Introduction

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. Policy problems faced by governments are increasingly complex, rather than simple, direct, and public in focus. The prevailing paradigms through which public sector reforms are designed need to be more innovative and people centric. The focus has to be on better management of resources and quality delivery of services at a reasonable cost.

Undoubtedly, the primary challenge confronting governments in the 21st century revolves around enhancing the institutional capabilities of the public, private and other stake holders to address the needs of citizens and adapt to the demands of a global economy. Institutional capacity- structure is the process through which governments and associations in any country strengthen their capacities to raise resources demanded to overcome economic and social problems and to attain an enhanced quality of life to its citizens. Therefore, institutions including both public and private sectors must strive for improvement.

Effective and efficient Public Administration, including public sector operation, promotes and strengthens good governance. People centric governance is no longer aspirational but is rapidly becoming the national imperative. An effectively performing civil service is essential to ensure that the institutions of governance are managed in public interest and protect the rights of citizens and manage the resources accordingly. Civil service is the backbone of public administration. The Civil services have remained at the epicentre of all government activities in India, both as agents of policy making as well as the executive head that delivers and implements those policies. In the given context, the concept of civil service reforms includes both structural and behaviour changes. The recent efforts to restructure the civil services in the country are aimed at enhancing its performance. Mission Karamyogi aims to prepare Indian civil servants for the future by making them more creative, constructive, imaginative, innovative, proactive, and professional and technology enabled. It also ensures that civil servants get an opportunity to continuously build and strengthen their behavioural, functional and domain competencies in their liberated and administered learning paths.

Public administration is at an important juncture with public institutions under pressure to deliver services due to the rising expectations and aspirations of the people. The challenges and demands for transformative change are getting louder. Policy problems faced by governments are complex, rather than simple, direct, and public in focus. And yet the prevailing paradigms through which public sector reforms are designed and enforced are fairly stationary and don't completely encompass the significance or counter accusations of these wider changes.

Good governance requires erecting Institutions for an able public sector to enhance executive effectiveness. Good government provides a responsive governmental and state administrative framework, facilitating good governance. The notion of good governance started to be used when, in the mid-1980s, the World Bank studied the conditions of success and failure of adaptation programs. The conception of good governance has been measured, analysed, and defined by multitudinous agents, transnational associations and academics around the world, who have developed an array of propositions as well as multiple and different norms for outlining what constitutes good governance. The function of governance is to ensure that an organisation or association fulfills its purpose, achieves it’s intended goals for citizens and services are delivered in an effective, efficient and ethical manner. This principle should guide all institutions of governance. Each organisation has its purpose; some general purposes are attuned to all public governance, including furnishing good quality services and achieving value for money.

The challenges facing governments have become more formidable than in the past. Governments are pressured to seek solutions to modern social and economic problems and cope with demands for better services to the people who are more conscious of their rights and more critical of service standards. There is no doubt that the public service has to re-engineer its many systems, mechanisms and relationships if it is to successfully meet these new challenges. The increase in public grievances is a cause of worry. Accessible and effective grievance redressal mechanisms are necessary components of accountability; the errors of decision makers can be corrected, oversight highlighted, abuses and misuses rectified and short comings avoided.

An effective, responsive, transparent, and responsible public administration isn't only of significance for the proper functioning of a nation, it's a central part of popular governance and also the introductory means through which government strategies achieve the integration that can be implemented. The capacity of a state to deliver public goods and services effectively and reliably constitutes one of the crucial variables for distinguishing between ― successful and ― unprofitable societies. Public administration reform, aiming to achieve good governance and modernise the state, is not a novel concept, and its implementation varies across different nations. The term ― good governance is extensively used in drafting and enforcing public reforms and strategies. It's a broad term that includes values and practices similar to legitimacy, justice, trust of laws and institutions, effectiveness and responsible budgeting. 

The digital metamorphosis of public administration is a way to give quicker, cheaper and better services. E-government improves effectiveness and increases trust and availability. It also helps promote ethical practices and reduce the pitfalls of corruption. 

The digital transformation of the society and economy is radically changing service delivery practices. New approaches to offer services have raised citizens’ expectations regarding the delivery of public services. The shift from reactive to proactive service delivery mechanisms, enabled by a transition from e-government to digital government is assumed as an integrated part of governments’ modernisation and innovation strategies. This creates public value through the engagement of a broad ecosystem of stakeholders, offers the chance to better respond to user demand. Public data is a powerful asset to move from citizen-centred to citizen-driven approaches, allowing governments to better design and tailor public service delivery processes.

This volume is the outcome of a National Conference,  organised by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi on the theme “Public Administration and Citizen Centric Governance: Priorities, Policies and Strategies.” The authors are well known scholars from various organisations and universities, who have contributed on contemporary themes relating to public administration. The volume is divided into three sections for the convenience of readers, consisting of forty-four well written and thought provoking papers.

Sri. V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, in his keynote address, gave an overview of the reforms that have been undertaken during the last decade to make the system more transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly. According to him, India’s governance model in the years 2019-2023, has undergone radical reforms. E- Governance has simplified a citizen’s interface with Government, brought government and citizens’ closer and enabled benchmarking of service quality. The Central government’s e-governance models have benefitted in bringing transparency and openness to government processes. The widespread adoption of e-Office version 7.0 has created paperless offices in all 75 Ministries/ Departments in the Central Secretariat with 89 per cent of files being handled as e-files. In 2022, CPGRAMS helped redress 18 lac Public Grievances. The organisational reforms coupled with significant reforms in Personnel Administration like Mission Karmayogi, Lateral Recruitment, accelerated promotion policies, regional conferences for replication of good governance practices, recognising excellence in public administration by scaling up the scheme for PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration represent a paradigm shift in India’s governance models. New India’s strong institutions are best symbolized by adoption of e-governance practices. The best manifestation of “Maximum Governance – Minimum Government” policy is a “Digitally Empowered Citizen” and a “Digitally Transformed Institution.”

