The Conference welcomes submissions that reflect originality, quality, and scholarly rigour. We invite contributions from academicians, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers who are engaged in exploring the intersections of strategy, governance, and public policy. Submissions should resonate with the conference tracks and be grounded in robust theoretical, empirical, or practice-based insights that add value to both scholarship and practice. In keeping with the objectives of the conference, authors are encouraged to craft their work in clear and concise English, ensuring accessibility to a diverse audience of scholars and practitioners. All contributions must uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and should represent unpublished work that has not been submitted elsewhere. By doing so, we aim to foster a rich exchange of ideas that not only advances academic inquiry but also contributes meaningfully to strategy, evidence-based policymaking, and governance for Viksit Bharat by 2047.

General Guidelines

• Submissions must be original and should not have been published elsewhere.
• Submissions should be made in PDF format only.
• Submissions should be made in PDF (.pdf) format only.
• All manuscripts should be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, and follow APA (7th edition) referencing style.
• Authors must NOT mention their names in the document they submit.
• Each submission will undergo a double-blind peer-review process. Authors must therefore ensure that the main manuscript does not contain any identifying information.
• Abstracts of the accepted papers will be included in the Conference proceedings. Selected high-quality papers may be considered for publication in associated journals, subject to peer review and editorial decisions.
• At least one author must register for the conference for the paper to be included in the final program.

Type of Submissions

The conference invites high-quality contributions in the following categories:

• Extended Abstracts – Extended abstracts outlining research ideas, policy interventions, or case-based insights (up to 3,000 words).
• Empirical (full) Research Papers – Based on quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches with data-driven findings.
• Conceptual / Theoretical (full) Research Papers – Focused on advancing frameworks, theories, or conceptual models related to governance and policy.
• Methodological Research (full) Papers – Highlighting innovative methodologies, research designs, or analytical techniques applicable to decentralized planning and policymaking.
• Case Studies – Real-world cases from government, industry, civil society, or regional development contexts with strong policy implications.
• Working Papers (Research-in-Progress) – Preliminary findings from ongoing research projects offering scope for discussion and feedback.

Guidelines for Extended Abstract Submission

Interested authors are invited to submit an extended abstract with a maximum word limit of 3,000 words (inclusive of the synopsis/abstract but exclusive of references). The extended abstract should provide a clear outline of the proposed paper and its academic or policy relevance.

Each submission must begin with a brief abstract or synopsis not exceeding 200 words, highlighting the purpose, scope, and significance of the study.

The extended abstract should be well-structured and include:

• Introduction (context, aims, and objectives)
• Methodology (approach, data, and tools used)
• Findings/Expected Contributions (key insights, results, or discussions)
• Policy Implications/Recommendations (where relevant)

Please ensure your submission adheres to all guidelines listed above.