1.Constitution of the 2nd ARC

The Government of India constituted the Second Administrative Reforms Commission in 2005 under the chairmanship of Veerappa Moily.

Its mandate was to recommend systemic reforms that would make governance structures more efficient, inclusive, and accountable.

2.Why a Report on Social Capital?

Social capital refers to the trust, networks, and norms of reciprocity that facilitate coordination and cooperation among people and institutions.

Recognizing that policies alone cannot transform societies without robust community engagement, the Commission dedicated a report to exploring how social capital can be nurtured and leveraged to achieve inclusive growth, social harmony, and better governance outcomes.

Issues like fragmented communities, low trust in public institutions, and inequitable access to resources can all undermine a society’s social capital, hindering collective action and effective governance.