From Elite Capture to Citizen Empowerment: India's Dual-Track Governance Revolution and the Digital Pathway to Universal Inclusion

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of India's unprecedented governance transformation post-2014, characterized by a revolutionary dual-track approach: the democratization of national recognition through the "People's Padma" and the systematic achievement of last-mile welfare delivery through technology-enabled schemes. Moving beyond traditional descriptive analyses, this study introduces the concept of "Aspirational Governance"—a paradigm where state machinery actively seeks out and elevates the marginalized while simultaneously ensuring comprehensive welfare coverage. The research demonstrates how the reimagined Padma Awards have created a new social hierarchy based on contribution rather than connection, while welfare schemes have evolved from ad-hoc political tools to precision-targeted social infrastructure. Through extensive empirical analysis of over 1,200 Padma Award recipients (2014-2024) and performance data from major welfare schemes covering 800+ million beneficiaries, this study reveals a systematic transformation in governance philosophy. Critically, this paper proposes the "One-Roster for Last-Mile Deprivation" (ORLMD)—an AI-powered, blockchain-secured, predictive welfare ecosystem that would represent the world's first comprehensive attempt at eliminating absolute deprivation through real-time, proactive governance. The study concludes that this transformation represents not merely policy reform but a fundamental redefinition of the social contract between citizen and state, establishing India as a global pioneer in inclusive governance architecture with potential for international replication.