Who We Are
A registered society committed to evidence-led policy research, community advocacy, and social development across India since February 2022.
Built for Evidence. Built for Change.
Center For Social and Democratic Research was established in February 2022 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. We were founded on a single conviction: that rigorous, impartial research — conducted with community voice at the centre — can transform how policies are designed, implemented, and evaluated in India.
Based in New Delhi, we work at the intersection of policy research, community advocacy, and development communication — delivering services that span the entire evidence-to-action cycle. From designing monitoring systems to managing state government social media accounts, our work is as varied as India's development challenges.
As a registered society with 12A and 80G certifications, CSDR is committed to institutional transparency and social accountability — accepting donations from individuals, foundations, and corporates who share our vision of evidence-led social change.
Work With Us →Our Purpose
To generate evidence that shapes policy and empowers communities.
To deliver rigorous, impartial, and community-centred research that enables governments, civil society, and development organisations to make decisions grounded in field reality — producing policies that are equitable, effective, and accountable to the people they are meant to serve.
An India where policy is shaped by evidence, not assumption.
An India where every policy decision is grounded in rigorous evidence, where community voices are reflected in programme design, where public funds deliver measurable outcomes, and where democratic institutions are held accountable through transparent, independent research.
Why Organisations Choose CSDR
Registered & Certified
A registered society with 12A and 80G certificates — ensuring institutional credibility, financial transparency, and legal compliance for government and donor engagements.
Research-First Approach
Every service we deliver begins with evidence — whether designing an IEC campaign, facilitating stakeholder engagement, or building an MEL system, research rigour is built in from the start.
23-State Field Reach
Operational experience across 23 states — from urban Delhi policy environments to remote rural districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha — with culturally adaptive field protocols.
Community Voice First
We design research tools that listen before they measure — ensuring that findings reflect the lived experience of communities, not just the priorities of programme designers.
End-to-End Capability
From MEL framework design and policy research to IEC production, social media management, and policy advocacy — CSDR offers integrated services across the entire development cycle.
Independent & Impartial
As a registered society not dependent on a single corporate or government funder, CSDR maintains the institutional independence to produce honest, unbiased research findings.
The Principles That Guide Every Assignment
Evidence First
Every recommendation is grounded in data. We never allow institutional interests to shape what the evidence says.
Community Centred
Research that does not reflect community reality is not research — it is data collection. We listen before we measure.
Transparent
Open methodology, honest reporting of limitations, and full accountability to donors, clients, and the communities we study.
Action Oriented
Evidence without use is wasted effort. Every deliverable is designed for its decision-maker audience — not academic publication.
Equity Focused
We actively build equity lenses into every study design — ensuring gender, caste, disability, and geography are never overlooked.
Democratic Values
We believe in democratic accountability, institutional integrity, and the right of communities to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
A Fully Registered & Certified Organisation
Center For Social and Democratic Research is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Our 12A and 80G certifications from the Income Tax Department confirm our exempt status and our donors' eligibility for tax deductions.
We maintain full financial transparency — annual accounts are audited by a chartered accountant and available to donors on request. Every rupee received is accounted for against programme expenditure.
Commission Research. Support Our Work. Join Our Team.
Whether you are a government body, development organisation, NGO, or individual who believes evidence matters — CSDR is ready to partner with you.