This book project, soon to be published by Oxford University Press, focuses on civil-military relations and military effectiveness in India. Its main argument is that the pattern of civil-military relations in India has hampered its military effectiveness. In making this claim, the book closely examines the variables most associated with military effectiveness—weapons procurement, jointness (the ability of separate military services to operate together), officer education, promotion policies, and defence planning. India’s pattern of civil-military relations—best characterised as an absent dialogue—adversely affects each of these processes. While the book focuses on India, it also highlights the importance of civilian expertise and institutional design in enhancing civilian control and military effectiveness in other democracies.