GS Notes

17. Governance Notes 01

23 min read

Elaborate Notes

Significance of Governance

Governance is a cornerstone of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, particularly in General Studies Paper II, which explicitly covers “Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.” Its principles, such as transparency, accountability, and probity, are central to General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude). Beyond its academic weight, a profound understanding of governance is indispensable for an aspiring civil servant. The role of a bureaucrat is to translate policy into action, manage public resources, and serve citizens. This requires navigating complex administrative structures, a task that is impossible without a firm grasp of the principles and mechanisms of governance. As a citizen, this knowledge empowers individuals to demand accountability and participate effectively in the democratic process.

Administration: Concept and Evolution

  • Etymology and Meaning: The term “Administration” originates from the Latin words ‘ad’ and ‘ministrare’, which collectively mean ‘to serve’ or ‘to manage’. In its essence, administration is the process of managing and directing affairs to achieve a specific objective.
  • Public Administration Context: In the context of government, public administration is the machinery responsible for implementing public policy and serving the state’s objectives. As articulated by scholars like Woodrow Wilson in his seminal essay “The Study of Administration” (1887), administration is the “most obvious part of government; it is government in action.” Its primary goal is to maximize public welfare and ensure the efficient and equitable delivery of services to citizens.
  • Key Actors and Goal: While government officials (bureaucracy) are the primary actors, administration is a collaborative process involving citizens, civil society organisations, and the private sector. The ultimate aim is the optimal utilization of national resources—human, natural, and financial—for sustainable development and nation-building. The efficiency of a nation’s administration is, therefore, a direct determinant of its developmental trajectory. For instance, the post-independence administrative framework in India, envisioned by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the “steel frame,” was designed to be the primary instrument for national integration and development.

Governance: From Concept to Practice

  • Entropy and Sustainability: The concept of entropy in physics suggests a natural tendency towards disorder and decay. In the context of civilizations, poor governance accelerates this entropy, leading to state failure, social chaos, and economic collapse. Governance acts as a force of “negative entropy,” creating structures, rules, and processes that maintain order, foster stability, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the state and society.
  • The Resource Paradox: History and contemporary geopolitics are replete with examples of the “resource curse.” Countries rich in natural resources, such as Venezuela, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have often remained underdeveloped due to systemic corruption, political instability, and weak institutions—all hallmarks of poor governance. Conversely, nations with limited natural resources, such as Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, have achieved remarkable economic progress through robust, efficient, and visionary governance systems that prioritized human capital, industrial policy, and the rule of law.
  • Defining Governance:
    • World Bank (1992): In its report “Governance and Development,” the World Bank defined governance as “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development.” This definition was crucial as it linked the quality of governance directly to developmental outcomes.
    • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The UNDP offers a broader definition, describing governance as “the exercise of economic, political, and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels. It comprises the mechanisms, processes, and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate their differences.” This highlights the inclusive and multi-actor nature of modern governance.
  • Core Function: In simple terms, governance is the entire ecosystem of decision-making and implementation. It encompasses not just the government (‘hardware’) but also the processes, norms, and interactions (‘software’) that guide a society.

From a Broader Perspective, Governance Includes:

  • Institution Building: The creation and sustenance of formal institutions are central to governance. This includes the legislature for law-making, the executive for implementation, the judiciary for adjudication, a professional civil service for day-to-day administration, and local self-governing bodies (like Panchayats and Municipalities in India, empowered by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, 1992) to ensure grassroots democracy.
  • Resource Management: Governance is fundamentally about the allocation and utilization of resources. This involves managing natural resources sustainably, creating sound fiscal policy for financial resources, developing human capital through education and health, and leveraging technology for efficiency and innovation.
  • Effective Implementation: In developing nations like India, the challenge often lies not in policy formulation but in implementation. Good governance bridges this “implementation gap” by ensuring that policies are executed efficiently, effectively, and equitably, thereby achieving the optimal utilization of scarce resources.