Section 1: Issues in Governance

Suresh Misra and Jyotsana Mahor in their paper Contemporary Trends in Public Administration: Focus on E – Governance, argue that Public Administration, as a pivotal field for implementing government policy and ensuring efficient governance, has undergone significant transformation in the face of rapidly evolving societal, technological, and environmental landscapes. This paper examines the contemporary trends that are shaping the domain of Public Administration, highlighting the challenges and opportunities. Public administration is a dynamic field, and continuously evolves to adapt to the changing socio-economic landscape and technological advancements. One of the prominent contemporary trends shaping public administration is the integration of electronic governance, commonly known as e-governance. Key trends include the digitization of government services, the emphasis on sustainability and ethical governance, the application of big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for improved decision-making, and the increasing importance of participatory governance. This abstract delves into the key aspects of e-governance and its impact on modern public administration. E-governance represents a paradigm shift in the delivery of public services, emphasizing the use of digital technologies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. The advent of the Internet and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has paved the way for governments worldwide to leverage electronic platforms for better governance.

This abstract explores the multifaceted dimensions of e-governance, highlighting its role in improving administrative processes, service delivery, and policy formulation. The integration of digital platforms facilitates real-time data sharing, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhancing decision-making processes within government agencies. Furthermore, the abstract delves into the transformative effect of e-governance on citizen-government interactions. With online portals, mobile applications, and social media platforms, citizens can now actively participate in governance processes and access public services with greater ease. This increased accessibility fosters a more inclusive and participatory democracy. In conclusion, this abstract provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary trends in public administration, with a specific focus on the transformative impact of e-governance. As governments continue to embrace digital solutions, understanding and navigating the challenges associated with e-governance become imperative for fostering effective and responsive public administration in the 21st century.

Ajitha S in her paper Advancing Governance Paradigms in the Modern Era, argues that traditionally, the concept of government encompassed individuals, officials, agencies, and the mechanisms of managing a nation. However, the realisation emerged that a nation's inability to foster prosperity was primarily rooted in its Governance or management structure. The advent of the ‘good governance’ paradigm, supported by institutions like UNDP and the World Bank, marked a significant shift towards governance reform. Over nearly two decades, this paradigm set a benchmark, with many nations adopting it and establishing parameters for its evaluation. A natural progression from good Governance was the emergence of dynamic Governance, where meeting the criteria of good Governance became integral to achieving dynamic Governance. The era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution introduced the concept of agile Governance. Beyond these, additional governance paradigms exist, such as Osborne and Gaebler's "reinventing government" and Barzelay's "breaking through the bureaucracy." Good Governance has evolved to include 'Jan-Bhagidari' or Participative Governance, an approach combining transparent, clean Governance by the executive with active citizen involvement in policymaking and ensuring its effective execution. This paper scrutinizes the interconnections among various governance paradigms and how governments adapt to these shifts. It concludes by proposing actions that governments at different levels should undertake to ensure successful Governance that enhances the welfare of the populace.

Rajbir Singh Dalal and Monika in their paper Cooperative Federalism in India: Expectation and Challenges discuss the issues of federalism. According to them the term "federalism" derived from the Latin word "foedus", which means treaty or contract. Federalism is a form of government based on division of powers between the union and the States whereas in Cooperative federalism these relations are amicable one aimed at achievement of common goals. Thus, Cooperative federalism provides a framework for dealing with complex issues and promoting the welfare of diverse population and interests within a federal system by encouraging cooperation and shared decision-making.  Unity in diversity is the inbuilt feature of Indian history and culture and it has been well accommodated in the Indian constitution. Finance Commission, 4th and 7th Schedules, All India Services, GST Act, Articles 54, 262 and 263, NITI Aayog, 73th and 74th Amendment Acts and Zonal Councils etc. make provisions to promote cooperative federalism in the country. In Kesavananda Bharti case (1973), the Hon'ble Supreme Court by defining the concept of Basic structure, gave a boost to strengthen the cooperative federalism in the country. 

It is evident in various joint schemes and projects like Integrated Child Development Scheme, MNREGA Schemes, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Smart Cities’ programmes, Ayushman Bharat, Development of the North-East and so on. Indian federalism has distinctive features unlike USA federalism. Dr B R Ambedkar had aptly said, 'Indian federalism is Indestructible Union of destructible states rather than Indestructible Union of indestructible states'. Destructible states feeble the cooperative relation between them, Union and the states. The acceptability of cooperative federalism comes with a number of difficulties such as disagreements over resource distribution, political tensions, and administrative obstacles. In current times, the major contentious issues around union and the states government are misuse of office of the Governor particularly in non- BJP ruled States, Article 356, GST and the Central Agencies like Enforcement Directorate and CBI. In order to overcome these hurdles, efficient coordination, trust-building, and capacity-building are crucial. In this research paper, an attempt has been developed to discuss and analyse the Cooperative federalism and its critical evaluation in India. 

