The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” 

– Mahatma Gandhi

As India approaches its centenary of independence in 2047, in just over two decades, the country could well be among the world’s top three economies, a technological powerhouse and a decisive voice in global business and geopolitics. The nation stands at a critical juncture. The ambition of becoming a Viksit Bharat a fully developed nation will take bold decisions, deep reforms and an unflinching commitment to inclusive, sustainable, growth.

The various sectors will require to further accelerate the growth relating to Governance & Bureaucracy, Economic Transformation, Industrial & Manufacturing Push, Agriculture & Rural Prosperity Education for the Future, Health Access & Quality, Environment and Climate Leadership, Infrastructure of the Future, Social Equity & Urban Living, Digital Sovereignty & Tech Policy, etc.

Governance and bureaucracy form the backbone of any modern state. Governance encompasses the processes, structures, and norms through which collective decisions are made, resources are allocated, and authority is exercised. Bureaucracy, on the other hand, provides the administrative machinery that translates policy into practice. In the Indian context, both governance and bureaucracy have historically played decisive roles in shaping the trajectory of the nation, from the colonial era to the post-independence developmental state, and now into the 21st century where India aspires to be a Viksit Bharat – a developed nation - by 2047, marking the centenary of its independence.

The ambition of “India at 2047” is not merely economic; it envisions a society where institutions are efficient, inclusive, transparent, and citizen-centric. Yet, governance and bureaucracy face numerous challenges excessive regulations, judicial backlogs, corruption, rigid administrative structures, and a lack of accountability. Addressing these systemic issues is critical to unleashing India’s full potential in the coming decades.

Over the past several decades, India’s governance structures have evolved, yet the pace of change has lagged behind the demands of a rapidly modernizing society. Outdated regulatory frameworks, bureaucratic inertia, judicial delays, weak urban governance have constrained efficiency, innovation, and citizen welfare.

The blueprint for reform outlines key areas of intervention that can revitalize governance: reducing regulatory burdens, creating a modern bureaucracy, reforming the judiciary, cleaning up election funding, strengthening fiscal federalism, ensuring accountability in laws and policies, streamlining compliance frameworks like KYC, and building strong anti-corruption mechanisms. Each reform area is not only a step towards efficiency but also a critical piece in building a citizen-centric, transparent, and future-ready state.

This paper seeks to critically analyze the state of governance and bureaucracy in India, identify challenges, explore reform proposals, and chart a roadmap for future transformation. Drawing insights from global best practices and indigenous experiences, it argues that India must move towards a model of governance that is lean, digital, participatory, and accountable.

Theoretical Framework: Understanding Governance and Bureaucracy Governance: Beyond Government

The concept of governance has evolved significantly over the last few decades. Traditionally, it was equated with government laws, policies, and administrative mechanisms. However, governance today refers to the broader ecosystem of decision-making that includes not only the state but also markets, civil society, and citizens.

According to the World Bank, governance is defined as the traditions and institutions by which authority is exercised for the common good. It encompasses three dimensions:

1)The process by which governments are selected, held accountable, monitored, and replaced.

2) The capacity of governments to effectively formulate and implement policies.

3) The respect for institutions that govern economic and social interactions.

Good Governance, therefore, rests on principles of transparency, accountability, participation, rule of law, equity, and efficiency. Without these, governance risks becoming arbitrary or authoritarian.

Bureaucracy: The Steel Frame

Bureaucracy refers to the administrative apparatus of the state, characterized by a hierarchical structure, standardized procedures, and merit-based recruitment. Max Weber, the German sociologist, described bureaucracy as the most efficient form of organization because of its rational-legal authority, impartiality, and rule-bound operations.

In India, bureaucracy has often been described as the “steel frame” of the nation a term popularized by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who saw the civil services as essential for maintaining national unity and delivering development. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), along with other allied services, became the torchbearer of this vision. However, over time, this steel frame has often been criticized for becoming rigid, status-quoist, and overly hierarchical, leading to inefficiencies and delays in decision-making.

