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UPSC MainsGeneral Studies Paper IIGovernancePractice question

Salient Features of Good Governance

Discuss the salient features of good governance and mention suitable examples.

DiscussMention~250 words2 min readeasy
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How to approach

Begin by introducing good governance through ancient Indian philosophical thought and modern definitions provided by UN ESCAP and the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). Structure the core body around the foundational pillars of good governance, mapping each pillar to constitutional articles and tangible administrative examples in India. Conclude with a forward-looking vision of citizen-centric governance.

Model answer

371 words

Introduction

As Chanakya articulated in the Arthashastra, 'In the happiness of his subjects lies his king's happiness,' establishing that legitimacy of rule stems from citizen welfare. In modern public administration, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2nd ARC) and UN ESCAP frame good governance as an participatory, transparent, accountable, equitable, and rule-bound exercise of public authority.

Core Pillars of Good Governance and Indian Implementations

The foundational features of good governance find direct resonance in the Indian Constitutional framework and contemporary administrative reforms:

  • Rule of Law (Articles 14 and 21): Governance must operate through predictable, fair, and non-arbitrary legal frameworks. This is reinforced by judicial supremacy in cases like S.R. Bommai v. Union of India and digital justice initiatives such as the e-Courts Project, which enhances transparency and speedy trial processes.
  • Equity and Inclusiveness (Articles 38 and 39 DPSPs): A just society ensures that the most vulnerable have opportunities to improve their well-being. This is demonstrated through targeted welfare delivery mechanisms such as the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile), which eliminates intermediaries and leakages in benefit transfers.
  • Transparency and Accountability (Article 19(1)(a)): Public institutions must be open to scrutiny and answerable for their actions. The landmark Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, hailed by the 2nd ARC as the 'Master Key to Good Governance', empowers citizens to question administrative decisions directly.
  • Responsiveness: Public institutions must serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe. This principle is operationalised through single-window grievance redressal platforms like CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) and state-level statutory service guarantee enactments such as Karnataka's SAKALA scheme.
  • Participation: Citizen involvement in decision-making fosters democratic ownership. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts constitutionally mandated grassroots democratic decentralisation via Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, institutionalising participatory governance through Gram Sabhas.
  • Effectiveness and Efficiency: Optimal and sustainable utilisation of public resources to produce maximum public value. This is ensured through institutional oversight by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) performance audits and community-driven Social Audits under the MGNREGA framework.

Conclusion

Good governance is not merely an administrative ideal but an imperative for sustainable development and socio-economic justice. Realising 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' requires embedding these principles into daily institutional practices, shifting bureaucratic orientation from process compliance to citizen-centric outcomes.

Key facts to remember

quote
“"In the happiness of his subjects lies his king's happiness; in their welfare his welfare. He shall not consider as good only that which pleases him but treat as beneficial to him whatever pleases his subjects." - Kautilya's Arthashastra”
— Chanakya on Governance
definition
Good Governance (UN ESCAP)

Good governance describes the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented), characterized by eight major traits: participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and following the rule of law.

scheme
Right to Information Act, 2005

A legislative tool empowering citizens to access information under the control of public authorities, promoting transparency and containing administrative corruption; characterized by the Second ARC as the master key to good governance.

example
SAKALA Scheme (Karnataka)

The Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act (SAKALA) mandates a statutory timeline for delivering citizen-centric public services, penalising defaulting officers to ensure responsiveness.

Frequently asked questions

What are the eight core characteristics of good governance identified by UN ESCAP?

The eight characteristics identified by UN ESCAP are: participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus orientation, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, and accountability.

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