Which one of the following is not a means of popular control over public administration in India ?

The correct answer is - Financial audit

Key Points

• Financial audit
  • A financial audit is primarily a technical process conducted by independent authorities like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in India.
  • It ensures the proper utilization of public funds but does not directly involve public participation or control.
  • Unlike other methods such as elections or public hearings, financial audits focus on compliance and performance, rather than being a mechanism for popular control.
  • Hence, it is not considered a direct means of ensuring public control over administration.
• Other options
  • Election: A key democratic process allowing citizens to choose their representatives and indirectly influence public administration.
  • Public hearings: A platform where citizens can express concerns and hold administrators accountable.
  • Public opinion: Shapes policies and decisions by reflecting the collective will of the people.

Additional Information

• Means of popular control over public administration
  • Election
    • Elections empower citizens to select representatives who oversee public administration and ensure accountability.
    • They are the most direct and widespread method of public control in a democracy.
  • Public hearings
    • These allow citizens to present grievances, provide feedback, or question public officials directly.
    • They promote transparency and responsiveness in administration.
  • Public opinion
    • Expressed through media, petitions, or protests, public opinion influences policy-making and administrative actions.
    • It acts as a check on the misuse of power by administrators.
• Role of financial audit
  • Conducted by organizations like the CAG, financial audits ensure that public funds are used efficiently and for their intended purposes.
  • While critical for accountability, they do not involve public participation and are therefore not considered a means of popular control.