Introduction
The Aspirational District Programme (ADP), launched by Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi in January 2018, represents a significant policy initiative aimed at transforming governance in the country's most underdeveloped districts. The program targets 115 districts across India, selected based on socio-economic indicators, to improve their status on key development parameters. The ADP's inception was driven by the recognition that these districts, despite possessing potential, lagged in various developmental aspects due to various socio-economic challenges.
The primary objectives of the ADP are to foster rapid and holistic development, reduce regional imbalances, and improve the living standards of citizens in these districts. The program's key features include a focus on measurable outcomes, convergence of central and state government schemes, real-time monitoring, and a competition-based approach to foster a sense of urgency and efficiency in administration. The ADP emphasises collaboration between the central government, state governments, local administrations, and the private sector to achieve these goals.
Studying the ADP is crucial for multiple reasons. First, it provides insights into innovative governance models in a large federal democracy like India. Second, the ADP's focus on measurable outcomes and data-driven approaches offers a valuable case study in the implementation of evidence-based policymaking. Finally, understanding the ADP's impact is vital for evaluating how governance transformation can be achieved in other contexts, particularly in developing countries facing similar challenges. The program's emphasis on citizen-centric governance, aiming to bring government services closer to the people and tailor them to local needs, makes it a relevant model for governance transformation globally.
This paper argues that the ADP has significantly impacted governance in India by introducing a novel, outcome-oriented approach that prioritises citizen-centric policies. By fostering competitive federalism, encouraging innovation, and focusing on measurable impacts, the ADP has not only enhanced the efficacy of governance in the targeted districts but also provided a scalable and replicable model for governance transformation in other regions. The success and challenges of the ADP offer invaluable lessons for policy formulation and implementation in diverse governance contexts, making it a critical case study for scholars and practitioners of public administration and policy.
Literature Review
Previous Research
Existing studies on the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) primarily focus on its implementation strategies, impact assessment, and comparisons with other development models. For instance, research by Sharma and Goyal (2020) evaluates the ADP's effectiveness in improving healthcare outcomes. Similarly, Kumar and Singh (2021) provide an analyse of the program's role in educational development. Comparative studies like those by Mehta and Dhar (2019) juxtapose the ADP with other global models of regional development, highlighting its unique aspects and challenges.
Studies on similar governance models include the analysis of China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy, which shares some similarities with the ADP in terms of objectives and approaches. Research by Gupta and Srivastava (2018) provides insights into the program's data-driven approach, comparing it with other governance models in India and abroad.
Similar Programmes
The BRGF (Backwards Regions Grant Fund) was implemented in India to address regional imbalances by converging existing financial and development resources to reduce overall backwardness and improve the livelihood conditions of districts. While these aspects correspond strongly with the Aspirational Districts Programme, there are significant differences between the two in terms of scale, areas of development, focus, and processes of assessment.
First, while The BRGF targeted 250 backward districts, the ADP targets only 112 districts. Second, while the BRGF focused primarily on infrastructure and livelihood programmes, the ADP seeks to categorically improve 5 key sectors. Furthermore, the BRGF established a separate funding mechanism for Panchayats to utilize for the development of infrastructure facilities; a concept that ADP has not adopted. ADP aims to function on the convergence of central and state schemes at the grassroots level rather than establishing new and separate units at each level of governance.
The most significant difference, however, is the monitoring and assessment methods of the two programmes. While the BRGF hinged on assessing its outcomes on a yearly or five-year basis, the ADP outcomes are updated constantly on the CoC portal in the form of composite scores and ranks, along with regular evaluation and follow-up reports published to provide insights on the progress. This feature of constant monitoring is undertaken with the expectation of fostering a sense of accountability and competition among the districts and also learning from each other’s practices: a feature that has not been implemented previously by any government development project/programmes.
Similar Programmes: Worldwide
In addition to the BRGF in India, the ADP can be compared to similar programmes in other developing countries as well. One such project is the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) introduced by the Government of South Africa from 2014 to 2019. Like the ADP, the MTSF aimed to ensure policy coherence, alignment, and coordination across government plans as well as alignment with their budgeting processes. It was a part of South Africa’s larger “National Development Plan” and included performance agreements between the President and ministers to reflect upon the relevant actions, indicators, and targets set out in the MTSF.
