Dynamics of Public Administration

This paper puts forward a continuum framework of governance which seeks to situate modern administrative practices within the ethical and spiritual traditions of the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). It builds upon the foundational texts of Indian governance, which include the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Arthashastra, Buddhist and Jain literature, and Guru Granth Sahib, to outline the enduring governance values of dharma, ahimsa, seva, and rajdharma. These principles are contrasted with post-1992 globalised governance concepts of transparency, accountability, participation, and responsiveness. This model critiques the Western paradigm and claims that ethical leadership and inclusive policy-making must stem from a narrative rooted deeply within culture. It seeks to address the modern-day inequalities, environmental issues, societal disengagement, and technological upheaval through integrative approaches such as ethical training, citizen-centric policy-making, community governance, and ancient sustainability rooted in ecological pragmatism. The continuum model seeks to reimagine Indian governance beyond the lens of mere administrative efficiency to moral stewardship, enabling a blend of ancient wisdom and modern aspirations toward a transformative polity that upholds justice, dignity, and collective advancement.