2021 · GS Paper 2 · Q18 · 15 marks
Can Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative model.
In short
Civil society and NGOs can offer an alternative model of public service delivery that innovates, reaches the last mile and audits the state, but as a complement rather than a substitute. Chhattisgarh's Mitanin programme, which became the template for ASHA workers, shows the state scaling an NGO innovation.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 301 words
Innovation the state scales
Chhattisgarh's Mitanin programme (2002), built with civil society, became the template for the national ASHA cadre.
Last-mile delivery
Akshaya Patra cooks PM POSHAN meals in several states, and Gram Vikas brought piped water and toilets to every household in its Odisha villages.
Accountability from below
MKSS social audits in Rajasthan let citizens verify public spending.
Scale and sustainability
Most successes are local and depend on a founder or donor.
Funding squeeze
The FCRA Amendment 2020 banned sub-granting and capped administrative costs at 20 per cent.
Credibility deficit
A 2015 CBI survey found only about one in ten of some 31 lakh NGOs filed annual returns.
Equity and legitimacy
NGOs cluster in accessible areas, risk elite capture and are not answerable to voters.
Partnership, not substitution
Treat NGOs as delivery partners, as the National Policy on the Voluntary Sector (2007) proposed.
Pay for outcomes
Scale results-based contracts like the Educate Girls impact bond in Rajasthan.
Transparency
Mandate NGO Darpan registration and public accounts.
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NGOs5 questions
Asked in 4 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2023Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women's effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.
- 2016"In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal." Critically examine this statement.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021 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.