essay on good governance in india

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Good Governance in India: Challenges and Prospects

Good governance emerged as a powerful idea when multilateral and bilateral agencies like World Bank, UNDP, OECD, ADB, etc realized that it is a citizen friendly, citizen caring and responsive administration. In absence of good governance, no development schemes can bring any improvement in the quality life of the citizens. On the other hand, if the power of the state, exercised in improper ways then the poor will suffer the most, as poor governance generates and reinforces corruption, poverty etc, so it is essential to strengthen the governance and it is also the precondition for to improve the lives of the poor. The concept of good governance plays important role in the modern governmental system. No doubt people are now a day " s very conscious and they are always aware about the day to day functioning of the government. So the government has to satisfy the general people and good governance creates an environment for this. India " s democratic experience of past six decades has clearly established that good governance must aim at expansion of social opportunities and removal of poverty. As in his famous " tryst with destiny " speech on 14 Aug, 1947, J.L.Nehru articulated the challenges to good governance as, ending of poverty and ignorance and disease

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SMART M O V E S J O U R N A L IJELLH

Abstract This Paper aims to sketch the concept of good governance especially in Indian context. The basic impact of good governance over the countrymen has also been elaborated herein. As a matter of fact the challenge for the society as a whole is to create a system of governance that promotes and supports human development –especially for the poorest and most margina

Professor Sanjeev K Sharma

IJIRSSC : International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture

The concept of “good governance” plays a very important role in the modern governmental system. Today people are very conscious and they always aware about the day today functioning of the Government. So the government also tries to satisfy the general people where good governance create an environment which fosters strong and equitable development and it is essential complement to sound economic policies. Our present Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tries to his best effort to establish good governance both at the centre as well as the states. The term “governance” refers to all process of governing undertaken by Government and non-governmental organizations including family. It is a processor the act or function of exercising authority to regulate affairs of man in a given territory. Governance maybe participatory as well as normative. Where the former given importance to the engagement of citizens in the process of governing the state whereas the normative concept of governance is ‘value loaded’ where importance is given to the concept of ‘Good Governance’. This paper is an attempt to discuss about the concept of Good governance and its implementation in the present administrative system of the country.

International Journal of Development Studies (IJDS) BHU, Varanasi

Dr. Rakesh Chandra

mysore nanjaiah ramesh

In the words of Kofi Annan “Good Governance is perhaps the single most important factor eradicating poverty and promoting development”. Governance is the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage an affairs at all levels. It consists of the mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate differences. Exercising power and decision-making for a group of people is called governance. It happens everywhere – from urban centers to rural villages – and the well being of a community depends on the choices made by people granted this authority. Because of the diversity of organizational structures around the world, people such as land lords, heads of associations, cooperatives, NGO’s, religious leaders, political parties and of course, government are all actors granted the power to govern. Good governance means securing justice, empowerment, employment and efficient delivery of service. Good governance identifies criminalization of politics and corruption are the major challenges. It also highlights shifts in meaning and content of national values of the freedom movement particularly those of nationalism, democracy, secularism, non-alignment, and mixed economy and its impact on the nitty gritty of administration as well as on the intellectual build up of the organs of the Indian State.

Ijahms bhopal

The philosophy of good governance has its origin dated back to the early days of human civilization. Today the term governance has come to occupy a central place in the development discourse. In recent years the word governance has became more fashionable term and is being used in a variety of ways and that covers a large number of organization both in public and private domains. Though, we are confining governance only to public domain.

Prof. Chouhan

AGPE the royal Gondwana research journal

Aarif M Waza

Good governance emerged as a powerful idea when the institutions like world Bank, UNDP, OECD etc. realized that it is citizen friendly, citizen caring and responsive administration. Good governance is measured by eight factors of participation, rule of law, transpiracy, responsiveness, consensus oriented, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency and accountability. These characteristics are mostly related to government and government organizations but the purpose of this study is to discuss about the role and responsibilities of the people living in the country to promote good governance. Good governance is only possible when both the government and the citizens of the country are loyal and responsible towards building the growth and development of the nation. In this study we will discuss about the responsibilities that lies on the shoulders of the citizens to help the government to promote good governance.

Divya Sharma

This paper makes an effort to provide a framework for good governance in India by identifying its essential features and shortcomings in its working and emphasizes need for innovative approaches. No theory of governance could be intelligible unless it is seen in the context of its time. India's democratic experience of the past six decades has clearly established that good governance must aim at expansion of social opportunities and removal of poverty. Good governance, according to the author, means securing justice, empowerment, employment and efficient delivery of services. The paper deals with these subjects in detail and also analyses administrative and political faultlines. It identifies criminalization of politics and corruption as two major challenges. It also highlights shifts in meaning and content of national values of the freedom movement particularly those of nationalism, democracy, secularism, non-alignment, and mixed economy and its impact on the nitty gritty of administration as well as on the intellectual build up of the organs of the Indian State. The paper lists several areas of concern that need to be addressed energetically and calls for synergy of efforts between government, the market and the civil society. Innovations are generally taking place. There are, however, two areas that need special attention by innovators, namely, economic empowerment of women and livelihood programmes based on local resources and upgraded skills. The need is to formulate a national strategy that accords primacy to the Gandhian principle of 'antodaya' without sacrificing growth and by making instruments of State accountable for good governance. Meaning As a student of political science, one was taught that the essential features of the State included: (i) a definite territory; (ii) population; (iii) government; and (iv) sovereignty. The government is viewed as an agency or machinery through which the will of the State is formulated, expressed and realised. While this traditional distinction between the state and the government holds, the role of the government and nature of governance have been changing from time to time and even at a given point of time there is considerable variation when the form of government is a democracy or otherwise. 1

