Author: Dr. Mukesh Jain
ISBN: 9789373350318
Publisher: Evincepub Publishing
Year: 2026
In today’s world, government touches every part of our lives—from birth certificates and education to healthcare, employment, pensions, and digital identity. Yet, for most citizens, interacting with government systems often feels confusing, tiring, and frustrating. Long queues, unclear forms, repeated visits, rigid rules, and intimidating offices are common experiences. On the other hand, government officers also feel overburdened, trapped in procedures, and unable to deliver services in the way they truly want to.
Citizens Are from Jupiter and Governments from Saturn by Dr. Mukesh Jain addresses this everyday but deeply serious problem with rare clarity, compassion, and practical wisdom. The title itself is striking and meaningful. It suggests that citizens and governments often operate as if they belong to different planets—thinking differently, speaking different languages, and failing to understand each other’s realities. This book is an honest attempt to build a bridge between these two worlds.
Author’s Credibility and Experience
Dr. Mukesh Jain is not an armchair theorist. He brings to this book decades of real-world experience as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, senior bureaucrat, policymaker, and academic. With educational credentials from IIM Ahmedabad, Harvard Kennedy School, and IIT Delhi, and hands-on experience in important ministries of the Government of India, the author understands governance from the inside.
What makes this book special is that Dr. Jain does not write with arrogance or blame. He does not accuse governments of being lazy or citizens of being unreasonable. Instead, he shows deep empathy for both sides. He understands the pressures faced by public servants as well as the struggles of ordinary citizens. This balanced perspective gives the book its moral strength.
Central Idea of the Book
The core message of the book is simple yet powerful:
The problem with government services is not lack of effort, but poor design.
Dr. Jain argues that most public systems are designed around files, rules, departments, and approvals—not around human lives. As a result, even well-intentioned policies fail at the point of delivery. The solution, according to him, lies in design thinking—a human-centred approach that starts with empathy, understanding real problems, and designing services from the citizen’s point of view.
Importantly, the author clarifies that design thinking is not about decoration, graphics, or technology alone. It is about thinking differently—asking better questions, listening deeply, testing small ideas, and improving continuously.
Structure and Flow of the Book
The book is well-structured into four major parts, making it easy to follow even for readers who are not from policy or administrative backgrounds.
Part I: The New Logic of Governance
This section explains why traditional bureaucratic systems no longer work in today’s fast-changing, digital world. The author traces the evolution of public administration—from Max Weber’s bureaucracy to New Public Management and New Public Service—showing how each model responded to its time but also developed limitations. He convincingly argues that today’s governance requires a new logic—one that is flexible, empathetic, and citizen-centric.
Part II: The Design Thinking Mindset
Here, Dr. Jain introduces the mindset required for design thinking in government. He focuses strongly on empathy—“seeing like a citizen.” This section is particularly powerful because it challenges officers to step out of their offices and experience services as citizens do. The author explains how reframing problems can lead to better solutions. Instead of asking, “Why are citizens not following rules?” the better question is, “Why is this rule difficult to follow?”
Part III: The Design Thinking Process
This is the heart of the book. Dr. Jain explains the five-step design thinking process—Discover, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—using simple language and real examples. He shows how government departments can apply these steps without large budgets, consultants, or fancy labs. The emphasis on small experiments, quick learning, and continuous improvement makes this section extremely practical.
Part IV: Embedding Design Thinking in Government
In the final section, the author discusses how design thinking can be institutionalised through innovation labs, GovTech initiatives, and 100-day action plans. He also looks at the future of governance, where design thinking and artificial intelligence can work together to create proactive, humane, and anticipatory public services.
Use of Global and Indian Examples
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its rich use of examples from across the world. Dr. Jain draws lessons from countries like Estonia, Singapore, Denmark, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. These examples show that citizen-centric governance is not a dream—it is already happening.
At the same time, the book remains deeply rooted in the Indian context. References to initiatives like Passport Seva, UPI, Direct Benefit Transfer, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and MyGov make the ideas relatable for Indian readers. The reminder that “digital transformation without design is just faster bad service” is especially relevant for India’s large-scale digital push.
Language and Writing Style
The language of the book is clear, calm, and accessible. Despite dealing with complex subjects like governance theory, public administration, and systems thinking, the author avoids jargon. Concepts are explained through stories, everyday examples, and simple explanations.
This is not a heavy academic textbook. It feels more like a thoughtful conversation with a senior mentor who wants to help readers see governance differently. The tone is hopeful, respectful, and encouraging. The author repeatedly reminds readers that government is not broken—it is full of potential waiting to be unlocked.
Emotional and Ethical Depth
Beyond frameworks and processes, the book has strong emotional and ethical depth. Dr. Jain repeatedly brings the discussion back to dignity, trust, and human experience. He reminds us that public service is one of the most noble professions, but its nobility is realised only when citizens feel respected and officers feel valued.
Moments like a mother receiving a certificate without hassle, an elderly person accessing pension without fear, or a student navigating education services with confidence are presented as true measures of governance success. This human focus makes the book deeply moving and inspiring.
Practical Value for Different Readers
This book is valuable for a wide range of readers:
- Civil servants and government officers will find practical tools, renewed motivation, and a fresh way to look at their work.
- Policy students and researchers will benefit from the clear explanation of governance evolution and design thinking concepts.
- Political leaders and administrators can use the ideas to improve service delivery and public trust.
- Citizens and activists will gain a deeper understanding of why systems behave the way they do—and how they can be improved.
The 100-day roadmap for implementing design thinking is especially useful, as it turns theory into action.
Limitations
The book is largely optimistic, which is both its strength and its limitation. Some readers may feel that structural constraints like politics, funding shortages, and institutional resistance are underplayed. However, the author’s intention is clear—this is not a book about excuses, but about possibilities.
Overall Assessment
Citizens Are from Jupiter and Governments from Saturn is a timely, thoughtful, and deeply relevant book. It does not promise miracles, but it offers something more valuable—clarity, compassion, and a practical path forward.
In a time when trust in public institutions is under strain, this book reminds us that better governance is not about more control or more technology, but about better understanding. It shows that small, thoughtful changes can create big shifts in trust, efficiency, and dignity.
Final Verdict
This book should be read by anyone who cares about governance, public service, and the everyday experiences of citizens. It is not just a book—it is an invitation to rethink how the state serves its people.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
A must-read for India’s present and future administrators—and for every citizen who dreams of a kinder, simpler, and more humane government.
