India’s vibrant democracy places great emphasis on the principle that elected representatives embody the mandate of the people. This vast network of elected officials, including 795 Members of Parliament (MPs), approximately 4,123 Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), and 31.8 lakh local government representatives, shoulders the responsibility of formulating policies, ensuring their implementation at central and state levels, addressing public concerns in legislative bodies, and working on issues of importance within various committees.
While educational qualifications provide essential skills, effective governance demands a wider spectrum of qualities encompassing behavioral, functional, and domain-based competencies.
Behavioral skills lie at the heart of political competency. They empower representatives to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. Communication skills, both verbal and written, are paramount, as is the ability to engage the public. Effective leadership and negotiation skills are vital for uniting teams behind a shared vision and managing various stakeholders. A notable example is the success of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which benefited from the involvement of women panchayati raj leaders who fostered behavioral change at the grassroots level.
Functional competencies extend beyond interpersonal skills. Representatives must possess a deep understanding of the rules and processes that underpin legislation and policy implementation. This includes a thorough grasp of parliamentary and assembly procedures, such as questioning, initiating discussions, raising policy matters, monitoring policy implementation, providing suggestions, and ensuring efficient allocation of budgets. Translating citizen grievances into policy gaps and communicating them to decision-makers is another crucial aspect of functional competency. This ensures that the voices of citizens are incorporated into policy-making processes. In 2022, a Member of Parliament raised the issue of unregulated tobacco advertising on OTT platforms during Zero Hour, prompting the Ministry of Health to mandate anti-tobacco warnings on such content. Similarly, a Private Member’s Bill introduced in 2014 advocating for transgender rights paved the way for the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, demonstrating the impact of legislative advocacy on policy changes.
Domain-based competencies are tailored to the specific needs of constituencies and the unique portfolios managed by elected officials. For instance, a deep understanding of health-care policy would encompass public health management, health-care laws, insurance systems, and global health trends. Insights into infrastructure and urban planning are also fundamental, covering effective urban planning, transportation systems, public works, and sustainable infrastructure development. Awareness of technological advancements and their implications on public services and economic growth is essential, ensuring that policy decisions are forward-thinking and inclusive of technological progress. Recent examples of individuals shaping policies through domain expertise and commitment include the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, the National Health Policy, the Mental Healthcare Act, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules.
While advocating a competency-based approach, it is essential to avoid the competency trap. An excessive focus on specific skills can stifle innovation and creativity, which are crucial for solving complex problems. Instead, an environment that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills alongside technical expertise should be cultivated. Collaboration between representatives with diverse backgrounds and expertise ensures a multi-disciplinary approach to tackling complex challenges. Imagine a team with expertise in rural development, economics, engineering, public health, and social justice working together to design and implement better policies.
To effectively institutionalize this vision, aligning competencies with specific roles is crucial. The Karmayogi Competency Model from Mission Karmayogi provides a framework for this process. It involves identifying skill gaps and evolving training needs through consultation with elected officials, citizens, and domain experts. The resulting needs analysis should inform a comprehensive capacity-building plan that includes orientation and induction programs, online resources, workshops, peer learning opportunities, and mentorship programs. Regular impact assessments are essential for continuous improvement.
Existing resources from central and state training institutions, such as the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies, National and State Institutes of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and the Integrated Government Online Training platform, can be leveraged to facilitate continuous learning. Civil society organizations such as PRS Legislative Research, Participatory Research in Asia, and Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini also play a vital role. Every elected representative, from the local level upwards, should have access to necessary information and research support through dedicated research wings.
The success of competency-based politics also hinges on a shift in public perception. Citizens need to demand more from their elected representatives, holding them accountable not only for their promises but also for their ability to deliver on those promises. The measure of a politician’s success lies not only in their victories but also in the vision they embody, the integrity they uphold, and the impact they have on society. As India progresses towards a developed nation, let us make competency a central pillar of political discourse, where effective leadership is not an exception but an expectation.
