Jan Bhagidari
Also called: Jan Andolan, people's participation · Topic: Civil Society, Pressure Groups, NGOs and Self-help Groups · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Jan Bhagidari means "people's participation". The government invites citizens, elected representatives, community groups, NGOs and companies to work as partners in a public programme, instead of leaving it to officials alone. When this participation spreads widely, the programme is described as a Jan Andolan (people's movement). It is a policy approach used in government schemes. No Article or Act creates it. It matters because people can do things officials cannot: help find hidden problems, give local support, and hold the programme to account in their own area.
Example
On 9 September 2022, President Droupadi Murmu launched the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan along with the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative, in a spirit of Jan Bhagidari. Under Ni-kshay Mitra, individuals and organisations adopt TB patients and support them during treatment. More than 30,000 elected representatives took part. JOSH Teams brought together officials, NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers. In 2025, 67,933 Panchayats were certified TB-free.
Don't confuse with
- Social movement: Citizens start a social movement themselves, often outside formal institutions and sometimes against the state. Chipko (1973) and the Narmada Bachao Andolan are examples. In Jan Bhagidari, the state plans the programme and invites people to take part.
- Pressure group: A pressure group is an organised group that tries to influence government policy from outside. In Jan Bhagidari, citizens help carry out a programme the government has already decided on.