Niranjan Sahoo, PhD, is a Senior Fellow with ORF’s Governance and Politics Initiative. With years of expertise in governance and public policy, he now anchors studies and programmes on democracy, human rights, federalism, electoral reforms (particularly issues related to political funding), and cross-cutting issues of exclusion, insurgencies, affirmative action and inclusion. A recipient of the Asia Fellowship (2009) and a former Sir Ratan Tata Fellow, he currently serves as the South Asia member for the Carnegie Rising Democracies Network, where he debates and writes on democracy, foreign policy, human rights and other related issues.
Niranjan has authored two books: Politics of Power Sector Reforms in India (Pentagon Press, 2007) and Reservation Policy and its Implementation across Domains in India: An Analytical Review (Academic Foundation, 2009). His third book Exclusion and Insurgencies in India is in the pipeline. His latest (co-authored) monograph “Funding India’s Democracy” will be published soon. He regularly contributes for academic and current affairs journals, newspapers, think thanks and blogs, and features on television programmes related to his areas of expertise.
- Senior Fellow, ORF Goverance and Politics Initiative
- Academic Advisor, Centre for Overseas and Rural Studies, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
- Member, Rising Democracies Network, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, D.C., USA
Commentaries
What drives political violence in Bengal?
How 'Delhi model' facilitated AAP's historic Punjab sweep
Chinese nationalism, with socialist characteristics?
Bull by the Horns
India’s Maoist strategy needs a reset. But will Modi govt change its muscular approach?
Proposing a new governance structure for Delhi
The Quad can end the crisis in Myanmar
On Delhi, the Centre’s move goes against the spirit of federalism
India and Australia’s federal systems have responded fairly well to COVID19. But the US system hasn’t
Infections, Islamophobia, and intensifying societal polarization
Bangladesh elections: Sheikh Hasina wins a brute majority and loses some democracy
Brazil's own Donald Trump
The Maldives votes for freedom - but Delhi can't rejoice yet
SC gives back Delhi's elected government its powers — but misses a historical chance
Delhi’s dilemma
Can statehood solve Delhi’s problems?
Why it may be too soon to write democracy’s obituary?
With electoral bonds on table, take the full steps
Populism of the worst kind
India’s Rohingya realpolitik