India needs a globally recognised public policy school

• India, despite being the world’s largest democracy, has not yet produced a globally prominent public policy institution. The root causes of this gap lie in the country’s political and institutional structures, which limit the influence and development of policy expertise.

Centralisation of Power and Limited Access:

• In India, decision-making is heavily centralised within the executive branch, leaving little room for policy experts, academics, and civil society groups to influence governance. Unlike countries like the U.S., where a more decentralised system allows diverse stakeholders to shape policy, India's political system is dominated by party leaders and bureaucrats. As a result, policy professionals lack access to top leadership unless they align with political priorities.

Fragility and Influence Tied to Regimes:

• Influence on policymaking in India is fragile, as it is often contingent on which political party is in power. This leads to instability, where think tanks and civil society groups struggle to maintain relevance across regime changes.
• In more institutionalised democracies, such groups can persist regardless of political shifts, ensuring more continuity in policy discourse and influence.

Adapting Education to India’s Political Landscape:

• To build a world-class public policy institution, India needs to reimagine its approach, taking into account its unique political realities.
• Teach Power Dynamics: The curriculum should focus on understanding India’s informal and personalised power structures, including caste hierarchies, regional elites, and grassroots movements.
• Cultivate Empathy and Pragmatism: Policy professionals must be trained to balance idealism with the pragmatic need to address the real-life challenges of India’s diverse population.
• Create a Stable Policy Ecosystem: The institution should facilitate a non-partisan, collaborative space that focuses on the quality of public interventions, allowing professionals to remain influential regardless of political regimes.

Conclusion:

• India’s public policy education must reflect its unique governance challenges, integrating local complexities with global best practices. By doing so, India can build a more stable, effective policy ecosystem and set a global example for developing nations.