Introduction
India, is the world's largest democracy, with a population of 1.48 billion people. Its vast population and the ethnic diversity of its people, languages and cultural traditions make its federal structure necessary for nation. In the early phases of development, the three older federations of the USA, Canada, and Australia, the dominant concept was that of ‘competitive federalism’ which derived a spirit of competition and conflict between the union government and the state government. As time goes, the shift from competitive federalism to cooperative federalism signifies a move from individual state-centric approaches to a more collaborative, coordinated and cooperative approach that puts the collective good of the nation as a whole. Granville Austin described India’s federalism a “Cooperative Federalism. [Granville Austin]
The concept of Cooperative federalism is a subset of federalism where the collaboration and cooperation among the state governments addresses common problem and issues. These governments share authority under cooperative federalism, share power and responsibility, contribute to the decentralisation of authority, which strengthens the federal spirit in a true way. The notion of Cooperative Federalism is claimed to be reinforced when the Goods and Services Tax was launched on 1st July, 2017 by the Indian Government. In Indian politics, cooperative federalism has always been valued; in last three decades, it has become more popular. Although the word "federation" is not used in our constitution, one of its key characteristics is its federal character, which establishes a federal system of government. In terms of the Article 1 of the Indian constitution, ‘India, that is Bharat, shall be ‘a Union of states’ which infers two things: First, Indian Federation is not the outcome of the States’ agreement like that of the USA; and second, no state can succeed or withdraw formally from the membership of the union like that of the USSR. [Rajbir Singh Dalal]
Due to country’s economic backwardness and disparities, the nation was determined for a socio-economic revolution not only to secure economic prosperity and fulfill basic needs of common man but also to bring a fundamental change in the framework of Indian society in accordance with the egalitarian principles. All these considerations led to the creators of the Constitution to devise a federation with a strong centralizing tendency as Sir Ivor Jennings said. [Chanchal Kumar]
Federalism accommodates voice of minority, welfare of masses, harmonious and sound democracy, cultural pluralism, favour of social justice, supporter of equality and liberty, rigid constitution, integrated judiciary, division of powers between states and union, bicameralism, constitutional supremacy rather than parliament supremacy etc. In contrast to central government domination in policymaking, cooperative federalism, sometimes known as marble-cake federalism, is a federalism idea in which union, state and local level governments collaborate to address common challenges. The best example of this federation was the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. While the concept of cooperative federalism in India has gained strength and popularity, there remains a significant issue of disproportionate power held by the central government as Morris Jones described Indian Federalism is ‘bargaining federalism’. [Morris Jones]
Objectives:
The followings are the main objectives of this paper:
• To explain the concept and highlight importance of cooperative federalism
• To examine the coherence and applicability of cooperative federalism.
• To discuss features and constitutional frameworks of cooperative federalism
• To highlight operationality of cooperative federalism along with its main constraints and suggestions.
Constitutional Framework and Cooperative Federalism
The constitution of India is the supreme law of land which not only determines the nature and form of the administration prevailing in the country but also expresses the ultimate source of sovereignty. The rigid nature of the Indian Constitution makes it difficult to deviate from its provisions, which include the division of powers between the federal government and the states. A written Constitution is a necessity for the survival of federalism. Due to this very reason, federalism is basic structure of the Indian Constitution. The following are the main provisions in the Indian constitution which deal with its cooperative federalism:
4th Schedule: The allocation of seats in the Council of States is governed by the 4th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This allocation of seats is based on the population of each state to ensure that states have a voice and representation at the national level. This representation fosters collaboration between the union government and the states government by enabling states to express their issues, opinions, and concerns at the federal legislative level. [Fourth schedule]
7th Schedule: The Constitution of India under 7th Schedule is important to the nation's cooperative federalism, which refers to a stable relationship between the union and the state governments that allows them to work together on issues of common interest. Especially the Concurrent List, which addresses issues on which legislation may be passed by both the central and the state governments, promotes collaboration between the union and the states government. They can work together, share resources and coordinate their efforts to address issues that affect the country as a whole, such as criminal law, marriage, environment, education and bankruptcy. [Seventh schedule]
Article 54: Article 54 of the Constitution, deals with the election of the President, as the head of the state, plays an effective role in creating the balance between the central and the state governments, which is necessary for cooperative federalism to function effectively. The President of India plays an interesting role as an effective mediator of cooperative federalism, particularly with regard to addressing circumstances that might result in the imposition of President's Rule in accordance with Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 262: This Article establishes a legal framework for resolving interstate water conflicts, hence is inevitable for promoting cooperative federalism. The function of the central government and the judiciary in promoting cooperative federalism is essential for facilitating negotiations and ensuring that decisions are implemented, even in contentious issues like the Cauvery River water issue.
