Indiaâs State institutions are failing citizens because they were built to control, not govern While centralising elements are necessary at times, the problem is that Indiaâs institutions have not evolved along with the countryâs growth. Text Size: A+ More than 70 years after Independence, most of Indiaâs institutions continue to act predominantly as forces of control rather than governance and administration. While centralising elements are necessary at times, the problem largely lies in the fact that these institutions, which stemmed from colonial structures, have not evolved along with the countryâs growth, thereby obstructing State capacity. This was perhaps understandable in the initial post-colonial decades given the magnitude of the nation-building project and existential threats. That time, however, is long gone. When we talk about State capacity in India, we are not referring to specific governments or political parties, but rather, the ability of the State to provide for and support the aspirations of its 135 crore people. Why are institutions failing citizens and how they can be improved?