Truth Shots with Kapil – Episode 4: Yamini Aiyar on Governance, Systems & The India We Don’t Talk About
You know how everyone loves to say “the system is broken”?
Here’s the truth — it’s not broken. It’s doing exactly what it was designed to do.
In Episode 4 of Truth Shots with Kapil, I sat down with Yamini Aiyar, President of the Centre for Policy Research and one of India’s sharpest minds on governance, to dissect how our democracy really functions — and why it often feels like it doesn’t.
This wasn’t an academic chat. This was a candid, no-holds-barred breakdown of the invisible wiring behind how India works — or doesn’t.
Skills, Capability & The Real Binding Constraint
We started with a common myth:
If only our people were more skilled… if only they were more capable… the system would work.
Wrong.
Yamini and I tore into this assumption. Skills and capability are important, sure. But they’re not the binding constraint. The system’s real bottleneck lies elsewhere in political compulsions, invisible rules, and structural design flaws that decide what actually gets done.
You could have the most skilled workforce in the world but if the governance system isn’t structured to use them well, nothing changes. And that’s where India’s governance keeps tripping over itself.
The Indian Punctuality Paradox
This one hit home.
Think back to school — how many times did you see students stroll in late? Almost never. We hated waking up early, but we still made it on time.
Now fast forward to college or your first job. Suddenly, “late” is the new normal.
Why? Because the system stopped valuing punctuality, so we stopped valuing it too.
It’s not about discipline — it’s about incentives. When the environment rewards timeliness, we comply. When it doesn’t, we don’t bother.
The punctuality paradox isn’t a quirky cultural trait. It’s a symptom of how systems shape behaviour without us even realising it.
Why We Expect More From Government Jobs Than Private Ones
Order a package on Amazon — you expect it at your doorstep tomorrow. Apply for a government job — you expect stability, quotas, and equal chances for everyone.
Why the double standard?
Yamini and I unpacked this strange social contract we have with the state. With private players, we’re customers. With the government, we’re citizens — and we expect it to take care of everyone.
It’s a fascinating dynamic. The private sector runs on performance. The public sector runs on legitimacy and fairness. The tricky part? Balancing the two when citizens want both.
The Case for a Strong Centre
Federalism is one of India’s strengths — but here’s the thing: it only works if the Centre is strong enough to hold it together.
Yamini explained why powers like taxation, drawing state boundaries, and managing linguistic balances are critical. Without them, the entire federal structure risks falling apart.
This isn’t about centralisation for the sake of control. It’s about survival in a country as complex and diverse as India. A weak Centre would mean every state pulling in a different direction — and the whole ship going nowhere.
The Per Capita Income Gap: A Political Time Bomb
Bihar and UP’s per capita incomes are rising — good news, right? Yes… and no.
While poorer states are catching up, richer states are feeling shortchanged. They argue that they’re generating more revenue but not getting proportional benefits.
This gap isn’t just about economics — it’s a political faultline in the making. When money flows unevenly, resentment builds. And resentment, in politics, is a powder keg.
The Kejriwal Moment: Democracy Meets Fear
When Arvind Kejriwal became Delhi’s Chief Minister, it was hailed as a sign of India’s democratic maturity. Here was a man with no political background taking the top job in the capital.
But what happened next was telling. Instead of embracing the change, the system froze. Not because Kejriwal was incompetent, but because the establishment was scared of what might happen if they moved too fast.
Fear replaced action. Governance stalled. And we were left wondering if our democracy is mature enough to handle the very changes it claims to celebrate.
India’s True Export: Values, Not Just Goods
We ended on a note I wish more leaders would emphasise.
Yes, India exports IT services, pharmaceuticals, and spices. But our real export should be our values — democracy, secularism, morality, resilience.
These are the qualities that define us. These are what we should be showcasing to the world. Not just as a feel-good narrative, but as a strategic asset.
Because in a time when global politics is increasingly polarised, India’s commitment to diversity and democratic ideals is something worth putting front and centre.
Why This Conversation Matters
This episode isn’t about policy wonkery or academic jargon. It’s about looking at the scaffolding of our country and asking — is this really how we want it to work?
We often talk about fixing symptoms: late trains, bad roads, job shortages. But until we understand the wiring underneath — the incentives, the constraints, the power balances — we’re just rearranging furniture in a burning house.
Yamini Iyer brought insight, clarity, and a sharp honesty to this conversation. She didn’t just talk about what’s wrong — she showed how the very design of governance determines what’s possible.
And here’s my takeaway: If you think the system is failing you, maybe it’s because it was never designed to serve you in the way you expect. Harsh? Yes. True? Absolutely.
Watch Episode 4 now → https://youtu.be/N0TmHW4N9L0
Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations → https://www.youtube.com/@KGismofficial
