Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2026

COMMUNIQUÉ

As we move through 2026, this edition of Communique reflects on an impactful period from April to June marked by strong momentum, meaningful collaborations, and continued institutional growth. Building on the successes of earlier quarters, we advanced our work across research, policy engagement, and capacity building through high-level public policy dialogues, knowledge workshops, multi-stakeholder consultations, ongoing research initiatives, and strategic partnerships. This period also saw deeper engagement with governments, academia, industry, and civil society, reinforcing our commitment to policymaking, research, and government engagement. In this issue, we present key highlights, major achievements, and thought leadership initiatives that continue to shape our journey and drive real-world impact.

HIGHLIGHTS

Governance Summit May 2026

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, hosted the fourth edition of its annual flagship event, Governance Summit, on 23 May, at the Mohali campus. Themed “Inclusive AI for Viksit”, the Summit brought together senior government leaders, industry experts, academics, and civil society to deliberate on the policy, governance, and institutional imperatives of artificial intelligence for India's development. Setting the tone for the summit, the inaugural keynote speaker Shri. S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, emphasied AI as a strategic enabler of India's growth and governance agenda. Emphasising its transformative potential, he noted, "Artificial intelligence presents India with a transformative opportunity to enhance productivity, improve governance, and expand access across sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and financial inclusion”. Delivering the opening address, Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor and Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, situated AI within India's long-term development trajectory, emphasising the need to address inequality, harness opportunities for transformative growth, and prepare for the future of work. He stated, “AI must be viewed as a long-term national mission that will shape the future of the next generation. As India navigates the emerging AI landscape, the key challenges before us are inequality, the opportunity for leapfrogging, and the future of jobs."

Earlier while welcoming the delegates, Dr. Aarushi Jain, Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, highlighted the importance of policy frameworks that ensure AI advances inclusion and equitable development. She remarked, "The world is at a defining moment in history, where artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, but a transformative force reshaping economies, governance, education, and healthcare”.

The summit featured four thematic panel discussions and a roundtable that explored the opportunities and governance challenges of artificial intelligence across critical sectors.

The first panel, "Trust, Security, and Inclusion in Digital Commerce," examined how AI can strengthen digital trust while expanding financial inclusion. Discussions focused on fraud detection, improving credit access for underserved communities, and the emergence of agentic commerce models that balance innovation with consumer protection.

The second panel, "Online Safety for Women and Children," addressed the growing challenges of safeguarding vulnerable users in India's rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. Panellists highlighted the need to strengthen implementation of existing legal frameworks through coordinated, survivor-centric approaches involving government, law enforcement, industry, and civil society.

The third panel, "AI for Inclusive Healthcare," explored how artificial intelligence can improve access, affordability, and quality of healthcare services. Discussions examined the role of AI-enabled diagnostics, telemedicine, and digital health platforms in bridging healthcare gaps, particularly in underserved and remote regions.

The fourth panel, "AI, Jobs, and India's Economic Transformation," examined the implications of AI for productivity, entrepreneurship, and the future of work. The discussion emphasised democratising access to AI, equipping the workforce with future-ready skills, and enabling MSMEs and rural enterprises to participate in India's digital economy.

The summit also convened a roundtable on "Operationalising AI from States to Gram Panchayats under Viksit Bharat 2047," which focused on translating AI policy into scalable public-sector implementation. The deliberations culminated in a proposal to develop a Policy Brief to guide the responsible integration of AI into public systems.

The summit was moderated by participants of tenth cohort of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy, reflecting the institute’s commitment to training the next generation of policy leaders.

New Initiatives

MoU Exchange with the Government of Uttarakhand

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Uttarakhand to strengthen data-driven governance and public policy research. As the research and knowledge partner to the Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPPGG), the Bharti Institute of Public Policy will support the state in advancing monitoring and evaluation, data-linked governance, climate resilience, forest economy, leadership development, capacity building, and applied policy research. The MoU was exchanged during a workshop on ‘Data Harmonisation – Building a Data-Linked Governance System’, jointly organised by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) and the Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPPGG), Government of Uttarakhand.

MoU with M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation on Agrobiodiversity and Sustainable Food Systems

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation to strengthen collaboration on policy research and state capacity in the areas of agrobiodiversity and sustainable food systems. The partnership will support the design of specialised training programmes for government officials and policy practitioners, the development of initiatives such as an Agrobiodiversity Atlas, including for Maharashtra, and joint research to generate policy-relevant frameworks, impact assessments, and knowledge products.

