Who We Are | Centre for Policy Research and Analytics

CRAN bridges field-oriented empirical research with advances in social science theory to enable better public policy formulation. Headquartered in Mysuru, Karnataka, CRAN operates through a network of field investigators, supervisors and coordinators deployed across South India.

With over 50 completed projects, CRAN has built a strong reputation for rigorous, data-driven research with actionable insights for governments, international organisations, academic institutions, NGOs and the corporate sector.

01
Field first
First-hand data collected directly from the field, to ensure authenticity and precision.
02
Language of the district
Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, built with local field coordinators.
03
Capacity building
Training programmes on research methodology and data analysis for institutions and communities.
04
Independent evaluation
Monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment studies conducted independently.

Our mission

“To collect authentic information from society and transmit this knowledge to policymakers and implementers with an understanding of the space-specific socio-cultural dimension, for the successful operation of developmental programmes.”

01
Collect first-hand data from the field to ensure authenticity and precision.
02
Provide technical guidance to institutional and individual stakeholders.
03
Impart training programmes on research methodology and data analysis.
04
Build human and institutional capacity among vulnerable sections of society.
05
Conduct independent monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment studies.
06
Develop workable models of development partnership at regional level.

Organisation identity

Registration & offices

Organisation name	Centre for Policy Research and Analytics (CRAN)
Type	Society under Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960
Date of registration	28th May 2020 (activities commenced 2013)
Registering authority	Registrar of Societies, Government of Karnataka
Registered office	Hebbal, Mysuru – 570016, Karnataka, India
Working office	793, Opp. SBI, Revenue Layout, 1st Stage, Hebbal, Mysuru – 570016

Leadership Dr. Chaitra C N, CEO and Head of Research, CRAN

Dr. Chaitra C N

Chief Executive Officer & Head of Research

Ph.D. in Economics and Cooperation, University of Mysore. Her doctoral research examined the socio-economic dimensions of rural development, agrarian economics, cooperative institutions and public policy.

As founding CEO, Dr. Chaitra has steered CRAN into a recognised centre for policy analytics, completing 50+ projects for institutions including IIT Kanpur, IIM Ahmedabad, NCAER, IRMA and Government of Karnataka departments.

01
Research expertise
Survey design, socio-economic impact assessment, M&E frameworks, rural development analytics, women and child welfare studies, and Panchayati Raj governance research.
02
Vision
To position CRAN as a leading South India centre for interdisciplinary social science research and evidence-based policy analytics.

Geographic presence

Our field network across South India

CRAN's primary operational base is Mysuru, Karnataka, with field investigators deployed across South India, multi-lingual in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

State / UT	Coverage
Karnataka	Primary base state – all districts. HQ: Mysuru
Tamil Nadu	Full state coverage – rural and urban districts
Kerala	Full state coverage – all 14 districts
Andhra Pradesh	All districts – coastal and interior regions
Telangana	All districts including Hyderabad region
Puducherry	Union Territory – project coverage

Research areas

Research initiatives

To collect authentic information from society and transmit it to policymakers with socio-cultural sensitivity.

Field first

Language of the district

Capacity building

Independent evaluation

“To collect authentic information from society and transmit this knowledge to policymakers and implementers with an understanding of the space-specific socio-cultural dimension, for the successful operation of developmental programmes.”

Registration & offices

Dr. Chaitra C N

Research expertise

Vision

Our field network across South India

Planning a survey, an evaluation, or a CSR programme in South India?