Alumni Feature | Anurag Kumar Verma, Master’s in Public Policy ‘22

Driven to improve public systems and policy outcomes, Anurag joined the Public Policy programme at NLSIU seeking an ecosystem engaged in research and training to understand policy design, analysis and implementation. Born in Bhopal, brought up in Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh, Anurag completed school with a mix of state and central board education. Uncertain of his interests, out of curiosity, he opted to pursue a degree in engineering (Information Technology). An opportunity at RCET, Bhilai, to address a gathering of experts and stakeholders working on National Smart City Mission was his first conscious encounter with a policy problem. His engagements with local non-government organisations during Bhilai Municipal Corporation Elections, 2015 convinced him of the critical role of technology, politics and public policy in social welfare and nation building. The realization led him to C-DAC where he studied Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing (PG Diploma), and attempted to build a regional disease surveillance system.

Upon graduation, fueled by his ever-evolving interest in politics, he joined I-PAC to work on election manifestos and campaigns in Maharashtra and West Bengal. He is particularly fond of “Sabki Ki Rasoi”, an I-PAC initiative he worked on during the first lock down facilitating meal delivery to people in need across India. At NLSIU, Anurag has added quality practices to his research and analysis skills while exploring subject areas such as Policy Design, Election Laws, Regulatory Governance, Economics, Impact Evaluation and Monitoring, Urban and Regional Planning, Environment Policy etc. Interning at CSDS, for CLP, has enhanced his understanding of survey methods, election studies, public policy and academic writing. Though he balances multiple interests and responsibilities, lately, he has focused his work on Elections, Opinion Research, Technology and Environment. His dissertation titled ‘Election Technology, Principles and Systems in India: An Analysis of Discourses and Interventions’, assesses the secrecy, security, integrity and verifiability of election systems in India. He has participated in various policy case competitions such as IIM-I Cicero, NYU PCC etc. and undertaken research work with the Centre for Child and The Law, NLSIU. Besides, he serves as a member of E-Cell and MPP Recruitment Coordination Council, where he has worked on the first NLS Policy Hackathon 2021 and managed campus recruitment engagements respectively. With interest in politics, policy, election, and opinion research, he intends to pursue doctorate studies in the future. Exploring opportunities and options, he is certain of a life in policy entrepreneurship pushing for sustainable positive changes.