The partnership will also create platforms for policy dialogue by bringing together stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

Launch of a Pioneering Report, “Counting Green Wealth: Towards a Future-Ready People's Forest Economy in Himachal Pradesh”

On World Environment Day, the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, in partnership with the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, released a pioneering report,titled, “Counting Green Wealth: Towards a Future-Ready People's Forest Economy in Himachal Pradesh”. The report was unveiled by Shri Kamlesh Kumar Pant, Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and Prof. Ashwini Chhatre along with other team members of the Bharti Institute of Public Policy in Shimla. The report documents a landmark collaborative effort to develop the data and analytical infrastructure required to unlock Himachal Pradesh's forest economy and climate potential. As part of the initiative, more than 500 forest guards collected nearly 200,000 geo-tagged and species-tagged tree observations across selected forest ranges. The field data were integrated with satellite imagery and other environmental layers to train artificial intelligence and machine learning models for species distribution mapping, biomass estimation, and forest resource assessment.

Agri Stack Samvaad

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy convened a two-day AgriStack Samvaad, at the ISB Hyderabad campus, bringing together Samaj (society), Sarkar (government), and Bazaar (markets) to deliberate on the inclusive implementation of AgriStack, one of India's most significant Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives for agriculture. The dialogue brought together policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, technology developers, farmer collectives, and grassroots practitioners.

The event featured senior government representatives, including Rajeev Chawla, IAS, Chief Knowledge Officer, Agri Stack, and officials from the Government of Maharashtra. The discussions examined key aspects of AgriStack's implementation, including farmer recognition, consent management, data stewardship, ecosystem governance, and centre–state coordination, with a focus on ensuring inclusion of tenant farmers, women farmers, landless farmers, and other underserved communities.

Bharti Institute of Public Policy and Bombay Chartered Accountants' Society Jointly Organise Tax Policy Consultation Workshop in Mumbai

MS- Bombay Workshop The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, in collaboration with the Bombay Chartered Accountants' Society, held the second phase of stakeholder consultations under the Tax Policy Consultation Framework in Mumbai. The workshop, supported by the Consultative Group on Tax Policy at NITI Aayog, marked a significant milestone in the effort to develop a more structured, inclusive, and institutionalised approach to tax policymaking in India.

The event was anchored by keynote remarks by Dr. Pushpinder S. Puniha, Chairperson, Consultative Group on Tax Policy, NITI Aayog. Dr. Aarushi Jain presented the project's scope and objectives. Researchers from the Bharti Institute contextualised the discussions through international best practices and principles drawn from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The workshop also included knowledge café sessions that brought together tax practitioners, chartered accountancy firms, corporate tax heads, and industry representatives, surfacing key concerns around compressed consultation timelines, the absence of structured feedback mechanisms, and the need for broader stakeholder inclusion in the policymaking process.

Education

Fourth Residency of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy

The fourth residency of the tenth cohort of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy, was held at the Indian School of Business, Mohali campus, from 15th to 24th May. The courses and corresponding faculty details are provided below:

Course	Faculty Name
Environmental Policy	Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director & Associate Professor, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business.
Urban Governance	O.P. Agarwal, Visiting Faculty, Indian School of Business; Independent Consultant.
Financial Policy and Regulations in India	Renuka Sane, Managing Director, TrustBridge Rule of Law Foundation.
Political Economy	Steven A. Block, Professor, International Economics, and Head, International Development Program, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.
Policy Communication	Sumir Lal, Independent Consultant
Monitoring and Evaluations of Policies	Anjal Prakash, Visiting Faculty, Indian School of Business & Aarushi Jain, Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business.

The residency featured capstone presentations and one expert-led session.

Capstone Poster Presentation

The capstone poster presentation brought together over 50 participants of the cohort to present their year-long research, policy research, and analysis projects. The session featured a panel of distinguished evaluators from public administration, economics, public policy, and computer science, with an engaging discussion on policy relevance, implementation challenges, innovation, and evidence-based recommendations. The posters showcased a diverse range of contemporary public policy themes, including governance reforms, digital governance and AI, climate change, healthcare, infrastructure, education, agriculture, policing, and social inclusion. The presentation highlighted participants' interdisciplinary approach, including practical policy insights and communication grounded in complex research, delivered through concise, visually engaging formats that reflect the programme’s commitment to developing future policy professionals.