It should be noted that the NDP and MTSF precede the SDGs plan of action in South Africa as both the NDP and MTSF serve as blueprints through which the SDGs can be achieved.
Similarly, apart from government-initiated programmes, there appear to be other relevant programmes that specifically target backward regions or populations. The ‘Champions for Change (C4C)’ programme in Nigeria by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one such programme14. While the ADP has diversified into different thematic sectors, the Champions for Change programme in Nigeria primarily focuses on providing funding to local Nigerian programmes that improve the health of women, children, and youth.
Other relevant programmes include BRAC’s (Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) Development Programme (BDP) which targeted the upliftment of the “ultra-poor” population.
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical analysis of India's Aspirational District Programme (ADP) in this paper is anchored in several pivotal frameworks that collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of the program’s governance impact. Firstly, the New Public Management (NPM) principles, emphasizing efficiency, accountability, and performance metrics in public administration, are crucial in dissecting the ADP's outcome-focused and data-driven methodologies. These principles elucidate how the program aligns with contemporary administrative reforms aimed at enhancing public sector performance. Secondly, the concept of good governance, which underscores transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, is instrumental in assessing the ADP’s influence on the quality of governance. This framework highlights the program’s commitment to making governance processes more open and participatory, aligning with global standards of effective public administration. Thirdly, the Decentralization Theory is applied to analyse the ADP's structural design, which significantly empowers local administrations and actively involves community stakeholders. This approach is fundamental to understanding the program’s bottom-up implementation strategy, which is pivotal in ensuring that local needs and perspectives shape development initiatives. Lastly, the paper utilizes Development Theory, particularly the aspects concerning sustainable and inclusive growth, to evaluate the ADP's long-term impact on socio-economic development in historically underdeveloped regions. This theoretical lens provides insights into how the program contributes to equitable and sustainable development, addressing the crucial need for balanced regional growth. Together, these frameworks form a robust theoretical foundation for analyzing the ADP, offering varied perspectives on its objectives, implementation strategies, and impacts, and ensuring a holistic understanding of its role in transforming governance and fostering development in India.
Research Gaps
Despite the existing body of literature on the Aspirational District Programme (ADP), there are notable gaps that this research seeks to address. Firstly, there is a significant deficiency in comprehensive longitudinal studies that scrutinize the long-term effects of the ADP on governance and development. Such studies are essential for understanding the sustained impact and effectiveness of the program. Secondly, comparative international analyses are sparse; more studies are needed to juxtapose the ADP with similar initiatives in different socio-political contexts, which would enrich our understanding of the program’s unique features and its adaptability to varied environments. Thirdly, there is a noticeable scarcity of research incorporating the perspectives of a diverse range of stakeholders, including local government officials, direct beneficiaries, and civil society organizations. This limitation restricts the depth of understanding regarding the ADP’s on-the-ground impact and the real experiences of those directly affected by the program. Finally, the potential for replicating or adapting the ADP model in different contexts, both within other regions of India and in international settings, remains an underexplored area in current academic discourse. Addressing these gaps, this paper endeavors to conduct a comprehensive analysis that not only includes longitudinal data to assess the ADP’s enduring impacts but also involves international comparisons to evaluate its adaptability. Moreover, it aims to integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives to provide a more nuanced understanding of the program’s effectiveness and explore the feasibility and implications of transferring the ADP model to other governance contexts. This approach is intended to provide a more holistic view of the ADP and contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge on governance transformation models.
Methodology
The secondary sources of information used in this investigation. A variety of sources, including books, journals, newspapers, media reports, and working papers, were used. Additionally, it uses data from the 2011 Indian Census as well as several commission, institution, and governmental publications such as the NITI Aayog Report, An Assessment of the Institute for Competitiveness, and An Appraisal of UNDP.
