Residents of a district report four problems with state institutions. Going by the discussion in 'State and Civil Society', which one is the odd one out?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Authorities ban public meetings and gag local newspapers
Option (1) Officials demand bribes before clearing pension files — Incorrect. Demanding bribes is corruption. Corruption makes state institutions unable or unwilling to respond to the needs of the people.
Option (2) Applications lie unprocessed for months through poor working methods — Incorrect. Files lying unprocessed show inefficiency. It is another reason state institutions fail to serve people.
Option (3) The office lacks the staff and funds to serve the area — Incorrect. A shortage of staff and funds is a lack of resources. It also leaves state institutions unable to meet people's needs.
Option (4) Authorities ban public meetings and gag local newspapers — Correct. Banning meetings and gagging newspapers is authoritarianism. An authoritarian state limits civil liberties such as freedom of speech, of the press and of political activity. The other three are failures of service, so this one stands apart.
NCERT (2026-27): “6.4 State and Civil Society … |