Shaping Rajasthan’s public narrative through independent research.
The Council for Advocacy and Policy Research (CAP Rajasthan) is an independent, registered research and advocacy organisation dedicated to informed public discourse and evidence-based policy in Rajasthan.
Who We Are
CAP Rajasthan exists to bridge the long-standing gap between academic scholarship and practical policymaking ensuring that rigorous research, grounded data, and diverse public voices reach the decision-makers, institutions, and citizens who stand to benefit from them most.
We are a non-partisan body with no affiliation to any political party, government department, or private corporate interest. Our independence is central to our credibility. Every opinion we publish, every survey we conduct, and every recommendation we offer is guided solely by evidence, scholarly integrity, and the public good.
While our primary focus lies in understanding and responding to the unique challenges and opportunities of Rajasthan, we also engage with broader national and global questions that shape the lives of citizens in the state. In doing so, we bring local context to universal issues, and global perspectives to local problems.
Our Vision
To build a Rajasthan where public policy is informed by rigorous research, shaped by inclusive dialogue, and accountable to the citizens it serves — and where scholars from every district, university, and discipline have a platform to contribute meaningfully to the state’s future.
Our Mission
- Produce high-quality, independent research on the most pressing challenges facing Rajasthan.
- Amplify scholarly voices from smaller universities and underrepresented communities.
- Conduct public-opinion surveys that give citizens a direct voice in policymaking.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue between academics, practitioners, and policymakers.
- Disseminate knowledge widely in both English and Hindi, free of paywalls.
What Guides Our Work
Four principles define everything we do.
Independence
We accept no affiliation or influence from any government body, political party, or commercial interest. Our credibility rests on our autonomy.
Evidence First
Every position we take is grounded in data, field research, and verifiable sources. We value intellectual honesty over ideological convenience.
Inclusion
Rajasthan is a state of many voices — across geography, language, caste, gender, and discipline. We actively seek perspectives others overlook.
Public Relevance
Research gains value when it leaves the library. Our work is written, translated, and distributed to reach citizens, students, journalists, and policymakers.
Areas of Research
Our work spans the full range of disciplines that shape public life in Rajasthan.
Economy
Regional growth, fiscal policy, entrepreneurship, agrarian economics, and labour markets.
Education
Higher education reform, recruitment systems (RPSC, RAJ-CES), pedagogy, student welfare.
Health
Public health infrastructure, healthcare access, and health policy effectiveness.
Policy & Governance
Administrative reform, transparency, accountability, and the implementation gap.
Society
Gender, caste, patriarchy, community resilience, and social mobility.
Culture & Heritage
Preservation of Rajasthan’s cultural assets, heritage policy, creative industries.
Politics
Democratic institutions, electoral analysis, and political economy.
History & IR
Historical context for contemporary policy, and international perspectives that affect Rajasthan.
How We Work
CAP functions through three coordinated teams, each with a clearly defined role.
The Core Team
The Core Team is the organisational backbone of CAP Rajasthan — responsible for overall direction, editorial standards, strategic planning, and day-to-day functioning. The team brings together researchers from central universities, state universities, and specialised research institutes, reflecting our commitment to geographic and institutional diversity.
- Vishnu Rankawat — Founder & Director Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
- Murli Manohar Dadhich — Director Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur
- Bhanvar Singh Meena Delhi University, New Delhi
- Pankaj Pratap Raghuvanshi Central University of Rajasthan
- Divyansh Saxena Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur
- Radhika Jangir Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk
- Pratibha Kumari Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University, Sikar
- Ramnaresh Kuri IIPS, Mumbai
The Survey Team
The CAP Survey Team conducts structured public opinion surveys on issues of civic concern — from examination reforms and recruitment transparency to budget priorities and social policy. We believe public opinion is not an afterthought to policymaking; it is its foundation. The team has produced multiple survey reports, including studies on RPSC, RAJ-CES teaching associate recruitment, and higher-education administration.
The Research Team
The Research Team identifies structural issues, analytical gaps, and emerging policy questions — then produces the articles, opinion pieces, and detailed reports that translate findings into public knowledge. Outputs are disseminated through our website, CAP Magazine, YouTube lecture series, mainstream media partnerships, and social media.
Our Publications
We publish regularly across multiple formats — all freely available, without paywalls.
Why CAP Rajasthan Matters
Rajasthan has long been a state of enormous intellectual and cultural richness — yet much of the scholarship produced within its universities has struggled to find its way into policy conversations, public debate, or national discourse. Regional research voices are underrepresented. Hindi-language scholarship is often overlooked. And the gap between academic knowledge and governmental decision-making remains wide.
CAP Rajasthan exists to close that gap. We are not a government body, a political platform, or a commercial venture. We are an independent space where evidence speaks, where diverse voices are heard, and where the concerns of Rajasthan’s citizens — from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, from Udaipur to Sikar — can be studied seriously and shared widely.
Whether you are a scholar looking to publish, a student looking to learn, a policymaker looking for evidence, or a citizen looking to understand — CAP Rajasthan is your platform.
Get Involved
Join a community of 1,200+ scholars shaping Rajasthan’s future.