Abstract
Ecological issues give birth to environmental discourses on human-nature interaction worldwide, which ultimately reinforce the need for environmental sustainability. In the globalization era, environmental security has become one of the key security issues, especially for the countries in the Global South. India is facing acute challenges, such as a rise in atmospheric CO2; high fast-paced melting of Himalayan ice sheets, the expected rise in global sea level, and consequently, the global economy will lose around 18% of GDP by 2050 if no climate action is taken. To cope with these issues and achieve sustainability, the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Mission’ was introduced by our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in 2021, which aims to bring individual behaviours to the centre of climate action. Our traditional knowledge, climate-friendly daily household practices, and leveraging technology strongly position India to lead the narrative of addressing climate change. The paper highlights the importance of the LiFE mission, making it the most relevant policy to overcome contemporary challenges for Viksit Bharat. It explores the conceptual framework, strategic objectives, implementation challenges, and global implications and discusses a future perspective on India’s leadership in a global movement for the environment and sustainable development.
Keywords: LiFE mission, global climate movement, environmental policy and governance.
1. Introduction: Evolution of Environmental Policy in India
“We cannot turn back time, but we can grow forests, revive water sources, and bring back soils. We are the generation that can make peace with the land.” - UNEP for World Environment Day 2024.
Environmental policy is the commitment of an organization to the laws, regulations, and other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues. These issues generally include air and water pollution, waste management, ecosystem management, maintenance of biodiversity, the protection of natural resources, wildlife, and endangered species, use of renewable energy sources, regulation of toxic substances, including pesticides and many types of industrial waste. Environmental policy comprises two major terms: Environment and Policy. Environment refers to the physical ecosystems but can also consider the social dimension (quality of life, health) and the economic dimension (resource management, biodiversity). The policy can be defined as a course of action or principle adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individua‖. Thus, Environmental policy refers to any course of action that is deliberately taken to manage human activities to prevent or mitigate harmful effects on natural resources, the ecosystem, or nature. Governments use different types of instruments to implement their environmental policies. For example, economic incentives and market-based instruments such as taxes and tax exemptions, tradable permits, and fees, greener public purchasing programs, bilateral agreements between the government and private firms, etc.
In the Indian Constitution, under Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 48 says the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country; Article 51-A states that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures. The judicial activism, particularly by the Supreme Court and state High Courts strengthens the enforcement of environmental policies. With the establishment of the National Green Tribunal, this is expected to be further strengthened. The Supreme Court, for example, decided in a landmark judgment in 1995 that the right to the environment was a part of the Right to Life of Indian citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Environmental policies in India have undergone significant evolution over the years to address the complex challenges posed by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. The introduction of environmental governance in India can be traced back to the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985, renamed to the ‘Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’ in May 2014, reflecting a pivotal moment in recognizing the need to address ecological concerns about climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. Since then, a series of legislative measures, coupled with international commitments, have laid the foundation for a comprehensive framework to regulate and manage environmental issues. India, a rapidly developing nation with a burgeoning population, has witnessed unprecedented industrialization and urbanization, placing immense pressure on its natural resources. As a response to the growing environmental concerns, the Indian government has formulated and implemented a set of policies aimed at striking a delicate balance between economic development and ecological sustainability. This delicate equilibrium is reflected in the evolution of environmental policies, which have progressed from a mere acknowledgment of environmental issues to a proactive approach aimed at mitigating the impact of development on the ecosystem. Biodiversity conservation is another crucial dimension of India’s environmental policies. The nation boasts diverse ecosystems, ranging from the Himalayan mountains to the coastal regions, each hosting unique flora and fauna. The conservation of biodiversity is essential not only for ecological stability but also for the well-being of communities dependent on natural resources. India’s policies in this regard focus on the establishment of protected areas, sustainable forest management, and initiatives to safeguard endangered species. The legislative backbone of India’s environmental policies includes key Acts such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and the National Environment Policy. These legal instruments empower regulatory authorities to monitor and control various sources of pollution, providing a legal framework for industries to adhere to environmental standards. The incorporation of international agreements, such as achieving targets for renewable energy under the Paris Agreement, pushes for e-vehicles and vehicle emission norms, and the Convention on Biological Diversity underscores India’s commitment to global environmental initiatives. Additionally, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Solar Alliance are some of the fronts on which India has led by example.
