Vol. 5, Issue 4, 2026

COMMUNIQUÉ

Welcome to the latest issue of Communiqué. As we progress through 2026, this edition reflects on the first quarter from January to March, a period of strong momentum, collaboration, and lasting impact. Building on prior successes, we have advanced our work in research, policy engagement, and capacity building. From hosting the third edition of our flagship event— Public Policy Dialogues, to dynamic knowledge workshops and multi-stakeholder consultations to ongoing research projects and strategic partnerships, this quarter accentuates our commitment to data-driven policies and tangible progress. We have also built stronger ties with diverse stakeholders, helping us turn insights into real-world impact. In this issue, discover highlights of our latest initiatives, key achievements, and thought leadership shaping our path forward.

HIGHLIGHTS

Public Policy Dialogues 2026

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB), hosted the third edition of its flagship event—Public Policy Dialogues (PPD) on “Food Systems”, at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad campus.

The three-day event (March 20–22) brought together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, academics, community leaders, and civil society members to advance system-oriented approaches to food systems, security, nutrition, sustainability, and economic development in India.

The inaugural session featured Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor and Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy and Conference Chair; and Prof. Madan Pillutla, Professor and Dean, Indian School of Business; and keynote speaker Shri Pasha Patel, Chairman, State Agricultural Price Commission, Maharashtra, and Executive Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Environment & Sustainable Development Task Force. In his welcome address, Prof. Chhatre shared his vision behind this year’s theme, “India’s food system needs our help. It is under profound stress. But it is something that we barely understand. And what we need as a first step is to acknowledge that. The challenge is not a shortage of ideas, but a shortage of integrated thinking. We attempt to look at food systems through three crucial lenses, which affect the food systems the most- culture, markets and policy”.

The day commenced with a panel discussion on “Governance for Food Systems: Opportunities for Horizontal and Vertical Integration”, focusing on India's nutrition crisis, decentralised nutrition-led production, understanding ground-level power dynamics for effective policymaking and climate-resilient strategies for India's most vulnerable.

Two parallel roundtables—"State Capacity for Food Systems Transformation” and “Advancing Food System Transformation: Evidence to Policy for a Viksit Bharat and Net Zero Future (with CEEW as partner organisation), were also organised bringing together a multitude of stakeholders. The day concluded with a “Research and Innovation Showcase” highlighting a range of emerging solutions from climate-resilient crop varieties to tech-driven supply chain tools along with the policy conditions needed to bring them to scale.

The second day of the event witnessed two panel discussions—"Civil Society and Food Systems” and “Four Axes of Food Systems: Samaaj, Sarkaar, Bazaar and Sanchar” (co-hosted by KrishidotSystem)”. The first panel brought together some of the sharpest minds from the agri sector who unpacked how we move from a poly-crisis of degraded resources and farmer distress toward a principle of care. The second panel dissected the trust deficit between farmers, markets, and the state, and why citizen-led systems and honest communication are the only way to break corporate capture of our food chains. Two parallel roundtables— “Science to Policy Translation for Future-Ready Food Systems in India (with NIN-ICMR as partner organisation)” and “Centering Nutrition in Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems (with GAIN as partner organisation) raised notable questions.

A “Startup Showcase” featuring over a dozen entrepreneurs presenting innovations across the food systems value chain, spanning production, distribution, consumption, nutrition, and resilience, was also organised.

The day closed with a gala dinner enabling participants and delegates to bond over food, culture, and unwind. A Sufi night featuring a live qawwali performance added a memorable cultural dimension to the evening, with the music resonating long after the last note faded.

The final day of PPD commenced with a panel discussion on “Nature-Positive Food Systems” (in collaboration with Safe Harvest). The panel discussion revolved around diversifying public procurement, eliminating hazardous pesticides, and backing smallholder farmers with market access and policy support.

Two parallel roundtables followed— “Changing Food Choices in India: Implications for Business and Policy” (in collaboration with Aline Partners), and “Community Action for Food Systems Transformation” (in collaboration with ISB Centre for Business Innovation) unravelling how India’s palate is changing and how communities are defining transformations, respectively.

