Explore the intricate journey of India development and its persistent discontents. This book critically examines the dialectics of theory, Indian policy, and on-ground practice, revealing implementation gaps. It unpacks how capitalist globalization, economic reforms, decentralization, and democratization have transformed India’s development discourse, impacting the state, citizenship, and public participation. Featuring insightful case studies from across India and diverse perspectives from academics and practitioners, this work bridges the gap between policy ideals and realities. It is an essential read for students and professionals in public policy, development studies, and South Asian politics.