Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are voluntary groups independent of government. They are non-State, not automatically anti-State. I disagree with this perception, though some cross legal limits. The NITI Aayog Annual Report 2023-24 recorded about 2.06 lakh organisations on NGO-Darpan in March 2024. Most CSOs strengthen the constitutional State: **Accountability:** Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan campaigns encouraged the Right to Information law and social audits. **Services:** The Akshaya Patra Foundation supports school meals, Pratham improves education, and Goonj assists disaster-hit communities. **Representation:** The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) gives informal women workers a policy voice. **Policy support:** Research groups give governments field evidence and practical suggestions. **Court action:** In **Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms (2002)**, the Supreme Court protected voters’ right to know candidates’ backgrounds.