UPSC Mains 2022 GS4 Q4 — Governance and e-Governance
(a) What do you understand by the term 'good governance'? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) (b) Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt, it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to the vulnerable section of the society. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What do you understandHow farDiscussDescribe and discuss
- Scope keywords
- good governancerecent initiatives in terms of e-Governancevulnerable section of the societyethical issues involved in the use of online methodtelemedicine in the health sector
- Implicit sub-parts
- Define good governance beyond just 'efficiency' (e.g., accountability, transparency, participation).
- Critical evaluation of e-governance: Bridge the gap between 'intent' and 'actual help to beneficiaries'.
- Identify specific ethical dilemmas: Privacy vs. Surveillance, Access vs. Exclusion, and the Depersonalization of service.
- Evaluate the 'Digital Divide' not as a technical gap, but as an ethical failure to uphold social justice.
- Common pitfalls
- Treating Part (b) as a general discussion on IT benefits rather than focusing specifically on 'Ethical Issues'.
- Failing to mention specific vulnerable groups (e.g., elderly, rural women, PwDs) in the context of the digital divide.
- Providing a generic definition of good governance without linking it to the UN or World Bank pillars.
- Neglecting the 'disadvantages for the system' mentioned in Part (b), such as data security or loss of institutional culture.
- Dimensions required
- Ethical (Social Justice & Equity)Technological (Access & Literacy)Administrative (Efficiency vs. Empathy)Human Rights (Right to Health/Education/Privacy)
- Marks allocation hint
For Part (a), spend 30 words on the definition, 100 words on the critical 'how far' discussion with specific schemes like DBT or PRAGATI, and 20 words on a concluding summary. For Part (b), focus 100 words specifically on ethical dilemmas like the 'Digital Divide as an exclusion tool' and 50 words on balancing efficiency with empathy for the vulnerable.
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