Abstract
Social development is expected to promote holistic improvement of individuals, institutions and their surrounding environments. Looking at the pace of development in India, the economy of most states requires strategic prioritization to accelerate improved well-being of the people. Accessibility to health, school education and public security are critical to the edifice of social development. Social development is primarily contingent upon the protection of fundamental rights, accountability, gender equality, geriatrics care and social inclusion, embedded in human development ventures. UN’s Human Development Index (HDI) evaluates the health of social development based on education, health and per capita income. UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the majority of Sustainable Development Goals prioritize human development outcomes by focusing on health, nutrition, education and women empowerment as major elements. The fact that India with its unmanageable fertility behaviour and diverse socio-economic landscape, faces acute challenges in promoting upward social mobility. It comes from the common counter that in the absence of state capacities, essential service delivery passes through critical gaps. The paper argues that scaling up state capacities is crucial for effective social development in India and a capabilities-driven approach can help achieve this goal. The paper explores the human capabilities approach, investing in total factor productivity, life expectancy, healthcare, scaling up state capacities, institutional reforms, capacity building and resource allocation.
Introduction
Social development and state effectiveness are interconnected concepts that are important in achieving citizens’ well-being. Development refers to creating a society that is just, equitable and prosperous where individuals have access to resources, opportunities and services that enable them to use their full potential. Side by side, state effectiveness refers to the capacity of state to perform its functions, deliver public goods and services, and also respond to the needs of its citizens. Social development is essential for reducing poverty, inequality and social exclusion. State effectiveness is critical for ascertaining efficient and effective use of public resources. This is particularly relevant in delivering essential services, viz. healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Moreover, social development and state effectiveness mutually complement each-other. Effective state is necessary for achieving social development and social development is crucial in building an effective state.
Social development has been illustrated as an ‘expression for individuals’ motivation in a system of social relations’ (McGuire, C and Robert J Havighurst: 1947: 345), ‘development of people, institutions and their environment (Paiva, JFX: 1977:327), and ‘eradication of deprivation, improvement in capabilities and the quality of life of ordinary people (Sen, A.: 1996: 26)’. Keeping in view the aforesaid prescriptions, social development envisaged in the policy documents and translated into various interventions has not done much in scaling up the socio-economic conditions of the citizens. Theoretically, social development delineates the postulates of progress by following two paths viz. ‘development in infrastructure and scaling up of social welfare interventions’1. ‘The development in infrastructure is generally associated with a rightist approach whereas scaling up of social welfare, leftist. In fact, social development posits the urgent need for balanced social policies that can foster development by combining both rightist and leftist approaches aptly. The development must address the multifaceted changes brought about by both natural and human-made influences’2. By focusing on these areas, the paper seeks to provide insights into creating a more balanced and sustainable approach to development that not only promotes economic growth but also boosts social well-being.
Importantly, the pace of social development in India is uneven, reflecting significant disparities across various regions and communities. Though economic development, as a crucial component of social progress, has reached different sections of society, it has benefited people of different strata differently. The data points on the above components are skewed that indicate additional imperatives for social inclusion. This disparity in development can be attributed to the varying effectiveness and implementation of state-led policies. While most states theoretically have access to similar resources, the way these resources are allocated and utilized differs greatly. This variation in resource allocation vis-à-vis expenditure pattern is influenced by each state's unique taxation policies and the relationship between the government and its citizens. It is worth mentioning that different states exhibit distinct expenditure patterns based on their vision, priorities and administrative capabilities. These patterns are often shaped by the states' fiscal policies, including how they generate revenue through taxation. States with more efficient tax systems and higher revenue generation capacities can invest more in social development projects such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Furthermore, the association between the citizens and the system of governance plays a crucial role in how development policies are implemented. In states where there is a stronger engagement and trust between the government and the people, policies tend to be more effectively executed. Citizens in such states are more likely to comply with regulations, contribute to the tax base and participate in development programmes, leading to better outcomes.
