Ananya Sarda
Ananya Sarda is a final-year undergraduate at Krea University, majoring in Political Science with a concentration in History and Literature and a strong interest in Public Policy. She believes that numbers gain meaning only when tied to the lives they represent — a perspective shaped by her experiences at NITI Aayog, The Times of India, and Pacta.
At NITI Aayog, she evaluated Union Budget allocations for Scheduled Tribes across 41 ministries, co-developed an inclusive monitoring framework, and designed convergence-tracking tools to enhance accountability. Her fieldwork with The Times of India during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections deepened her understanding of how policies translate to lived realities, while her research with Pacta and the International Institute of SDGs and Public Policy Research focuses on inclusive and data-driven governance.
A writer for Scroll.in and an avid Himalayan trekker, Ananya combines analytical rigor with creativity and resilience. She seeks opportunities in think tanks, government, and impact-driven organisations working at the intersection of policy, governance, and implementation.
Internship(Duration)
Research Intern
August 2025 - Present
• Co-authoring a research paper that integrates qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine policy interventions within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
NITI Aayog
Intern
April 2025 - June 2025
• Conducted a comprehensive, in-depth, data-driven evaluation of Union Budget allocations and scheme performance for Scheduled Tribes (STs) across FY 2023–2026, analysing central spending, utilisation rates across 41 ministries, categorising performance by fund flow efficiency, and highlighting gaps in Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) implementation across states and union territories using expenditure data
• Co-developed a national monitoring framework to integrate SC, ST, Gender, and North East indicators into the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) — proposed three scalable models for GoI adoption
• Designed strategic templates to enhance convergence tracking in flagship multi-ministerial schemes by creating innovative indicator mapping and tracking systems, helping streamline inter-ministerial coordination and accountability
• Assisted in the preparation and delivery of an official training session at the Constitution Club of India for the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) at NITI Aayog
The Times of India
Intern
May 2024-July 2024
• Conducted ground reporting on key political and civic issues, translating field insights into impactful stories
• Published multiple bylines in the digital and print editions, covering politics, elections, education and crime
Pacta
Project Intern
March 2024
• Investigated the availability and accessibility of justice-related data for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India
• Synthesised findings into a policy-relevant format for inclusion in the India Justice Report, aiding the push for more inclusive legal data systems
The Scroll.in
Intern
October 2024 - Present
• Published a review of My Palestine: An Impossible Exile for Scroll’s book section, exploring themes of statelessness and identity through a critical lens
• Currently developing a portfolio of long-form features and literary reviews for the Scroll
Projects & Work
Envoy (College Representative/College Ambassador)
2023 - Present
• Spearheaded outreach campaigns across high schools as Krea’s student ambassador, effectively conveying the university’s unique pedagogy and interdisciplinary model through presentations and campus tours
• Served as the official bridge (POC) between administration and prospective students, enabling a smoother, more personalised engagement process
Krea University
Editor - Her Campus
2023 - Present
• Edited and authored more than 50 articles for Krea University’s page of Her Campus
• Co-founded the Prakriti Club (2022-Present)
• Conceptualised and launched Krea’s first nature, trekking and outdoors club