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UPSC PYQs: Explicit Detail

Review complete published questions grouped by topic: Explicit Detail.

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Questions

Accountability, or the lack of it, in governance generally, and civil services in particular, is a major factor underlying deficiencies in governance and public administration. Designing an effective framework for accountability has been a key element of the reform agenda. A fundamental issue is whether civil services should be accountable to the political executive of the day or to society at large. In other words, how should internal and external accountability be reconciled? Internal accountability is sought through internal performance monitoring, official supervision by bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission and Comptroller and Auditor General, and judicial review of executive decisions. Articles 311 and 312 of the Constitution provide job security and safeguards to the civil services, especially the All India Services. The framers envisaged that these safeguards would produce a civil service not totally subservient to the political executive but strong enough to function in the larger public interest. The need to balance internal and external accountability is thus built into the Constitution. Over the years, emphasis seems to have tilted in favour of greater internal accountability to political leaders of the day, who in turn are expected to be externally accountable to society through elections. This system has not worked out and has led to adverse consequences for governance. Measures can be considered for improving accountability. Articles 311 and 312 should be reviewed and laws and regulations framed to ensure external accountability. The respective roles of professional civil services and political executive should be defined so professional managerial functions and management of civil services are depoliticized. Effective statutory civil service boards should be created at the Centre and in the States. Decentralization and devolution of authority to bring government and decision-making closer to people also helps enhance accountability.\n\nAccording to the passage, which one of the following is NOT a means of enhancing internal accountability of civil services?2016 · Prelims CSAT · Reading Comprehension · Explicit Detail
Historically, the biggest challenge to world agriculture has been to achieve a balance between demand for and supply of food. At the level of individual countries, this can be critical for a closed and populous economy whose domestic agriculture does not grow sufficiently, while an open growing economy with adequate foreign exchange may buy food abroad. For the world as a whole, supply-demand balance is indispensable for warding off hunger and starvation. Yet adequate global supply does not ensure food will move from surplus countries to deficit countries when the latter lack purchasing power. Uneven hunger and malnutrition are therefore concentrated in poorer economies. Worldwide food supply is gaining importance because the quantum and composition of demand are changing and countries' capabilities to maintain uninterrupted supplies are under strain. Food production, marketing and prices—especially affordability for the poor—need global thinking and solutions.\n\nAccording to the passage, the biggest challenge to world agriculture is:2016 · Prelims CSAT · Reading Comprehension · Explicit Detail