The course on State and Local Governance: Machinery & Processes comprises of learning about governmental agencies and democratic decentralized institutions established at state, district and sub-district levels and the processes associated with these bodies. This level of the administration is highly significant as it provides a platform to the people to have a direct interface with the various organs of the state.

The course covers the State Legislature and State Administration and its important institutions like the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers, State Secretariat and the Chief Secretary etc. The students in this course will also be enlightened about the district administration including Autonomous District Councils in North Eastern States and executive officer at this level of administration, popularly known as District Magistrate/ District Collector or Deputy Commissioner.

The evolution of local governance and present system of Panchayati Raj Institutions, various types of Municipal bodies along with their constitutional models in the form of 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments and institutions like – State Election Commission, State Finance Commission - and District Planning Committees are also the main constituents of the course.

The course is 15 weeks long academic program. The learners in this course will be instructed through e-Texts and Video Lessons. They will also be encouraged to explore Further Readings and motivated for actively participating in Group Discussions. Regular interactions with the Teaching Team will be provided to clarify the doubts of the course participants.

COURSE LAYOUTWeek 1: State Administration: IntroductionWeek 2: State Legislature Week 3: Governor: Powers, Functions and RoleWeek 4: Chief Minister: Council of Ministers, Powers, Functions and RoleWeek 5: State Secretariat: Organisation and its working; Chief Secretary: Role and FunctionsWeek 6: State Directorate: Organization, Functions and RoleWeek 7: District Administration: Evolution and Significance; District Collector/Deputy Commissioner – Powers, Functions and RoleWeek 8: Autonomous District Councils in North Eastern States - Structure, Powers, Role and Functions; District Rural Development Agency: Organisation and WorkingWeek 9: Evolution of Local Governance in India; 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992; 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992Week 10: Gram Sabha & Gram Panchayat: Composition, functions and Role; Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad: Structure, Functions and RoleWeek 11: Municipal Corporation: Structure, Composition, Functions and RoleWeek 12: Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayats: Structure, Composition, Functions and RoleWeek 13: Sources of Finance in Rural and Urban Local Bodies; State Finance Commission: Composition, Functions and RoleWeek 14: District Planning Committee & Metropolitan Planning Committees; State Election Commission: Composition, Functions and RoleWeek 15: Final Examination Preparation