The highlight of the final day was the “Women’s Collective Showcase” celebrating the women behind collectives who travelled across the length and breadth of the country, turning solidarity into strength, and communities into movements. The participating organisations included Pir Panjal Jungle Producer Company, Himachal Pradesh; MSRLM-Umed, Maharashtra; Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS); Benishan, Telangana; Didi Ki Rasoi, Bihar; Kudumbashree, Kerala; Ken Betwa Mahila Farmer Producer Company Private Limited, Madhya Pradesh; Utthan, Gujarat; and Deccan Development Society (DDS), Telangana.

National Bamboo Roundtable

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy organised a two-day (26th to 27th February) National Bamboo Roundtable, in partnership with Tata Trusts, at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, campus. The roundtable, brought together 20 stakeholders across India’s bamboo value chain, including community forest rights (CFR) collectives, industrial buyers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, and philanthropic organisations. The roundtable discussions were conducted across four thematic sessions, focusing on key challenges and opportunities within India’s bamboo value chain. Over two days, discussions centred on the gap between India's resource strength, with nearly 30% of global bamboo reserves, and its less than 4% share of the USD 71.63 billion global market. The roundtable mapped supply-demand dynamics and explored collaborative pathways through thematic working groups on CFR governance, bamboo plantations, and cluster-based industrial alignment, with a focus on planning coordinated, long-term sector growth.

National Design Workshop on Food Systems Capacity Building for Civil Servants

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, in collaboration with GIZ India, organised the first National Design Workshop on Food Systems Capacity Building for Civil Servants (29th to 30th January), at the ISB Hyderabad campus. The workshop was led by Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor and Executive Director; Dr. Aarushi Jain, Policy Director and Head of Government Affairs; and Prof. Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business. The programme gathered diverse stakeholders to encourage open conversations, cross-sector teamwork, and navigate through new ideas for transforming food systems.

Emphasising moving beyond conventional training approaches towards technology-enabled leadership capable of navigating interconnected challenges, Prof. Ashwini Chhatre presented a forward-looking 15-year vision for food systems leadership in India. He highlighted the need to address the ‘invisibility’ of complex and dynamic food systems.

The workshop included a Knowledge Café session, wherein participants engaged in group discussions on the theme ‘Decoding India’s Food System Challenges and Opportunities.’ Focused group discussions on ‘Visioning the Future Leader and System’ were held, wherein pathways for transforming India’s food systems were explored, and key knowledge domains required to achieve this vision were identified. A strategic roadmap emerged from these deliberations, structured around four key pillars: designing a programme portfolio for food systems leadership, defining institutional roles and ecosystem architecture, strengthening delivery models and pedagogical frameworks, and ensuring scalability and long-term sustainability.

Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Reforming Tax Policy Consultation in India

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy organised a one-day Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Reforming Tax Policy Consultation in India on 23rd February, in New Delhi. The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from NITI Aayog, policymakers, researchers, and industry experts, to strengthen consultative mechanisms within India’s tax governance ecosystem. The workshop was organised as part of the institute’s broader initiative to develop an India-specific framework for structured tax policy consultation, in collaboration with the Consultative Group on Tax Policy (CGTP) at NITI Aayog, to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and effectiveness in tax policymaking.

Dr. Aarushi Jain, Policy Director and Head of Government Affairs, commenced the workshop outlining the objectives of the initiative and emphasised the growing need for formalised consultation frameworks. Dr. Pushpinder Singh Puniha, Distinguished Fellow and Chairperson of the CGTP, NITI Aayog, underscored the importance of collaborative governance and highlighted the need for robust institutional mechanisms that facilitate participatory policy formulation, ensuring that tax policies remain responsive to evolving economic realities. Hammad Bin Tarique and Arshdeep Singh, Teaching Assistants-cum-Analysts at Bharti Institute of Public Policy, presented the initiative's conceptual foundation. Prof. Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director facilitated an interactive session, using the Knowledge Café format to encourage participatory dialogue. Dr Nikhat Khalid, Senior Research Fellow, presented a summary of key insights and recommendations, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Saubhagya Samal, Head of PMU at Bharti Institute of Public Policy.

New Partnerships

MoU With the Government of Uttar Pradesh

In a significant step toward strengthening data-driven governance and policymaking, the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The institute will support the establishment of a State Data Authority (SDA) and enhance the institutional capacity of the State Transformation Commission (STC) to accelerate Uttar Pradesh’s transition toward becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2029. The MoU was signed in Lucknow by Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer, State Transformation Commission (STC), Planning Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor and Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business.

The partnership will enable integrated, analytics-driven governance aligned with “Viksit Uttar Pradesh 2047,” strengthening data systems, supporting real-time decision-making, building AI-ready capabilities, improving service delivery, and enhancing accountability and institutional capacity.

MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Government of Andhra Pradesh, in the presence of Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Gummidi Sandhya Rani, Minister for Tribal Welfare and Women & Child Welfare, and Vangalapudi Anitha, Minister for Home Affairs and Disaster Management. The MoU was signed by Dr. Aarushi Jain and V. Karuna, CEO, SERP.

This partnership marks the launch of Velegu 2.0, a renewed phase of Andhra Pradesh’s rural poverty alleviation programme. This initiative aims to transition self-help groups (SHGs) from savings-focused collectives to wealth-generating enterprises, enabling large-scale economic participation. The collaboration focuses on strengthening institutional governance within the SERP ecosystem, financial innovation, and building AI-enabled digital platforms to support transparency, sustainability, and market linkages. By professionalising producer aggregation and facilitating access to global markets, Velegu 2.0 seeks to transform community institutions towards economic growth.

Through this partnership, Bharti Institute of Public Policy and the Government of Andhra Pradesh aim to advance evidence-based governance and inclusive rural transformation, empowering nearly 89 lakh women to become leaders of sustainable, wealth-generating enterprises.

Education

Third Residency of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy

The third residency of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy, Cohort 2026, was held at the Indian School of Business, Mohali campus, from 6th to 15th March.

The courses and corresponding faculty details are provided below:

Course	Faculty Name
Negotiations	Saumya Sindhwani, Assistant Professor, Operations Management, Indian School of Business
Rural Development	Amarjeet Sinha, IAS (Retd.), Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress
Climate Policy and Sustainability	Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business
Policy Analysis and Decision-Making	M. Ramesh, Professor of Social Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
Digital Economy	Ravi Shankar Chaturvedi, Global Practice Manager, Digital Economy & Society, Digital Vice Presidency, World Bank
Technology and Society	Ramnath Chellappa, Professor of Information Systems & Operations Management, Goizueta Business School, Emory University
Social Policy	A. K. Shiva Kumar, Development Economist & Visiting Professor, Ashoka University & Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University

The residency featured a series of expert-led workshops and discussions on key themes in policy, governance, and leadership:

A special session on Global Policy, Climate & Responsible AI led by Ravi Aurora, Senior Vice President, Multilateral Institutions and International Affairs, Mastercard, and Dr. Ravi Shankar Chaturvedi, Global Practice Manager, Digital Economy & Society, World Bank, explored India’s digital transformation and the growing importance of global policy collaboration.
An expert talk on Economy: Data and Credit Access with Prof. Prasanna Tantri, Associate Professor of Finance and Executive Director, Centre for Analytical Finance, Indian School of Business (ISB), examined the challenges faced by low-income individuals and small entrepreneurs in accessing formal credit, despite advancements in fintech and digital data.
An expert talk on Triple Helix: Trade, Intellectual Property, and Universal Healthcare: Lessons from the Field led by Dr. Manisha Shridhar, Regional Advisor, World Health Organization- Southeast Asia Regional Office, WHO-SEARO, dissected the interplay of intellectual property rights (IPR), innovation, and public policy, emphasising patents and trade secrets in healthcare and pharma sector.
A session on Personal Branding for Public Leaders: Communication, Narrative, and Credibility with Manish Maheshwari, Mason Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, and Head of Growth & Revenue, Stripe, focused on how public leaders can build credibility and communicate effectively in high-stakes environments.

