Questions & explanations
1. Consider the following as accountability mechanisms:
1. Right to Information
2. Social Audit
3. CAG Audit
Which of the above promote accountability in governance?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
All three are accountability mechanisms. RTI enables citizens to seek information (vertical accountability), social audit involves communities verifying scheme implementation, and CAG audit provides independent scrutiny of government finances (horizontal accountability). Together they strengthen answerability and transparency.
2. Citizens' Charters, Codes of Conduct and Service Rules together promote ethical governance by providing, respectively:
- (a) Profits, marketing and advertising
- (b) Citizen entitlements, official ethical duties, and enforcement of both
- (c) Only punishments for citizens
- (d) Tax collection targets
Answer: (b) Citizen entitlements, official ethical duties, and enforcement of both
These three instruments are complementary: Citizens' Charters define citizen entitlements (outward-facing), Codes of Conduct define the ethical duties of officials (inward-facing), and Service Rules enforce both through disciplinary procedure with due-process safeguards, together forming a complete accountability loop.
3. Which statement best distinguishes a Code of Conduct from a Code of Ethics for civil servants?
- (a) A Code of Conduct is aspirational while a Code of Ethics is enforceable
- (b) A Code of Conduct is specific and enforceable while a Code of Ethics is broad and aspirational
- (c) Both are identical in nature
- (d) Neither has any role in accountability
Answer: (b) A Code of Conduct is specific and enforceable while a Code of Ethics is broad and aspirational
A Code of Conduct lays down specific, enforceable rules of behaviour (what to do and not do), while a Code of Ethics expresses broad, aspirational values such as integrity and public interest. The Second ARC recommended a distinct Code of Ethics in addition to the existing conduct rules.
4. The disciplinary procedure for central civil servants (framing charges, inquiry, penalties) is laid down in:
- (a) CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964
- (b) CCS (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965
- (c) Fundamental Rules
- (d) General Financial Rules
Answer: (b) CCS (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965
The Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 lay down the procedure for disciplinary action, including framing of charges, holding inquiries and imposing penalties. The CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 prescribe behaviour, while the CCA Rules handle discipline.
5. A government office is free of bribery but is slow, opaque and unresponsive to citizens. This office primarily lacks:
- (a) Anti-corruption laws
- (b) Accountability and responsiveness
- (c) Adequate salaries
- (d) Modern computers
Answer: (b) Accountability and responsiveness
Such an office, though not corrupt, lacks accountability and responsiveness, the obligation to answer for conduct and to serve citizens promptly. This shows that accountability is broader than mere absence of corruption, encompassing answerability and responsiveness.
6. The 'Sevottam' framework in Indian administration is associated with:
- (a) Service delivery excellence and Citizens' Charter implementation
- (b) Defence procurement
- (c) Foreign policy
- (d) Stock market regulation
Answer: (a) Service delivery excellence and Citizens' Charter implementation
Sevottam is a service-delivery excellence model designed to assess and improve the quality of public service delivery, centred on Citizens' Charter implementation, grievance redress and capacity building. The name combines 'Seva' (service) and 'Uttam' (excellence).
7. Which constitutional article provides procedural safeguards to civil servants against arbitrary dismissal?
- (a) Article 311
- (b) Article 14
- (c) Article 19
- (d) Article 356
Answer: (a) Article 311
Article 311 of the Constitution provides procedural safeguards to civil servants, ensuring that dismissal, removal or reduction in rank follows due process, including an inquiry and an opportunity to be heard, except in specified circumstances.
8. The conduct of officers of the All India Services is primarily governed by:
- (a) All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968
- (b) Representation of People Act, 1951
- (c) Right to Information Act, 2005
- (d) Indian Penal Code, 1860
Answer: (a) All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968
The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 prescribe the ethical conduct expected of IAS, IPS and IFoS officers, including integrity, devotion to duty, political neutrality and prohibitions on prohibited gifts and private trade.
9. The concept of the Citizens' Charter originated in which country?
- (a) India
- (b) United Kingdom
- (c) United States
- (d) France
Answer: (b) United Kingdom
The Citizens' Charter concept originated in the United Kingdom in 1991 under Prime Minister John Major. India adopted it in 1997. It declares service standards and remedies to make administration citizen-centric and accountable.
10. The most fundamental weakness of Citizens' Charters in India is that they:
- (a) Are written in too many languages
- (b) Are generally not legally enforceable
- (c) Cover too many departments
- (d) Are updated too frequently
Answer: (b) Are generally not legally enforceable
The chief weakness of Indian Citizens' Charters is that they are generally not legally enforceable, so citizens cannot claim remedies when standards are breached. This robs them of teeth, unlike a justiciable right.