Q.10063·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyAccountability, or the lack of it, in governance generally, and civil services, in particular, is a major factor underlying the deficiencies in governance and public administration. Designing an effective framework for accountability has been a key element of the reform agenda. A fundamental issue is whether civil services should be accountable to the political executive of the day or to society at large. In other words, how should internal and external accountability be reconciled? Internal accountability is sought to be achieved by internal performance monitoring, official supervision by bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission and Comptroller and Auditor General, and judicial review of executive decisions. Articles 311 and 312 of the Indian Constitution provide job security and safeguards to the civil services, especially the All India Services. The framers of the Constitution had envisaged that provision of these safeguards would result in a civil service that is not totally subservient to the political executive but will have the strength to function in larger public interest. The need to balance internal and external accountability is thus built into the Constitution. The issue is where to draw the line. Over the years, the emphasis seems to have tilted in favour of greater internal accountability of the civil services to the political leaders of the day, who in turn are expected to be externally accountable to the society at large through the election process. This system for seeking accountability to society has not worked out, and has led to several adverse consequences for governance. Some special measures can be considered for improving accountability in civil services. Provisions of articles 311 and 312 should be reviewed and laws and regulations framed to ensure external accountability of civil services. The proposed Civil Services Bill seeks to address some of these requirements. The respective roles of professional civil services and the political executive should be defined so that professional managerial functions and management of civil services are depoliticized. For this purpose, effective statutory civil service boards should be created at the centre and in the states. Decentralization and devolution of authority to bring government and decision making closer to the people also helps to enhance accountability. With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made: 1.Political executive is an obstacle to the accountability of the civil services to the society 2.In the present framework of Indian polity, the political executive is no longer accountable to the society Which of these assumptions is/are valid?View question
Q.10064·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyWhat is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? 1. Both were built in the same period. 2. Both belong to the same religious denomination. 3. Both have rock-cut monuments. Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.10065·Miscellaneous·2016·Easy‘SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims atView question
Q.10067·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyWith reference to ‘Bitcoins’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries. 2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address. 3. Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other. Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.10068·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyConsider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC 2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.10069·Miscellaneous·2016·Easy“Gadgil Committee Report” and “Kasturirangan Committee Report”, sometimes seen in the news, are related to:View question
Q.10070·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyConsider the following: 1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee 2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation 3. Indian Reform Association Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above? Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.10071·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyWhich of the following is not a member of the “Gulf Cooperation Council”?View question
Q.10073·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyIn which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found? 1. Cambay Basin 2. Cauvery Basin 3. Krishna-Godavari Basin Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.10075·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyThe plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War:View question
Q.10076·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyRegarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers. 2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme. 3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber's death. Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.10077·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyThe term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as:View question
Q.10078·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyOn which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label? 1. Ceiling fans 2. Electric geysers 3. Tubular fluorescent lamps Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.10079·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyIndia is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?View question
Q.10080·Miscellaneous·2016·EasyIn the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: Term Description 1. Eripatti Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank 2. Taniyurs Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins 3. Ghatikas Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?View question