J-PAL South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in Chennai, leads J-PAL’s  efforts to advance evidence-informed policymaking in the region. By conducting rigorous randomized evaluations, forging  impactful strategic partnerships, and scaling effective programs, we strive to deliver better evidence to help governments design better policies so people can live better lives. 

Established in 2007, J-PAL South Asia is the oldest and the largest among all J-PAL offices. We have 252 ongoing and completed evaluations in the South Asia region across 11 sectors to date. In India, our deep understanding of the policy priorities of governments complemented by pioneering academic research from J-PAL’s researcher network have resulted in more than 30 research, policy and training partnerships with governments across 20 states. 

In 2011, J-PAL South Asia was selected to host the South Asia Center for CLEAR, a global initiative by the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group. CLEAR South Asia supports governments and partner organizations in strengthening their monitoring and evaluation systems and capacities through training courses, technical advisory services, and knowledge sharing. CLEAR South Asia is a core implementing partner of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI).

With evidence-informed policymaking gathering global momentum, J-PAL South Asia continues to find creative and innovative ways to bring transformative and enduring changes in the lives of millions of people in the region. 

Institute for Financial Management and Research partner logo
MoRD signs MoU with J-PAL South Asia on ‘Samaveshi Aajeevika’ program
Update

Ministry of Rural Development partners with J-PAL South Asia as it expands ‘Samaveshi Aajeevika’ across India

The Government of India’s Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has brought the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia at IFMR on board as a knowledge partner on ‘Samaveshi Aajeevika’, a comprehensive livelihoods programme designed to put rural women on the path to self-sufficiency.

An illustration of a journal page
Blog

Lesson #1 | What not-to-do: Wisdom from years of trials (and errors)

In this three-part series, J-PAL South Asia Executive Director Shobhini Mukerji reflects on the lessons learnt from these experiences as she builds her What-Not-Do-List to realise J-PAL’s goal of a poverty-free world. 

Officer signing papers at URJA desk
Blog

In their own words: Female officers on the front lines of gender-targeted police reforms

J-PAL affiliated professor Sandip Sukhtankar (University of Virginia) and co-authors, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Police Research and Training Department, conducted a randomised evaluation to test the impact of gender-targeted police reforms in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. 

Shobhini Mukerji, Sohini Bhattacharya, and Anupam Saha at the MoU signing for the launch of a gender equity curriculum across public schools in Odisha
Update

Government of Odisha partners with Breakthrough and J-PAL South Asia to introduce gender equity program in 23,000 government schools in the state

The Government of Odisha’s Department of School and Mass Education today announced its partnership with Breakthrough and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia to integrate a gender equity curriculum into the syllabus for students across government schools in the state.