Journal Space and Culture, India Open access Journal

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Good Governance - Introduction, Definition & Characteristics [UPSC GS-II]

The actions that a government takes to manage its affairs in a state or a country are to be called governance. It can be positive or negative; good or bad keeping in a note the outcomes of the governance and how the citizens/public receive them. Good governance is a term of increasing importance in today’s world order. It is commonly discussed both in the national and international arena and hence becomes important for IAS Exam .

Good Governance Introduction

The concept of good governance is not a new concept, even though it seems to be the buzzword now for major organisations and aid-givers to evaluate whether aid should be given to countries or not.

• In India, the concept was talked about in the Arthashastra , authored by Chanakya. He mentions the characteristics of a good king thus, “In the happiness of his subjects lies his happiness, in their welfare his welfare; whatever pleases himself, he does not consider as good, but whatever pleases his subjects he considers as good.”
• Mahatma Gandhi had also given the term ‘Su- Raaj’ literally meaning good governance.
• Governance can be defined as ‘the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented.’
• Governance refers to the decision-making and administration involved at any level, i.e., national, regional, local, corporate, family, etc.
• Government is a key actor in governance.
• Depending upon the level of governance talked about, other actors would be cooperatives, bodies, associations, unions, NGOs, religious leaders, influential landlords, industry, political parties, finance institutions, lobbies, think tanks, military, etc.
• In governance, all actors apart from the government and the military are called ‘civil society’.
• In some areas, organised crime syndicates such as the land mafia can also influence decision-making and hence, governance.
• An important point to note is that citizens are at the core of good governance. Hence, citizen-centric administration and good governance go hand in hand.

Good Governance Definition

• The World Bank defines governance as ‘how power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development.’
• According to a document released by the World Bank in 1992 titled, ‘Governance and Development’, good governance is an essential complement to sound economic policies and is central to creating and sustaining an environment which fosters strong and equitable development.
• Capacity and efficiency in public sector management
• Accountability
• Legal framework for the development
• Information and transparency
• Because of the close link between corruption and poor governance, many international organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are preconditioning their aid to countries on the guarantee that the recipient countries undertake good governance practices.
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has defined governance as ‘the rules of the political system to solve conflicts between actors and adopt decision (legality).’
• The definition given by the Commission on Global Governance (1995) describes governance as ‘the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their common affairs. It is a continuing process through which conflicting or diverse interests may be accommodated and cooperative action may be taken. It includes formal institutions and regimes empowered to enforce compliance, as well as informal arrangements that people and institutions either have agreed to or perceive to be in their interest.’

Good Governance Characteristics

The United Nations (UN) has given 8 major characteristics of good governance. They are briefly described below:

Good Governance – Participation

• A vital cornerstone of good governance is participation by all sections of society.
• This includes men and women, vulnerable sections of society, backward classes, minorities, etc.
• Representative democracy does not necessarily translate into the representation of all people. This is where good governance comes into play.
• Participation also implies freedom of association and expression.

Good Governance – Transparency

• This means easy access to information to all concerned and especially to those being affected by the decisions made.
• This also implies information is available to the media.
• Another important facet is that all decisions are taken and enforced in such a manner that all rules and regulations are followed.

Good Governance – Rule of Law

• Rule of law warrants that fair legal frameworks are implemented impartially.
• It also means protection of human rights.
• This also requires an adequate and impartial judiciary and police force.

Good Governance – Responsiveness

• This implies that processes and institutions should serve all stakeholders within a reasonable time frame.

Good Governance – Consensus oriented

• Consensus oriented decision-making ensures that even if everyone does not achieve what they want to the fullest, a common minimum can be achieved by everyone which will not be detrimental to anyone.
• Good governance is consensus-oriented. A broad consensus should be reached by proper mediation.
• For this, a proper understanding of the society’s historical, cultural and social contexts is needed; along with sustainable human development.

Good Governance – Equity and inclusiveness

• Good governance assures an equitable society.
• In such a society, no one or no section feels left out and marginalized.
• Opportunities should be given to all irrespective of their backgrounds, and no one should be discriminated.

Good Governance – Effectiveness and efficiency

• Good governance implies that institutions and processes create results that meet the wants of society while making optimal use of resources at their disposal.
• This also encompasses the sustainable use of natural resources and the conservation of the environment.

Good Governance – Accountability

• This is a key trait of good governance.
• Accountability is not possible without the rule of law and transparency.
• Accountability should be there not just for the government, but also for citizens, the private sector, industry, NGOs, and all stakeholders.

Necessary Pre-Conditions For Good Governance

A study of the hindrances to good governance shows that many preconditions must be satisfied to make governance citizen-centric. A few of the preconditions are given below:

• Effective legal framework
• Sound and effective institutional mechanism for correct implementation of laws
• Competent employees manning these institutions and efficient personnel management policies
• Apt policies for delegation, decentralization and fixing accountability.

