Governance also refers to the rules, principles, and games rules that govern how government activities are administered in a fair, participative, inclusive, and responsive way. As a result, governance can be nuanced and difficult to detect. In a broad sense, governance refers to the cultural and institutional framework in which individuals and stakeholders engage and engage in government matters.

Regulating governing patterns or practices, the studies of governance usually look at power in terms of how it differs from or exceeds the modern state’s centralised authority.

Following the public transformations of the 1980s and 1990s, the word governance could indicate changes in the character and government’s role. These changes are considered to have resulted in a move away from hierarchical bureaucracies and toward more use of trade, quasi-markets, and networking, particularly in government services.

Governance may also refer to any system of rule that emerges when the government is reliant on everyone else and whenever the state performs a minor or non-existent role. For example, the phrase “international governance” is frequently used to describe the rule of law globally because the United Nations (UN) is too weak to represent a state capable of imposing will upon its territory. 

MCQ’s

Q 1) Who is the chairman of the Niti Aayog?

1. 1. India’s President
   2. Minister of Finance
   3. Prime minister
   4. Minister of Planning and Development

Ans. The Prime Minister holds Ex-officio chairmanship. All provincial chief ministers, lieutenant governors of union territories, and a vice-chairman appointed by the Prime Minister make up the governing council.

Q 2). What is the name of the government of India think tank that succeeded the Planning Commission?

1. 1. NITI dharma
   2. NITI Shashan
   3. NITI Aayog
   4. NITI Vakya

Ans. The Government of India’s top policy think tank, NITI Aayog, provides directional and policy suggestions.

Q3. Which word(s) was/were not present in the Preamble of the Constitution adopted on November 26, 1949?

1. Socialist
2. non-religious
3. Reliability
4. Republic 

Follow the code to find the right answer.

1. 1.  1, 2 and 3
   2. 2, 3 and 4
   3.  1, 2 and 4
   4.  3 and 4

Answer – (A) Socialist, non-religious, Reliability was not present in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Q4. Which form of government structure does India’s Constitution provide?

1. 1.  Democratic
   2.  Semi-democratic
   3. Parliamentary
   4.  Presidential

Answer – (C) The parliamentary system is a democratic style of government wherein the government is formed by the organization (or coalition of parties) having the most seats in Parliament (Legislature), with its leaders serving as prime minister or chancellor.

Q5. The Constitution’s Preamble 

1. is not applicable in courts.
2. is significant and useful.
3. explains what government is all about.
4. assists in giving our Constitution a judicial interpretation.

Code

1. 1. 1 and 2
   2.  2 and 3
   3.  1, 2 and 3
   4.  1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer – (D) The Constitution’s Preamble is not applicable in courts,  it is significant and useful and can explain what government is all about.

Q6. What is the most visible aspect of a state?

1. 1. Flag 
   2. Capital 
   3. Sovereignty
   4. Head of State 

Answer – (C) Sovereignty is “a ruling body’s entire authority and power over itself, without external interference or bodies.”

States can live either without if they are functionally part of the empire, but de jure sovereignty is perhaps the most any state can accomplish today.

Q7. Which of the following characteristics is not of excellent governance

1. 1. Accountability ,
   2. Transparency
   3.  Rule of Law
   4.  and Red Tapism

Answer – (D) the following are characteristics of excellent governance

• Participation. …
• the rule of law. …
• Transparency. …
• Responsiveness. …
• Consensus oriented. …
• Equity and inclusiveness. …
• Effectiveness and efficiency. …
• Accountability.

Q8. Which of the following is not the features of the Indian Constitution 

1. 1.  Parliamentary Government
   2.  Presidential Administration
   3. Judiciary Independence 
   4. Federal Administration

Answer – (B) Presidential Administration is not a feature of the Indian Constitution.

Q9. “The State is everywhere; it hardly leaves a void.” This declaration defines the terms

1. 1. Welfare State
   2. Communist State
   3. Democratic State
   4. Police State

Answer – (A) The welfare state is a governing idea wherein the state plays a significant role in protecting citizens.

Q10. Which research of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission outlined the challenges to good governance in India?