Governance and Bureaucracy: A Symbiotic Relationship

Governance provides the vision, while bureaucracy provides the execution. Neither can function effectively without the other. Governance without bureaucracy is like a strategy without implementation; bureaucracy without governance risks degenerating into red tape. The challenge for India is to ensure that bureaucracy evolves in tune with the needs of modern governance becoming more flexible, specialized, technology-driven, and citizen-centric.

India’s Governance Landscape: An Overview

Post-Independence Trajectory

At independence in 1947, India inherited a colonial administrative system designed for control rather than development. Yet, India adopted the bureaucratic framework, adapting it to democratic governance. The early decades of independence saw bureaucracy play a central role in state-led industrialization, land reforms, and institution-building.

Over time, however, bureaucracy became associated with red tape, inefficiency, and corruption. The “license-permit-quota raj” of the pre-1991 era epitomized this, with excessive regulations stifling enterprise and creating opportunities for rent-seeking. The economic reforms of 1991 marked a shift towards liberalization, privatization, and globalization, but governance reforms lagged behind.

Current Realities: A Mixed Picture

India today is a vibrant democracy with robust institutions. Its governance achievements are significant:

• A strong digital public infrastructure (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker).

• A vibrant election system.

• Expanding social welfare schemes (Food Security, Health Insurance, Direct Benefit Transfers).

• An independent judiciary and active civil society.

Yet, challenges persist:

• Regulatory burden: India has over 1,500 Acts and nearly 70,000 compliance requirements, creating a maze for businesses.

• Judicial backlog: Court cases can take anywhere from one to 20 years, undermining contract enforcement.

• Urban governance deficits: Cities struggle with infrastructure, sanitation, and sustainability.

• Corruption and lack of accountability: Despite technology-driven transparency, rent-seeking remains widespread.

• Bureaucratic rigidity: Recruitment, training, and promotions remain largely seniority-based, with little lateral entry or specialization.

The India@2047 Context

The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 sets the stage for transformative reforms. By 2047, India aims to be not just the third-largest economy but also a society where governance is transparent, inclusive, and future-ready. Achieving this requires addressing structural deficiencies in bureaucracy, judiciary, regulatory frameworks, and fiscal federalism, while embracing digital transformation and citizen-centric governance.

The 10 major key Governance and Bureaucratic Reforms for India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, which have been analysed from the perspective of criticality and definition, are listed as below:-

1. Cut the Regulatory flab

2. Laws and schemes must have expiry dates

3. Introduce regulatory impact assessment

4. A bureaucracy for 21st Century

5. Judicial Reforms to avoid Tareek pe Tareek

6. Zero tolerance against corruption

7. Clean up election funding

8. Deliver e Governance Version 2047

9. Federate the fisc

10. One India, One KYC

1. Cut the Regulatory Flab

India’s regulatory environment remains one of the most complex in the world. According to a study by TeamLease RegTech and ORF, Indian firms must comply with 1,536 Acts and rules, 69,233 compliances, and 6,618 filings annually. MSMEs face compliance costs of Rs 13-17 lakh annually. NO incentive to entrepreneurship. Manual processes dominate licensing, inspections, and renewals, creating bottlenecks for both domestic businesses and foreign investors.

Despite reforms like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and rationalization of labour laws, Jan Vishwas Amendment Act 2023 with repeal of 183 provisions/ 42 Acts, India's Ease of Doing Business ranking upgraded from 142 (2014) to 63 (2020), Implementation of GeM, the employers still face redundant compliance requirements.

Reform Proposals

The key reform lies in moving towards a digital, transparent, and risk-based compliance system. This would include:

• Establish Independent Regulatory Productivity Commission to assess the impact of various provisions that have been enacted by various branches of government over a period of time.

• Unified digital portals for filings and renewals, compliance platform with mandatory timelines for providing approvals. While a National Single Window System was enacted in 2021, its functionality can be greatly improved and all the National and State regulations can be subsumed in one portal. The responsibility of provision of approvals should be of the agency and an appropriate time frame for auto approvals to be mandated. 

• Implement automated risk-based compliance framework / inspections based on trust rather than random or discretionary checks. The regulation Trust based model in other regular industries/enterprises. 

