ABSTRACT
Institutions lie at the heart of a society’s capacity to ensure development that is inclusive, participatory, and enduring. They shape the design and delivery of public services, influence citizen engagement, and determine how rights and responsibilities are experienced by individuals and communities. In India, institutions, both formal and informal, have evolved alongside the country’s social, political, and economic transformations. Yet, they have not always kept pace with the changing aspirations of the people, particularly the marginalised and underserved. This volume brings together reflections from practitioners and scholars who have engaged with institutions not merely as structures of governance or administration, but as living systems that are constantly shaped by ideas, values, and social interactions.
