UPSC CARE Mains Practice 4th April 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
Q. Discuss the role of administrative reforms in improving governance in India. (15 M)
(GS Paper II – Governance, Constitution, Polity – Administrative Reforms, Ease of Doing Business, Regulatory Governance) (15 M)
Introduction:
Administrative reforms refer to deliberate changes in public administration aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, accountability, and citizen-centricity. In India, reforms have evolved from rule-based governance to outcome-based and trust-based governance. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, which decriminalises over 1,000 provisions across ~80 Central Acts, represents a major step in reducing regulatory overcriminalisation and improving ease of doing business.
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1. Role of Administrative Reforms in Improving Governance (with Examples)
- Administrative reforms help in transforming governance by making it more efficient and responsive.
- The shift from criminal penalties to civil penalty frameworks reduces burden on courts (India has over 4.5 crore pending cases), thereby improving judicial efficiency.
- Reforms such as faceless tax assessment, GST digitisation, and DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) have enhanced transparency and reduced leakages (DBT reportedly saved over ₹3 lakh crore).
- Decriminalisation under Jan Vishwas promotes proportionate regulation, ensuring minor procedural lapses do not attract imprisonment, thereby encouraging compliance and entrepreneurship.
- Further, administrative adjudication reduces delays and improves dispute resolution time, strengthening the state–citizen interface.
2. Significance of Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026
- The Bill operationalises the idea of “trust-based governance”, shifting from fear-driven compliance to voluntary adherence.
- By replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties and introducing graded compliance (warning → penalty), it aligns with global best practices (OECD countries favour civil penalties).
- It rationalises outdated provisions, thereby improving regulatory clarity and predictability.
- The move from courts to adjudicating authorities and appellate mechanisms reduces litigation burden and improves administrative efficiency.
- It also strengthens India’s position in Ease of Doing Business indicators, particularly in compliance burden reduction and regulatory transparency.
3. Challenges and Limitations (Critical Analysis)
- Excessive decriminalisation may dilute deterrence, especially in sectors like environment, food safety, and labour rights.
- The effectiveness of administrative adjudication depends on institutional capacity, which remains uneven across departments.
- There is a risk of discretionary misuse and lack of uniformity, as adjudicating authorities may interpret provisions differently.
- Further, replacing imprisonment with fines may lead to a “pay and escape” culture, reducing accountability for serious but technical violations. Concerns have also been raised about the absence of strong independent oversight mechanisms.
4. Way Forward (Value Addition)
- Strengthening capacity of adjudicating authorities through training and standard operating procedures is essential.
- Establishing independent appellate tribunals can ensure fairness and accountability.
- Periodic review of decriminalised provisions should be undertaken to maintain deterrence.
- Use of technology (AI-based compliance monitoring, online dispute resolution) can improve transparency and efficiency.
- Drawing from 2nd ARC recommendations (Ethics in Governance), reforms must balance efficiency with accountability. Additionally, stakeholder consultation (industry, civil society) should be institutionalised to ensure inclusive policy design.
Conclusion:
Administrative reforms are critical for transforming India’s governance from a control-based system to a facilitative and citizen-centric model. The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026 marks a significant step towards reducing regulatory burden and promoting trust-based governance. However, its success will depend on institutional capacity, accountability mechanisms, and maintaining a balance between ease of doing business and public interest.
Q. Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is central to India’s transition towards a gas-based economy. Discuss its significance, challenges, and the way forward in ensuring energy security and clean energy transition. (15 M)
(GS Paper III – Energy – Energy Security, Clean Energy Transition, Infrastructure, Urban Development)
Introduction:
India aims to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix from about 6% currently to 15% to transition towards a cleaner and more efficient energy system. Piped Natural Gas (PNG), delivered through the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, is a key component of this transition. Recent global disruptions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz (handling ~20% of global oil & gas trade), have highlighted India’s dependence on imported LNG and the need to strengthen domestic gas infrastructure.
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1. Significance of PNG in India’s Gas-Based Economy
- PNG represents a shift from cylinder-based fuels to network-based energy delivery, ensuring uninterrupted and efficient supply.
- Being primarily methane (CH₄), it has lower carbon emissions compared to coal and oil, supporting India’s climate commitments (Net Zero by 2070).
- It enhances energy security by diversifying fuel sources and reducing overdependence on LPG imports. PNG also improves urban energy infrastructure, enabling smart city development and reducing logistics costs associated with cylinder transport.
- Meter-based billing increases transparency and efficiency, while industries benefit from consistent fuel supply, improving productivity.
2. Operational and Structural Advantages (Value Addition)
- PNG is supplied via trunk pipelines → City Gate Stations (CGS) → last-mile distribution, ensuring safe and regulated delivery.
- Unlike LPG, it does not require storage and is safer as methane disperses quickly in case of leakage.
- Integration with initiatives like PM Gati Shakti enhances infrastructure planning.
- India has expanded CGD coverage to over 600+ districts (via multiple bidding rounds), indicating rapid growth in gas infrastructure.
3. Challenges and Limitations
- A major challenge is high dependence on imported LNG (~50% of gas consumption), exposing India to global price volatility and geopolitical risks.
- Infrastructure deficit persists, as pipeline networks are unevenly distributed, limiting PNG access in many regions.
- High capital investment and long gestation periods delay expansion.
- Pricing remains linked to global markets, affecting affordability for households and industries. Additionally, coordination issues among multiple agencies and behavioural resistance in shifting from LPG to PNG pose implementation challenges.
4. Way Forward
India must accelerate expansion of City Gas Distribution networks to ensure wider access. Increasing domestic gas production (e.g., KG Basin) and diversifying import sources can reduce external vulnerability. Strengthening Strategic Gas Storage and LNG terminals will enhance resilience against supply shocks. Adoption of advanced technologies for monitoring, safety, and leak detection is essential. . Integration of PNG expansion with urban planning and smart city initiatives will ensure efficient infrastructure development.
Conclusion:
PNG is a critical pillar in India’s transition towards a cleaner, efficient, and diversified energy system. While it offers significant environmental and economic benefits, challenges related to infrastructure, pricing, and import dependence must be addressed. A coordinated strategy combining policy reforms, investment, and technological advancement is essential to realise the vision of a gas-based economy.
