CLEAR-SA Supports Tamil Nadu Government in Advancing Monitoring and Evaluation

In December 2024, the Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results for South Asia (CLEAR-SA), an implementing partner of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), presented key findings and recommendations from a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) diagnostics exercise conducted for the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu.

The report was submitted during a joint meeting attended by officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment and the state administrative training institute, Anna Administrative Staff College (AASC).

The findings were presented to Jayashree Muralidharan, Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare, and Vikram Kapur, Director of AASC and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to strengthening its M&E frameworks to improve program implementation and evidence-based decision-making.

Earlier this year, Mr. Kapur, in collaboration with CLEAR-SA, highlighted the importance of M&E capabilities within government institutions. The M&E diagnostics exercise was identified as a critical first step to assess existing strengths and gaps and to inform targeted capacity-building initiatives.

The Directorate of Social Welfare was identified for the diagnostic exercise due to its pivotal role in implementing welfare schemes for women, the transgender community, senior citizens, and mid-day meal programs in government schools.

The M&E diagnostics exercise conducted by CLEAR-SA in April 2024 involved a combination of desk research and in-person interviews with key personnel from the Directorate. CLEAR-SA focused on assessing foundational components of the M&E system, including system organization, data governance, and practices within the department. The insights gained from the exercise were analyzed and benchmarked against global M&E standards and practices, ensuring that the recommendations align with international standards.

During the joint meeting, CLEAR-SA staff presented their recommendations and incorporated feedback from the Department into the final M&E diagnostics report. “The M&E diagnostics conducted by CLEAR South Asia have provided valuable insights and actionable recommendations,” said Mr. Kapur. “These findings will guide us in enhancing our current M&E capacities and serve as a blueprint for the government to undertake similar diagnostics in the future, enabling a stronger culture of evidence-based decision making in Tamil Nadu.”

The Department of Social Welfare plans to collaborate further with CLEAR-SA to implement key recommendations through targeted training and advisory services. This initiative is expected to enhance M&E capabilities and improve reporting structures, ultimately leading to more effective implementation of programs and schemes within the Department.