Expert Session

As part of the residency, Swati Pandey, officer of the Indian Postal Service and Vice Chairperson & Managing Director, Maharashtra Airport Development Company led an expert session on inclusive governance and leadership in public institutions. An alumna of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy, she focused on governance delivery to historically marginalised communities, with insights drawn from ‘Project Kamathipura’ and interventions undertaken through the postal network, including the establishment of the all-women Post Office in Kamathipura to improve access to Aadhaar enrolment, financial inclusion, savings services, and citizen-centric welfare initiatives. She also shared perspectives on ethical leadership, institutional responsibility, and citizen-centric policymaking, emphasising values of integrity, humility, self-reflection, and service-oriented governance. The session concluded with an engaging discussion with the cohort on leadership, governance, and inclusive public policy practices.

Policy Walk

Earlier, the participants of the tenth cohort undertook their annual Policy Walk in New Delhi from 8–10 April 2026, organised in collaboration with the Department of External Relations, Indian School of Business, Mohali. The three-day immersion began with a visit to the Parliament of India, including the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and Central Hall. The participants interacted with Shri Praveen Khandelwal, Member of Parliament, on governance and public service, followed by a visit to NITI Aayog for discussions with senior policymakers on India's long-term development priorities, including governance reforms, economic growth, urbanisation, employment, and the role of data and evidence in policymaking. The final day featured visits to the Canadian High Commission, the World Bank Group, and the Directorate General of Information Systems (DGIS), Indian Army, offering insights into diplomacy, international development, defence modernisation, and technology-driven transformation in public institutions. The Policy Walk concluded with an interaction with Shri Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Vice-Chairman, Bharti Enterprises; Member of the Board, Indian School of Business; Chairman, ISB Mohali Campus Advisory Board (MCAB), and Advisory Council of the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, along with members of the Bharti Institute’s Advisory Council, who reflected on the importance of leadership, collaboration, and public policy education in addressing contemporary governance challenges.

UPDATES ON EXISTING PROJECTS

Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE)

As part of its efforts to strengthen community-owned forest enterprises, the IoFE supported six Producer Companies across Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Malkangiri districts in Odisha to aggregate and directly market 37,237.7 kg of Sal seeds, generating approximately ₹9.49 lakh. Building on this initial round of sales, the Producer Companies are now aggregating additional stock for the next phase of institutional market linkages with AAK and Farmart.
The team of IOFE marked the first-ever sale by a women-owned Producer Company to a corporate buyer. The Manaya Green Shakti Producer Company, a women-owned enterprise from Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, completed its first-ever sale of 1,785 kg of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) seeds to Terviva India Private Limited.
The team advanced RatiFi, its in-house digital platform for Community Forest Resource (CFR) claims under the Forest Rights Act. Following a successful field trial in Surakunta, Andhra Pradesh, on 12 May, the platform has been handed over to the State FRA Cell for review, with feedback informing its wider rollout.
The Saatdhara Tribal Women Jungle Producer Company held its first Annual General Meeting on 19 April, in Tindi, Himachal Pradesh, marking a milestone for a women-owned forest enterprise.
Following its MoU, signed with the Government of Andhra Pradesh in August last year, the Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE) supported the incorporation of five women-owned, forest-based Producer Companies across ASR and Polavaram districts. These enterprises will strengthen aggregation, value addition, and market linkages for bamboo and other seasonal forest produce across Community Forest Resource landscapes.
The Toranadevi Jungle Producer Company completed its first institutional bamboo sale, supplying 1,010 bamboo poles to the Centre for Indian Bamboo Resource and Technology (CIBART), Gujarat, through a direct, intermediary-free transaction. The sale introduced a community-led revenue-sharing model that strengthens forest governance, restoration, and local livelihoods while establishing long-term institutional market linkages.
The Pir Panjal Jungle Producer Company held its second annual general meeting in Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh, bringing together nearly 500 shareholders. The meeting reviewed governance and business performance, identified new forest produce opportunities, and reaffirmed the community's commitment to sustainable resource management and value addition.