1. 1.  ‘Governance Ethics’
   2.  ‘Citizen-Centred Governance: The Heart of Governance’
   3. ‘Encouraging E-Government’
   4.  ‘Local Governance’

Answer – (B) Citizen-Centered Governance is the Second Administrative Reforms Commission that outlined the challenges to good governance in India.

Q11. Choose the sentence that best exemplifies the philosophy that underpins the Cabinet form of government.

1. 1.  A plan for reducing criticism of the government, whose obligations are complicated and difficult to carry out to everyone’s satisfaction.
   2.  A mechanism for accelerating the government’s activity, whose daily duties are growing.
   3.  A parliamentary democracy process ensures the government’s collective duty to the people.
   4.  A mechanism for reinforcing the hands of the government’s leader, whose grip on the people is eroding.

Answer – (C)

Q12. The fundamental advantage of the parliamentary system of administration is that it is more democratic.

1. 1. The Executive and legislative branches of government operate separately.
   2.  It ensures policy continuity and is more efficient.
   3. the Executive is still answerable to the legislative.
   4.  the government’s leader cannot be replaced without an election.

Answer – (C) The Executive (i.e., the political Executive, the Council of Ministers) is nonetheless accountable to Parliament, as is the administration. Parliament’s role is to exercise financial and political authority over the executive branch and provide legislative oversight of the administration.

Q13. India’s government is based on a parliamentary system.

1. 1.  The Lok Sabha is a legislative body directly chosen by the people.
   2.  Parliament can amend the Constitution.
   3.  The Rajya Sabha is ineligible to be dissolved.
   4.  The Lok Sabha is answerable to the Council of Ministers.

Answer – (D) The Lok Sabha holds the Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister jointly accountable. It implies that if a minister submits a proposal to the Lok Sabha and the Lok Sabha rejects it, the Lok Sabha holds the whole Council of Ministers, not just the Minister, accountable for the bill.

Q14. All executive powers are vested in a presidential government.

1. 1.  Cabinet
   2.  President
   3.  The legislative branch
   4.  House of Commons

Answer – (A) The President is in charge of the executive branch, which includes operating as commanders in chief of the armed forces, negotiating treaties, selecting federal judges (including Supreme Court members), diplomats, and cabinet officials, and serving as head of the state.

Q15. When the government is based on a Parliamentary system.

1. 1.  The executive branch is under the supervision of the judiciary.
   2. The Executive is in charge of the judiciary.
   3. The Executive is in charge of the Legislature.
   4. The Legislature is in charge of the executive branch.

Answer – (D) Parliament’s role is to maintain financial and political authority over the executive branch and provide legislative oversight of the administration.

Q16. The goal of the ‘Welfare State’ is to

1. 1. Ensure the well-being of the greatest number of people possible.
   2. Welfare of the weaker parts is managed.
   3.  Make healthcare facilities available.
   4. None of the preceding

Answer – (A) A welfare state is dedicated to providing its residents with basic economic security by shielding them against market risks such as old age, unemployment, disasters, and illness.

Q17. Which of the below is not a characteristic of the Indian government?

1. 1.  A government that adheres to the Constitution.
   2.  Democratic Administration
   3.  Rule of Law
   4. Governments that are authoritarian

Answer – (D) The denial of political pluralism, powerful central power to maintain the political establishment, deficiencies in the rule of law, division of powers, and representative democracy characterize authoritarianism.

Q18. Which of the statements below is correct?

1. 1.  The Indian Constitution is presidential.
   2.  India is a monarchy with the status of a titular monarchy.
   3.  India is ruled by aristocrats.
   4.  India is a democratic republic with a parliament.

Answer – (D) India is a parliamentary democratic secular nation with the President as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government. It is based on the federal government system, even though the term is not seen in the Constitution.

Q19. Which of the below is not the Indian Constitution’s Philosophy?

1. 1.  State of Welfare
   2.  State of Socialism
   3. Political Equality 
   4.  Communist State

Answer – (D) Communist states are often authoritarian, with a single centralized communist party machinery administering democratic centralism.

Q20. Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of presidential government?

1. 1.  Rigid Constitution
   2.  A single executive officer
   3.  Supremacy of the Legislative Branch
   4.  The States’ Residual Powers

Answer – (B) The President is the executive head of the Presidential form of government. The Legislature does not hold the President accountable. It distinguishes between legislative and executive powers.

Important pages