Also, several tools can also be used to make the citizen-centric administration . These are listed below:

• Re-engineering processes
• Adopting correct modern technology
• Right to information
• Citizens’ charters
• Independent services’ evaluation
• Grievance redressal mechanisms (Read the components of redressal mechanism in the linked article.)
• Active citizens’ participation – public-private partnerships

Now, one may read about the barriers to good governance in the linked article.

Good Governance – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

Frequently Asked Questions on Good Governance

Q 1. what is meant by good governance, q 2. what are the 8 characteristics of good governance.

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Good governance, its principles, and Initiatives in India

• Post author: Civil Panda
• Post published: October 14, 2022
• Post category: MPPSC / MPPSC Paper 2 / UPSC / VYAPAM
• Post comments: 4 Comments

Hello Aspirants !! Civil Panda now comes with an article related to “Good Governance” and its associated facts and information, which will be helpful for your UPSC and MPPSC examinations.

This article relates to MPPSC MAINS PAPER 2 PART A Good Governance.

Table of Contents

Good Governance

The concept of ‘Good Governance’ refers to the welfare in governance and improving the quality of governance. It enables the Government to provide equal opportunities and fair delivery of goods and services to the most marginal people in society.

Good governance refers to mobilizing the people of a country in the best direction possible. It requires the unity of people in society and motivates them to attain political objectivity. In other words; It ensures proper utilization of all the state’s resources for its citizens, ensuring sustainable development.

Definition of Good Governance:

• According to the World Bank (1992) , “good governance is central to creating and sustaining an environment which fosters strong and equitable development, and it is an essential complement to sound economic policies.”
• According to UNDP , “Good Governance is, among other things, participatory, transparent, and accountable. It is also effective and equitable. And it promotes the rule of law. Good governance ensures that political, social, and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision-making over allocating development resources”.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has defined Good governance “as a broad concept covering all aspects of how a country is governed, including its economic policies, regulatory framework, and adherence to the rule of law.”

Mohit Bhattacharya (2013) has discussed the recent developments of good governance in three ways:

• It attempts to widen the scope of public administration by going beyond the formal Government.
• It is an externally dictated term invented to prescribe aid conditional.
• It is a more genuinely democratic intensifying concept- to make public administration more open, transparent, and accountable.

Eight principles of Good governance by the United Nations

§ participation:.

o People should be able to voice their opinions through legitimate immediate organizations or representatives.

o This includes men and women, vulnerable sections of society, backward classes, minorities, etc.

o Participation also implies freedom of association and expression.

§ Rule of Law:

o Legal framework should be enforced impartially, especially on human rights laws.

o Without the rule of law, politics will follow the principle of Matsya Nyaya, i.e., the law of fish, which means the strong will prevail over the weak.

§ Consensus-Oriented:

o Consensus-oriented decision-making ensures that even if everyone does not achieve what they want to the fullest, a typical minimum can be achieved by everyone, which will not be detrimental to anyone.

o It mediates differing interests to meet the broad consensus on the best interests of a community.

§ Equity and Inclusiveness:

o Good governance assures an equitable society.

o People should have opportunities to improve or maintain their well-being.

§ Effectiveness and Efficiency:

o Processes and institutions should be able to produce results that meet the needs of their community.

o Resources of the community should be used effectively for maximum output.

§ Accountability:

o Good governance aims toward the betterment of people, which can not occur without the Government being accountable to the people.

o Governmental institutions, private sectors, and civil society organizations should be held accountable to the public and institutional stakeholders.

§ Transparency:

o Information should be accessible to the public, understandable, and monitored.

o It also means free media and access to information.

§ Responsiveness:

o Institutions and processes should serve all stakeholders in a reasonable period.

Features of Good Governance:

• Good education facilities offered by the Government having greater employability,

• Development of basic infrastructures like roads, bridges, power, telecom, airport, irrigation, and transport

• Safety of public life, property, peaceful law and order,

• Creating new employment opportunities in the Government and private sectors,

• Effectiveness and efficiency of working of Government and its staff,

• Good business environment with a free-market economy,

• Reducing inequalities in society through positive discrimination in favor of the poorest of the poor

• Providing total freedom of speech, religion, work, and attitude of non-interference by Government.

• Provision of more concessions to citizens and free from bias.

• Good business environment.

• Citizen-centric services.

Strategies for good governance

• Reorienting priorities of the state through appropriate investment in human needs

• Provision of social safety nets for the poor and marginalized

• Strengthening state institutions

• Introducing appropriate reforms in the functioning of Parliament and increasing its effectiveness

• Enhancing Civil Services capacity through appropriate reform measures that match performance and Accountability

• Forging new alliances with civil society, NGOs, etc.

• Evolving a new framework for government-business cooperation

Dimensions of Governance in India

• Political Dimension
• Legal & Judicial Dimension of Governance
• Administrative Dimension of Governance
• Economic Dimension of Governance
• Social and Environmental Dimension of Governance

Importance of Good Governance

The importance of good governance in a state is immense. Sustainable development is not possible without good governance.

