Summary: Second ARC Report | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)

The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was established by the Government of India to analyze and recommend improvements to the country's public administration system. The ARC has played a significant role in proposing reforms that aim to make the administration more efficient, transparent, and accountable.

First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)

The first ARC was constituted in 1966 under the chairmanship of Morarji Desai (later succeeded by K. Hanumanthaiah). The objective was to study the state of public administration in India and suggest necessary reforms to enhance its effectiveness. This commission produced 15 reports on various crucial aspects of governance, including topics like ethics in governance, public administration, financial management, and e-governance.

Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2005)

The second ARC was established in 2005, chaired by Veerappa Moily. This commission was tasked with preparing a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administration system to achieve a proactive, responsive, accountable, and efficient administration at all levels of government. The second ARC also produced several reports, addressing issues such as terrorism, local governance, RTI, and more.

Key Reports and Recommendations

• 1st Report: Right to Information (RTI)

  • Repeal the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
  • Amend Section 123 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, regarding governmental privilege in evidence.
  • Implement protections for whistleblowers.

• 2nd Report: Unlocking Human Capital - NREGA

  • Ensure the effective implementation and expansion of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
  • Use IT for monitoring and fund management.

• 3rd Report: Crisis Management

  • Establish a National Policy on Disaster Management.
  • Promote the use of GIS for disaster prevention and solution.

• 4th Report: Ethics in Governance

  • Reform political funding and strengthen anti-defection laws.
  • Disqualify individuals with criminal charges from elections.
  • Establish an Office of Ethics Commissioner.

• 11th Report: Promoting e-Governance

  • Prioritize e-governance projects and allocate 2-3% of the Plan budget.
  • Build common support infrastructure and promote business process re-engineering.

• 12th Report: Citizen-Centric Administration

  • Implement an effective public grievance redressal system.
  • Simplify internal procedures and rationalize processes like issuing driving licenses and building permits.

Phases of Reform

1. Experimental Phase (1970-1984): Initial efforts to implement the recommended reforms.
2. Transitional Phase (1984-1991): Period of gradual adaptation to the suggested changes.
3. Reformist Phase (1991-1995): Major reforms in the wake of economic liberalization.
4. Mainstreaming Phase (1996-Present): Continued efforts to integrate and mainstream administrative reforms.

Conclusion

The ARC reports have been instrumental in shaping India's public administration. They provide a comprehensive roadmap for reforming governance, and their recommendations are considered crucial for preparing for civil services examinations like the UPSC. These reports also offer valuable insights, case studies, and quotes that are beneficial for writing responses in the mains examination.