Introduction
Governance is an age-old concept and it is all about making decisions and getting things done (UCLG, 2021). It happens at every level like countries, businesses, and even in smaller communities. When we study governance, we look at who's making the decisions and how they're being carried out. This involves both official people and those who might not have a formal role. We also look at the rules and systems in place for making and following through on decisions. Governance is like the roadmap that helps societies solve problems, share resources, and move forward together. It's really important for how our communities and societies work and grow. Good governance embodies eight key attributes (Biswas 2023). It fosters participation, seeks consensus, ensures accountability, promotes transparency, is responsive, operates effectively and efficiently, strives for equity and inclusivity, and upholds the rule of law. Additionally, it minimizes corruption, considers the perspectives of minorities, and amplifies the voices of the most marginalized in decision-making processes (UNESCAP). Moreover, good governance is adaptable to both current and future societal needs, reflecting its commitment to sustainable progress and development.
Good governance extends beyond the state to encompass the different stakeholders’ i.e. private sector, civil society, NGOs, VCOs, etc. For good governance, each stakeholder needs to play vital role in sustaining nation’s development. The state has to create a conducive political and legal environment, ensuring stability and fostering development initiatives. The private sector drives economic growth, generating employment opportunities and income. Civil society, on the other hand, facilitates political and social interaction, mobilizing groups to engage in economic, social, and political activities. Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of each sector, promoting constructive interaction among them becomes imperative for advancing good governance.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 1997) gives a comprehensive framework of Good Governance. According to UNDP, Good governance embodies several attributes crucial for sustainable development. It is participatory, ensuring the active involvement of citizens and groups in decision-making processes. Transparency and accountability are fundamental, fostering trust and integrity in governance practices. Effective resource management, equitable distribution, and promotion of the rule of law are also key components of good governance. In a UNDP Workshop on Governance for sustainable Human Development (1997), certain characteristics of Good Governance were identified. This includes:
• Participatory in Nature
• Responsive to people
• Able to develop resources and methods of governance
• Operates by Rule of Law
• Enabling, Facilitating and regulating rather than controlling
• Service Oriented
• Sustainable
• Acceptable to people
• Fostering equity and Equality
• Promoting gender balance
• Accountable
In 2014, on Good Governance Day, the Prime Minister stressed upon the importance of good governance for national progress and promised for a transparent and accountable administration focused on citizens' welfare (MEA 2021). According to him prioritising citizens' needs with the mantra "Citizen-First," efforts include simplifying procedures, addressing grievances promptly, and improving government processes. If we analyse the outcome of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) it clearly exemplifies a "Citizen Centric Programme" in several ways and echoes the vision of Good Governance.
Objectives
1. Examining the Role of Swachh Bharat Mission in Driving Good Governance;
2. Assessing the Impact of Swachh Bharat Mission on Public Health Outcomes.
3. Investigating Community Participation and Behavioral Change in Sanitation Practices.
Methodology
The present research is descriptive in nature, primarily focusing on the collection, description, and analysis of facts pertaining to SBM Gramin. A systematic review of published literature from various sources such as the Government of India, articles, journals, etc., was undertaken. The research areas are centred around the Swachh Bharat Mission, open defecation, and various states within India. The database for the study primarily comprises data sourced from the SBM website.
Discussion
In 2014, Government of India started a major ‘citizen centric’ programme called Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM, 2018), which means "Clean India Mission." This is a government-led initiative which stands as the largest behavior change program globally, impacting the lives and well-being of around 18 per cent of the world's population. This project aimed to make India cleaner and healthier by solving the problem of people going to the toilet in the open. The Mission comprises of six main components; (i) Individual household toilets, (ii) Community toilets, (iii) Public toilets, (iv) Municipal Solid Waste Management and (v) Information and Education Communication (IEC) and Public Awareness, and (vi) Capacity Building.