Article 263: It enables the establishment of an Inter-State Council, a constitutional institution to encourage coordination among the states and union. The Sarkaria Commission (1983) made recommendations to strengthen the inter-state council's role and functioning to promote cooperative federalism. It recommended that the agenda for meetings should be enlisted on those topics, which both the state and the centre are well consensus and interested in. [R. Garg]
Article 252: This Article empowers Parliament to pass laws on subjects that are usually the domain of state legislatures; however, the affected states' specific consent is required for this to be done.
73rd and 74th Amendment Acts: These Amendment Acts added 11th and 12th Schedules in the Indian constitution and are primarily meant for giving constitutional status to three tiers government i.e. Panchayats and Municipalities, hence important in strengthening cooperative federalism by giving local self-government and administration in both rural and urban areas more authority and responsibilities. They work together in planning and implementing development programs and addressing the needs of communities at the local level.
Keshavananda Bharati Case (1973): This was the significant judgements of the hon'ble Supreme Court that emphasised the significance of federalism as a part of basic structure of Indian Constitution. The judgement upheld the importance of maintaining the harmonious relations among the authorities of the central and the state governments.
Goods and Services Tax Act: The GST was inserted by the 101th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2017. GST is a paradigm of cooperative federalism in the taxation system. It brings the union and the state governments together to create a unified tax system, to reduce multiple taxation, ease revenue sharing and make decisions based on consensus.
All India Services: These Services are enshrined in article 312 of the constitution of India. The officers of these prestigious services are appointed by the honorable President of India on recommendations of the Union Public Service Commission but most of them and most of the time serve on the top positions in the State administration. Another uniting element of cooperative federalism is provided by these Services, hence is important to the nation's federal system and strengthens the union and the state governments in a unified administrative framework. That's why Sardar Patel called these services as the Steel framework of Indian democracy.
NITI Ayog: National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Ayog was established as a think-tank for policy formulation and evaluation by the Modi led NDA government to replace the Planning Commission in April, 2015. According to NITI Aayog, two essential components of cooperative federalism are the centre and the states' joint focus on the National Development Agenda and the States and the Union Territories' engagement of their concerns and issues with Central Ministries. It will provide critical directional and strategic input to the development process, focusing on commitments and outcomes.
Zonal Councils: These councils establish a harmonious relationship between both centre and the states as well as among some neighbouring states. Zonal councils are statutory bodies established under the State Re-organization Act, 1956 to facilitate a collaborative coordination in between the states and at present 6 councils are in operation.
Finance Commission: In spite of clear-cut distribution of subjects between the Union and the state governments and their taxation. Article 280 of the Indian constitution makes provision regarding the Finance Commission which determines the distribution of some of financial resources or taxes between the centre and the states, also plays a crucial role in cooperative federalism:
Disaster Management Act, 2005: This Act facilitates the harmonious relations between the centre and the states during crisis. During disasters may be natural or man-made, cooperative federalism comes into play an active role of collaboration to provide rescue, relief, rehabilitation and assistance. COVID-19 pandemic was one of the examples of cooperative federalism. It made possible for the both union and the state governments to work together and make collective decisions in responding to the crisis.
This collaborative approach played a vital role in addressing the complex and unpredictable challenges posed by the pandemic and ensuring a unified approach to safeguard public health.
Role of Governor: Governor of the state is its constitutional head and enjoys all the executive powers of State under article 152. The Governor is appointed by the President of India and holds office till his/ her pleasure. But in practice, the Governor serves as the centre agent, promoting collaboration relationship between the union administration and the states on various issues, including the distribution of resources, implementation of central schemes and resolution of state-specific conflict.
