On November 24, 2025, the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS), New Delhi, hosted a highly constructive and engaging book discussion on the recent publication, “Public Administration in the 21st Century: A Global South Perspective,” authored by Prof. Rumki Basu. The session served as a vital platform for the wider social science community to deliberate on the critical intersections of state capacity, governance reforms, and the shifting paradigms of administration across developing nations. The dialogue underscored the profound connection between theoretical public administration and the practical realities of democratic accountability and everyday governance.
The discussion was enriched by a series of nuanced reflections from a panel of distinguished scholars including Prof. Inderjeet Singh Sodhi, Dr. Tanvir Aeijaz, Dr. Pooja Paswan, Dr. Ekta Singh, and Dr. Moitri Dey. Their collective interventions highlighted the book’s relevance in tackling contemporary challenges unique to the Global South. The session was presided over by Prof. Balveer Arora, Former Rector and Pro-Vice Chancellor of JNU, who provided an insightful summation that synthesized the diverse academic perspectives shared throughout the afternoon.
The event’s success was furthered by the substantive contributions of the attending colleagues, students, and guests, whose thoughtfully argued questions added depth to the reflective conversation.
