People at ISS

Prof. Balveer Arora

Chairman, Centre for Multi-level Federalism

Professor Balveer Arora serves as the Founder-Chairman of the Centre for Multilevel Federalism (CMF) at the Institute of Social Sciences, in an honorary capacity.

The CMF was established in 2010 during the Institute's silver jubilee year. It is a member of the International Association of Centres for Federal Studies (IACFS) since 2012. Prior to this, Professor Arora held the position of Professor of Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he also served as Rector and Pro-Vice Chancellor from 2002 to 2005. He currently chairs the CSDS Board of Governors and holds the title of President Emeritus of the Board of Water for People India. He is a former Chairman of the Governing Body of the Blind Relief Association College for Special Education and serves as the Convenor of the Federal Democracy Programme at the India International Centre.

Professor Arora earned his Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Paris Pantheon-Sorbonne, following his academic journey at St Stephen's College in Delhi and Sciences Po Paris. He has held visiting professorships at Sciences Po Paris, as well as at renowned universities in Japan (Waseda), China (CNU), and the United States (University of Pennsylvania). He is the former President of the Alliance Française de Delhi and the Founder-President of the Sciences Po Alumni Association in India. He also chaired the Governance and Nomination Committee of Plan International India's Board from 2008 to 2017. His extensive scholarly work spans five decades, focusing on India’s federal democracy, its political institutions, and processes.

Professor Arora has contributed significantly to academic and scientific communities, serving on the Scientific Councils of the French Network of Institutes of Advanced Studies (RFIEA) and the House of Human Sciences (FMSH) in Paris. He is currently Vice-President of the Institut International Transcultura in Paris and sits on the Scientific Advisory Council for the journal *Communications*. Recognized for his achievements, he was made a Knight in the Legion of Honour—the highest civilian honor of the French Republic—in July 2011 and was previously appointed Officer in the National Order of Academic Laurels in 2002.

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Prof Rumki Basu

Head, Centre for Public Policy and Governance

Prof Rumki Basu is currently Head, Centre for Public Policy and Governance in the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi. Formerly, she was Head & Professor of Public Administration in Jamia Millia Islamia (2005-2021).

She has published several books, articles in journals and contributed book chapters on issues of Public Policy & Governance, International Organization, and the Political Economy of Development in India.

Her latest three books, Democracy and Public Policy in the Post Covid-19 World: Choices and Outcomes (2021), Public Administration in the 21st Century (2019) and Governance in South Asia (2017) have been published by Routledge, Francis and Taylor Group.

She has received the Indian Council of Social Science Research Teacher Fellowship Award, and the Bharat Jyoti Award by the India International Friendship Society. She was a recipient of the “Phenomenal SHE” Award Instituted by the Indian National Bar Association. The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) honoured her with the “Mary Hamilton Award” in recognition for her significant contribution to the field of Public Administration through “noteworthy international practice and substantial academic achievements”.

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PROF. AKHIL BIHARI OTA, IAS (RTD)

Regional Director, Eastern Regional Branch ISS, Odisha

Prof. Akhil Bihari Ota, IAS (Rtd.) is the Honorary Director of Odisha Branch, ISS. He was a former Professor in Anthropology and later joined Indian Administrative Service and retired as Revenue Divisional Commissioner. He worked as Former Director Tribal Welfare, Director of oldest Tribal Research Institute of the Country (Odisha TRI), Odisha State Tribal Museum, Director Secondary Education, former Commissioner cum Director SCSTRTI, Collector, Balasore District. Currently, he is the Senior Advisor, UNICEF and Tribal Development, UNDP. He authored more than 45 books including the recently Published "Encyclopedia of Scheduled Tribes in Odisha" in 5 Volumes.

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