The Indian Government partnered with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia to maximise the impact of its anti-poverty programmes as part of its Vision 2029 strategy to achieve 'prosperity with happiness.' Under the partnership, J-PAL will evaluate as well as enhance both new and existing social programmes and policies and also provide technical assistance to government departments regarding effectively using and analysing data as well as generating policy-relevant insights.
The MoU establishes an overarching framework enabling J-PAL to work with government departments including agriculture, education, health, women and child development to test the efficacy of new and existing programmes through randomised evaluations and rigorous evaluation.
'J-PAL will draw upon the systematic processes it has developed with its government partners over the last 15 years to translate academic research insights into actioanable policies. AP government's engagement with evidence and data, along with their commitment to adopt a scientific approach to policymaking, makes them a valuable partner of J-PAL South Asia,' said Shobhini Mukerji, executive director of J-PAL South Asia.