A gala dinner was also organised to facilitate networking opportunities to participants outside the confines lecture halls.

UPDATES ON EXISTING PROJECTS

Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE)

The IoFE has its living laboratories- regionally embedded, expansive demonstration sites that showcase the transformative potential of forests in driving positive socio-economic change across Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra. .

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Terviva India Private Limited
- The Bharti Institute of Public Policy has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Terviva India Private Limited, to develop more structured, transparent, and sustainable market systems for Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) seeds. The MoU has been built on the groundwork laid by the Karanj seed sale initiative carried out in Odisha in 2025.The collaboration focuses on enhancing aggregation, quality assurance, and fair pricing mechanisms at the level of women-owned, forest-based Producer Companies (PCs), while ensuring timely payments and, where feasible, facilitating access to working capital. The partnership will identify and operationalise technology and mechanisation solutions to reduce drudgery, improve efficiency, and map Karanj availability for better planning and market readiness, supporting research, training, and institutional linkages.
State of Jharkhand :
- The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sidho-Kanho Agriculture and Forest Produce State Co-operative Federation Limited (SIDHKOFED) in Ranchi. The partnership aims to strengthen forest-based livelihoods by formalising seasonal forest product (SFP) value chains, supporting women-owned producer companies, and improving forest governance through data systems, processing infrastructure, and market linkages, beginning with 10 districts and scaling statewide.
- The Sona Buru Jungle Producer Company (SBJPC) held its first Annual General Meeting at Lachragarh Indoor Stadium, Simdega, with over 1600 participants, including 1,200 shareholders.
State of Andhra Pradesh :
- The team of IoFE in AP facilitated a one-day industry field visit facilitated across Community Forest Rights (CFR)- granted villages in Polavaram district to assess bamboo procurement potential and strengthen partnership between communities, government, and industry. The visit covered the Rampachodavaram and Chintur divisions and brought together representatives from the ITDA, Forest, Horticulture, and Agriculture Departments, SERP (Velugu), DWMA, and industry partners, including JANS Bamboo Products, ITC Mangaldeep, UltraTech Cement, and M/s Nandan Enterprises. Field inspections and community interactions highlighted the suitability of thorny bamboo (Bambusa bambos) for agarbatti production and chipped bamboo for biofuel. The visit concluded with a review meeting chaired by District Collector Dinesh Kumar (IAS) to align stakeholders on sustainable harvesting, community benefit-sharing, and long-term bamboo value chain development.
State of Maharashtra
- The Tornadevi Jungle Producer Company Limited has been incorporated in Dhadgaon block, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra, as the state’s first tribal women-owned, forest-based Producer Company. On 20th February, community-led bamboo harvesting was formally inaugurated in Leghapani village, in Nandurbar, marking the operationalisation of a model integrating community forest rights, institutional convergence, and green industrialisation. The event was attended by District Collector Dr Mittali Sethi, MLA Amsha Padwi, PO-ITDA Anay Navandar, Forest Department officials, Community Forest Resource Management Committee members, CFRMC, and the Board of Directors of Tornadevi Jungle Producer Company, followed by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and plantation activity in the community forest.
- The Toranadevi Jungle Producer Company also held its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Toranmal, Nandurbar district. The gathering invited 300 women shareholders, representatives from village institutions, Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs), and local governance bodies.
- The District Collector’s Office, Gondia, and the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business signed an MoU to strengthen tribal livelihoods and the forest-based economy in Maharashtra. The partnership focuses on community forest governance through CFRMPs, promotion of women-led producer companies, strengthening of supply chains and market access, and capacity building through trainings and workshops. Following the signing of MoU, field visits have commenced across forest governance, community livelihoods, and women-led enterprises.

