APPLICATIONS OPEN ·
Sessions Begin 6 August 2026
Sessions Begin 6 August 2026
Shape Policy for a Region of Opportunity and Change
The Policy Accelerator: North East programme equips professionals, researchers, and policy practitioners with a deep understanding of Northeast India's unique socio-political context, ethnic diversity, and governance systems, including Sixth Schedule institutions. By combining regional knowledge with public policy and governance tools, the programme supports the design of inclusive, evidence-based, and locally grounded policy solutions for the Northeast.
- Programme Fee₹50,000 + GST
- FormatHybrid Programme
- Starts6 August 2026
- First In-Person6 - 9 August 2026
- Ends6 - 8 November 2026
- 10% Early Bird Discount Till 19 July 20% Group Discountfor 4 or more
Programme at a Glance
Everything you need to know, before you apply
Who this cohort is built for, and the key milestones on your way to becoming a Policy Accelerator scholar.
Exclusively tailored for
01
Professionals Working in the North East
Professionals currently working in the North Eastern Region who are not native to the region and seek a deeper understanding of its socio-political, cultural, and governance context.
02
Individuals from the North East
Individuals from the North Eastern Region who wish to strengthen their understanding of public policy, governance, and the region's developmental landscape.
03
Academia & Working Professionals
Members of academia and working professionals interested in advancing their knowledge of public policy, governance, and leadership in the context of the North Eastern Region.
Key Dates
Till 19 July - Early Bird Deadline (10% Scholarship)
6 August 2026 - Programme Begins
6-9 August 2026 - First In-Person Session
6-8 November 2026 - Programme End Date
Programme Learning Outcomes
What You'll Walk Away Understanding
Policy Accelerator: North East bridges policy theory and on-the-ground realities, building practical judgement for the region's unique governance landscape.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the key policy challenges and opportunities in the region.
Bridge the gap between policy theory and implementation by examining how regional contexts, traditional institutions, and on-the-ground realities shape outcomes.
Build the ability to assess which policy tools and approaches are most effective in different regional contexts.
Curriculum
Six Modules, One Capstone Project
Grounded in the regional context of the North East and designed for working professionals and academics who need practical, on-the-ground frameworks.
Module 01
Module 02
Module 03
Module 04
Module 05
Module 06
MODULE 01
The Northeast Context & Institutional Architecture
- Geography, history, & physical/social infrastructure of the Northeast region
- Ethnic insurgencies, migration, poverty, digital disconnect, and climate vulnerability — along with existing NER-specific policies
- Act East Policy and connectivity initiatives like the Kaladan Project
- Sixth Schedule governance and how it differs from mainland India
- Structure of Indian civil services and bureaucracy at the ground level
MODULE 02
Systems Thinking & Design Thinking
- Ostrom's commons theory, Attractor Basin Model, and Network Topology applied to regional systemic issues
- Iceberg models and feedback loop mapping to uncover root causes of policy failures
- Systems and journey mapping, ideation, scenario building, and rapid prototyping for adaptive policy design
- Reframing problems to identify leverage points and anticipate unintended consequences
- Data-driven diagnosis paired with participatory, locally grounded methods for context-sensitive solutions
MODULE 03
Economics
- Economic rationale for state intervention and the concept of government failure
- Market failure in remote economies — missing markets and cross-border externalities specific to the Northeast
- Fiscal transfers, Central funds, and PPP structures shape what policy is actually implementable
- Government failure — rent-seeking, poor targeting, and political economy constraints in multi-state, multi-ethnic contexts
MODULE 04
Ethics and Policy Instruments
- Policy-Making Tools & the Politics-Policy Link
- Ethics in M&E via the Capability Approach for equity.
MODULE 05
Monitoring, Evaluation & Programme Management
- Zero-based budgeting, risk registers, and Gantt charts for project planning
- Log frames and Theory of Change to map inputs to regional impacts
- Causal analysis (Regression, DiD) using Stata/R for M&E
MODULE 06
Policy Advocacy, Negotiation & Communication
- Advocacy Coalition Framework to build social license for policy initiatives
- Hands-on workshops on networking, negotiation, and evidence-based pitching
- Data-driven portfolios and digital campaigns for public engagement
Capstone
Capstone Project
Throughout the programme, participants work on a capstone project focused on a public policy issue specific to Northeast India. Applying concepts and frameworks learned during the course, they develop a comprehensive governance strategy and implementation framework that bridges regional realities with mainstream policymaking. The programme culminates in a final presentation before an expert faculty panel.
Faculty
Programme Facilitators & Faculty
Learn from former bureaucrats, academics, and practitioners with deep, on-ground experience of the North East and Indian public policy.
Course Director
Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan
Former Director-General, Assam Rifles & Chairman, Cease Fire Monitoring Group
Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, is a highly decorated former officer of the Indian Army who served as the Director-General of Assam Rifles and Chairman of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group. Commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1979, he commanded several key formations, including 1 Corps and 8 Mountain Division, and has extensive experience in counter-insurgency and security operations across Kashmir and the Northeast.
He also served as the Indian Defence Attaché to Nepal and as the Additional Director General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army. A respected strategic thinker and scholar, he holds a PhD on Indo-Nepal relations and is the author of Bridging Borders, a book that explores India's strategic relationship with Nepal.
He also served as the Indian Defence Attaché to Nepal and as the Additional Director General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army. A respected strategic thinker and scholar, he holds a PhD on Indo-Nepal relations and is the author of Bridging Borders, a book that explores India's strategic relationship with Nepal.
Rajeev Kapoor
Professor of Practice ISPP,
(Retd. IAS) State Information Commissioner, UP
Dr. Parth J. Shah
Co-Founder & Dean and FA Hayek Professor of Spontaneous Order
Amit Krishn Gulati
Director and Co-Founder, Incubis
Vincy Davis
Assistant Professor, Writing & Communication Lab, ISPP
Harsh Srivastava
Chief Executive Officer, PAFI
Imran Amin
Associate Professor, Case Study and Research Centre (CSRC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions? We've Got Answers
Browse by topic, or read through everything you need to know before applying.
Eligibility
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Financial Aid
Is there an age limit for applying for the Policy Accelerator: North East programme?
There is no minimum age limit for applying for this programme. We encourage everyone with an interest in North East policy and governance who wants to pursue a part-time programme.
Do I need to have work experience to join this programme?
No, you do not need to have work experience to join this programme.
What is the minimum eligibility required for this programme?
The minimum eligibility required for this programme is a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW
Ready to Lead Policy in the North East?
Join a cohort of professionals, government officials, and academics building a deeper, more effective understanding of the North Eastern Region's policy landscape.
Get in Touch with Our Admission Counsellors -+91 9311370803
Early bird deadline: Till 19 July ·
Programme starts: 6 August 2026
Programme starts: 6 August 2026