However, in the states where the relationship between the government and citizens is strained, policy implementation often faces hurdles. Distrust in governance can lead to lower tax compliance, reduced public participation in development initiatives and general apathy towards government programmes. This results in inefficient use of resources and hinders overall social and economic development. In this context, the strategies that can help manage social development through the available resource base need to be articulated. The scarce resources are required to be used efficiently so that inclusiveness can be attained. This would provide surplus benefits to the vulnerable, destitute, Divyangjans etc. The coverage of such people under the Social Security Shield (SSS) can develop confidence that can further be tapped to productivity by engaging the lot in opportunities.
Indeed, states allocating resources for public welfare often do not adequately consider the developmental outcomes of such expenditures. Resources are typically distributed among various sectors without a thorough evaluation of their field-based performance. The lack of insight into ground-level reality means that expenditure does not always translate into meaningful development outcomes. For the advancement of people, a systematic and hierarchical approach is essential. This journey must begin at the village level and progress to Gram Panchayats, Blocks, Districts, and States, contributing to aspirational development targets. The outcomes at these micro levels must be closely examined to understand and achieve desired macro-level outcomes and objectives across the nation.
Village-level development should be prioritized as it forms the foundation of imperatively coordinated associations. By focusing on development at the village level, states can ensure that the benefits of public welfare programmes and resource allocations directly impact the lives of individuals at the grassroots. This requires a detailed and systematic approach where insights from field-based performance need to be integrated into the planning and implementation processes. This convincingly begins with the corrective measures for fast grip of interventions.
To achieve this, states should adopt a bottom-up approach, where feedback and data from village-level initiatives inform higher-level policy decisions. Regular monitoring and evaluation of outcomes at the village, Gram Panchayat, Block, and District levels can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of various schemes. Interestingly, the data-driven approach can help in refining strategies and reallocating resources where necessary development initiatives are both effective and equitable. This requires collaboration between various tiers of governance, ensuring that policies and programmes are not only well-designed but also well-implemented. Empowering local bodies, such as Gram Panchayats, with the necessary resources and autonomy can play a crucial role in transforming social development in India. Convergence, collaboration and compatibility (CCC) can help address these gaps effectively.
Human Capabilities Approach
The human capabilities approach developed by Amartya Sen emphasizes enhancing human capabilities and freedoms to achieve development. The ‘Capabilities and freedoms to achieve development’ approach focuses on expanding people’s choices and opportunities to lead fulfilling lives. The major attributes of the approach include education, health care, livelihood, political participation and social inclusion. In this model, education is about access to quality education and learning opportunities. Healthcare is about access to quality health services. Livelihood is about access to economic opportunities and resources. Political participation is about the ability to participate in political processes and decision-making. Finally, social inclusion is the ability to participate in social and cultural activities. As such, the human capabilities approach recognizes that development is about more than just economic growth. It is about creating an environment where people can thrive and reach their full potential. In India, there are significant disparities in human capabilities, particularly in education and healthcare. Addressing these disparities is crucial for transforming development. However, by applying indicators of human capabilities, the persistent gaps can be identified particularly poverty, inequality and social exclusion. In this context, HDI score, life expectancy, years of schooling and GNI per capita are instrumental. From the year 2010 to 2020, quantitative values against the indicators have been obtained. The details are summarized as under:
Table 1: Human Development Index (HDI) In India
i. United Nations Development Programme (2020). Human Development Index (HDI).
ii. World Health Organization (2020). Life Expectancy at Birth.
iii. UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2020). Expected Years of Schooling.
iv. World Bank (2020). Gross National Income (GNI) per Capita.
The tabular information reveals that over the years HDI score for India has grown. In 2010, it was 0.554 which went to 0.624 in 2015 and 0.645 in 2020. A similar increase in life expectancy is also evident. It was 65.8 years in 2010, went to 68.3 in 2015 and 70.5 in 2020. The years of schooling were 10.3 in 2010 which went to 11.7 in 2015 and 12.3 in 2020. The gross national income (GNI) per capita was Rs. 3469 in 2010 that figured Rs. 5663 in 2015 and Rs. 6427 in 2020. Overall, the maximum positive change has been found in GNI per capita (85.26%), followed by HDI (16.4%), years of schooling (19.4%) and life expectancy (7.14%). Though positive changes are evident, the capabilities deprivation is still prevalent. The information garnered on the five components of capabilities deprivation has been shown through the line diagram plotted below:
Figure 1: Capability Deprivation of Indian Population
i. National Sample Survey Office (2019). Education in India.
ii. National Family Health Survey (2019-20). Healthcare in India.
iii. International Labour Organization (2020). Employment and Livelihood in India.
iv. Election Commission of India (2020). Voter Turnout in India.
v. World Bank (2020). Social Inclusion in India.