Enabling Nutrition and Agriculture Convergence through Technical Support (ENACTS)

The ENACTS team working towards the PARIPURNAA Initiative, Harichandanpur, continued to advance its preparation for institutional sales through field visits to local schools along with members of the Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) Board of Directors. These visits helped build relationships with prospective institutional buyers while providing the Board with first-hand insights into existing school procurement systems.
The team introduced the Sellifi digital platform to school headmasters through live demonstrations, enabling them to understand the ordering and payment process. Their feedback on procurement practices, pricing expectations, and delivery requirements helped refine the implementation strategy ahead of the formal rollout.
The team continued its regular engagement with the FPO Board and CInI throughout the quarter to strengthen supply chain readiness, member mobilisation, sourcing arrangements and order fulfilment systems before the initiative is launched after the summer vacation.
An MoU was signed with the Sakam Sindur FPO, establishing the formal partnership for the implementation of the PARIPURNAA initiative.
Under ENACTS Odisha, engagement with the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production, Government of Odisha, continued during the quarter. Discussions focussing on exploring the role of the ENACTS team in supporting strategic planning and strengthening institutional capacity within the Department of Agriculture were held with the officials of the Directorate.

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

The INFUSION initiative advanced its objectives through integrated interventions focused on nutrition, livelihoods and rural governance.
A major institutional milestone during the quarter was the design and operationalisation of the Zero Office Day convergence model for the Rural Development Department. The initiative brought together the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission, Bihar Rural Development Society (BRDS), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Lohiya Swachh Bihar Abhiyan (LSBA) under a single digital inspection framework. Following application training and stakeholder consultations, the initiative was implemented across districts, blocks and panchayats, with 8,410 government officials generating over 51,000 geo-enabled field observations to strengthen real-time monitoring, transparency and evidence-based decision-making
Significant progress was made towards reviving the Jeevika Didi Haat as a sustainable rural livelihoods platform for women entrepreneurs. Continuous engagement with JEEViKA officials, community institutions, and local administration culminated in administrative review meetings and a field visit by the Block Development Officer (BDO). In addition, a survey of local vegetable, fruit, and animal-source food vendors generated evidence to support improved market planning and strengthen access to nutritious food.
The quarter also witnessed sustained institutional coordination across multiple levels of government. Meetings with panchayat representatives, block officials, the District Health Monitoring Committee, and senior Rural Development Department functionaries strengthened collaboration for programme implementation. Community outreach initiatives, including the Sahyog Shivir camp and capacity-building activities, further reinforced partnerships while discussions with senior officials advanced collaboration with the INFUSION team.
SeHaat, an intervention under the INFUSION, transitioned from pilot implementation to full-scale rollout, expanding from two pilot haats to 30 trial haats across Keonjhar district, Odisha.

Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship (MLRF) Programme

The second Cohort of the MLRF concluded in April, with fellows finalising and refining 34 Constituency Development Profiles (CDPs) for practical use in constituency planning. The profiles were formally presented to MLAs during the MLA Consultation event as fellows continue to support constituency workshops beyond the fellowship period.
Constituency Development Workshops were conducted across Nongthymmai, Nongstoin, Resubelpara, Umsning and Jowai, in collaboration with MPOWER, SCEP, MIG, GIL, Harvard Growth Lab and ISB. A state-level workshop on 30 April brought together 23 MLAs to strengthen constituency-level development planning. Insights from stakeholder consultations are being integrated into the 34 Constituency Development Profiles, strengthening evidence-based, context-specific and outcome-oriented constituency planning through continued engagement with MLAs, government officials and community stakeholders.
As a next phase of this initiative, work has already begun to induct the third cohort. The recruitment process is currently underway and has been designed to identify candidates with strong analytical ability and commitment to public service. This year, the programme aims to onboard 18 research fellows and two data fellows.

