It is worth mentioning the role that civil society plays in India’s development, despite conversations about its national strategy. India maintains a vibrant civil society with around 1.5 million NGOs. From religious activity to community service, there is a variation in the kinds of initiatives that these NGOs focus on.1
Historically, civil society was observed as a complement to the government’s development needs. In the latter half of the 20th century, India’s NGO sector grew and received formal recognition by the government as state development partners. Although grassroots organizations were growing in this sector, the 1990s structural adjustment period lead to the rise of larger agents of aid, which pushed these smaller organizations from the limelight.1
Notably, over the years, NGOs have been influenced by the government’s development agenda. Whether it was capital-oriented priorities or anti-poverty programs, the NGO sector has shifted its focus accordingly in line with the government. Even during the structural reform period of the 90s, NGOs began to prioritize scaling up and working with the state to become a legitimate force.1
Indeed, there is a diversity of ways that NGOs are approaching the government (whether as partners or as opposing agents), but the general feeling is reluctant, yet pragmatic towards state cooperation. Nonetheless, the government has created bodies to encourage funding of NGOs (which potentially runs into problems of autonomy). As for general goals, aspects such as improving some socioeconomic services or increasing participation have converged. Differences are found in their approaches between a bureaucratic government and a more flexible NGO sector.1
Footnotes