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Polity and governanceCommittees2005

Second Administrative Reforms Commission

Wide reform of public administration, ethics and local governance.

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It submitted 15 reports.

Practise this in the app: flashcards, quiz and a timed answer
Prelims

Quick recall

When was the Second ARC set up?
2005.
Who chaired it first?
M. Veerappa Moily.
How many reports did it submit?
15.
What was its first report on?
The Right to Information.
Who chaired the First ARC?
Morarji Desai, later K. Hanumanthaiya.
Which report dealt with police?
Public Order (fifth report).

Asked before in UPSC

Recurring theme: Administrative reforms and citizen-centric governance

Mains
  1. 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks

    Analyse the advantages and limitations of the generalist structure of the Indian Civil Services in contemporary governance.

    The 2nd ARC recommended domain competency and specialisation within the generalist civil service.

  2. 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks

    The Citizens' charter has been a landmark initiative in ensuring citizen-centric administration. But it is yet to reach its full potential. Identify the factors hindering the realisation of its promise and suggest measures to overcome them.

    The 2nd ARC's report on Citizen Centric Administration proposed the seven-step Sevottam model for charters.

  3. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marks

    The Citizen's Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen's Charters.

    Use the 2nd ARC's charter recommendations: one-size-fits-all avoidance, redress mechanisms and periodic review.

  4. 2017 · GS2 · 15 marks

    Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment.

    The 2nd ARC's report on Refurbishing of Personnel Administration offers mid-career review, lateral entry and performance appraisal ideas.

  5. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks

    Though Citizens' charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations, there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens' satisfaction and quality of services being provided. Analyse.

    The 2nd ARC diagnosed this exact gap between charters and service quality.

The basics

Why it matters

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2005-09), chaired first by M. Veerappa Moily, produced 15 reports on reforming governance, from ethics to public order.

15
Reports of the Second ARC
Submitted between 2006 and 2009.

Selected reports

Several reports are standard references.

Second ARC reports
  1. 1Right to InformationFirst report
  2. 2Ethics in GovernanceLokpal, conflict of interest
  3. 3Public OrderPolice reforms
  4. 4Citizen Centric AdministrationService delivery

You now know

  • Set up in 2005; chaired first by M. Veerappa Moily.
  • Produced 15 reports by 2009.
  • Topics included RTI, ethics, public order, local governance and e-governance.
  • The First ARC (1966) was chaired by Morarji Desai, later K. Hanumanthaiya.

Go deeper

In one line: The Second ARC is the most comprehensive modern blueprint for governance reform.

Why it matters for UPSC

Its reports are cited in GS2 and Ethics answers.

The core idea

It argued for Citizen-centric administration and stronger Ethics in governance.

Where to go next

In one line: Many Second ARC ideas remain relevant and partly implemented.

Implemented

Lokpal (2013 Act), e-governance, citizens' charters.

Pending

Civil service tenure reforms and police reforms. See Citizen-centric administration and Ethics in governance.

Where to go next

Citizen-centric administration

Governance built around citizens

In one line: Citizen-centric administration designs services around citizens' needs.

Tools

Citizens' charters, grievance redress, e-services and single windows.

Model

Sevottam, a service quality framework.

Where to go next

Ethics in governance

Integrity in public life

In one line: Ethics in governance means integrity, transparency and accountability in public office.

Measures

Lokpal and Lokayuktas, codes of conduct, asset disclosure.

Second ARC

Its fourth report focused on this.

Where to go next

Prelims-style quiz

  1. The Second ARC submitted how many reports?

    1. 15
    2. 10
    3. 20
    4. 12
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) 15. 15.

  2. The first report of the Second ARC was on:

    1. Ethics in Governance
    2. Public Order
    3. Local Governance
    4. Right to Information
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Right to Information. Right to Information.

  3. Consider the following:
    1. The Second ARC was set up in 2005.
    2. The First ARC was chaired initially by Morarji Desai.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both correct.

  4. 'Ethics in Governance' was a report of the:

    1. Law Commission
    2. Second ARC
    3. Punchhi Commission
    4. Sarkaria Commission
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Second ARC. Second ARC.

Syllabus

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