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General Studies 2021 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Evaluate

GS Paper II — Q4

To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

आपकी दृष्टि में, भारत में कार्यपालिका की जवाबदेही को निश्चित करने में संसद कहाँ तक समर्थ है? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Parliament's accountability of the executive rests on Article 75(3), with Articles 85 and 118 enabling sessions and rules for oversight. Question Hour, Zero Hour, Calling Attention Motion and Short Duration Discussions force ministers to explain policy and expenditure, while PAC, Estimates Committee and DRSCs scrutinise spending, estimates and policy; PAC follows non-partisan convention, DRSCs mirror party strength. Yet effectiveness is constrained: 10th Schedule curbs independent voting on party-line matters, disruptions consume time, research support is thin, majority governments dominate, ordinance misuse bypasses scrutiny, and legislative time is limited. No-confidence motions, though rarely used, remain in practice a constitutional check in minority situations. Live streaming has improved transparency, but the expected rise in committee referrals post-2014 is not supported by falling referral shares. Thus Parliament can expose, question and check the executive, but its constitutional promise remains partially unrealised; stronger independent research, protected dissent and consistent committee use are needed.

What "Evaluate" is asking you to do

Judge how well something has performed against the standard it set for itself — its stated aim, mandate or promise — and commit to a verdict. Name the yardstick before you judge; an unanchored judgement reads as opinion.

Structure that answers it

Name the yardstick — stated aim, mandate or benchmark → performance against it → shortfall against it → why the gap exists → verdict

Where marks are lost

Presenting both sides and then declining to decide, or delivering a verdict against a standard you never stated, which makes it look arbitrary.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 Paper 2: Governance & Constitutional Mechanisms. evaluate: criteria > evidence > balanced judgment Full marks: Analytical, cites specific mechanisms, identifies bottlenecks, offers realistic reform.

Key points expected

  • Cite specific constitutional tools (Q.138, Art. 193, Art. 117)
  • Identify structural bottlenecks (e.g., majority dominance, time limits)
  • Provide a concrete example of oversight failure or success
  • Conclude with a realistic reform or institutional strengthening

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Assess the effectiveness of Parliament's oversight mechanisms over the executive. 10 marks · 150 words

    evaluate— criteria → evidence → balanced judgment

    Must cover

    • Cite specific constitutional tools (Q.138, Art. 193, Art. 117)
    • Identify structural bottlenecks (e.g., majority dominance, time limits)
    • Provide a concrete example of oversight failure or success
    • Conclude with a realistic reform or institutional strengthening

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Articles without explaining their practical application
    • Adopting an activist tone rather than analytical
    • Ending without a reform or way forward

    Earns more

    • Mention role of Parliamentary Committees (Estimates, Public Accounts)
    • Reference the concept of 'Collective Responsibility' (Art. 75)
    • Discuss the impact of the 'No Confidence Motion' mechanism
    • Mention the role of the Opposition in ensuring accountability

    Extra mark

    • Cite 2nd ARC recommendations on parliamentary reform
    • Reference a specific Supreme Court judgment on executive accountability

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

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