• Economic Development – Without good governance in a state, that state’s economic development is not stable. All elements of economic growth, such as production, distribution, investment, and even consumption, face various obstacles. If good governance is established, such barriers will be removed, and the fair allocation of state resources will be possible.
• Social Development – Good governance is essential for social development. Its role of it does not end only with economic growth. The result of development ensures that every class in society enjoys basis of fairness. People of different religions, castes, and classes live in a society. Now, if there is no fair distribution of wealth among all these people, social discontent will increase. Again, the proper distribution of wealth is not enough. We have to make arrangements so that minority people can walk without fear. In the same way, various reform laws have to be enacted to reduce the gap between men and women in society.
• Political Development: Its relationship with political development is quite important. If a country’s political leaders are not active in establishing good governance, then its establishment in that country is not possible. Its success depends mainly on the sincerity of the political leadership and adherence to the rules and regulations of the political establishment. The constructive cooperation between the political institutions and the political parties and the formulation of programs for the welfare of the people play an essential role in establishing good competition and good governance among themselves. For example, in a democracy, cooperation between the Government and the opposition helps to establish it in the country.

Good Governance Initiatives in India

India has to make giant leaps to improve its governance records. Multiple steps have been taken in this regard. For example, the two most significant initiatives taken in India for empowering the ordinary person and effective functioning of governance include the Right to Information Act and E-governance measures.

Good governance initiatives can be summarized as follows:

• Decentralization and People’s Participation – 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendment Act.
• Developing programs for weaker sections and backward areas.
• Financial management (FRBM) and budget sanctity.
• Simplification of procedures and processes – Single window system and online approvals
• Citizen’s Charters
• Sevottam model
• Redress of Citizen’s Grievances – Lokpal and Lokayukta
• E-Governance and use of ICT tools
• Public service morale & anti‐corruption measures
• Transparency and Accountability measures:

A. Right to Information.

B. Social Audits.

11. Aspirational Districts Programme

12. Police Reforms: Modernizing police forces and implementing the Model Police Act of 2015.

The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG)

• The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) is an autonomous institute under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India. Its head office is in New Delhi, and its branch is in Mussoorie.
• The NCGG has been set up to assist in bringing about governance reforms through studies, training, knowledge sharing, and promotion of good ideas.
• It seeks to carry out policy-relevant research and prepare case studies; curate training courses for civil servants from India and other developing countries; provide a platform for sharing existing knowledge and pro-actively seek out and develop ideas for their implementation in the Government, both at the National & International Level.
• The National Centre for Good Governance traces its origin to the National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR). NIAR was set up in 1995 by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), The Government of India’s apex training Institution for higher civil services.
• During its 19 years of existence, it provided research and training support to the Academy in areas of public administration. NIAR was subsequently rechristened with an expanded mandate, National Centre for Good Governance, inaugurated on February 24th, 2014.

Minimum Government, Maximum Governance Philosophy:

• It focuses on citizen-friendly and accountable administration.

• Simplification of procedures, identification, and repeal of obsolete/archaic laws/rules, leveraging technology to bring Transparency in the public interface, and a robust public grievance redress system are some factors.

• On these lines, Digital India has helped the Ministry of Panchayati Raj move to 100% e-office.

• Ease of Doing Business also focuses on ease of governance. The emphasis has been on simplifying and rationalizing existing rules and introducing information technology to make governance more efficient and effective.

• [email protected] is a citizen-centric platform to empower people to connect with the Government and contribute towards good governance.

• PMO website also seeks expert advice from the people, thoughts, and ideas on various topics that concern India.

Challenges to Good Governance

Criminalization of politics :.

• According to the Association of Democratic Reforms, 43% of Members of the Parliaments of Lok Sabha 2019 face criminal charges. It is a 26% increase as compared to 2014.
• The criminalization of the political process and the unholy nexus between politicians, civil servants, and business houses have a baneful influence on public policy formulation and governance.
• The political class, as such, Is losing respect. Therefore, it is necessary to amend Section 8 of the Representation of the People’s Act 1951 to disqualify a person against whom the criminal charges that relate to the grave and heinous offenses and corruption are pending.
• Corruption is a major obstacle in improving the quality of governance. While human greed is obviously a driver of corruption, the structural incentives and poor enforcement system to punish the corrupt have contributed to India’s rising curve of graft.
• According to the Corruption Perception Index – 2019 (Transparency International, India’s ranking has slipped from 78 to 80.

Gender Disparity

• According to Swami Vivekananda, “it is impossible to think about the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. a bird can’t fly on only one wing”.
• One way to assess the nation’s state is to study its women’s status. As women comprise almost 50% of the population, it is unfair that they are not adequately represented in government institutions and other allied sectors.

Delay in Justice

• A citizen has the right to avail timely justice, but there are several factors because an ordinary person doesn’t get timely justice.

Centralization of Administrative System

• Lower-level governments can only function efficiently if they are empowered to do so. This is particularly relevant for the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), which currently suffer from inadequate devolution of funds and functionaries to carry out the functions constitutionally assigned to them.

Marginalization of Socially and Economically Backward People

• The socially and economically backward sections of society have always been marginalized in the process of development. Although there are constitutional provisions for their upliftment, in practice, they are lagging behind in many areas like education, economic well-being, etc.

