Module Name: Public Policy in India

(UG/PG): PG

Course code – IRP003

Course Code: T6026

Number of Credits: 4

Level: 5

Course Outline:

This paper begins with an overview of the Indian policy processes and actors involved in it
and goes on to focus on applied public policy. It includes the study of how issues reach
policy agendas, how problems are defined and goals specified, how policy alternatives are
evaluated, and how enacted policy goals are realized and implemented in the field—in the
Indian context. Case studies would be taken up to explore the theoretical rationales for
direct and indirect government intervention and discuss when and what types of regulation
are desirable and most effective.

Learning Objective(s):

The module seeks to develop in students

1. Comprehension of the policy development process in India

2. Understanding of the primary actors/stakeholders in the Indian policy context

3. Assessment of major socio- economic problems and related public policy

4. Critical evaluation of public policy in India

Pedagogy:

Every topic scheduled for discussion will be briefly presented by the instructor and
connected to broader themes and issues. A major portion of the class will be devoted to
discussions, analysis and critique on the weekly topics based on the readings and on the
information given previously. Thus students have the responsibility to contribute to this
activity both through reading the assigned materials and discussing or answering the
questions raised. Additionally, case studies are assigned to promote analytical thinking.
There would also be a panel discussion/seminar with experts from state and non-state
institutions. The purpose is to highlight the complexities of policy making process in India,
role of various actors, and provide an opportunity for participants to establish a theory-
practice connect and draw implications for future actions.

Method of Instruction:

1. Lecture

2. Discussion (Case study/Debates)

3. Group work

4. Video

Pre- requisite: None

Course Outline

S.No. Topic Hours

Over view of India's Political Economy: The evolution of economic policy

since independence from planning in the Nehru-Mahalanobis era to
1 12
economic reform and liberalization of the present times; the role of the
state.

Principal Phases of Policy Making in India; Primary actors/stakeholders in

the Indian policy context ;the interplay of regional versus national
2 interest; Social Cleavages and Policy making; Role of international actors 14
in determining policy choices; Market as an agent in influencing policy
decisions

3 Social Sector: public policy in education, health and infrastructure. 08

Science and Technology policy in India’s development ; E-Governance-

4 08
Issues and Challenges

Policy Outcomes and Developmental challenges

(a) Poverty

5 (b) Unemployment 10

(c) Food security

(d) Regionalism

6 Case Study Exercises 08

Books Recommended:

1. Bardhan, Pranab (1999) The Political Economy of Development in India, Oxford

University Press, New Delhi

2. Beteille, Andre, (ed.) (1965 and 2002), Caste, Class and Power: Changing Patterns of
Stratification in a Tanjore Village, University of California Press, Berkeley.

3. Bhaduri, Amit and Deepak Nayyar (1996), The Intelligent Person’s Guide to
Liberalization. Orient Longman, Delhi.
4. Byres, Terence J. (ed.) (1997), The State, Development Planning and Liberalization in
India, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

5. Chakravarty, Sukhamoy (1987), Development Planning, The Indian Experience

Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

6. Chatterjee, Partha (1998) Possible India, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

7. Dreze Jean and Amartya Sen, (1995), India: Economic Development and Social
Opportunity, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

8. Dreze Jean and Amartya Sen, (2013), Uncertain Glory, Oxford University Press, New
Delhi.

9. Frankel, Francine (2002) Transforming India: Social and Political Dynamics of

Democracy, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

10. Jalan, Bimal (2002) India’s Economy in the Millennium Selected Essays, UBS
Publisher, Delhi.

11. Kaviraj, Sudipta (ed.) (1998) Politics in India, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

12. Khilnani, Sunil (1999) The Idea of India, Farrar Straus and Giriox, London.

13. Kohli, Atul (ed.) (2001) The Success of India’s Democracy,Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.

14. Kothari, Rajni (1970) Politics in India, Orient Longman, New Delhi.

15. Srinivasan T.N. (2000) Eight Lectures on India’s Economic Reforms, Oxford University
Press, Delhi.

16. Bhatnagar, S. E-Government, from Vision to implementation: A practical guide with

case studies, New Delhi, 2007.

17. Gupta, M.P., Kumar, Prabhat, and Bhattacharya, Jaijit, Government Online, Tata
Mcgraw-Hill, 2004.
 18. Bagga, R.K. and Gupta Piyush (ed.), Transforming Government: e-Governance
Initiatives in India, ICFAI Press, Hyderabad, 2009.

19. V.R. Mehta and Thomas Pantham (Eds.), Political Ideas in Modern India: Thematic
Explorations, Sage, New Delhi, 2006.

20. Talking India: Ashis Nandy in Conversation with Ramin Jahanbegloo,OUP

Research Papers/Articles recommended for reading: (discretion of faculty)