Blog
PlaceholderFive Books for Anyone Starting Out in Indian Public Policy
Fellows and interns often ask where to begin. Here is a short reading list, chosen for clarity, range and the arguments they will provoke.
Mentor One
Research vertical 13
Institutions and Social Justice
Whether public institutions treat every citizen fairly, and how policy can close the gaps that caste, gender, disability, tribe and poverty still produce.
Kerala’s social development is impressive in averages, but averages can hide persistent gaps. Adivasi communities, Dalit households, fishing communities, persons with disabilities and many women experience a very different state from the one described in headline figures.
Why it matters
The legitimacy of public institutions rests on fair treatment. Independent bodies such as human rights commissions, the Lok Ayukta, information commissions and commissions for specific communities exist to protect citizens. Welfare programs exist to support those with least. Whether they work as intended is a matter of evidence, and of justice.
How we work
- Gap analysis. We use data to identify where outcomes differ between groups and regions.
- Institutional review. We study the work of oversight and rights bodies.
- Listening studies. We document the experience of people using welfare and public services.
- Inclusion audits. We help public bodies assess their accessibility and fairness.
The vertical works in partnership with community organisations and with the Society, Law and Policy vertical.
Questions we are asking
- 01
Which groups have been left behind by Kerala's development, and why?
- 02
How well do commissions, ombudsmen and tribunals protect citizens' rights?
- 03
What do welfare schemes look like from the point of view of the people meant to receive them?
- 04
How can public institutions become accessible to persons with disabilities in practice, not just on paper?
Publications
Policy Brief
PlaceholderA Care Guarantee for Older Citizens
Kerala is ageing faster than most of India, and many older people live without younger family nearby. Local governments are well placed to guarantee a basic level of care.
Research Fellow One
Opinion
PlaceholderWomen's Work Is Kerala's Missing Growth Engine
A state that educates its daughters as well as Kerala does, and then loses their talent to the labour market, is leaving its most important growth opportunity unused.
Research Fellow One
Analysis
PlaceholderWhat the Data Can and Cannot Tell Us About Women's Work
Headlines about women's employment often rest on surveys that count some kinds of work and miss others. A guide to reading the numbers carefully.
Research Associate One
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