• Elimination of redundant compliances through periodic legislative audits.

• Regulation budgeting with sunset clauses implies that a new regulation should retire equivalent No of antiquated regulations.

Benefits:-The benefits of regulatory simplification will result in reduced costs of compliance, enhanced investor confidence, and greater ease of doing business. 

2. Laws and Schemes must have Expiry Dates

India’s statute books are cluttered with outdated laws and redundant schemes. The concept of a "sunset clause" ensures that laws and schemes do not remain in force indefinitely, which can lead to legislative inertia and an accumulation of outdated rules. It promotes efficiency, efficacy, and de-clutters the statute books. Automatic expiry clauses would ensure that laws and programs are periodically reviewed for relevance. The build up of archaic laws need to be avoided and reduce the regulatory overburden/clutter/rent seeking. Though the agenda was part of 100 day programme, the impact is not visible. 

Reform Proposals-

The government should systematically introduce sunset clauses for all new laws and schemes. There shall be performance based review of schemes /laws.

This would ensure periodic reviews, allowing for the timely termination of programs that have outlived their utility and preventing the burden of unnecessary legislation on future generations. It will also bring clarity to investors and citizens about the end date of schemes and help them fructify plans. Sunset clauses would reduce bureaucratic clutter, improve investor confidence, and enhance transparency in policymaking.

3. Introduce Regulatory Impact Assessment

Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is a structured method of evaluating policies before and after implementation. RIA is a crucial tool for improving the quality of decision-making by assessing the costs and benefits of new regulations before they are implemented. It helps prevent regulatory failures and ensures that policies achieve their intended results. The OECD and World Bank advocate RIAs as a means to improve policymaking.

While there have been initiatives by organizations like the Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) to facilitate the adoption of RIA, a formal, institutionalized framework is yet to be fully established across the government. India can institutionalize RIAs across ministries, ensuring that new regulations are evaluated for economic, social, and environmental impacts.

Reform Proposals-

• RIA must be institutionalized as a mandatory part of the policymaking process. 

• Independent agency with funding may be set up. 

• A structured framework should be implemented to ensure that a thorough analysis of potential impacts economic, social, and environmental is conducted for every new or revised regulation. 

• Training and capacity building in RIA is essential for bureaucracy. 

• Technology solutions (AI and big data analytics) should be extensively utilised for gaining  predictive and prescriptive analysis.

Regular assessments will allow mid-course corrections, prevent policy failures, and improve governance outcomes and rule making will become more transparent, consultative and economically viable.

4. A bureaucracy for 21st Century

The Legacy Bureaucratic Model

• India’s bureaucracy, inherited from colonial structures, was designed to maintain control rather than to serve as a facilitator of development. Despite significant contributions, it continues to suffer from rigidity, over-centralization, and limited accountability. The “mai-baap” culture where bureaucrats act as patrons rather than partners still prevails in many domains with attitude and independence issues.

Action Taken-

• The Mission Karmayogi capacity-building mission was approved in Sept 2020, with an initial ₹510 cr outlay. It created the iGOT digital platform for continuous training and a three-tier governance structure (PM-led council, Cabinet Sec‑led commission, a special-purpose vehicle) . All 100 Smart Cities launched Integrated Command-and-Control Centres to build officer networks. The Centre has also piloted lateral entry of specialists into senior posts (e.g. inviting CEOs/experts for Joint Secretary-level roles), though uptake has been limited. To curb arbitrariness, the 2020 All India Services (Appointments by Promotion) Rules introduced a Civil Services Board concept for cadre management (postings/transfers), though full implementation is pending. Meanwhile, the DARPG-driven e-Office rollout has transformed administration: by 2024 over 94% of Central Secretariat files are managed electronically, and e-Office was deployed across 92 government bodies (covering 6,500 users) as part of a recent “100-day agenda”.

Reform Proposals-

India’s bureaucracy, the iron framework that runs the country and implements policies, needs a makeover to bring it in sync with the evolving economic and social dynamics. 

• Establish Independent Civil Services Board to reduce political interference. To curb political interference in postings, transfers, and disciplinary actions, an independent Civil Services Board should be established. This would ensure stability of tenure, encourage meritocracy, and create a culture of professional independence.

