Accelerating India's Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Effective Governance

Seventy-five years after Independence, India has much to be proud of. We are both the world’s biggest democracy and fastest-growing large economy. Yet, we face profound challenges that hinder both individual well-being and aggregate growth, including education and skills, health and nutrition, public safety, justice, social protection, and jobs. This seminal book systematically analyses India’s governance challenges, especially in delivering essential public services, and highlights how these are limiting India’s development. Drawing on a wealth of research and practical insights, it provides actionable, evidence-based strategies, emphasizing state-level reforms as critical for India’s advancement. Accelerating India’s Development is addressed to all Indians—leaders, officials, entrepreneurs, teachers, students, citizens, and civil society—and provides an urgent call to action. It argues that building an effective state is the great unfinished task of Indian democracy, because quality public services are key to translating the political equality of ‘One Person, One Vote’ into greater equality of opportunity for all Indians. Every chapter showcases the author’s dedication to bridging the gap between scholarly research, public understanding, and actionable governance. This book is a testament to cautious optimism and the belief that with the right public systems in place, India’s next twenty-five years can be a period of unprecedented growth and societal enrichment. Cover Brand Page Title Page Contents Preface Chapter 1: India@75: The Imperative of State Capacity Section I: The Key Actors Chapter 2: The Politicians’ Predicament Chapter 3: The Bureaucracy’s Burden Section II: Building an Effective State Chapter 4: Data and Outcome Measurement Chapter 5: Personnel Management Chapter 6: Public Finance—Expenditure Chapter 7: Public Finance—Revenue Chapter 8: Federalism and Decentralization Chapter 9: The State and the Market Section III: Accelerating India’s Development Chapter 10: Shifting the Preston Curve for Development Chapter 11: Education and Skills Chapter 12: Health and Nutrition Chapter 13: Police and Public Safety Chapter 14: Courts and Justice Chapter 15: Social Protection and Welfare Chapter 16: Jobs, Productivity, and Economic Growth Section VI: Making It Happen Chapter 17: Reimagining Institutions Chapter 18: State, Citizen, and Society Notes References Acknowledgements Additional Resources Expanded Table of Contents Index Follow Penguin Copyright