India lacks a world-class public policy institution

Source: The post India lacks a world-class public policy institution has been created, based on the article “India needs a globally recognised public policy school” published in “The Hindu” on 16th November 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.

Context: The article explains why India lacks a world-class public policy institution. It highlights centralized executive power, weak policy influence, and political instability. It suggests creating a school focused on India’s unique dynamics, promoting empathy, and fostering non-partisan collaboration.

For detailed information on Public policy education in India read this article here

Why Doesn’t India Have a World-Class Public Policy Institution?

1. Centralized Decision-Making: In India, the executive branch holds significant decision-making power, which is concentrated within a small political elite. This limits the roles of public policy institutions as their influence on policy is minimal compared to institutions in countries like the U.S., where Congress has significant legislative powers.
2. Limited Legislative Oversight: The limited oversight role of the legislature in India compared to the U.S. means that public policy institutions have fewer opportunities to influence policy through a decentralized and deliberative process.
3. Political Dynamics and Stability: The influence of public policy experts in India is heavily dependent on the current political leadership. This leads to instability, as shifts in power can sideline key decision-makers and experts.
4. Lack of Influence of Policy Groups: In India, unless policy groups align closely with the political priorities of the top leadership, they struggle to exert influence. This is different from more institutionalized democracies where think tanks and advocacy groups can maintain influence regardless of the political party in power.

How Can India Develop a Top-Tier Public Policy School?

1. Understand India’s Unique Power Dynamics: Unlike the U.S. Congress, India’s centralized executive dominates decision-making, reducing policy experts’ influence. A policy school must train students to navigate this centralized structure.
2. Focus on Informal Networks: Teach students to work within India’s informal networks, caste hierarchies, regional elites, and grassroots movements, as power is often opaque and unevenly distributed.
3. Emphasize Empathy: The curriculum should focus on understanding people’s lived realities to avoid top-down policies that can harm local communities.
4. Address Political Instability: Build a non-partisan space for policy interventions that remain relevant despite regime changes, unlike the current system tied closely to executive power.

Question for practice:

Discuss how centralized executive power and political instability in India impact the development and effectiveness of public policy institutions.