Meghalaya District Research Fellowship (MDRF) Programme

The Meghalaya District Research Fellows supported SDG and District Indicator Framework (DIF) reporting across all 11 districts through data compilation, validation, interdepartmental coordination, and submissions to the State Planning Department. Fellows also participated in the State-Level Workshop on Building Capacity and Accelerating Action and supported the implementation of the IDEA Plan alongside SDG reporting.
The fellows supported the implementation of the Chief Minister's Catalytic Fund (CMCF) by processing project proposals, monitoring utilisation certificates, documenting project outcomes, and supporting proposal uploads. They also assisted CM Connect by tracking, forwarding, and resolving citizen grievances across multiple districts.
The fellows also extended their support towards Census 2027 preparedness through field trainer training, district census planning, House-Listing Operations (HLO), Census Management System administration, user ID creation for census functionaries, mapping of House-Listing Blocks (HLBs), and participation in state-level review meetings.
The fellows attached to the East Khasi Hills supported planning for the opening ceremony of the 2027 National Games, while those with the West Khasi Hills coordinated the Chief Minister's district visit and mentored college interns. Fellows with the East Jaintia Hills participated in the launch of the Jan Bhagidari – Sabse Door, Sabse Pehle IEC campaign, supported SDG workshops, guided Planning Office interns, completed three CMCF projects, secured sanction for three new proposals, and resolved CM Connect grievances.
Fellows with the East Garo Hills supported the CSS Review Meeting chaired by the Union Minister of State, mentored Loyola College interns, and coordinated district events including the Science Exhibition, Sports Day, Football League, and World Homoeopathy Day. Fellows with the North Garo Hills conducted Milk Mission surveys and anthropometric assessments, besides participating in HPV and menstrual hygiene awareness programmes. While the fellows with the South Garo Hills supported Mission 1000 Days, Census implementation, and Mission 10 data consolidation, those with the South West Garo Hills led gender sensitisation programmes, coordinated District Planning and Development Council meetings, monitored the Human Development Leadership Programme, and supported the Purple Fair for Persons with Disabilities.

Food Systems

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, to advance collaborative research, capacity building, policy engagement and innovation in sustainable food systems, nutrition, biodiversity and regenerative agriculture.
Maharashtra Shree Anna and Opportunity Crop Mission: As part of the ongoing engagement with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, and the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), the team focused on supporting the development of the proposed Maharashtra Shree Anna (Millets) and Opportunity Crop Mission (MSOM) (2026–29). During the quarter, work progressed on the Mission framework, including a convergence-based implementation strategy, the proposed establishment of a Knowledge and Systems Secretariat, and mechanisms for stakeholder consultations and evidence generation to support climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive food systems across the state.

Collaboration with International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI) to Unlock State Excise Revenue

As part of this initiative, the team aims to identify practical and evidence-based measures to enhance excise revenue through a detailed assessment of exercise policy reforms across states. In addition to the revenue and administrative dimensions, the study will examine the public health implications of excise policy reforms. Starting with Uttar Pradesh’s recent excise policy reforms, the team is examining key changes introduced, evaluating how these reforms contributed to higher revenue collection, reduced leakages, improved compliance, and enhanced administrative efficiency, and assess the outcomes achieved. As part of the study, extensive stakeholder consultations are underway to gain insights into market realities, operational challenges, and potential reform opportunities. Discussions were held with experts and officials from alco-bev sector alongwith NITI Aayog officials to understand broader policy considerations, best practices, and lessons from similar reform initiatives.The final output will provide focused and actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening excise revenue and ensuring that revenue objectives remain aligned with broader public health goals.

Government Engagements

Government of Himachal Pradesh
Bharti Institute of Public Policy Signs MoU with IIM Sirmaur to Strengthen Forest Economies and Women-Led Enterprises An MoU was signed with the Indian Institute of Management, Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, to strengthen collaboration on forest economies, with a focus on women-owned enterprises, tenure security, and sustainable livelihoods. The partnership aims to translate research into actionable outcomes by promoting women’s economic participation in forest-based economies, improving tenure security and institutional frameworks, supporting leadership development and capacity-building initiatives for women leaders of producer companies, and generating evidence to inform inclusive and sustainable development pathways.
Government of Goa

As part of the ongoing knowledge partnership, the Academic Leadership Programme, convened by the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, in partnership with the Government of Goa, continues to strengthen educational leadership through a series of capacity-building initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, strategic leadership, and cross-state learning.
Consequently, the residential module of the second batch of the Academic Leadership Programme for Principals of Senior Secondary Schools, was held at the ISB Mohali Campus from 20–23 April 2026. Professor R. Rajeshwar Upadhyay led interactive sessions on emotional intelligence, learning agility, self-awareness, and compassionate leadership. The programme concluded with its final phase in Goa, on 11–12 June 2026, where Dr. Aarushi Jain conducted hands-on sessions on generative AI, the TIC-CO framework, and AI tools for school leadership, followed by certificate distribution by Shri Prasad Lolayekar, IAS, Secretary (Education), Government of Goa, and Smt. Meghana Shetgaonkar, Director, GSCERT, Goa.
The third batch of the Academic Leadership Programme for senior officials from the Goa State Council of Educational Research and Training (GSCERT) and the Directorate of Education, was held at the ISB Mohali Campus from 14–20 June 2026. The programme was followed by a learning excursion for the participants to Himachal Pradesh from 18–20 June 2026, during which they engaged with senior officials of the Department of Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh. The cohort attended a session by Ashish Kohli, Director of School Education, Himachal Pradesh, on literacy, governance reforms, and key education initiatives. The delegation visited the Indian Institute of Advanced Study and attended a session at the Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (MSHIPA). Led by Deepak Sanan, IAS (Retd.), the session included discussions on education performance assessment through the PGI and PARAKH frameworks and the value of institutional collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing school education.
Government of Bhutan
Strengthening Institutional Collaboration with the Royal Institute of Management, Bhutan

