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

Q8

e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

अभिशासन के एक महत्वपूर्ण उपकरण के रूप में ई-शासन ने सरकारों में प्रभावशीलता, पारदर्शिता और जवाबदेही का आगाज कर दिया है। कौन-सी अपर्याप्तताएं इन विशेषताओं की अभिवृद्धि में बाधा बनती हैं? (150 शब्दों में उत्तर) 10

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'explain' requires clarifying the causal relationship between e-governance's stated benefits (effectiveness, transparency, accountability) and the barriers preventing their full realization. Structure: brief acknowledgment of e-governance benefits → systematic categorization of inadequacies (digital divide, infrastructure, legal, institutional) → forward-looking conclusion on bridging gaps.

Key points expected

Digital divide and low digital literacy limiting citizen access (rural-urban gap, gender disparity)
Inadequate digital infrastructure (connectivity issues, server downtime, cybersecurity vulnerabilities)
Legal and regulatory gaps (absence of data protection law until recently, weak cybercrime enforcement)
Institutional and procedural bottlenecks (siloed databases, lack of interoperability, resistance to change)
Accountability mechanisms not keeping pace (difficulty in fixing responsibility for digital service failures)
Citizen-centric design gaps (complex interfaces, lack of grievance redressal integration)

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Clearly recognizes that the question asks for barriers to e-governance's promised benefits, not a general critique of e-governance; maintains focus on inadequacies that specifically hamper effectiveness, transparency and accountability	Partially addresses the question but drifts into general e-governance challenges or lists benefits without linking to specific inadequacies	Misinterprets the directive as asking for benefits of e-governance or provides an unfocused laundry list unrelated to the three specified features
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Covers 4-5 distinct inadequacy categories with precise, factually accurate details; demonstrates awareness of recent developments like DPDP Act 2023, PMGDISHA, and specific portal limitations	Identifies 2-3 inadequacy categories with basic accuracy but lacks specificity or contains minor factual errors; misses recent policy context	Superficial treatment with vague statements like 'poor infrastructure'; significant factual errors or anachronistic references; conflates causes and effects
Structure & flow	20%	2	Logical progression from infrastructure → human capital → institutional → legal inadequacies; smooth transitions; each paragraph directly tied to hampering effectiveness, transparency or accountability	Acceptable organization but some categories overlap or sequencing is arbitrary; occasional disconnect between stated inadequacy and its impact on the three features	Disorganized or fragmented; no clear categorization; abrupt shifts; word limit mismanagement with disproportionate sections
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Deploys 2-3 specific, current examples: rural broadband penetration data (BharatNet gaps), specific portal failures (CoWIN glitches, UMANG limitations), or state comparisons (Kerala vs. BIMARU states); references MeitY reports or Digital India targets vs. achievements	One relevant example or generic references like 'Common Service Centres' without specificity; examples not tightly linked to the three features	No examples, or irrelevant/outdated ones (pre-2014 schemes without context); hypothetical illustrations instead of factual grounding
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Concise synthesis emphasizing that technological solutionism without institutional reform is inadequate; suggests specific remedy (e.g., digital public infrastructure approach, participatory design) or flags emerging challenges (AI governance, algorithmic accountability)	Generic positive conclusion about 'need for political will' or 'holistic approach' without specificity; merely summarizes points made	No conclusion, or abrupt ending; contradictory final statement; conclusion introduces new inadequacies not discussed in body

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