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Glossary Terms
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Public policy | Authoritative government decisions to address public problems | Core T105 concept |
| Policy cycle | Six-stage framework: Problem ID to Evaluation | Analytical framework |
| Agenda setting | Process by which issues get onto government's priority list | Stage 2 of policy cycle |
| Implementation | Converting policy decisions into action on the ground | Core bottleneck concern |
| Last-mile delivery | Final delivery step from government system to beneficiary | Key failure point |
| MKSS | Civil society body; RTI and social audit pioneer (Bhim, Rajsamand) | Rajasthan's governance legacy |
| Jan Sunwai | Public hearing format pioneered by MKSS | Accountability mechanism |
| Social audit | Independent community verification of scheme expenditure/quality | MGNREGS accountability |
| Jan Soochna Portal | Proactive disclosure platform for 100+ Rajasthan government schemes | Innovation (2019) |
| RTI | Right to Information Act 2005; citizens' right to access public records | Policy accountability |
| Fiscal Deficit | Excess of government expenditure over receipts (excluding borrowings) | Fiscal constraint |
| FRBM | Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act; limits deficit to 3% GSDP | State fiscal norm |
| DBT | Direct Benefit Transfer — scheme benefits directly to beneficiary's bank account | Anti-leakage mechanism |
| GGI | Good Governance Index by DARPG; ranks states on 58 governance indicators | Rajasthan: 18/20 |
| CAG | Comptroller and Auditor General; audits government accounts | Accountability institution |
| SAU | Social Audit Unit — independent body for MGNREGS social audit | District-level body |
| Contractor-politician nexus | Collusion between contractors and politicians inflating scheme costs | Political interference |
| Convergence | Coordination of multiple schemes targeting same beneficiary/area | Implementation challenge |
| Rajasthan Sampark | Centralized grievance helpline (181) for state government services | Grievance mechanism |
| Scheme leakage | Diversion of scheme benefits to ineligible persons | Implementation challenge |
Sources: Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26; DARPG Good Governance Index 2021; CAG Reports on Rajasthan 2018–2023; RPSC Mains PYQ 2013–2023; RPSC 2026 Official Syllabus; MKSS public documents; Ministry of Rural Development MGNREGS data 2024-25; Rajasthan Finance Department budget documents.