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2026 · Q8b · Challenges of digital governance (10 marks)

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CSS 2026 · Q8(b) · 10 marks (short note) · Topic: I.8 Governance Approach to Public Administration (incl. Good and Digital Governance)

Same idea asked again: 2026 Q7 (full 20-mark digital governance question) · 2022 Q8b

1. Question

Write short notes on any TWO of the following: a. Causes of globalization b. Challenges of Digital Governance c. Evolution of Public Administration

  • This page answers (b). Option (c) has its own page; option (a) belongs to the globalisation chapter.

2. What the examiner wants

  • One page, about 12–15 minutes.
  • A one-line definition, four or five grouped challenges (each with one explanatory line), one Pakistan example, a one-line conclusion.

3. Outline

  • I. Introduction
  • II. Technical challenges
  • III. Capacity and financial challenges
  • IV. Legal and ethical challenges
  • V. Social and institutional challenges
  • VI. Pakistan
  • VII. Conclusion

4. Model answer

I. Introduction

  • Digital governance: using ICT and data to deliver services, make decisions and engage citizens (G2C, G2B, G2G, G2E).
  • It promises speed and transparency, but in developing countries its biggest challenges are institutional, not technical.

II. Technical challenges

  • Weak infrastructure: load-shedding and poor connectivity interrupt services.
  • Fragmented systems: databases that cannot share data.
  • Poor data quality: old paper errors become automated errors.
  • Cybersecurity: hacking, data leaks and system crashes.

III. Capacity and financial challenges

  • Skills gap in data management, cybersecurity and IT procurement.
  • Recurring cost: maintenance, licences and upgrades are rarely budgeted.
  • Vendor lock-in raises future costs.
  • Heeks' design–reality gap: systems built for conditions that do not exist locally tend to fail.
  • Privacy: no comprehensive data-protection law yet (verify before the exam).
  • Opaque automation: citizens denied a benefit need reasons and an appeal route.
  • Surveillance: centralised data can be misused.

V. Social and institutional challenges

  • Digital divide: rural, poor, elderly and women users are left out of online-only services.
  • Resistance to change: staff fear loss of control or informal income.
  • Visibility without action: complaint portals that log grievances but fix nothing.

VI. Pakistan

  • Working systems: NADRA, FBR's IRIS, Pakistan Citizen Portal, Punjab land records.
  • New law: the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 creates a National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority — implementation and data safeguards are the test.

VII. Conclusion

  • Digitising a flawed process only speeds up its flaws.
  • Success needs reliable data, clear responsibility, lawful data use, inclusive design and steady funding.

5. 🎯 CSS Exam Perspective

  • Must-haves: grouped headings, Heeks, one Pakistan law or system.
  • Common mistake: a list of single words — every challenge needs one line of explanation.
  • Reuse: expands directly into the 2026 Q7 answer if a 20-mark version comes.