Bengaluru, November 14, 2024 – The Government of Karnataka is extending its partnership with the The/Nudge Institute to launch the state’s third cohort of the Indian Administrative Fellowship (IAF). Applications are now open for this unique 18-month program, which offers senior executives (CXOs/ VPs) from the private sector the distinct opportunity to work with civil servants in the Government of Karnataka. This encourages socially conscious corporate leaders to collaborate with senior government officials to transform governance, accelerate tech-led innovation across livelihood programs, and help inform local policy priorities to create scalable impact on the lives of millions of citizens.

IAF’s previous two concluded cohorts, across Karnataka and Punjab, have demonstrated great success in advancing action towards social development, unlocking over Rs 1000 crores of government funding towards the Fellows’ livelihood-focused projects and impacting over 18 Lakh citizens. Currently, a second cohort in Karnataka and one more in partnership with the Central Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment are also in progress.

Previous fellows’ projects exhibit the true potential of this program. Ravi Trivedi, for example, was the Founder and CEO of PushEngage, with prior experience in Hewlett Packard and Bank of America. Working with the Karnataka Government’s Agriculture department, his focus was on lowering agrarian distress while enhancing market access, including by identifying gram panchayats for the pilot roll-out of the Integrated Farming System scheme, which reached 12,000 farmers. Further, he established the Agri-Innovation Cell and launched innovative solutions including AI-based early pest detection for cotton crops and a carbon credit cashback for farmers. Demonstrating the revolutionary potential of this idea, the Madhya Pradesh Government also built their own innovation cell. Across these interventions, Ravi mobilized over Rs 13 crores of funding. Such projects are vital given that roughly half of Karnataka’s workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

Previous Karnataka fellows also worked on other core projects demonstrating remarkable success, from empowering women self-help groups to reforming the horticulture value chain. One such case is that of Dr. Gayatri Swahar’s, Co-founder and Head of Marketing, Ycook India and previously working with Nielsen Consumer NeuroScience, who secured Rs 86.5 crore funds by conceptualizing the first-ever uniform brand for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to streamline market linkages, which was launched by the Chief Minister. She also strengthened the post-harvest ecosystem by establishing a special cell, the effects of which can directly impact 80 Lakh small and marginal farmers.

Commenting on the potential of this model to transform public systems, Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble CM of Karnataka, said, “As a front-runner in fostering public-private collaborations, the Government of Karnataka is proud of the success of the Indian Administrative Fellowship in partnership with The/Nudge Institute. We look forward to continuing this collaboration for the state’s development.”

Vivek Sharma, Managing Director, The/Nudge IAF, commented, “At the heart of the IAF program is the goal to create impact at scale that solves pressing regional problems and advances resilient livelihoods for millions. Linking intent with experience, our past two cohorts in Karnataka have demonstrated great success, prompting systems-level change and exciting innovations. We are thrilled to extend this thriving partnership with the Karnataka Government with a sharp focus on supporting the state’s underserved communities.”