Q.Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment.
How to approach: Decode the core assertion first, validate where it holds true, highlight contextual nuances or exceptions, and conclude with a balanced judgment.
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The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) Report (2008) emphasizes that civil service reforms are crucial to "build a more effective, accountable, and responsive civil service that can better serve the people." Without these reforms, the administrative machinery cannot keep pace with a rapidly changing socio-economic landscape.
Body Analysis
Erosion of Neutrality and Effectiveness
- Political Interference: Increased political interference has compromised the traditional neutrality of civil servants. Decisions are frequently guided by political agendas rather than public interest, and arbitrary transfers of officers undermine their independence and operational efficiency.
- Lack of Accountability: The absence of robust accountability mechanisms has further weakened the effectiveness of the civil services, leading to implementation gaps in welfare schemes and developmental projects.
Conclusion
Comprehensive civil service reforms, as recommended by the Second ARC and NITI Aayog's 2021 report, are essential to restore neutrality, enhance accountability, and build a highly responsive governance system.
Question Specifications, Marking Rubric & Syllabus Mapping
| Examination & Year | UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2017 (Question 6) |
|---|---|
| Paper & Syllabus Topic | General Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR → Governance, Social Justice & Welfare Schemes |
| Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time | 15 Marks • 250 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 11–12 Minutes |
| Directive Word & Core Demand | Comment: Express an informed, evidence-backed analytical viewpoint on the given observation or quote. |
| Recommended Structure Split | Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words |
| AI Practice & Evaluation Tools | Upload Handwritten Answer for 3-Min Vision AI Evaluation | Generate Custom Answer & Mind Map |
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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2017 GS2 (Governance & Social Justice)
How should I structure the answer for this UPSC Mains 2017 GS Paper II question on Governance & Social Justice?
This 2017 GS Paper II question carries 15 marks with a 250-word limit and uses the "Comment" directive. Decode the core assertion first, validate where it holds true, highlight contextual nuances or exceptions, and conclude with a balanced judgment. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words) and aim to finish within 11–12 Minutes.
Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2017 question belong to?
This question is part of General Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR under the syllabus module "Governance, Social Justice & Welfare Schemes". You can explore all repeated questions from Governance & Social Justice in Acme AI's 3D PYQ Realm or filter all Governance & Social Justice PYQs on the Mains PYQ Directory.
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