Good Governance & Social Justice (English) Book Advance Foundation

Good Governance and Social Justice is a comprehensive and concept-driven resource that explains the quality of governance and the strength of public institutions in India. Developed under the scholarly guidance of Manikant Sir, Director – The Study IAS, the book integrates governance theories, institutional experiences, and policy realities within a unified and coherent framework. Its contextual, interconnected structure makes it particularly valuable for UPSC and State PSC aspirants, as it links governance with multiple domains such as Science & Technology, Economy, Polity, Internal Security, and the Constitution.

The first segment traces the evolution of governance—from ancient India’s moral and administrative ideas to the colonial administrative foundations, and finally to the institutional architecture of modern democratic India. This historical perspective helps readers understand how today's governance ethos has taken shape over time. The second segment, “Stakeholders of Governance,” offers an in-depth study of the diverse actors within the governance ecosystem, including civil servants, the police, consultants, civil society organisations, and corporate entities, highlighting their roles in decision-making and public service delivery.

The third segment, “Attributes and Emerging Notions of Governance,” examines contemporary challenges in governance, such as performance paralysis, institutional reforms, and the need for accountability mechanisms through bodies like the CBI, CVC, and Enforcement Directorate. It also covers transformative trends such as e-Governance, Ethical Governance, Citizen’s Charters, and Data Governance, along with the legal frameworks that promote transparency and integrity, including the Right to Information and anti-corruption laws.

A distinctive feature of this book is its emphasis on governance as a driver of social justice. It explores issues of poverty, hunger, health, education, and vulnerability, while maintaining a strong focus on marginalised groups, including women, children, senior citizens, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and transgender persons. The analysis extends to the North-Eastern region, offering a balanced understanding of developmental asymmetries within the Indian federation and explaining the need for context-sensitive governance strategies.

The concluding part, “Good Governance,” synthesises normative values with practical governance mechanisms—highlighting accountability, efficiency, inclusivity, transparency, participation, and ethical conduct as core principles necessary for achieving social justice in both rural and urban India. The book serves as an essential guide for students, scholars, and practitioners who wish to understand governance as both a conceptual discipline and an applied field.

Overall, Good Governance and Social Justice reflects The Study IAS’s commitment to providing rigorous, insightful, and high-quality academic resources aimed at building a just and effective governance system.