Comparison between Indian and British Systems

  • Parliamentary Scrutiny: The British system, being the progenitor of the Westminster model, has certain evolved conventions. The Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) is a weekly session in the House of Commons where the Prime Minister is obligated to answer questions from Members of Parliament. This provides a direct and regular mechanism for holding the head of government accountable. While India has a Question Hour, the direct, sustained questioning of the Prime Minister in such a format is not a regular, institutionalized practice.
  • The Role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG):
    • United Kingdom: The British CAG, heading the National Audit Office (NAO), is a true ‘Comptroller’. The term implies control over the exchequer. No money can be withdrawn from the British Consolidated Fund by the executive without the CAG’s authorization. This provides a pre-emptive check on expenditure. The CAG also performs the post-audit function.
    • India: The CAG of India (under Article 148 of the Constitution) has a more limited role. The CAG’s primary function is a post-mortem audit of expenditures already incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India. The CAG does not have the power of a ‘Comptroller’ and cannot prevent the executive from withdrawing funds. This distinction was highlighted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly, who noted that the Indian CAG would be primarily an auditor, unlike his British counterpart. The CAG’s reports (e.g., on the 2G Spectrum allocation or Coal block allocation) have, however, proven to be powerful tools for ensuring post-facto accountability.

Bad Governance: Indicators and Impact

Bad governance is a systemic failure that manifests in various forms, undermining development and eroding public trust. Key indicators include:

  1. Corruption: The abuse of public office for private gain, a phenomenon measured globally by indices like the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
  2. Absence of Rule of Law: A situation where laws are applied arbitrarily, selectively, or not at all, leading to impunity for the powerful and injustice for the vulnerable.
  3. Red Tapism: Coined in the 19th century referring to the red tape used to tie official documents, this term signifies excessive bureaucracy, procedural delays, and a focus on rules over results. It stifles economic activity and harasses citizens. Max Weber, the sociologist, while analyzing bureaucracy, warned of it becoming an “iron cage” of rules that could impede efficiency.
  4. Poor Service Delivery: Inefficient and inequitable public services in critical sectors like health, education, and sanitation.
  5. Opacity: High levels of secrecy in government functioning, often justified under colonial-era laws like the Official Secrets Act of 1923 in India, which breeds suspicion and corruption.
  6. Centralization of Power: Concentration of decision-making authority at the highest levels, stifling local initiative and responsiveness.
  7. Lack of Accountability: A system where public officials are not held responsible for their actions or performance.
  8. State Monopoly: Absolute state control over the allocation of resources without market mechanisms or checks and balances, often leading to inefficiency and cronyism.
  9. Authoritarian Decision-Making: Exclusion of citizens and stakeholders from the policy process.
  10. Failure of Citizen Participation: Limiting citizens’ role to merely voting every few years, without avenues for continuous engagement.
  11. Inability to Manage Conflict: The failure of state institutions to resolve social and political conflicts peacefully, as seen in prolonged ethnic or regional conflicts.
  12. Regulatory Failure: The inability of regulatory bodies (e.g., in finance or environment) to prevent systemic crises, market failures, or corporate malfeasance.
  13. Delayed Justice: An overburdened and slow judicial system, encapsulated by the maxim “justice delayed is justice denied.”

Good Governance: Origins and Principles

  • Historical Context: The concept of “Good Governance” gained international prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
    • Post-Colonial States: After World War II, newly independent nations in Asia and Africa embarked on state-led development models. They borrowed heavily from multilateral institutions like the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), established at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944.
    • The Debt Crisis: By the 1980s, many of these loans, often mismanaged by authoritarian regimes or inefficient bureaucracies, led to a severe sovereign debt crisis, particularly in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.
    • The Washington Consensus: When these countries sought new loans, the IMF and World Bank imposed a set of policy conditions. These reforms, articulated by economist John Williamson in 1989, became known as the “Washington Consensus.” They advocated for fiscal discipline, privatization of state-owned enterprises, liberalization of trade and investment, and deregulation.
    • The Governance Link: The lenders realized that mere economic reforms would fail without institutional and political reforms. The misuse of past loans was attributed to ‘bad governance’. Therefore, a new set of conditions, focusing on improving the quality of governance, were attached to aid and loans. This package of administrative and political reforms came to be known as “Good Governance.”
  • Distinction: “Governance” is a neutral, descriptive term referring to the process of governing. “Good Governance” is a normative, qualitative term that prescribes a set of standards and principles for this process, aiming to make it fair, just, efficient, and oriented towards public welfare.

