Probity in Governance: Transparency, Citizen's Charter & Anti-Corruption

1. Probity & Transparency Mechanisms

Cue Words	Notes
Concept of Probity	Complete and confirmed integrity, uprightness, and honesty in public life. Requires active commitment to ethical principles, avoidance of corruption, and total transparency.
Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005	Tool for transparency and citizen empowerment. Redefines accountability from internal administrative reporting to direct public disclosure. Conflict with Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1923 (RTI Sec 8/9 overrides OSA).
Whistleblower Protection	Safeguards individuals disclosing corruption or wrongdoing. Whistle Blowers Protection Act 2014 protects identity and provides immunity against administrative victimisation.

2. Codes of Ethics, Citizen's Charter & Anti-Corruption Framework

Cue Words	Notes
Code of Ethics vs Code of Conduct	Code of Ethics: Broad, aspirational, value-based philosophical guide outlining core values (Selflessness, Integrity, Impartiality). Code of Conduct: Specific, rule-based enforceable directives detailing acceptable and prohibited behaviors (e.g., All India Services Conduct Rules 1968—prohibiting gifts, political participation, or private business).
Citizen's Charter	Document declaring an organization's commitment toward service standards, quality, timeline, grievance redressal, and accessibility. Principles: Vision, Quality, Choice, Standards, Value for money, Transparency, and Accountability. (Sevottam model).
Anti-Corruption Institutions & Laws	Institutions: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013. Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) 1988 (Amended 2018): Criminalizes both bribe-taking and bribe-giving (Sec 7A); mandates prior sanction for investigating serving/retired officers (Sec 17A).

3. Financial Probity & Audit Mechanisms

Cue Words	Notes
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)	Constitutional authority (Article 148) auditing all government receipts and expenditure at Union and State levels; its reports (e.g., on 2G spectrum allocation, Commonwealth Games) are a real, textbook example of an external probity/accountability mechanism.
Integrity Pact (Central Vigilance Commission Model)	A binding agreement between a government department and bidders in large public procurement contracts, incorporating an Independent External Monitor to prevent corruption — recommended by the 2nd ARC and implemented in major PSU tenders (e.g., defence procurement).
Santhanam Committee Report (1962)	Original committee whose recommendations led to setting up of the Central Vigilance Commission (1964) — the foundational institutional root of India's modern probity architecture.