Public Health and Sanitation: Public Health and Sanitation under Article 47 directs the state to improve public health and nutrition, reflecting a cooperative effort among states and the centre and the states to address health and sanitation issues.
Article 48-A: This Article was inserted in Part IV of Indian constitution which focuses on the protection and improvement of the environment. Natural calamities like pollution and global warming are big issues in the world today. In order to resolve these issues cooperation and consensus between the states is must. Together we are stronger instead of weak. Without the state cooperation, it would be impossible to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2023.
Challenges
The conflict between the union and the state governments is as old as our federal system. These relations have not always been peaceful or amicable and there are many instances of problem areas. One of contentious issues is the enactment of the GST Act which incorporates a tax on goods and services. The central and the state governments each had the authority to decide their own tax rates prior to the enactment of the GST Act, thereafter without the GST Council's approval which is fully dominated by the union government; state governments will not be able to determine their own tax rates.
President rule or enforcement of Article 356 is the major contentious issues between the centre and the states. Although in S R Bommai v. Union of India case, 1993, the Hon'ble Supreme Court sought to curb the blatant misuse of Article 356 of the Constitution but the rate of violating article 356 increased dramatically since last two decades. In 2018 election of Goa, Manipur and Karnataka proves that everything could be possible in the battlefield of politics. In Goa election, Congress had become the single largest party with 17 seats out of 40 seats in State Assembly. The BJP had won only 13. But despite that the Governor Mridula Sinha invited BJP leader Manohar Parrikar to form the government. [Maninder Dabas] The gimmick of recent election in Maharashtra reminds of abusing power at highest level. Overnight the President rule was revoked and Sh Devender Fednvis along with Sh Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sh Sharad Pawar the NCP Supremo were sworn in as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister at 2.30 a.m. in BJP led government. However, this fiasco couldn't sustain for long, hence after its breakup a Mahaagadi coalition government in the leadership of Shri Udhav Thackery was formulated. But within a period of less than two years the Shiv Sena MLAs defected from the main party under leadership of Eknath Shinde and again a forged coalition government was established. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has declared this defection totally unlawful and illegal, hence this government but still the government is carrying on under the patronage of Union Government. Today’s politics proved that Article 356 was the dead letter of the constitution as Ambedkar said.
The non -BJP ruled State governments of Kerala, Punjab, NCT Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal etc have to approach the hon'ble Apex Court to give directions to the respective governors to grant assent on the vital bills passed by the State legislature but Governor has sat on these without any action. It is one of the recent trends of misuse of gubernatorial office. It seems that there is a blind race among governors to appease their political boss sitting in Delhi to harness more benefits.
The appointment of the governor is another example of the apple of discord between the central and the state relations. The attack on dissenting States by continuous misusing of the governor post reflects not only the ruling party’s immediate political ambitions but also its lack of ideological commitment to the Constitution. The animosity between ruling party and opposition for the appointment of governor post to gain personal motive undermine the cooperative federalism. West Bengal has a long history of acrimonious relationship between the state government and the governor, irrespective of whether it's Left or the TMC in power. In 2019, there have been 14 incidents, in less than five months, when the governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and the state C.M Mamta Banerjee have not seen eye to eye. On November 4, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar took a jab at the TMC government by saying that numerous people had complained to him about the state administration violating their privacy. The remarks came a day after Mamata Banerjee alleged that her phone had been tapped by the Union government as well as a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state. She had also alleged that the Centre was snooping on people. TMC said the governor was acting like a BJP leader. He is RSS man. [Tanmay Chatterjee]
Other instances of tussle between the centre and the states are subjects of concurrent list. Both centre and state can make laws on subjects mentioned in the concurrent list. But in case of conflict between centre and states like Centre is having Monopoly over the concurrent list or the law of the centre prevails. Residuary power is another contentious issue between the state and the centre. Many states have raised their voice to bring residuary power to the states etc. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the Centre became somewhat restrained by regional parties of states. The quest for state autonomy remains a persistent problem in Indian federalism. In 1973 in Punjab Anandpur Sahib resolution and West Bengal memorandum 1977 has advocated to limit the centres power to defence, foreign affairs, currency and communication etc.