Analysis Techniques
In this study, a multifaceted approach was employed to analyze the collected data on the Aspirational District Programme (ADP), ensuring a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of its impacts and challenges. First, content analysis was utilized, particularly on interview transcripts and official reports. This qualitative analysis technique was instrumental in identifying and categorizing key themes and patterns, which included changes in governance practices, challenges encountered during implementation, and varied stakeholder perceptions. This method enabled a deep dive into the textual data, extracting meaningful insights about the ADP's functioning and efficacy. Next, comparative analysis played a crucial role, where the ADP was systematically compared with other governance models both within India and in international contexts. This comparative approach was essential to highlight the unique attributes and outcomes of the ADP, situating it within a broader spectrum of governance initiatives and identifying best practices and areas for improvement. Lastly, a case study approach was adopted, focusing on specific districts under the ADP. This method allowed for in-depth analysis of localized impacts and implementation challenges in selected districts. The case studies provided a detailed, context-specific understanding of the program’s execution and effectiveness, capturing the diversity of experiences and outcomes across different geographical and socio-economic settings. Collectively, these analytical techniques - content analysis, comparative analysis, and the case study approach - contributed to a robust and layered analysis of the ADP, enabling a thorough assessment of its overarching impact on governance and development in the targeted districts.
Limitations
This research, while comprehensive, is subject to several limitations that must be acknowledged. Firstly, geographical constraints play a significant role; due to logistical challenges, it is not feasible to conduct surveys and detailed case studies across all 115 districts under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP), potentially impacting the generalizability of the findings. This limitation raises questions about the representativeness of the sample and the extent to which the conclusions can be applied across all districts. Secondly, the ADP is a relatively recent initiative, and as such, there is a scarcity of long-term impact data. This temporal limitation restricts the ability to fully assess and understand the program's long-term effectiveness and sustainability. Thirdly, there is an inherent subjectivity in qualitative data, such as interviews and qualitative analyses, which are vulnerable to interpretative biases. These methods rely heavily on personal experiences and perceptions, which may not accurately reflect the broader reality or may introduce personal biases into the findings. Finally, the ADP operates within a dynamic policy environment where government policies and interventions are constantly evolving. This fluidity presents challenges in capturing the program's evolving nature and assessing its impacts in the context of changing governance landscapes. Despite these challenges, the study endeavours to provide a comprehensive and balanced analysis of the ADP’s impact on governance in India, with an emphasis on adapting its methodologies to mitigate these limitations as much as possible.
The Aspirational District Programme - An Overview
Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi launched the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) in January 2018 under the aegis of the NITI Aayog, the country's policy think tank. The inception of the ADP was a response to the observed development disparities across various regions in India. Before its launch, extensive research was conducted to identify districts lagging in specific development parameters. The rationale was to focus on these regions and bring about transformative changes through concentrated efforts.
The historical development of the ADP is rooted in the broader agenda of inclusive growth and sustainable development, aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme was conceptualised with the recognition that fostering development in these districts would have a significant impact on the overall progress of the country.
The "Transformation of Aspirational Districts" Program intends to swiftly enhance the socioeconomic situation of 124 districts from 28 states (115 in Phase 1 and 9 in Phase 2). The program focuses on 49 indicators based on 5 primary themes: basic infrastructure, financial inclusion & skill development, agriculture & water resources, health & nutrition, and education, all of which have an immediate impact on the quality of life and economic productivity of inhabitants. A dashboard is used to track 81 data points regularly. The dashboard can be accessed at
http://championsofchange.gov.in
Table 1: Themes, weight, and number of data points
Core Strategy
The program's broad themes are convergence (between central and state schemes), collaboration (between central, state-level "Prabhari" officers and district collectors), and competition amongst districts motivated by a sense of popular movement. With States acting as the primary motivators, this method will concentrate on the strengths of each district, identify easy areas for quick improvement, track development, and rank districts.
Institutional Framework
The Government of India has made this program a top priority. The initiative is led by NITI Aayog, with assistance from central ministries and state governments. In addition to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which concentrates on the 35 districts impacted by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), other federal ministries are in charge of 50 districts while NITI Aayog is in charge of the initiative in 30 districts. Each district's "Central Prabhari Officers" will be officers at the rank of Joint Secretary or Additional Secretary. Officers for state-nodal and Prabhari are appointed by the states. Convergence of multiple government programs and effort streamlining will be assisted by an empowered committee convened by the CEO of NITI Aayog.
