance. Evaluate.”
Module 3: e-Governance & Digital Governance
3.1 e-Governance Initiatives
Dimensions:
- G2C, G2G, G2B models
- Digital India, UMANG, MyGov, e-Kranti
- Infrastructure (BharatNet), capacity building
- PYQ Link:
- “Discuss the potential of e-governance in transforming service delivery in India.”
3.2 Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Dimensions:
- JAM Trinity: Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile
- Reduction in leakages
Exclusion errors and grievance redressal
- PYQ Link:
- “Evaluate DBT as a tool of welfare governance.”
3.3 Virtual ID and Aadhaar Debates
Dimensions:
- Privacy and surveillance concerns
- SC’s Puttaswamy judgment
- Use in welfare targeting
- PYQ Link:
“Aadhaar is a tool for empowerment or exclusion? Comment.”
3.4 PRAGATI
Dimensions:
- PM-led real-time monitoring
- Enhancing Centre-State coordination
- Timely implementation of infrastructure and social projects
- PYQ Link:
- Referenced indirectly in Centre-State coordination questions
3.5 Social Media and Accountability
Dimensions:
- Government-citizen interaction
- Spread of misinformation, fake news
- IT Rules 2021 and regulatory challenges
- PYQ Link:
- “Social media is a double-edged sword in governance. Discuss.”
3.5 Social Media and Accountability
Dimensions:
- Government-citizen interaction
- Spread of misinformation, fake news
- IT Rules 2021 and regulatory challenges
- PYQ Link:
- “Social media is a double-edged sword in governance. Discuss.”
Module 4: Transparency & Accountability Mechanisms
4.1 Right to Information (RTI)
Dimensions:
- Empowerment through access to information
- CIC’s autonomy, recent amendments
- Whistleblower Protection Act
- PYQ Link:
- “Recent changes to the RTI Act dilute its original intent. Critically analyse.”
4.2 Social Audit
Dimensions:
- Citizen participation and oversight
- Legal backing and institutionalisation
- Success in MGNREGA and PDS schemes
- PYQ Link:
- “Social audits strengthen accountability in governance. Elaborate.”
4.3 Accountability and Transparency in NGOs
Dimensions:
- FCRA restrictions and compliance
- Balancing autonomy and public accountability
- NGO partnerships in welfare schemes
- PYQ Link:
- “Discuss the challenges faced by NGOs in balancing autonomy with accountability.”
4.4 Autonomy of CBI
Dimensions:
- Dual control issues (DoPT + States)
- SC guidelines in Vineet Narain case
- Calls for statutory status
- PYQ Link:
- “Examine the need to make CBI an independent statutory body.”
4.5 Functioning of CAG
Dimensions:
- Audit types (compliance, financial, performance)
- Delay in reporting
- Interface with PAC
- PYQ Link:
- “Discuss the role of CAG in promoting financial accountability.”
Module 5: Public Institutions and Policy Bodies
5.1 NITI Aayog
Dimensions:
- Role as policy think tank
- Bottom-up planning, cooperative federalism
- CSS rationalisation
- PYQ Link:
- “Evaluate NITI Aayog’s performance as a catalyst for policy innovation.”
5.2 Finance Commission (14th and 15th)
Dimensions:
- Vertical and horizontal devolution
- Grants-in-aid and fiscal autonomy
- Tied vs untied funds
- PYQ Link:
- “Critically analyse the impact of increased fiscal devolution to states.”
5.3 7th Pay Commission
Dimensions:
- Impact on fiscal deficit and inflation
- Equity among service cadres
- Incentive vs salary-based motivation
5.4 AFSPA & ARC View
Dimensions:
- Security vs Human Rights
- Periodic review and SOP reforms
- Role of Human Rights Commission
- PYQ Link:
- “AFSPA is both a necessity and a challenge. Discuss.”
5.5 PAC and Parliamentary Oversight
Dimensions:
- Scrutiny of executive through CAG reports
- Limitations: no enforcement power
- Enhancing parliamentary committees
- PYQ Link:
- “Evaluate the effectiveness of Parliamentary Committees in ensuring executive accountability.”
Module 6: Scheme Evaluation – Governance Impact
Scheme | Governance Dimension |
PMJDY | Financial inclusion, DBT implementation, zero-balance accounts |
MGNREGA | Demand-driven employment, transparency, social audit |
Swachh Bharat Mission | Behavioural change, sanitation infrastructure, public participation |
Smart City Mission | Urban planning, decentralisation, PPP model |
Saubhagya, Ujjwala | Targeted service delivery, gender empowerment |
Stand Up India / Skill India | Entrepreneurship development, SC/ST and women empowerment |
NAMAMI GANGE | Inter-agency coordination, ecological governance |
Module 7: Policy Reports & Legal Reforms
Policy/Report | Relevance |
Rationalisation of CSS (NITI) | Reducing duplication, increasing efficiency |
268th Law Commission Report on Bail Reform | Bail as a right, reducing undertrial population |
Model Land Leasing Law (NITI) | Formalising tenancy, enabling credit access |
Viswanathan Committee on Hate Speech | Legal clarity without curbing free speech |
Law Commission on Tribunals | Tribunalisation and judicial efficiency |
UNCAT Report | India and custodial torture accountability |
NEP 2020 | Inclusive, digital, skill-based, and foundational learning goals |
Module 8: Contemporary Debates in Governance
Topic | Dimension |
Inter-State Water Disputes | Federalism, tribunal delays, Centre-State cooperation |
Directly Elected Mayor Debate | Urban empowerment, administrative vs political accountability |
Lobbying in India | Transparency in policymaking, need for regulation |
Media and Censorship | Freedom of speech vs misinformation, IT rules |
States in Foreign Policy | Para diplomacy, state-level agreements with foreign governments |
Tip for Mains Answer Writing:
- Start with a definition or contextual intro
- Use SC judgments, ARC, and committee recommendations
- Use headings: Legal, Administrative, Social, Ethical, Financial Dimensions
- Add flowcharts/diagrams for value addition
- End with balanced suggestions and conclusion