The tussle between ruling parties and Opposition-ruled states over the last decade is that Central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Income Tax Department and even the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have been systematically targeting their ministers and leaders, implicating them in cases under direction of BJP-ruled Centre. Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, while called the ED an “ATM” of the BJP. [Gaurav Sarkar] Recently, ED conducted raids in Rajasthan against opposition ruled party and escalated the tussle between centre and states.
Conclusion and Suggestions
With the country's diverse political and administrative cultures, cooperative federalism is an inevitable concept and practical mechanism. Only the cooperative federalism ensures that state governments have a degree of autonomy and the ability to decide what is best for their constituents under cooperative federalism. States have the freedom to select the central plan that best suits their needs and to make changes as needed. The future of India is a blend of both competitive and cooperative federalism as competition provides dynamism and cooperative federalism helps balance this dynamism.
India's future will combine cooperative and competitive federalism as the former fosters dynamism while the latter serves to balance dynamism. In a nutshell, cooperative federalism is not about dividing the power rather it serving the unity or diversity of power between centre and states.
Key recommendations to sustain the cooperative federalism are as under:
• The resurrection of centre-state and interstate councils under Article 263; these bodies ought to be established to ensure the efficient or flexible relation among the states, and state and the central government.
• Give States more autonomy in addressing issues on the Concurrent List.
• NITI Aayog should take more actions to allocate micro resources and use them effectively, which will give cooperative federalism more legitimacy.
• To balance the power among states and union government, local institutions like panchayat raj should be given more authority because Local institutions are the bedrock of federalism.
• The authority of residuary power should be handed to states like USA.
• Contentious appointment like Governor and Election Commission should be appointed with the approval of concerned state government.
• Revenues rates should be fixed by states rather than central government.
• Create regular channels of communication between both the union and state administrations. This can include regular meetings, joint committees, and information-sharing mechanisms.
Above all, cooperative federalism provides the framework for creating a strong and unified nation. Where the strengths of each and every state contribute to the happiness and prosperity of the entire nation. It is aptly right to quote here Woodrow Wilson, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar who said that whatever good constitution you may make, if the persons who are meant to implement or operate it are lacking public probity, empathy, moral and ethical norms and standards, they will certainly ruin it.
References
1. Granville Austin: The Indian Constitution – Cornerstone of a Nation, Oxford,1966, PP.33.
2. Dalal, Rajbir S. (2018). Cooperative Federalism: An Evaluation in Indian Context. The Indian Journal of Political Science, LXXIX, No.4
3. Kumar Chanchal Federalism in India: A Critical Appraisal, Pg.1.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333309772_Federalism_in_India_A_Critical_Appraisal.
4. Morris Jones: The Government and Politics in India,1960, P.14.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Schedule_to_the_Constitution_of_India.
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh_Schedule_to_the_Constitution_of_India.
7. Garg, R. (2021, December 5). Features of Sarkaria Commission Report on union and state relations. iPleaders. https://blog.ipleaders.in/features-of-sarkaria-commission-report-on-union-and-state-relations.
8. Dabas, M. (2018, May 17). Goa, Manipur & now Karnataka proves that misuse of article 356 to form govt is an old trick. India Times.
https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/goa-manipur-now-karnataka-proves-that-misuse-of-article-356-to-form-govt-is-an-old-trick-345572.html.
9. Chatterjee, T. (2019, December 11). 13 times when Bengal Governor Dhankhar and Mamata Banerjee fought. The Hindustan Times.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news.
10. Sarkar, Gaurav. (2022, March 28). As states launch offensive against ED, cooperative federalism goes for a six. The Federal.
https://thefederal.com/analysis/as-states-launch-offensive-against-ed-cooperative-federalism-goes-for-a-six/?infinitescroll=1
India has surpassed France and the UK to become the fifth largest economy in the world with a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated to be around $ 3.12 trillion for FY22. For the fiscal year 2022-23, a healthy growth rate of approximately 7% is anticipated.
This paper offers an integrated digital drone-based services solution for cities & towns, controlled through an integrated smart control room and/or where users may call in for support of required service, on a time-sharing basis; charged according to No of drones, payload, distances and time calculations.
This paper covers the health benefits of cycling and how it has a positive impact on the environment. It examines the Dutch model of the development of cycling, how it may be adapted to Indian conditions, and help to overcome the barriers to cycling, in the Indian context.
