India, despite being the world’s largest democracy, faces a significant gap in its public policy education landscape, particularly in the absence of a globally recognized public policy institution. This shortfall is highlighted by the contrast with countries like the United States and Europe, which boast renowned institutions such as the Harvard Kennedy School and the London School of Economics. These institutions not only shape national but also global governance, a feat that India’s existing policy schools have yet to achieve.
### The Unique Challenges of India’s Political Landscape
The primary reason for this deficiency lies in India’s unique political and institutional structure. Unlike more institutionalized democracies, India’s decision-making process is heavily centralized within the executive branch. This concentration of power limits the influence of public policy institutions, as their ability to shape policy is significantly curtailed compared to their counterparts in other countries. In India, policy decisions are often tied closely to the executive’s authority, marginalizing the role of parliamentary debate and public policy discourse[2][3][5].
### Impact of Centralized Power and Political Instability
The centralized nature of India’s decision-making process creates a fragile public policy ecosystem. When power changes hands, those who were central to decision-making can find themselves sidelined, leading to instability in governance. This is in stark contrast to more institutionalized democracies where think tanks, media, and civil society groups can maintain their influence regardless of the ruling party. In India, the influence of policy experts is heavily dependent on the current political leadership, which results in a lack of continuity and stability in policy development[2][3][5].
### Limited Influence of Policy Institutions
India’s policy schools, although numerous, struggle to exert significant influence on the country’s political system. The decision-making process is largely internal to the cabinet, with limited access for scholarly and public input. This restricts the ability of policy institutions to address India’s unique challenges, such as informal power structures, caste hierarchies, and regional dynamics. The political instability further exacerbates this issue, as policy institutions often find themselves aligned with the political priorities of the current leadership rather than maintaining a non-partisan stance[1][2][5].
### The Need for a Context-Specific Institution
To address these challenges, India needs to develop a public policy school that is tailored to its unique political realities. Such an institution must go beyond traditional policy education by incorporating an understanding of India’s informal networks, regional power structures, and social dynamics. The curriculum should include training on how to navigate the complex web of power distribution in India, blending idealism with pragmatism to create effective policy practitioners[2][3][5].
### Emphasis on Empathy and Local Realities
A key component of this institution should be the emphasis on empathy for the lived realities of Indian citizens. This involves moving away from top-down policies that can disrupt lives and instead fostering a grassroots understanding that enables professionals to address local challenges effectively. By prioritizing empathy, the institution can avoid the pitfalls of policies that are disconnected from the needs and experiences of the people they aim to serve[2][3].
### Building a Stable and Non-Partisan Policy Ecosystem
The institution should aim to create a broad, non-partisan space where legitimacy and influence are derived from the quality of public interventions rather than proximity to power. This can be achieved through diverse partnerships across politics, bureaucracy, civil society, academia, think tanks, and media. By fostering such collaborations, the institution can ensure that its graduates remain relevant and influential regardless of regime changes, thereby stabilizing the policy ecosystem and improving the quality of public debate and governance in India[2][3].
### Structural Reforms and Sustainable Impact
Creating such an institution requires structural reforms in India’s politics and governance. It involves building a network of nation-builders across various sectors and the political spectrum. This network should prioritize quality public interventions and evidence-based policies over political alignment, moving away from sycophancy and opportunism. By doing so, the institution can contribute to better public debate and inclusive governance, setting an example for other developing nations and gaining global prominence[2][3].
### Conclusion
In conclusion, India’s need for a globally recognized public policy institution is pressing, given its complex developmental challenges and unique political landscape. By designing an institution that reflects local realities, emphasizes empathy, and fosters non-partisan collaboration, India can nurture development professionals who can influence governance effectively. This approach not only addresses India’s specific challenges but also positions the country as a pioneer in public policy education for other developing nations.
[Original Article Link](https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/india-needs-a-globally-recognised-public-policy-school/article68873265.ece)