MoSPI signs pact with GRAAM for Embark India Development Fellowship
Synopsis
MoSPI has formally partnered with GRAAM to place research-driven Fellows inside the Ministry under the 18-month Embark India Development Fellowship — a capacity-building push tied to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, with stipends up to ₹65,000 per month and hands-on governance exposure.
Key Takeaways
MoSPI and GRAAM signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) on 25 June to place two Fellows under the Embark India Development Fellowship (EIDF) .
The 18-month fellowship includes a 6-month immersive institutional placement within MoSPI and mentorship by national experts.
Fellows receive stipends of up to ₹65,000 per month and work across public finance, economic growth, public health, and climate action .
The programme is anchored in the 'Viksit Bharat at 2047' vision and aims to bridge research with governance practice.
The signing was attended by senior officials including PR Meshram (MoSPI) and Basavaraju R.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with the Grassroots Research And Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) to place two Fellows under the Embark India Development Fellowship (EIDF) programme, according to an official statement issued on Thursday, 25 June. The agreement formalises a collaborative platform through which research-driven professionals will work directly within the Ministry to strengthen governance and public policy capacity.
What the Partnership Entails
Under the SoI, the selected Fellows will be embedded within MoSPI to support ongoing and new initiatives, develop evidence-based solutions, and address critical challenges in capacity building, governance, and development policy. The initiative is designed to be mutually beneficial — the Ministry gains research support, while Fellows acquire hands-on experience in public administration and policy-making at the national level.
About the Embark India Development Fellowship
The EIDF is a national leadership and capacity-building programme spearheaded by GRAAM, anchored in the 'Viksit Bharat at 2047' vision. The 18-month programme includes an immersive 6-month institutional placement, mentorship by national experts, and rigorous grassroots data and policy research. Fellows work across domains including public finance, economic growth, public health, and climate action, and receive stipends of up to ₹65,000 per month.
Who Was Present at the Signing
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organisations, including PR Meshram, Director General (Data Governance), MoSPI; Basavaraju R. Shreshta, Executive Director, GRAAM; and Prasoon Verma, Director, Training Unit, Capacity Development Division, MoSPI. Their presence signals institutional commitment at a senior level from both sides.
Significance and What Comes Next
This collaboration is part of a broader push to embed young professionals and researchers directly into government institutions to bridge the gap between academic research and actionable policy. Notably, MoSPI's participation aligns with the Centre's emphasis on data-driven governance ahead of the Viksit Bharat 2047 milestone. The Fellows, once selected, are expected to contribute to real-world policy challenges with rigour and innovation, potentially influencing how India collects and applies statistical data for development planning.
Point of View
Particularly as the Viksit Bharat 2047 agenda demands more granular data and policy evidence than existing cadres can supply. Embedding fellows directly within a statistics ministry — rather than contracting out research — is a structurally smarter model, though its impact will depend entirely on whether the Ministry gives Fellows meaningful access to live policy problems or channels them into peripheral work. Two Fellows is a small start; the real test is whether the model scales and whether MoSPI publishes the research outputs for public scrutiny.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MoSPI-GRAAM Statement of Intent about?
MoSPI and GRAAM signed a Statement of Intent on 25 June to place two Fellows from the Embark India Development Fellowship inside the Ministry. The agreement aims to bring research-driven professionals into MoSPI to support governance, capacity building, and public policy work.
What is the Embark India Development Fellowship (EIDF)?
The EIDF is an 18-month national leadership and capacity-building programme run by GRAAM, aligned with the Viksit Bharat at 2047 vision. It places young professionals and researchers within government institutions, offering a 6-month immersive placement, expert mentorship, and stipends of up to ₹65,000 per month.
Who is eligible for the Embark India Development Fellowship?
The fellowship targets young professionals, academics, and researchers who are highly motivated and research-driven. Fellows work across domains such as public finance, economic growth, public health, and climate action within government institutions and development agencies.
Why is MoSPI's participation in this fellowship significant?
MoSPI is India's nodal agency for statistical data and programme monitoring, making it a critical institution for evidence-based policymaking. Embedding research fellows here directly supports the Centre's data-driven governance push under the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
Which senior officials were present at the signing ceremony?
The signing was attended by PR Meshram, Director General (Data Governance) at MoSPI; Basavaraju R. Shreshta, Executive Director of GRAAM; and Prasoon Verma, Director of the Training Unit, Capacity Development Division at MoSPI.