The transformation of the lives of rural women towards their betterment is a critical issue in the development process of countries around the world. Poverty, lack of financial awareness, minimal or no education, and women's disempowerment are reasons for the poor condition of rural women.
In India, the procedure of shifting the paradigm for good governance has been dynamic and continuing. A notion known as "good governance" includes a number of rules and procedures designed to guarantee the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of governmental institutions.
Administration of independent India drewn many transformations to get away from British colonial administration that propagates the colonial need such as maintenance of law and order, collection of revenue, tactics to hold the administrative power in British civil servants.
The twenty-first century should be an era of new forms of Governance different from what we have seen in the past. Due to widespread economic problems and fiscal constraints in the 1980's, governments around the world both rich and poor, concluded that government had become too big, too costly and ineffective.
The concept of ‘governance’ is not new. It is as old as human civilization. It has over the years gained momentum and a wider meaning. Apart from being an instrument of public affairs management, or a gauge of political development, governance has become a useful mechanism to enhance the legitimacy of the public realm.
In India, the paradigm of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) is proving to be transformative as it attempts to balance the intricate relationships between sustainable resource utilisation, forest regeneration, and conservation. India, which has about 70 million hectares of forest cover, struggles to meet the socioeconomic demands of the people who depend on the forests while also protecting these ecosystems.
A long-term abutting weather situation that is particularly related to temperature and precipitation is called climatic change. Land-use changes, forest fires, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are all possible contributing factors to this Climate shift (Reddy, 2015).
The Yamuna is a tributary of the holy Ganges. The main stream of the Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier at Bandar Panch (38°59'N, 78°27'E) in the Mussoorie Ranges of the lower Himalayas, at an average altitude of about 6387 meters above sea level in the Uttarkashi district (Uttrakhand) increase.
The issue of governance has received serious attention of researchers, policy makers, administrators and the national as well as international community. The New Public Management (NPM) concept is focused on service, quality, performance management and risk management of governance processes.
The government provides services including healthcare, education, social support, and financial inclusion to the public. However, villagers and citizens in remote areas often struggle to access these services due to several constraints including inadequate infrastructure and inaccessibility.
Digital governance, in the context of the digital era, involves the use of information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to enhance and transform the delivery of public services, improve government efficiency, and engage citizens in decision-making processes.
Since the majority of India's population relies on agriculture for their living, the sector dominates the country's economy. Agriculture only makes up less than 20 per cent of the nation's GDP (Ministry of Finance, 2018), emphasizing the sector's low-income production.
E-commerce and digital technology have transformed the way people spend and save. There is an evident technological growth in the world of finance which is referred to as financial technology or fintech. Financial technology (Fintech) refers to the technological innovations that assist in enabling or improving the access to financial services digitally through the internet, smartphones or computers.
Today we are living in an era of the ‘regulatory state’. The expressions ‘regulation’, ‘regulatory governance’ and ‘regulatory institutions’ have become the buzzwords of governance and are spread across social systems as well as state organisations and government strategies.
Participatory planning involves the intensive participation of local communities in analysing their current situation, envisioning a long-term collective future and attempting to attain this vision through collective planning of development interventions that would be implemented by different state agencies area.
Intrinsically, India is a republican country that is organised as a federation with a parliamentary democracy. Similar to the United Kingdom, the President serves as the head of state in name only; in contrast, the Prime Minister is the de facto executive, or real head of the government.
With over eight thousand years of experience and intellectual growth (Cameron (1968), Edwards (Gadd, 1971), Hammond (1971), Eisenstadt (1963, 1993), Olmstead ( 1948), etc.), public administration has undergone numerous changes and transformations over its long history, but it has never been so challenged as in the last thirty years.
A paradigm represents a framework, viewpoint, or collection of concepts that serves as a lens for understanding various subjects. In disciplines like science and philosophy, paradigms encompass specific theories, methodologies, and principles defining valid contributions within a field.
The field of public administration is experiencing a dramatic and rapid change. Locally and globally, some of the most significant trends that will have the role and function of public administrators is rapidly evolving as the needs and demands of citizens, governments and organisations influence their ability to create and implement policies.
