Modified Governance : From Ancient Traditions to Citizen-Centric Administration by Prem Shankar Jha (Paperback)

'Modified Governance' by Prem Shankar Jha traces India's governance journey from its ancient civilisational foundations to its modern administrative transformation. The book argues that Indian governance has historically been rooted in the principles of Raj Dharma, where public welfare and moral responsibility formed the core of statecraft. Drawing upon Arthashastra, Emperor Ashoka's welfare-oriented administration, and India's decentralised local systems, it highlights the country's long tradition of accountable and citizen-centric governance.

The book further examines how colonial rule imposed a centralised and extractive administrative structure that continued in many forms after independence. While India achieved institutional and economic progress over the decades, governance often remained procedural and distant from citizens. Through detailed analysis, the book presents the post-2014 period as a decisive phase marked by technology-driven administration, direct benefit transfers, digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, welfare delivery, and rapid infrastructure expansion. It argues that these reforms represent a modern rediscovery of India's civilisational ethos through efficient, citizen-focused governance.