Researching Reality 2025: Decriminalization for Development

The Researching Reality Public Policy Workshop 2025 is the Centre for Civil Society’s flagship 8-week residency program, running from 19 May to 18 July 2025. This year’s edition focuses on the theme “Trust-Based Governance: Decriminalization for Development,” exploring how excessive criminal provisions in business-related laws can hinder entrepreneurship and public trust in the state. The program is designed to deepen scholars’ understanding of public policy, law, economics, and research methodology, using a mix of theory, practical research, and collaborative learning.

A Diverse and Competitive Selection Process

This year, the program received 251 applications from across India. After rigorous screening of resumes and writing samples, 108 applicants were shortlisted for interviews. 50 participants were offered admission, and 23 scholars ultimately confirmed their participation. The selected cohort represents diverse academic and professional backgrounds in law, economics, public policy, and the social sciences. Scholars were divided into four state-specific groups of seven, each tasked with identifying over-criminalization provisions in their assigned state that obstruct ease of doing business and erode institutional trust.

Orientation, Theory and Institutional Deep Dives (May 2025)

The workshop officially commenced on 19 May 2025, beginning with an ice-breaking session and an introduction to CCS’s mission and flagship initiatives including Betiyaan, Bolo English, Strategy, Jeevika, and the Academy. Foundational sessions throughout May covered Public Choice Theory, New Public Management, regulatory barriers to livelihoods, and the criminal justice system’s impact on economic opportunity. Scholars were exposed to economic reasoning in law via lectures from Malabika Pal, learned about fair competition and decriminalization from Dr. Abha Yadav, and examined institutional evolution with Sourya Banerjee. Sessions were complemented by intensive reading discussions on topics like “Of Rule and Revenue,” “Why People Obey the Law,” and trust-building through participatory governance. A key highlight was the Alumni Panel featuring past RR fellows—Sanyam Mahajan, Durgesh Jha, and Lazana Desar—who offered reflections and guidance to the new cohort.

Research Preparation, Legal Reform and Communication (June 2025)

In June, the focus transitioned to legal design, research training, and issue-focused sessions. Scholars learned about user-centric legal reforms from Dr. Akanksha Bisoyi, explored the findings of “Jailed for Doing Business” with Gautam Chikermane, and studied the underlying methodology of the report with Rishi Agarwal, which mapped 1,500 laws and over 69,000 compliance conditions. Reading sessions continued with deep dives into the OECD’s “Trust and Public Policy” report and literature on deterrence, proportionality, and economic regulation. Internal discussions like the Jan Vishwas Act review led by scholar Ishant Sharma fostered peer learning, while Dr. Prashant Narang conducted a session on structured legal writing and citizen-facing communication. Scholars also brainstormed and began drafting thematic blogs, working through structured feedback loops. A creative art-based session on 9 June allowed participants to visually express their interpretations of trust-based governance, followed by the allocation of states and initiation of field research on 10 June.

Looking Ahead: Research, Fieldwork and Policy Output

The second phase of the workshop now focuses on rigorous field-based research. Each group will investigate their assigned state’s criminal and regulatory laws, collecting data and identifying provisions that obstruct ease of doing business. These findings will be shaped into policy papers, which will culminate in a published research compendium—a signature output of the Researching Reality program. Alongside research, scholars will continue to publish blogs, present findings, and engage in peer feedback. With its blend of academic rigor and applied inquiry, Researching Reality 2025 stands as a vibrant platform for nurturing public policy leaders equipped to reform India’s regulatory ecosystem from the ground up.

About Centre for Civil Society (CCS)

The Centre for Civil Society is India’s leading think tank advocating for freedom, choice, and accountability in policy-making. Through research, outreach, and education, CCS works towards transforming India’s legal and regulatory frameworks to enhance individual liberty and institutional effectiveness.