SBM is more than just toilets, while building toilets in millions of homes, SBM also focused on building public toilets in villages and towns (over 11.46 crores), managing waste properly, and most importantly, teaching people how to stay clean and healthy. Most importantly SBM encouraged people to get involved by learning about good hygiene and taking responsibility for keeping their communities clean. This "Citizen-First" approach involved everyone and gave local governments the power to make decisions and take action.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) exemplifies a "Citizen Centric Programme" in several ways:
1. Focus on Public Health: SBM places a high priority on safeguarding citizens' health and well-being by striving to ensure access to clean and hygienic sanitation facilities. As per 2011 Census, only 32.70 per cent of the households had access to toilets (Ghaosh, 2018). Notably, after SBM initiative, toilet coverage surged to 100 per cent in 2019. Presently, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) covers 763 districts, 7,156 blocks, and 2,54,343 gram panchayats. According to the SBM-G dashboard, there are 5,85,434 SBM villages. By January 2024, 409 districts have been declared ODF Plus and 85 districts have been declared ODF Plus Model Districts. Similarly, 5,09,680 inhabited villages in India have declared themselves ODF Plus. ODF Plus villages have maintained their Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and have implemented either solid or liquid waste management systems.
Additionally, official SBM dashboard data reveals that the number of villages equipped with solid waste management has reached 286,488, while 451,097 villages have arrangements for liquid waste management. Furthermore, approximately 689,215 Community Compost pits are operational nationwide, aiding in the bulk composting of waste materials. Under the Sustainable Development Goals initiative, 245,224 Community Sanitary Complexes have been successfully constructed in rural areas. To facilitate waste collection from households and commercial areas, 381,151 vehicles have been deployed. Moreover, 974,821 drainage facilities have been built to ensure effective waste management in rural regions.
Figure 1: Household toilet coverage in Rural India 2014–2020
By addressing issues like open defecation and promoting proper waste management, the mission directly contributes to reducing the spread of diseases and improving public health outcomes. In the 2018 report by the WHO (2018), it was highlighted that prior to the initiation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in 2014, unsafe sanitation was responsible for an estimated 199 million cases of diarrhea annually. However, since then, there has been a steady decline in these cases, with the trend indicating a near elimination with the universal adoption of safe sanitation facilities projected to be achieved by October 2019. The implementation of SBM - Grameen has played a pivotal role in averting more than 300,000 deaths attributed to diarrhea and protein-energy malnutrition between 2014 and October 2019.
2. Community Participation: SBM encourages active participation from citizens at various levels, from the planning and implementation of sanitation initiatives to monitoring and maintenance of facilities. By involving communities at grass root level in decision-making processes and promoting behavioral change towards cleanliness and hygiene, the mission empowers citizens to take ownership of their surroundings. The SBM has successfully transformed from a government-led initiative into a Jan Andolan, or people's movement. This required an unconventional Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) approach to instigate behavioral changes within communities. Strengthening the capabilities of Swachhagrahis (sanitation foot soldiers) through strategic interventions, along with a comprehensive 360-degree strategy involving prominent figures such as political leaders, government officials, sports personalities, actors, and faith leaders, proved effective in addressing prevailing issues. Community-led efforts were further facilitated by engaging school children, offices, NGOs, RWAs, youth from organizations like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and National Service Scheme (NSS).
Table 1: Capacity Building Programme Conducted under SBM
The special thing about this mission is that the Jal Shakti Ministry has worked hard to get everyone involved to make SBM successful. They've focused on building the skills of important people at different levels of government like the State, district, and block levels. This helps in planning and running SBM smoothly. They do this by providing different kinds of training like orientation, refresher courses, and technical training on important aspects of SBM. This includes how to use funds effectively and work together with other programs. A special website has been created where States, Districts, and Blocks can plan and keep track of these training programs. This will help make sure that the trained people are put to good use, making SBM even more successful.