The line diagram drawn above shows the capability deprivation percentage of India’s population. The line diagram has been drawn keeping in view five components, namely education, health care, livelihood capabilities, political participation and social inclusion. It shows that maximum deprivation has resulted in livelihood capabilities (43.2%), followed by social inclusion (35.4%), health care (30.8%), education (25.6%) and political participation (20.1%). Livelihood is required to be prioritized so that social and economic empowerment can be improved. Through different initiatives of Government of India, livelihood opportunities have been created. The process of livelihood generation requires additional momentum to improve the socio-economic status of the citizens. The sponsored mobility to socially underprivileged and vulnerable needs to be prioritized to catalyze inclusive development. However, the extension of such protections needs to be monitored by the state agencies effectively.
Total Factor Productivity (TFP) for Transforming Development
The Total Factor Productivity (TFP) measures the residual growth in output that cannot be described by the growth in input such as labour and capital. The TFP represents the efficiency with which inputs are converted into output. ‘India’s TFP growth has been sluggish, averaging around 1% per annum between 2000 and 2017’3. According to an estimate by the World Bank (2020), India’s TFP growth has been lower than China's (2.5%), and Vietnam's (3.3%). ‘Investing in human capital like education and health care can enhance TFP by improving labour productivity’4. ‘Upgrading physical infrastructure like transport, energy and communication can also boost TFP by reducing transaction costs and improving connectivity’5. ‘Promoting research, development (R&D) and innovation can drive TFP growth by introducing new technologies and processes.’6
It is estimated that investing in TFP can have positive spillover effects on social development outcomes such as poverty reduction, education and healthcare. By increasing productivity and efficiency, TFP growth can lead to higher incomes and reduced poverty. As such, economic growth enables human development and human development itself contributes to economic growth. Better income and improved productivity can lead to better health outcomes. The rationalizing of TFP requires proper monitoring and assessment to have a sense of outcomes. The investment needs to be gauged and augmented keeping in view the score obtained on the outcome indicators.
Life Expectancy and Healthcare
Life expectancy is one of the central indicators of social development. Healthcare is a vital component in improving human capabilities. Life expectancy reflects the health and well-being of the population. Though considerable progress has been made over the years, the issue of quality, accessibility and preventive care requires special attention from policymakers and executors. Accessibility and affordability are the major concerns in healthcare. Through robust healthcare systems, effective public health initiatives and equitable social policies, it is possible to continue improving life expectancy and ensure a healthier future for all. There are several centrally sponsored and state driven healthcare schemes in existence. The awareness about healthcare and healthcare schemes needs to be mainstreamed in the broader framework of relevance and operations. India faces significant challenges in healthcare, including inadequate access, quality and equity components.
Table 2: Life expectancy7 and health care
The life expectancy in the last 10 years has been placed in the Table above. It shows a gradual increase from the years 2010 to 2020. However, a healthy population with higher life expectancy may contribute to economic activities, thereby raising the well-being of public at large.
Table 3: Health Care Indicators
i. National Family Health Survey (2019-20). Access to Healthcare.
ii. World Health Organization (2020). Healthcare Quality Index.
iii. World Bank (2020). Healthcare Expenditure.
Table 3 provides crucial data on healthcare access, healthcare quality index, and healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP. It shows that access to healthcare stands at 75.6 per cent, while the healthcare quality index is at 60.3. Healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP is at 3.5 per cent.