The Eight Features of Good Governance (as per the World Bank)

  1. Participation: Enabling citizens to have a voice in decision-making, both directly and through representative bodies. This is the cornerstone of democracy and is institutionalized in India through mechanisms like Gram Sabhas.
  2. Rule of Law: A system of fair, impartial, and predictable legal frameworks that protect human rights, particularly those of minorities.
  3. Transparency: Decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. It means that information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected. The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in India is a landmark legislation to promote transparency. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) famously termed the RTI as the “master key to good governance.”
  4. Responsiveness: Institutions and processes must serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
  5. Consensus Oriented: Mediating differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved.
  6. Equity and Inclusiveness: Ensuring that all members of society feel they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream. This requires that the vulnerable and marginalized are empowered to improve their well-being.
  7. Effectiveness and Efficiency: Processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal.
  8. Accountability: Public officials, civil society, and the private sector are all accountable to the public and institutional stakeholders. Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law. Mechanisms include Citizen’s Charters, Social Audits, and ombudsman institutions like the Lokpal.

Prelims Pointers

  • The term “Administration” is derived from the Latin words ‘Ad’ and ‘ministrare’, meaning ‘to serve’.
  • Entropy is the natural tendency of a system to move towards disorder; governance aims to promote negative entropy (order and sustainability).
  • The World Bank provides long-term developmental loans, often without collateral, based on a sovereign guarantee.
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provides short-term loans to address Balance of Payments (BOP) crises, usually with strict conditionalities.
  • The World Bank and IMF are known as the Bretton Woods twins, established in 1944.
  • Red Tapism refers to excessive regulation and rigid conformity to formal rules that hinders action or decision-making.
  • The term “Washington Consensus” was coined by economist John Williamson in 1989.
  • The World Bank identified 8 key features of Good Governance in its 1992 report, “Governance and Development.”
  • The Indian Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is established under Article 148 of the Constitution. Its duties and powers are listed under Article 149.
  • Unlike the British CAG, the Indian CAG’s role is primarily post-facto auditing, not ‘comptrolling’ the exchequer.
  • The Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted in India in 2005.
  • The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) referred to the RTI Act as the “master key to Good Governance.”
  • The Official Secrets Act of 1923 is often seen as an impediment to transparency in India.

Mains Insights

The Paradigm Shift: From Government to Governance

  • Government refers to the formal institutional structures of the state—the legislature, executive, and judiciary. It is about the ‘hardware’ of rule and command. Its focus is on the state as the primary, if not sole, actor.
  • Governance is a broader, more inclusive concept. It refers to the process of decision-making and implementation. It acknowledges that power and authority are dispersed among various actors, including the state, market (private sector), and civil society (NGOs, community groups). It is a paradigm shift from a hierarchical, state-centric model to a collaborative, network-based model of managing societal affairs. This shift is a core theme in contemporary public administration.

Challenges in Implementing Good Governance in India

  1. Attitudinal Problems in Bureaucracy: The colonial legacy of bureaucracy being a ‘ruler’ rather than a ‘service provider’ persists. This leads to arrogance, inertia, and resistance to reforms that promote transparency and accountability.
  2. Lack of Effective Accountability Mechanisms: While mechanisms like social audits and citizen’s charters exist, their implementation is often weak and non-binding. The absence of a strong whistleblower protection law and the delayed implementation of the Lokpal Act weaken accountability.
  3. Pervasive Corruption: Corruption erodes the moral fabric of governance. It diverts resources from the poor, increases the cost of public services, and undermines public trust in institutions.
  4. Criminalization of Politics: The entry of individuals with criminal backgrounds into the legislature compromises the integrity of the law-making process and fosters a nexus between crime, politics, and bureaucracy.
  5. The Digital Divide: While e-governance is a key tool for good governance, unequal access to digital infrastructure and literacy can exclude the most vulnerable sections of society, exacerbating existing inequalities.

