Governance, Transparency & E-governance — UPSC Questions
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Previous year questions and Mains practice questions on this exact syllabus topic, collected from every GainingSun analysis mapped to it. Each question links back to the analysis it came from, so you can read the material behind the answer.
Previous year questions (from 4 analyses)
Questions UPSC has set on this syllabus topic, as cited in our analyses.
Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2020)
From PHP2Shell Explained: Web Security Flaws, AI and India’s Cyber Preparedness
Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2017)
From SBI Data Leak Explained: Bank Cybersecurity and India’s Data Protection Framework
Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? (UPSC Mains GS3, 2023)
From Claude Fable 5 and Mythos AI: Why Frontier AI Safety Matters for India
In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2015)
What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyse the agriculture subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2013)
From Fertiliser Subsidy Burden Set to Double: Hormuz Crisis, Urea Imports & NBS Explained
Mains practice questions (from 20 analyses)
Practice questions written for this topic, each tied to the current affairs that would answer it.
“Security weaknesses in widely used software can become governance failures across many unrelated organisations.” Examine in the context of PHP2Shell. Discuss the measures India should adopt to strengthen software-dependency security, responsible AI use and continuity of digital public services. (250 words)
From PHP2Shell Explained: Web Security Flaws, AI and India’s Cyber Preparedness
A banking-data breach can harm customers even when core banking services remain unaffected. Discuss the technological, regulatory and governance measures required to protect personal data and sustain trust in digital banking. (250 words)
From SBI Data Leak Explained: Bank Cybersecurity and India’s Data Protection Framework
As Artificial Intelligence emerges as a general-purpose technology, the absence of a common global governance framework risks both fragmenting innovation and creating "digital colonies." In this context, examine the institutional architecture being built for global AI governance and discuss how India can safeguard the interests of the Global South. (250 words, 15 marks)
From Global AI Governance Explained: UN AI Panel, Trusted AI Commons & the Global South
India’s AI ambitions must balance innovation, strategic autonomy and democratic accountability. Discuss the risks of an unchecked AI growth model and suggest a framework for responsible AI governance in India.
From Explained: India’s AI Growth Path and the Need for Responsible AI Governance
Frontier AI models create both transformative opportunities and serious dual-use risks. Discuss the need for a risk-based AI governance framework in India with reference to cybersecurity, data protection and responsible innovation.
From Claude Fable 5 and Mythos AI: Why Frontier AI Safety Matters for India
India's fertiliser subsidy regime, while ensuring affordability for farmers, has created fiscal and agronomic distortions and exposed the country to global supply shocks. Critically examine, with reference to recent disruptions in global fertiliser supply chains. (250 words, 15 marks)
From Fertiliser Subsidy Burden Set to Double: Hormuz Crisis, Urea Imports & NBS Explained
"AI-generated text is increasingly difficult to distinguish from human writing, and detection tools remain imperfect." Examine the working and limitations of AI text-detection technologies, and discuss their implications for academic integrity, creative authorship and governance. (15 marks, 250 words)
From AI Text Detection Explained: 'AI Tells', Machine Learning and the Limits of These Tools
"The reduction of key indicators in the NFHS-6 factsheet has reignited the debate between data harmonisation and statistical transparency in India." In this context, examine the importance of independent, comparable health survey data for evidence-based policymaking, and suggest measures to balance efficiency with accountability in India's official statistical system. (250 words, GS Paper II — Governance)
The shift to On-Screen Marking by CBSE illustrates both the promise and the perils of technology-driven reform in India's public examination system. In light of this, critically examine the principles that should govern the adoption of e-governance in high-stakes public services, and suggest measures to balance efficiency with fairness and accountability. (15 marks, 250 words)
From CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) Explained: Why Class 12 Digital Evaluation Faced Backlash
"Justice delayed is justice denied." In light of the Supreme Court's recent directions on the timely pronouncement of reserved judgments, examine how judicial delay impinges on the right to personal liberty under Article 21. Discuss the balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in this context. (250 words)
From SC's 3-Month Rule for Reserved Judgments Explained: Article 142, Right to Speedy Trial & Article 21
Discuss the technical challenges in maintaining reliability of launch vehicles like PSLV and suggest measures for ISRO to strengthen India's space program in light of recent failures.
Discuss the role of technology in enhancing linguistic inclusivity in India's parliamentary system, with reference to the recent AI translation initiative for proceedings in scheduled languages.
Examine the role of artificial intelligence in modernizing the Indian judiciary, with special reference to tools like TERES and SUVAS, and discuss the potential challenges in ensuring equitable and unbiased justice delivery.
Discuss the transformative potential of AI foundation models like C2S-Scale in accelerating biomedical discoveries, particularly in oncology, while addressing the challenges of experimental validation and ethical integration in global health research.
Evaluate the vulnerabilities of global internet infrastructure due to dependence on major cloud providers, with reference to recent outages and their implications for digital economies.
Evaluate the impact of EPFO's recent reforms on partial withdrawals in balancing financial flexibility for employees with the need to preserve retirement corpus, in the context of India's social security challenges.
Discuss the significance of India's breakthrough in quantum random number generation for enhancing digital security, and analyze its implications for national self-reliance in emerging technologies.
Discuss the role of regulatory T cells in maintaining immune tolerance and evaluate the potential impact of the 2025 Nobel Prize discoveries on the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer in the Indian context.
Discuss the process of voter deletions from electoral rolls in India and analyze the challenges in preventing misuse, with reference to recent incidents like the Aland case.
Analyse how India’s latest GST reforms are designed to stimulate domestic consumption while balancing fiscal sustainability and market confidence, particularly in the backdrop of rising global trade challenges.
From India Unveils New GST Reforms to Boost Consumption and Growth