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, hosted a distinguished delegation from the Royal Institute of Management, Bhutan, at the ISB Hyderabad campus on 5 June. As Bhutan’s premier institution for management education and capacity building for civil servants and policymakers, the institute plays a pivotal role in strengthening public administration and governance, making the visit an important opportunity for dialogue and institutional exchange.
The delegation engaged in discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration and capacity building across key domains, including public policy, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and infrastructure management, and explored avenues for context-specific programme development.
The delegation also experienced ISB’s immersive learning environment through visits to classrooms, the Learning Resource Centre, and state-of-the-art digital studios.
Government of Maharashtra
The M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, are convening a design and strategy consultation to advance the Maharashtra Millet and Forgotten Foods Mission. The consultation brought together representatives from the Commissionerate of Agriculture, grassroots organisations, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) associated with the SMART AGRI Project to strengthen the state's millet ecosystem. The discussions focussed on promoting low-input millet cultivation, expanding community-managed seed systems across tribal regions, establishing decentralised solar-powered processing infrastructure, and strengthening institutional and market linkages for FPOs through custom hiring centres and industry partnerships to enhance value addition, improve market access, and increase demand for millets.
Government of Uttar Pradesh

State Data Authority (SDA) Initiative
The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, is supporting the Government of Uttar Pradesh in establishing the state's first State Data Authority (SDA), a mission-mode initiative anchored in the Planning Department under the State Transformation Commission (STC). During the quarter, the Year 1 proposal was presented to Sh. Manoj Kumar (IAS), CEO, STC, and preparatory work commenced through a comparative review of State Data Authority models across six countries and seven Indian states. Recruitment for the project team is underway, alongside consultations with government departments to understand the state's data ecosystem. In June, the team held meetings with Principal Secretary Sh. Alok Kumar, the State e-Governance Mission Team (SeMT), and UPSDESCO to initiate data landscape mapping. Preparations are also underway for a Knowledge Café in Lucknow, bringing together officials from key departments to assess the state's data readiness and inform the forthcoming Data Readiness Assessment report.
Evaluation of Uttar Pradesh's Decentralised Take-Home Ration Model
The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, is conducting an independent evaluation of the decentralised Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Take Home Ration (THR) model implemented by the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (UPSRLM), and the World Food Programme (WFP). The decentralised model, operational across 43 districts, enables the production and distribution of nutritious, recipe-based THR through women-led manufacturing units, improving maternal and child nutrition while strengthening women's livelihoods. In the remaining districts, THR is distributed through the centralised NAFED model. Commissioned by the State Transformation Commission, Uttar Pradesh, the evaluation will assess implementation fidelity, programme delivery processes, drivers of performance variation, unintended consequences, and the intervention's impact on programme coverage, complementary feeding practices, and women's earnings. The findings will inform evidence-based decisions on the potential statewide scale-up of the decentralised model. During this quarter, the research team undertook field visits to Uttar Pradesh, engaging with government officials and visiting THR manufacturing units and Anganwadi centres to refine the evaluation methodology and study instruments

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Bharti Institute of Public Policy Concludes Exploratory Visit to Bhutan
The Bharti Institute of Public Policy undertook an exploratory visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan, marking a significant step toward deepening institutional engagement and forging meaningful collaborations in the domains of public policy, governance, and capacity building.
The delegation comprised Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Dr. Aarushi Jain, and Saubhagya Samal. They conducted a series of engagements across Royal Institute of Management (RIM); Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation; Royal Society for the Protection of Nature; Royal Civil Service Commission; Centre for Bhutan Studies and Gross National Happiness; Evaluation Association of Bhutan (EAB); Bhutan Media Foundation/Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy; journalists association of Bhutan; Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry; and the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB). The delegation also held discussions with Sandeep Arya, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan, and senior officials of the Ministry of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan, exploring prospects for bilateral cooperation

Dr. Aarushi Jain delivered a session at Policy BootCamp 2026, organised by Rashtram School of Public Leadership, Rishihood University, in Sonipat, Haryana. The session introduced delegates to the foundations of public policy and the realities of policymaking in practice, highlighting how public policy serves as a tool for addressing complex societal challenges, including employment, education, healthcare, governance, and gender inequality.

