Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

  1. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution.
  2. It is responsible for conducting exams for appointments to the All India Services, Central Services, and other key government positions.
  3. The UPSC ensures a merit-based selection process for civil services.
  4. The Commission consists of a Chairperson and other members, whose number is determined by the President of India.
  5. Members of the UPSC are appoi

Election Commission of India

  1. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections in India.
  2. It was established in 1950 under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
  3. The ECI ensures free, fair, and transparent elections in the country.
  4. It conducts elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President.
  5. The ECI is a constitutional body

Role of NGOs and civil society

  1. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are voluntary, nonprofit organizations that work for social, economic, and environmental causes.
  2. Civil society refers to the collective space where individuals and organizations work independently of the government to promote public interests.
  3. NGOs act as a bridge between the government and the citizens, addressing the gaps in governance.
  4. They contribute to policy advocacy by influencing government decisions and legislative processes.
  5. NGOs and civil

Social justice and inclusive growth

  1. Social justice ensures equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
  2. The concept is enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, which aims for justice—social, economic, and political.
  3. Inclusive growth focuses on economic growth that is distributed fairly across society, benefiting all sections.
  4. Article 38 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) directs the state to promote the welfare of the people.
  5. Programs like MNREGA

Transparency and accountability: RTI Act 2005

  1. The Right to Information (RTI) Act, enacted in 2005, empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities.
  2. It aims to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.
  3. The Act is a cornerstone of good governance in India, ensuring that citizens have access to government information.
  4. Section 2(f) of the Act defines "information" as any material in any form, including records, documents, and emails.
  5. It mandates the establishment of Public In

Good governance: Meaning and principles

  1. Good governance refers to the effective, efficient, and ethical management of a country’s resources and affairs.
  2. It is based on the principles of accountability, transparency, participation, and rule of law.
  3. Promotes a government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens.
  4. Transparency ensures that decisions and actions of the government are open and accessible to the public.
  5. Accountability implies that government officials are answerable for their actions and decis

Anti-defection law (10th Schedule)

  1. The Anti-Defection Law is contained in the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India.
  2. It was added by the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 to address the problem of political defection.
  3. Defection refers to the act of a legislator switching parties after being elected on a party ticket.
  4. The law aims to ensure stability in governments by discouraging legislators from changing their political allegiance.
  5. It applies to both the Parliament and the State Legislatures

Political parties: National and regional

  1. Political parties are essential for the functioning of a democratic system.
  2. India has a multi-party system with a mix of national and regional parties.
  3. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for recognizing political parties.
  4. A National Party must fulfill specific criteria such as obtaining at least 6% of the valid votes in at least four states and winning a minimum of four seats in the Lok Sabha.
  5. A Regional (State) Party is recognized if it secures at lea

Electoral reforms and challenges

  1. Electoral reforms aim to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in a democratic system.
  2. The introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has reduced instances of ballot tampering and improved efficiency.
  3. The Model Code of Conduct ensures that political parties and candidates follow ethical practices during elections.
  4. The NOTA (None of the Above) option empowers voters to reject all candidates on the ballot.
  5. Implementation of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

Election Commission of India: Structure, powers, and functions

  1. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for conducting elections in India.
  2. Established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
  3. The ECI is responsible for elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and offices of the President and Vice President.
  4. The Commission consists of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and a variable number of Election Commissioners.
  5. Initially, the ECI was a single-member body, bu