Theme T103 · Governance

Civil society, NGOs, charitable trusts & donor agencies

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What UPSC asks

Questions ask whether CSOs are seen as anti-state, the potential of public charitable trusts, whether donor dependence weakens community participation, NGOs as an alternative service-delivery model, how marginal non-state actors are, FCRA changes, and what kind of government–NGO–private partnership works best.

Prepare these

• Types: NGOs, CSOs, trusts, cooperatives, donors, CSR foundations
• Contributions: service delivery, advocacy, watchdog, innovation (SEWA, Pratham, Akshaya Patra)
• Concerns: accountability, foreign funding, political activism, 'anti-state' label
• FCRA 2010 and 2020 amendment: key changes and criticism
• Donor dependency vs community ownership
• Partnership models: PPP in social sector, CSR, NGO–government convergence

Answer writing

• Balance: contribution, concerns, regulatory reform
• Always give two or three named organisations

Directive words in these PYQs: Justify (2), Do you agree (2), Examine (2), Critically (2), Comment (1), Discuss (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L7 — Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• GS2-L11 — Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

All 7 PYQs, newest first

1. GS2202510 marks · 150 wordsGS2-GOV-02-M2025-Q08

   Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.

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2. GS1202410 marks · 150 wordsGS1-SOC-04-M2024-Q10

   In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector would be most productive?

   CopyReport a typo
3. GS2202410 marks · 150 wordsGS2-GOV-02-M2024-Q06

   Public charitable trusts have the potential to make India's development more inclusive as they relate to certain vital public issues. Comment.

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4. GS2202215 marks · 250 wordsGS2-GOV-02-M2022-Q17

   Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process? Justify your answer.

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5. GS22021GS2-GOV-02-M2021-S02

   Can Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative model.

   CopyReport a typo
6. GS22016GS2-GOV-02-M2016-S01

   “In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement.

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7. GS22015GS2-GOV-02-M2015-S01

   Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.

   CopyReport a typo