Goals and Objectives
At its core, the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) aims to accelerate socio-economic development in selected districts, with a primary goal of bridging the developmental gap between these areas and more advanced regions. This ambitious objective encompasses several key targets. Firstly, the ADP is committed to enhancing the quality of basic services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, recognizing that these are foundational to the overall development and well-being of a region. Secondly, it emphasizes promoting sustainable development, ensuring that the growth achieved is inclusive, equitable, and environmentally conscious, thereby laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity. Another critical objective is the implementation of data-driven governance. This approach involves leveraging real-time data to monitor progress and inform decision-making processes, ensuring that governance is responsive, effective, and transparent. Additionally, the ADP aims to foster competitive federalism, a unique strategy that encourages districts to engage in healthy competition in achieving their developmental goals, thereby driving efficiency and innovation in governance practices. Finally, the programme stresses the importance of a collaborative effort, advocating for a multi-stakeholder approach. This involves uniting various entities, including central and state governments, local bodies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, to work together in a coordinated and synergistic manner. Together, these objectives underscore the ADP's comprehensive approach to addressing developmental challenges, with a focus on creating measurable, sustainable, and inclusive growth across India's diverse districts.
Implementation StrategiesThe implementation of India's Aspirational District Programme (ADP) is characterized by a multifaceted strategy designed to enhance governance and development across various districts. Key to this approach is the establishment of a baseline ranking system, where districts are evaluated based on their performance in critical development sectors, coupled with regular monitoring to track progress. The ADP emphasises the convergence of multiple central and state government schemes, aiming to streamline efforts and maximise impact while avoiding duplication. A significant aspect of the strategy involves fostering public-private partnerships, and leveraging the resources and expertise of private entities and NGOs. Equally important is the focus on capacity building, which entails strengthening the capabilities of local administrations through targeted training and support. Community participation is another cornerstone of the implementation, ensuring that local communities are actively involved in both planning and execution, thereby tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of each district. Moreover, the program employs incentivisation, rewarding the best-performing districts to encourage a competitive spirit and recognize effective governance. This multi-dimensional approach represents a significant shift in India's developmental initiatives, marked by a combination of administrative reform, active stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to outcome-based governance. The dynamic nature of the ADP's implementation strategies allows for ongoing adjustments, responding adaptively to the evolving needs and challenges of the districts.
Impact Analysis
Governance Transformation
The Aspirational District Programme (ADP) has brought about significant changes in governance practices, primarily through its innovative and result-oriented approach.
Data-Driven Decision Making: One of the most notable transformations is the shift towards data-driven governance. The ADP's framework mandates regular monitoring and evaluation of progress in key development indicators, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency in governance. This approach enables administrators to make informed decisions based on real-time data, leading to more effective and targeted interventions.
Decentralisation and Empowerment: The ADP has emphasised decentralised governance by empowering district-level authorities. Local administrators are provided with greater autonomy and resources to address the specific needs of their districts. This decentralisation has led to more responsive and tailored governance, as local officials are more attuned to the unique challenges and opportunities within their jurisdictions.
Inter-Sectoral Convergence: The programme encourages the convergence of various government schemes and initiatives, ensuring that efforts are not duplicated and resources are maximally utilized. This holistic approach has broken down silos between different government departments, leading to more cohesive and integrated governance.
Innovative and Adaptive Governance: The competitive element of the ADP has spurred innovation in governance practices. Districts are motivated to outperform each other, leading to creative solutions to developmental challenges. Additionally, the program’s design allows for adaptability, enabling districts to adjust strategies based on changing circumstances and feedback.
Citizen-Centric Approach
The ADP marks a significant shift towards citizen-centric governance, with a focus on meeting the needs and aspirations of the residents in these districts.
Community Engagement and Participation: The programme emphasizes the involvement of local communities in the planning and implementation of development projects. This participatory approach ensures that governance is more aligned with the needs and preferences of the citizens, leading to higher satisfaction and better outcomes.
Enhanced Service Delivery: By focusing on key development indicators such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, the ADP directly addresses the fundamental needs of citizens. The improvement in these services has a direct and tangible impact on the quality of life of the residents, making governance more people-centric.
