Shiv Kumar
Founding Director, The Catalyst Group
About
We built the community we wished existed
Public Policy India started from a simple belief: public policy should be open to everyone who wants in, whether they already work in the field or are only beginning to understand it.
Our story
From one conversation to a national community
We set out to create a space where a first-year undergraduate in Guwahati, a researcher in Delhi, a development practitioner in Bengaluru and a policy professional in Nagpur could all take part in the same conversation.
Public Policy India began on 15 August 2020. It has since grown into one of the country's largest platforms for public policy and social impact, with members across India. What began as a community has become infrastructure for policy engagement.
Play the film: who we are, in our own words
A short film on why we built Public Policy India and where it is headed.
Our mission
To equip young Indians with the tools, knowledge and opportunities to engage meaningfully in public policy, whether as professionals or as informed citizens.
Our vision
To build India's leading public policy community, where informed individuals exchange ideas, collaborate and drive real-world impact.
- Founded2020
- Community members150,000+
- City chapters in 25+ cities40+
- Institutional partners80+
Public Policy India and STRIDE
Two parts, one purpose
Public Policy India builds trust across a community of people. STRIDE turns that trust into institutional work. Every engagement STRIDE delivers is grounded in the same community that makes PPI credible.
The community
Public Policy India
150,000+ members, 40+ city chapters, monthly Policy Circles, The Policy Post, Policy Panchayat, Polis and the PPI Executive network. Free and open to all.
Community EngagementThe think tank
STRIDE
The Strategic Research and Impact Development Enterprise: a new-age policy think tank bringing the perspectives of India's youth into policymaking and the impact sector.
Consulting and ResearchA bridge between people and institutions
On one side are hundreds of thousands of young Indians looking for a way into public policy and social impact, and for people to help them find it. On the other are the institutions that shape the field. Think tanks, foundations, governments, universities and companies all want to reach this generation, and to hire from it. PPI and STRIDE sit between the two.
From interest to impact
The gap we saw
Many Indians, especially young people, care about public problems and want to work on them.
The barrier
Access is still concentrated in a handful of cities and networks. Talented people elsewhere struggle to get in, let alone grow.
Our response
Build the country's largest community infrastructure for policy learning, participation and careers.
The impact
A more inclusive field, with stronger institutions, better evidence and more people shaping India's public future.
Gather, build, listen, act. We bring the field into one room, turn interest into capability, turn the community's insight into evidence, and carry that evidence into institutions. Every institutional mandate returns opportunity, exposure and access to the community it came from.
One relationship, every stage
From school student to sector leader
At each stage the community offers something different, and at each stage members give something back.
School
Most students hear that policy is a career far too late. PPI Talks goes into classrooms. The Policy Post and the Policy Career Navigator put the field in a student's hands early.
- PPI Talks
- The Policy Post
- Policy Career Navigator
College
This is where most people find us. Policy Circles and campus sessions put students in a room with practitioners. The career databases turn curiosity into an internship or a fellowship.
- Policy Circles
- City chapters
- Career databases
Early career
The first few years are the hardest. Policy Sangam, our fellowship, takes a cohort deep into real policy work, while the wider community keeps members learning and connected.
- Policy Sangam
- Policy Panchayat
- The Policy Post
Mid-career
The relationship now runs both ways. Practitioners speak and hire through the community. PPI Executive brings them together in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- PPI Executive
- Speaking and mentoring
Senior leaders
People who have shaped the sector stay close as mentors. Some sit on our Board of Advisors.
- Board of Advisors
- Mentoring
- STRIDE advisory
Board of Advisors
Guided by leaders across policy, business and social impact
Senior practitioners who guide our thinking, open doors and hold us to account.
Saubhagya Raizada
Founder, Minerva Impact
Jhoomar Mehta
Founder, Prod
Aparajita Bharti
Founding Partner, The Quantum Hub; Co-Founder, YLAC
Satyam Vyas
Founder and CEO, Arthan and Climate Asia
Ajit Phadnis
Associate Professor of Public Policy, IIM Indore
Suryaprabha Sadasivan
Managing Principal, Chase Advisors
Kumar Shubham
Co-Founder and CEO, India House
The team
People behind Public Policy India and STRIDE
Yash Agarwal
Founder
Founder of Public Policy India and STRIDE. He works on internet governance at ICANN and teaches at universities across India. Before that, he worked with X (then Twitter), Parliament, PRS and Chase Advisors (formerly Chase India).
Kashish Goyal
Lead, Communications and Research. Co-Founder, STRIDE
A communications and research professional with experience in legislative analysis and social-impact communication. She holds a BA in Political Science and Philosophy from Miranda House, University of Delhi. Her work sits where gender, mental health and inclusive development meet.
Manan Singh
Lead, Programs and Partnerships. Co-Founder, STRIDE
Leads PPI's partnerships and flagship programmes, and builds the institutional relationships that carry the work forward.
Yugika Mital
Lead, Operations
Leads operations at Public Policy India and STRIDE. A brand and marketing strategist and IIM Bangalore graduate, she has worked with Bain & Company, VIRTUE Worldwide, Wunderman Thompson and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Snehaa Rajesh
Research, Community and Editorial
Research, Community and Editorial head at Public Policy India. A BA.LLB. (Hons) graduate and LAMP Fellow of the 2025-26 cohort. Snehaa loves telling the stories behind statistics. She likes solid research, presented so that people can actually use it.
Sireesha V. Reddy
Policy Consulting and Communications Associate
Works on policy consulting and communications at Public Policy India, mostly on research and stakeholder engagement.
Shreya Singh
Policy Consulting and Communications Fellow
Works on policy consulting and communications at Public Policy India, with a focus on research and stakeholder management.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Public Policy India free to join?
Yes. The chapters, Policy Circles, The Policy Post and every career tool are free for members. They will stay free.
What is the difference between Public Policy India and STRIDE?
Public Policy India is the community. STRIDE, the Strategic Research and Impact Development Enterprise, is the policy think tank that grew out of it. STRIDE does the research, capacity building and consulting work with institutions.
Do I need a background in policy to take part?
No. Members include school and college students, early-career professionals, people moving into the field from other careers, and senior practitioners.
How do I join my city chapter?
Open the chapter directory, find your city and join its WhatsApp group. If your city is not listed yet, write to us.
How can an institution work with PPI and STRIDE?
Most partnerships begin with one conversation. Write to contact@publicpolicyindia.com or message the team on WhatsApp from any page of this site.
Be part of what comes next
Whether you are starting out, building a career or leading an institution, there is a place for you in this community.