Given the current metrics, it is clear that increasing healthcare expenditure relative to GDP is essential. An elevated investment in healthcare will not only improve the quality of like and extend longevity but also enhance overall public health outcomes. By raising the expenditure, states can better harness their potential and build greater trust and confidence among their populations. Enhanced outcome oriented funding will facilitate improved healthcare services, ultimately leading to a healthier and more resilient society.
Scaling up state capacities
Increasing the capacities of the states is important for effective social development in India. This includes strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing human and improving financial resources. Social and economic institutions are required to ensure harmonious development. Institutional strengthening requires leadership-based governance, effective policy frameworks, coordination mechanisms, training and capacity building, attracting skilled professionals and performance management. Side by side, human resource management, financial resource management, data and evidence-based policymaking, infrastructure and technological development, community engagement and participation are of utmost importance. Empowering local governments to manage and implement social development programmes should be tailored to their specific needs. Public-private partnership (PPP), international cooperation, innovation and technology integration can contribute a lot to it.
Conclusion
Scaling up state capacities is crucial for effective social development in India. This requires a multifaceted approach that addresses human capabilities, institutional frameworks, resource allocation and their efficient use. By prioritizing investments in human capital, infrastructure and social services, the states’ capacities can be enhanced to align with sustainable development goals and National Development Plans.
To further strengthen it, it is imperative to prioritize human capital, particularly in education and health care. To strengthen the institutional framework, including governance, accountability and transparency, appropriate and tailored capacity-building programmes are required for the state functionaries. The allocation of financial resources in line with outcome indicators would provide evidence based idea to rationalise the investment pattern. Fostering partnerships among government, civil society organisations and private sector may leverage resources and expertise, producing optimum outcomes on the tangent of development. This strategic focus will help us navigate the challenges and opportunities on the path to a developed and inclusive India. Indeed, India’s transformation into Shresthha Bharat would be achieved by adopting a concerted approach where state functionaries work together, share their successes and learn from each other, drive towards collective growth and development.
Endnotes
1. Muralidharan, K. (2024). Accelerating India’s Development. Gurugram: Penguin Random House India, pp. 301-323.
2. Ibid.
3. World Bank. (2020). World development Indicators.
4. UNESCO. (2019). Global Education Monitoring Report.
5. World Bank. (2020). World development Indicators.
6. OECD. (2020). Innovation and Productivity.
7. National Family Health Survey. (2019-20). Healthcare in India.
References
1. Dincecco, M. (2017). State Capacity and Economic Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
2. Kumar, A. (2018). Indian Economy: A Critical Analysis. New Delhi: Routledge.
McGUIRE, C. & Robert J. Havighurst (1947). Social Development. Review of Educational Research, 17 (5), 345-353, American Educational Research Association.
3. Lipset, S. M. (1959). The Political Man: The Social Base of Politics. New York: D &C Inc.
4. Mukherjee, M. & Ray, A. K. (1977). A Method of Combining Diverse Partial Measure of Development. The Journal of Income & Wealth, 2(1).
5. Paiva, JEX. (1977). A Conception of Social Development. Social Service Review, 51 (2), 327-336, The University of Chicago Press.
6. Sen, A. (1996). Radical needs and Moderate Reforms. In J. Dreze & A. Sen (eds), Indian Development-Selected Regional Perspectives, New Delhi: Oxford India.
7. Wolins, M. (1967). The Objectives of Social Welfare. New Perspectives, Spring.
India has surpassed France and the UK to become the fifth largest economy in the world with a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated to be around $ 3.12 trillion for FY22. For the fiscal year 2022-23, a healthy growth rate of approximately 7% is anticipated.
This paper offers an integrated digital drone-based services solution for cities & towns, controlled through an integrated smart control room and/or where users may call in for support of required service, on a time-sharing basis; charged according to No of drones, payload, distances and time calculations.
This paper covers the health benefits of cycling and how it has a positive impact on the environment. It examines the Dutch model of the development of cycling, how it may be adapted to Indian conditions, and help to overcome the barriers to cycling, in the Indian context.
The transformation of the lives of rural women towards their betterment is a critical issue in the development process of countries around the world. Poverty, lack of financial awareness, minimal or no education, and women's disempowerment are reasons for the poor condition of rural women.
