Dalvoy Logo
Dalvoy
UPSC MainsGeneral Studies Paper IIGovernancePractice question

Pillars of Good Governance and Strengthening Measures

Good governance is not just a slogan but a systematic approach to improve the functioning of government and enhance citizen satisfaction. Discuss the key elements of good governance and suggest measures to strengthen them in India.

Discuss~250 words2 min readmedium
Attempt it first, timed · optional

Write the answer on paper, as in the exam. Start the timer, keep to the word target.

00:00/ 11 min · 250 words

Done writing? Photograph the sheet and see how it scores against this model answer, with feedback on what to fix.

Upload your answer sheet

How to approach

Start by defining good governance through its constitutional and institutional foundations. Detail the core pillars of good governance using the UN ESCAP framework illustrated with Indian institutional mechanisms. Conclude with actionable administrative and structural reforms based on Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2nd ARC) recommendations to ensure citizen-centric governance.

Model answer

370 words

Introduction

Good governance is a systematic approach to realize a welfare state as envisioned under Article 38 of the Constitution. Anchored in Articles 14, 19, and 21, it establishes a citizen-centric polity where the rule of law (Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain) and the right to information (State of UP v. Raj Narain) form foundational pillars of democratic administration.

Core Pillars of Good Governance (UN ESCAP Framework)

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) outlines eight interrelated characteristics of good governance, which India operationalizes through various institutional mechanisms:

  • Rule of Law and Accountability: Ensured through independent oversight institutions such as the Lokpal, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), and statutory frameworks like the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
  • Participation and Consensus-Orientation: Institutionalized through democratic decentralization via the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, empowering local self-governance and grassroots planning.
  • Transparency and Responsiveness: Streamlined through digital oversight tools like PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) and CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System), cutting grievance resolution cycles significantly.
  • Equity, Inclusiveness, Effectiveness, and Efficiency: Driven by direct benefit transfers via the JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) trinity to eliminate intermediaries, alongside competency-driven civil service reforms under Mission Karmayogi.

Measures to Strengthen Good Governance in India

To overcome implementation bottlenecks and enhance citizen satisfaction, several systemic reforms recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2nd ARC) should be pursued:

  • Institutionalize the Sevottam Model: Mandate standardized, legally backed Citizen's Charters across all central and state departments with clear service delivery benchmarks and grievance redress components.
  • Enact a Central Right to Public Services Act: Create an enforceable, statutory obligation for public authorities to provide designated public services within specified timeframes, backed by financial penalties on defaulting officials.
  • Scale up District Good Governance Indices (DGGI): Expand localized performance benchmarking across all districts to promote competitive, cooperative, and data-driven federalism.
  • Institutionalize Community-Led Social Audits: Expand mandatory social audits beyond MGNREGA to all major welfare, health, and urban infrastructure programmes to deepen community participation and social accountability.

Conclusion

Transitioning from traditional government to proactive governance requires systemic institutional accountability, data-backed administrative indices, and deep decentralization. Institutionalizing these structural reforms translates the vision of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' into measurable citizen satisfaction and constitutional justice.

Key facts to remember

definition
Good Governance (UN ESCAP)

Good governance describes the decision-making process and the implementation of decisions, characterized by participation, consensus orientation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and adherence to the rule of law.

statistic

The average disposal time of public grievances received through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) dropped to approximately 13 days in central ministries.

— Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG)
scheme
Sevottam Model (2006)

An assessment-improvement model proposed by the 2nd ARC and DARPG, built on three modules: Citizen's Charter implementation, public grievance redress mechanism, and service delivery capability.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Right to Public Services strengthen good governance?

A statutory Right to Public Services legally obligates government departments to deliver specified services within strict timelines, imposing financial liabilities on defaulting officials to deter administrative inertia and arbitrary delay.

← All questions on this topic (65)