UGC NET Political Science Governance and Public Policy in India Syllabus

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).

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.

In which year was the (latest) Consumer Protection Act enacted in India, replacing the 1986 Act?

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

What is the three-tier quasi-judicial machinery for consumer dispute redressal under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019?

District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).

What are the pecuniary jurisdiction limits under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (as amended in 2021)?

District Commission: up to Rs.50 lakh; State Commission: above Rs.50 lakh up to Rs.2 crore; National Commission: above Rs.2 crore.

What new regulatory body was created by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019?

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), to promote, protect and enforce consumer rights, regulate misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, and take suo motu action.

What is a Citizen's Charter?

A voluntary, written document published by a public service organisation that declares its standards of service, entitlements of citizens, timelines, and avenues for grievance redress, making the organisation accountable and citizen-centric.

What are the six principles of the Citizen's Charter as originally conceived (UK, 1991)?

Quality, Choice, Standards, Value, Accountability, and Transparency. India adopted Citizen's Charters from 1997.

What is an Ombudsman, and from where does the concept originate?

An independent official appointed to investigate citizens' complaints against maladministration by public authorities. The concept originated in Sweden (1809).

What is the difference between the Lokpal and Lokayukta?

The Lokpal is the national-level anti-corruption ombudsman for the Union (including the Prime Minister with safeguards); the Lokayukta is the state-level ombudsman established by individual states to investigate corruption complaints against state public functionaries.

In which year was the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act passed, and what was the major movement behind it?

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act was passed in 2013 (came into force January 2014). It followed the India Against Corruption / Anna Hazare movement (2011).

What is the composition of the Lokpal under the 2013 Act?

A Chairperson and a maximum of 8 members, of whom up to half are judicial members; at least 50% of members must be from SC/ST/OBC/minorities/women categories.

Which constitutional amendments gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies?

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (Panchayati Raj - rural) and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (Municipalities - urban).

Which committee first recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in India?

The Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957), which recommended a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.

What are the three tiers of Panchayati Raj under the 73rd Amendment?

Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti / Mandal / Block (intermediate level), and Zila Parishad (district level). The intermediate tier is optional for states with population under 20 lakh.

What reservation provisions does the 73rd Amendment mandate in Panchayats?

Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in proportion to their population, and not less than one-third of total seats and chairperson posts reserved for women (many states have raised this to 50%).

What is the role of the State Election Commission and State Finance Commission under the 73rd Amendment?

The State Election Commission conducts elections to Panchayats; the State Finance Commission, constituted every five years, reviews the financial position of Panchayats and recommends distribution of taxes and grants-in-aid between the State and local bodies.

What is the Gram Sabha and why is it significant?

The Gram Sabha is the body of all registered voters in a village; it is the foundation of grassroots direct democracy, approving plans and budgets, identifying beneficiaries, and conducting social audits of Panchayat works.

What is decentralised planning?

Planning carried out at sub-national/local levels (district, block, village) by local bodies based on local needs and resources, as opposed to centralised top-down planning. The District Planning Committee (Art. 243ZD) consolidates such plans.

Which committee recommended 'District Planning' and the District Planning Committee concept?

The notion was advanced by committees such as the Dantwala Committee (1978, Block-level planning) and the G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985); the District Planning Committee was constitutionalised under Article 243ZD by the 74th Amendment.

Define 'Sustainable Development' as per the Brundtland Commission (1987).

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It balances economic, social and environmental dimensions.

How many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) did the UN adopt in 2015, and for what target year?

17 Sustainable Development Goals (with 169 targets), to be achieved by 2030, under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

What is participatory development?

A development approach in which intended beneficiaries actively take part in decision-making, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes that affect them, ensuring ownership, empowerment and accountability.

Define E-Governance.

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) by government to deliver services, exchange information, and improve efficiency, transparency and citizen participation in administration.

What are the four types/pillars of E-Governance interactions?

G2C (Government to Citizen), G2B (Government to Business), G2G (Government to Government), and G2E (Government to Employee).

When was the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) launched in India?

In 2006, comprising a set of Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) and common infrastructure to make government services accessible to citizens; later subsumed under the Digital India programme (2015).

NITI Aayog replaced which body, and in what year was it established?

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) replaced the Planning Commission. It was established on 1 January 2015.

Who is the Chairperson and who heads day-to-day functioning of NITI Aayog?

The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson; a Vice-Chairperson (appointed by the PM) leads it, supported by a CEO and full-time and part-time members. Its Governing Council includes all Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors.

How does NITI Aayog differ fundamentally from the Planning Commission?

NITI Aayog is a think-tank/advisory body promoting cooperative federalism and bottom-up planning with no power to allocate funds; the Planning Commission had powers to allocate plan funds to states and imposed top-down Five-Year Plans.

What is MGNREGA and in which year was it enacted?

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, enacted in 2005 (implemented from 2006). It guarantees livelihood security in rural areas.

What is the core employment guarantee provided under MGNREGA?

At least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work (150 days in some notified/drought-affected areas).

Under MGNREGA, what must be paid if work is not provided within 15 days of application?

An unemployment allowance must be paid by the State Government to the applicant, ensuring the right to work is enforceable.

What does NRHM (now NHM) stand for and when was it launched?

The National Rural Health Mission, launched in 2005 to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas; in 2013 it was subsumed (with NUHM) under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Who is the community-level health worker introduced under NRHM, and what is the role?

ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) - a trained female community health volunteer who acts as a link between the community and the public health system, promoting maternal/child health and access to services.

What does the RTE Act stand for, when was it enacted, and which constitutional article does it operationalise?

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (in force 1 April 2010). It operationalises Article 21A, which makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14.

What is the 25% reservation provision under the RTE Act?

Private unaided schools must reserve at least 25% of seats in entry-level classes for children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups, with reimbursement from the government.

What is the National Food Security Act, and in what year was it passed?

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, which provides subsidised foodgrains to about two-thirds of the population through the Public Distribution System (PDS), legally entitling beneficiaries to food.

Under the NFSA 2013, how much subsidised foodgrain is provided to priority households?

5 kg of foodgrains per person per month at subsidised prices (rice Rs.3, wheat Rs.2, coarse grains Rs.1 per kg); Antyodaya Anna Yojana households get 35 kg per family per month.

Name a major government scheme each for housing and drinking water as public policy.

Housing: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), for 'Housing for All'. Drinking Water: Jal Jeevan Mission (functional household tap connections) and the earlier National Rural Drinking Water Programme.

What is 'Jansunwai' (public hearing) as a governance accountability mechanism?

A public hearing where citizens directly question officials about the use of public funds and delivery of services in an open forum, enabling transparency and direct accountability; pioneered by MKSS in Rajasthan.

What is a 'Social Audit' and under which programme is it statutorily mandated?

A process in which beneficiaries and the community examine official records and verify the actual implementation of works/spending against records. It is mandatory under MGNREGA, conducted by the Gram Sabha to detect leakages and corruption.