As India continues its journey towards sustainable development, the effectiveness of environmental policies remains a subject of scrutiny. Environmental conflicts have increased dramatically, around mining, dams, pollution, water scarcity, forest rights, and several other issues. While some of this increase may be due to increased awareness amongst communities about their rights, there is no doubt that the frequency of violation of environmental rights has increased as the pressure on the environment has escalated. This is particularly true in the post-1991 period, when the liberalization of the Indian economy for the sake of economic growth translated into rapid industrialization, as described vividly by Shrivastava and Kothari (2012). Not surprisingly, environmental historian Ramachandra Guha (2013) has described recent India as ‘an environmental basket-case’. The air quality index touches alarmingly dangerous levels frequently; contamination of groundwater is a stark reality of today; water tables are receding; oceans are rising; plastic waste is clogging the entire ecosystem, and landfills are becoming a part of the skyline of our cities. Frequent floods, droughts, abrupt weather cycles, crop pattern changes, and receding coastal areas eventually threaten the entire ecosystem and question the current models of growth and development. Sustainability and development need to go hand in hand. The waste we generate, if not properly managed, is a burden to the environment.
Therefore, evaluating the impact of the policies requires a comprehensive analysis of their outcomes on pollution levels, natural resource management, and overall ecological health. One of the significant challenges in the implementation of environmental policies in India lies in the effective enforcement of regulations. Despite the existence of comprehensive laws, the execution often faces hurdles related to inadequate infrastructure, limited manpower, and bureaucratic complexities. The introduction of new policies is frequently met with challenges in terms of translating them into on-the-ground actions. This gap between policy formulation and implementation remains a critical aspect that needs continual attention and improvement. The multifaceted nature of environmental challenges necessitates the involvement of various stakeholders, including government agencies, industries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the public. Recognizing this, environmental policies in India increasingly emphasize the importance of a collaborative approach. Government agencies play a central role in policy formulation, regulation, and monitoring, ensuring that industries comply with environmental norms. Simultaneously, the role of civil society and environmental activists has become pivotal in advocating for ecological preservation and holding both industries and the government accountable. The role of industries in shaping environmental policies is of paramount importance. As major contributors to pollution and resource consumption, industries are subject to stringent environmental regulations. However, a shift towards sustainable practices is becoming more evident, with an increasing number of industries adopting eco-friendly technologies and incorporating environmental sustainability into their corporate strategies. This evolving dynamic between regulatory authorities and industries reflects a growing recognition of the mutual benefits of economic growth and environmental responsibility. There is an economy around the environment, and also the economy in general is impacted by climate change and its mitigation. This poses a challenge and also an underlying opportunity. The environment is at the brim. It is our collective responsibility to work together for providing a brighter future for the coming generations – a self-sustaining lifestyle, resources that are adequate for all, development that is not compromising our ecosystem, flora-fauna and wildlife that are in safe hands, and the land, water, and air that are fit for humans and other forms of life. We desperately need environmental governance.
2. Need and Significance of Environmental Governance in India
Governing our planet’s rich and diverse natural resources is an increasingly complex challenge. In our globalised world of interconnected nations, economies, and people, managing environmental threats, particularly those that cross political borders, such as air pollution and biodiversity loss, will require new global, regional, national, and local responses involving a wide range of stakeholders. More specifically, we use "environmental governance” to refer to the set of regulatory processes, mechanisms, and organizations through which political actors influence environmental actions and outcomes. It views natural resources and the environment as global public goods, belonging to the category of goods that are not diminished when they are shared. This means that everyone benefits from, for example, a breathable atmosphere, stable climate, and stable biodiversity. Public goods are non-rivalrous, a natural resource enjoyed by one person can still be enjoyed by others, and non-excludable, it is impossible to prevent someone from consuming the good (such as breathing). Public goods are recognized as beneficial and therefore have value. The notion of a global public good thus emerges, with a slight distinction: it covers necessities that must not be destroyed by one person or state. The non-rivalrous character of such goods calls for a management approach that restricts public and private actors from damaging them.