In India, the procedure of shifting the paradigm for good governance has been dynamic and continuing. A notion known as "good governance" includes a number of rules and procedures designed to guarantee the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of governmental institutions.
Administration of independent India drewn many transformations to get away from British colonial administration that propagates the colonial need such as maintenance of law and order, collection of revenue, tactics to hold the administrative power in British civil servants.
The twenty-first century should be an era of new forms of Governance different from what we have seen in the past. Due to widespread economic problems and fiscal constraints in the 1980's, governments around the world both rich and poor, concluded that government had become too big, too costly and ineffective.
The concept of ‘governance’ is not new. It is as old as human civilization. It has over the years gained momentum and a wider meaning. Apart from being an instrument of public affairs management, or a gauge of political development, governance has become a useful mechanism to enhance the legitimacy of the public realm.
In India, the paradigm of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) is proving to be transformative as it attempts to balance the intricate relationships between sustainable resource utilisation, forest regeneration, and conservation. India, which has about 70 million hectares of forest cover, struggles to meet the socioeconomic demands of the people who depend on the forests while also protecting these ecosystems.
A long-term abutting weather situation that is particularly related to temperature and precipitation is called climatic change. Land-use changes, forest fires, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are all possible contributing factors to this Climate shift (Reddy, 2015).
The Yamuna is a tributary of the holy Ganges. The main stream of the Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier at Bandar Panch (38°59'N, 78°27'E) in the Mussoorie Ranges of the lower Himalayas, at an average altitude of about 6387 meters above sea level in the Uttarkashi district (Uttrakhand) increase.
The issue of governance has received serious attention of researchers, policy makers, administrators and the national as well as international community. The New Public Management (NPM) concept is focused on service, quality, performance management and risk management of governance processes.
The government provides services including healthcare, education, social support, and financial inclusion to the public. However, villagers and citizens in remote areas often struggle to access these services due to several constraints including inadequate infrastructure and inaccessibility.
Digital governance, in the context of the digital era, involves the use of information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to enhance and transform the delivery of public services, improve government efficiency, and engage citizens in decision-making processes.
Since the majority of India's population relies on agriculture for their living, the sector dominates the country's economy. Agriculture only makes up less than 20 per cent of the nation's GDP (Ministry of Finance, 2018), emphasizing the sector's low-income production.
E-commerce and digital technology have transformed the way people spend and save. There is an evident technological growth in the world of finance which is referred to as financial technology or fintech. Financial technology (Fintech) refers to the technological innovations that assist in enabling or improving the access to financial services digitally through the internet, smartphones or computers.
Today we are living in an era of the ‘regulatory state’. The expressions ‘regulation’, ‘regulatory governance’ and ‘regulatory institutions’ have become the buzzwords of governance and are spread across social systems as well as state organisations and government strategies.
Participatory planning involves the intensive participation of local communities in analysing their current situation, envisioning a long-term collective future and attempting to attain this vision through collective planning of development interventions that would be implemented by different state agencies area.
Intrinsically, India is a republican country that is organised as a federation with a parliamentary democracy. Similar to the United Kingdom, the President serves as the head of state in name only; in contrast, the Prime Minister is the de facto executive, or real head of the government.
With over eight thousand years of experience and intellectual growth (Cameron (1968), Edwards (Gadd, 1971), Hammond (1971), Eisenstadt (1963, 1993), Olmstead ( 1948), etc.), public administration has undergone numerous changes and transformations over its long history, but it has never been so challenged as in the last thirty years.
A paradigm represents a framework, viewpoint, or collection of concepts that serves as a lens for understanding various subjects. In disciplines like science and philosophy, paradigms encompass specific theories, methodologies, and principles defining valid contributions within a field.
The field of public administration is experiencing a dramatic and rapid change. Locally and globally, some of the most significant trends that will have the role and function of public administrators is rapidly evolving as the needs and demands of citizens, governments and organisations influence their ability to create and implement policies.