Enabling Nutrition and Agriculture Convergence through Technical Support (ENACTS)

Under the PARIPURNAA initiative in Harichandanpur, Odisha, the team conducted field visits along with the FPO board of director (BoD) members covering two schools. The BOD members interacted with the school headmasters to understand their existing procurement systems for vegetables, eggs, and grocery items. The team is also actively collaborating with CInI executives to streamline the supply chain and ensure full operational readiness for the launch of PARIPURNAA initiative.
As part of the ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, the team is conducting extensive outreach with the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across Bihar and Odisha, to assess their engagement in seed systems, cropping patterns, and institutional readiness.
The ENACTS Odisha team participated in the Public Policy Dialogue (PPD) 2026 held at the ISB Hyderabad campus, presenting a poster on the PARIPURNAA initiative. The team engaged with dignitaries and participants, highlighting the initiative's objectives, implementation approach, and expected outcomes.

Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh
- A two-day field visit was conducted in Mydukur mandal, exploring Viswanathapuram and Adireddypalli villages. During the visit, the team interacted with the field staff, members of the Andhra Pradesh Community Natural Farming (APCNF), and community resource persons. The interactions centered around the food basket approach, which integrates improved access to safe and nutritious food with livelihood generation through organic farming.
- Additionally, the team also visited the Anganwadi Centre in Adireddypalli, wherein multiple nutrition-sensitive interventions were observed. The team gathered insights on the composition of take-home rations (THR), use of IEC tools for behavioural change, and the application of digital platforms such as Poshan Tracker and Bala Sanjeevani 2.0, along with associated operational challenges.The team will continue to coordinate with field stakeholders to assess local food markets, price dynamics, access costs, and school-level data, which will inform more targeted and context-specific intervention design in the district.

Indian Food Systems for Improved Nutrition – Policy Support Research Facility for advancing India’s agriculture-nutrition convergence agenda (INFUSION)

The Didi Haat Core Committee held a meeting with the Block Project Manager to strengthen management and sustainability. The meeting emphasised on hygiene and sanitation, guiding shopkeepers to maintain clean stalls and follow basic sanitation practices. The committee also planned well‑organised Special Haat Days to boost community participation and footfall, while improving food quality, variety, and proper handling to promote nutritious options for customers.
To expand the Didi Haat Initiative across Bihar, the team visited Sheikhpura district and held a meeting with the District Magistrate Shekhar Anand (IAS), presenting the Jeevika Didi Haat concept. Earning his strong support, he directed the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) to shortlist sites across Sheikhpura blocks. Following a site tour, the DM approved the construction and planned a launch to coincide with the Chief Minister's visit. The team also met Nalanda District Magistrate Kundan Kumar (IAS), proposing a Didi Haat in Rajgir, who confirmed the ongoing infrastructure plans.
The research team of the University of Sheffield, UK, including Mr Martin and Mr Gregory visited Didi Haat as part of INFUSION’s academic collaboration. They assessed the functioning, impact, and community dynamics of the Jeevika Didi Haat, interacting with vendors on daily sales, footfall, challenges, and management, and identifying opportunities to strengthen Haat operations.
The JEEViKA team hosted Tanuja Thakur Khalko, Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, visited the Jeevika Didi Haat with Shailesh Kumar, Director, Integrated Finance Division, underscoring national recognition of the Haat as a women‑empowerment and rural livelihoods model.
The Food Industry Standards and Compliance Initiative (FISCI) conducted a concise refresher training at Didi Haat with all shop vendors and staff. The session covered stall cleanliness, personal hygiene, safe food handling and storage, and waste management, while also explaining the concept of Didi Haat, and how it differs from conventional markets through better organisation, higher hygiene, and active SHG participation.
During this quarter, a series of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities were organised at the Didi Haat, featuring healthy basket activities, quiz sessions, snakes and ladders, and QR code-based digital learning. Participants actively scanned QR codes to learn about the benefits of Animal Source Foods and Nutrition‑Dense Foods and their role in daily life for better health and nutrition. Pratham Coordinator Madhuri facilitated engaging activities such as the “Save Water” awareness game and lemon and spoon races, in which women participated enthusiastically, deepening their learning while building teamwork and enthusiasm.
A community honour ceremony was organised at Panchayat Keshavpur, Village Barari, by the Village Organisation (VO) Rani under the initiative of the Samaan programme. The event witnessed active participation from 32 members belonging to various Self- Help Groups (SHGs) affiliated with JEEViKA. The session highlighted locally available, affordable, and nutrient-rich food options that can be easily incorporated into daily meals.

Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship (MLRF) Programme

As part of the programme, the MLR fellows finalised the Constituency Development Profiles for all 34 constituencies. Following consolidation and internal reviews, 16 profiles were submitted to the Meghalaya Institute of Governance (MIG).
A study on the impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and the Meghalaya Institute of Governance (MIG), is underway. A mapping exercise was also conducted to identify and finalise samples of 60 villages across 12 districts by the MLR fellows. Following this exercise, a consultation meeting was held with the officials of the PHE Department and MIG, to align on the study's scope and approach.
The Meghalaya Legislative Research fellows conducted door-to-door visits to legislators’ offices as a follow up exercise on the Meghalaya Legislative Survey, aimed at assessing post-training outcomes of ISB and Fletcher School programme.
The Meghalaya Legislative Research fellows held a coordination meeting with officials of the Department of Health. The discussion focused on reviewing progress and planning for the awareness programme, outlining key objectives, themes, and session formats.
The MLR fellows actively supported the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly's Budget Session 2026, spread over ten days, providing research, drafting, and coordination assistance to legislators. Key activities included preparing supplementary questions, budget speeches, responses to the Governor's Address, and motion interventions spanning departments such as Health, Power, Education, Planning, and Home Affairs.
The MLRF fellows supported the Meghalaya Institute of Governance (MIG) in conducting Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) and field verification activities across Meghalaya. Fellows assisted in community interactions, stakeholder consultations, MOU verifications, and public hearings related to ADB-supported development projects and the North-East Gas Grid Project. These engagements spanned East Jaintia Hills and Mawpdang village, reflecting the active contribution of fellows to governance and development initiatives beyond the legislative sphere.
The MLR Fellows along with the State Coordinator Taslima Rafee Swer attended the curtain raiser of the Young People's Action Group (YPAG), an initiative by the Living Root Foundation's Centre for Policy, supported by UNICEF, MPOWER, and the World Bank Group. The event highlighted youth engagement in climate action and policymaking, featuring addresses by Dr. Madhulika Jonathan (UNICEF) and Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, alongside a panel discussion on building resilient and inclusive climate policies in Meghalaya.
A collaborative meeting with the fellows of the Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship, MIG, team, fellows of the Meghalaya District Research Fellowship programme, team members of the State Capability Enhancement Project (SCEP), representatives from MPOWER, and the Harvard Growth Lab team. The meeting focused on aligning ongoing work on Constituency Development Plans (CDPs) with the upcoming visit of the Harvard Growth Lab. Discussions emphasised strengthening collaboration across teams to identify key drivers of economic growth, particularly in relation to job creation and sectoral development, while building on the existing CDP framework. The Harvard team emphasised focusing on a smaller set of constituencies for deeper engagement, particularly those with active MLA participation and adequate data availability.

Meghalaya District Research Fellowship (MDRF) Programme

The MDR fellows coordinated with the Planning Department on district-level developmental initiatives, including compilation and submission of high-priority SDG review inputs and mapping of villages on the DC Connect Dashboard under the ‘Meghalaya One Portal’, to support data-driven governance.
The fellows participated in key district review meetings, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, to assess the progress and performance of health and development schemes, identify gaps, and review implementation status. The fellows also participated in a planning meeting for the Chief Minister’s programme, focusing on strategic planning, inter-departmental coordination, and effective execution.
Monitored and evaluated key performance indicators under the Aspirational District Programme (NITI Aayog), while leading the coordination and preparation of key submissions from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office for the 3rd Cabinet Retreat on Vision 2032.
The District Research Fellows (DRFs) strengthened governance across districts through completion of Local Government Directory (LGD) mapping across all blocks, improving data-driven planning and performance. Proposals under the Chief Minister’s (CM) Catalytic Fund were prepared in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Southwest Garo Hills successfully implementing 12 of 20 projects. In Ri Bhoi district, most Chief Minister’s (CM) Connect grievances were resolved efficiently, ensuring timely service delivery.