Jorawar Singh Ranawat in his paper Public-Centric Administration: Current Temporary Efforts and Possibilities of a Permanent System asserts that the word public administration itself means public-centric administration and can be interpreted as administration for the public. One of the main features of administration is decentralization which ensures that governance reaches the last person. The main objective behind making the administration transparent, effective, efficient, corruption-free, and good governance-focused is to make it easier for the public to access, and make service delivery and grievance redressal faster. This is called good governance and efficient administration and this is also known as Ramraj. Every government makes many such efforts to make itself such as the above described and ensure accessibility to the public. Even at present, the grievances of the public are redressed and service delivery to the public is ensured through temporary efforts like Prashasan Aapke Dwar, and Shasan Aapke Saang by the governments of various states. In the present article, an attempt has been made to highlight the shortcomings of such programs being run by various state governments by presenting an empirical evaluation.

In the presented article, 100 people have been selected as samples through random sampling method in which all sections of the society have been represented. Analysing the temporary efforts made by the government for public-centric administration through the empirical responses received from them, a model for the development of a permanent system at the local level has been presented in which provision has been made for the establishment of a public-centric grievance redressal and service provider centre. This centre can be developed as a 'single window' for all local level services and redressal of complaints. In the article, the obstacles faced in establishing this centre have been analysed and solutions to overcome them have also been presented.

Daisy Sharma  in her paper “Politics of Freebies: People-Centric or Anti-Development”? highlights that Freebies have become the latest trend in the politics of the country. Political parties in all states are providing one or other ‘free things’ in the name of welfare. Although nothing is free as the money is collected from the hard-earned money of taxpayers in one form or another. To meet this extra burden, states, use various measures. Prominent among them is increasing VAT on Petrol thus collecting extra money to meet these popular expenses. In this paper researcher investigates the case of Rajasthan where prices of petrol are around 15 per cent higher than the neighbouring states. Since Petrol falls under VAT state government adjusts its rate on its own to meet its expenditures. In Rajasthan it is all time high due to increased spending by the state on various subsidies and freebies given to citizens. The researcher tries to find how increased petrol prices take a heavy toll on the pocket of citizens who avail these freebies. Also, the researcher investigates how the increased petrol prices contribute to increased inflation which further affects the citizen's pocket indirectly. Researcher finds that direct and indirect impact of increased petrol prices negatively affects the pocket of citizens as compared to gains from freebies. Hence, the politics of freebies is not citizen centric move but anti-development in the long term.

Tejas Sonaje in his paper Separation of Power: A Disputed Territory points out that the concept of separation of powers is a fundamental principle of democratic governance, dividing government departments into separate branches. Originating in ancient times, it has been emphasized in various contexts, including the Roman Republic and England's Parliament. In India, the governmental structure consists of three branches: legislative, executive, and judiciary. The Indian Constitution does not strictly adhere to the principle of separation of powers, but instead establishes a framework of checks and balances among the three branches. There are three distinct models of separation of powers: Montesquieu's rigid, the Westminster Model, and the American Constitution. The American Constitution focuses on a rigid separation of powers, while the Westminster Model is more flexible and based on Parliamentary Supremacy. The British Constitution also includes the "efficient secret" mechanism, strengthening the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. The Indian Constitution is a unique model for the separation of powers, encompassing a legislative, executive, and judicial branch. The executive branch has significant authority, while the legislative body is subordinate to the Constitution. The principle of separation of powers seeks to uphold accountability and autonomy in each branch while safeguarding the fundamental rights and liberties of the population. The Indian judiciary plays a crucial role in maintaining the separation of powers by interpreting and applying the law, resolving legal disputes, and supervising justice administration. Judicial activism involves proactive involvement of courts in addressing public issues, enhancing government transparency, and promoting social welfare.

Saumya Sisodia and Shivani Rai in their article on Policy Initiatives for Public Grievances Redressal: Steps towards Responsive & Accountable Governance highlights that the redressal of public grievances is one of the most significant indicators of the state of governance in any political system. The effective and efficient grievance redressal mechanism is a necessity in a democracy that in turn boosts the trust and satisfaction of the people in public institutions and reflects the capability and approach of the administration towards the people. Public grievances not only indicate the problem areas but also provide the opportunity to address these problems before they convert and explode in the form of public agitation or discontent. That is why public grievance redressal is said to be the cornerstone of any well-governed democracy. Prime Minister Modi has said “Effective Redressal of Public Grievances” is one of the most important aspects of Indian democracy, accorded the highest priority to the subject with a focus on citizen engagement. 

The Government of India, State Governments, and various organisations under them have set up grievance redressal mechanisms to investigate the complaints of citizens. Today, with increased awareness levels, the aspirations of citizens have gone up as well as the demand for prompt and effective resolution of their grievances. The basic principle of a grievance redressal system is that if the promised level of service delivery is not achieved or if a right of a citizen is not honoured then the citizen should be able to take recourse to a mechanism to have the grievance redressed. This mechanism should be well publicised, easy to use, and prompt, and above all, citizens must have faith that they will get justice from them it.

The article describes the concept of public grievance and the importance of its redressal in citizen-centric administration. The article discusses the important initiatives taken to improve the grievance redressal mechanism in the country, emphasizing RTI, the Sevottam model, the Citizen’s Charter, CPGRAMS, etc. The article presents an analytical study of these policy initiatives highlighting their impact on the people as well as emphasizing the major challenges that confront the governance of a country, i.e. responsiveness and accountability of the administration towards the citizens.

Minal Sharma  has discussed Ethical Dimensions in Public Administration: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Opportunities. In this article, we explore the future of public administration not only as an ethical endeavour but as a dynamic area of application. We look at four major challenges that public administration faces: predatory globalisation; institutional breakdowns; the field’s inherent poverty; and triumphs. Technology is a fifth challenge that is unfortunately omitted from the discussion due to space constraints. However, we believe that these challenges can play an important role in shaping public administration trajectories in both theory and practice. First, let’s look at the four challenges that public administration is facing: Predatory globalisation is a major challenge that requires public administration to cope with the complexities of an increasingly interdependent world. Institutional failures are another major challenge that requires a fundamental re-examination of existing structures in order to ensure they are resilient and adaptable. The endemic poverty in the field necessitates introspection and calls on practitioners to address shortcomings and improve the effectiveness of public administration.

Conversely, it is essential to recognise the successes within the field. The successes in public administration not only serve as proof, but also as a basis on which to build and improve future practices. The challenge of technology, while often left out in this discussion, looms large and calls for creative solutions to navigate its influence on governance and public service delivery. Instead of being obstacles, these challenges can be catalysts that propel public administration towards a new future. By examining them in more detail, we gain a deeper understanding of the forces that are at work, allowing the field to evolve and thrive. In conclusion, we bring together the insights of other scholars, presenting different models and perspectives that support the broad argument for the transformative impact of these challenges on public administration's future.

Abhinav Sharma in his paper The Ethics of Co-designing Public Services in India states that in our country numerous projects have been launched to deliver a plethora of services. There is a need to strike a balance between traditional with a modern outlook in the delivery mechanism. How people are affected by a variety of services that have been offered by such measures is to be understood in terms of co-designing. Through this, we would like to enquire how stakeholders are able to develop partnership, collective thinking, and overcome power imbalances in co-designing of public services. The people must be consulted before starting any public service. This is possible if they are provided with adequate information, have decision-making power, are comfortable with this process of co-designing, and are aware of collective benefits. As such this paper will try to strike a balance between ethics of process and ethics of outcome in the co-designing of public services. 

R. R. Dhanapall’s paper on  Mission Karmayogi highlights that civil service is one of the fields that require reforms to ensure transparency in the recruitment, training, performance and evaluation of civil servants. Keeping that in mind and to cope with the digital development, civil services reforms are introduced. As a result “Mission Karmayogi” was launched to improve the capacity building of the civil servants. This article projects the aim and the salient features of the mission. It also highlights the impact and challenges faced during its implementation process.

Diksha Chaudhary in her paper The Role of the Indian Judiciary in Promoting Accountable and Responsive Administration refers to a government's ability to carry out its duties effectively as "good governance." When there is good governance, a state government acts as a true representative of the people. It works tirelessly to safeguard the welfare of its citizens by promoting or accelerating the nation's economic development. In addition to economic expansion, advancement, and progress, good governance has numerous other significant qualities. These include openness, transparency, accountability, responsiveness and public participation in the public policy formulation. These are qualities that set good governance apart from others. A nation's citizens can experience the process of excellent government. It is the responsibility of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government to carry out their respective roles; it is not only an executive affair. Citizens of a country can witness the workings of effective governance. It is not only an executive concern; instead, it is the responsibility of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government to carry out their respective roles as defined by the national legislation. In this case, the roles played by the public, nongovernmental, and commercial sectors are equally significant. The Indian court plays a crucial role in fostering good governance even though it is not a component of the elected executive branch of government. The decisions rendered by the Supreme Court and other courts throughout their rulings influence the government in every domain. It might address matters of the environment, justice, human rights, gender, education, or police reform, among other things. The author of this essay will go over the idea of judiciary and good governance, specifically, the India s’ Supreme Court involvement in promoting its role. Historical and descriptive methodologies have been used for this study.

Vivek Kumar Shukla in his paper Impact of Citizen Participation in Local Governance: with Special reference of Himachal Pradesh delves into the critical role of citizen participation in local governance and its profound impact on effective decision-making and community development. The paper explores the various forms of citizen engagement, such as public meetings, online platforms, and participatory budgeting, and analyzes their influence on the quality of local governance. By assessing real-world case studies and empirical evidence, this study highlights the benefits of citizen participation, including increased transparency, enhanced accountability, and improved service delivery. Furthermore, it examines the challenges and barriers to effective citizen engagement and offers insights into how local governments can better involve their constituents in the decision-making process.

The Role of Backward Class Women Leaders in Rural Development authored by B R Katturwar highlights that for centuries backward class women were politically, economically, socially and educationally oppressed. They were deprived of their basic rights and needs. These women were treated inhumanly as untouchable on the part of so called “high class community” in Indian society. After independence the Panchayati Raj Institutions have been established for rural development. The economic and financial condition of these backward women leaders is not much satisfactory even today. They are trying to overcome their problems and proving their best in duties. Due to the active participation and contribution in Panchayat Raj Institutions the various schemes for backward communities are being implemented effectively. Social change is not an overnight job, it is a continuous process, slow but steady will march towards its ultimate aim. The strength of backward women is increased and the qualitative change is seen among backward women. This paper highlights the role of backward women members in Panchayati Raj institutions.

Sham N Kashyap in his paper How has Planning Evolved with the Introduction of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan in Karnataka? – A Process Level Analysis highlights that the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) aims to reimagining people’s participation in planning local development activities. It envisions systematic involvement of citizens in visualising their collective future, status assessment, sectoral prioritisation, and consolidation of funding sources for local development projects. Extant literature on participatory planning draws attention to bottlenecks like a) setting ambitious expectations on timelines and process sophistications and b) ambiguity in fund-flows after planning processes are completed, leading to ecosystem of distrust on the motives and capacities of local governing bodies. Strategies used in GPDP to address these issues have not been sufficiently studied. By studying GPDP using mixed methods in six Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Udupi district of Karnataka after two years of its launch, we provide an assessment of its effectiveness to enhance people’s participation in local planning. 

A formidable set of inter-connected issues hindered the achievement of GPDP’s goals; a) GPDP templates and technological platforms were complicated leading to spurious information, b) plans were wish-lists rather than practically achievable goals, c) plans didn’t have assured funding sources d) line departments and other levels of PRIs weren’t involved in planning processes, e) Taluk and Zilla Panchayats couldn’t effectively train GPs to prepare plans based on realistic resource envelopes and finally, f) GPs weren’t clear if GPDP replaces other institutional protocols related to planning specific schemes. Thus, although GPDP plans were prepared, implementation continued to be driven by short-term fund availability and scheme-specific regulations. 

Our findings support the limitations of participatory planning cited above. However, they also suggest the emergence of a new dynamic among GPs where amidst the confusion of multiple planning and reporting protocols, new works gain tacit approvals without creating local conflicts at the planning stage. With multiple iterations of planning and approvals, large scale non-compliance to expected protocols is easily induced, resulting in schemes eventually being implemented without the substantial change in nature of people’s participation. While bureaucrats at the higher level continue to believe that local actors are impervious to change and initiate more complex planning procedures, local elected representatives and bureaucrats view people’s participation as an albatross around their neck.

New Education Policy aims at reforming higher education governance in India. Supriya David in her paper on Governance of Higher Education in India highlights that governance is defined as structures and processes of decision making through which performance and accountability is ensured in the organisations. The focus on governance is a new found passion. It follows from an understanding of governance and that governance matters and makes a difference in the functioning of systems and performance of institutions. The governance of public institutions is complex primarily due to the multiplicity of actors involved in decision making. The governance of public institutions involves engaging in complex relationships between those with primary accountability/responsibilities i.e. Parliament and ministers who are engaged in the administration of sector programmes and institutional leaders who are directly engaged with managing institutions. The governance of private sector organisation is different from this pattern primarily since the role of the actors external to the institution is minimal and accountability to public bodies is limited. Further, in many private organisations, there is a widely accepted criterion of profits and profitability to measure good governance and institutional effectiveness.

The emerging challenges in the higher education sector demand for appropriate skills and competencies on the part of educational administrators to prepare the institutions to take on these challenges. Administrative machinery, which is not equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude and which is not in harmony with the needs of the progress, can retard the pace of development of a university. A flexible pattern of governance, which is responsive to the changing needs of society, global trends and knowledge, can be a powerful factor in accelerating progress. In the wake of internationalisation of education, coupled with globalisation and competition, the higher educational institutes need to be managed more professionally. 

Sapna Chadah in her paper Regulatory Governance in India-Emerging Dimensions argues that 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. Evolving regulations, their practice and study, are central to the interaction between economic, legal, political, and social spheres. Emergence of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation in the last three decades, has resulted in crystallisation of paradoxes in regulatory dynamics. Firstly there were concerns raised regarding the ‘evils’ of regulation, such as ‘red tape’, overload, and excessive bureaucratization of economic and social life. Henceforth, the markets were liberalised, state-owned enterprises transferred into private ownership, specialized regulatory agencies have been created for regulatory vigil and devices like contracting out. Public private partnership, special purpose vehicle have become prominent features of the policy landscape. Thus the policy dynamic advocated the ‘deregulation’ in key industries and the focus was shifted on the quality and direction of regulation, especially in public utilities. 

However, regulatory reforms undertaken so far suggest that regulation is not only necessary for the functioning of a healthy market economy but that regulatory oversight remains essential in the running of such public services. A growing importance is being attached to quality and direction in regulatory activities, which becomes the basic objective and function of regulatory agencies. Over time, the early focus on economic regulation, which was meant to "wither away"—has given way to recognition of the ongoing need for oversight and the addition of sustainability and environmental goals to the original, largely social and economic ones. The effectiveness and efficacy of the new form of regulatory tools which are being adopted remains a major concern. The research paper tries to examine the kind of regulatory tools and practices being adopted by government and their role in achieving good governance.  

Harsh Dhingra in her paper Role of Regulator in Governance: Case Study of Reserve Bank of India in Safeguarding Consumer Interest argues that India has a diverse and complex governance system that relies on its regulatory agencies to ensure effective implementation of policies and regulations. Regulatory agencies are independent bodies that enforce rules and regulations established by the government. These regulatory agencies play a more important role than just enforcing the law; they are also instrumental in promoting good governance, ensuring transparency and accountability in the public sector. Through their regulatory functions, these agencies monitor compliance with laws and regulations across sectors such as finance, telecommunications, energy, environment, and more.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as India's central bank and regulatory authority, plays a pivotal role in shaping public administration and governance in the financial sector of the country. This research paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the RBI's multifaceted functions and strategies, emphasizing its commitment to protecting and promoting the interests of Indian consumers.

A central theme of this research is the RBI's commitment to consumer protection. It analyses the regulatory frameworks, guidelines, and policies established by the RBI to shield consumers from fraudulent practices, ensure fair and transparent banking operations, and address grievances effectively. 

Further, the research explores the RBI's initiatives to enhance financial inclusion and expand access to banking and financial services for all segments of society

In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the pivotal role of the Reserve Bank of India in public administration, particularly in safeguarding consumer interests. The study highlights how the RBI's policies and initiatives are instrumental in promoting financial inclusion, ensuring consumer protection, and fostering trust in the financial sector. The paper also discusses the RBI's proactive efforts in promoting financial literacy and consumer awareness.

Indramohan Jha in his paper Human Rights in 21st Century states that this is an age of Market Society created by globalisation which seems to be managed like a pact with the devil. Greed is projected as Good. Pleasure and consumerism have become totally devoid of conscience. The market society we live in; everything is up for sale motherhood, degrees, and right to pollute to buying elections! More GDP growth does not bring better life conditions. India and USA are glaring examples. Worsening climate conditions, spread of falsehood through social media misinformation-disinformation etc. are pulling the globe to hellish dystopia; not a better condition than the Dark Ages. How can one think of enjoyment of human rights? For human rights are rooted in Enlightenment ideas reason, science, sympathy and humanism. Today they are more necessary to enhance human flourishing. Progressive change is possible by revisiting Immanuel Kant’s what is Enlightenment? 

There is a deeper feeling of distrust, desperation and darkness around. Yet, there is a beacon of hope valiant struggle of Iranian women, Ukrainian resistance, tribal, peasant, youth and Occupy movements. We all must contribute in such struggles failing which one would be without rights. After all, duty and rights are two sides of the same coin.

Section 2: E – Governance: promoting Transparency

Dakshina Chandra in his paper Designing Technology Centric Regulators: Identifying Needed Reforms before Technology Adoption asserts that India has been hailed as one of the “largest and fastest growing markets for digital consumers” with over 500 million internet subscribers and the potential to be a ‘truly connected nation’ by 2025. While e-governance initiatives started in India in mid-1990s with projects like computerisation of railways, land records etc., recent endeavours including the ‘Digital India’ campaign, aim to catapult the country into a ‘digitally empowered society and knowledge digitalisation agenda. This paper is a discourse on RegTech implementation by Indian regulators. What constitutes ‘regulation’ is a matter of contention in the academic community with definitions referring to specific “set of commands” to “all forms of social control.” This debate is critical to understanding who a regulator is. Despite varying debates, scholars agree that Philip Selznick’s definition of ‘regulation’ as the “sustained and focused control exercised by a public authority over activities valued by the community” is no longer acceptable for its narrow focus on exercise of ‘command and control’ by state actors.  

Ashmeet Kaur in her paper Understanding Digital Financial Literacy and its Role in Financial Behaviour and Financial Well Being draws that E-commerce and digital technology have witnessed tremendous surge in the financial sector. Internet banking, mobile banking applications and e-wallets serve as an advanced substitute to conventional financial services. This surge in access and use of fintech paves way for improving financial inclusion. However, fintech, per se, will not be able to reap its potential unless there is a sophisticated investment aimed to increase the level of digital financial literacy. Digital financial literacy is referred to as financial literacy in digital technology. This study attempts to assess the impact of socio-economic factors on financial literacy as well as digital financial literacy. It further discusses the role of digital financial literacy in an individual’s financial behaviour. Qualitative Data Analysis software NVivo 14 has been used for preliminary literature analysis. The study concludes with recommendations and directions for future research.

M. Uma Maheswari and Arvind A S in their paper on Stakeholder Perception, Technology Adoption and Policy Priorities in Indian Healthcare – A Systematic Analysis  assert that in India, healthcare technology integration holds promise but faces challenges like resource constraints and complex regulations. We delve into this landscape, employing Fred Davis' Technology Adoption Model (TAM) and emphasising the crucial role of local governments. Through literature review and secondary sources, we analyze healthcare technology trends, including AI, telemedicine, and EHR, and barriers like regulatory demands. Notably, local governments offer grassroots infrastructure and community backing. Our study culminates in a comprehensive roadmap, addressing challenges and ethics, aiming to fully leverage technology for healthcare transformation. 

Maneesh Thakkar and Anil Kumar in their paper Right to Services through E – Governance: Redefining the Public Service is of the view that the 21st century is witnessing a transformation in how governments interact with citizens. Adopting E-Government initiatives has emerged as a crucial tool in reshaping public service delivery and reinforcing the realisation of the Right to Services. This paper examines the confluence of E-Government and the Right to Services within the broader theme of Public Administration: Emerging Challenges. As nations worldwide navigate the complexities of the digital era, the digitization of governance has promised streamlined government operations, enhanced efficiency, and increased proximity of services to citizens. This research delves into the pivotal role of E-Government in redefining the public service experience and extending the concept of the Right to Services. It underscores the intersection of E-Government and the Right to Services in several key areas, like accessibility and inclusivity, efficiency and transparency, citizens’ engagement, data-driven decision-making, cybersecurity and data privacy etc. This research elucidates how E-Government initiatives, when aligned with the principles of the Right to Services, bridge the gap between citizens and their entitlement to efficient, accountable, and responsive public services. The study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on modernising Public Administration and underscores the importance of leveraging technology to fulfill the promises of democratic governance and the Right to Services.

