India, June 26 -- Azim Premji University's new handbook examines how India's welfare model is shifting from rights-based entitlements towards cash transfers, digital delivery and the language of "beneficiaries".

Speakers at the launch said welfare schemes should be judged not only by delivery numbers, but by dignity, accountability and citizens' rights.

The handbook says public spending on health, education, nutrition and social security remains below policy goals, despite the expansion of welfare schemes.

It flags growing exclusion risks linked to Aadhaar verification, e-KYC, weak grievance redressal and the weakening role of local democratic institutions.

India may run one of the world's largest welfare systems, but access to qualit...