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Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Awards
Recognising ethical and evidence-based behavioural interventions that improve lives in India.

The Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Awards honour individuals, teams, and organisations applying behavioural science to solve real-world social and governance challenges with empathy, integrity, and measurable impact.

Application Closed

Awards Ceremony 10 August 2026

Awards Concept Note

For any queries, contact: abhishekp21@ispp.org.in

About the Awards

The Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Awards recognise individuals, teams, and organisations that design and implement behavioural science–based interventions to create measurable social impact in India.

The Awards celebrate work that applies insights from human behaviour to improve outcomes in areas such as public health, education, financial inclusion, environmental sustainability, civic participation, and governance. Eligible interventions demonstrate thoughtful design, ethical practice, and clear evidence of impact.

By bringing together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and social sector leaders, the Awards aim to strengthen India’s behavioural science ecosystem and promote people-centred, empathetic policymaking.

Who Was Cheistha Kochhar (1990—2024)

Cheistha Kochhar was a public policy thinker and practitioner whose work helped shape how behavioural insights are applied in India’s public systems.

Her academic journey took her from the University of Delhi to the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics. In her professional career, she contributed to major public initiatives including work related to the Aadhaar ecosystem, and served in advisory roles at the Planning Commission and NITI Aayog. She played a key role in the early efforts to establish and advance the Behavioural Insights Unit at NITI Aayog, helping institutionalise nudging approaches within Indian public policy and governance.

She also conceptualised the Anubhav Lecture Series to build leadership capacity among grassroots changemakers transitioning into structured organisations, a programme that later partnered with the Indian School of Public Policy.

For Cheistha, nudges were never about control or persuasion. They were about care and responsibility, making it easier for people to make better choices while preserving dignity and freedom.

“How you make others feel is your only legacy.” — Cheistha Kochhar

Remembering Cheistha

Amitabh Kant

G20 Sherpa & Former CEO,
NITI Aayog

Cheistha was bright, brilliant & brave and always full of life. Gone away too early.

Prof. Sarah Ashwin

Head of the Department of Management, London School of Economics

Cheistha was a brilliant student; gifted, warm, hardworking, full of life and light. She was a model member of the PhD community, loved by everyone who interacted with her. We had high hopes she would grow to be a reputed scholar. We are so sorry that these dreams will not be realised.

Dr. Hyun-Jung Lee

Associate Professor, London School of Economics

Cheistha was curious and actively engaged in discussion and helped bring the entire class to the next level. Whenever I saw her she brightened up my day with her trademark smile and optimism.

Prasanna Karthik

Senior Manager – Public Policy, Amazon & Former OSD to CM Manohar Parrikar

The news that I would never again meet Cheistha or speak to her was deeply painful. The loss is immense, and the void she leaves behind is profound.

What Do We Mean by a “Nudge”?

The term nudge refers to an idea from economics and public policy that recognises how small changes in the way choices are presented can lead to better outcomes, without restricting freedom or forcing decisions.

Popularised by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, nudging focuses on designing environments that make it easier for people to act in their own and society’s best interest. Examples include simplifying forms, changing default options, improving messaging, or making beneficial choices more visible and accessible.

For Cheistha, nudges were about empathy - designing systems that reduce friction, respect autonomy, and acknowledge real human behaviour.

The Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Awards use the term “nudge” in this academic and public policy sense. The Awards are not affiliated with any organisation named Nudge.

Who Can Apply or Be Nominated

The Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Awards are open to individuals, teams, and organisations that have implemented impactful behavioural interventions in India.

Eligible applicants and nominees include:

Individuals and independent practitioners
Project teams
Non-profit organisations
Social enterprises and start ups
Academic and research institutions
Corporate CSR
teams
Government departments and public institutions
International or expatriate researchers, provided the work is implemented in India

Both completed and ongoing projects are eligible, provided there is evidence of measurable outcomes.

Self-nominations and third-party nominations are welcome.

Partners

The Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Awards are supported by institutions and individuals committed to ethical, evidence-based public problem-solving and people-centred policymaking in India.

Supporting Partner

Cheistha Kochhar Foundation

The Cheistha Kochhar Foundation supports the Awards in furthering Cheistha Kochhar’s legacy and values, including empathy, integrity, respect for autonomy, and the responsible use of behavioural insights for public good.

