2016 · GS Paper 4 · Q2(a) · 10 marks
What do you understand by the terms 'governance', 'good governance' and 'ethical governance' ?
In short
Governance is how power is exercised, good governance is how well it is exercised against standards like rule of law and accountability, and ethical governance is whether it is exercised rightly. The 2nd ARC's 2007 report held that efficient systems alone cannot cure the ethical failure behind corruption.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 263 words
Governance as process
The World Bank (1992) defined governance as the manner in which power is exercised in managing a country's economic and social resources, a neutral description that fits any regime, democratic or not.
Good governance as quality
UNESCAP's eight features, including participation, rule of law, transparency, accountability, equity and responsiveness, add a normative yardstick; India gives them force through the RTI Act, 2005, citizen's charters and Sevottam.
Rightness over results
The 2nd ARC's report "Ethics in Governance" (2007) held that corruption is an ethical failure that efficient systems alone cannot cure.
Good is not always ethical
An RTI reply sent on the last legal day, or a hurried demolition, can be efficient yet unjust; the Supreme Court's November 2024 safeguards on demolitions restored Dignity-as-Floor.
Institutional conscience
The Nolan principles (1995), the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 and the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014 make integrity structural, while Gandhi's warning against "politics without principles" makes probity its personal core.
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Accountability and ethical governance7 questions
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.