Yojana Magazine September 2023 - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Special aRTicle
Accountability and  
Financial Administration 
Girish Chandra MurMu lead aRTicle
Making of a Bureaucrat 
srinivas KatiKithala FocuS
Protecting the Interests of  
Consumers and Businesses
r avneet Kaur
Governance 
and 
reforms
SePteMBer 2023 A develoPMent Monthly
Page 2


Special aRTicle
Accountability and  
Financial Administration 
Girish Chandra MurMu lead aRTicle
Making of a Bureaucrat 
srinivas KatiKithala FocuS
Protecting the Interests of  
Consumers and Businesses
r avneet Kaur
Governance 
and 
reforms
SePteMBer 2023 A develoPMent Monthly
yaya Bandhu is a pro bono legal service 
that has been developed to connect the 
registered lawyers with the registered 
beneficiaries. This scheme gives voluntary 
legal advice to individuals and organisations that are 
unable to afford legal advice and/or cannot access 
legal aid. Those in genuine need of legal help are, 
thus, represented by lawyers for free or at a minimal 
cost, presenting them with an opportunity to 
meaningfully address their legal problems. Under 
this programme, practising advocates, interested 
to volunteer their time and services, are connected, 
via mobile technology, with eligible marginalised 
beneficiaries. Nyaya Bandhu Mobile application 
Android/IOS has been developed and also on 
boarded on the UMANG platform. 
The term pro bono, short for ‘pro bono publico’ , 
is a Latin term that means ‘for the public good’ . In 
practice, the term is used specifically in the context 
of the legal profession, referring to the practice of 
giving voluntary legal advice to individuals and 
organisations that are unable to afford legal advice 
and/or cannot access legal aid. Those in genuine 
need of legal help are, thus, represented by lawyers 
for free or at a minimal cost, presenting them with 
an opportunity to meaningfully address their legal 
problems.
Pro Bono Legal Services are, by nature, free. A Pro 
Bono Advocate registered under the Department 
of Justice programme shall not charge any fees 
for legal advice or representation rendered to the 
registered applicant. However, based on mutual 
understanding between the applicant and the 
advocate, the applicant may be required to incur 
incidental expenses like photocopying, posting, 
and typing charges.
A case registered by an applicant is assigned 
N
Nyaya BaNdhu 
Free legal aid and advice
Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority Act 1987, applicants  
who are marginalised or disadvantaged including ST , SC, victims of 
trafficking or begging, women, or children, PWDs, and other eligible 
categories, are entitled to get free legal aid & advice through  
Department of Justice’s Nyaya Bandhu programme.
to an advocate based on the matching of two 
parameters:
a. Area of practice/Category of Case – Civil or 
Criminal
b. Court of Practice/Court where the case is 
pending – Name of Court
This matching is done automatically through 
the sifting of the database of advocates stored in 
the programme.
roles and responsibilities
y y registrar General, high Court:  Provide 
implementation support for the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel. Manage the registration, approval, and 
review the performance of Lawyers. Designate 
an incharge to manage and administer the 
activities of this panel at the High Court level. 
To organise orientation and awareness sessions 
about the activities of the Nyaya Bandhu Panel 
on a regular basis.
y y department of Justice:  Provide support in 
coordination and facilitation for the successful 
implementation of this initiative. Conduct a 
quarterly review meeting in coordination with 
the High Court and develop a consolidated 
six-monthly report for submission to all 
stakeholders.
y y CSC e-Gov:  Provides support in the design, 
development, operation, and maintenance of 
the web-based application of the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel for monitoring and reporting purposes in 
coordination with the Department of Justice. 
Support in writing procedures, functions, and 
triggers, maintaining the database, providing 
training, and developing the user manual of 
this application.
Detailed information about the programme is 
available at www.probno-doj.in                                    ?