Recommendations

v Infusion of ethics into politics so that the political elite can demonstrate integrity and still faith among subordinates about their fairness and impartiality:

• The 2nd ARC has advocated for cordial and hassle-free relations between Citizens and Personnel to create favorable opinions towards Public Services and public servants.
• 2nd ARC has suggested that Character Building is the most essential part of the training of civil servants both at the induction level and in-service training.
• A healthy relationship between politicians and bureaucrats is also required.

v Simplifying the government machinery.

v Ensuring High Standards of Conduct among the top Personnel

v Bringing in Stability of tenure and guarantee against arbitrary punishment. This is essential to get the best out of public servants.

v Institutional arrangements like “whistleblowing” should also be implemented to curb corrupt practices.

v To enhance Accountability, effective Implementation of Citizens Charters for monitoring service delivery and also effective enforcement of the Right to Information Act is to be done.

v Civil Services Board:

• The question of appointments, transfers, and placements is not to be left to the discretion of the politicians or administrative bosses but to be entrusted to independent and autonomous boards constituted (under the Constitution) on the lines of UPSC.

v Technical and Managerial Competence –

• Civil servants’ technical and managerial competence is a factor of good governance.
• This may be less of a constraint than it used to be, as access to education has improved, but rapid changes require ongoing skills development.

This article has been researched and compiled by Miss Anushree Gattani.

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Good Governance, Meaning, Principles, Need, Challanges

Good governance is the process of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs & public resources. Read all about Good Governance, Meaning, Principles, Need & Challenges for UPSC Exam.

Table of Contents

Good Governance

The administration of public affairs in a just, fair, and reasonable manner is good governance. Federal countries like India are more likely to have a variety of administrative systems, which could create complications and difficulties that help to shape the concept of good governance. The Good Governance Index was created by the Indian government to assess the effectiveness of various efforts done by state and UT administrations in terms of governance.

Good Governance is an important part of Indian Polity which is an important subject in the UPSC Syllabus . Students can also go for the UPSC Mock Test to get more accuracy in their preparations.

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What is Good Governance?

The idea of good governance was developed in India in response to numerous judicial and administrative issues. Although the term “good governance” was just used in the 1990s, the idea is not new to Indian culture. The universal appeal and relevance of fundamental ideas of just governance, responsibility, and fairness were emphasised in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.

An analysis of governance focuses on the formal and informal actors involved in the decision-making and decision-implementation processes, as well as the formal and informal structures that have been put in place to arrive at and implement the decision. By avoiding corruption, taking into account the opinions of minorities, and giving the voices of the most disadvantaged societies a voice in decision-making, good governance is ensured. Additionally, it is pertinent to the needs of the present and the future of society.

Good Governance Day

Good Governance Day is celebrated in India on December 25th, which coincides with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee . It’s a day dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in government, aiming to enhance public trust and improve the lives of citizens.

Good Governance Eight Principle

The UN has identified eight crucial components of successful government. Here is a summary of what each of them is all about:

Institutions and procedures must provide timely service to all stakeholders.

Accountable

The goal of good governance is to make people’s lives better, but this cannot happen until public and institutional stakeholders keep governmental institutions, commercial sectors, and civil society organisations accountable.

Transparent

Information regarding how the government operates should be accessible to the general people .

Effective and Efficient

Good governance entails that organizations and procedures produce outcomes that satisfy societal needs while making the best possible use of available resources. This includes preserving the environment and making sustainable use of natural resources.

Equity and Inclusiveness

A just society is ensured by effective governance. In a society like this, nobody or any group feels excluded or marginalized. No one should be discriminated against, and opportunities should be provided to everyone regardless of their backgrounds.

Consensus-oriented

Making decisions ensures that even if no one gets all they want, everyone can still achieve a common minimum that is beneficial to everyone.

Participatory

Men and women should be able to express themselves through legitimate local organizations or representatives, as well as underrepresented groups in society, such as minorities, the working class, and others.

Rule of Law

The legal system, in particular the human rights rules, ought to be applied fairly. If there is no rule of law, the powerful will prevail over the weak.

Good Governance Need

There is a need for good governance since it promotes political, social, and economic development. Let’s examine how good governance advances each of these three areas in more depth:

Economic Development

An unsteady administration makes it difficult for a state to advance economically. Among the difficulties faced by economic development are those related to producing, distributing, investing, and even consuming. However, good governance and equitable resource allocation within the state will make it simple to remove these obstacles.

Social Development and Good Governance

People from various religious traditions, social classes, and castes coexist peacefully in civilizations. However, if incomes are not divided equitably, it will lead to societal instability if there is an improper allocation of income. Although there is not an equitable enough distribution of income, minorities must be given the proper accommodations so that they can leave without fear. There are various reform initiatives that must be adopted in order to close the gender gap in society.

Political Development

The effectiveness of having good governance for society depends on politicians’ honesty and obedience to the laws and rules of the system. The government and political parties must develop policies for the welfare of the people and cooperate effectively to ensure healthy competition.

