APPSC Group 1 Mains PYQs

What is Social Audit? Objectives and Advantages Introduction: Social audit is a systematic and independent examination of a company’s or organization’s social and environmental performance. Unlike a financial audit which focuses on monetary figures, a social audit assesses the organization’s impact on various stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, and the environment. It’s a process of … Read more

The Work of Statutory and Quasi-Judicial Bodies: A Comparative Analysis Introduction: Statutory bodies and quasi-judicial bodies are crucial components of modern governance, playing distinct yet interconnected roles in upholding the rule of law and ensuring effective administration. Statutory bodies are created by an act of the legislature (parliament or congress) and derive their powers and … Read more

The Right to Information (RTI) in India: Act, Rights, and Fundamental Status Introduction: The Right to Information (RTI) is a fundamental human right, recognized globally as crucial for transparency and accountability in governance. In India, this right is enshrined in the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act). This Act empowers citizens to access information … Read more

Why Does the Indian Government Utilize e-Governance? Accountability, Responsiveness, and Legitimacy Introduction: The Indian government’s adoption of e-governance, the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to government functions, is driven by a multifaceted desire to improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. India’s vast population and diverse geography present significant challenges to traditional governance models. … Read more

The United Nations’ Partnership with Civil Society: Importance and Legal Framework in India Introduction: The United Nations (UN) recognizes the crucial role of civil society organizations (CSOs) – non-governmental, non-profit organizations – in achieving its goals of peace, development, and human rights. The UN Charter itself implicitly acknowledges the importance of non-state actors in international … Read more

The Intertwined Roles of NGOs and Civil Services in Democracy Introduction: Democracy, at its core, relies on the active participation of citizens and effective governance. While elected representatives form the formal structure of government, the functioning of a robust democracy necessitates the engagement of other actors. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the civil service play crucial, … Read more

Amartya Sen’s Conception of Development and the New Development Thinking Introduction: Development, a multifaceted concept, has been interpreted differently across disciplines and eras. While traditional approaches focused solely on economic growth (measured by GDP), Prof. Amartya Sen offered a more nuanced perspective, emphasizing human capabilities and freedoms. Sen argues that development is not merely about … Read more

Differentiating Administrative Ideas in Kautilya’s Arthashastra and the Mughal Administration Introduction: This question requires a comparative analysis of the administrative systems outlined in Kautilya’s Arthashastra and those implemented during the Mughal Empire. The approach will be primarily factual and analytical, drawing upon historical accounts and scholarly interpretations of both texts and historical evidence. Kautilya’s Arthashastra … Read more

Defining Public Administration and its Evolution in India Introduction: Public administration, at its core, is the implementation of government policy and also an academic discipline that studies this implementation and prepares civil servants for this work. It encompasses the activities of government, including the formulation and implementation of laws, regulations, and policies. While definitions vary, … Read more

Salient Features of Rural and Urban Local Governance under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments Introduction: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992 represent landmark legislation in India, aimed at decentralizing power and empowering local self-governance in rural and urban areas respectively. These amendments enshrined the principles of democratic decentralization, participatory governance, and empowering … Read more