Overview
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) signed a Statement of Intent with GRAAM on June 25, 2026, to launch a fellowship initiative. The Embark India Development Fellowship is an 18-month programme with immersive institutional placements. It aims to bring young professionals into government for policy research and governance work.
The Problem: Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice
Imagine a government department working on important policies. They have the vision. They have the mandate. But they do not always have enough fresh talent. They need young minds with new ideas. They need researchers who understand ground realities.
This is a challenge for many government institutions. Policy-making requires deep research. Implementation requires skilled professionals. But the pool of talent available within government is not always sufficient.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) faced this challenge. They needed bright young professionals. They needed researchers who could work on policy research and governance.
That is why they partnered with GRAAM. The result is the Embark India Development Fellowship.
What is the MoSPI-GRAAM Partnership?
On June 25, 2026, something important happened in New Delhi. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation signed a Statement of Intent with the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM).
Who Signed?
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Dr. Basavaraju R. Shreshta, Executive Director of GRAAM
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Prasoon Verma, Director of the Training Unit, MoSPI's Capacity Development Division
Who Was Present?
P. R. Meshram, Director General (Data Governance), MoSPI, was also present at the signing ceremony.
The partnership is linked to the Embark India Development Fellowship. Under this initiative, two fellows will work on policy research and governance-related work.
What is the Embark India Development Fellowship?
The Embark India Development Fellowship is an 18-month programme. It is designed for young professionals, academics, and researchers.
Key Features
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Duration: 18 months
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Placements: Six-month immersive institutional placements
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Training: Hands-on training
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Mentorship: Guidance by national experts
What Fellows Will Do
Fellows under the programme will work on ongoing and new projects in MoSPI. They will handle research-driven assignments linked to public policy and programme implementation.
Scope of Work
The fellowship covers several important areas:
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Policy research
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Governance innovation
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Capacity-building
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Data governance
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Public administration
Stipend
Selected fellows will receive stipends of up to Rs 65,000 per month.
Why This Fellowship Matters
This fellowship is important for several reasons.
Fresh Talent in Government
It brings young professionals into government institutions. They bring new ideas. They bring fresh perspectives. They bring energy and enthusiasm.
Research-Driven Policy
The fellowship focuses on research-driven assignments. This means policies will be based on solid evidence. Decisions will be informed by data. Implementation will be more effective.
Capacity Building
The programme builds capacity within government. It trains young professionals. It equips them with skills. It prepares them for leadership roles.
Link to Viksit Bharat 2047
The fellowship is linked with the Viksit Bharat at 2047 vision. This is the government's vision for a developed India by 2047. Young professionals will play a crucial role in achieving this vision.
The Partners: MoSPI and GRAAM
About MoSPI
MoSPI stands for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It is a key ministry of the Government of India. It handles:
About GRAAM
GRAAM stands for the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement. It is an organization that works on:
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Grassroots research
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Advocacy
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Policy engagement
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Capacity building
The partnership brings together the government and a research organization. This creates a powerful combination of policy and practice.
How the Fellowship Works
The fellowship is structured to provide a comprehensive experience.
Year 1: Immersive Placement
Fellows will undergo a six-month immersive institutional placement. They will work within MoSPI. They will learn how the government functions. They will work on real projects.
Year 2: Research and Implementation
Fellows will handle research-driven assignments. They will work on public policy and programme implementation. They will contribute to ongoing and new projects.
Throughout: Mentorship and Training
Fellows will receive mentorship by national experts. They will get hands-on training. They will develop skills in policy research and governance.
Significance for India's Development
The fellowship has broader significance for India's development.
Strengthening Governance
It strengthens governance by bringing in fresh talent. It improves the quality of policy research. It enhances programme implementation.
Building Human Capital
It builds human capital by training young professionals. It creates a pipeline of skilled researchers and policy analysts. It contributes to India's talent pool.
Supporting Viksit Bharat
It supports the Viksit Bharat vision by preparing young leaders. It ensures that India has the talent needed to achieve its development goals.
Conclusion
The MoSPI-GRAAM partnership is a welcome step. It brings together the government and a research organization. It creates opportunities for young professionals. It strengthens policy research and governance.
The Embark India Development Fellowship is a win-win. Young professionals get a platform to contribute. The government gets fresh talent. India gets better policies and implementation.
As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, such initiatives will be crucial. They will build the human capital needed for development. They will ensure that India has the talent and skills to achieve its vision.
Exam-Focused Points
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MoSPI: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
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GRAAM: Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement
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Statement of Intent Signed: June 25, 2026
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Location: New Delhi
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Signatories: Dr. Basavaraju R. Shreshta (GRAAM) and Prasoon Verma (MoSPI)
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Fellowship Name: Embark India Development Fellowship
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Fellowship Duration: 18 months
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Placement Duration: Six months (immersive)
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Stipend: Up to Rs 65,000 per month
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Number of Fellows: Two
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Scope: Policy research, governance innovation, capacity-building, data governance, public administration
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Linkage: Viksit Bharat at 2047 vision
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MoSPI Director General Present: P. R. Meshram