Neha Niharika, National Coordinator, Food Systems, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, participated in the Food Systems Dialogue on “Enabling Agro-Ecological Transformation: The Role of Academia in Mainstreaming Food Systems in Odisha” held on 23 June at IIT Bhubaneswar. She emphasised the importance of systems thinking in food systems by integrating agriculture, nutrition, gender equity, and financial sustainability.

Dr. Aarushi participated in a panel discussion on AI-based initiatives and monitoring and evaluation, during a workshop on ‘Data Harmonization’ organised by the Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance, Planning Department, Government of Uttarakhand.

Gursharan Singh Dhanjal, Chief Data Scientist, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, participated in a panel discussion during a workshop on ‘Data Harmonization’ organised by the Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance, Planning Department, Government of Uttarakhand.

Saubhagya Samal, PMU Lead, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, delivered a session at Policy Boot Camp 2026, organised by Rashtram School of Public Leadership, Rishihood University, in Sonipat, Haryana. The session explored the pivotal role of public policy in shaping entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth.

Research Publication & Blogs

Prof. Ashwini Chhatre published a research article “Advancing biodiversity through poverty solutions”, in Nature Sustainability. The study finds that reducing poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods can support biodiversity conservation and strengthen long-term environmental sustainability.
Prof. Ashwini Chhatre along with Dhanapal G, Senior Research Fellow, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, co-authored a study published in Environmental Research Letters examining ‘Contrasting patterns of deforestation and reforestation in India’s tropical dry woodlands’. The research highlights how net forest-cover gains can mask significant underlying ecological losses.
Prof. Ashwini Chhatre alongwith Santhi Bhogadi, Program Manager Field Research, Behaviour Change & Policy Engagement, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, co-authored a research article, “The interplay between the market food environment and barriers to healthy diets for women in rural Bihar, India”, published in Health & Place, examining how market environments and social barriers shape women’s access to nutritious diets in rural Bihar.
Santhi Bhogadi co-authored a research article, “Life-course trajectories of cardiovascular disease risk factors in rural India: Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents Study (APCAPS) 2003–2023”, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, examining how cardiovascular disease risk factors evolve from adolescence into adulthood in rural India.
Santhi Bhogadi co-authored a research article, “Video-Based Gait Assessment Using Machine Learning to Classify Age and Sex in Low-Resource Settings: Cross-Sectional Study”, published in JMIR Formative Research, exploring the use of smartphone-recorded walking videos and machine learning for gait assessment in low-resource settings.
Bharti Institute of Public Policy regularly publishes research blogs on its website. Read here - Blogs

BHARTI INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC POLICY IN NEWS

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

The fourth edition of the Governance Summit 2026, organised by the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), received overwhelming coverage across leading television news channels and media platforms. The Economic Times | The Hindu (bl.) | DevDiscourse | ProKerala |India Education Diary| Amar Ujala |Rozana Spokesman | Business News This Week SuperNews 24/7 | Chd TV | Rozana Spokesman | Rozana Spokesman

The Memorandum of Understanding exchanged between Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, and the Government of Uttarakhand was covered across several national, and regional media platforms. A representative list is provided below.

A representative list of media coverage across Odisha highlighting the successful first phase of Sal seed procurement by six Producer Companies in Odisha under the Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE) is provided below. The Pioneer | Odisha Ray | Orissa Diary | BusinessNewsThisWeek

TEAM IN NEWS

Prof. Ashwini Chhatre was interviewed in a special article published by The Hindu titled "Not Binary: India Can Save Its Forests by Winning the War on Poverty." In the article, Prof. Chhatre emphasised the need to move beyond the false choice between conservation and livelihoods, arguing that sustainable forest governance must simultaneously strengthen ecological outcomes while creating greater economic opportunities for forest-dependent communities.

Dr. Aarushi Jain and Dr. Nikhat Khalid, Research Fellow, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, co-authored an OpEd, Punjab school turnaround has lessons for India, examining how Punjab's education reforms offer valuable lessons for strengthening public education across the country.

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.