
New generation of
principled leaders
Through a combination of hard skills, inner transformation, immersive experiences across India and a non partisan community, ISD nurtures principled leaders with moral courage and imagination to achieve sarvodaya.



The Good Politician
ISD's The Good Politician is for aspiring politicians who are looking to contest elections over the next few years. This executive model program is designed in 3 cycles of residentials (2 weeks each) with field time in between (3-4 months) in their own work areas. Residentials are full time including travel and immersion in different parts of india. When the participants are on the field, they attend weekly online session, while engaging on the ground in political activities. The program provides an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum; an excellent faculty - a mix of academics and practitioners across the political spectrum; and an opportunity to immerse in the different realities across the country through travel.
Applications for The Good Politician 2023 are now open


She Represents
शक्ति भी सक्षम भी
ISD believes that the world and India need more women in politics. Hence we organize a 7 day online program for women who want to become principled political leaders. During the program, these women learn the hard skills to enter politics, get exposure to journeys and stories of other female politicians and also get to engage in community building activities.
She Represents cohorts have had participants from 17 states of the country and speakers from across political parties.


Democracy Express
राजनीति से लोकनीति
ISD organizes an annual 10-day immersive journey, Democracy Express to engage with principled, progressive, and unsung young leaders of Indian politics. The purpose of this journey is to change the narrative around politics, reclaim it, introduce the youth to good politics and build a community of aspiring public leaders. Each Democracy Express is hosted in a different part of the country each year.
Applications for Democracy Express 2022 are now closed

Our Pedagogy

Knowledge
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Module-based learning from experts
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Guest lectures
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Debates
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Spaces for dialogue

Interaction
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Mentoring
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Holding environment for learning & sharing
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Peer collaborative groups
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Reflective journeys & practices

Immersion
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Field immersion and travel
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Shram daan on campus everyday
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Service for community
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Community engagement