Development Plan for District Amritsar Under Aakanksha: District as Fulcrum of Growth

The draft report on the “Development Plan for District Amritsar Under Aakanksha: District as Fulcrum of Growth”, has been submitted to NITI Aayog as part of a commissioned research study. It positions Amritsar as a strategic hub of regional growth through a comprehensive economic development strategy, rooted in detailed sectoral analysis and cross-sectoral policy assessment. The report identifies structural constraints hindering development while articulating an outcome-oriented policy vision to guide decision-making at the district and state levels.

Platform for Development Research and Communication

The outreach phase of the PDRC initiative has commenced, with a host of activities lined up following the launch of six volumes of microstudies in human development, in December 2025. Case studies and policy briefs corresponding to each of these six volumes are being developed to disseminate the findings and expand their reach across the country.

Government Engagements

Government of Maharashtra
The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, extended its collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, and has engaged with the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). The new engagement aims to support key initiatives such as the Maharashtra Millet Mission, forest economy programmes, and gender-sensitive agri-food systems. As part of this engagement, Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor and Executive Director and Dinesh Balam, Head of Food Systems, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, held strategic discussions with senior government officials and key stakeholders in Maharashtra. The meetings included interaction with Vikas Rastogi, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture); Parimal Singh, IAS, Project Director of the Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (PoCRA II); and Priya Khan, Officer on Special Duty to Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The discussions also involved fellows from the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and representatives from the Chief Minister’s Office
Government of Goa
Continuing the strong knowledge partnership between the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, and the state government of Goa, a three-phased Academic Leadership Programme (ALP) for principals of government and government aided senior secondary schools in Goa, was delivered during this quarter. Built on the collaborative partnership with the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Goa, the programme was designed to strengthen the leadership capacities of school principals, enabling them to lead their institutions effectively in a complex and evolving education environment.
The programme was structured across three phases, with two online foundation sessions, followed by a three-day residential module at the ISB Mohali campus, culminating in a two-day (third phase) workshop in Panaji, Goa.
The programme addressed strategic decision-making, team building, and reflective leadership practices, delivered through a hybrid learning format.
Key sessions included modules on motivation and leadership in a VUCA environment, strategic decision-making frameworks such as DAC (Direction, Alignment, Commitment), Cynefin, and DACI, as well as simulation-based learning through the Harvard “Patient Zero” case. The programme also featured expert-led sessions by Prof. Pranav Jindal on behavioural economics and decision-making, Prof. R. Rajeshwar Upadhyay on emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness, and Ms. Shweta Rajput on leadership communication and personal branding. Through a combination of interactive sessions, collaborative exercises, and applied learning approaches, the programme aimed to equip participants with practical tools for institutional governance, adaptive leadership, and organisational transformation, thereby strengthening leadership effectiveness within public education systems.

The third phase of the Academic Leadership Programme was delivered by the team led by Dr. Aarushi Jain, Policy Director and Head, Government Affairs, along with Srinjita Roy, Research Associate, and Hammad Bin Tarique, Teaching Assistant cum Analyst. The workshop brought together principals from government and government-aided senior secondary schools for a day of reflection, peer learning, and knowledge exchange.
A key highlight of the session was the presentation of ‘Visionary School Innovation Projects’, which participants conceptualised and developed based on the specific needs and challenges of their respective school contexts. The projects spanned diverse thematic areas, including experiential learning and student enterprises, infrastructure development, digital learning and technology integration, academic support and peer learning ecosystems, sustainability and environmental initiatives, and school culture and student well-being. The initiatives demonstrated a clear shift from routine school management towards a more transformative and impact-oriented approach to educational leadership.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Dr. Aarushi Jain delivered key sessions for a cohort of Cambodian civil servants at the National Centre for Good Governance, Mussoorie, focusing on ‘Policy Design and Implementation and Governance for Institutional Building.’