• Create specialized cadres in technology, climate, healthcare, and financial services. Mandate specialization. To meet the needs of a dynamic economy, India requires specialist expertise in fields like technology, healthcare, climate change, and finance. A clear policy on lateral entry would allow professionals from the private sector and academia to contribute at senior levels. This will help supplement the generalist orientation of traditional civil services.

• Implement merit-based promotion systems with 360-degree feedback. 

• Expand lateral entry with affirmative action safeguards.

Expected Impact

A 21st-century bureaucracy may get transformed to be more responsive, transparent, and accountable. 

5. Judicial Reforms to avoid Tareek pe Tareek

Judicial Backlogs and Delays

• India’s judiciary faces a massive backlog, with over 5 Crore cases pending across courts. Civil and commercial disputes can take years  it can take anywhere from one to 20 years — to resolve, undermining the principle of timely justice. For businesses, contract enforcement remains one of the weakest areas in India’s investment climate. As of present estimates, 5 Crore cases pending, Long pendency, more than 30 percent unfulfilled judicial vacancies. Some estimate the Judicial Delays costing India 1.5 to 2 % of GDP

Action Taken till now-

• The government has expanded digitization under the long-running eCourts Project. In Sept 2023, eCourts Phase-III was approved (Rs 7,210 cr over 2023–27) to make courts paperless and accessible . This includes mass-scanning of case records, universal e‑filing and e-payments, 4,400 new e‑seva kiosks, over 1,150 virtual courts (beyond traffic fines), video-conferencing facilities and live-streaming (CLASS) in 300 court complexesThe government established the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms to reduce delays and arrears. Under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project, over 18,700 district and subordinate courts have been computerized. The number of court halls has increased from 15,818 in 2014 to 21,271 by early 2023. The Supreme Court has also expanded benches (e.g. new benchesin MP and other states), and revived special commercial and family courts to speed business and personal disputes. In 2023 the Mediation Bill, 2023 was passed by Parliament to institutionalize out‑of‑court settlement (after Rajya Sabha approval on 2 Aug and Lok Sabha on 7 Aug 2023) . This bill mandates mediation centers and time-bound processes for commercial disputes. Separately, fast-track courtscontinue to handle sexual assault and essential service cases.

Reform Proposals-

• Despite these efforts, a significant backlog remains. There is a pressing need for more benches and judges, and for filling judicial vacancies more rapidly. More benches and judges, faster filling up of vacancies, online hearings, and technology adoption are crucial. Tax disputes need to be resolved faster, too. Technology offers a major opportunity to transform justice delivery. Measures include Online hearings for routine matters, E-filing systems and digital case management, Use of Artificial Intelligence for case triaging and legal research.

• Leveraging technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, as envisioned in the e-courts Phase III project, will make justice delivery more robust. India has only about 20 judges per million people, far below global standards. Increasing the number of judges, setting up more benches, and filling vacancies quickly are urgent priorities.

• Expeditiously fill all judicial vacancies at all levels.

• Establish an All India Judicial Service for standardized recruitment

• Integrate AI and machine learning for predictive case management and legal research

• Create specialized courts for special issues like environmental and cyber offenses to develop institutional expertise.

• Implement disposal incentives and performance metrics for judges.

Benefits:- Timely justice will not only restore citizens’ faith in institutions but also boost investor confidence and reduce costs of litigation.

6. Zero tolerance against corruption

• Good governance hinges on accountability and anti‐corruption as core administrative principles. It forces ethical utilisation of administrative power and curbs private gain. Robust oversight mechanisms make public administration more efficient and responsive driving a citizen-centric ethos. Strong accountability and anti-corruption frameworks produce a more transparent, fair and efficient bureaucracy truly responsive to citizens’ needs.

• Corruption remains one of India’s most persistent governance challenges. It erodes trust, distorts resource allocation, and undermines citizen welfare. Corruption and accountability cuts across all other aspects and the policy benefits will fail if this fundamental aspect is not addressed holistically.