3. Accountability and Transparency: The Swachh Bharat Mission promotes transparency and accountability in its implementation by following way;
i. SBM has employed robust monitoring mechanisms at various levels, including national, state, district, and local levels. This helps track progress, identify challenges, and take corrective actions promptly.
ii. The mission relies on real time data updation and management systems to keep track of activities, progress, and outcomes. This data is regularly updated and made accessible to the public, ensuring transparency.
iii. Social audits are conducted regularly to assess the effectiveness of SBM interventions. These audits involve local communities and stakeholders, allowing them to scrutinize the implementation process and provide feedback.
iv. SBM leverages technology for increased transparency and accountability. Tools such as the SBM-G dashboard provide real-time updates on progress and expenditures, allowing stakeholders to monitor activities closely.
v. SBM has mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations. Non-compliance is addressed through enforcement measures, which may include penalties or corrective actions.
Overall these efforts foster trust between the government and citizens, ensuring that resources are utilized effectively and goals are achieved.
1. Institutional Strengthening and Planning: Institutional strengthening played a pivotal role in the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) by establishing dedicated sanitation departments and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation systems. In many states across India, SBM facilitated the creation of dedicated sanitation departments tasked with overseeing sanitation-related activities and ensuring effective implementation of SBM initiatives. These departments were responsible for coordinating with various stakeholders, allocating resources, and monitoring progress towards sanitation goals.
Figure 2: Institutional Strengthening and Planning of SBM
Similarly, SBM introduced robust monitoring and evaluation systems at the national, state, and local levels to track progress, identify challenges, and measure the impact of sanitation interventions. This involved the establishment of monitoring mechanisms, data collection processes, and performance indicators to assess the implementation of SBM initiatives.
The Jal Shakti Ministry readily engaged in consultation exercises with the private sector to ensure the success of sanitation campaigns in India. Additionally, the ministry actively sought the support of organisations such as the World Bank, UNICEF, WaterAid, and other assistance agencies to enhance technical support to states. Furthermore, philanthropic foundations such as Tata Trusts and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation were approached to finance the recruitment of consultants for a project management cell.
2. Behavioral Change Communication: A key component of SBM is behavioral change communication, which involves raising awareness about the importance of sanitation and promoting hygienic practices among citizens. SBM launched extensive awareness campaigns utilising various media channels such as television, radio, newspapers, social media, and outdoor advertising. These campaigns focused on educating citizens about the importance of sanitation and hygiene practices, the health hazards of open defecation, and the benefits of using toilets.
The mission seeks to instill a sense of responsibility and ownership for maintaining cleanliness in communities. SBM adopted strategies tailored to different target audiences and demographic segments. These strategies utilized simple, culturally sensitive messaging and storytelling to resonate with people's values, beliefs, and aspirations, thereby influencing their behavior towards adopting clean and hygienic practices. The mission actively engaged communities at the grassroots level by involving local leaders, volunteers (Swachhagrahis), and community-based organizations. These stakeholders played a crucial role in mobilizing communities, organizing events, conducting door-to-door campaigns, and promoting behavioral change through interpersonal communication.
3. Government-Citizen Partnership: At the onset of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), the Government of India recognized the importance of having trained individuals in each village to ensure the success of the mission. These individuals, known as Swachhagrahis, serve as champions of cleanliness within their communities. They receive training through various community groups such as village councils, cooperatives, health workers, and women's organizations. Many Swachhagrahis are already actively involved in village affairs and possess valuable knowledge about their areas and residents. Additional responsibilities related to SBM are assigned to them, either as part of their existing roles or through new hires specifically for this purpose.
This approach encourages widespread participation from ordinary citizens in maintaining cleanliness and health in their villages. By leveraging the existing community network, SBM ensures that everyone shares in the responsibility of keeping their surroundings clean. Since the ultimate objective of SBM is to establish cleanliness as a routine aspect of life across all regions and sections of India. It knows that to make lasting improvements in sanitation, everyone needs to work together. That's why it gets help from groups like charities, community leaders, and others who care about cleanliness. By joining forces, SBM aims to reach its goals faster and better.
