How is political authority exercised in India? What are the ideas and practices of governance in India? What are the components of political authority, as constituted in the Indian state, and how have they evolved over time? This course explores the institutionalisation of modern political authority especially with regard to public order and social change, and how the state exercises its legitimacy across different societal interests. The Indian state performs a range of functions from economic planning, industrial production, social provision and services across health and education. But beyond the state, there are other forms of social accountability such as social audits, jan sunwais, and media activism. Course work includes documentary films and interaction with guest speakers with administrative experience.