Template for the Policy paper

The Policy Paper will need to analyze a potential policy that might be adopted
and implemented at any level of government central, state, divisional, district
or municipal. The policy issue that you study should be one that is related to
your present assignment so that it may be considered for adoption and
implementation once you return to your respective positions upon completion of
Phase V. This will require an understanding of the issues related to the policy, a
well articulated formulation of the proposed policy, and a thorough discussion
of the intricacies of how that policy might be adopted and ultimately
implemented. It may be kept in mind that the topic chosen is not so broad and
general that the entire exercise becomes full of homilies and platitudes and
ultimately non-actionable. Examples of such general topics are Sustainable
Livelihood and Forest Development; Tribal Empowerment; Affordable Health;
Urban Migration, etc. Examples of narrow topics which allow specific policy
proposals to be identified and subjected to analysis are: Community Monitoring
under NRHM; Achieving MDG Targets for Safe Drinking Water in Gujarat;
Extending Agriculture Credit for Tenants/Sharecroppers; Developing Mass
Transport System for New Delhi, etc.

The Policy Paper should not exceed 4,000 words (excluding Annexures and
References but including footnotes). It must be mailed to the Academy at
trg4.lbsnaa@nic.in on or before 15 September, 2012.

An indicative template for the Paper is given below. You may or may not
follow the template in toto but you may bear in mind all the issues mentioned
therein and apply the ones felt relevant to the issue at hand.

I. Outline of the Policy Problem

a. Full statement of the problem

b. The problem in Indian historical context
c. The problem in global context (if applicable)
d. Current symptoms of the problem in India
e. Consideration of the underlying basic causes of the problem
II. Objectives to be sought from policy and critical constraints

III. Policy alternatives

a. Discussion and assessment of alternative generic policy

instruments
b. Assessment of the policy environment
c. Description of policy alternative(s); alternatives may include:
i) Alternative arrangements for implementation of
current policy (e.g., alternative service delivery
arrangements)
ii) Changes in current policy (includes creation of new
policy where one had previously not existed)

IV. Evaluation of Policy Alternative

a. How is the alternative policy likely to fare vis--vis the stated

objectives. Analytical perspectives could include:
i) Costs (including administrative and compliance costs)
and benefits of the policy to the economy
ii) Equity implications with respect to various
subcomponents of the population such social classes, income
levels, regions, etc.
iii) Implications for the environment
b. What are the contingency risks associated with these anticipated
effects (including risks of international events beyond the control
of the Government) and how might they be minimized

c. Implementation analysis
i) Programme logic (how the policy will fit in with existing,
related Government policy)
ii) Civil service issues, if any, and how they will be addressed
iii) Inter-ministerial coordination issues and how they will be
addressed
iv) Roles for decentralized governmental units and how can
anticipated outcomes be assured
v) Plan for monitoring and evaluating implemented policy
 V. Assessment of the Policy Environment

a. Stakeholder analysis
i) Who (individuals and groups) are primary and secondary
stakeholders in policy and are they internal or external to
government
ii) What are their interests and power
iii) Conduct SWOT and resource analysis of each
iv) Develop strategy to enhance support and reduce opposition

b. Communications issues
i) Public communications plan
ii) Media relations
iii) Issues (if any) pertaining to Right to Information Act

c. Political context
Assessment of the political environment in the country

VI. Conclusion

Annexures

VII. Supporting documentation

References