Page 3


Special aRTicle
Accountability and  
Financial Administration 
Girish Chandra MurMu lead aRTicle
Making of a Bureaucrat 
srinivas KatiKithala FocuS
Protecting the Interests of  
Consumers and Businesses
r avneet Kaur
Governance 
and 
reforms
SePteMBer 2023 A develoPMent Monthly
yaya Bandhu is a pro bono legal service 
that has been developed to connect the 
registered lawyers with the registered 
beneficiaries. This scheme gives voluntary 
legal advice to individuals and organisations that are 
unable to afford legal advice and/or cannot access 
legal aid. Those in genuine need of legal help are, 
thus, represented by lawyers for free or at a minimal 
cost, presenting them with an opportunity to 
meaningfully address their legal problems. Under 
this programme, practising advocates, interested 
to volunteer their time and services, are connected, 
via mobile technology, with eligible marginalised 
beneficiaries. Nyaya Bandhu Mobile application 
Android/IOS has been developed and also on 
boarded on the UMANG platform. 
The term pro bono, short for ‘pro bono publico’ , 
is a Latin term that means ‘for the public good’ . In 
practice, the term is used specifically in the context 
of the legal profession, referring to the practice of 
giving voluntary legal advice to individuals and 
organisations that are unable to afford legal advice 
and/or cannot access legal aid. Those in genuine 
need of legal help are, thus, represented by lawyers 
for free or at a minimal cost, presenting them with 
an opportunity to meaningfully address their legal 
problems.
Pro Bono Legal Services are, by nature, free. A Pro 
Bono Advocate registered under the Department 
of Justice programme shall not charge any fees 
for legal advice or representation rendered to the 
registered applicant. However, based on mutual 
understanding between the applicant and the 
advocate, the applicant may be required to incur 
incidental expenses like photocopying, posting, 
and typing charges.
A case registered by an applicant is assigned 
N
Nyaya BaNdhu 
Free legal aid and advice
Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority Act 1987, applicants  
who are marginalised or disadvantaged including ST , SC, victims of 
trafficking or begging, women, or children, PWDs, and other eligible 
categories, are entitled to get free legal aid & advice through  
Department of Justice’s Nyaya Bandhu programme.
to an advocate based on the matching of two 
parameters:
a. Area of practice/Category of Case – Civil or 
Criminal
b. Court of Practice/Court where the case is 
pending – Name of Court
This matching is done automatically through 
the sifting of the database of advocates stored in 
the programme.
roles and responsibilities
y y registrar General, high Court:  Provide 
implementation support for the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel. Manage the registration, approval, and 
review the performance of Lawyers. Designate 
an incharge to manage and administer the 
activities of this panel at the High Court level. 
To organise orientation and awareness sessions 
about the activities of the Nyaya Bandhu Panel 
on a regular basis.
y y department of Justice:  Provide support in 
coordination and facilitation for the successful 
implementation of this initiative. Conduct a 
quarterly review meeting in coordination with 
the High Court and develop a consolidated 
six-monthly report for submission to all 
stakeholders.
y y CSC e-Gov:  Provides support in the design, 
development, operation, and maintenance of 
the web-based application of the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel for monitoring and reporting purposes in 
coordination with the Department of Justice. 
Support in writing procedures, functions, and 
triggers, maintaining the database, providing 
training, and developing the user manual of 
this application.
Detailed information about the programme is 
available at www.probno-doj.in                                    ?
4 September 2023
Microcourse on Cooperatives
The July 2023 issue is, in fact, a microcourse in itself on Cooperatives, providing a good 
understanding of various policy measures and depicting Cooperative-led socio-economic growth as 
inclusive per se. Strong cooperatives like IFFCO and Amul have shown enormous potential in changing 
people’s lives, but we need more cooperatives like this. Thanks to the Ministry of Cooperation for 
taking the cooperative movement to the next level in India by creating national-level cooperatives, 
computerisation of PACS, etc.
– Kiran, Uttar Pradesh
encourage school students
As a research student, Yojana is of immense importance to me. With extraordinary themes, 
meticulously researched content and a diversity of views, the magazine provides well-established 
facts about all sectors of the Indian economy. I have been reading the magazine for about one year, 
and each issue is prodigious and scrupulous. I’m surely going to advocate for school students to read 
the magazine daily. 
