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Policy Researcher (Think Tank)

Research

Policy Researchers at Indian think tanks — ORF, Takshashila Institution, Centre for Policy Research (CPR), PRS Legislative Research, Carnegie India, IDFC Institute, and CSEP — generate the primary research that frames public debate before laws are enacted. The work is narrower and more evidence-intensive than a Policy Analyst role: you own specific research projects from literature-survey to publication, build original datasets by scraping NSS/PLFS/DISE data or conducting field interviews, and write peer-reviewed papers, working papers, or legislative briefs that MPs, ministry officials, and journalists cite. Entry is typically via MPP/MA Public Policy from Ashoka/NLSIU/JSW–IIM-A, an economics or law master's, or a PhD track; a NITI Aayog Young Professional stint (₹70K/month) is the most common launchpad. The role demands the patience to produce defensible findings over months, not just rapid synthesis — it suits researchers who find intellectual depth more motivating than client-facing influence.