Theme T102 · Governance

Policy design, implementation & people's participation

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What UPSC asks

UPSC asks why decisions sit far from where problems are (defeating development), whether rights-based welfare works with poor integration and investment, how government effectiveness and people's participation depend on each other, whether government adapted to LPG, WASH targeting, aspirational districts, sports talent hunts and FDI in news media.

Prepare these

• Policy cycle: design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation — where Indian policies usually fail
• Subsidiarity and decentralised decision-making (link 73rd/74th Amendments)
• People's participation: social audit, gram sabha, participatory budgeting
• Convergence models: Aspirational Districts Programme (convergence, collaboration, competition)
• Outcome-based targeting: matching beneficiary identification to outcomes (WASH, Swachh Bharat, Jal Jeevan)
• Rights-based welfare (NFSA, MGNREGA, RTE) vs scheme-based welfare
• Government response to LPG: regulatory state, second-generation reforms

Answer writing

• Use the frame: idea → why it fails in practice → Indian example → reform
• Quote ARC or NITI Aayog recommendations where relevant

Directive words in these PYQs: Examine (2), Evaluate (2), Critically (2), Discuss (2), Explain (1), Mention (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

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

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

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-L10 — Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

All 8 PYQs, newest first

1. GS2202615 marks · 250 wordsGS2-GOV-01-M2026-S01

   Can the constitutional mandate of rights-based welfare be effectively realised in the context of non- integrated governance and minimal public investment? Examine

   CopyReport a typo
2. GS2202515 marks · 250 wordsGS2-GOV-01-M2025-Q17

   "In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development." Critically evaluate.

   CopyReport a typo
3. GS12018GS1-SOC-04-M2018-S01

   Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India & explain the nature of convergence, collaboration & Competition for its success.

   CopyReport a typo
4. GS22017GS2-GOV-01-M2017-S01

   ‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’. Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.

   Also needs: T109 Public health system & universal health coverageCopyReport a typo
5. GS22016GS2-GOV-01-M2016-S01

   “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are interdependent” Discuss their relationship in the context of India.

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6. GS22016GS2-GOV-01-M2016-S02

   Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?

   Also needs: T130 Liberalisation & FDI: retail, defence, Indian firms vs MNCsCopyReport a typo
7. GS22014GS2-GOV-01-M2014-S01

   Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non-news media like a trade publication and general entertainment channel, the Government is mulling over the proposal for increased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increase in FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons.

   Also needs: T130 Liberalisation & FDI: retail, defence, Indian firms vs MNCsCopyReport a typo
8. GS22014GS2-GOV-01-M2014-S02

   An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement.

   CopyReport a typo