Public administration in the 21st century is undergoing significant transformation, not just in advanced countries but also in various regions of the developing world, as the calls for transformative change grow louder. These changes are propelled by globalisation, liberalisation and the diversification of service provision.
In an era where administrative agility defines the efficacy of democratic governance, this chapter, “Techniques of Administrative Improvement”, offers a comprehensive exploration of transformative tools, methods, and strategies that are reshaping public administration in India and globally.
The rapid pace and interdependence of global, political, social and economic developments have necessitated a critical need for improved efficiency and effective public institutions, administrative procedures and sound financial management to confront challenges for sustainable development in all countries.
The evolution of Indian administration reflects a historical continuum shaped by civilizational values and transformative changes. Spanning the Mauryan, Mughal, and British eras, each phase contributed distinct institutional structures and governance philosophies.
As an initial output of the joint research between the Korean Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) and the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), this article provides overviews of the Korean and Mongolian legislative environment, governance and characteristics of the anti-corruption policies.
Administrative improvement is a strategic necessity in a fast-paced world. Techniques like O&M, Work Study, management aid tools such as network analysis form the cornerstone of efficient governance. MIS, PERT, and CPM tools equip administrators with the ability to anticipate challenges, and drive organizational success in an increasingly complex environment.
Street vendors are an integral part of the urban informal economy in India, providing essential goods and service that cater to the diverse needs of city residents. They operate in various capacities, from food vendors to artisans, and play a crucial role in enhancing the vibrancy and accessibility of urban life.
This paper examines the critical role of communication in driving India's economic growth within the context of its diverse societal structure and the rapidly evolving information age. It argues that effective communication is not merely a tool for disseminating information but a fundamental force shaping development trajectories.
One often wonders ‘what the government does’ and ‘why the government does what it does’ and equally importantly ‘what it does not do and why so’. According to Thomas R. Dye “public policy is whatever government chooses to do or not to do”, implying that government's actions and inactions both come into the realm of public policy.
Access to safe drinking water is not merely a fundamental human right; it is a cornerstone of public health, economic development, and social equity. In rural India, where water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure pose significant challenges, the quest for reliable water supply becomes even more critical.
This paper outlines the century-long history of Mongolia’s civil service training institution, the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), which plays a crucial role in meeting the contemporary needs of training and developing human resources within the civil service sector.
India stands at a crucial juncture in its quest for inclusive development that will bring prosperity across the spectrum. Large amounts of public funds are spent to address these issues, but their implementation and the quality of services delivered leave much to be desired.
India has committed to achieving developed nation status by the centenary of its independence, leveraging cutting-edge technologies including AI tapping into its vast human capital, and implementing policies that foster high growth while addressing enduring social and economic inequalities.
This article explores the value and statehood of Mongolia by utilising Woodrow Wilson’s categorisation of “Judging by the constitutional histories of the chief nations of the modern world, there may be three periods of growth through which government has passed in all the most highly developed of existing systems, and through which it promises to pass in all the rest.
This paper examines India's economic trajectory through the lens of its demographic dividend a substantial youth population exceeding 50% under age 25 within its 1.4 billion citizens. While this demographic advantage offers unprecedented economic potential, its promise is threatened by systemic challenges including inadequate education access, limited skill development, and employment scarcity, particularly in rural areas.
Remarkable technological and scientific progress has made the modern democratic State not a mere watch-dog or a police institution but an active participant interfering in almost every sphere of individual and corporate life in society in the changed role of a service state and a welfare state
Since the reform and opening up, China’s leadership training has experienced three stages of development: the initial stage of leadership training and development in the early period of China’s reform and opening up to the world (1978-2002), the rapid growing stage of leadership training and development in the period of fast growing economy and society (2002- 2012) and the innovative…
Accountability and control are essential for efficient, ethical administration in public and private sectors. Accountability ensures officials answer for actions and resource use, while control involves mechanisms to monitor compliance with laws and goals, promoting responsibility and preventing misconduct.
Healthcare in rural India presents unique challenges and opportunities. While global health metrics emphasize indicators like life expectancy, mortality rates, and healthcare infrastructure, they often fail to capture the socio-cultural nuances of rural communities
The “Internet plus” government service reform in China has progressed through three stages, namely one-stop service, one-window service, and companion service. This reform has become a significant example of reshaping the relationship between the local government and the public.
