Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS – pronounced See-Jis) aims to improve lives by helping Indian state governments deliver better development outcomes.
The four key characteristics of any high-performing organisation are (a) measuring outcomes through reliable, high quality data that enables goal setting and monitoring progress towards these goals; (b) strategic use of personnel – competency based hiring and training, skilling, and performance appraisals to determine job assignments, pay, and promotions – to achieve the goals above; (c) strategic budgeting where resource allocation is based on evidence and cost-effectiveness; (d) and creating efficient systems to leverage external actors (including for-profit and nonprofit organisations). The Indian State needs to perform better on all four fronts above, by enhancing its capacity. CEGIS partners with states to improve this capacity by focusing on these four pillars of the State.
Informed by cutting-edge research and evidence as well as a practical orientation toward implementable ideas, CEGIS works with State Governments in India to enable a transformative improvement in their functioning. This vision and Theory of Change (ToC) is an outcome of extensive research done by Prof. Karthik Muralidharan (CEGIS Co-Founder and Scientific Director) and strategic philanthropic support provided by Mr. Ashish Dhawan (CEGIS Co-Founder).
CEGIS’s 3x3 Framework drives systemic change through three key dimensions:
Institutional Strengthening by helping State governments in establishing Financial Analytics Units (FAUs), Data Analytics Units (DAUs), and Human Resource Units (HRUs) to enhance financial planning, data-driven governance, and workforce efficiency; Financial Analytics Units (FAUs)—help governments make data-driven decisions on revenue augmentation, macro-fiscal management, expenditure quality, and enhance fiscal efficiency. Data Analytics Units (DAUs) - analyze programmatic data to generate sharper insights for goal-setting and periodic reviews. These insights are further enhanced by triangulating administrative data with citizen-level inputs from independent surveys and outbound call centers. In Human Resources and administrative reforms, we help states build internal capabilities by setting up Human Resource Units (HRUs)- enabling competency-based Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Performance Management Systems (PMS).
Sectoral Engagement by collaborating with strong partner organizations in our three priority sectors (Education, Health & Nutrition ) to deepen reforms and build implementation capacity by improving administrative data quality, measuring outcomes and supervision mechanisms.
We engage across all three tiers of government to drive systemic change—advocating with the Government of India (GoI) for policy alignment, strengthening state capacity to implement and scale interventions, and partnering with local/municipal governments to embed and sustain reforms. This integrated model ensures systemic interventions in data and human resource management are effectively conceptualized, implemented, and sustained for long-term impact.
At CEGIS, we collaborate closely with state governments to enhance governance through deep, state-led partnerships. We follow an iterative cycle of “think-demonstrate-document-transfer,” ensuring that solutions are practical, scalable, and effective. We engage with all levels of government right from political and top bureaucratic leadership to the frontline workers.
Our solutions are continuously refined based on real-time feedback, designed for customization, and built to be replicated across different contexts—ensuring sustained impact and long-term governance transformation.
Since its incorporation in 2019, despite the enormous challenges posed by COVID, CEGIS has gained significant momentum in building strong collaborations with the government(s) as a trusted partner who can provide both thought leadership and implementation support on key governance reforms. CEGIS’ position as a non-profit that does not take any funding from the government (other than in-kind contributions of office space/staff) has been a key enabler in earning this trust.
From a small group of founding members, we have grown by leaps and bounds to become a team of 150+ members committed to nation building located across the country. Helmed by a former bureaucrat with invaluable governance experience, state and solution team leads with decades of domain expertise, and enabling functions led by professionals with considerable corporate careers, the team at CEGIS brings together knowledge and experience that spans various sectors - from developmental economics, research, and governance to management consulting and social entrepreneurship. We also explore synergies with other non-government organisations working with government on technical as well as implementation to accelerate impact.
CEGIS is a dynamic organisation that seeks to transform the way public policy is made and implemented in India. Our team comprises individuals who are passionate about making a difference. We believe in working collaboratively with our partners to achieve outcomes that have lasting impact. We place a high value on people skills, recognising that delivering results requires not just technical expertise, but also strong collaboration, communication, and leadership skills.
Our team is dedicated to finding innovative, research-based solutions to complex problems, and we nurture a work environment that inspires intellectual curiosity and encourages learning from the best minds, both internally and externally. Our policies promote a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe in supporting our staff through professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and other benefits.