– Astitva Singh, New Delhi 
Collector’s issue
The August 2023 Special Issue on ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ was a collector's issue. The editorial 
‘Celebration of Life’ was thought-provoking. Overview giving details of the flagship initiative of the 
GoI with its five pillars - Freedom Struggle, Ideas@75, Actions@75, r esolve@75 and Achievements@75 
- was informative. Special articles and ‘Focus’ also made for interesting reading. The write-up ‘India’s 
G20 Presidency’ was a well-researched one. It’s a watershed moment for India to have got presidency 
of the G20. The PM made the G20 a pan-India event, symposiums, seminars, and discussions being held 
throughout the country, involving all sections and all age groups, and showcasing to the world India’s 
rich culture and heritage, thereby enhancing India’s image on the world stage and giving a fillip to our 
tourism sector. Kudos to the ‘Yojana’ team for bringing out such a nice issue.
– Pratap nayak, Bhubaneswar
Comprehensive exam coverage
It is a very important book for covering the topics of mains in a holistic manner. For example, the July 
2023 Yojana, ‘Sahakar se Samridhi,’ gives you very short keywords on cooperatives, and many examples 
are from previous editions, like the article on ‘SvAMITvA’ scheme, ‘Climate Smart Agriculture,’ etc., that are 
extremely important for Mains exams.
– Padam Chand, Kullu
Inbox
sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
Page 4


Special aRTicle
Accountability and  
Financial Administration 
Girish Chandra MurMu lead aRTicle
Making of a Bureaucrat 
srinivas KatiKithala FocuS
Protecting the Interests of  
Consumers and Businesses
r avneet Kaur
Governance 
and 
reforms
SePteMBer 2023 A develoPMent Monthly
yaya Bandhu is a pro bono legal service 
that has been developed to connect the 
registered lawyers with the registered 
beneficiaries. This scheme gives voluntary 
legal advice to individuals and organisations that are 
unable to afford legal advice and/or cannot access 
legal aid. Those in genuine need of legal help are, 
thus, represented by lawyers for free or at a minimal 
cost, presenting them with an opportunity to 
meaningfully address their legal problems. Under 
this programme, practising advocates, interested 
to volunteer their time and services, are connected, 
via mobile technology, with eligible marginalised 
beneficiaries. Nyaya Bandhu Mobile application 
Android/IOS has been developed and also on 
boarded on the UMANG platform. 
The term pro bono, short for ‘pro bono publico’ , 
is a Latin term that means ‘for the public good’ . In 
practice, the term is used specifically in the context 
of the legal profession, referring to the practice of 
giving voluntary legal advice to individuals and 
organisations that are unable to afford legal advice 
and/or cannot access legal aid. Those in genuine 
need of legal help are, thus, represented by lawyers 
for free or at a minimal cost, presenting them with 
an opportunity to meaningfully address their legal 
problems.
Pro Bono Legal Services are, by nature, free. A Pro 
Bono Advocate registered under the Department 
of Justice programme shall not charge any fees 
for legal advice or representation rendered to the 
registered applicant. However, based on mutual 
understanding between the applicant and the 
advocate, the applicant may be required to incur 
incidental expenses like photocopying, posting, 
and typing charges.
A case registered by an applicant is assigned 
N
Nyaya BaNdhu 
Free legal aid and advice
Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority Act 1987, applicants  
who are marginalised or disadvantaged including ST , SC, victims of 
trafficking or begging, women, or children, PWDs, and other eligible 
categories, are entitled to get free legal aid & advice through  
Department of Justice’s Nyaya Bandhu programme.
to an advocate based on the matching of two 
parameters:
a. Area of practice/Category of Case – Civil or 
Criminal
b. Court of Practice/Court where the case is 
pending – Name of Court
This matching is done automatically through 
the sifting of the database of advocates stored in 
the programme.
roles and responsibilities
y y registrar General, high Court:  Provide 
implementation support for the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel. Manage the registration, approval, and 
review the performance of Lawyers. Designate 
an incharge to manage and administer the 
activities of this panel at the High Court level. 
