India

India is a country in South Asia subcontinent of Asia. In comparison to other countries of the world, it is the seventh largest in area and the second largest in population. India is also the most populous democracy in the world. This country is a highly populated and predominantly rural country. It is classified as a country of medium human development. Only a few years ago in 2007, UN Human Development Index ranked this country 128th in the world with life expectancy 63.7 years at birth, and four fifths of the population were living on less than $2/day. The adult literacy rate at that time was only 61%. However, the country has since been progressing at a fast pace.

New Delhi is the capital of the country. Hindi is its official languages, but English is used as the main language in higher education, the central government offices, the Parliament, and the Supreme Court etc.

Geography

It lies entirely in the northern hemisphere, the mainland extends between latitudes 8°4' and 37°6' north, longitudes 68°7' and 97°25' east, and measures about 3,214 km from north to south between the extreme latitudes and about 2,933 km from east to west between the extreme longitudes. It has a land frontier of about 15,200 km. The total length of the coastline of the mainland, Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 7,516.6 km.

The Geography of India is impressive both for natural resource and beauty. The countries having a common border with India are Afghanistan and Pakistan to the north-west, China, Bhutan and Nepal to the north, Myanmar to the east and Bangladesh to the east of West Bengal. Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

Demography

As per the census 2011, the population of the country was 1,210,193,422. Its population grew by 17.64% during 2001–2011. The sex ratio is 940 females per 1,000 males. Life expectancy is at 68 years with life expectancy for women being 69.6 years and for men being 67.3. Urban population is 31.16%. A total of 68.84% people are living in the villages. There are over 53 million cities in India. The literacy rate in 2011 was 74.04%, 65.46% among females and 82.14% among males.

History

The History of India is full of its rise and fall and its civilization is the oldest civilisations in the world that is extant. Many of the great civilisations disappeared while civilisation of India surprisingly survived with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. It became independent on 15th of August 1947 and became a republic on 26th of January 1952.

India was once called the 'bird of gold'. However, it has to suffer a lot under foreign rule. Now the Economy of India is marked by its multifaceted socio-economic progress during the years of its Independence.

Governance

Governance in India is based on democratic principles. Lok Sabha Elections are constitutionally provided to be held to constitute the Lok Sabha which is the Lower house in the Parliament of India. It has Upper house too called Rajya Sabha.

India, one of the world's largest countries, has made tremendous strides in its economic and social development in the past two decades and is poised to realize even faster growth in the years to come. India currently stands at the threshold of a unique opportunity regarding governance and public management reform. However, with 17 percent of the world's people, India accounts for less than 2 percent of global GDP and 1 percent of world trade.

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments gave considerably increased powers to local governments including increased financial and administrative autonomy. Where administration is weak, the burden falls heavily on the poor, who suffer from skewed government spending, limited access to services, and employee indifference. Although India's civil service is not unduly large by global standards, there is a pronounced imbalance in the skills mix. Around 93% of the civil service comprises Class III and IV employees for both the Government of India and various state governments. Effective civil service reform will have to include measures that improve access to information, strengthen accountability, and reduce political interference.

India's priority reforms includes improving the composition of public expenditures by reducing the share spent on wages, pensions, interest payments, and agricultural subsidies, and increasing investment and operations and maintenance for priority social, infrastructure, and agricultural programs.

The Indian press and public opinion have been concerned about problems of corruption in public affairs. The Right to Information Bill was passed in 2005 in an effort to improve governance and public administration and eliminate corruption. This bill accords all citizens greater access to public documents than was earlier possible. Corruption investigations have increased significantly in many states; and several states working to provide a baseline against which future progress can be measured.

A long-established legal system has given India the underpinnings necessary for free enterprise to flourish. Although India's courts are notoriously inefficient, they at least comprise a functioning independent judiciary. Property rights are not fully secure, but the rule of law, a legacy of British rule, generally prevails.

The Union and its states and territories

India comprises 29 States and 8 Union Territories. They are:

1 Andhra Pradesh, 2 Assam, 3 Arunachal Pradesh, 4 Bihar, 5 Chhattisgarh, 6 Delhi, 7Goa, 8 Gujarat, 9 Haryana, 10 Himachal Pradesh, 11 Jharkhand, 12 Karnataka, 13 Kerala, 14 Madhya Pradesh, 15 Maharashtra, 16 Manipur, 17 Meghalaya, 18 Mizoram, 19 Nagaland, 20 Odisha, 21 Punjab, 22 Rajasthan, 23 Sikkim, 24 Tamil Nadu, 25 Telangana 26 Tripura, 27 Uttarakhand, 28 Uttar Pradesh, and 29 West Bengal.

Union Territories are:

1 Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 2 Chandigarh, 3 Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 4 Daman and Diu, 5 Jammu and Kashmir, 6 Ladakh, 7 Lakshadweep, and 8 Puducherry.

STATES IN INDEPENDENT INDIA WHICH ARE NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE AFTER REORGANIZATION

State of Ajmer State of Bhopal State of Bombay State of Coorg State of Hyderabad State of Madhya Bharat State of Madras State of Mysore State of Patiala and East Punjab States Union State of Sourastra State of Travancore Cochin State of Vindhya Pradesh

Elections in India

Quotes about India

History of NGO Activity in India

Urban poverty in India