The Balancing Act: Can Corruption Control and the Accountability Save Public Efficiency in India?

This study investigates the effects of corruption (COR), rule of law (ROL), voice and accountability (VOA), and government spending control (GOF) on government effectiveness (GOE) in India between 2002 and 2023 using the ARDL Bounds Testing approach. The results show that reducing COR and managing GOF positively influence GOE, while VOA has a negative impact. Surprisingly, ROL appears to have no significant effect on GOE in India. These findings suggest that existing practices related to VOA and GOF require reform, as inefficiencies in these areas hinder government performance. Therefore, the study recommends public policy efforts focus on curbing corruption and enhancing the role of law to foster more effective governance and institutional development in India.