Introduction A Citizens’ Charter is a public declaration by a government organization or public service provider, specifying the standards of service, rights of citizens, and mechanisms for grievance redressal. Introduced in India in the 1990s following recommendations by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the charter aims to promote transparency, accountability, and…
Introduction The rapid expansion of digital technologies has fundamentally transformed how governments function, interact with citizens, and deliver public services. Under the umbrella of e-governance, states across the world have adopted information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve efficiency, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in governance. In India, initiatives such as Digital India, online service portals,…
Introduction Environmental protection and sustainable development are among the most complex policy challenges faced by modern states. Governments are expected to simultaneously pursue economic growth, poverty alleviation, infrastructure expansion, energy security, food security, and environmental conservation. While these objectives are individually legitimate, contradictions among policies of competing sectors and stakeholders often undermine effective environmental protection…
Introduction Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as a powerful enabler of development, governance, and service delivery in the modern world. In India, ICT-based projects and programmes have been widely adopted in sectors such as governance (e-governance), education (digital classrooms), healthcare (telemedicine), agriculture (e-NAM, digital advisories), finance (digital payments), and social welfare (Direct Benefit…
Introduction Farmers form the backbone of India’s agrarian economy. Although agriculture contributes a declining share to GDP, it continues to support the livelihoods of nearly half the population and remains politically and socially significant. Because of its size, complexity, and socio-economic importance, agricultural policy is often contested terrain in India. Farmers’ organizations — ranging from…
Introduction The world is undergoing the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), characterized by the fusion of digital, physical, and biological systems. Unlike previous industrial revolutions that relied on mechanization, electricity, or computing, the 4IR is defined by digital technologies, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and robotics. This revolution is…
Introduction Economic performance of a nation is not determined merely by natural resources, capital investment, or technological advancement. Increasingly, development economists and governance scholars agree that institutional quality—the effectiveness, integrity, accountability, and responsiveness of public institutions—is a decisive factor in shaping long-term economic growth. Among all institutions, the civil service occupies a central position because…
Introduction The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 is widely regarded as one of India’s landmark laws aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and democratic participation. It provides citizens with the legal right to seek information from public authorities, thereby making governance more open and responsive. Central to this framework are the Information Commissions—the Central Information…
Introduction Public service delivery is central to the legitimacy and effectiveness of the modern state. In a country like India, where social diversity, population size, and regional disparities pose serious governance challenges, the state often struggles to deliver services efficiently, equitably, and inclusively. This has led to increasing attention toward civil society organizations (CSOs) and…
Introduction Health is not merely the absence of disease; it is a foundational pillar of human well-being, social justice, and economic progress. In a welfare state, providing accessible and affordable healthcare to citizens is considered a moral imperative, rooted in the principles of equity, dignity, and social responsibility. However, in the contemporary development discourse, health—particularly…