CPI 2024 : 38/100, rank 96/180 (Transparency Intl). Corruption in public service is ubiquitous challenge.

Action taken-

• Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 

• Lokpal (National Ombudsman) –since 2019, now scaling up.

• GeM (Govt e-Marketplace) – ₹5.4 lakh crore GMV.

• DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) – saves ₹ 3+ lakh crore.

•CPGRAMS – grievance redress timelines cut to 21 days

Reform Proposals-

• 100% e-Procurement with open contracting data standards with publishing of end to end data, incorporation of mandatory integrity pacts above a threshold in all ministries and Gem first policy for all procurements . Mandatory transparency in government contracts and procurement.

• Stronger Whistleblower Protection – anonymity, safeguards, incentives.

• Machine-readable Asset Disclosures for senior officials, focus on illicit enrichment and unexplained wealth accumulation ( incorporate technology to identify). Use of blockchain for secure, tamper-proof records

• Time-bound Vigilance & Prosecution (90-day sanction norms) is essential for deterrence to set in.

• AI-driven Red Flag Analytics for procurement & tax data.

• Strengthening institutions like the Lokpal, RTI and CVC.

7. Clean up Election Funding

Current Election Expenditure Patterns

• The 2024 General Election saw 646 million voters elect 543 Lok Sabha MPs, with each candidate reportedly spending an average of ₹57.2 lakh. However, the sources of these funds remain opaque. Corporate donations and unaccounted cash dominate campaign financing, raising concerns about corruption and policy capture. Estimate of electoral candidate spending Rs 57.2 Lakhs is very conservative.

• Electoral reforms are the need of the hour for transparency in funding to political parties, especially by India Inc. This will bring clarity in the stance taken by elected representatives on policy measures as well as lower pressure on companies to pay for elections.

Action taken till now:-

• Key reforms include the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems, and the 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option. Candidates are also now required to declare their criminal cases, assets, and liabilities

• Electoral Bonds introduced, though subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court.

• Election Commission of India (ECI) implements digitization for expenditure monitoring.

• Mandatory disclosure of corporate donations to political parties.

Reform Proposals must ensure:

• Measures to enhance institutional strength of ECI and Awareness (Transparency).

• State funding of elections based on vote share.

• Establish a National Election Fund for voluntary public contributions.

• Bring political parties under RTI Act.

• Implement real-time digital tracking of election expenses by candidates and parties.

• Full disclosure of contributions from corporations and individuals.

• Stronger oversight by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

• Mandatory disclosure of corporate political donations would reduce pressure on businesses and enhance public trust. 

• Crowdfunding mechanisms and state funding of elections may also be considered to level the playing field.

8. Deliver e Governance Version 2047

India's DPI is a global leader, with initiatives like the Digital India program, which aims to transform the nation into a knowledge economy. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital payments, and platforms like DigiLocker and UMANG provide citizens with access to authentic digital documents and a wide range of government services.

• UPI processing ₹23.24 lakh crore

• 136.65 crore Aadhaar cards issued

• 5.84 lakh Common Service Centers

• ONDC expanded to 616+ cities

However the Integration and covering remote areas still is a critical aspect.

Reform Proposals-

• Integrating AI and Emerging Tech:- The next step is to integrate Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics into governance, enabling predictive policymaking and personalized service delivery.

• Expand CBDC integration

• Building a Unified Government Services Portal:- All government services should converge on a single portal to improve ease of living. Citizens should not need to navigate multiple websites for basic services.

• Risks of Exclusion and Privacy Concerns:-While scaling digital infrastructure, issues of digital literacy, data privacy, and cybersecurity must be addressed to avoid deepening inequalities through implementation of blockchain-based systems and establishing data privacy frameworks

E-Governance must evolve from fragmented departmental systems to an integrated, citizen-centric model. The emphasis should be on service delivery, accountability, and real-time feedback. “E-Governance Ver. 47” symbolizes the transformation of governance for a digitally empowered India in 2047.