Critical Perspective on the “Good Governance” Agenda

  • Neo-liberal Imposition: Critics argue that the “Good Governance” model, promoted by the World Bank and IMF, is not a neutral concept. They see it as a vehicle for imposing the Washington Consensus—a neo-liberal economic agenda of privatization, deregulation, and minimal state intervention—on developing countries.
  • “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach: The model often ignores the specific historical, cultural, and political contexts of different nations. A template for governance developed in Washington may not be suitable for the diverse realities of Africa or Asia.
  • Undermining Sovereignty: The conditionality attached to loans can be seen as an infringement on the national sovereignty of borrowing countries, forcing them to adopt policies that may not be in their long-term interest.

Analyzing the Quote: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” (Plato)

  • Relevance to Governance: This quote, asked in GS Paper IV (2015), is a powerful metaphor for transparency and accountability.
    • ‘Darkness’ represents ignorance, secrecy, and opacity in governance. A child’s fear of the dark is natural and based on the unknown.
    • ‘Light’ represents knowledge, transparency, and public scrutiny.
    • ‘Men who are afraid of the light’ are those in power (politicians, bureaucrats) who resist transparency because the ‘light’ of public scrutiny would expose their corruption, inefficiency, or misuse of authority. This fear is not innocent like a child’s; it is a calculated fear of being held accountable.
    • The ‘Tragedy’: The real tragedy is that this fear of transparency perpetuates bad governance, harms millions of citizens, and prevents a nation from reaching its true potential. The answer should explore the reasons for this resistance (e.g., the Official Secrets Act, political vested interests) and highlight the importance of instruments like the RTI Act that bring ‘light’ into the corridors of power.

Previous Year Questions

Prelims

  1. Which one of the following is not a feature of “Good Governance”? (UPSC CSE Prelims 2019 - Question paraphrased for clarity) (a) Transparency (b) Rule of Law (c) Red Tapism (d) Accountability

    Answer: (c) Red Tapism. Red Tapism is a feature of bad governance, characterized by excessive bureaucracy and delay. The others are core principles of good governance.

  2. The fundamental object of the Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? (UPSC CSE Prelims 2015)

    1. People’s participation in development
    2. Political accountability
    3. Democratic decentralization
    4. Financial mobilization

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only. The primary objective of the 73rd Amendment Act was to establish democratic decentralization (transferring power to the grassroots) and ensure people’s participation in local development and governance. While accountability and financial mobilization are aspects, they are subsidiary to the fundamental goals of participation and decentralization.

  3. The Right to Information Act, 2005 makes the provision of: (UPSC CSE Prelims - Based on common themes) (a) Dissemination of all information by public authorities to the general public. (b) The right of citizens to request and receive information held by public authorities. (c) The establishment of a central intelligence agency to gather information. (d) The right of the government to withhold any information it deems sensitive.

    Answer: (b) The right of citizens to request and receive information held by public authorities. The RTI Act is a request-based law that empowers citizens to access specific information. It does not mandate proactive disclosure of all information, though it encourages it under Section 4.

  4. ‘Social Audit’ is a key mechanism for transparency and accountability. Which of the following programs mandated its use most effectively? (UPSC CSE Prelims - Based on common themes) (a) National Food Security Act (b) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) (c) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (d) Swachh Bharat Mission

    Answer: (b) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The MGNREG Act has specific provisions for social audits, making it a statutory requirement. The Gram Sabha is empowered to conduct regular social audits of all projects taken up within the Gram Panchayat.