This paper explores the evolution of Indian welfare philosophy from Gandhi's nonviolent resistance to contemporary governance. It traces how the sacrifices of Indian revolutionaries fostered Sarvodaya and Antyodaya ideals, examining the philosophical underpinnings of these concepts in Advaita and dualistic traditions.
Like most other countries around the world, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh's education system has undergone a radical change from the beginning of March 2020 onwards. The study attempts to analyse teachers’, students’ and parents’ perceptions and experiences about the online education in the COVID-19 pandemic at the school level.
Health is a fundamental human right and a critical indicator of development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the importance of ensuring health and well-being for all individuals. A key objective of this agenda is to guarantee favorable health outcomes, underscored by the endorsement of a new declaration during the Global Conference on Primary Health Care held in Astana,…
In this article, published reports have been used for analysing state-wise status of SDGs achievements and their correlations with attainments in areas of poverty-reduction and other developmental indicators. Also, progress made by GPs on various metrics related to SDGs has been corroborated with other relevant metrics
Loss of governance reform efficacy is an identified entrenched institutional problem in systems. Reform, anywhere, is a sticky material because holders of powers and their cronies have rarely shown altruistic intentions of relaxing their profiteering grips over resources.
On September 1, 2023, a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind explored the possibility of something called One Nation, One Election in India and ever since this thing has come out in public, political parties all across the country have been fuming with anger.
This paper examines various initiatives taken by Government of India to promote collaborative governance in various sectors. With increasing needs and aspirations of the community for public services and the limited capacity of government to provide the same, the involvement of various stakeholders to deliver these services becomes important and necessity.
In the vast and diverse landscape of India, regional disparities in development have long posed significant challenges to achieving equitable growth and social justice. Recognizing the urgent need to address these disparities, the Government of India launched the Aspirational Districts Programme in January 2018.
A dynamic interaction between the recognition of human complexity in organizations and the pursuit of structural efficiency has shaped the evolution of administrative philosophy. The foundational works of Frederick W. Taylor, Max Weber, Mary Parker Follett, Elton Mayo, Chester Barnard, Rensis Likert, Chris Argyris, and Douglas McGregor are critically examined in this essay, which charts the shift from traditional administrative…
In India, National Training Policy was formed in 2012, replacing the old policy of 1996. This was needed two reasons, new areas of administration given in the reports of second administrative reforms commission setup in 2005 and changing environment in different spheres of governance and new challenges of administration being faced by the civil servants.
India's emergence as a global services powerhouse in the 21st century marks a profound and transformative shift. This evolution, far from a mere economic change, is a strategic leap driven by its demographic dividend, technological advancements, and the burgeoning global demand for specialized services.
Public administration, as the executive arm of the state, has tremendous responsibilities to match the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the state. The systems have evolved over the years in almost every country as the politico and socio-economic environment of the respective country have changed.
Public administration is the cornerstone of modern governance. It refers to the organization, management, and implementation of government policies and programs, carried out by public officials and institutions. As a vital mechanism of the state, public administration not only ensures the effective delivery of services to citizens but also upholds the principles of accountability, transparency, and rule of law.
Tribal Sustainable Development through Evidence-based Policy and Planning: A major issue in post-Independence India has been a misreading of demands of tribal communities. What they have been demanding pertains to choice upholding their traditions and customs and having ownership over natural resources
As the Idiom of technological advancement takes its toll. The paper highlights a few poignant and emerging factors in the International Relations theorization. It was conservatively maintained by the defense strategists and the political leadership across the Global polity that foreign policy and the Diplomacy are greatly determined by the “given” of Geography and terrain
With the deepening of democracy, increased decentralisation, increasing social and political awareness, digital penetration, shifts in demography, demand for quality services by common citizens has been accelerating at a faster pace. In such a scenario, the role of State is critical for promoting equity in access to services.