 Opportunities for continuous learningAccess to MIT X DEDP Courses, STATA, R-Certification |  Flexible downtimeLiberal vacation policy |
 Flexible working hoursHybrid work policy |  Family friendly perksParental leave, Health insurance |
At CEGIS Foundation, we are committed to building an inclusive environment that practises equity and welcomes diversity in all its forms. We believe that when we embrace differentiated experiences and unique perspectives, we will create a culture of respect and decency where every individual feels valued and empowered. Together, we aspire to celebrate the visible and invisible qualities that make each of us who we are, and represent the diverse tapestry of humanity.
This statement of intent serves as a manifesto for our DEI journey. We are committed to ongoing action and measurable progress in building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation.
Current Openings
We are an action-oriented team motivated to bring about tangible change based on evidence. If our mission excites you, we would love for you to be a part of our team.
Apologies, it seems the position you're interested in has already been filled. Please consider leaving your details via our Application form for future opportunities. Thank you!
General interest applications: If you are excited about our mission, but don’t see any open roles that are a match for your skills, you can always fill out our General Application Form. We review submissions on a rolling basis and will reach out if we think you might be a good fit. Please note that we cannot respond to all applications. You will hear from us if you are shortlisted for the first level in the screening process.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of caste, creed, race, colour, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and basis of disability.
FAQ
If your profile matches the current openings, the Talent Acquisition team from CEGIS will connect with you within a week or so. If you do not receive a response to your application, it is likely that there is no obvious fit between your experience and skills and the role for which you applied.
- Step 1: (After application short-listing) A member of our Talent Acquisition team will schedule an introductory audio or video call to understand your experience, skills, and motivation to work with CEGIS.
- Step 2: Depending on the role(s) you are interested in, and the open positions we plan to hire for, the talent advisor will take your candidature to the next steps, which include
- Step 3: Completing a written assignment to assess aptitude for the role and writing skills, as well as an online assessment.
- Step 4: If you pass the assignment, there will be 1 or 2 rounds of technical interviews with the hiring managers. For senior positions, there may be more than two rounds of interviews.
- Step 5: The final HR interview helps assess the culture fit and also answer any questions you may have for CEGIS.
- Step 6: The Talent Acquisition (TA) team informs the selected candidate of the outcome of his/her application. As a next step, the HR team will discuss the compensation for the position, and based on your acceptance, three professional references will be sought.
We usually aim to complete the interview process within a timeframe of 3 to 4 weeks.
You may apply for multiple roles. Your profile will be assessed, and we will take it forward with the role that most closely aligns with your qualifications and the job description.
Yes, when reapplying, be sure to mention the specific role you applied for in the past and the name of the person you spoke with. Also, highlight the additional experiences you've gained since then, and explain how they have shaped you, making you better positioned to apply for the role(s) today.
It depends on the role for which you have applied. In most cases, the technical skills required for a particular role are clearly mentioned in the job descriptions (JDs).
Yes, you can apply if knowledge of statistical/data analysis tools is not a mandatory requirement. However, you must possess excellent data analysis skills and have at least a working knowledge of advanced MS-Excel functionalities.
Some roles, especially in Outcome Measurement, require mandatory knowledge of statistical tools such as STATA and/or R. For generalist roles, such as those in project delivery, you are required to possess analytical skills and have at least a working knowledge of advanced MS-Excel functionalities.
As the titles suggest, a Senior Programme Associate typically has more years of both overall and relevant work experience compared to a Programme Associate. The positioning of the candidate may also depend on the specific skill sets that candidates possess for the particular role.
CEGIS offers competitive salaries as per industry standards. Salary ranges are specific to individual positions and will be discussed during the recruitment process.
In cases where there are multiple locations open, we will assess your profile and try to evaluate you for your desired location.
We offer internship opportunities based on project needs and availability of mentors who can offer guidance during the internship.
To learn more about the type of reforms CEGIS is seeking to implement in states, please go through the following materials before sending in your application:
- Concept note on CEGIS
- Podcast episodes with Prof. Karthik Muralidharan – one each on education and healthcare in India.
- Collection of Prof. Karthik Muralidharan’s work here.