UPSC Mains 2024 GS2 Q18 — E-Governance Models
e-governance is not just about the routine application of digital technology in service delivery process. It is as much about multifarious interactions for ensuring transparency and accountability. In this context evaluate the role of the ‘Interactive Service Model’ of e-governance. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- evaluate
- Scope keywords
- routine application of digital technologymultifarious interactionstransparency and accountabilityInteractive Service Model
- Implicit sub-parts
- Comparison between G2C (Government to Citizen) as a delivery tool versus G2C as a democratic feedback loop.
- Analysis of how specific digital platforms move beyond mere automation to create real-time accountability (e.g., social media grievance redressal, PRAGATI).
- Assessment of the limitations of the Interactive Service Model in the context of the digital divide and bureaucratic resistance.
- The transition from 'Information' to 'Transaction' to 'Interaction' in the e-governance evolution.
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on the benefits of Digital India instead of focusing on the 'Interactive' aspect.
- Failing to explain what 'Interactive Service Model' specifically means (the bidirectional flow of data).
- Confusing transparency (viewing data) with accountability (the ability to question and penalize based on data).
- Neglecting the 'multifarious' aspect, which implies stakeholders like NGOs, media, and businesses, not just individual citizens.
- Dimensions required
- Technological (platforms and tools)Administrative (bureaucratic responsiveness)Political (citizen empowerment and participation)Ethical (transparency and integrity)Socio-economic (inclusivity and accessibility)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend 40-50 words defining the Interactive Service Model and contrasting it with the 'Information Model'. Use 120-130 words to evaluate its role in transparency and accountability using specific examples like RTI online, MyGov, or e-Seva. Use the remaining 70-80 words to discuss challenges and provide a forward-looking conclusion on 'governance by consent'.
Unlock the full analysis for this question
You've seen the question and its examiner-intent decoding. Subscribers also get:
- 🔗 Similar Previous Year Questions — cross-year, cross-paper matches so you study the topic, not the question
- 📚 Source Map — verified citations from Laxmikanth, NCERT, PRS, Yojana, Economic Survey, Spectrum
- 🌱 How this topic is evolving — current-affairs bridge anchored to live TARS news clustering
- 🧭 Examiner's Pattern — how the topic has been framed across every year UPSC has tested it
- ✍️ Answer Skeleton — a structured outline (intro → body → conclusion) you can flesh out
- 🎯 AI evaluation — write your answer, get rubric-based scoring from gs-eval
Or browse 132+ free preview questions across all years and papers — the first 3 questions of every paper are unlocked.
Ready to practice?
Subscribers can attempt this question in 250 words and get an instant, rubric-based evaluation showing where they stand.
Subscribe to evaluate your answer →