Public audit is often perceived narrowly—as an exercise in fault-finding or compliance. This volume challenges that perception by demonstrating how audits conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) have contributed constructively to improving public administration, strengthening systems, and enhancing accountability across sectors. Edited by Vinod Rai, this book brings together first-hand accounts and analytical chapters written by experienced government auditors, each examining audits in diverse subject areas—ranging from infrastructure and social sector programmes to finance, environment, and public service delivery. Collectively, these chapters show how well-designed audits, grounded in evidence and professional judgement, can act as catalysts for reform, prompting corrective action, policy recalibration, and better outcomes for citizens. Rather than focusing solely on irregularities, the contributors highlight positive audit outcomes: improved procedures, strengthened controls, enhanced transparency, and more effective governance frameworks. The case studies presented here illustrate the evolution of public audit from a narrow compliance function to a value-adding institution that supports democratic accountability and informed decision-making. Accessible yet rigorous, this book will be of interest to:   

• Public administrators and policymakers  

• Auditors and accounting professionals 

• Scholars and students of public finance and governance  

• Anyone interested in how institutions can improve state capacity  

At a time when public trust and accountability are under intense scrutiny, this volume offers a timely and evidence-based reminder that audit, when practised with integrity and insight, can be a force for positive change.