NGOs in India- Uniqueness and Critical Success Factors, Results of an FGD

In the last few decades, in India, NGOs have grown to play an important role in providing various services to the society. The increase in the number of NGOs and the range of activities of these NGOs, has called for an understanding on the uniqueness, management practices and the factors contributing to their success. The need not only comes from the organisations themselves but also from the various stakeholders of these NGOs. Research in this sector has thrown light on the diversity of NGOs and the distinctive sectoral characteristics. This paper explores the understanding of NGOs, features that bring uniqueness in these NGOs and the critical success factors. Focus group discussion and a qualitative research method have been used to bring out the factors. Based on the factors revealed by the FGD, a model of critical success factors has been developed.