  5. Consider the following statements regarding the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India: (UPSC CSE Prelims - Based on common themes)

    1. The CAG can audit the accounts of any authority or body receiving substantial funding from the Consolidated Fund of India.
    2. The CAG’s authorization is required before any money is withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India.
    3. The CAG submits his audit reports to the President, who then lays them before both Houses of Parliament.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Indian CAG performs a post-facto audit and does not have the power of a ‘Comptroller’ to control the release of funds from the exchequer. Statements 1 and 3 correctly describe the CAG’s audit jurisdiction and reporting procedure.

Mains

  1. “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context, suggest reforms in the Civil Services for strengthening democracy. (UPSC CSE Mains 2022, GS-II)

    Answer Framework:

    • Introduction: Define ‘institutional quality’ as the set of formal and informal rules, norms, and enforcement mechanisms that govern society, with civil service being a key institution. Link it directly to economic performance using examples (e.g., efficient bureaucracy facilitates ‘Ease of Doing Business’).
    • Body Part 1: How Civil Services Strengthen Democracy: Explain the role of an impartial, efficient, and honest civil service in upholding the rule of law, ensuring equitable service delivery, and acting as a neutral instrument for policy implementation, thereby strengthening the social contract.
    • Body Part 2: Suggested Reforms:
      • Recruitment & Training: Reforms like lateral entry, specialization, and moving from a generalist to a specialist approach. Mid-career training modules focused on ethics and emerging technologies (Mission Karmayogi).
      • Performance & Accountability: Introduce 360-degree performance appraisals, strengthening departmental inquiries, and making it easier to remove inefficient or corrupt officials.
      • Transparency & Citizen-Centricity: Promote proactive disclosure under RTI, mandatory implementation of Citizen’s Charters, and leveraging e-governance to reduce discretion and corruption.
      • Political Neutrality: Measures to protect civil servants from arbitrary political transfers and pressure, strengthening institutions like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
    • Conclusion: Conclude by stating that a reformed, agile, and accountable civil service is the ‘steel frame’ that can support a vibrant democracy and a high-growth economy simultaneously.

  2. “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated E-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (UPSC CSE Mains 2020, GS-II)

    Answer Framework:

    • Introduction: Briefly explain the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) - characterized by the fusion of technologies like AI, IoT, Big Data. Define E-Governance as the application of ICT for delivering government services and exchanging information.
    • Body Part 1: How 4IR has made E-Governance integral:
      • Service Delivery: Discuss DBT, MyGov.in, UMANG app, DigiLocker as examples of efficient, transparent, and direct service delivery.
      • Improving Efficiency: How data analytics and AI can help in better policy formulation, resource allocation, and monitoring (e.g., monitoring infrastructure projects).
      • Enhancing Transparency & Accountability: Online portals (GeM for procurement), dashboards (for Swachh Bharat), and digital trails reduce corruption and increase accountability.
      • Citizen Participation: Use of social media and platforms like MyGov for soliciting feedback and engaging citizens in governance.
    • Body Part 2: Challenges:
      • Digital Divide (access and literacy).
      • Data security and privacy concerns.
      • Need for capacity building within the government.
      • High initial cost and infrastructure requirements.
    • Conclusion: Conclude that E-Governance is no longer an option but a necessity in the 4IR era. The government must focus on building a robust, inclusive, and secure digital infrastructure to reap its full benefits for good governance.

  3. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting an incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyze. (UPSC CSE Mains 2022, GS-II)

    Answer Framework:

    • Introduction: Briefly state the key provisions of the RTE Act, 2009 – making education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14.
    • Body Part 1: Inadequacies of the Act - Focus on lack of incentives and awareness:
      • Input-focused: The Act focuses more on inputs like infrastructure, pupil-teacher ratio, etc., rather than learning outcomes.
      • Lack of Incentives for Quality: It does not sufficiently incentivize schools or teachers for better performance. The “no detention” policy (now amended) was criticized for reducing accountability.
      • Awareness Gap: Argue that merely providing a legal right is insufficient. Many parents, especially in marginalized communities, may not perceive the long-term value of education over immediate child labor income. The Act lacks a strong component for community mobilization and awareness generation.
      • Supply-Side Solution to a Demand-Side Problem: The act assumes the problem is only a lack of schools, but it’s also a lack of demand due to socio-economic factors.
    • Body Part 2: Analysis and Suggestions:
      • Analyze how an incentive-based system (e.g., conditional cash transfers tied to attendance and learning outcomes, scholarships) could complement the rights-based approach.
      • Suggest measures to generate awareness: Community campaigns, involving Panchayats and School Management Committees (SMCs) more effectively, and showcasing role models.
      • Emphasize the need to shift focus from mere enrollment to ensuring quality education and learning outcomes.
    • Conclusion: Conclude that while the RTE Act was a landmark step, its effectiveness can be vastly improved by integrating it with incentive structures and robust community awareness programs to create a genuine demand for quality education.

