Mains Answer Writing - 6 Feb, 2026
GS3
Economy
10 marks
“The 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations reflect a shift from unconditional transfers to conditional fiscal discipline.”
Discuss with reference to grants-in-aid and fiscal roadmap recommendations.
Tips for your answer
- Define the shift clearly: Start by stating that the 16th FC moves from open-ended transfers to rule-based and conditional fiscal support to improve accountability.
- Use 2 concrete examples: Mention conditional local body grants and the fiscal deficit / off-budget borrowing restrictions to show the shift in practice.
- Conclude with impact language: End with a line like:
- “The approach strengthens fiscal discipline while preserving cooperative federalism.”
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