Civil society, RTI, Social Audit

Civil Society often constitutes organisations such as:

* Developmental Non Governmental Organisations
* Citizens Groups
* Self Help Groups
* Professional Associations
* Registered Charities
* Business Associations
* Trade Unions
* Faith Based Associations
* Coalition and advocacy Groups etc.


“Civil society or civil institutions can be in totality referred to as voluntary, civic and social organisations or institutions which form the basis of a functioning society as opposed to the force backed structures of a state (regardless of that state's political system)”.

Good governance provides a platform that enables the Government to operate efficiently, effectively and transparently and to be accountable to the public. Primary Principles of Good Governance include:

* Public participation in Government
* Respect for the rule of law
* Freedom of expression and association
* Transparency and accountability
* Legitimacy of Government

Civil Society’s involvement occupies a critical place in the governance process and promotes good governance by facilitating people’s collective action for attaining sustainable socio-economic outcomes for the common good of the society.

RTI is a weapon in the hands of Civil Society. RTI empowers the civil society with the Right to seek information and helps in:
* Enabling Good Governance
* Ensuring accountability and transparency
* Ensuring participation of public in governance
* Eliminating corruption &
* Empowering people

Right to Information and Social Audit

“Social Audit is an independent and participatory evaluation of the performance of a public agency or a programme or scheme. Social Audit enables the Civil Society to assess whether a public authority lives up to the shared values and objectives it is committed to”.


The RTI Act can be coupled with Social Audit to ensure the following:

* Access and audit availability of information in the public domain.
* Generate demystified and understandable formats for better public comprehension.
* Provide for the community to verify recorded information
* Facilitate a regime of transparency and accountability

Posts upped

Friends there is good news for those who have cleared the exam this time..
The number of posts this time is somewhere close to 920.. So around 1840 candidates will make it to the final stage of personality test..

Topics of social relevance

Friends let us come out with topics of social relevance as these are important not just with regard to GS but also important in Essay and public administration..

1. Women reservation bill
2. Terrorism in wake of 26/11
3. disaster management
4. criminalisation of politics
5. child rights & child labour
   
6. sec 377 IPC
7. Issues of minorities
8. Domestic violence
9. Ethnic issues
   

India - US defence ties

These interests include maintaining security and stability, defeating terrorism and violent religious extremism, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and associated materials, data, and technologies and protecting the free flow of commerce via land, air and sea lanes.
In January 2004, the U.S. and India launched the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP).In December 2006, Congress passed the historic Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Cooperation Act.
Recently a deal worth us$2.1 billion was signed with respect to P-8i poseidon choppers.

Results announced

Congratulations to those who cleared the prelims.. To those who didn't well, better luck next time..
Friends, it is a hard fact that it is a very tough task of achieving succes in this exam given the sheer degree of competition..
Still, many get thro' and few get away..

Out of over 3 lakh who wrote the exam this year only 12000 have cleared it & this is the reason we need to accept that it is going to take more than just the regular hard work..
Fortunately, i have cleared it in this attempt & i hope to do well in the main exam too. Many are in a dilemma regarding the material, books and guidances but i feel mutually we can all help each other..
This blog shall aim at exactly that from now on.