Sharachchandra Lele and Geetanjoy Sahu point out that though the country has very many laws for protecting the environment, aided by a pro-active judiciary, the current state of the environment is deplorable. Presently, environmental governance has four major issues: regulatory failure, limits to judicial activism, domination of neo-liberal growth ideas, and the assumption that conservatism is environmentalism. They argue that the future of environmental governance has to start with embracing environmentalism as a way of life, that is, quality of life, sustainability, and environmental justice. Additionally, institutional design has to be re-worked, such that it can encompass biophysical and social justice goals. Better environmental governance requires a change in value systems, concern for social justice, and a belief in the democratic process. The LiFE mission is the blend of environmental policy and governance, paving the way for sustainable development.
3. LiFE MISSION: Integrated approach to SDGs
3.1 The Concept
The importance of conserving our precious natural resources and living in harmony with nature is emphasised in our ancient scriptures. According to Indian philosophy, the five components of the environment, also known as Pancha Mahabhutas, are considered essential for the emergence, growth, and continuance of the universe. They maintain a peaceful co-existence. The resultant order of nature/environment becomes a ground for a complex interaction of numerous living and non-living entities. The environment that sustains life commands a sense of respect. In this situation, a violation of the peaceful co-existence among the creatures or the material world was considered as pradushan. The prime cause of pradushan has been identified as human greed and selfishness. (Charaka Samhita, Vimansthan, 3.2 as cited by Dwivedi & Tiwari, pp.79-81).
Figure 1: LiFE Mission: Sustainable Lifestyle of ‘Individual’ for Environment.
Source: Author construction
Mission Lifestyle for Environment recognises that Indian culture and living traditions are inherently sustainable. The need of the hour is to tap into that ancient wisdom and spread the message to as many people as possible. Mission LiFE seeks to channel the efforts of individuals and communities into a global mass movement of positive behavioural change.
3.2 LiFE: A Policy Initiative with Collaborative-Participatory Governance
LiFE or Lifestyle for Environment is an India-led mass movement to promote mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption. The LiFE mission has consequences not only on the climate policy (Mathur, 2018) but also on the sustainability narratives. It places the individual in climate action and uses a behavioural science framework to implement it. Such a behavioural change needs to be defined for transitions that are grounded in the sustainability ideals of social justice (Newell, 2022). An emphasis on the intersectionality of individual action and climate justice (Mikulewicz, 2023) is pertinent in India’s context.
Mission LiFE is designed to nudge individuals and communities to take action that helps build a sustainable future. Our everyday choices matter - the food we eat, the things we buy, and the amount of water and energy we consume - our choices must help protect and preserve the environment. Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, at the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P-20) in October 2023, underlined that Mission LiFE seeks to channel the efforts of individuals and communities into a global mass movement of positive behavioural change. Mentioning that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has made concerted efforts to combat the ill effects of climate change, he urged the legislators to be the guardians of the environment and the torchbearers of a sustainable legacy and regenerative future. Collective efforts will turn the tide towards a world where life thrives, and our planet flourishes, noted Shri Harivansh. When technology and tradition mix, the vision of life will be taken further.
The LiFE Movement aims to utilise the power of collective action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives. The LiFE movement, additionally, also seeks to leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate. The Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. Through the P3 community, the Mission seeks to create an ecosystem that will reinforce and enable eco-friendly behaviours to be self-sustainable.
Figure 2: Role of Individual and LiFE Mission
Source: Author Construction
This concept was first introduced by the Hon'ble Prime Minister at the World Leaders' Summit in Glasgow, UK, in November 2021 as part of UNFCCC COP26 and as a mass movement towards mindful and deliberate utilization of resources instead of mindless and destructive consumption through Lifestyles for Environment (LiFE). Thereafter, Mission LiFE was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in October 2022 in the presence of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at Kevadia, Gujarat, as an advocacy and awareness movement to create a Global Mass Movement focused on behavioural changes to protect and preserve the environment. Mission Life aligns with India’s mitigation efforts as it aims to reduce the impact of climate change by influencing demand-side individual behavior.