Saubhagya Samal, Head of PMU, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business participated in a panel discussion on ‘Social Infrastructure: Education and Health’ at the Chintan Shivir 2026 & Dialogue on Vision 2047, organised by the Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPPGG), Department of Planning, Government of Uttarakhand.
Kamini Singh, Lead, Community Institutional Innovations; and Neha Chakravarty, Himachal Pradesh State Coordinator, Initiative of the Forest Economy, attended the Asia Learning Exchange 2026 organised by The International Land and Forest Tenure Facility in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. During the exchange, they shared insights from IoFE’s extensive work with women-owned, forest-based producer companies.

Research Publication & Blogs

Ashwini Chhatre along with his co-authors, published a research paper, titled, “BarkVisionAI: Novel Dataset for Rapid Tree Species Identification” published in Nature’s Scientific Data journal. The dataset, the largest collection of tree bark images currently available, comprises 1,56,001 images drawn from forests across India. Beyond its scale, the dataset strengthens the scientific and digital infrastructure needed for next-generation forest governance, biodiversity monitoring, and technology-enabled decision-making.
Ashwini Chhatre along with his co-authors, published a research study titled, “The interplay between the market food environment and barriers to healthy diets for women in rural Bihar, India”, published in Science Direct’s Health & Place journal. The paper takes a close look at the barriers keeping women in rural Bihar from accessing nutritious food, and finds the problem runs much deeper than affordability alone.

BHARTI INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC POLICY IN NEWS

Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, is regularly featured in news across print and digital media. A representative list is presented below:

The third edition of the Public Policy Dialogues (PPD) 2026, held at the Indian School of Business Hyderabad Campus under the theme “Food Systems: Moving Beyond Linear Thinking,” was extensively covered in national media. Read in: The Hindu Business Line | Andhra Prabha | The Hindu Business Line | United News India | India Education Diary | Business News This Week | Business News for Profit | DD News

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Uttar Pradesh signed. The partnership aims to support the state’s transition into a $1 trillion economy by 2029 through the establishment of a State Data Authority (SDA). The partnership was widely published in vernacular media publications across UP. A representative list is provided below. Read more coverage here.

TEAM IN NEWS

Prof. Anjal Prakash published an Op-Ed in The Indian Express, titled, “Black rain over Iran: Amid bombing by US forces, a public health crisis may be looming”. Read here

Prof. Anjal Prakash and Lawrence Loh published an article in Forbes India, titled, “Why Sustainability Is Becoming a Boardroom Priority.” Read here

Prof. Anjal Prakash, along with contributing authors, published an article in Forbes India, titled, “How digital tech can transform India’s heritage tourism.” Read here

Prof. Anjal Prakash published an Op-Ed titled, “Trump’s EPA repeal: How Washington trashed 40 years of climate science.”Read here

Prof. Anjal Prakash published an Op-Ed in The Indian Express, titled, “Budget 2026 takes bold steps on climate action, but it does very little to build people’s defences”. Read here

Prof. Anjal Prakash was featured on the Eco & Energy Talk to discuss the growing crisis of Himalayan snow drought. Watch here: Himalayan Snow Drought: The Looming Crisis Explained I Eco N Energy Talk

About Bharti Institute of Public Policy

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy is an integral part of the Indian School of Business. Functioning as an independent think-tank, it works at the intersection of research and governance, bringing data-driven, evidence-based analysis to bear on policy challenges across diverse domains, primarily Agriculture & Food, Environment & Climate Change, Public Finance, Data & Technology, and Education. At the heart of this work is a team that shows up, every day, with purpose. The Institute's progress, across its programmes, collaborations, and pursuits, belongs to each of them. The road ahead is long, and we walk it together.