Vishal Katekar and Jeevan Kumar Cheruku in their article  Empowering Farmers in Digital India: An Empirical Analysis of the Implementation and Effectiveness of E – Governance Initiatives in Agriculture  are of the view that the agriculture sector is leading the way in revolutionary transformation as India enters the digital age. The Digital India programme has developed several e-Governance initiatives to empower farmers and improve their access to vital agricultural services. In order to shed light on these e-Governance initiatives' effects on India's agricultural community, this study provides an in-depth analysis of their implementation and effectiveness. The study was carried out in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, located in the western part of India. The study used both a qualitative and quantitative approach to examine the extent to which e-governance programs have reached and affected farmers. An interview schedule for farmers was prepared and administered to a sample of 160 farmers from 16 villages in the region to collect the data. An interview guide was used to conduct open-ended interviews with 43 key informants. The study investigates the methods and strategies used to improve farmer outreach, the function of digital platforms, and the efficiency of digital service delivery in tackling the particular difficulties encountered by the agriculture sector. This study evaluates the impact of e-Governance on critical elements of agricultural development, such as crop information, weather forecasts, market prices, government initiatives, and financial services. It explores the role of data-driven decision-making, web portals, and mobile applications in simplifying farming procedures. The paper also identifies and evaluates the obstacles and difficulties that have prevented agriculture from realizing the full potential of digitalisation of agriculture. It gives crucial insights on overcoming these challenges and policy recommendations to increase the effectiveness and inclusivity of digital projects for farmers, speeding up the transformation of Digital India's agricultural landscape.  Finally, farmers' empowerment will ensure food security and achieve SDG goal 2, "Zero Hunger.”

Jyotsana Mahor in her paper on Digital Governance: Challenges and Strategies in the Digital Era examines the rapid evolution of technology in the digital era that has transformed the landscape of governance, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. This abstract explores the key challenges faced by governments in adopting digital governance practices and proposes strategies to navigate these complexities effectively. The advent of digital technologies has ushered in a paradigm shift in the way governments operate and interact with citizens. This abstract provides a comprehensive examination of digital governance, exploring its key components, benefits, challenges, and potential future developments. Digital governance encompasses a wide array of elements, including e-Governance, data-driven decision-making, digital service delivery, and citizen engagement through online platforms. This integration of technology aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in government operations. In an era characterised by rapid technological advancements, the integration of digital solutions in governance has become imperative for efficient and transparent public administration. However, the adoption of digital governance presents a myriad of challenges that governments worldwide must address to harness the full potential of technology while ensuring inclusivity and security. This abstract provides an overview of the key challenges associated with digital governance and outlines potential strategies to overcome these hurdles. Governments must prioritize cybersecurity measures through the adoption of advanced encryption techniques, regular security audits, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts. Bridging the digital divide requires targeted initiatives such as digital literacy programs, affordable internet access, and community engagement to ensure that all citizens can participate in the digital transformation. 

Furthermore, the protection of privacy rights is paramount in the digital governance landscape. Governments must establish clear regulations and standards for data handling, storage, and sharing, accompanied by transparent communication with citizens about how their data is used. Additionally, fostering a culture of trust between the government and the public is essential for successful digital governance implementation. 

Charru Malhotra in her study on Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Public Service Delivery: An Empirical Analysis of E – Mitra in Jaipur District, Rajasthan asserts that the primary objective of governance is to provide public services to one and all in an equitable and efficient manner. However, many developing countries face challenges in delivering these services to rural areas due to inadequate infrastructure. In order to address such issues, the Government of India (GoI) initiated the Common Service Centre (CSC) scheme in the year 2004, to facilitate access to public services for citizens residing in villages and other remote areas and to promote rural entrepreneurship and community involvement. The CSC scheme was initiated under the National e-Governance Plan (2004) and was later revamped as “CSC 2.0” during the Digital India program (2015). As per the official website of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), “the primary objective of the CSC is to provide Government-to-Citizen (G2C) e-Services within the reach of the citizen, by creating the physical service delivery ICT infrastructure. It helps in making a transparent service delivery mechanism and reducing citizens’ effort in visiting government offices” (meity.gov.in). It is imperative to assess if CSCs have been able to successfully fulfill this prime objective and consequently equally relevant to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement of CSCs, both from citizens’ perspective as well as policy-maker’s perspectives. To do so, the author undertook a two-phased study and analysed her findings by applying design-thinking principles of citizen-centricity and citizen-participation. In the first phase of the study, the author undertook a set of two field surveys in the months of October and November (2011) to study the CSC implementation in rural Rajasthan (e-Mitra) wherein two hundred ninety (290) villagers across six villages of Jaipur district were surveyed. 

After triangulation of findings of both the phases, the study confidently concludes that citizen–centricity instilled through adequate citizen participation is compulsory to sustain any digital PSD initiative-  this conclusion strongly champions the design thinking approach too.

Rajesh Kumar Kundu in his essay on Governometrics of Public Administration in Delivering the Right Based Electronic Public Services: An Analytical Perspective of North Western Region highlights that Governometrics of Public Administration in delivering rights-based electronic public services is multifaceted, encompassing policy development, service accessibility, legal safeguards, accountability, and the continuous improvement of services to meet citizens' needs while respecting their rights. In the digital age of governance, the public administration is applying e-technologies in delivering public services under the concept of citizen-centric governance. Information Communication Technology (ICT) is playing a great role in fulfilling the service delivery timelines according to the provisions of Right to Service Acts. It is observed that limited literature is available on the aspect of right based electronic public service delivery in North-Western regional states of India even all of them have framed and implemented their respective Acts for the purpose. The objective of this paper is to provide a platform for academic discourse by comparing the different public service delivery arrangements as citizen rights with the e-service delivery models of North-Western Regional States and UTs of India. The author analyzes the e-services delivery process, grievances redressal mechanism, operational arrangements, working procedure of e-service delivery platform, schemes for Common Service Centers as prescribed in Right to Public Services Delivery Acts of North-Western Regional States and UTs of India. The paper is analytical in nature based on qualitative and quantitative research. In this paper an archival research method is used to trace the history of e-service delivery and Right to Public Service Delivery Legislations in India. This paper is analysing the contents about the status of right based time-bound e-public service delivery as a part of e-Governance policy/process as well as the review of relevant essential literature. Consequently, it is an innovative mechanism of digital governance for public service delivery and attaining the goals of good governance.