Figure 3: LiFE Themes
Mission LiFE comprised a comprehensive and non-exhaustive list of 75 individual LiFE actions spread across seven themes. These seven themes are save water, save energy, reduce waste, reduce e-waste, reduce single-use plastics, adopt sustainable food systems, and adopt healthy lifestyles. The LiFE framework aims to drive change in 3 phases by shifting demand, supply, and finally influencing policy.
3.3 Progress under Mission LiFE
o To catalyze pan-India advocacy and awareness about LiFE, a month-long mass mobilization drive was undertaken in which more than 1.6 million action and awareness events were undertaken by the Ministries, State/UT Governments, and their Field Offices and Institutions, with participation from over 24 million individuals. So far, more than 3.57 crore have participated in the LiFE events.
o The Ministry has developed two dedicated portals for LiFE. One is the Mission LiFE Portal, which is open access and contains creatives, videos, and knowledge materials that have been developed by the ministry for LiFE. Another is Meri LiFE Portal, which has been developed for ministries and institutions to upload event reports and capture the progress of the mass mobilization drive.
o To reduce environmental impact and promote more sustainable practices throughout the life-cycle of products, existing rules were amended and new rules were framed, incorporating the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Circular Economy based on the concept of reuse, recycle, refurbish, and recovery.
o The Green Credit Rules were notified by the Government on 12th October 2023 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, as a mechanism to encourage voluntary plantation activity across the country, resulting in the award of Green Credits and also building an inventory of land which can be utilized for afforestation programmes.
o Mission LiFE and its principles have also been incorporated in the non-quantitative targets of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
o The initiative has been appreciated across the Globe- References in IPCC Working Group III, in a joint statement of the official visit of the Hon’ble PM of India to the USA, G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, and Green Rising initiative in CoP 28.
o The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), at its Sixth Session held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 1st March 2024, unanimously adopted the resolution on promoting sustainable lifestyles (UNEP/EA.6/l11) submitted by India and co-sponsored by Sri Lanka and Bolivia, which is a significant move forward on the globalization of the concept of LiFE.
3.4 Impact of Mission LiFE: A Future Perspective
According to the IPCC Assessment Report 6, the demand-side mitigation encompassing changes in infrastructure use, end-use technology adoption, and socio-cultural and behavioral change can result in a 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The impact that sustainable lifestyles will have on the planet is estimated as follows:
• Switching off the car/scooter engines at traffic lights/ railway crossings can save up to 22.5 billion kWh of energy.
• Turning off running taps when not in active use can save up to 9 trillion litres of water.
• Using a cloth bag instead of a plastic bag while shopping can save up to 375 million tonnes of solid waste from entering the landfill.
• Discarding non-functioning gadgets in the nearest e-recycling unit can recycle up to 0.75 million tonnes of e-waste.
• Composting waste food at home can save up to 15 billion tonnes of food from going to landfills.
3.5 A Survey on the public awareness of environmental issues and the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) mission
A short survey is conducted at the university and at the residential society to understand public awareness, attitudes, and actions toward environmental issues, as well as familiarity with the LiFE Mission initiated by the Government of India. Based on data collected from the random and deliberative sampling population, the major conclusions are interpreted here.
• The level of awareness about ecological issues generally, and about the LiFE Mission particularly, is higher in the university than in the residential society.
• The initiatives taken by the individual at the individual level are low at both the university and the society.
• The concrete steps taken at the administrative level are higher and approximately the same in the University and Society, for example, eco-clubs, creating a lush green ambience, etc.
The university has taken the step and included the LiFE mission in the curriculum. With its forests, water bodies, local species of flora and fauna, rainwater harvesting, and recycling of water, the Gautam Buddha University at Greater Noida has been awarded one of the best eco-friendly campuses by BUILD Architecture Awards, London.
