← All questionsGS2 · 2014 · Governance ·Sectoral Regulatory Bodies
QUESTION N07
GS2
12.5 marks

The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for the obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit consumers, Indian Railways or private container operators.

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9 min
200 words
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What the examiner wants

Discuss the exact proposition in the PYQ — “The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for the obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the experience in…” — using concept/chronology or mechanism, evidence on both sides where relevant, and a conclusion that answers the directive rather than merely describing Sectoral Regulatory Bodies.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1For the prompt cue ‘The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for t’, directly answer: The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for the obligation to operate…≈45 words
  2. 2For the prompt cue ‘The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for t’, directly answer: Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit consumers, Indian Railways or private container operators≈45 words
  3. 3For the prompt cue ‘The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to’, add one verified official-source anchor and a limitation/counterpoint specific to Sectoral Regulatory Bodies≈45 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Define/contextualise Sectoral Regulatory BodiesExplain mechanism/chronologyQuestion-specific evidence/examplesImplicationsConcise conclusion

Where marks usually go

  • For the prompt cue ‘The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to demand sub’, avoid a generic note on Sectoral Regulatory Bodies; answer the actual wording/directive and the Sectoral Regulatory Bodies proposition
  • For the prompt cue ‘The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash-strapped Indian Railways to demand sub’, do not add examples around Sectoral Regulatory Bodies unless they prove, qualify or rebut the proposition asked

Value addition

  • Mechanism flowchart: policy/input → transmission channel → outcome → risk
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.