Characteristics of Good Governance

Good governance encompasses a diverse set of principles and practices that contribute to a well-functioning society. Here are some key characteristics that define it:

• Citizen engagement:  Active involvement of citizens in decision-making processes through voting, consultations, and feedback mechanisms.
• Inclusiveness:  Ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic status.
• Freedom of expression:  Guarantee of open and respectful dialogue, where diverse viewpoints can be heard and considered.
• Fair and impartial legal system:  Consistent application of laws without bias or favoritism.
• Accountability of government:  Holding public officials responsible for their actions and decisions.
• Access to justice:  Ensuring everyone has equal access to legal services and the justice system
• Openness and accessibility of information:  Public accessibility to government data, plans, and decisions.
• Corruption-free practices:  Strong systems to prevent and combat corruption within the government.
• Regular reporting and communication:  Proactive engagement with citizens through clear and understandable communication.
• Listening to citizens’ needs and concerns:  Prompt and effective response to public feedback and requests.
• Delivery of quality services:  Efficient and effective provision of essential public services, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
• Adaptability to changing needs:  Flexibility to adjust policies and programs in response to evolving circumstances.
• Fair distribution of resources and opportunities:  Addressing imbalances and ensuring everyone has a chance to thrive.
• Non-discrimination:  Protection against discrimination based on any factor, such as race, religion, gender, or disability.
• Focus on disadvantaged groups:  Special attention to the needs and vulnerabilities of marginalized communities.
• Achieving desired outcomes:  Using resources wisely and achieving set goals for policies and programs.
• Minimizing waste and inefficiency:  Eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and maximizing the impact of available resources.
• Continuous improvement:  A commitment to ongoing evaluation and refinement of governance practices.

Associated Challenges with Good Governance

There are many challenges associated with good governance in India, A few are mentioned here:

Criminalization of Politics

A total of 43% of Lok Sabha MPs were facing criminal charges in 2019, according to figures provided by the Association of Democratic Reforms. Since 2014, this figure has climbed from 26%. Public policy and governance are badly impacted by the criminalization of politics and the unjust alliance of elected officials, government employees, and corporate entities. As a result of this growing criminalization of politic s, the public has begun to see the political class with less respect.

Corruption in Good Governance

For a very long time, India’s governing structure has been plagued by corruption. It significantly impedes quality and good governance. Although individual greed undoubtedly contributes to corrupt practises, other factors such as a weak enforcement system and structural incentives also contribute to the growth of corruption in India. India has achieved the rank of 80th in the 2019 corruption perception index.

Increasing Violence

The proper implementation of law, order, and peace in the public sphere is essential for good governance. Increased rates of crime and violence in society are indicators of poor governance.

Gender Discrimination

The traditional Indian culture has long been characterised by gender inequality, where women are devalued in comparison to men. The situation and position of women in a state might be used to assess its condition. The ideal male to female ratio is 50:50, although this is unbalanced in almost all of the states. Additionally, as a result of this, women’s participation in politics and other related fields is insufficient in comparison to men.

Delayed Justice

The delivery of prompt justice to the public is impeded by practises including criminalization and political corruption. This causes the proceedings to drag on for months or even years, delaying the victims’ access to justice.

Centralization of Administrative System

Only if lower-level governments are given sufficient authority and power through the decentralization process will they be able to perform at their best. The centralization of the administrative structure particularly affects Panchayati Raj Institutions, whose constitutionally mandated duties are not carried out due to limited funds and personnel.

Marginalization of Backward Classes

The economically and socially disadvantaged sector of society has been disenfranchised ever since India’s independence. Despite the provisions made by the constitution for the advancement of socially and economically disadvantaged groups, they continue to lag behind in a number of crucial areas, such as economics, education, and other fields.

Government Initiative for Good Governance

There are numerous government initiatives across the country aimed at promoting good governance. Here are some notable examples given below:

RTI (Right to information)

Under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, India is required to uphold the right to information for all of its inhabitants. The introduction of the RTI in the nation strengthens democracy. All of the nation’s population having access to knowledge about government activities encourages the government to act responsibly and favourably. Access to written information encourages government accountability.

E-Governance and Good Governance

The government is intended to provide transparency, dependability, and efficiency so that all services are available to the general populace of the nation. Better prospects for e-governance to provide better programming and services are created by new emerging information and communication technology, which is heralding a rapid social and economic transition throughout the world. The use of e-governance services is directly advantageous for citizens who conduct transactions using the government’s services.

Good Governance for Ease of Doing Business

The government has started the innovative Make in India programme to encourage conducting business in India. By passing legislation aimed at enhancing the business environment, the government has also enhanced the policy ecosystems.

Legal Reforms

By removing roughly 1500 revised rules and regulations, it seeks to increase efficiency and promote openness. Criminal justice and procedural reforms must put a premium on mediation before incarceration.

Good Governance Index (GGI)

By evaluating the State of Governance across States and UTs, the Good Governance Index is a thorough and practical paradigm that enables the ranking of States and Districts. The objective of GGI is to provide a mechanism that can be applied uniformly throughout all States to assess the efficacy of various projects launched by the Central and State Governments, including UTs. It was launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) of the Government of India in 2019.

The Good Governance Index presents a comparative picture of the States based on the GGI Framework and fosters a culture of competition for advancement. It is backed by 58 indicators from ten different sectors. For instance, agriculture and allied industries, business and industry, human resource development, public health, etc.

Good Governance UPSC

Every person in the nation is interested in seeing the government-run as efficiently as possible. Citizens are willing to pay more for efficient government services, but what is required is a fair, impartial, transparent, and clear system of governance. We must restructure our national strategy to give the Gandhian principle of “Antyodaya” top priority in order to restore efficient governance to the nation. India should endeavour to improve government integrity, which will make it more moral. In order to promote inclusive and sustainable growth, the government should continue to emphasise the Sabka Saath, and Sabka Vikas ideals. Students can read all the details related to UPSC by visiting the official website of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching.

