CLEAR–SA Strengthens Evidence Use among Officers of the Indian Economic Service

The Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results for South Asia (CLEAR–SA), an implementing partner of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), partnered with the Government of India’s Indian Economic Service (IES) Division to deliver a training program at the Institute of Economic Growth in Delhi, for probationary IES officers focused on strengthening the use of evidence in public policy making. 

The training, titled Foundations of Monitoring and Evaluation and the Use of Evidence in Policy Making, was designed to align closely with the future roles of IES officers in government. It aimed to strengthen officers’ capacity to support evidence-informed policy design, program monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending across ministries and planning departments. 

The four-day, in-person program was held from January 27 to 30, 2026. It focused on equipping probationary officers with core M&E concepts and analytical tools that are central to the responsibilities of IES officers. Sessions emphasized how officers can contribute to framing theories of change for government programs, designing robust M&E frameworks, assessing data quality, and using both survey and administrative data to inform policy decisions. In their role as technical advisors embedded in the Ministry of Finance, the Planning Commission, and other ministries, IES officers assess cost-effectiveness of government programs and support M&E in flagship programs. 

“As Indian Economic Service officers, we are expected to act as a bridge between experts and practitioners and to advise policy makers based on rigorous evidence,” said Prashant Kumar, a probationary officer in the Indian Economic Service. “The training helped us understand how evidence can inform decision-making at every stage of the policy cycle—from design and implementation to monitoring and evaluation.” 

The training adopted a blended structure, combining lectures with applied group work, a field visit, and group presentations. Through hands-on exercises, officers practiced translating policy questions into measurable indicators, critiquing survey designs, and interpreting data to support decision-making. The field visit to Sonipat district in Haryana provided practical exposure to data collection processes, strengthening officers’ understanding of implementation realities, and the limitations of different data sources. 

“During my previous work as a tehsildar (revenue officer) in the state of Rajasthan, I often questioned how we could better assess whether policies were achieving their intended outcomes,” said Mohit Aggarwal, an officer in the Indian Economic Service. “This program clarified how impact assessments and pilot studies can be designed and used to inform policy decisions before scaling.” 

Overall, participant feedback suggested that the training strengthened officers’ preparedness to engage with M&E systems within government and to play an effective role in promoting the systematic use of evidence across policy formulation, implementation, and review. As part of the Indian Economic Service’s annual induction curriculum, the program contributes to longer-term efforts to embed evidence-informed approaches within government decision-making and public financial management.