Evidence That Shapes
Policy. People. Progress.
Center For Social and Democratic Research is India's dedicated policy research and social development organisation — delivering rigorous evidence, strategic advocacy, and community-centred programmes across 23 states.
A Research Organisation Built for Social Change
Center For Social and Democratic Research is a registered society dedicated to generating evidence that drives policy, strengthens communities, and advances democratic values across India. We combine rigorous research methodology with deep ground-level understanding.
From policy evaluation and monitoring to IEC campaigns and social media management, CSDR delivers end-to-end solutions for governments, NGOs, bilateral agencies, and community organisations — always with community voice at the centre.
Full-Spectrum Social Research & Development Services
CSDR delivers integrated research, advocacy, and communication services — covering the complete development cycle from evidence generation to community-level action.
Policy Research & Evaluation
Rigorous policy research, government scheme evaluations, baseline and endline studies, impact assessments, and evidence synthesis using mixed-method designs calibrated to real policy questions.
Explore serviceMonitoring, Evaluation & Learning
End-to-end MEL system design, Theory of Change development, LogFrame architecture, real-time monitoring dashboards, and learning workshops for government and development sector clients.
Explore serviceIEC & Communication Design
Audience research, IEC material design and production, behaviour change communication strategies, campaign planning, pre-testing with target communities, and effectiveness measurement.
Explore serviceSocial Media Management
End-to-end social media strategy, content creation, platform management, community engagement, analytics-based optimisation, and digital campaign management for government and development organisations.
Explore servicePolicy Advocacy
Evidence-based policy advocacy, stakeholder consultation facilitation, policy brief development, multi-stakeholder dialogue, media engagement, and legislative process support for civil society clients.
Explore serviceStakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder mapping and analysis, multi-stakeholder consultation processes, community dialogues, FGDs and KIIs, participatory needs assessments, and coalition building support.
Explore serviceCapacity Building
Research methodology training, MEL system strengthening, data literacy workshops, policy development capacity, and embedded technical assistance for government and civil society organisations.
Explore serviceSocial Research & Surveys
Large-scale household surveys, KAP studies, community needs assessments, facility assessments, ethnographic studies, and longitudinal research across India's diverse development landscape.
Explore serviceData Analytics & Visualisation
Statistical analysis, data visualisation, Power BI and Tableau dashboards, MIS architecture, indicator framework design, and evidence synthesis for institutional decision-making.
Explore serviceWe Work Across India's Development Agenda
CSDR's research and advocacy spans the full breadth of India's social development priorities — aligned with the UN SDG 2030 agenda.
Health & Nutrition
Education & Skilling
Agriculture & Livelihoods
Water & Sanitation
Rural Development
Gender & Inclusion
Governance & Policy
Environment & Climate
Energy Access
Social Protection
Research That Has Moved Policy
A selection of CSDR's recent assignments — spanning policy evaluation, community research, IEC campaigns, and social media management across India.
Agricultural Policy Evaluation, Rajasthan
Assessment of agricultural development programme implementation and farmer welfare outcomes across three districts of Rajasthan.
View details
Health Awareness Campaign, Uttar Pradesh
Design, production, and digital distribution of IEC materials for a state health department's WASH behaviour change communication campaign.
View details
Multi-Stakeholder Policy Consultation, Delhi
Facilitated multi-stakeholder consultations and developed evidence-based policy briefs for civil society advocacy on urban governance reform.
View detailsHelp Us Build Evidence for a More Just India
CSDR is a registered society with 12A and 80G certificates. Your donations support independent policy research, community advocacy, and evidence-led social change across India's most underserved communities.
Every contribution — small or large — helps us conduct research that cannot be commissioned by those with vested interests in its outcome.
Make a Contribution
80G receipt issued within 7 working days. All amounts in INR.
Research Notes & Policy Perspectives
Field reflections, policy commentary, and evidence-led thinking from the CSDR team — from community survey findings to national policy debates.
Why India's Community Consultation Processes Need a Research-First Approach
Examining the structural gaps between policy design and community reality — and how evidence-based consultation can close them.
What Our Field Research Reveals About IEC Effectiveness in Rural India
After managing IEC campaigns across 5 states, CSDR shares findings on what communication approaches actually change behaviour — and which do not.
Social Media as a Policy Advocacy Tool: Evidence from Development Sector Campaigns
How strategic social media management can amplify community voices and create measurable policy influence for civil society organisations.
Commission Research. Support Our Mission. Join Our Team.
Whether you need policy research, an IEC campaign, social media support, or a monitoring system — CSDR has the expertise, reach, and integrity to deliver.