Conclusion
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) exemplifies good governance by prioritizing public health through the provision of clean sanitation facilities in rural India. The mission's commitment to expanding toilet coverage, from 43.27 per cent in 2014-15 to 100% by 2023, showcases its dedication to serving citizens' basic needs. With a presence in 763 districts, 7,156 blocks, and 2,54,343 gram panchayats, SBM's comprehensive approach ensures broad coverage and equitable access to sanitation facilities. By designating 409 districts as ODF Plus and 85 districts as ODF Plus Model Districts, SBM demonstrates its focus on continuous improvement and sustainable practices. Moreover, the active involvement of 5,09,680 inhabited villages in waste management initiatives highlights the mission's success in fostering community engagement and ownership. Through effective behavioral change communication and robust waste management infrastructure, SBM promotes public health and cleanliness as integral components of good governance. The emphasis on government-citizen partnerships, institutional strengthening, and accountability mechanisms further solidifies SBM's role in driving positive change and ensuring long-term sustainability in sanitation initiatives nationwide.
References
1. UCLG (2021): Good Governance: Definition and Characteristics, 18 November 2021, Accessed from https://uclg-aspac.org/good-governance-definition-and-characteristics/
2. Biswas A. (2023), Good Governance: Definitions, 8 Characteristics, and Importance, Accessed from https://schoolofpoliticalscience.com/what-is-good-governance/
3. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific , What is Good Governance?, Accessed from https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/good-governance.pdf
4. United Nations Development Programme (1997): Governance for sustainable human development, UNDP policy document, New York. Accessed from https://publicadministration.un.org/paconnect/Blogs/ID/25/Is-Good-Governance-good-for-Development-Impressions-from-the-latest-UN-Piont--Counter-Piont-Discussion-Forum#:~:text=UNDP%20states%209%20major%20characteristics,Vision%20(UNDP%2C%201997).
5. MEA, GoI (2021), Keynote Address by the External Affairs Minister at the eighth edition of Good Governance Day celebrations, December 21, 2021, Accessed from https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/34713#:~:text=In%202014%2C% 20on%20the%20birth,welfare%20of%20the%20common%20citizen%E2%80%9D.
6. Government of India (2018), Guidelines for swachh bharat mission. Accessed from https://jalshakti-ddws.gov.in/sites/default/files/SBM(G)_Guidelines.pdf.
7. Ghosh SK, (2018), Waste Management and Resource Efficiency: Proceedings of 6th IconSWM 2016. Springer; 2018.
8. WHO (2018): Health gains from the Swachh Bharat initiative, 27 July 2018, Downloaded from https://www.who.int/india/news/detail/27-07-2018-health-gains-from-the-swachh-bharat-initiative
India has surpassed France and the UK to become the fifth largest economy in the world with a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated to be around $ 3.12 trillion for FY22. For the fiscal year 2022-23, a healthy growth rate of approximately 7% is anticipated.
This paper offers an integrated digital drone-based services solution for cities & towns, controlled through an integrated smart control room and/or where users may call in for support of required service, on a time-sharing basis; charged according to No of drones, payload, distances and time calculations.
This paper covers the health benefits of cycling and how it has a positive impact on the environment. It examines the Dutch model of the development of cycling, how it may be adapted to Indian conditions, and help to overcome the barriers to cycling, in the Indian context.
The transformation of the lives of rural women towards their betterment is a critical issue in the development process of countries around the world. Poverty, lack of financial awareness, minimal or no education, and women's disempowerment are reasons for the poor condition of rural women.
In India, the procedure of shifting the paradigm for good governance has been dynamic and continuing. A notion known as "good governance" includes a number of rules and procedures designed to guarantee the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of governmental institutions.
Administration of independent India drewn many transformations to get away from British colonial administration that propagates the colonial need such as maintenance of law and order, collection of revenue, tactics to hold the administrative power in British civil servants.
The twenty-first century should be an era of new forms of Governance different from what we have seen in the past. Due to widespread economic problems and fiscal constraints in the 1980's, governments around the world both rich and poor, concluded that government had become too big, too costly and ineffective.