Call for Additional Partners

Organisations and individuals interested in partnering with the Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Awards are invited to get in touch.

Contact for Partnerships

Organising Committee

Abhijit Raha

Founder, Saikabs Consultancy Pte. Ltd.

Biju Dominic

Chief Evangelist, Fractal Analytics; CEO, Final Mile Consulting

Karan Arora

Founder, Behavioural Economics and Science Team (BEAST); Visiting Faculty, ISPP

Luis Miranda

Chairperson and Co-Founder, Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP)

Parth Shah

Dean and Co-Founder, ISPP

Prashant Gautam

Co-Founder, Acadly

Raghav Kochhar

Director, Ernst and Young (EY)

Lt. Gen. Dr. SP Kochhar

Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)

Dr. Sujoy Chakravarthy

Professor of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Visiting Faculty, ISPP

FAQs

Applications and Nominations Award Categories and Recognition Evaluation Process and Ethics Awards Ceremony and Timeline Governance, Partnerships, and Support Further Information

How do I apply or submit a nomination?

All applications and nominations must be submitted through the online application form linked on this page. The form guides applicants through the required information and supporting details.

Is there a fee to apply or nominate?

No. There is no application or nomination fee.

Are self-nominations allowed?

Yes. Individuals and organisations may nominate their own work. Third-party nominations are also welcome.

Can an individual apply without organisational affiliation?

Yes. Individuals may apply or be nominated even if they are not formally affiliated with an organisation, provided the work meets the eligibility criteria described on this page.

Are ongoing projects eligible?

Yes. Both completed and ongoing initiatives are eligible, as long as there is evidence of measurable outcomes at the time of application.

Can international applicants apply?

International or expatriate applicants may apply if the nominated work has been implemented in India.

What are the award categories?

For the inaugural edition, the Awards will recognise three outstanding contributions. Specific award categories are currently under development and will be announced shortly.

The Jury may also confer Special Mentions at its discretion.

Will the award categories change in future years?

Yes. Categories may evolve over time to reflect learning, emerging practices, and the growth of behavioural insights work in India.

What will awardees receive?

Awardees will receive:

The Cheistha Kochhar Nudge Award trophy
An official certificate of recognition
Prize money (INR 10 lakh per awardee)
Public recognition through Awards communications and outreach
An opportunity to present or showcase their work as part of the Awards ecosystem

Any additional opportunities related to learning, collaboration, or engagement will be communicated directly to awardees.

Is there prize money associated with the Awards?

Yes. Each awardee will receive INR 10 lakh in prize money, in addition to public recognition and visibility.

How are submissions evaluated?

Submissions are assessed through a two-stage process:

Initial screening by a Screening Committee
Final evaluation by an independent Jury

The Jury’s decisions are final.

What criteria are used to assess submissions?

Submissions are evaluated on factors such as:

Quality and intentional use of behavioural insights
Evidence of impact
Ethical integrity
Learning value and potential for replication
Relevance to India’s public and social priorities

What ethical standards apply to nominated work?

All nominated interventions are expected to:

Respect individual autonomy and dignity
Be transparent in intent
Avoid coercion or manipulation
Make evidence-based claims
Handle sensitive populations responsibly

When will the awardees be announced?

Awardees will be announced after the evaluation process is complete. Key dates and updates will be shared on this page and communicated directly to applicants.

When and where will the Awards ceremony take place?

The Awards will be presented at a formal ceremony in New Delhi, hosted by the Indian School of Public Policy, in 10 August 2026.

Who will be invited to the Awards ceremony?

The ceremony is an invitation-only event and will include awardees, shortlisted nominees, Jury members, partners, and members of the public policy and behavioural insights community.

Who hosts and administers the Awards?

The Awards are hosted by the Indian School of Public Policy, which serves as the institutional home and secretariat for the Awards.

How can organisations or individuals support the Awards?

Organisations and individuals aligned with the values of ethical, evidence-based public impact may support the Awards through partnership, funding, or knowledge collaboration. Further details are available under the Partner’s section above.

Where can I find more detailed information about the Awards framework?

A detailed Award Concept Note outlining the vision, award structure, and evaluation framework is available on this page.

Who can I contact if I have further questions?

For any additional queries, please contact the Awards Secretariat at abhishekp21@ispp.org.in

The team will be happy to assist.

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