An example of institutionally aligned answer

Here’s an example using a real question from GS Paper II (2017):

Question: “Examine the role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations in India.”

Institutionally Aligned Answer (200 words)

The Finance Commission is a constitutional body under Article 280 mandated to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the Centre and States. Its role is pivotal in maintaining fiscal federalism within the constitutional framework.

It assesses States’ revenue capacities and expenditure needs, recommending vertical devolution (Centre-to-State share) and horizontal distribution among States. By balancing equity and efficiency, the Commission ensures that national priorities and regional diversity are simultaneously addressed.

Beyond tax devolution, it advises on grants-in-aid, measures to augment State Consolidated Funds, and fiscal discipline. The 14th and 15th Commissions, for example, enhanced States’ share in central taxes and incorporated performance-linked grants to incentivize reforms.

While the Commission strengthens cooperative federalism, challenges remain—growing off-budget transfers, GST Council overlaps, and demands for permanent bodies create debates about its evolving role.

Overall, the Finance Commission serves as a neutral, institutional mechanism to align Centre-State fiscal relations with the constitutional vision of a balanced, yet united federation.

Other Possible Versions:

• Critical Lens Version: Highlight perceived centralization, debates on population formula, demand for State autonomy.

• Reform-Oriented Version: Focus on the need for a permanent Finance Commission or integrating with the GST Council.

• Comparative Version: Compare with fiscal bodies in other federations (e.g., Australia, Canada).

• Case-Heavy Version: Use more data, 14th vs. 15th Commission, specific State impacts.

Note: The institutionally aligned version stays balanced, neutral, rooted in constitutional ethos, and avoids ideological tone—making it evaluator-proof.

Here’s the same answer with inline annotations to show why it’s institutionally aligned:

Question: “Examine the role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations in India.”

Institutionally Aligned Answer (Annotated)

Para 1:

The Finance Commission is a constitutional body under Article 280 mandated to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the Centre and States. Its role is pivotal in maintaining fiscal federalism within the constitutional framework.

🔹 Annotation: Starts with constitutional grounding (neutral, fact-based). Uses “pivotal” but avoids exaggeration. Aligns with institutional tone.

Para 2:

It assesses States’ revenue capacities and expenditure needs, recommending vertical devolution (Centre-to-State share) and horizontal distribution among States. By balancing equity and efficiency, the Commission ensures that national priorities and regional diversity are simultaneously addressed.

🔹 Annotation: Explains function without political bias. Uses administrative language: “equity and efficiency,” “balancing national priorities and regional diversity.”

Para 3:

Beyond tax devolution, it advises on grants-in-aid, measures to augment State Consolidated Funds, and fiscal discipline. The 14th and 15th Commissions, for example, enhanced States’ share in central taxes and incorporated performance-linked grants to incentivize reforms.

🔹 Annotation: Adds specifics (examples of reforms) without advocating. Shows awareness of recent developments but stays neutral.

Para 4:

While the Commission strengthens cooperative federalism, challenges remain—growing off-budget transfers, GST Council overlaps, and demands for permanent bodies create debates about its evolving role.

🔹 Annotation: Balanced critique. Notes challenges as “debates” rather than accusations, showing analytical tone without sounding adversarial.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Finance Commission serves as a neutral, institutional mechanism to align Centre-State fiscal relations with the constitutional vision of a balanced, yet united federation.

🔹 Annotation: Ends by echoing constitutional ethos, not personal opinion. “Neutral, institutional mechanism” signals evaluator-aligned tone.

Teaching Point:

• Institutionally aligned answers combine constitutional anchor + balanced tone + functional clarity.

• They acknowledge challenges without turning polemical.

• They use administrative vocabulary (equity, efficiency, cooperative federalism) instead of ideological terms.

Read here, how an institutionally aligned writing starts with institutionally aligned reading.