Subject: Indian Polity

The paradoxical relationship between cabinet size and governmental efficiency is evident from India's experience with coalition politics and ministerial berths. The current Indian Union Cabinet's composition of 72 ministers reflects the complex balance between administrative needs and political considerations.

Factors Supporting Larger Cabinet Size

• Administrative Requirements:

  • The expanding scope of governance in modern democracies necessitates specialized ministerial portfolios.
  • Multiple ministries help in focused attention on specific sectors like Digital India, Green Energy, and Skill Development.

• Regional Representation:

  • Larger cabinets ensure representation from diverse geographical regions and social groups.
  • Helps in implementing cooperative federalism and maintaining center-state relations.

Challenges of Large Cabinets

• Coordination Issues:

  • Overlapping jurisdictions and multiple power centers can lead to policy paralysis.
  • Example: The challenge of coordinating between Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Industries for environmental clearances.

• Financial Burden:

  • Increased administrative costs and infrastructure requirements.
  • Additional strain on public exchequer through ministerial salaries and perks.

Optimal Cabinet Size and Efficiency

• Performance Metrics:

  • India's Government Effectiveness Percentile Rank of 67.92% (World Bank, 2023) shows room for improvement.
  • The improvement in India's Government Effectiveness index to 0.48 points in 2023 indicates positive correlation with streamlined governance.

• Constitutional Provisions:

  • 91st Constitutional Amendment caps cabinet size at 15% of Lok Sabha strength.
  • Ensures balance between representation and efficiency.

Way Forward

• Portfolio Rationalization:

  • Merging related departments for better coordination.
  • Example: Integration of Finance and Corporate Affairs ministries.

• Technology Integration:

  • Using e-governance platforms for better inter-ministerial coordination.
  • Implementation of Mission Karmayogi for capacity building of civil servants.

The effectiveness of governance depends not merely on cabinet size but on factors like leadership quality, coordination mechanisms, and clear delegation of responsibilities. As demonstrated by India's improving governance indicators, the focus should be on achieving "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" through optimal utilization of available resources and efficient management systems.