Public Section Preview
Glossary
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Social Audit | Community-based verification of government programme implementation | MGNREGS, MKSS |
| Jan Sunwai | Public hearing where community presents audit findings | Social audit process |
| MKSS | NGO (Aruna Roy); pioneered Jan Sunwai in Rajasthan 1990s | Social audit origin |
| SAU | Independent State-level Social Audit Unit for MGNREGS | Social audit mechanism |
| Generalist | IAS officer with broad administrative skills, rotates departments | Gen-Spec debate |
| Specialist | Domain expert (engineer, doctor, economist) in administration | Gen-Spec debate |
| Domain Specialisation | 2nd ARC recommendation: IAS chooses 2–3 sectors for career | Reform |
| Sarkaria Commission | 1983–87; R.S. Sarkaria; 247 recommendations on Centre-State relations | PYQ |
| Punchhi Commission | 2007–10; M.M. Punchhi; reviewed Sarkaria in coalition era | Centre-State |
| Article 256 | States must comply with Central laws; Centre can direct States | Centre-State |
| Article 257 | States must not impede Union executive power | Centre-State |
| Article 263 | Inter-State Council — established 1990 | Centre-State coord. |
| Inter-State Council | PM-chaired coordination body; all CMs members; rare meetings | Centre-State |
| President's Rule | Article 356 — federal imposition of Centre rule in a State | Centre-State tension |
| S.R. Bommai (1994) | SC — President's Rule subject to judicial review; floor test required | Art. 356 curb |
| First ARC | 1966–70; Morarji Desai; 20 reports; recommended PMO, DOPT | Reform |
| Second ARC | 2005–08; Moily; 15 reports; wide-ranging reforms | Reform |
| Paul Appleby | American PA expert; 1953/56 India reports; defended generalists | Gen-Spec |
| Ashok Mehta Committee | 1977; specialists should head technical departments | Gen-Spec |
| Ministerial Responsibility | Minister accountable to Parliament for department's actions | Minister-CS |
| NPM | New Public Management — market principles in public admin (1990s) | Reform theory |
| Citizens' Charter | Service standards document; 2nd ARC recommended legal backing | NPM India |
| RTI Act 2005 | Right to Information — transparency and accountability tool | 2nd ARC recommendation |
| Civil Services Act | Proposed legislation to codify service rules (not yet enacted) | Reform |
| Action Taken Report | Government's response to social audit findings | Social audit accountability |
Sources: Constitution of India (Articles 256–263, 312); Sarkaria Commission Report (1988); Punchhi Commission Report (2010); S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994); MGNREGA Section 17; MoRD Social Audit Rules 2011; 2nd ARC Reports (2005–08); Paul Appleby Reports (1953, 1956); RPSC Mains PYQs 2013–2023; Avasthi & Maheshwari, Public Administration; M.P. Singh, Indian Administration.