UPSC Mains 2017 GS2 Q8 — Hunger and Poverty
Hunger and poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- EvaluateSuggest
- Scope keywords
- Hunger and povertybiggest challenges for good governancesuccessive governmentsprogressed in dealingmeasures for improvement
- Implicit sub-parts
- Establish the link between persistent hunger/poverty and the erosion of 'Good Governance' (e.g., lack of inclusion, accountability).
- A chronological assessment of major policy shifts from entitlement-based to rights-based (PDS, MGNREGA, NFSA, PMGKAY).
- Analysis of implementation gaps like 'hidden hunger' (micronutrient deficiency) and the 'poverty of access' despite economic growth.
- Targeted reforms for governance architecture such as DBT, social audits, and multi-dimensional tracking.
- Common pitfalls
- Spending 100 words defining poverty/hunger instead of evaluating the governance response.
- Focusing only on the current government rather than 'successive governments' as requested.
- Neglecting the Global Hunger Index or NITI Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index data which provide the 'Evaluate' evidence.
- Failing to link hunger back to 'Good Governance' principles like transparency and efficiency in delivery.
- Generic suggestions like 'increase funding' instead of systemic governance fixes like 'decentralized procurement' or 'community kitchens'.
- Dimensions required
- Legislative (NFSA 2013)Administrative/Executive (Direct Benefit Transfer, PDS reforms)Social/Nutritional (Stunting, Wasting, Gendered poverty)Economic (Structural transformation vs. Welfare schemes)Technological (Aadhaar-seeding, JAM trinity)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend 30 words defining the challenge to good governance. Use 80 words for a balanced evaluation of progress (successes vs. persistent gaps). Reserve the final 40 words for 3-4 specific, high-impact governance measures for improvement.
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