2 minPolitical Concept
Political Concept

Good Governance

What is Good Governance?

Good Governance is a concept in public administration that describes how public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources, and guarantee the realization of human rights. It is characterized by principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, rule of law, effectiveness, and equity.

Historical Background

The concept gained prominence globally in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly with the rise of globalization and the focus on effective public sector management. In India, post-liberalization reforms and the recommendations of various Administrative Reforms Commissions (ARCs), along with landmark legislations like the Right to Information Act 2005, have propelled the agenda of good governance.

Key Points

10 points
  • 1.

    Transparency: Openness in government functioning, access to information (e.g., RTI Act 2005).

  • 2.

    Accountability: Holding public officials responsible for their actions and decisions (e.g., Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013, social audits).

  • 3.

    Participation: Ensuring citizens have a voice in decision-making processes (e.g., Gram Sabhas, public consultations).

  • 4.

    Rule of Law: Fair and impartial enforcement of laws, protection of human rights.

  • 5.

    Responsiveness: Institutions and processes serving stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.

  • 6.

    Effectiveness and Efficiency: Producing results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources.

  • 7.

    Equity and Inclusiveness: Ensuring all members of society, especially the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve their well-being.

  • 8.

    Consensus Orientation: Mediating differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interest of the whole community.

  • 9.

    Strategic Vision: Leaders and the public having a broad and long-term perspective on good governance and human development.

  • 10.

    Focus on citizen-centric administration and public service delivery.

Visual Insights

8 Pillars of Good Governance

Mind map illustrating the eight key characteristics of good governance.

Good Governance

  • ●Participation
  • ●Rule of Law
  • ●Transparency
  • ●Responsiveness
  • ●Consensus-oriented
  • ●Equity & Inclusiveness
  • ●Effectiveness & Efficiency
  • ●Accountability

Recent Developments

5 developments
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E-governance initiatives (e.g., Digital India, MyGov) for efficient and transparent service delivery.

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Implementation of Mission Karmayogi for capacity building of civil servants.

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Focus on Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living through regulatory reforms.

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Strengthening of grievance redressal mechanisms.

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Promotion of social audits and community monitoring for scheme implementation.

This Concept in News

2 topics

Sheikh Rahman's rise: Can he unite a divided Bangladesh?

14 Feb 2026

The news highlights the importance of good governance in achieving political stability and economic development. Sheikh Rahman's success hinges on his ability to establish a government that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. The news event applies the concept of good governance in practice by showing how a leader's commitment to these principles can impact a nation's future. This news reveals that good governance is not just a theoretical concept but a practical necessity for any country seeking to progress. The implications of this news for the concept's future are that it reinforces the importance of good governance as a key factor in determining a country's success. Understanding this concept is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for evaluating Sheikh Rahman's leadership and the challenges facing Bangladesh.

Ten Critical Areas for India to Address for Future Growth

13 Feb 2026

This news highlights that achieving India's growth potential is intrinsically linked to improving governance across various sectors. (1) The news emphasizes the *importance of efficiency, transparency, and accountability* – core tenets of good governance – for achieving progress in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. (2) The need to reduce bureaucratic hurdles directly challenges the existing system and calls for more *responsive and citizen-centric governance*. (3) The article implicitly acknowledges that good governance is not merely about policy formulation but also about *effective implementation and monitoring*. (4) The implications of this news are that India needs to *prioritize governance reforms* to unlock its full potential and achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. (5) Understanding good governance is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the government's performance and identifying areas for improvement. Without a clear understanding of good governance principles, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of policies and initiatives aimed at addressing these critical areas.

Source Topic

Sheikh Rahman's rise: Can he unite a divided Bangladesh?

International Relations

UPSC Relevance

A fundamental concept for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Governance, Public Administration) and also relevant for GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) and the Essay Paper. Questions often explore its principles, challenges, and initiatives taken by the government to promote it. Frequently asked in both Prelims and Mains.

8 Pillars of Good Governance

Mind map illustrating the eight key characteristics of good governance.

Good Governance

This Concept in News

2 news topics

2

Sheikh Rahman's rise: Can he unite a divided Bangladesh?

14 February 2026

The news highlights the importance of good governance in achieving political stability and economic development. Sheikh Rahman's success hinges on his ability to establish a government that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. The news event applies the concept of good governance in practice by showing how a leader's commitment to these principles can impact a nation's future. This news reveals that good governance is not just a theoretical concept but a practical necessity for any country seeking to progress. The implications of this news for the concept's future are that it reinforces the importance of good governance as a key factor in determining a country's success. Understanding this concept is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for evaluating Sheikh Rahman's leadership and the challenges facing Bangladesh.

Ten Critical Areas for India to Address for Future Growth

13 February 2026

This news highlights that achieving India's growth potential is intrinsically linked to improving governance across various sectors. (1) The news emphasizes the *importance of efficiency, transparency, and accountability* – core tenets of good governance – for achieving progress in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. (2) The need to reduce bureaucratic hurdles directly challenges the existing system and calls for more *responsive and citizen-centric governance*. (3) The article implicitly acknowledges that good governance is not merely about policy formulation but also about *effective implementation and monitoring*. (4) The implications of this news are that India needs to *prioritize governance reforms* to unlock its full potential and achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. (5) Understanding good governance is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the government's performance and identifying areas for improvement. Without a clear understanding of good governance principles, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of policies and initiatives aimed at addressing these critical areas.