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Good Governance FAQs

What are the 8 importance of good governance.

Governance helps you to always act in the best interests of the business. More specifically, it can improve the performance of your business, help it become more stable and productive, and unlock new opportunities. It can reduce risks, and enable faster and safer growth. It can also improve reputation and foster trust.

What are the 4 pillars of good governance?

The board of directors must act following the four principles of governance — accountability, transparency, fairness and responsibility — for the best interest of stakeholders, shareholders and the business as a whole.

What are the 8 part of good governance?

Good governance has 8 major characteristics. 'It is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law.

What is the main point of good governance?

Good governance relates to the political and institutional processes and outcomes that are necessary to achieve the goals of development. The true test of 'good' governance is the degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights.

What is good governance and its types?

Good governance is the process of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption and with due regard for the rule of law.

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Good Governance

Last updated on October 29, 2022 by ClearIAS Team

What is Good Governance? What are the features of Good Governance? What are its benefits and challenges? To answer these questions, read further. 

According to UNESCAP, good governance means processes and institutions that produce results which meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal.

The Indian Constitution, explicitly outlines the importance of governance. The Constitution is based on the principles of a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic, committed to democracy, the rule of law, and the welfare of its citizens. Every citizen of the nation is primarily concerned with the efficient functioning of the government.

It is not a new idea to talk about Good Governance. The Arthashastra, written by Chanakya, discussed this idea in the context of India. He explains the qualities of a good king. Since then it is an important concept to be looked upon.

Table of Contents

Features of good governance

• Good Governance implies equal and active participation of civil society at the local level in the work of its community. For example Gram Sabha under the 73rd constitutional amendment and social audits under MGNREGA.
• It results in effectiveness and efficiency by the achievement of the desired objectives through the judicious use of existing resources. For example Insolvency and bankruptcy code for the efficient resolution of disputes regarding corporate insolvencies.
• It leads to inclusivity, as the government processes that ensure the interest of all the stakeholders in society are honored which can be seen in the form of Eklavya schools for the inclusive education of the tribal children, or the Van Dhan scheme for the economic development of the tribals engaged in the collection of the minor food produce.
• Good Governance puts an obligation on the government and its agencies to provide information and justify their decisions to the public and other institutions leading to accountability. For example, audits by CAG and INGRAM for lodging consumer grievances.
• It helps in upholding the rule of law, a system where all citizens in the country are accountable to the laws of the country. For example, Article 21 protect individuals from the arbitrary actions of the executive and the legislature.
• It is in the best interests of society as it is consensus-oriented and considers different people to come to a conclusion and argument. For example National education policy was a result of consensus built amongst different stakeholders.
• It implies a government that is not opaque and its information is disseminated to the public and is transparent. For example, the Right to Information acts as a landmark act to enforce good governance.
• Because of good governance now the quality of reacting quickly and positively has increased, leading to responsiveness. For example, PRAGATI aimed at addressing the common man’s grievances.

Characteristics of Good Governance as per UN

There are eight essential characteristics of good governance listed by the United Nations (UN).

Participation: Involving all facets of society in governance is a crucial cornerstone. Men and women, weaker groups in society, the underprivileged, minorities, etc. are all included in this.

Transparency: This refers to everyone having easy access to information, particularly those who may be impacted by the decisions made. Another crucial aspect is that all decisions are made and carried out in accordance with laws and regulations.

Rule of Law: Rule of law ensures the impartial implementation of equitable legal systems.

Responsiveness: This suggests that institutions and processes should provide services to all parties involved quickly.

Consensus-oriented: Consensus-oriented decision-making makes sure that even if everyone does not get all they want, a shared minimum can be reached by all parties that will not be harmful to anyone.

Inclusion and equity: Effective governance ensures an egalitarian society. In a society like this, nobody or any group feels excluded or marginalized. No one should be discriminated against, and opportunities should be given to everyone regardless of background.

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Effectiveness and efficiency: Good governance implies that institutions and procedures produce outcomes that satisfy societal needs while making the best use of the resources available to them.

Accountability: Accountability is a crucial component of effective government. It  should apply to all parties involved, including the public, the private sector, business, non-profit organizations, and the government.

Benefits of Good Governance

Good governance results in efficient governance ensuring better morale amongst people and improving the overall happiness and the standard of living of the larger public.

There is better public faith and the government enjoys more trust of people enduring stability, reduces scams and corruption in the system because of accountability and transparency.

It improves the bureaucratic and administrative efficiency with healthy governance practices and control red tape and bureaucratic hurdles.

It also has a positive impact on the environment through better and judicious utilization of resources, compliance with the environmental laws , and reducing the negative impact and thereby increasing environmental security.

Now the welfare becomes more inclusive and consolidated, ensuring all communities are on board. For example, good education leads to better employability, and efficient surveillance ensures improved public safety.

Good governance has the most impact on the economic sector as it can ensure more investor interest in the economy and boost the economic growth. It can do cost saving by reducing the leakages, will be attracting FDI thus result in more foreign flows.

Challenges to Good Governance

Corruption erodes any progress and growth in the system. Extreme criminalization of politics makes it difficult to work efficiently and creates hurdles for good governance.

Left-wing extremism and internal terrorism security threats make it difficult for the government to work efficiently in rural and backward areas and improve governance.