Public administration in the 21st century is undergoing significant transformation, not just in advanced countries but also in various regions of the developing world, as the calls for transformative change grow louder. These changes are propelled by globalisation, liberalisation and the diversification of service provision.
In an era where administrative agility defines the efficacy of democratic governance, this chapter, “Techniques of Administrative Improvement”, offers a comprehensive exploration of transformative tools, methods, and strategies that are reshaping public administration in India and globally.
The rapid pace and interdependence of global, political, social and economic developments have necessitated a critical need for improved efficiency and effective public institutions, administrative procedures and sound financial management to confront challenges for sustainable development in all countries.
The evolution of Indian administration reflects a historical continuum shaped by civilizational values and transformative changes. Spanning the Mauryan, Mughal, and British eras, each phase contributed distinct institutional structures and governance philosophies.
As an initial output of the joint research between the Korean Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) and the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), this article provides overviews of the Korean and Mongolian legislative environment, governance and characteristics of the anti-corruption policies.
Administrative improvement is a strategic necessity in a fast-paced world. Techniques like O&M, Work Study, management aid tools such as network analysis form the cornerstone of efficient governance. MIS, PERT, and CPM tools equip administrators with the ability to anticipate challenges, and drive organizational success in an increasingly complex environment.
Street vendors are an integral part of the urban informal economy in India, providing essential goods and service that cater to the diverse needs of city residents. They operate in various capacities, from food vendors to artisans, and play a crucial role in enhancing the vibrancy and accessibility of urban life.
This paper examines the critical role of communication in driving India's economic growth within the context of its diverse societal structure and the rapidly evolving information age. It argues that effective communication is not merely a tool for disseminating information but a fundamental force shaping development trajectories.
One often wonders ‘what the government does’ and ‘why the government does what it does’ and equally importantly ‘what it does not do and why so’. According to Thomas R. Dye “public policy is whatever government chooses to do or not to do”, implying that government's actions and inactions both come into the realm of public policy.
Access to safe drinking water is not merely a fundamental human right; it is a cornerstone of public health, economic development, and social equity. In rural India, where water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure pose significant challenges, the quest for reliable water supply becomes even more critical.
This paper outlines the century-long history of Mongolia’s civil service training institution, the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), which plays a crucial role in meeting the contemporary needs of training and developing human resources within the civil service sector.
India stands at a crucial juncture in its quest for inclusive development that will bring prosperity across the spectrum. Large amounts of public funds are spent to address these issues, but their implementation and the quality of services delivered leave much to be desired.
India has committed to achieving developed nation status by the centenary of its independence, leveraging cutting-edge technologies including AI tapping into its vast human capital, and implementing policies that foster high growth while addressing enduring social and economic inequalities.
This article explores the value and statehood of Mongolia by utilising Woodrow Wilson’s categorisation of “Judging by the constitutional histories of the chief nations of the modern world, there may be three periods of growth through which government has passed in all the most highly developed of existing systems, and through which it promises to pass in all the rest.
This paper examines India's economic trajectory through the lens of its demographic dividend a substantial youth population exceeding 50% under age 25 within its 1.4 billion citizens. While this demographic advantage offers unprecedented economic potential, its promise is threatened by systemic challenges including inadequate education access, limited skill development, and employment scarcity, particularly in rural areas.
Remarkable technological and scientific progress has made the modern democratic State not a mere watch-dog or a police institution but an active participant interfering in almost every sphere of individual and corporate life in society in the changed role of a service state and a welfare state
Since the reform and opening up, China’s leadership training has experienced three stages of development: the initial stage of leadership training and development in the early period of China’s reform and opening up to the world (1978-2002), the rapid growing stage of leadership training and development in the period of fast growing economy and society (2002- 2012) and the innovative…
Accountability and control are essential for efficient, ethical administration in public and private sectors. Accountability ensures officials answer for actions and resource use, while control involves mechanisms to monitor compliance with laws and goals, promoting responsibility and preventing misconduct.
Healthcare in rural India presents unique challenges and opportunities. While global health metrics emphasize indicators like life expectancy, mortality rates, and healthcare infrastructure, they often fail to capture the socio-cultural nuances of rural communities
The “Internet plus” government service reform in China has progressed through three stages, namely one-stop service, one-window service, and companion service. This reform has become a significant example of reshaping the relationship between the local government and the public.
