Centrally Sponsored Schemes

This workprogram focuses on the analysis and evalaution of public expenditure in India. Furthermore CDF examines the unique delivery mechanisms which influence the program delivery, effectiveness, and achievement of outcomes in the centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) of GoI.

CDF is currently engaged in a major initiative on Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), which is organized around three main research pillars: CSS tracking, CSS process analysis, and CSS thematic insight.  CSS are specific purpose fiscal transfers from the central government to individual states, do address human development and infrastructure needs. Because of the consititutional and fiscal architecture of India, these programmes are funded by the central government, and implemented by all states. 

This work is rooted public accountability and public expenditure tracking, and seeks to identify opportunities for process re-engineering and e-governance to significantly improve the delivery of public infrastructure and services in rural areas.

The work also speaks to an ongoing discussion in Delhi, anchored by the Planning Commission, Finance Ministry, and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, on ways to leverage egovernance to improve the efficiency and efficacy of public expenditure. 

Keywords: monitoring, evalaution, public finance, public economics, Development Economics

Website: