GS Paper II · Governance
Civil Services Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development; role of NGOs, SHGs and other stakeholders; governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance, citizens charters; role of civil services in a democracy
Why it matters: Questions explore bureaucratic neutrality, lateral entry debates, and structural reforms necessary to make public administration more citizen centric.
In the news
October 2026
04 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh
AP High Court Directs Police Against Intervining in Civil Property DisputesThe Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that police authorities cannot interfere in purely civil property disputes between private individuals. The court reiterated that legal remedies for civil matters lie exclusively with civil courts,...
September 2026
27 Sep 2026
Karnataka Plans Three-Layer OMR Sheets for ExamsThe Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is planning to introduce three-layer OMR sheets for government recruitment exams to curb malpractices. Under this proposal, the original sheet is submitted to the KEA, the second copy is given...
13 Sep 2026
Civil Servants Quitting to Contest Polls Cannot Claim Reinstatement: High CourtThe Rajasthan High Court ruled that a government employee who resigns to contest elections as a candidate of a political party cannot seek reinstatement if defeated. The court upheld that active political participation while in...
01 Sep 2026
Police Station Modernisation and Institutional TransparencyThe Union government's initiative to develop model police stations experienced administrative revisions following controversies over officer selection criteria. The scheme seeks to modernize physical infrastructure, streamline public...
August 2026
25 Aug 2026
Allahabad High Court Initiates Contempt Against Bureaucrat Over Judicial InterferenceThe Allahabad High Court took serious exception to a Divisional Commissioner's attempt to contact a civil judge regarding a pending judicial proceeding. The court referred the matter for criminal contempt proceedings, underscoring that...
20 Aug 2026
State Level Recruitment Exam Cancellations Highlight Public Governance ChallengesThe cancellation of multiple competitive recruitment exams in Jharkhand following public protests has highlighted governance deficits in state selection boards. Candidate agitations pointed to widespread procedural irregularities and...
18 Aug 2026
Administrative Reforms Demanded Over Public Recruitment LeaksOngoing student demonstrations in Jharkhand over recurring recruitment exam paper leaks have brought public recruitment integrity to the fore. Protesters are demanding strong legislative guarantees, transparent digital examination...
July 2026
31 Jul 2026
Bureaucratic Reform Unlocks Rs 1 Lakh Crore in Unclaimed DividendsThe Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) highlighted that a 25-step, three-portal bureaucratic maze had trapped citizen's unclaimed shares and dividends for years. A major process overhaul has successfully increased...
30 Jul 2026
Administrative Overhaul Unlocks Trapped Government FundsEconomic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal highlighted how a 25-step, three-portal bureaucratic maze had trapped around 1 lakh crore rupees of citizens' unclaimed shares and dividends. Through...
16 Jul 2026
ISRO Curbs Resignations Ahead of Gaganyaan MissionThe Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has issued a temporary internal directive refusing voluntary retirement and resignations for Group A scientific and technical personnel. The restriction applies to those associated with...
05 Jul 2026
Fixing Structural Lacunae in Public Recruitment ExaminationsRecent recurrences of question paper leaks across various Indian states have highlighted a systematic vulnerability in public recruitment and competitive examinations. Security experts suggest that addressing this rot requires a...
Practise Civil Services
7 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 7
To prevent malpractices in recruitment examinations, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has proposed a three-layer OMR sheet system. Where is the third copy of the OMR sheet planned to be stored?
Mains practice
Sustained national growth requires balancing external economic vulnerabilities with robust internal administrative and health governance. Discuss this statement in light of recent West Asian geopolitical tensions, energy import dependencies, and the need for administrative transparency in public service delivery.
15 marks
Ensuring sustainable socio-economic development in India requires addressing institutional bottlenecks in public service delivery, regulatory efficiency, and environmental governance. Discuss this statement by drawing upon contemporary issues in state recruitment systems, healthcare regulation, and ecological restoration.
15 marks
Effective public governance requires balancing rapid technological modernization, legislative accountability, and targeted social welfare interventions. Discuss this statement in light of recent policy debates concerning energy transition goals, administrative integrity in public examinations, and healthcare legislative reforms in India.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.