QUESTION 3(b)
GS4
10 marks
In what ways can an Indian Administrative Officer apply Gandhi’s notion of ‘trusteeship’ to ensure fairness in governance?
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Translate trusteeship from a moral principle into concrete stewardship of public power, budgets, discretion and information.
Answer each partThere is no single directive word, so answer every part the question asks, in order.
Demand-wise check
- 1Treat office/resources as held in trust for citizens≈30 words
- 2Use need/equity-based allocation instead of personal or political preference≈30 words
- 3Practise frugality, transparency and conflict-of-interest avoidance≈30 words
- 4Give voice to vulnerable groups and judge success by public outcomes≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Trusteeship principleAdministrative resources/powerConcrete behavioursFairness outcomes
Where marks usually go
- Reducing trusteeship to personal charity
- Ignoring that the officer is trustee, not owner, of public resources/power
Value addition
- Public office as trust: power/resources→citizen benefit
→ Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.
Verified value additions
These are verified official-source additions selected for this exact PYQ. Use only the point that strengthens your argument.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.