The concept of ‘governance’ is not new. It is as old as human civilization. It has over the years gained momentum and a wider meaning. Apart from being an instrument of public affairs management, or a gauge of political development, governance has become a useful mechanism to enhance the legitimacy of the public realm.
In India, the paradigm of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) is proving to be transformative as it attempts to balance the intricate relationships between sustainable resource utilisation, forest regeneration, and conservation. India, which has about 70 million hectares of forest cover, struggles to meet the socioeconomic demands of the people who depend on the forests while also protecting these ecosystems.
A long-term abutting weather situation that is particularly related to temperature and precipitation is called climatic change. Land-use changes, forest fires, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are all possible contributing factors to this Climate shift (Reddy, 2015).
The Yamuna is a tributary of the holy Ganges. The main stream of the Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier at Bandar Panch (38°59'N, 78°27'E) in the Mussoorie Ranges of the lower Himalayas, at an average altitude of about 6387 meters above sea level in the Uttarkashi district (Uttrakhand) increase.
The issue of governance has received serious attention of researchers, policy makers, administrators and the national as well as international community. The New Public Management (NPM) concept is focused on service, quality, performance management and risk management of governance processes.
The government provides services including healthcare, education, social support, and financial inclusion to the public. However, villagers and citizens in remote areas often struggle to access these services due to several constraints including inadequate infrastructure and inaccessibility.
Digital governance, in the context of the digital era, involves the use of information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to enhance and transform the delivery of public services, improve government efficiency, and engage citizens in decision-making processes.
Since the majority of India's population relies on agriculture for their living, the sector dominates the country's economy. Agriculture only makes up less than 20 per cent of the nation's GDP (Ministry of Finance, 2018), emphasizing the sector's low-income production.
E-commerce and digital technology have transformed the way people spend and save. There is an evident technological growth in the world of finance which is referred to as financial technology or fintech. Financial technology (Fintech) refers to the technological innovations that assist in enabling or improving the access to financial services digitally through the internet, smartphones or computers.
Today we are living in an era of the ‘regulatory state’. The expressions ‘regulation’, ‘regulatory governance’ and ‘regulatory institutions’ have become the buzzwords of governance and are spread across social systems as well as state organisations and government strategies.
Participatory planning involves the intensive participation of local communities in analysing their current situation, envisioning a long-term collective future and attempting to attain this vision through collective planning of development interventions that would be implemented by different state agencies area.
Intrinsically, India is a republican country that is organised as a federation with a parliamentary democracy. Similar to the United Kingdom, the President serves as the head of state in name only; in contrast, the Prime Minister is the de facto executive, or real head of the government.
With over eight thousand years of experience and intellectual growth (Cameron (1968), Edwards (Gadd, 1971), Hammond (1971), Eisenstadt (1963, 1993), Olmstead ( 1948), etc.), public administration has undergone numerous changes and transformations over its long history, but it has never been so challenged as in the last thirty years.
A paradigm represents a framework, viewpoint, or collection of concepts that serves as a lens for understanding various subjects. In disciplines like science and philosophy, paradigms encompass specific theories, methodologies, and principles defining valid contributions within a field.
The field of public administration is experiencing a dramatic and rapid change. Locally and globally, some of the most significant trends that will have the role and function of public administrators is rapidly evolving as the needs and demands of citizens, governments and organisations influence their ability to create and implement policies.
Public administration in the 21st century is undergoing significant transformation, not just in advanced countries but also in various regions of the developing world, as the calls for transformative change grow louder. These changes are propelled by globalisation, liberalisation and the diversification of service provision.
In an era where administrative agility defines the efficacy of democratic governance, this chapter, “Techniques of Administrative Improvement”, offers a comprehensive exploration of transformative tools, methods, and strategies that are reshaping public administration in India and globally.
The rapid pace and interdependence of global, political, social and economic developments have necessitated a critical need for improved efficiency and effective public institutions, administrative procedures and sound financial management to confront challenges for sustainable development in all countries.