The poor infrastructure connectivity both digitally and physically in many parts of the country makes good governance difficult.

Good governance is being negatively impacted by the criminalization of politics and the close alliance between government officials, commercial interests, and elected officials.

The empowerment of women must be ensured in order to guarantee good governance. It is unfair that women are underrepresented in government institutions given their over 50% demographic share.

Another problem is the lack of coordination in the three wings of government, effective coordination. Proper linkages amongst the organs are required for effective functioning.

There is a lack of public faith in many activities of the government and if the citizens are hostile to the government or lack faith in its functioning, good governance cannot be achieved.

Way Forward

The government should try to reduce corruption to ensure better outcomes. Politicians with criminal backgrounds must be removed from holding high offices.

There is a strong need for innovative solutions for better governance and the tech sectors should be encouraged to participate in it.

Civil society groups like NGOs , women’s growth, cooperatives, trade unions, etc should play an active role to ensure government accountability.

Citizens must be more vigilant and law-abiding ensuring the true success of governance. They must be given access to information to sufficiently monitor all schemes and state activities.

There has to be consensus-based decision-making involving the collaborative efforts of the state, civil societies, and other organizations.

The 2nd ARC committee recommendations on citizen-centric administration suggested mandatory social audits for all programs and women’s participation in economic programs. The Committee also recommended suggestion box for all government agencies, capacity building of local bodies, and impact assessment for all the programs at regular intervals.

Article written by Chetna Yadav.

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Home » Governance » Governance: Important aspects » Good Governance

The concept of good governance existed even during the days of Chanakya. He had mentioned it elaborately in Arthashastra. Citizens centric administration lies on the foundation of good governance. Good governance is made up of the following 8 attributes.

• Accountable
• Transparent
• Participatory
• Consensus Oriented
• Follows Rule of Law
• Effective and efficient
• Equitable and Inclusive.

Main Pillars of Good Governance

Good governance aims at providing public services effectively, efficiently, and equitably to the citizens. Good governance aims at providing an environment in which all citizens irrespective of caste, class, and gender can develop to their full potential.

• Ethos (of service to the citizens)
• Ethics (Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency)
• Equity (Treating all citizens alike with empathy for weaker sections)
• Efficiency (Speedy and effective delivery of service without harassment and using ICT increasingly).

Barriers to Good Governance

There are many barriers to good governance as per the 12th Report of 2nd ARC. They are mentioned below.

• Attitudinal Problems of Civil Servants  – As per the 2nd ARC report Civil Servants have become inflexible, self-perpetuating, inward-looking.
• Lack of Accountability  – Very rarely disciplinary actions are initiated against delinquent officers. There is no performance evaluation structure.
• Red Tapism  – Bureaucracies have to adhere to rules and procedures which are important for good governance, however sometimes these rules and procedures are ill-conceived and cumbersome and they do not serve the very purpose of their existence.
• Low Levels of Awareness of the Rights and Duties of Citizens  – Awareness of rights and duties would ensure that officials and other citizens discharge duties effectively and honestly.
• Ineffective Implementation of Laws and Rules  – We have a large number of laws to protect the rights of the citizens and vulnerable sections of society, but the weak implementation of these laws erodes the faith of the citizens in the Government machinery.

Good Governance:

In the 1992 report entitled “Governance and Development”, the World Bank set out its definition of Good Governance. It defined Good Governance as  “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development”.

• Good governance has 8 major characteristics.‘It is  participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law.
• It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making.
• It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.

Good governance is understood through its eight indicators or characteristics:

• Good governance essentially requires participation of different sectors of the society. The management of highly complex societies and of their ever growing needs requires a participatory form of governance by diffusing power.
• The move for  decentralization is a response to this as it widens the base of participation and allows local government units to exercise governmental powers directly within their respective districts.
• This means freedom of association and expression and an organized civil society should go hand in hand.
• Democracy is essentially the rule of law. It is through the law that people express their will and exercise their sovereignty.
• Good governance requires that the institutions, processes, and actors could deliver and meet the necessities of the society in a way that available resources are utilized well. That the different actors meet the needs of the society means that there is  effective
• Transparency, as an indicator of good governance, means that people are open to information regarding decision-making process and the implementation of the same.
• Responsiveness means that institutions and processes serve all stakeholders in a  timely  and  appropriate
• Equity and inclusiveness means that all the members of the society, especially the most vulnerable ones or the grassroots level, must be taken into consideration in policy-making.
• Governance is consensus oriented when decisions are made after taking into consideration the different viewpoints of the actors of the society. Mechanisms for conflict resolution must be in place because inevitably conflict that will arise from competing interests of the actors.
• Accountability means answerability or responsibility for one’s action. It is based on the principle that every person or group is responsible for their actions most especially when their acts affect public interest.

“Good” governance promotes gender equality, sustains the environment, enables citizens to exercise personal freedoms, and provides tools to reduce poverty, deprivation, fear, and violence. The UN views good governance as participatory, transparent and accountable. It encompasses state institutions and their operations and includes private sector and civil society organizations.

Good governance is significant in public institutions to conduct and manage public affairs and resources to guarantee human rights in free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law.

Good governance is thus, a function of installation of positive virtues of administration and elimination of vices of dysfunctionalities. It makes the government work effective, credible and legitimate in administrative system and citizen-friendly, value caring and people-sharing.

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