About the session

Public provisioning of essential services such as health, education, housing, and infrastructure remains at the heart of ensuring dignity and opportunity for India’s marginalised populations. Yet, uneven access continues to define rural realities, limiting the potential for inclusive growth.

In this session, Puja and Sandhya will explore how publicly available datasets, particularly the Mission Antyodaya data can be used to construct a ​‘Rural Deprivation Index’ that maps disparities across villages, blocks, districts, and states. By examining the intersection of data, governance, and social policy, the discussion will highlight how evidence-based tools can guide more equitable planning and strengthen accountability in public provisioning.

The speakers will also discuss how such indices can serve as powerful instruments for advocacy, helping policymakers and practitioners identify where support is needed most and how resources can be better targeted to address systemic deprivation.

Why attend?

This webinar invites participants to see beyond numbers to understand how data can narrate the lived experiences of deprivation and resilience across rural India. It offers a compelling look at how publicly available information can be transformed into actionable insights for more inclusive development.

Who should attend?

• Students, recent graduates, and professionals interested in public policy, development studies, data analytics, and rural governance
• Educators and civil society practitioners engaged with questions of equity and justice
• Anyone keen on exploring how data can be harnessed for meaningful social change.

This session will be especially relevant for those considering the Master of Development programme at Azim Premji University, designed to equip graduates to bridge data, policy, and practice for transformative social impact.

Have questions?

You may share your questions during registration or ask them live during the session.
 For further queries, please write to admissions@​apu.​edu.​in