The evolution of Indian administration reflects a historical continuum shaped by civilizational values and transformative changes. Spanning the Mauryan, Mughal, and British eras, each phase contributed distinct institutional structures and governance philosophies.
As an initial output of the joint research between the Korean Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) and the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), this article provides overviews of the Korean and Mongolian legislative environment, governance and characteristics of the anti-corruption policies.
Administrative improvement is a strategic necessity in a fast-paced world. Techniques like O&M, Work Study, management aid tools such as network analysis form the cornerstone of efficient governance. MIS, PERT, and CPM tools equip administrators with the ability to anticipate challenges, and drive organizational success in an increasingly complex environment.
Street vendors are an integral part of the urban informal economy in India, providing essential goods and service that cater to the diverse needs of city residents. They operate in various capacities, from food vendors to artisans, and play a crucial role in enhancing the vibrancy and accessibility of urban life.
This paper examines the critical role of communication in driving India's economic growth within the context of its diverse societal structure and the rapidly evolving information age. It argues that effective communication is not merely a tool for disseminating information but a fundamental force shaping development trajectories.
One often wonders ‘what the government does’ and ‘why the government does what it does’ and equally importantly ‘what it does not do and why so’. According to Thomas R. Dye “public policy is whatever government chooses to do or not to do”, implying that government's actions and inactions both come into the realm of public policy.
Access to safe drinking water is not merely a fundamental human right; it is a cornerstone of public health, economic development, and social equity. In rural India, where water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure pose significant challenges, the quest for reliable water supply becomes even more critical.
This paper outlines the century-long history of Mongolia’s civil service training institution, the National Academy of Governance (NAOG), which plays a crucial role in meeting the contemporary needs of training and developing human resources within the civil service sector.
India stands at a crucial juncture in its quest for inclusive development that will bring prosperity across the spectrum. Large amounts of public funds are spent to address these issues, but their implementation and the quality of services delivered leave much to be desired.
India has committed to achieving developed nation status by the centenary of its independence, leveraging cutting-edge technologies including AI tapping into its vast human capital, and implementing policies that foster high growth while addressing enduring social and economic inequalities.
This article explores the value and statehood of Mongolia by utilising Woodrow Wilson’s categorisation of “Judging by the constitutional histories of the chief nations of the modern world, there may be three periods of growth through which government has passed in all the most highly developed of existing systems, and through which it promises to pass in all the rest.
This paper examines India's economic trajectory through the lens of its demographic dividend a substantial youth population exceeding 50% under age 25 within its 1.4 billion citizens. While this demographic advantage offers unprecedented economic potential, its promise is threatened by systemic challenges including inadequate education access, limited skill development, and employment scarcity, particularly in rural areas.
Remarkable technological and scientific progress has made the modern democratic State not a mere watch-dog or a police institution but an active participant interfering in almost every sphere of individual and corporate life in society in the changed role of a service state and a welfare state
Since the reform and opening up, China’s leadership training has experienced three stages of development: the initial stage of leadership training and development in the early period of China’s reform and opening up to the world (1978-2002), the rapid growing stage of leadership training and development in the period of fast growing economy and society (2002- 2012) and the innovative…
Accountability and control are essential for efficient, ethical administration in public and private sectors. Accountability ensures officials answer for actions and resource use, while control involves mechanisms to monitor compliance with laws and goals, promoting responsibility and preventing misconduct.
Healthcare in rural India presents unique challenges and opportunities. While global health metrics emphasize indicators like life expectancy, mortality rates, and healthcare infrastructure, they often fail to capture the socio-cultural nuances of rural communities
The “Internet plus” government service reform in China has progressed through three stages, namely one-stop service, one-window service, and companion service. This reform has become a significant example of reshaping the relationship between the local government and the public.
This paper explores the evolution of Indian welfare philosophy from Gandhi's nonviolent resistance to contemporary governance. It traces how the sacrifices of Indian revolutionaries fostered Sarvodaya and Antyodaya ideals, examining the philosophical underpinnings of these concepts in Advaita and dualistic traditions.