"Accelerating India's Development" holistically looks at India’s growth trajectory since gaining independence – it rounds up all where it has done well including unity, upholding the integrity of its constitution, retaining democratic values at its core. It also does not mince words to convey where all the nation has faltered such as falling short in delivery of public services including…
Income and Employment Intensive Growth Agenda for India: The paper examines income and employment status in the Indian labour force to identify policy attention and follow up. The macroeconomic policies taken during last one decade are yielding positive results leading to expansion of manufacturing and services and structural transformation in the economy.
An Analysis of India's Social Welfare Programs: In a democracy, the state's role is to promote societal welfare. According to Aristotle, the state should not only ensure its survival but also improve the quality of life for its citizens. The state has a moral responsibility to its citizens. Modern views agree that the state should provide essential services like education,…
Digital Innovations in Social Protection: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions: The integration of digital technologies into social protection systems represents a transformative shift with profound implications for the delivery of welfare services. This chapter explores the evolving landscape of digital innovations in social protection, contextualising these developments within the broader framework of universal social protection and a systemic approach to welfare.
One of the most crucial aspects of our society is law enforcement, which deals with issues of law and order nationwide. It is an essential component of the state's legal system. The British government introduced a Police Act in 1861, which is still very relevant and based on policing.
India’s Vision for 2047 aims to transform the nation into a developed country, with healthcare being pivotal for this progress. Achieving universal health coverage and modernising healthcare infrastructure are essential for fostering a healthy productive population, which in turn drives economic growth and reduces poverty.
Several challenges linger in the Indian education system, like rote learning, the non-existence of practical skills among students, and disparities in access to quality education. To deal with the criticism for excessive curriculum and unreasonable focus on rote learning, this chapter examines the strategies comprising the building blocks to reform Indian schools.
India is the largest democracy in the world inhabited by about 1.36 billion people over an area of 3287 thousand square kilometers according to an estimate for 2021 based on Census 2011. The Indian economy is characterised as a middle-income emerging market economy. In the last three decades the economy has faced three major crises, i.e., balance of payment crisis…
Neoliberal policies pursued by India since 1990s have created a space for private enterprises hitherto occupied by the state entities, unshackled the existing enterprises and introduced reforms to facilitate private initiative. This chapter looks into the ecosystem of the private sector in general and the developments in three specific sectors- urban mobility, water supply and housing, to draw lessons for…
This Chapter highlights the gradual transformation from Personnel Administration to Strategic Human Resource Management over the years in Government of India. However, there is still a long way to go. In this Chapter an attempt has been made to delineate the criticality to move towards Strategic HRM in Government of India to achieve India’s developmental goals.
Robust statistical data forms the cornerstone of an informed governance system. This paper studies the statistical system and data dissemination in the Centre and State governments in India, and the measures put in action to accelerate the data dissemination process. Arguing that the availability of high-frequency statistical data is a necessary condition for good governance, the first section of the…
In the Amrit Kaal (golden period) of independent India, the ‘citizen first’ approach guides public governance by deepening the outreach of service delivery mechanism so that international standards could be achieved in India@100. The goal can only be achieved by all inclusive governance involving stronger and effective local self-governments both panchayats and municipalities.
In modern societies, with the increasing role of the state in social and economic fields, emphasis on the quality of its governance is of prime concern to all. Indian bureaucratic system of governance is founded on the principle of rule of law, as the state power is divided amongst three chief organs, each has the its own quality under a…
This paper discusses the concept of good governance and its relations with the electoral politics in Indian context. It highlights the various strategies employed by the government and related agencies for the growth and development of the country. Major reforms pertaining to the country’s infrastructure, IT, administration, economy and public services are a few areas that have been explored in…
With the Indian government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, marking hundred years of independence, it has become of highest importance to learn from the past, tenaciously work in the present and step towards the future with complete efficiency. In its 77 years of becoming a democracy, India has soared high with continuous transformations marked by both…
The vision of Viksit Bharat can be realised through Viksit States, and that the aspiration of Viksit Bharat should reach the grassroot level i.e. to each district, block, and village. For this, each State and District should create a vision for 2047 so as to realise Viksit Bharat @ 2047.