UPSC Mains 2025 GS4 Q5b: model answer
To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal?
What the question wants
Concrete steps for shifting from regulator to facilitator while keeping necessary checks.
How to structure it
Intro: The old 'licence raj' civil servant controlled. Body: (1) Measures: Simplify, Service delivery, Partnerships, Listening; (2) Caution. Conclusion: An enabling civil servant measures success by what others are able to achieve because of him.
- 1(1) Measures: Simplify, Service delivery, Partnerships, Listening
- 2(2) Caution
Model answer
The old 'licence raj' civil servant controlled; today's role is to remove obstacles and help citizens, entrepreneurs and communities grow. That calls for a change in mindset and methods.
Measures
- Simplify: single-window clearances, deemed approvals after a deadline, decriminalising minor offences (Jan Vishwas Act, 2023).
- Service delivery: time-bound services under Right to Services laws; doorstep and digital delivery.
- Partnerships: work with SHGs, FPOs, start-ups and NGOs; district export hubs, ODOP.
- Listening: regular public hearings, grievance tracking, feedback from users.
- Capacity: Mission Karmayogi training in empathy, data and problem-solving.
- Outcome focus: judge officers by results, not files moved; reward innovation, protect honest mistakes.
- Inclusion: special help for women, SC/ST and tribal entrepreneurs.
Caution: facilitation does not mean giving up regulation where safety, environment and rights are at stake. Smart regulation, not no regulation.
An enabling civil servant measures success by what others are able to achieve because of him.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
enabler ease of doing business Jan Vishwas Act Mission Karmayogi smart regulation
Where most answers lose marks
- Suggesting removal of all regulation.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-IV-QP-CSM-25-010925.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.