Aarti and Avneet Kaur Kohli in their paper Curbing Corruption Through the Use of Communication Technology: An Indian Scenario, highlight that the menace of corruption is universal and the most pertinent problem affecting developmental agenda of all countries especially the developing and the least developed countries. It affects each and every human being from the one living in slums to the person occupying the highest echelons of the State system. Corruption in India is an age-old issue, affecting different aspects of economy and governance. In 2022, India was ranked 85th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index released by Transparency International. Historical, social and administrative apathy, institutional weaknesses along with lack of accountability, lack of suitable checks and transparency foster corruption. It adversely affects a nation’s growth, policy outcomes, power relations, resource distribution, welfare patterns, investment, budget and pace of reforms. In this paper, an attempt has been made to understand the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology in curbing corruption. Through a systematic literature review and empirical evidence, this study explores the role of emerging technologies and electronic government systems in the fight against corruption. The paper also tries to explain the challenges associated with corruption in using technology. In the end, the Government of India’s technological interventions in fighting corruption have been highlighted.

Shubhada Gholap in her article Judicial Administration in Relation to Information Technology focuses on the rules in the Indian Constitution about how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be used and managed in the government. The IT Act of 2000 is meant to keep data, devices, computer resources, communication tools, and stored data safe from people who aren't supposed to have access to them. The "Concept of Justice" is more important than the "Rule of Law," and the Supreme Court can decide cases that are still going on. The E Court Project wants to make India's courts better by promoting good governance ideas like being clear about decisions and holding people responsible for them. The E-Committee for Court Computing was made as part of the project. Its goal is to make courts more computerised and improve IT tools. To make things go faster, videoconferencing has been set up between jails and district courts. To keep track of district judges' cases and make sure they all get the same amount of work, a Docket Management System has been set up. The long-term goal is to make good use of the work of judicial officers and get it out to other people. The E-Court Project is still going on, and it is working to improve good governance and the way Indian courts work.

Ashish Alok in his paper on Good Governance through E – Governance in India: (with reference to State of Jharkhand) highlights that the Government is infrastructure & framework of institutions through which sovereign authority is exercised for benefit of political community both internally & externally. Governance is the process of governing through which decisions are made that are intended to affect societal outcomes including economic, social, environmental and other important outcomes. World Bank defines governance as “how authority is used in administration of social and economic assets of a nation in pursuit of development.” Good governance is an effort to broaden the purview of public sector and a notion that actually strengthens democracies. The governance may be improved by establishing connections with various groups in society.

Originally part of the state of Bihar, Jharkhand was split off on November 15th, 2000. Approximately 24 per cent of population resides in urban areas, while 76 per cent calls rural areas of state home. Jharkhand has sixth-highest number of scheduled tribes in India, accounting for 26 per cent of total population. They are primarily rural as 92 per cent of them reside in villages. It has a literacy rate of 67.6 per cent (Male 78.45 per cent Female 56 per cent) lower than National Average of 74 per cent. The overall literacy rate among the STs is 57.1 per cent (Male 68.2 per cent Female 46.2 per cent) which is lower than the national average of 59 per cent. Jharkhand has a total of 24 districts, 260 blocks and approximately 33,000 villages. Out of 24 districts 13 are under Scheduled Districts (5th Schedule) with Tribal population and 11 districts are under Non-Scheduled Districts.

Since June 2003, State Department of Information Technology and e-Governance has operated independently as a powerful instrument for attaining Good Governance. Government has a prime part into delivering citizen centric facilities for people. 

With harsh geography and variation in population it is tough for the state like Jharkhand to reach all the beneficiaries. There is a major problem of Digital- Divide which is creating a society of “digi-haves” and “digi-have nots.” 

Section 3: Restructuring Service Delivery: Case Studies

Akhilesh Maurya’s paper Transforming Governance: The Remarkable Journey of the   Aspirational District Programme to Citizen Centric Governance, examines the transformative impact of the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) in India, focusing on its evolution from conventional governance approaches to a citizen-centric model. The ADP, initiated by the Government of India, aims to address developmental disparities by fostering holistic development in underprivileged districts. This paper traces the journey of the ADP, analyses its key components, and explores its success in promoting citizen-centric governance. Through a comprehensive review of literature, case studies, and data analysis, this research paper demonstrates how the ADP has contributed to improving the quality of life for citizens and enhancing governance practices. The study also identifies challenges and recommends strategies for further enhancing the program's effectiveness.

Ashalekshmi BS article Trajectories to Good Governance:  A Study of Select Gram Sabha in Pullur Periya Gram Panchayat, Kasaragod District, Kerala focuses on numerous initiatives being taken at the global, national, and regional levels to achieve good governance. These initiatives are all undoubtedly striving for more favourable development routes. It should begin at the local level when discussing the role of good governance in development. The requirements of good governance, such as participation, inclusion, and consensus orientation, can be better addressed at the local level. When it comes to maintaining good governance through participatory democracy, the Gram Sabhas are crucial.  Through the Gram Sabha platform, the criteria for inclusion can be very effectively ensured. However, contrary to our expectations, the Gram Sabhas are unable to serve as the drivers of effective government. Since these bodies are dealing with some difficulties, it is difficult to achieve the goals of good governance. By focusing on a ward in Pullur Periya Panchayat of the district of Kasaragod in Kerala, this paper seeks to determine how much Gram Sabhas may contribute to achieving the standards of good governance as well as what problems and difficulties these democratic bodies encounter.

Sunita Dhaka in her paper Opportunities for Right to Health i