Rethinking State Capacity Public Policy 2025 – IIMB Conference Insights

Explore highlights from the CPP Conference 2025 at IIM Bangalore on rethinking state capacity public policy 2025, Bengaluru water security, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Dharma in public administration.

Introduction

Public policy in India is undergoing a transformative phase, shaped by challenges of governance, urban sustainability, and citizen-centric development. The Centre for Public Policy (CPP) Conference 2025 at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) became a pivotal platform for thought leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to deliberate on these evolving issues. The overarching theme — rethinking state capacity public policy 2025 — framed the discussions across plenary sessions, memorial lectures, and panel conversations.

Held between 19 and 21 August 2025, the event underscored the need for collaboration between institutions, governments, and communities to ensure that India’s developmental ambitions translate into measurable outcomes. Beyond academic discourse, the sessions touched upon practical challenges of implementing reforms such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, while offering new theoretical frameworks like Dharma in Public Administration.

This article explores the highlights of the conference, blending expert commentary with contextual analysis, while integrating broader debates on governance and development.

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State Capacity and Its Multidimensional Challenges

The plenary address by Vikram Raghavan, Lead Counsel at the World Bank, set the stage for re-evaluating India’s governance mechanisms. His lecture stressed that state capacity cannot be viewed merely as administrative strength; rather, it encompasses political legitimacy, legal robustness, and the trust citizens place in their institutions.

He explained that countries with high state capacity manage not only to deliver services effectively but also build resilience against systemic shocks. For India, balancing ambitious policy rollouts with ground-level execution remains a crucial challenge. The conversations at IIMB suggested that rethinking state capacity public policy 2025 should mean building stronger institutions, ensuring accountability, and fostering inclusive decision-making processes.

Such discussions resonate with ongoing policy debates, where the success of flagship programs often hinges on effective collaboration between state machinery and grassroots stakeholders.

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Bengaluru’s Water Security: A Historical and Future Perspective

One of the most pressing concerns in India’s urban policy is water security, and this was addressed in the memorial lecture delivered by Prof. Vishwanath Srikantaiah, an urban planner and water management expert. His lecture traced the historical roots of Bengaluru’s water systems, noting how traditional tanks and lakes once sustained the city.

However, rapid urbanization and infrastructure pressures have created a mismatch between demand and supply. The session emphasized the urgency of Bengaluru water security integrated policy, which must combine sustainable technologies, regulatory frameworks, and active citizen participation.

Experts noted that the city’s experience mirrors wider challenges across India, where metropolitan growth often undermines ecological balance. The push for integrated water management systems was presented not merely as a technical requirement but as a governance priority that impacts social justice, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

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Rural India and Jal Jeevan Mission

A standout discussion during the conference was the panel on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), one of India’s largest rural water supply initiatives. Panelists, including senior bureaucrats and NGO representatives, highlighted how the program’s success depends on sustainable maintenance and community ownership.

Participants examined Jal Jeevan Mission sustainable operations tips, such as:

• Involving village water committees in decision-making
• Strengthening accountability frameworks for fund utilization
• Promoting technological solutions for water quality monitoring
• Encouraging local entrepreneurship in system maintenance

The dialogue reinforced that the mission’s long-term impact requires more than government funding. As one panelist noted, “Only when communities co-own the infrastructure will the Jal Jeevan Mission deliver lasting benefits.”

This perspective fits into the broader narrative of rethinking state capacity public policy 2025, where success lies in balancing top-down initiatives with bottom-up governance.

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Dharma in Public Administration

An intellectually stimulating discussion focused on the application of Dharma — or righteous duty — in modern governance. This panel combined academics, civil servants, and spiritual practitioners who argued that principles of Karmayoga and Dharma could provide ethical grounding to public administration.

Sessions demonstrated how Dharma public administration model India can align administrative goals with moral responsibility. For instance:

• Bureaucrats practicing Karmayoga may avoid conflicts of interest
• Dharma provides a framework to resist corruption pressures
• Case studies, such as the Isha Foundation’s rural projects, showed how value-driven governance can empower communities

This philosophical framework, though rooted in Indian traditions, was presented as highly relevant to contemporary public policy. As the world grapples with ethical challenges in technology, climate governance, and social equity, India’s own traditions offer lessons for reimagining statecraft.

