HPAS 2025 GS2 Question 15

HPAS 2025 Mains GS-2 Question 15

What do you mean by Good Governance? Discuss its salient characteristics. Also, discuss barriers to Good Governance in India.

Solution:

Good Governance is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources, and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law. It focuses on the qualitative aspect of administration.

1. Salient Characteristics of Good Governance

The United Nations identifies eight core characteristics that define Good Governance:

• Participation: Both men and women should have a voice in decision-making, either directly or through legitimate intermediate institutions.
• Rule of Law: Legal frameworks should be fair and enforced impartially, particularly the laws on human rights.
• Transparency: Decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. Information is freely available and directly accessible.
• Responsiveness: Institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
• Consensus Oriented: Mediating differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interest of the whole community.
• Equity and Inclusiveness: Ensuring all members of society feel they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream.
• Effectiveness and Efficiency: Processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources.
• Accountability: Key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public.

2. Barriers to Good Governance in India

Despite several reforms, India faces deep-rooted structural and behavioral barriers:

• Attitudinal Problems: Many civil servants possess a “ruler mindset” rather than a “servant mindset,” leading to a lack of empathy and responsiveness toward the public.
• Corruption: The 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) identifies corruption as a major hurdle that subverts the rule of law and breeds inefficiency.
• Lack of Accountability: Weak performance evaluation systems and slow disciplinary proceedings make it difficult to hold public officials responsible for lapses.
• Red Tapism: Complex procedures and excessive rules lead to delays in service delivery, often encouraging “speed money” practices.
• Ineffective Justice Delivery: Over 5 crore pending cases in Indian courts delay the realization of the “Rule of Law” and discourage investment.
• Low Awareness: A significant portion of the population, especially in rural areas, remains unaware of their rights and legal entitlements under various acts like the RTI Act.

“Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” — Kofi Annan

Concise Model Answer (150-Word Limit)

Good Governance is an approach to administration that is committed to creating a system where resources are managed efficiently to serve the public interest. As per the UN, it is defined by eight characteristics: Participation, Rule of Law, Transparency, Responsiveness, Consensus-oriented, Equity, Effectiveness, and Accountability.

Barriers in the Indian context:

1. Structural Hurdles: Red tapism and antiquated laws lead to significant delays in service delivery.
2. Behavioral Issues: A colonial-era “bureaucratic inertia” and lack of empathy among officials toward citizens.
3. Systemic Corruption: Acts as a major drain on resources and erodes public trust in institutions.
4. Delayed Justice: A slow judicial system fails to provide timely redressal, undermining the rule of law.

Initiatives like the **Good Governance Index (GGI)** and **Digital India** are aimed at overcoming these barriers by promoting “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” through transparency and citizen empowerment.