Class 9 Social Science · Chapter 13 NotesGovernance and Public Policy

Government and governance are related but not the same. The government refers to the institutions that exercise political authority — the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. Governance refers to the process by which decisions are made, implemented and monitored in the public interest. It includes the government, citizens, the media, civil society and private organisations. In short, government focuses on who governs, while governance focuses on how governing is carried out. For example, a municipal corporation installing street lights is government; the process of planning the lighting, involving residents in identifying dark spots, reporting faulty lights and giving feedback is governance. Good governance ensures that people-centric policies are transparent, accountable, effective and responsive to people's needs.

• Governmentinstitutions that exercise political authority
• Governancethe process of decision-making, implementation and monitoring
• Governance involves government, citizens, media, civil society and private organisations

Indian governance has evolved from its own historical experiences. Before colonial rule, societies governed themselves through local and organic systems. Colonial institutions largely persisted after Independence, but India stands out in two ways: it preserved much of its knowledge of pre-colonial institutions through texts and practices, and its leaders framed the Constitution in the spirit of India's own values and ideals. Indian institutions continue to draw on traditional ideas. The national motto 'Satyamev Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) comes from the Munḍaka Upaniṣhad, and the Supreme Court's motto 'Yato Dharmastato Jayaḥ' (Where there is Dharma, there is victory) is taken from the Mahābhārata. Indian tradition viewed governance as a sacred responsibility. Rājadharma was the foremost duty of an ideal king — to protect the people by upholding Dharma and promoting welfare. Kauṭilya's Arthaśhāstra says that in the happiness of the people lies the happiness of the ruler. Mahatma Gandhi visualised ideal governance as Rām Rājya, rooted in probity, transparency, compassion and welfare.

• Sabhā and Samitiinstitutions where governance and public welfare were discussed in the Vedic period
• Rājadharmathe foremost duty of an ideal king to protect people and promote welfare
• Rām RājyaGandhi's model of governance based on probity, transparency, compassion and welfare

Governance affects daily life: it maintains law and order, protects rights and freedoms, and helps people access services such as education, healthcare and transport. Good governance promotes justice and fairness and builds trust between citizens and the government. It is not the government's responsibility alone. Citizens elect representatives, follow the law and participate in public life; the media highlights public issues; civil society organisations raise awareness; and the private sector contributes through economic activity and innovation. The features of good governance are responsiveness, transparency, participation, the rule of law, accountability, effectiveness and inclusiveness. However, governance faces challenges: weak coordination between departments can affect implementation, unequal access to services can leave some groups behind, malpractices and misuse of public offices can divert benefits, and misinformation and fake news can mislead people. Meeting these challenges needs effective institutions, responsible officials and active citizens.

• Rule of laweveryone is equal before the law
• Accountabilitypublic officials are responsible for their actions
• Transparencygovernment decisions are open and accessible
• Effectivenesspublic resources are used wisely
• Responsivenessgovernment addresses people's needs
• Inclusivenessevery citizen has equal opportunities

E-governance refers to the use of information and communication technology by governments to provide public services, share information, communicate with citizens, receive feedback and improve administrative processes. It can make governance more transparent, accessible, convenient and quick. It substantially reduces paperwork and allows people to access services without visiting government offices. In a large country like India, e-governance helps deliver services efficiently across vast geographical areas. Examples of e-governance initiatives include UMANG, Aadhaar, GeM (Government e-Marketplace), DigiLocker, CPGRAMS and APAAR. However, e-governance is effective only when people have access to digital devices, reliable internet and the skills to use them. Technology can strengthen good governance, but the government must ensure that digital services remain inclusive and accessible to everyone.

• E-governanceuse of information and communication technology by governments to serve citizens
• Benefitstransparency, accessibility, convenience, speed and less paperwork
• Limitationit depends on digital access and digital skills

Public policy is a course of action adopted by the government to solve public problems, meet people's needs and promote the welfare of society. Through it, governments decide what should be done, why, who will do it, how it will be implemented and how success will be measured. Public policy is monitored and evaluated through a feedback loop, and changes are made if required. A policy becomes public policy when it is made for public benefit, implemented by public institutions and often financed with public money collected through taxes. It addresses issues that concern society as a whole, such as education, healthcare, transportation, sanitation, environmental protection and public safety. Not every policy is a public policy: schools, companies, hospitals, sports clubs and families have their own policies that apply only to a particular organisation or limited group of people.

• Made for public benefit
• Formulated by the government
• Uses public resources
• Citizens participate in shaping it

Making and implementing public policy is not the government's task alone. It takes the combined efforts of many individuals and organisations. Citizens identify problems, vote, participate, give suggestions and provide feedback — for example, residents requesting a zebra crossing near a school. Elected representatives such as MPs, MLAs and local representatives raise public issues, make laws and approve budgets. Government officials, departments and ministries prepare and implement policies, coordinate departments, deliver services and monitor progress. Civil society organisations, NGOs, experts, researchers and the media study problems, suggest solutions, create awareness and monitor programmes. The private sector contributes technical know-how, innovation, resources and expertise, often through public-private partnerships. International organisations bring international experience and technical and financial support.

• Citizensidentify problems, participate, give feedback
• Elected representativesraise issues, make laws, approve budgets
• Government officialsprepare, implement and monitor policies
• Civil society and mediastudy problems, create awareness, monitor
• Private sectorinnovation, resources and expertise
• International organisationsexperience and support

Public policy is developed through a systematic process, not a single decision. It begins when citizens, officials, researchers or civil society organisations realise that a new need must be met or a problem resolved. The government then studies the issue, collects information and consults experts, stakeholders and the public. A draft policy is prepared, reviewed and approved by the concerned authorities. The approved policy is translated into programmes and schemes, which give ministries, departments and local governments a clear framework for action. Implementation is continuously monitored and evaluated, and feedback is used to improve the policy. The policy cycle thus includes problem identification and prioritising issues, policy formulation, policy adoption (framing legislation and regulations), implementation, monitoring, evaluation and improvement. The National Education Policy 2020 illustrates this: it involved large-scale public consultation before approval by the Union Cabinet in July 2020.

• Policygives the direction or goal
• Programmeexplains the plan or approach to achieve the goal
• Schemea specific initiative through which the programme reaches people

Public policy-making and implementation require multi-level planning and decision-making, which becomes complex in a country as vast and diverse as India. The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 shows how coordination works. The Union Government provides the policy framework and funding; state governments strengthen sporting ecosystems, host national games and attract private investment through public-private partnerships; districts are encouraged to become 'Model Sports Districts'; and blocks organise sporting programmes for mass participation and talent scouting. Private organisations can sponsor sportspersons and support research on nutrition and equipment, while citizens encourage children, especially girls, and provide feedback. The success of any policy depends on such coordination among government departments, institutions and stakeholders. Active citizen participation — voting, following laws, raising concerns and giving feedback — strengthens democracy and promotes good governance.

• Different levels of government have different but connected roles
• Private organisations and citizens are also partners in implementation
• Coordination is essential for delivering public services efficiently