This paper explores the evolution of Indian welfare philosophy from Gandhi's nonviolent resistance to contemporary governance. It traces how the sacrifices of Indian revolutionaries fostered Sarvodaya and Antyodaya ideals, examining the philosophical underpinnings of these concepts in Advaita and dualistic traditions.
Like most other countries around the world, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh's education system has undergone a radical change from the beginning of March 2020 onwards. The study attempts to analyse teachers’, students’ and parents’ perceptions and experiences about the online education in the COVID-19 pandemic at the school level.
Health is a fundamental human right and a critical indicator of development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the importance of ensuring health and well-being for all individuals. A key objective of this agenda is to guarantee favorable health outcomes, underscored by the endorsement of a new declaration during the Global Conference on Primary Health Care held in Astana,…
In this article, published reports have been used for analysing state-wise status of SDGs achievements and their correlations with attainments in areas of poverty-reduction and other developmental indicators. Also, progress made by GPs on various metrics related to SDGs has been corroborated with other relevant metrics
Loss of governance reform efficacy is an identified entrenched institutional problem in systems. Reform, anywhere, is a sticky material because holders of powers and their cronies have rarely shown altruistic intentions of relaxing their profiteering grips over resources.
On September 1, 2023, a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind explored the possibility of something called One Nation, One Election in India and ever since this thing has come out in public, political parties all across the country have been fuming with anger.
This paper examines various initiatives taken by Government of India to promote collaborative governance in various sectors. With increasing needs and aspirations of the community for public services and the limited capacity of government to provide the same, the involvement of various stakeholders to deliver these services becomes important and necessity.
In the vast and diverse landscape of India, regional disparities in development have long posed significant challenges to achieving equitable growth and social justice. Recognizing the urgent need to address these disparities, the Government of India launched the Aspirational Districts Programme in January 2018.
A dynamic interaction between the recognition of human complexity in organizations and the pursuit of structural efficiency has shaped the evolution of administrative philosophy. The foundational works of Frederick W. Taylor, Max Weber, Mary Parker Follett, Elton Mayo, Chester Barnard, Rensis Likert, Chris Argyris, and Douglas McGregor are critically examined in this essay, which charts the shift from traditional administrative…
In India, National Training Policy was formed in 2012, replacing the old policy of 1996. This was needed two reasons, new areas of administration given in the reports of second administrative reforms commission setup in 2005 and changing environment in different spheres of governance and new challenges of administration being faced by the civil servants.
India's emergence as a global services powerhouse in the 21st century marks a profound and transformative shift. This evolution, far from a mere economic change, is a strategic leap driven by its demographic dividend, technological advancements, and the burgeoning global demand for specialized services.
Public administration, as the executive arm of the state, has tremendous responsibilities to match the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the state. The systems have evolved over the years in almost every country as the politico and socio-economic environment of the respective country have changed.
Public administration is the cornerstone of modern governance. It refers to the organization, management, and implementation of government policies and programs, carried out by public officials and institutions. As a vital mechanism of the state, public administration not only ensures the effective delivery of services to citizens but also upholds the principles of accountability, transparency, and rule of law.
Tribal Sustainable Development through Evidence-based Policy and Planning: A major issue in post-Independence India has been a misreading of demands of tribal communities. What they have been demanding pertains to choice upholding their traditions and customs and having ownership over natural resources
As the Idiom of technological advancement takes its toll. The paper highlights a few poignant and emerging factors in the International Relations theorization. It was conservatively maintained by the defense strategists and the political leadership across the Global polity that foreign policy and the Diplomacy are greatly determined by the “given” of Geography and terrain
With the deepening of democracy, increased decentralisation, increasing social and political awareness, digital penetration, shifts in demography, demand for quality services by common citizens has been accelerating at a faster pace. In such a scenario, the role of State is critical for promoting equity in access to services.
