Citizen’s Charter as an Instrument of Good Governance: A Study with Special Reference to India

Abstract

The Citizen’s Charter, as an instrument of good governance, plays a crucial role in enhancing transparency, accountability, and responsiveness within public administration and efficiency in public service delivery, thus fostering good governance. Introduced as part of administrative reforms, the Citizen's Charter seeks to make government institutions more citizen-centric, ensuring that service delivery mechanisms are more responsive and accountable to the needs of the populace. It sets clear expectations for public service delivery, ensuring that citizens are aware of the standards they can expect from government agencies. This paper explores the conceptual framework of the Citizen’s Charter, its evolution in India, and its role in promoting good governance. The paper also examines key challenges, case studies of successful implementations, and suggests measures to improve its effectiveness. Through case studies and policy reviews, and this paper discusses the role of Citizen's Charters in strengthening democratic governance in India.