Mechanisms of Accountability — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

Match the mechanism to the question being asked. Obtaining a record, resolving a grievance, auditing expenditure and determining legal liability are related but different tasks. An option may name a real institution yet assign it the wrong power. Focus on function rather than the prestige of the name.

Memorise the constitutional sequence accurately: Article 148 establishes the CAG, Article 149 addresses duties and powers under law, and Article 151 concerns reports. For RTI, distinguish section 4 disclosure, section 7 decision timing and section 19 appeals. The ordinary thirty-day and life-or-liberty forty-eight-hour provisions are not interchangeable universal deadlines for every proceeding.

In process scenarios, ask whether a complaint was merely forwarded or actually resolved. A public allegation warrants verification and does not itself prove guilt. Choose the option that connects evidence to a competent response and follow-up. These original questions support GS IV revision and are not represented as a separate Ethics Prelims paper or attributed PYQs.