"Accelerating India's Development" holistically looks at India’s growth trajectory since gaining independence – it rounds up all where it has done well including unity, upholding the integrity of its constitution, retaining democratic values at its core. It also does not mince words to convey where all the nation has faltered such as falling short in delivery of public services including…
Income and Employment Intensive Growth Agenda for India: The paper examines income and employment status in the Indian labour force to identify policy attention and follow up. The macroeconomic policies taken during last one decade are yielding positive results leading to expansion of manufacturing and services and structural transformation in the economy.
An Analysis of India's Social Welfare Programs: In a democracy, the state's role is to promote societal welfare. According to Aristotle, the state should not only ensure its survival but also improve the quality of life for its citizens. The state has a moral responsibility to its citizens. Modern views agree that the state should provide essential services like education,…
Digital Innovations in Social Protection: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions: The integration of digital technologies into social protection systems represents a transformative shift with profound implications for the delivery of welfare services. This chapter explores the evolving landscape of digital innovations in social protection, contextualising these developments within the broader framework of universal social protection and a systemic approach to welfare.
One of the most crucial aspects of our society is law enforcement, which deals with issues of law and order nationwide. It is an essential component of the state's legal system. The British government introduced a Police Act in 1861, which is still very relevant and based on policing.
India’s Vision for 2047 aims to transform the nation into a developed country, with healthcare being pivotal for this progress. Achieving universal health coverage and modernising healthcare infrastructure are essential for fostering a healthy productive population, which in turn drives economic growth and reduces poverty.
Several challenges linger in the Indian education system, like rote learning, the non-existence of practical skills among students, and disparities in access to quality education. To deal with the criticism for excessive curriculum and unreasonable focus on rote learning, this chapter examines the strategies comprising the building blocks to reform Indian schools.
Social development is expected to promote holistic improvement of individuals, institutions and their surrounding environments. Looking at the pace of development in India, the economy of most states requires strategic prioritization to accelerate improved well-being of the people. Accessibility to health, school education and public security are critical to the edifice of social development.
India is the largest democracy in the world inhabited by about 1.36 billion people over an area of 3287 thousand square kilometers according to an estimate for 2021 based on Census 2011. The Indian economy is characterised as a middle-income emerging market economy. In the last three decades the economy has faced three major crises, i.e., balance of payment crisis…
Neoliberal policies pursued by India since 1990s have created a space for private enterprises hitherto occupied by the state entities, unshackled the existing enterprises and introduced reforms to facilitate private initiative. This chapter looks into the ecosystem of the private sector in general and the developments in three specific sectors- urban mobility, water supply and housing, to draw lessons for…
This Chapter highlights the gradual transformation from Personnel Administration to Strategic Human Resource Management over the years in Government of India. However, there is still a long way to go. In this Chapter an attempt has been made to delineate the criticality to move towards Strategic HRM in Government of India to achieve India’s developmental goals.
Robust statistical data forms the cornerstone of an informed governance system. This paper studies the statistical system and data dissemination in the Centre and State governments in India, and the measures put in action to accelerate the data dissemination process. Arguing that the availability of high-frequency statistical data is a necessary condition for good governance, the first section of the…
In the Amrit Kaal (golden period) of independent India, the ‘citizen first’ approach guides public governance by deepening the outreach of service delivery mechanism so that international standards could be achieved in India@100. The goal can only be achieved by all inclusive governance involving stronger and effective local self-governments both panchayats and municipalities.
In modern societies, with the increasing role of the state in social and economic fields, emphasis on the quality of its governance is of prime concern to all. Indian bureaucratic system of governance is founded on the principle of rule of law, as the state power is divided amongst three chief organs, each has the its own quality under a…
This paper discusses the concept of good governance and its relations with the electoral politics in Indian context. It highlights the various strategies employed by the government and related agencies for the growth and development of the country. Major reforms pertaining to the country’s infrastructure, IT, administration, economy and public services are a few areas that have been explored in…
With the Indian government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, marking hundred years of independence, it has become of highest importance to learn from the past, tenaciously work in the present and step towards the future with complete efficiency. In its 77 years of becoming a democracy, India has soared high with continuous transformations marked by both…
The vision of Viksit Bharat can be realised through Viksit States, and that the aspiration of Viksit Bharat should reach the grassroot level i.e. to each district, block, and village. For this, each State and District should create a vision for 2047 so as to realise Viksit Bharat @ 2047.