Government Policies and
1 Interventions for Development
A policy is a plan of action designed to achieve specific goals. Public Policies are governmental decisions about what
gets done, who benefits, and how things are accomplished. These policies are often a mix of clear-cut rules, procedures,
and considerations of fairness, effectiveness, and political realities. Put simply, policies determine who gets what, when,
and how. It necessitates a deeply intertwined relationship and interaction between the major governmental agencies like
the political executive, legislature, bureaucracy, and judiciary.
Major Types of Public Policy
Type of Public
Purpose Examples (Global) Examples (India)
Policy
Distributive Provide services and benefits Infrastructure development, PM Awas Yojana (housing), PM
Policy to citizens education grants Gram Sadak Yojana (rural roads)
Regulatory Regulate behavior for public Environmental laws, food Environment Protection Act,
Policy welfare safety standards Motor Vehicles Act
Redistributive Reallocate resources for equity Welfare schemes, progressive MGNREGA (employment
Policy taxation guarantee), Food Security Act
Constituent Structure or reorganize Formation of new Formation of NITI Aayog,
Policy government institutions commissions, constitutional 73rd and 74th Constitutional
reforms Amendments
Social Welfare Ensure basic well-being of Health insurance programs, Ayushman Bharat, National
Policy citizens pension schemes Social Assistance Programme
Foreign Policy Manage international relations Trade agreements, defense Act East Policy, Neighbourhood
pacts First Policy
Economic Policy Stabilize and grow the Budget allocations, monetary Union Budget announcements,
economy policy changes Monetary Policy of RBI
Characteristics of Public Policy
Public Interest: The guiding principle is the well-being of the citizens. Example: The National Policy on Persons
with Disability (PwD) by the MoSJ&E.
Goal-Oriented: Policies are crafted to achieve specific objectives set by the government. Example: Swachh Bharat
Mission (Clean India Mission) for improved sanitation across the country.
Collective Action: Policymaking involves collaboration between government officials and various stakeholders.
Example: Under Swachh Bharat Mission, the government nudges both citizens and institutions towards cleanliness.
Participatory and Consultative: Stakeholders have a voice in shaping policies. Public consultations are increasingly
used to gather citizen feedback on draft policies, promoting a more inclusive approach.
Dynamic and Evolving: Policies adapt to changing circumstances and societal needs. Example: National Education
Policy (NEP) 2020.
Future-Oriented: Policies consider long-term implications and potential challenges. Example: Policies on climate
change and infrastructure development.
Government's Commitment: Policies reflect the government's response to critical issues and are backed by legal
authority. Example: Policies like minimum wage regulations, Motor Vehicles Act address societal concerns and
are enforced through legal frameworks.
