1 minPolitical Concept
Political Concept

Accountability

What is Accountability?

Accountability in governance refers to the obligation of public officials and institutions to answer for their actions and decisions, and to be held responsible for their performance. It involves transparency, responsiveness, and the rule of law.

Historical Background

The concept of accountability has evolved over time with the development of democratic institutions and the increasing emphasis on good governance. It is a cornerstone of modern public administration.

Key Points

8 points
  • 1.

    Ensures that public officials act in the public interest

  • 2.

    Promotes transparency in government operations

  • 3.

    Requires officials to be responsive to the needs and concerns of citizens

  • 4.

    Involves mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of government programs

  • 5.

    Includes systems for redressal of grievances and complaints

  • 6.

    Strengthens the rule of law and prevents abuse of power

  • 7.

    Essential for building public trust in government

  • 8.

    Can be achieved through various means, including legislative oversight, judicial review, and citizen participation

Visual Insights

Elements of Accountability

Key elements that contribute to accountability in governance.

Accountability

  • Transparency
  • Oversight
  • Sanctions
  • Responsibility

Recent Developments

5 developments

Increased use of technology to enhance transparency and accountability

Focus on citizen-centric governance and participatory decision-making

Efforts to strengthen the internal control mechanisms in government departments

Growing demand for greater accountability from public officials and institutions

Role of civil society organizations in promoting accountability

This Concept in News

2 topics

Bangladesh BNP urges unity, warns against post-election revenge

15 Feb 2026

This news event highlights the political dimension of accountability. (1) It demonstrates how political leaders are expected to be accountable for their actions and decisions, especially after winning an election. (2) The call for unity and the warning against revenge suggest that leaders are aware of the potential for abuse of power and the need to act responsibly. This applies the concept of accountability in practice by urging restraint and ethical conduct. (3) The news reveals the ongoing challenge of ensuring accountability in a political context, where emotions and rivalries can run high. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that it reinforces the importance of ethical leadership and responsible governance. It shows that even in victory, leaders must prioritize accountability to maintain public trust and prevent unrest. (5) Understanding this concept is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it allows you to assess the potential for abuse of power and the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions.

Supreme Court Denounces Massive Digital Arrests as 'Dacoity' of Public Money

10 Feb 2026

This news highlights the critical aspect of financial accountability within the economic system. The Supreme Court's strong condemnation underscores the failure of existing mechanisms to prevent and detect such large-scale misappropriation of public funds. This event challenges the notion that systems are in place to safeguard public money, revealing vulnerabilities that can be exploited. The news reveals the need for stronger internal controls, independent audits, and effective enforcement mechanisms. The implications of this news are significant, as it erodes public trust in government institutions and raises concerns about the overall integrity of the financial system. Understanding accountability is crucial for analyzing this news because it allows us to assess the extent to which responsible parties are being held accountable for their actions and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms. It is also important to consider the ethical dimensions of this issue and the potential consequences for society as a whole.

Source Topic

Bangladesh BNP urges unity, warns against post-election revenge

Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

Relevant for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Governance, Polity, Social Justice) and GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude). Questions can be asked about the importance of accountability in good governance, mechanisms for ensuring accountability, and challenges to accountability.

Elements of Accountability

Key elements that contribute to accountability in governance.

Accountability

Open Access to Information

Monitoring Performance

Consequences for Wrongdoing

Defined Roles

Connections
TransparencyOversight
OversightSanctions
SanctionsResponsibility

This Concept in News

2 news topics

2

Bangladesh BNP urges unity, warns against post-election revenge

15 February 2026

This news event highlights the political dimension of accountability. (1) It demonstrates how political leaders are expected to be accountable for their actions and decisions, especially after winning an election. (2) The call for unity and the warning against revenge suggest that leaders are aware of the potential for abuse of power and the need to act responsibly. This applies the concept of accountability in practice by urging restraint and ethical conduct. (3) The news reveals the ongoing challenge of ensuring accountability in a political context, where emotions and rivalries can run high. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that it reinforces the importance of ethical leadership and responsible governance. It shows that even in victory, leaders must prioritize accountability to maintain public trust and prevent unrest. (5) Understanding this concept is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it allows you to assess the potential for abuse of power and the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions.

Supreme Court Denounces Massive Digital Arrests as 'Dacoity' of Public Money

10 February 2026

This news highlights the critical aspect of financial accountability within the economic system. The Supreme Court's strong condemnation underscores the failure of existing mechanisms to prevent and detect such large-scale misappropriation of public funds. This event challenges the notion that systems are in place to safeguard public money, revealing vulnerabilities that can be exploited. The news reveals the need for stronger internal controls, independent audits, and effective enforcement mechanisms. The implications of this news are significant, as it erodes public trust in government institutions and raises concerns about the overall integrity of the financial system. Understanding accountability is crucial for analyzing this news because it allows us to assess the extent to which responsible parties are being held accountable for their actions and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms. It is also important to consider the ethical dimensions of this issue and the potential consequences for society as a whole.