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25 Dec 2025·Source: The Indian Express
2 min
Polity & GovernancePolity & GovernanceNEWS

Good Governance Day: Honoring Vajpayee and Malaviya's Legacy

India observes Good Governance Day, celebrating the birth anniversaries of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya.

Good Governance Day: Honoring Vajpayee and Malaviya's Legacy

Photo by shaddam hussain

Good Governance Day is observed annually on December 25th in India, commemorating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This day aims to promote accountability and transparency in governance.

It also coincides with the birth anniversary of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, a revered freedom fighter and educationist. State-level programs, like the one in Haryana led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, are organized to reinforce the principles of good governance, emphasizing citizen-centric administration and efficient public service delivery, a core message echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

मुख्य तथ्य

1.

Good Governance Day: December 25

2.

Birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

3.

Birth anniversary of Madan Mohan Malaviya

UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Principles and indicators of Good Governance in India.

2.

Contributions of prominent national leaders (Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Madan Mohan Malaviya) to nation-building and governance.

3.

Government initiatives and reforms aimed at improving governance (e.g., e-governance, Right to Public Services Acts, Citizen's Charters).

4.

Constitutional values and their reflection in public administration.

5.

Historical context of education and social reform movements in India.

दृश्य सामग्री

Good Governance Day: Evolution and Key Milestones (2014-2025)

This timeline illustrates the establishment and key developments related to Good Governance Day, observed annually on December 25th, honoring Atal Bihari Vajpayee's legacy and promoting administrative reforms.

Good Governance Day was instituted in 2014 to honor former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth anniversary, aligning with his vision for transparent and accountable governance. It also acknowledges the legacy of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, born on the same day. The observance has since become a platform to review and promote administrative reforms and citizen-centric policies across India.

  • 1924Birth of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (Dec 25)
  • 1924Birth of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Dec 25)
  • 2014Atal Bihari Vajpayee awarded Bharat Ratna; Government of India declares Dec 25 as 'Good Governance Day'
  • 2015First nationwide observance; focus on 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' and citizen-centric administration
  • 2019Launch of Good Governance Index (GGI) by DARPG to assess state performance, often released around this day
  • 2021Emphasis on 'Digital India' and e-governance initiatives for improved public service delivery
  • 2023Continued focus on 'Ease of Living' and 'Ease of Doing Business' through administrative reforms
  • 2024Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterates commitment to good governance principles; state-level programs organized
  • 2025Current observance: Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini leads state programs, reinforcing transparency and accountability
और जानकारी

पृष्ठभूमि

Good Governance Day, observed on December 25th, was instituted in 2014 to honor the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It aims to promote accountability and transparency in governance. The day also coincides with the birth anniversary of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, a towering figure in India's freedom struggle and education. The concept of good governance itself has evolved globally, emphasizing citizen-centric administration, rule of law, and efficiency.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

The annual observance of Good Governance Day involves various state-level programs and initiatives, as highlighted by the Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Prime Minister Narendra Modi consistently reiterates the core message of citizen-centric administration and efficient public service delivery, aligning with the broader government agenda of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance'.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. With reference to 'Good Governance' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Good Governance Day is observed annually on December 25th to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 2. The concept of good governance primarily emphasizes accountability, transparency, and citizen-centric administration. 3. The Right to Public Services Acts, enacted by several states, are a step towards ensuring timely delivery of services and reducing corruption. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

Statement 1 is correct. Good Governance Day is indeed observed on December 25th, the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, since 2014. Statement 2 is correct. The core principles of good governance, as widely accepted, include accountability, transparency, participation, rule of law, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and citizen-centricity. Statement 3 is correct. Right to Public Services Acts (RPSAs) are state-level legislative initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the delivery of various public services to citizens within a stipulated timeframe, thereby enhancing accountability and reducing corruption. Therefore, all three statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements regarding Bharat Ratna recipients Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya: 1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India for three full terms, initiating significant economic reforms and infrastructure projects. 2. Madan Mohan Malaviya was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University. 3. Both leaders were posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in the same year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: C

Statement 1 is incorrect. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister for three terms, but only one full term (1999-2004). His other two terms were short-lived (13 days in 1996 and 13 months in 1998-99). He did initiate significant economic reforms and infrastructure projects like the Golden Quadrilateral. Statement 2 is correct. Madan Mohan Malaviya was indeed a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, serving as its President multiple times. He is most famously known for founding the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916. Statement 3 is incorrect. Both leaders were awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2015, but Malaviya was awarded posthumously, while Vajpayee was awarded in his lifetime (though he passed away in 2018). The question states 'both leaders were posthumously awarded', which is incorrect for Vajpayee. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

3. In the context of Madan Mohan Malaviya's contributions to Indian society, which of the following statements is NOT correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

Statement A is NOT correct. While Malaviya was a nationalist, he was critical of the Lucknow Pact (1916) which granted separate electorates to Muslims, believing it would lead to communal divisions. He was more aligned with Hindu nationalist sentiments and later became a prominent figure in the Hindu Mahasabha. He was not a strong proponent of Hindu-Muslim unity in the sense of supporting the Lucknow Pact. Statement B is correct. Malaviya's most significant contribution was the establishment of BHU, aiming to combine traditional Indian learning with modern scientific and technical education. Statement C is correct. He was indeed associated with the Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha and worked for social reforms, including the upliftment of the depressed classes, advocating for their temple entry and education. Statement D is correct. Malaviya was a moderate leader within the Congress and consistently opposed separate electorates, advocating for a unified national identity.

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