Like most other countries around the world, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh's education system has undergone a radical change from the beginning of March 2020 onwards. The study attempts to analyse teachers’, students’ and parents’ perceptions and experiences about the online education in the COVID-19 pandemic at the school level.
Health is a fundamental human right and a critical indicator of development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the importance of ensuring health and well-being for all individuals. A key objective of this agenda is to guarantee favorable health outcomes, underscored by the endorsement of a new declaration during the Global Conference on Primary Health Care held in Astana,…
In this article, published reports have been used for analysing state-wise status of SDGs achievements and their correlations with attainments in areas of poverty-reduction and other developmental indicators. Also, progress made by GPs on various metrics related to SDGs has been corroborated with other relevant metrics
Loss of governance reform efficacy is an identified entrenched institutional problem in systems. Reform, anywhere, is a sticky material because holders of powers and their cronies have rarely shown altruistic intentions of relaxing their profiteering grips over resources.
On September 1, 2023, a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind explored the possibility of something called One Nation, One Election in India and ever since this thing has come out in public, political parties all across the country have been fuming with anger.
This paper examines various initiatives taken by Government of India to promote collaborative governance in various sectors. With increasing needs and aspirations of the community for public services and the limited capacity of government to provide the same, the involvement of various stakeholders to deliver these services becomes important and necessity.
In the vast and diverse landscape of India, regional disparities in development have long posed significant challenges to achieving equitable growth and social justice. Recognizing the urgent need to address these disparities, the Government of India launched the Aspirational Districts Programme in January 2018.
A dynamic interaction between the recognition of human complexity in organizations and the pursuit of structural efficiency has shaped the evolution of administrative philosophy. The foundational works of Frederick W. Taylor, Max Weber, Mary Parker Follett, Elton Mayo, Chester Barnard, Rensis Likert, Chris Argyris, and Douglas McGregor are critically examined in this essay, which charts the shift from traditional administrative…
In India, National Training Policy was formed in 2012, replacing the old policy of 1996. This was needed two reasons, new areas of administration given in the reports of second administrative reforms commission setup in 2005 and changing environment in different spheres of governance and new challenges of administration being faced by the civil servants.
India's emergence as a global services powerhouse in the 21st century marks a profound and transformative shift. This evolution, far from a mere economic change, is a strategic leap driven by its demographic dividend, technological advancements, and the burgeoning global demand for specialized services.
Public administration, as the executive arm of the state, has tremendous responsibilities to match the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the state. The systems have evolved over the years in almost every country as the politico and socio-economic environment of the respective country have changed.
Public administration is the cornerstone of modern governance. It refers to the organization, management, and implementation of government policies and programs, carried out by public officials and institutions. As a vital mechanism of the state, public administration not only ensures the effective delivery of services to citizens but also upholds the principles of accountability, transparency, and rule of law.
Tribal Sustainable Development through Evidence-based Policy and Planning: A major issue in post-Independence India has been a misreading of demands of tribal communities. What they have been demanding pertains to choice upholding their traditions and customs and having ownership over natural resources
As the Idiom of technological advancement takes its toll. The paper highlights a few poignant and emerging factors in the International Relations theorization. It was conservatively maintained by the defense strategists and the political leadership across the Global polity that foreign policy and the Diplomacy are greatly determined by the “given” of Geography and terrain
With the deepening of democracy, increased decentralisation, increasing social and political awareness, digital penetration, shifts in demography, demand for quality services by common citizens has been accelerating at a faster pace. In such a scenario, the role of State is critical for promoting equity in access to services.
"Accelerating India's Development" holistically looks at India’s growth trajectory since gaining independence – it rounds up all where it has done well including unity, upholding the integrity of its constitution, retaining democratic values at its core. It also does not mince words to convey where all the nation has faltered such as falling short in delivery of public services including…
Income and Employment Intensive Growth Agenda for India: The paper examines income and employment status in the Indian labour force to identify policy attention and follow up. The macroeconomic policies taken during last one decade are yielding positive results leading to expansion of manufacturing and services and structural transformation in the economy.
