Accelerating India's Development: A Roadmap for Effective Governance

Join us for a book talk on “Accelerating India’s Development: A Roadmap for Effective Governance” by Karthik Muralidharan, Tata Chancellor’s professor of economics at the University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Seventy-five years after Independence, India has much to be proud of and is both the world’s biggest democracy and the fastest-growing large economy. Yet, it also faces profound challenges that hinder both individual well-being and aggregate growth, including education and skills, health and nutrition, public safety, justice, social protection, and jobs.

In his highly acclaimed recent book, “Accelerating India’s Development: A Roadmap for Effective Governance” (Penguin 2024), Prof. Karthik Muralidharan systematically analyses India’s governance challenges, especially in delivering essential public services, and highlights how these are limiting India’s development. Drawing on a wealth of research and practical insights, it provides actionable, evidence-based strategies, emphasizing state-level reforms as critical for India’s advancement.Written to be widely accessible, the book aims to bridge the gap between scholarly research, public understanding, and actionable governance.

The book won the Crossword Book Award 2024, with the citation calling it: “an exceptional work” and “a landmark contribution that will resonate for yours to come”.

This talk will provide a high-level overview of the main argument of the book.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

420 W 118th St, 420 West 118th Street, New York, United States