To organise orientation and awareness sessions 
about the activities of the Nyaya Bandhu Panel 
on a regular basis.
y y department of Justice:  Provide support in 
coordination and facilitation for the successful 
implementation of this initiative. Conduct a 
quarterly review meeting in coordination with 
the High Court and develop a consolidated 
six-monthly report for submission to all 
stakeholders.
y y CSC e-Gov:  Provides support in the design, 
development, operation, and maintenance of 
the web-based application of the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel for monitoring and reporting purposes in 
coordination with the Department of Justice. 
Support in writing procedures, functions, and 
triggers, maintaining the database, providing 
training, and developing the user manual of 
this application.
Detailed information about the programme is 
available at www.probno-doj.in                                    ?
4 September 2023
Microcourse on Cooperatives
The July 2023 issue is, in fact, a microcourse in itself on Cooperatives, providing a good 
understanding of various policy measures and depicting Cooperative-led socio-economic growth as 
inclusive per se. Strong cooperatives like IFFCO and Amul have shown enormous potential in changing 
people’s lives, but we need more cooperatives like this. Thanks to the Ministry of Cooperation for 
taking the cooperative movement to the next level in India by creating national-level cooperatives, 
computerisation of PACS, etc.
– Kiran, Uttar Pradesh
encourage school students
As a research student, Yojana is of immense importance to me. With extraordinary themes, 
meticulously researched content and a diversity of views, the magazine provides well-established 
facts about all sectors of the Indian economy. I have been reading the magazine for about one year, 
and each issue is prodigious and scrupulous. I’m surely going to advocate for school students to read 
the magazine daily. 
– Astitva Singh, New Delhi 
Collector’s issue
The August 2023 Special Issue on ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ was a collector's issue. The editorial 
‘Celebration of Life’ was thought-provoking. Overview giving details of the flagship initiative of the 
GoI with its five pillars - Freedom Struggle, Ideas@75, Actions@75, r esolve@75 and Achievements@75 
- was informative. Special articles and ‘Focus’ also made for interesting reading. The write-up ‘India’s 
G20 Presidency’ was a well-researched one. It’s a watershed moment for India to have got presidency 
of the G20. The PM made the G20 a pan-India event, symposiums, seminars, and discussions being held 
throughout the country, involving all sections and all age groups, and showcasing to the world India’s 
rich culture and heritage, thereby enhancing India’s image on the world stage and giving a fillip to our 
tourism sector. Kudos to the ‘Yojana’ team for bringing out such a nice issue.
– Pratap nayak, Bhubaneswar
Comprehensive exam coverage
It is a very important book for covering the topics of mains in a holistic manner. For example, the July 
2023 Yojana, ‘Sahakar se Samridhi,’ gives you very short keywords on cooperatives, and many examples 
are from previous editions, like the article on ‘SvAMITvA’ scheme, ‘Climate Smart Agriculture,’ etc., that are 
extremely important for Mains exams.
– Padam Chand, Kullu
Inbox
sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
5 September 2023
Editorial
YOJANA
G
overnance, in its essence, is the art of steering a nation towards 
prosperity and harmony. In the diverse and vibrant tapestry of 
India, the journey of governance has been both a challenge and an 
opportunity. Over the years, the country has witnessed a series of 
reforms that have aimed to redefine its governance landscape, foster 
development, and enhance the lives of its citizens.
reforms are an unavoidable aspect of a developing society. 
Whether driven by societal demands, or changes in global norms, 
reforms are vital to address the challenges and opportunities that a 
growing and new-age society faces. These reforms can span a wide 
range of areas, from electoral systems to social policies, from economic 
regulations to environmental protections. India has implemented 
transformational reforms, with e-Governance models streamlining 
citizens’ interactions with the Government and bringing them closer 
together. In this digital age, they also ensure transparency and openness to government procedures, as 
well as the necessary protection and privileges for the citizens.
economic reforms have propelled India onto the global stage. Liberalisation in the 1990s opened the 
doors to foreign investment, fostering economic growth and innovation. GST, being one of the most notable 
reforms of 2017, replaced a complex web of indirect taxes, thereby ushering a predictable tax regime and 
boosting the ease of doing business.