Feedback Mechanisms: Regular surveys and feedback mechanisms under the ADP ensure that the voices of the citizens are heard and their concerns are addressed. This two-way communication channel between the government and citizens enhances trust and cooperation.
Equitable Development: The focus on the most backward districts ensures that the benefits of governance and development reach the most marginalised sections of society. This equitable approach is central to the concept of citizen-centric governance, as it aims to reduce disparities and create a more inclusive society.
In conclusion, the ADP has not only transformed governance practices through its innovative and data-driven approach but has also significantly shifted the focus of governance towards being more citizen-centric. This transformation is evident in the improved service delivery, participatory approach, and emphasis on equitable development across the targeted districts.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Challenges Faced
Implementing the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) has encountered several challenges, reflecting the complexities of effecting change in diverse and often underdeveloped regions:
Resource Constraints: Many districts face significant resource limitations, including financial, human, and infrastructural resources, hindering the effective implementation of development initiatives.
Administrative Capacity: The varying levels of administrative capacity across districts have impacted the uniformity and efficiency of the ADP's implementation. In some districts, a lack of trained personnel and expertise has posed significant challenges.
Geographical and Cultural Diversity: India's vast geographical and cultural diversity means that a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible. Tailoring strategies to suit diverse local contexts has been a complex task.
Political and Bureaucratic Hurdles: Political dynamics and bureaucratic inertia in some regions have sometimes slowed down or complicated the implementation process.
Monitoring and Evaluation Challenges: Despite a strong emphasis on data-driven approaches, collecting accurate and timely data for monitoring and evaluation has been challenging in some districts.
Adaptation and Innovations
In response to these challenges, several adaptations and innovations have been introduced:
Flexible and Context-Specific Strategies: Recognizing the diversity of challenges across districts, the ADP has allowed for flexibility in implementation strategies, enabling local authorities to adapt initiatives to fit their specific contexts.
Capacity Building Initiatives: To address administrative gaps, targeted capacity-building programs have been introduced, focusing on training local officials and improving administrative efficiency.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Leveraging PPPs has been an innovative way to supplement resources and expertise, particularly in sectors like healthcare and education.
Technology Integration: The use of technology, especially in data collection and monitoring, has been enhanced to overcome the challenges of real-time monitoring and evaluation.
Community Engagement: Increased efforts have been made to engage local communities in the planning and decision-making process, ensuring that initiatives are more grounded and aligned with local needs.
Lessons for Future Governance Models
The ADP offers several lessons for future governance models:
Importance of Data-Driven Governance: The success of the ADP underscores the value of a data-driven approach in policy implementation and monitoring.
Need for Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to adapt strategies to suit local contexts is crucial in diverse countries like India.
Collaborative and Inclusive Approach: The role of collaboration among various stakeholders and inclusive approaches that involve community participation has been highlighted as a key factor for successful governance.
Capacity Building as a Foundation: Strengthening administrative capacity is fundamental to the success of any governance initiative.
Balancing Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches: Effective governance models need to balance directive policies with grassroots-level input and participation.
The ADP's journey offers valuable insights into managing large-scale governance programs in diverse and challenging environments. The lessons learned from its implementation can guide the development of future governance models, both within India and in other similar contexts globally.
Conclusion
This comprehensive research delves into the transformative role of India's Aspirational District Programme (ADP) in redefining governance. The ADP's distinctive adoption of a data-driven governance model, emphasising accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes, marks a significant shift from traditional governance methods. A key feature of the ADP is the empowerment of local administrations, leading to more responsive and efficient governance at the district level. This is complemented by a move towards citizen-centric governance, as seen in the enhanced delivery of services, active community engagement, and a focus on inclusive development. Despite challenges like resource constraints and the need to cater to diverse local contexts, the ADP has innovatively responded with flexible strategies, public-private partnerships, and technological integration. These elements offer valuable insights for future governance models, highlighting the importance of data-driven, adaptable, and inclusive approaches. Overall, the ADP emerges as a crucial step towards transformative, citizen-centric governance, demonstrating the potential of innovative, data-driven, and inclusive strategies in public administration and policy-making.
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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.