#Review: The Governance Gap by Shashi Budhiraja

The Governance Gap
Author: Shashi Budhiraja
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Rating: 4/5

When I first picked up Shashi Budhiraja’s book, I wasn’t sure what to expect—yet another sweeping commentary on India’s politics, or something more grounded. To my relief, it turned out to be the latter. What I appreciated most is the way Budhiraja frames the central questions: who really holds the power in our democracy—the people or the governing elite? These are questions I often find myself asking when I watch political debates or scroll through headlines, and the book gave me a structured way of thinking about them.

Budhiraja’s strength lies in his vantage point. Having worked across the private sector, government, and international institutions, he is able to weave together a panoramic view of governance in India. His insights into agriculture, education, and health are particularly sharp; they show how policy gaps have snowballed into larger systemic issues. I found the section on bureaucratic inertia especially relevant, because it reflected what I have seen in everyday dealings with government systems—slow responses, endless files, and decisions trapped in political compulsions.

That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. At times, the narrative slips into dense, policy-heavy language that felt closer to an academic paper than a general reader’s book. I also felt that while Budhiraja is strong in diagnosing problems, his blueprint for “course correction” remains somewhat idealistic. The repeated emphasis on “political will” as the missing ingredient, though valid, felt too simplistic given the deep-rooted complexities of Indian politics.

Despite these shortcomings, the book’s relevance is undeniable. We are living in an era where the promise of democracy is constantly being tested—whether through the influence of money in elections or legislatures failing in their watchdog role. Budhiraja doesn’t provide all the answers, but he does succeed in forcing us to grapple with uncomfortable truths.

What makes this book stand out for me is its balance: it neither lapses into blind cynicism nor slips into hollow optimism. It acknowledges the deficits, points out where institutions are faltering, and still insists that the potential for transformation exists. I walked away with a mix of frustration and hope—which, to be honest, feels like the most honest way to think about India today.

Find this book here.