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General Studies 2023 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Comment

GS Paper II — Q3

"The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially." Comment. (Answer in…

"The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially." Comment. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

"भारत के राज्य शहरी स्थानीय निकायों को कार्यात्मक एवं वित्तीय दोनों ही रूप से सशक्त बनाने के प्रति अनिच्छुक प्रतीत होते हैं।" टिप्पणी कीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर) 10 marks

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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.

The reluctance is real. Though the 74th CAA created municipalities, Article 243W lists 18 subjects, including urban planning, water supply and slum improvement, yet many states keep these in parastatals or departments, leaving ULBs with paper devolution. Financially, Article 243-I mandates SFCs to review municipal finances, while Article 243Y sets financial principles; but SFC recommendations are advisory, states often ignore them, devolve little tax revenue, and ULBs remain dependent on grants with weak own revenue sources. The 2nd ARC and 15th Finance Commission have flagged poor devolution, weak SFC implementation, and shortfalls against the 15th FC’s 41% devolution recommendation; in Maharashtra, BMC’s finances and functions remain tightly controlled by the state. This reflects a political economy of control: bureaucratic resistance, fear of losing patronage networks, and fragmented governance. True empowerment needs states to transfer Schedule XII functions, implement SFC recommendations, create own revenue sources and build accountable urban governance.

What "Comment" is asking you to do

Take a position on the statement and support it. Comment usually attaches to a quoted line in the short slots, so the reasoning must be compressed — an opening view, a few load-bearing reasons, and the limit of the claim.

Structure that answers it

Unpack what the statement asserts → your stance → two or three supporting reasons → the qualification that limits it

Where marks are lost

Neutral summary; a comment without a stance has not answered. Equally costly is accepting the quoted line wholesale and never testing where it fails.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 Governance: Local Government & Urban Development. comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close Full marks: Balanced judgment with specific examples of state reluctance and constitutional context.

Key points expected

  • Cite 74th Amendment (Art 243) intent for ULB empowerment
  • Analyze functional reluctance (state control over functions)
  • Analyze financial reluctance (state control over funds/taxes)
  • Provide a balanced judgment on the 'reluctance' claim

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Contextualize state reluctance to empower ULBs and provide a balanced judgment on functional/financial constraints. 10 marks · 150 words

    comment— context → arguments both sides → judgment → close

    Must cover

    • Cite 74th Amendment (Art 243) intent for ULB empowerment
    • Analyze functional reluctance (state control over functions)
    • Analyze financial reluctance (state control over funds/taxes)
    • Provide a balanced judgment on the 'reluctance' claim

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Article 243 without analyzing state behavior
    • Focusing only on financial issues, ignoring functional aspects
    • Ending without a clear judgment or reform suggestion

    Earns more

    • Mention 15th Finance Commission grants
    • Reference 2nd ARC recommendations on urban governance
    • Cite specific state examples (e.g., Maharashtra, Karnataka)
    • Discuss the 'Three Fs' (Functions, Funds, Functionaries)

    Extra mark

    • Cite Supreme Court judgment on ULB autonomy
    • Reference specific Law Commission report on urban local bodies

Practice this exact question

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