Accountability, another vital facet, has been strengthened through numerous institutions. Then comes 
the role of various constitutional bodies like the election Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General, 
the National Human r ights Commission, etc. that are vital to the functioning of a democratic and accountable 
governance system. The introduction of e-governance has streamlined administrative processes, reducing 
backlogs and enabling efficient service delivery. Digital platforms have bridged the gap between citizens 
and government, facilitating direct interaction and real-time feedback.
In the realm of social welfare, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched to provide 
financial inclusion for all, ensuring access to banking services and insurance. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan 
was another flagship programme focusing on cleanliness, sanitation, and hygiene, aiming to transform 
India into an open-defecation-free nation. The latest data protection law in India offers a pivotal shift 
towards safeguarding individuals’ privacy and personal data. By emphasising stringent standards for data 
handling, consent management, and transparency, the law enhances user control over their information. 
The law bolsters citizens’ rights, instills confidence in digital interactions, and positions India as a modern, 
privacy-conscious nation aligned with global data protection norms.  
In the spirit of Kartavya Kaal, India’s governance reforms symbolise a collective stride towards a brighter 
future. As citizens embrace their responsibilities with newfound vigor, guided by the principles of duty and 
progress, a promising horizon beckons. various institutions and constitutional bodies are paving this path 
with transparency, inclusivity, and accountable governance. Through these reforms, India stands poised 
to script a tale of transformation, where citizen participation and good governance converge to help the 
society at large prosper. This issue of Yojana provides a deeper understanding of governance in India and 
collaboratively envisions reforms that foster equality and progress. The articles in this issue cover a wide 
range of themes in light of the nation’s recent reforms, penned by the domain experts from the institutions 
that are making these reforms possible.                                                                                                                               ?
Page 5


Special aRTicle
Accountability and  
Financial Administration 
Girish Chandra MurMu lead aRTicle
Making of a Bureaucrat 
srinivas KatiKithala FocuS
Protecting the Interests of  
Consumers and Businesses
r avneet Kaur
Governance 
and 
reforms
SePteMBer 2023 A develoPMent Monthly
yaya Bandhu is a pro bono legal service 
that has been developed to connect the 
registered lawyers with the registered 
beneficiaries. This scheme gives voluntary 
legal advice to individuals and organisations that are 
unable to afford legal advice and/or cannot access 
legal aid. Those in genuine need of legal help are, 
thus, represented by lawyers for free or at a minimal 
cost, presenting them with an opportunity to 
meaningfully address their legal problems. Under 
this programme, practising advocates, interested 
to volunteer their time and services, are connected, 
via mobile technology, with eligible marginalised 
beneficiaries. Nyaya Bandhu Mobile application 
Android/IOS has been developed and also on 
boarded on the UMANG platform. 
The term pro bono, short for ‘pro bono publico’ , 
is a Latin term that means ‘for the public good’ . In 
practice, the term is used specifically in the context 
of the legal profession, referring to the practice of 
giving voluntary legal advice to individuals and 
organisations that are unable to afford legal advice 
and/or cannot access legal aid. Those in genuine 
need of legal help are, thus, represented by lawyers 
for free or at a minimal cost, presenting them with 
an opportunity to meaningfully address their legal 
problems.
Pro Bono Legal Services are, by nature, free. A Pro 
Bono Advocate registered under the Department 
of Justice programme shall not charge any fees 
for legal advice or representation rendered to the 
registered applicant. However, based on mutual 
understanding between the applicant and the 
advocate, the applicant may be required to incur 
incidental expenses like photocopying, posting, 
and typing charges.
A case registered by an applicant is assigned 
N
Nyaya BaNdhu 
Free legal aid and advice
Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority Act 1987, applicants  
who are marginalised or disadvantaged including ST , SC, victims of 
trafficking or begging, women, or children, PWDs, and other eligible 
categories, are entitled to get free legal aid & advice through  
Department of Justice’s Nyaya Bandhu programme.
to an advocate based on the matching of two 
parameters:
a. Area of practice/Category of Case – Civil or 
Criminal
b. Court of Practice/Court where the case is 
pending – Name of Court
This matching is done automatically through 
the sifting of the database of advocates stored in 
the programme.
roles and responsibilities
y y registrar General, high Court:  Provide 
implementation support for the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel. Manage the registration, approval, and 
review the performance of Lawyers. Designate 
an incharge to manage and administer the 
activities of this panel at the High Court level. 
