Public Policy and Governance

Unit I — Foundations of Public Policy

Public Policy: Concept, Nature, Scope, and Significance · Public Policy and Law: Points of Convergence and Divergence · Types of Public Policy: Regulatory, Distributive, Redistributive, and Constituent · Constitutional and Legal Foundations of Policy-Making in India · Role of Public Policy in Socio-Economic Justice and Development

Unit II — Policy Process and Analytical Frameworks

Policy Cycle: Problem Identification, Policy Formulation, Adoption, Implementation, Evaluation · Key Stakeholders in Policy Making: Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, Bureaucracy, Civil Society, and Media · Approaches to Public Policy Analysis: · Rational Model · Incrementalism (Charles Lindblom) · Public Choice Theory · Institutional and Systems Approach · Determinants of Policy: Political, Economic, Social, Cultural, and Legal Factors

Unit III — Governance: Concepts, Institutions, and Mechanisms

Governance: Meaning, Evolution, and Principles of Good Governance · Models of Governance: Participatory, Networked, Collaborative, and Global · E-Governance and Digital Service Delivery: Legal Framework and Role of ICT · Role of State, Civil Society, and Citizens in Governance · Decentralization and Democratic Local Governance: 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments

• Democratic Decentralisation and Local Governments
• Beginnings — Gandhian Gram Swaraj and Dr Ambedkar's Views Decentralisation
• Key features of Article 40, 73 and 74 Constitutional Amendments Gram rd th Sabha and Participatory Democracy

Unit IV — Accountability, Transparency and Ethics (12 Hours)

Accountability in Governance: Legal, Political, Administrative and Social Dimensions · Right to Information Act, 2005: Objectives, Scope, and Implementation Challenges · Whistleblower Protection and Social Audit Mechanisms · Anti-Corruption Institutions and Legal Frameworks: · Lokpal and Lokayuktas · Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) · Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) · Ethics in Public Administration and Code of Conduct for Civil Servants

• Right to Information Act, 2005
• Civil Services in India

Unit V — Policy Challenges in India

Bureaucracy: Role in Policy Implementation and Challenges to Responsiveness · Role of NITI Aayog and decentralised planning · Legal challenges in public policy implementation · Policy Gaps and Implementation Deficits in Health, Education, and Social Welfare Schemes

• NITI Aayog — Structure and Functions