  4. Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organisation been the cause of slow change in India? Critically examine. (UPSC CSE Mains 2022, GS-II)

    Answer Framework:

    • Introduction: Explain the concept of a cadre-based civil service (All India Services like IAS, IPS, etc.) where officers are allotted to a state cadre for their entire career, creating a permanent bureaucracy.
    • Body Part 1: Arguments for Cadre System being a cause of slow change:
      • Generalist Nature: Officers are generalists, frequently transferred across diverse departments, preventing the development of domain expertise needed for complex modern governance.
      • Resistance to Change (Status Quoism): A permanent, secure cadre can become resistant to reforms that threaten its status or established procedures (Weber’s ‘iron cage’).
      • Lack of Accountability: Difficult removal procedures and guaranteed promotions can reduce the incentive for performance and innovation.
      • Elitism and disconnect: The system can create an elite class of officers who may be disconnected from ground realities.
    • Body Part 2: Arguments against this view (Cadre system is not the sole cause/has benefits):
      • National Unity: The All-India nature promotes national integration by having officers from one part of the country serve in another.
      • Political Neutrality: A permanent cadre provides stability and neutrality against changing political executives.
      • Institutional Memory: It provides continuity in administration.
      • Other Factors for Slow Change: Blame cannot be solely on the cadre system. Political interference, corruption, lack of resources, and legislative delays are also major factors.
    • Conclusion: Critically conclude that while the cadre-based system has contributed to administrative rigidity and slowed down change in certain aspects, it is not the sole cause. The need is not to dismantle the system but to reform it by introducing specialization, lateral entry, and robust performance management systems (like Mission Karmayogi).

  5. What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’? How does one uphold constitutional morality? (UPSC CSE Mains 2019, GS-IV)

    Answer Framework:

    • Introduction: Define ‘Constitutional Morality’. It is not just about adhering to the text of the Constitution but about adhering to its spirit and core values – democracy, liberty, equality, fraternity, and social justice. It is a commitment to the constitutional ethos. Quote Dr. B.R. Ambedkar who emphasized its importance in the Constituent Assembly.
    • Body Part 1: Key tenets of Constitutional Morality:
      • Supremacy of the Constitution.
      • Upholding democratic processes and respecting the outcomes.
      • Protection of fundamental rights and dignity of every individual.
      • Commitment to inclusive and equitable governance.
      • Respect for dissent and tolerance for diverse opinions.
      • Accountability of public institutions to the people.
    • Body Part 2: How one can uphold Constitutional Morality:
      • Judiciary: By interpreting the Constitution in a way that expands its liberal values (e.g., Navtej Singh Johar case that decriminalized homosexuality).
      • Executive/Civil Servants: By implementing laws and policies in a non-partisan manner, upholding the rule of law even under political pressure, and ensuring service delivery without discrimination.
      • Legislature: By engaging in reasoned debates, respecting parliamentary procedures, and passing laws that are in harmony with the fundamental rights framework.
      • Citizens: By being vigilant, exercising their right to vote responsibly, respecting the rights of others, protesting peacefully against unconstitutional acts, and fostering a spirit of fraternity.
    • Conclusion: Conclude that Constitutional Morality is the soul of the Constitution. It is a continuous and collective responsibility of all institutions and citizens to cultivate and uphold it to ensure the sustenance of a vibrant and inclusive democracy.

Graph View