About IPRS
An institute built on evidence and dialogue.
Founded in 2015, the Institute of Policy Research & Studies is an independent, non-profit policy research institute based in Lucknow, India — working to make public policy more informed, more inclusive and more accountable.
Our story
Where it began
IPRS began with a simple observation: many of the debates that shape public life in India — about laws, institutions, rights and development — take place without enough reliable evidence, and without enough of the people they affect.
A small group of lawyers, managers and academics set out to change that. They founded the Institute in Lucknow in 2015 as a place where research could be done carefully, discussed openly and shared widely — and where students and young professionals could learn the craft of policy analysis by doing it.
Since then IPRS has grown into a community of members, researchers and volunteers. We publish analysis, convene seminars and dialogues, train young researchers, and run public campaigns — from Green Minds, Greener Tomorrow, a climate-awareness campaign for school students, to our ongoing Urban Flood Resilience campaign. Through all of it, our method has stayed the same: ask good questions, follow the evidence, and bring people together.
Our mission
Bridging research, policy and people
IPRS believes that well-informed public policy is the foundation of equitable, inclusive and sustainable societies. Our mission is to bridge research, policymaking and community engagement.
We support policymakers, civil servants, legislators and civil society through policy briefs, research reports, expert consultations and public discussion — and we involve students, young researchers and marginalised communities in that work.
Our vision
A leading centre for policy research and dialogue
We aim to become a leading centre for policy research, dialogue and innovation, nationally and globally: a society in which public policy rests on rigorous research, ethical reasoning and inclusive dialogue.
Our work is guided by a commitment to sustainable development, democratic governance and public participation — at local, national and global levels.
Our values
The principles behind our work
Six commitments guide what we study, how we study it and how we share what we find.
I
Independence
We are non-partisan and accept no funding or partnership that would compromise the integrity of our findings.
R
Rigour
We use sound methods, cite our sources, test our conclusions and are honest about the limits of what we know.
I
Inclusion
We seek out voices that are often missing from policy debate — young people, women and marginalised communities.
E
Ethics
We respect the people we study, protect confidential information and follow responsible research practice.
O
Openness
We share our work in clear language and in accessible formats, so that anyone with an interest can engage with it.
A
Action
Research is only useful when it is used. We work with those who can turn findings into better laws and services.
How we work
A practical, collaborative approach
Listen
We identify pressing questions through dialogue with communities, practitioners, students and policymakers.
Research
Our wings study the question using legal, empirical and comparative methods, drawing on expertise inside and outside IPRS.
Deliberate
Findings are discussed at roundtables, seminars and our annual conference before they are finalised.
Share
We publish briefs and reports, brief decision-makers and run public programmes to take the work further.
Governance
How the Institute is run
IPRS is governed by a clear, three-tier structure that keeps decision-making accountable and the research agenda independent.
01
Board of Trustees
The Board holds overall responsibility for the Institute’s direction, finances and integrity. It is led by the Founder & Managing Trustee.
02
Executive Council
The Council takes part in decisions on policy, strategy and institutional matters, and oversees the work of the sub-committees.
03
Sub-committees
Five functional wings lead our research, training, technology, justice and communications work day to day.
What sets us apart
Why work with IPRS
Law at the core
Our founders are practising lawyers and policy professionals, so legal analysis — of bills, statutes and judgments — is built into everything we do.
Rooted locally, connected globally
We are based in Lucknow and focused on India, while drawing on comparative experience from Europe and beyond.
A training ground for young researchers
Students and early-career professionals work alongside experienced members, gaining real experience in research and policy.
From analysis to action
We do not stop at publication — we convene, consult and run programmes so that ideas reach the people who can use them.
Work with us
Let’s build better policy together.
Whether you are a student, researcher, practitioner, institution or simply a citizen who cares about public life, we would be glad to hear from you.