UGC NET Political Science Governance and Public Policy in India Syllabus

Governance and Public Policy in India syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Governance and Public Policy in India in UGC NET Political Science, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Governance, Good Governance, and Democratic Governance

   1 topic

   • Role of State, Civil Society, and Individuals
2. 2

   Accountability and Control

   6 topics

   • Institutional Mechanism for Checks and Balances
   • Legislative Control over Executive
   • Administrative and Budgetary Control
   • Control through Parliamentary Committees
   • Judicial Control over Legislature and Executive
   • Administrative Culture, Corruption, and Administrative Reforms
3. 3

   Institutional Mechanisms for Good Governance

   4 topics

   • Right to Information
   • Consumer Protection Act
   • Citizen Charter
   • Grievance Redress System: Ombudsman, Lokpal, Lokayukta
4. 4

   Grassroots Governance

   1 topic

   • Panchayati Raj Institutions and Their Functioning
5. 5

   Planning and Development

   6 topics

   • Decentralised Planning
   • Planning for Development
   • Sustainable Development
   • Participatory Development
   • E-Governance
   • NITI Aayog
6. 6

   Public Policy as an Instrument of Socio-Economic Development

   4 topics

   • Public Policies with Special Reference to Housing, Health, Drinking Water, Food Security
   • MNREGA
   • NHRM
   • RTE
7. 7

   Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Policy

   1 topic

   • Mechanisms of Making Governance Process Accountable: Jansunwai, Social Audit

Governance and Public Policy in India flashcards for UGC NET Political Science

22 of 61 cards from the Governance and Public Policy in India deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In governance, what are the three key actors whose interaction shapes the role of the State?

   The State (government institutions), Civil Society (NGOs, voluntary associations, media, interest groups), and Individuals (citizens). Governance emerges from their collaborative interaction rather than the State acting alone.

2. Define 'civil society' in the context of governance.

   The arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests and values, distinct from the State, market, and family. It includes NGOs, voluntary organisations, trade unions, professional bodies, faith groups and the media, acting as a bridge between citizens and the State.

3. What is meant by 'checks and balances' as an institutional mechanism?

   A system in which the legislature, executive and judiciary each have powers to limit and oversee the others, preventing concentration of power and abuse. Examples: legislative oversight of executive, judicial review of laws, and executive's role in appointments.

4. Name the main instruments through which the Indian Parliament exercises legislative control over the executive.

   Question Hour and Zero Hour, debates and motions (Adjournment, Call Attention, No-Confidence, Censure), cut motions on the budget, parliamentary committees, and the power to pass/reject legislation and grants.

5. What is a 'No-Confidence Motion' and what is its consequence?

   A motion moved in the Lok Sabha to express that the House no longer has confidence in the Council of Ministers. If passed, the entire Council of Ministers must resign. It can be moved without stating reasons.

6. Distinguish a No-Confidence Motion from a Censure Motion.

   A No-Confidence Motion is against the whole Council of Ministers and forces resignation if passed; it needs no reasons. A Censure Motion may target individual ministers or the whole Council, must state grounds, and even if passed does not require the government to resign.

7. What are the three types of 'cut motions' used in budgetary control by Parliament?

   Policy Cut (reduce demand to Re.1, disapproving policy), Economy Cut (reduce demand by a specified amount to enforce economy), and Token Cut (reduce demand by Rs.100 to ventilate a specific grievance).

8. What is the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in administrative and budgetary control?

   The CAG audits all receipts and expenditure of the Union and States and submits reports to the President/Governor, which are examined by the Public Accounts Committee. It is the guardian of the public purse ensuring accountability of the executive to the legislature.

9. Name the three main financial committees of the Indian Parliament.

   Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Estimates Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU).

10. What is the composition and function of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)?

    It has 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha), chaired conventionally by an Opposition member. It examines CAG audit reports and the appropriation accounts to ensure money was spent legally and for the purposes sanctioned by Parliament.

11. How do the Estimates Committee and PAC differ in their focus?

    The Estimates Committee (30 members, all from Lok Sabha) examines budget estimates to suggest economies and efficiency BEFORE/while spending; the PAC scrutinises actual expenditure AFTER it has occurred, based on CAG reports.

12. What is the difference between Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament?

    Standing Committees are permanent, constituted regularly (e.g., financial committees, Departmentally Related Standing Committees); Ad hoc Committees are temporary, created for a specific task and dissolved once that task is completed (e.g., Select/Joint Committees on bills).

13. What is the doctrine that empowers judicial control over the legislature and executive in India?

    Judicial Review - the power of the courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive actions and to declare them void if they violate the Constitution.

14. What is the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' and which case established it?

    It holds that Parliament's amending power under Article 368 cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution. Established in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973).

15. Name the constitutional writs through which the judiciary controls the executive.

    Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto (issued under Article 32 by the Supreme Court and Article 226 by High Courts).

16. Define 'administrative culture'.

    The set of attitudes, values, beliefs, norms and behavioural patterns shared by members of an administrative system that shape how public officials perform their duties and interact with citizens.

17. What is corruption in public administration, and what are its broad types?

    Misuse of public office for private gain. Types include petty (small-scale, everyday bribery) and grand (high-level policy/contract corruption); also bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, extortion, and favouritism.

18. Name two major committees/commissions associated with administrative reforms in India.

    The First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966, chaired initially by Morarji Desai, then K. Hanumanthaiah) and the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2005, chaired by Veerappa Moily).

19. In which year was the Right to Information (RTI) Act enacted in India, and when did it come fully into force?

    Enacted in 2005; it came fully into force on 12 October 2005 (some provisions effective immediately from 15 June 2005).

20. Under the RTI Act, within what time must a Public Information Officer (PIO) normally provide information?

    Within 30 days of receipt of the request; within 48 hours if the information concerns the life or liberty of a person; 35 days if routed through an Assistant PIO.

21. What is the appellate structure for grievances under the RTI Act?

    First appeal lies with a designated officer senior to the PIO within 30 days; second appeal lies with the Central Information Commission (CIC) or the relevant State Information Commission (SIC).

22. What is the maximum penalty a PIO can face under the RTI Act for wrongfully denying information?

    A penalty of Rs.250 per day of delay, up to a maximum of Rs.25,000, plus possible disciplinary action.

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