5th Indian Liberals Annual Lecture by Prof Rahul Sagar
The Indian Liberals Annual Lecture is the flagship lecture series of Centre for Civil Society, dedicated to celebrating and advancing the intellectual legacy of India’s classical liberal thinkers. Anchored in individual liberty, limited government, and market-based solutions, the lecture provides a platform for distinguished voices to share insights on India’s social, political, and economic landscape. This year, the lecture marks CCS’s 29th Foundation Day, nearly three decades of our commitment to shaping public policy through the ideas of freedom and individual dignity.
About the Speaker
Rahul Sagar is a Global Network Associate Professor at New York University Abu Dhabi. His most recent books include The Birth of Indian Liberalism (Manchester University Press, 2026), The Progressive Maharaja: Sir Madhava Rao’s Hints on the Art and Science of Government (Oxford University Press, 2022), and To Raise a Fallen People: The Nineteenth-Century Origins of Indian Views on International Politics (Columbia University Press, 2022). He received his BA from Oxford and his PhD from Harvard and has previously served on the faculty at Princeton and National University of Singapore.
About the Project
The Indian Liberals Annual Lecture is a Centre for Civil Society initiative to strengthen the understanding of classical liberalism in India and offer alternative perspectives in public thought. While India has a rich liberal tradition, these ideas are not widely known or discussed.
Through its Indian Liberals website, CCS has created an extensive and regularly updated archive of original liberal writings and resources. This growing digital archive is an accessible source of knowledge for students, researchers, and citizens interested in individual liberty, limited government, and free markets. By featuring respected speakers who address India’s social, political, and economic challenges through a liberal lens, the lecture broadens liberal thought, sparks informed debate, and strengthens a freer, more open society.
Past Speakers
Over the years, the Indian Liberals Annual Lecture has featured eminent voices who have shaped and enriched India’s liberal discourse. Notable speakers include:
