Centre for Civil Society

Centre for Civil Society Centre for Civil Society is India’s leading liberal policy think tank.

Centre for Civil Society is a public policy think tank, dedicated to advancing social change through public policy. Our work in education, livelihood, good governance and Terracotta Environmentalism promotes choice and accountability across the private and public sectors. To translate policy into practice, we engage with policy and opinion leaders through research, pilot projects and policy training. CCS was ranked 5th in India and 83rd in the world by the The Global Go To Think Tank report 2021 released by the University of Pennsylvania. CCS envisions a world where each individual leads a life of choice in personal, economic and political spheres and every institution is accountable. We successfully campaigned for livelihood freedom for street entrepreneurs, resulting in the passing of the Street Vendors (Regulation and Protection of Livelihood) Act in March 2014. Our School Choice Campaign popularised the instrument of school vouchers in education, increasing choice and access to quality education for all. CCS Academy, the policy training wing of the Centre, has a vibrant alumni base of 11,000 students, young professionals and media personnel. CCS' newest initiative, the Science & Technology Policy Unit will function as the policy wing to advance policy solutions that foster scientific enquiry and research, and facilitate the creation and dissemination of new scientific knowledge.

25/09/2026

For a long time, Indian forest law treated bamboo as a tree. This made it harder for people living near forests to use bamboo for their livelihoods. Centre for Civil Society’s Bamboo is Not a Tree campaign highlighted how a technical rule like this can affect millions of lives.

In Social Change & Public Policy, Parth J. Shah looks at how laws and regulations shape our daily decisions. He also explains why solving tough social problems often means looking closely at the rules that cause them.

Read the book to understand how changes in public policy can support lasting social change.

https://ccs.in/liberty-society-series-7-samajik-parivartan-aur-lok-niti

How does Dadabhai Naoroji’s work help us understand the formation of India as a nation?On 7 September, around 80 scholar...
25/09/2026

How does Dadabhai Naoroji’s work help us understand the formation of India as a nation?

On 7 September, around 80 scholars, policy professionals, researchers, and students gathered for a discussion on Naoroji’s life, ideas, and work, organized by the Centre for Civil Society and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies.

Shri Anil Nauriya, a Supreme Court counsel and writer, talked about how Naoroji influenced Gandhi and helped shape India’s anti-colonial ideas. He also highlighted Naoroji’s work beyond the Drain Theory, such as estimating India’s national income, studying the cost of living for men and women, and looking at the cost of basic needs for farmers in Punjab.

The session ended with a conversation on economic and political freedom and how Naoroji’s ideas are understood today.

CCS hosted Dr Sunita Gandhi, former World Bank economist and founder of DEVI Sansthan, for a session on foundational lit...
24/09/2026

CCS hosted Dr Sunita Gandhi, former World Bank economist and founder of DEVI Sansthan, for a session on foundational literacy and numeracy with members of the Education Thought Leaders Collective.

The discussion looked at ALfA and HiPATH, two methods which involve pair work, active learning, quick feedback and assessments before and after lessons in order to give children more control and enable teachers to monitor their understanding. A live clap-and-snap activity demonstrated how children can take turns as both learners and teachers.

School leaders from across India also discussed implementation, teacher support, classroom resources and how these approaches could be introduced without adding another compulsory checklist for teachers.

23/09/2026

Delhi has removed fixed minimum land requirements for the recognition, extension and upgradation of private unaided schools. The change could allow more children to study closer to home, while fire, health and structural-safety requirements remain in place.

The challenge is to expand access without compromising the quality of education.

We’re hiring a Senior Associate, Student Scholarship & Skilling Program at CCS.The role will lead scholarship and skilli...
23/09/2026

We’re hiring a Senior Associate, Student Scholarship & Skilling Program at CCS.

The role will lead scholarship and skilling initiatives for students and young women, working with beneficiaries, educational institutions, mentors and programme partners to strengthen access to educational and skilling opportunities.

We are looking for candidates with 3–6 years of relevant experience who can manage programmes independently, build strong stakeholder relationships, and use data and feedback to improve programme delivery.

If you have experience in education, scholarships, skilling, youth development or programme management, apply to join us.

Learn more: https://ccs.in/senior-associate-student-scholarship-skilling-program

22/09/2026

Uttar Pradesh has one of the country’s largest school systems, serving students across cities, small towns and rural districts. Its regulatory framework therefore applies across a particularly varied education landscape.

Uttar Pradesh ranks 22nd in the Ease of Operating Schools Index 2026. The state profile examines the rules governing school entry, compliance, staffing, fees, inspections and lifecycle operations, and shows where requirements vary in their clarity and complexity.

For a system of this scale, these details matter. They help identify practical areas where regulatory processes can become more predictable for schools while retaining necessary oversight.

How enabling is your state? See where every state stands in CCS’s Ease of Operating Schools Index 2026. Read the complete findings at studentfirst.in.

Save the date for the 13th School Choice National Conference 2026 | The Economics of EducationAt SCNC 2026, the discussi...
22/09/2026

Save the date for the 13th School Choice National Conference 2026 | The Economics of Education

At SCNC 2026, the discussion will revolve around how education is funded and what could help public spending lead to better learning.

The flagship education event of Centre for Civil Society, will bring together policymakers, researchers, school leaders, funders and practitioners to discuss public financing, fiscal federalism, alternative financing models, and how curriculum, pedagogy and assessment shape the cost of education.

📅 31 October 2026
📍 Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
⏰ 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Find out more and register today: https://ccs.in/scnc2026

Applications are open for iPolicy for Young Leaders, CCS’s three-day introductory certificate course in public policy.Th...
21/09/2026

Applications are open for iPolicy for Young Leaders, CCS’s three-day introductory certificate course in public policy.

The course includes expert sessions, group discussions, thought experiments, and policy games. You will explore social, economic, and political issues while building a strong foundation in political economy and public policy analysis.

The course is open to students, young professionals and anyone above 18 interested in public policy.

📅 16–18 October 2026 📍 New Delhi

Read more and apply: https://form.typeform.com/to/Uu0cHygQ

Happy birthday, Luis Miranda!Your longstanding support for CCS and its work on individual liberty, choice and economic r...
21/09/2026

Happy birthday, Luis Miranda!

Your longstanding support for CCS and its work on individual liberty, choice and economic reform has meant a great deal to us. At our recent Future of India discussion, you drew on your experience to contribute to a thoughtful exchange on new ideas for economic reform.

Thank you for your time, trust, and partnership. We hope you have a fantastic year ahead.

We celebrated with an evening that brought together old friends, colleagues, alumni, and supporters who have all playe...
19/09/2026

We celebrated with an evening that brought together old friends, colleagues, alumni, and supporters who have all played a part in building and supporting our community.

The celebration hosted the 5th Indian Liberals Annual Lecture. Professor Rahul Sagar explored The Making of Indian Liberalism, tracing its overlooked Indian roots and the ideas, institutions and thinkers that shaped it. The lecture was followed by an engaging conversation with Parth Shah and a lively discussion with the audience.

The full lecture will be released soon. Stay tuned for updates or subscribe to the CCS YouTube channel ().

Address

A-69, Hauz Khas
New Delhi
110016

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 6:30pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+91-11-2652 1882

Website

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