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Collaboration Between Researchers and Policymakers

One of the recurring themes throughout the event was the need for synergy between academia, practitioners, and the state. The CPP Conference provided a rare platform where CPP 2025 public policy researcher practitioner networks could converge.

By facilitating cross-disciplinary engagement, the conference highlighted how policy design can be enriched by empirical evidence and ground realities. Scholars emphasized that without such collaboration, even the most innovative policies risk being misaligned with social needs.

For students and early-career researchers, the conference also offered insights into how rigorous academic analysis can directly influence governance. This message is particularly relevant for aspiring policymakers and those preparing for competitive exams, where understanding the nuances of state capacity and governance can be a differentiator.

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Broader Implications for Indian Governance

The conference outcomes carry significant implications beyond the academic sphere. Key insights include:

• Institutional Reform: India’s institutions must modernize to balance speed with accountability.
• Community Engagement: Policies succeed when people see themselves as stakeholders.
• Ethical Administration: Embedding moral values in governance enhances legitimacy.
• Urban Sustainability: Without water and ecological security, urban growth is unsustainable.

These findings connect with broader policy challenges discussed globally. Reports by the United Nations and OECD on governance reform highlight similar needs: transparent systems, citizen participation, and integrated approaches to urban management.

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Expert Voices Beyond the Conference

Commenting on the outcomes, Dr. Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary of India and policy analyst, observed in a media interview:
“India’s governance structures must evolve to meet 21st-century challenges. The IIMB conference has highlighted that strengthening state capacity is as much about values and ethics as it is about administrative efficiency.”

His remark reinforces the centrality of rethinking state capacity public policy 2025, where governance reforms are not limited to bureaucratic machinery but extend into ethical frameworks and citizen engagement.

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Resources for Learners and Aspirants

For students, educators, and civil services aspirants, these discussions provide valuable insights into governance models, policy frameworks, and ethical dimensions of administration. Learners can explore additional resources here:

• NCERT Courses
• Current Affairs
• Notes
• MCQ’s
• Videos
• Syllabus
• Free NCERT PDFs
• Mind Maps

For institutions seeking professional digital solutions, Mart India Infotech provides technology services tailored to schools and educational organizations.

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Conclusion

The CPP Conference 2025 at IIM Bangalore served as a critical reflection point on how India can build resilient, inclusive, and ethical governance models. By centering the theme of rethinking state capacity public policy 2025, the event highlighted that true progress lies in a combination of institutional strength, ethical frameworks, and community participation.

From the urgency of Bengaluru water security integrated policy to the philosophical grounding of the Dharma public administration model India, the conference’s discussions resonate with global debates on governance. For India, the road ahead involves integrating these insights into practical reforms that can deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

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FAQs

Q1. What was the main theme of the CPP Conference 2025 at IIMB?
The central theme was rethinking state capacity public policy 2025, focusing on governance, institutional strength, and inclusive policymaking.

Q2. Who delivered the plenary talk at the conference?
Vikram Raghavan, Lead Counsel at the World Bank, delivered the plenary talk on state capacity and its multidimensional aspects.

Q3. What issues were highlighted in the memorial lecture?
The lecture by Prof. Vishwanath Srikantaiah addressed Bengaluru water security integrated policy, combining history, sustainability, and governance.

Q4. How was Jal Jeevan Mission discussed at the event?
The panel emphasized Jal Jeevan Mission sustainable operations tips, highlighting community participation, accountability, and technology adoption.

Q5. What does Dharma in public administration signify?
It refers to the Dharma public administration model India, which applies principles of ethics, Karmayoga, and duty to governance practices.

Q6. How does the conference support researcher-practitioner collaboration?
By creating a platform for CPP 2025 public policy researcher practitioner networks, the event encouraged evidence-based policymaking.

Q7. Why is state capacity important for India?
Strong state capacity ensures effective service delivery, citizen trust, and resilience against governance challenges.

Q8. What role does community ownership play in public policy?
Community involvement is vital for sustainability, particularly in initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission, where long-term success depends on co-ownership.

Q9. What were some broader implications of the conference?
It emphasized institutional reform, urban sustainability, ethical governance, and global relevance of India’s policy debates.

Q10. How can students benefit from these discussions?
Students can access study resources such as NCERT Courses and Current Affairs to strengthen their understanding of governance and policy.