To organise orientation and awareness sessions 
about the activities of the Nyaya Bandhu Panel 
on a regular basis.
y y department of Justice:  Provide support in 
coordination and facilitation for the successful 
implementation of this initiative. Conduct a 
quarterly review meeting in coordination with 
the High Court and develop a consolidated 
six-monthly report for submission to all 
stakeholders.
y y CSC e-Gov:  Provides support in the design, 
development, operation, and maintenance of 
the web-based application of the Nyaya Bandhu 
Panel for monitoring and reporting purposes in 
coordination with the Department of Justice. 
Support in writing procedures, functions, and 
triggers, maintaining the database, providing 
training, and developing the user manual of 
this application.
Detailed information about the programme is 
available at www.probno-doj.in                                    ?
4 September 2023
Microcourse on Cooperatives
The July 2023 issue is, in fact, a microcourse in itself on Cooperatives, providing a good 
understanding of various policy measures and depicting Cooperative-led socio-economic growth as 
inclusive per se. Strong cooperatives like IFFCO and Amul have shown enormous potential in changing 
people’s lives, but we need more cooperatives like this. Thanks to the Ministry of Cooperation for 
taking the cooperative movement to the next level in India by creating national-level cooperatives, 
computerisation of PACS, etc.
– Kiran, Uttar Pradesh
encourage school students
As a research student, Yojana is of immense importance to me. With extraordinary themes, 
meticulously researched content and a diversity of views, the magazine provides well-established 
facts about all sectors of the Indian economy. I have been reading the magazine for about one year, 
and each issue is prodigious and scrupulous. I’m surely going to advocate for school students to read 
the magazine daily. 
– Astitva Singh, New Delhi 
Collector’s issue
The August 2023 Special Issue on ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ was a collector's issue. The editorial 
‘Celebration of Life’ was thought-provoking. Overview giving details of the flagship initiative of the 
GoI with its five pillars - Freedom Struggle, Ideas@75, Actions@75, r esolve@75 and Achievements@75 
- was informative. Special articles and ‘Focus’ also made for interesting reading. The write-up ‘India’s 
G20 Presidency’ was a well-researched one. It’s a watershed moment for India to have got presidency 
of the G20. The PM made the G20 a pan-India event, symposiums, seminars, and discussions being held 
throughout the country, involving all sections and all age groups, and showcasing to the world India’s 
rich culture and heritage, thereby enhancing India’s image on the world stage and giving a fillip to our 
tourism sector. Kudos to the ‘Yojana’ team for bringing out such a nice issue.
– Pratap nayak, Bhubaneswar
Comprehensive exam coverage
It is a very important book for covering the topics of mains in a holistic manner. For example, the July 
2023 Yojana, ‘Sahakar se Samridhi,’ gives you very short keywords on cooperatives, and many examples 
are from previous editions, like the article on ‘SvAMITvA’ scheme, ‘Climate Smart Agriculture,’ etc., that are 
extremely important for Mains exams.
– Padam Chand, Kullu
Inbox
sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
5 September 2023
Editorial
YOJANA
G
overnance, in its essence, is the art of steering a nation towards 
prosperity and harmony. In the diverse and vibrant tapestry of 
India, the journey of governance has been both a challenge and an 
opportunity. Over the years, the country has witnessed a series of 
reforms that have aimed to redefine its governance landscape, foster 
development, and enhance the lives of its citizens.
reforms are an unavoidable aspect of a developing society. 
Whether driven by societal demands, or changes in global norms, 
reforms are vital to address the challenges and opportunities that a 
growing and new-age society faces. These reforms can span a wide 
range of areas, from electoral systems to social policies, from economic 
regulations to environmental protections. India has implemented 
transformational reforms, with e-Governance models streamlining 
citizens’ interactions with the Government and bringing them closer 
together. In this digital age, they also ensure transparency and openness to government procedures, as 
well as the necessary protection and privileges for the citizens.
economic reforms have propelled India onto the global stage. Liberalisation in the 1990s opened the 
doors to foreign investment, fostering economic growth and innovation. GST, being one of the most notable 
reforms of 2017, replaced a complex web of indirect taxes, thereby ushering a predictable tax regime and 
boosting the ease of doing business.
