UPSC Mains 2018 GS2 Q8 — E-governance
E-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Explain
- Scope keywords
- E-governanceutilization of the power of new technologycritical importanceuse value of information
- Implicit sub-parts
- How does the technological aspect of e-governance (infrastructure, automation, speed) serve as a tool but not the end goal?
- What constitutes the 'use value' of information in governance (accessibility, transparency, decision-making, empowerment)?
- How does transforming raw data into 'use value' lead to improved service delivery and citizen-centricity?
- What are the challenges in ensuring information is not just digitalized but actually useful to the end citizen?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on the benefits of Digital India or listicles of various apps/portals without addressing the 'information' aspect.
- Ignoring the second half of the prompt and focusing only on the 'technology' (hardware/software) instead of the 'utility' (impact/outcomes).
- Failing to distinguish between 'availability of information' (just putting data online) and 'use value' (making data actionable and meaningful for the common man).
- Missing the socio-economic dimension of how information becomes power for marginalized groups.
- Dimensions required
- Administrative (efficiency and transparency)Social (citizen empowerment and right to information)Technological (data processing and accessibility)Economic (cost-effectiveness and resource optimization)Ethical (accountability and equity)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend approximately 40 words on the role of technology as an enabler. Devote the bulk of the answer (80-90 words) to defining and illustrating 'use value' through examples like real-time tracking, RTI, and targeted subsidies. Use the remaining 20 words for a concluding forward-looking statement on data-driven governance.
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