International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Good Governance in India: Public Policy, Decentralization, and Gender Inclusion

Inclusive governance, especially gender-responsive policymaking and participatory digital governance is essential for achieving sustainable democratic development in India. As an essential facet of democratic administration and public policy, Good governance plays an indispensable role in the twenty-first century. In India, governance reforms have actively and increasingly been focused on transparency, accountability, digital transformation, decentralization, and inclusive participation. Simultaneously, women’s participation in governance institutions has also become a critical indicator of democratic legitimacy and policy responsiveness. This study critically examines the relationship between good governance and public policy in India with particular emphasis on digital governance and gender-inclusive policymaking. The research adopts a qualitative and analytical methodology based on secondary data collected from government reports, governance indicators, policy documents, and scholarly literature published between 2020–2025. Special focus shall be made on contemporary governance reforms including Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Aadhaar-enabled welfare systems, Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), e-governance initiatives, and women’s political participation in governance institutions. Keywords: Good Governance, Public Policy, Digital Governance, Women’s Participation, Inclusive Governance, Digital India.