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Synopsis The principles and structure of India's polity are unique in many ways, built as they are around a combination of important foundational principles laid down in the Constitution, the Indian people's aspirations, and the country's ethos and history.

This pioneering work of reference contains more than 350 alphabetically arranged entries on subjects spanning India's political system — and how it works in practice. The topics covered include the structure and inter-relationships between institutions and organs of the Indian state, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, the structure and functioning of the government and administration from the national level right down to the level of village panchayats, the manner in which India's political rulers are elected, how governments are formed and political decisions taken, how laws are made and implemented, and much else

In addition, the author's Introduction provides a succinct overview both of India's political system and its evolution, as well as a clear-eyed critique of its working and some important suggestions for its improvement.

Written by an acknowledged expert on the subject, this ready-reference resource is invaluable for all those interested in India's political system and governance; politicians and political activists, students and scholars of political science, journalists and media professionals, legislators and bureaucrats, constitutional experts and lawyers, the judiciary, as well as the informed and active citizenry.