4. Conclusion and Suggestions
The current state of environmental governance in India is the product of a complex interplay between citizens-as-consumers, citizens-as-producers, and citizens-as-rightsholders, and their organized manifestations in the state, the corporate sector, the judiciary, and civil society. The solutions recommended have often been partial at best. The corporate sector and upper and middle classes, of course, tend to see development as the solution to everything. A holistic approach to environment and development, and therefore to environmental governance, is yet to be shaped. Progressive vision for environmental governance in Viksit Bharat would be founded upon new value frameworks and ideas of environment and of development, institutional arrangements based on new design principles, and vibrant processes that bring about positive synergy between individuals and institutions.
To begin with, environmentalism would be understood not as something apart from development, but in fact a multi-dimensional philosophy about a way of life. It would include a close relationship with Nature as a goal in itself while recognizing that meeting even basic human needs involves modifying Nature. It would include an ethical position about respecting the rights of future generations as well as of intra-generational justice in the use of Nature’s resources and disposal of waste generated by this use.
Thus, if environmental governance is to meet both environmental justice and sustainability goals, institutional design will have to use a combination of two principles: decentralization of operational authority to improve efficiency and to address local common-pool problems where they exist, and overarching regulation that balances the rights of the producers to livelihoods and those of others to a clean environment (Farrell and Keating, 2000). Furthermore, the goal of the democratic process requires a variety of attributes: legitimacy, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. For actual effectiveness, the organizations would need strong ‘capability’, that is, technical and administrative skills, leadership, and resources. Bringing about better environmental governance will require a change in values away from consumerism and anti-democratic functioning, and also the unleashing of the positive potential in technology and institutions. Kartik Shanker, Meera Anna Oommen, and Nitin Rai pointed out that neo-liberalism has promoted commodification in several forms. They argue for a holistic approach and reconciliation ecology, which proposes that any conservation approach has to embrace community and traditional knowledge as an ethical and moral imperative to distributive justice so that it can address varied issues ranging from inequalities to oppression. Some suggestions are listed below to emphasise and encourage the role of the ‘individual’ in the successful implementation of the LiFE mission.
• Use media platforms, schools, colleges, and community centers to educate people about the mission's goals. Engage young people as champions of the mission. Support student-led clubs that promote environmental activities.
• Organize workshops to teach practical skills like composting, water conservation, and energy efficiency.
• Encourage local groups to take collective action on issues like waste management and tree plantation, and train individuals to form Green Communities.
• Recognize and reward individuals and groups actively contributing to the mission. Showcase community members who have adopted sustainable lifestyles to inspire others. Encourage workplaces to motivate employees through green challenges and awards.
• Encourage the adoption of solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and electric vehicles.
• Provide financial incentives for using eco-friendly products and adopting sustainable practices. Introduce a system where individuals earn points for sustainable actions, redeemable for eco-friendly products or services.
• Promote CSR and collaborate with businesses to promote green products and services.
• Place reminders in public places, like "Switch off lights", "Carry your bag", “e-bills instead of paper bills”, etc.
• Promote local knowledge and use traditional and indigenous practices for sustainability. Frontline motivators embedded in communities will be needed to bring about the many changes in behaviour and incentives for sustainable development. India’s Anganwadi and ASHA workers and members of Self-Help Groups are examples of frontline workers who are embedded in communities and work at scale. Mobilizing communities will also require more effective local governance and administration.
By integrating these strategies, the LiFE mission can engage individuals effectively and foster a culture of sustainability across all sections of society. To conclude the topic in the words of Inger Anderson, UNEP Global Head, “We are in the midst of a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. These crises have been entirely created by decades of relentless and unsustainable consumption and production. How we live and consume matters, and matters greatly. I welcome the launch by the Prime Minister of India of the LiFE movement on World Environment Day, because every person and every country needs to lead for the planet. With more than 1 billion people and home to a thriving generation of innovative entrepreneurs, India is central to global environmental action. I look forward to following your progress as you launch this hugely important movement because when India leans in, the world watches and follows.” I would also like to quote Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “The future depends on what we do today”. At last, quoting Thoreau, “What is the use of a house, if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”
References
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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.