An Analysis of India's Social Welfare Programs: In a democracy, the state's role is to promote societal welfare. According to Aristotle, the state should not only ensure its survival but also improve the quality of life for its citizens. The state has a moral responsibility to its citizens. Modern views agree that the state should provide essential services like education,…
Digital Innovations in Social Protection: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions: The integration of digital technologies into social protection systems represents a transformative shift with profound implications for the delivery of welfare services. This chapter explores the evolving landscape of digital innovations in social protection, contextualising these developments within the broader framework of universal social protection and a systemic approach to welfare.
One of the most crucial aspects of our society is law enforcement, which deals with issues of law and order nationwide. It is an essential component of the state's legal system. The British government introduced a Police Act in 1861, which is still very relevant and based on policing.
India’s Vision for 2047 aims to transform the nation into a developed country, with healthcare being pivotal for this progress. Achieving universal health coverage and modernising healthcare infrastructure are essential for fostering a healthy productive population, which in turn drives economic growth and reduces poverty.
Several challenges linger in the Indian education system, like rote learning, the non-existence of practical skills among students, and disparities in access to quality education. To deal with the criticism for excessive curriculum and unreasonable focus on rote learning, this chapter examines the strategies comprising the building blocks to reform Indian schools.
Social development is expected to promote holistic improvement of individuals, institutions and their surrounding environments. Looking at the pace of development in India, the economy of most states requires strategic prioritization to accelerate improved well-being of the people. Accessibility to health, school education and public security are critical to the edifice of social development.
India is the largest democracy in the world inhabited by about 1.36 billion people over an area of 3287 thousand square kilometers according to an estimate for 2021 based on Census 2011. The Indian economy is characterised as a middle-income emerging market economy. In the last three decades the economy has faced three major crises, i.e., balance of payment crisis…
Neoliberal policies pursued by India since 1990s have created a space for private enterprises hitherto occupied by the state entities, unshackled the existing enterprises and introduced reforms to facilitate private initiative. This chapter looks into the ecosystem of the private sector in general and the developments in three specific sectors- urban mobility, water supply and housing, to draw lessons for…
This Chapter highlights the gradual transformation from Personnel Administration to Strategic Human Resource Management over the years in Government of India. However, there is still a long way to go. In this Chapter an attempt has been made to delineate the criticality to move towards Strategic HRM in Government of India to achieve India’s developmental goals.
Robust statistical data forms the cornerstone of an informed governance system. This paper studies the statistical system and data dissemination in the Centre and State governments in India, and the measures put in action to accelerate the data dissemination process. Arguing that the availability of high-frequency statistical data is a necessary condition for good governance, the first section of the…
In the Amrit Kaal (golden period) of independent India, the ‘citizen first’ approach guides public governance by deepening the outreach of service delivery mechanism so that international standards could be achieved in India@100. The goal can only be achieved by all inclusive governance involving stronger and effective local self-governments both panchayats and municipalities.
In modern societies, with the increasing role of the state in social and economic fields, emphasis on the quality of its governance is of prime concern to all. Indian bureaucratic system of governance is founded on the principle of rule of law, as the state power is divided amongst three chief organs, each has the its own quality under a…
This paper discusses the concept of good governance and its relations with the electoral politics in Indian context. It highlights the various strategies employed by the government and related agencies for the growth and development of the country. Major reforms pertaining to the country’s infrastructure, IT, administration, economy and public services are a few areas that have been explored in…
With the Indian government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, marking hundred years of independence, it has become of highest importance to learn from the past, tenaciously work in the present and step towards the future with complete efficiency. In its 77 years of becoming a democracy, India has soared high with continuous transformations marked by both…
The vision of Viksit Bharat can be realised through Viksit States, and that the aspiration of Viksit Bharat should reach the grassroot level i.e. to each district, block, and village. For this, each State and District should create a vision for 2047 so as to realise Viksit Bharat @ 2047.