9. Federate the Fisc

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) demonstrated that cooperative federalism can succeed. It unified India’s fragmented tax system and increased compliance. Fiscal federalism essential for meaningful growth. Vertical devolution instead of Unitary/Central Bias is required. Future reforms should allow states greater fiscal autonomy while ensuring fiscal discipline. States should be empowered to design local revenue mechanisms while adhering to national fiscal responsibility frameworks.

Action Taken:- 

The GST has been a major step towards Centre-State cooperation. The 14th Finance Commission's recommendation to increase the devolution of the central tax pool to states to 42% was a landmark reform.

• GST Council – model of economic fedearlism

• FRBM act relaxation

• Amended GST

• Finance Commission’s role in ensuring equitable tax distribution

Reform Proposals-

• Key issues remain, such as the increasing share of centrally sponsored schemes, which obligates states to finance a larger proportion of projects they had no role in designing. There is also a concern over the non-sharing of cess and surcharge revenue with states, which constitutes a significant portion of total taxes. 

• The Finance Commission must address these issues and consider specific-purpose transfers to tackle state-specific challenges like demographic transitions and climate change. 

• The Finance Commission’s role in ensuring equitable tax distribution must be enhanced. A balance is needed between rewarding states for performance and supporting those with weaker resource bases. One idea is a Finance Commission-plus model where the commission’s terms include regular assessments of spending needs (education, health) and corresponding grants. 

• At the same time, empower states and cities to mobilize own resources – e.g. by introducing taxes on digital services or property that align with local benefits. Encouraging state-level capital markets (as some states have issued bonds) can fund infrastructure. States could also be involved more in Central budget planning. Improving fiscal accountability is key: a unified portal (building on India’s “Finance Monitor” app) where both Union and state budget targets and outcomes are published regularly wouldincrease transparency. In all, incentives (borrowing room, matching grants) should reward states that invest in outcomes (e.g. sanitation, vaccination), as seen in results-based schemes globally.

10. One India, One KYC

• While a central know your customer (KYC) registry is already in place, but still requires citizens to undergo multiple KYC procedures for different financial institutions, which is burdensome and inefficient. Currently, banks, insurers, and mutual funds all require separate KYC processes, causing redundancy and inconvenience. A single, centralized KYC system with real-time updates and data protection would promote financial inclusion and ease of doing business.

Action taken:

• India has made significant strides in financial inclusion, with the Financial Inclusion Index rising to 67 in 2025. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has opened over 55.98 crore bank accounts, and schemes like the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have accumulated over 7.65 crore subscribers as of April 2025. There is a need to revamp it to enable financial inclusion and ensure that genuine users can use the facility with real-time updates and adequate data protection.

Reform Proposals-

• The CKYC system must be revamped to allow for seamless, real-time access for all financial institutions, from banks to insurance and mutual fund companies. Implementing masked KYC identifiers, create API driven integration, establish real time update mechanisms and implementing block chain based KYC verification for immutable identity management are essential. This would eliminate the need for redundant paperwork and ensure that citizens can access financial services with greater ease and security. To realize truly “One KYC,” the government should expand CKYC into a pan-sector digital identity service. For example, allowing the CKYC registry (or Aadhaar Vault) to cover bank accounts, insurance, mutual funds, pensions, and even pension/insurance payouts. The UIDAI’s e-KYC platform could be extended to corporate and government services. Importantly, privacy and data security must be guaranteed by law. Adequate data protection measures are paramount to building public trust in such a system. This reform would reduce transaction costs, enhance trust in financial systems, and promote wider participation in formal financial markets.

Conclusion

The blueprint for India at 2047 identifies reforms essential that includes transforming governance and bureaucracy into a citizen-centric, transparent, and efficient system. Cutting regulatory flab, modernizing bureaucracy, judicial reforms, election funding transparency, fiscal federalism, sunset clauses in laws, regulatory assessments, centralized KYC, and anti-corruption measures are not isolated initiatives but interlinked pillars of transformation of governance and bureaucracy.

Each reform area carries immense potential but also faces significant challenges. Success will depend on sustained commitment, public participation, and leveraging technology as an enabler. If implemented effectively, these reforms can help India move decisively toward its vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047— a developed nation - that upholds the dignity of its citizens and commands respect on the global stage.

References

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