Accountability, another vital facet, has been strengthened through numerous institutions. Then comes 
the role of various constitutional bodies like the election Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General, 
the National Human r ights Commission, etc. that are vital to the functioning of a democratic and accountable 
governance system. The introduction of e-governance has streamlined administrative processes, reducing 
backlogs and enabling efficient service delivery. Digital platforms have bridged the gap between citizens 
and government, facilitating direct interaction and real-time feedback.
In the realm of social welfare, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched to provide 
financial inclusion for all, ensuring access to banking services and insurance. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan 
was another flagship programme focusing on cleanliness, sanitation, and hygiene, aiming to transform 
India into an open-defecation-free nation. The latest data protection law in India offers a pivotal shift 
towards safeguarding individuals’ privacy and personal data. By emphasising stringent standards for data 
handling, consent management, and transparency, the law enhances user control over their information. 
The law bolsters citizens’ rights, instills confidence in digital interactions, and positions India as a modern, 
privacy-conscious nation aligned with global data protection norms.  
In the spirit of Kartavya Kaal, India’s governance reforms symbolise a collective stride towards a brighter 
future. As citizens embrace their responsibilities with newfound vigor, guided by the principles of duty and 
progress, a promising horizon beckons. various institutions and constitutional bodies are paving this path 
with transparency, inclusivity, and accountable governance. Through these reforms, India stands poised 
to script a tale of transformation, where citizen participation and good governance converge to help the 
society at large prosper. This issue of Yojana provides a deeper understanding of governance in India and 
collaboratively envisions reforms that foster equality and progress. The articles in this issue cover a wide 
range of themes in light of the nation’s recent reforms, penned by the domain experts from the institutions 
that are making these reforms possible.                                                                                                                               ?
7 September 2023
he civil service in a democratic 
government is an important institution. 
It is charged with the responsibility 
of assisting the political executive in 
framing policies, implementing them through 
programmes that deliver governance and welfare, 
and discharging system maintenance services. 
Through its successful actions, it generates public 
support for executive and legislative policy, and 
through its failings, it renders itself (and putatively 
the elected governments) accountable to the 
instruments of parliamentary oversight. 
Through its myriad actions, it is seen assisting 
the executive; through the audit processes, assisting 
the legislature; and, in lesser breadth, assisting the 
other organ of state – the judiciary too. However, 
despite its presence in every form and shape of 
public activity or administration, the classical view 
T
of bureaucracy is limited to that body of people 
organised to serve the executive sphere. Hence, this 
examination is limited to the popular definition. 
The term ‘bureaucrat’, coined in France by 
Jacques Gournay in the 18
th
 century and whose 
european form evolved in Frederick the Great’s 
Prussia, invokes Max Weber and the characteristics 
identified by him. Hence, in its modern shape, it 
is seen as formal, impersonal, rule-bound, and 
hierarchical— often a negative imputation. India’s 
Civil Service was influenced by these and the ideas 
of the 1854 Northcote-Trevelyan report, which 
resulted in the 1858 Queen’s Declaration, and has 
ever since been organised on the meritocratic 
principle of open competitive examinations. 
Part XIv of India’s Constitution provides 
for efficient ‘public services’ by creating the 
Union Public Service Commission and the State 
SRiNivaS kaTikiThala the author is the director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. email: director-lbsnaa@gov.in
In a youthful democracy, with a higher proportion of the population 
dependent on government services, any improvements at the grassroots will 
have exponential impacts. Therefore, the Government’s increasing emphasis 
is on the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, on plugging the trust deficit between citizens 
and government processes, on innovation, and on impactful delivery signals 
a citizens-first approach. Through Mission Karmayogi, the ‘bureaucrat’ who 
is rule-bound is expected to transform into an empathetic civil servant by 
embracing the transformation from ‘Rule to Role’ . 
Making of a Bureaucrat
civil Service reforMS through  
a capacity Building approach
leAd ArtICle