WHERE EVIDENCE INSPIRES CHANGE

Operating at the intersection of knowledge and action, Arcus Policy Research is committed to advancing nuanced, evidence-driven solutions to complex development challenges. Through rigorous inquiry, contextual sensitivity, and strategic thinking, we strive to shape a future that is more equitable, informed, and responsive to the needs of a changing world.

Insight. Innovation. Impact

About Us

Arcus Policy Research is an independent policy research organization working at the confluence of agriculture, economics, and social transformation. Established in 2021, we undertake empirically grounded research and strategic advisory to inform inclusive development and institutional reform. We undertake research for government bodies, philanthropic institutions, multilateral agencies, and civil society organizations, generating empirically grounded insights that inform strategic planning and programmatic decision-making. Our approach emphasizes methodological rigor, institutional relevance, and an enduring commitment to inclusive and sustainable transformation.

About Us

Agriculture

Engagement in the agricultural domain is anchored in a deep understanding of policy ecosystems, market dynamics, and production systems. The focus lies in advancing sustainable farming models through comprehensive analysis of policy instruments, enhancement of productivity frameworks, and facilitation of effective market integration. Efforts are directed toward identifying structural inefficiencies and designing interventions that reinforce food system resilience and profitability for cultivators. Through data-intensive research, the sectoral landscape is examined to inform national and sub-national strategies addressing food security, resource optimization, and rural livelihoods. The aim is to contribute toward building an enabling environment that empowers farming communities, balances ecological imperatives, and ensures economic viability within the sector.

Bioenergy

This focus area engages with the evolving energy landscape by exploring the potential of bio-based alternatives in accelerating the shift toward cleaner fuel economies. The analytical expertise spans ethanol blending targets, biomass deployment strategies, and the regulatory architecture shaping India’s renewable energy ambitions. Research initiatives include feasibility assessments, lifecycle evaluations, and supply chain diagnostics to determine the viability and scalability of bioenergy solutions across regions. The work informs both policy and industry by identifying leverage points that can enhance adoption while ensuring economic and environmental efficiency. Emphasis is placed on enabling a just transition through evidence-based insights that reduce reliance on fossil fuels and foster sustainable energy futures.

Rural Livelihoods

This stream of work focuses on strengthening economic resilience in rural geographies through a comprehensive analysis of livelihood systems, income patterns, and access to enabling infrastructure. Research delves into employment dynamics, microfinance mechanisms, and diversification strategies that contribute to stable and sustainable rural economies. Particular attention is paid to financial inclusion, capacity enhancement, and the creation of scalable livelihood opportunities tailored to local contexts. The aim is to inform interventions that not only address immediate economic vulnerabilities but also lay the groundwork for long-term community empowerment and socio-economic mobility. By identifying structural enablers and constraints, this work supports the design of inclusive development models that uplift marginalized rural populations.

Climate & sustainability

Research in this sector is dedicated to aligning development strategies with ecological integrity and long-term resilience. Focus areas include evaluating climate adaptation pathways, optimizing water governance frameworks, and supporting transitions toward low-emission economies. Analytical work addresses the intersection of environmental stressors and socio-economic systems, emphasizing the need for anticipatory planning and integrated resource management. By assessing policy coherence and institutional readiness, the research facilitates the design of adaptive interventions that mitigate vulnerability and enhance sustainability outcomes. The objective is to equip stakeholders with evidence-driven strategies that balance growth imperatives with environmental stewardship, enabling systemic responses to the accelerating climate crisis.

Gender outcomes

This area of work is rooted in integrating gender-responsive frameworks into policy research and institutional analysis. By interrogating disparities in financial inclusion, labor force participation, and control over productive assets, the approach identifies structural barriers that hinder equitable participation in economic systems. Methodologies emphasize intersectionality, ensuring that both women and other historically marginalized groups are visible within developmental agendas. The research supports the formulation of inclusive strategies that not only recognize differential impacts but also promote redistributive justice in policy design. The goal is to inform governance and programming that advance gender-equitable growth, foster agency, and catalyze social mobility through targeted, evidence-informed pathways.

Market research and consumer insights

Work in this domain is centered on decoding consumption patterns and market structures through robust empirical inquiry. By employing advanced tools for demand forecasting, behavioral segmentation, and trend analysis, the research enables stakeholders to navigate shifting consumer preferences with greater precision. The objective is to generate actionable intelligence that guides strategic planning, product positioning, and policy development. Insight generation spans across demographic and geographic spectra, allowing for a nuanced understanding of market gaps, emerging opportunities, and sectoral constraints. These findings are crucial for institutions aiming to enhance operational agility, calibrate interventions, and align offerings with real-time consumer needs and macroeconomic developments.

Our Areas of Expertise

Agriculture

Engagement in the agricultural domain is anchored in a deep understanding of policy ecosystems, market dynamics, and production systems. The focus lies in advancing sustainable farming models through comprehensive analysis of policy instruments, enhancement of productivity frameworks, and facilitation of effective market integration. Efforts are directed toward identifying structural inefficiencies and designing interventions that reinforce food system resilience and profitability for cultivators. Through data-intensive research, the sectoral landscape is examined to inform national and sub-national strategies addressing food security, resource optimization, and rural livelihoods. The aim is to contribute toward building an enabling environment that empowers farming communities, balances ecological imperatives, and ensures economic viability within the sector.
Bioenergy

This focus area engages with the evolving energy landscape by exploring the potential of bio-based alternatives in accelerating the shift toward cleaner fuel economies. The analytical expertise spans ethanol blending targets, biomass deployment strategies, and the regulatory architecture shaping India’s renewable energy ambitions. Research initiatives include feasibility assessments, lifecycle evaluations, and supply chain diagnostics to determine the viability and scalability of bioenergy solutions across regions. The work informs both policy and industry by identifying leverage points that can enhance adoption while ensuring economic and environmental efficiency. Emphasis is placed on enabling a just transition through evidence-based insights that reduce reliance on fossil fuels and foster sustainable energy futures.
Rural Livelihoods

This stream of work focuses on strengthening economic resilience in rural geographies through a comprehensive analysis of livelihood systems, income patterns, and access to enabling infrastructure. Research delves into employment dynamics, microfinance mechanisms, and diversification strategies that contribute to stable and sustainable rural economies. Particular attention is paid to financial inclusion, capacity enhancement, and the creation of scalable livelihood opportunities tailored to local contexts. The aim is to inform interventions that not only address immediate economic vulnerabilities but also lay the groundwork for long-term community empowerment and socio-economic mobility. By identifying structural enablers and constraints, this work supports the design of inclusive development models that uplift marginalized rural populations.
Climate & Sustainability

Research in this sector is dedicated to aligning development strategies with ecological integrity and long-term resilience. Focus areas include evaluating climate adaptation pathways, optimizing water governance frameworks, and supporting transitions toward low-emission economies. Analytical work addresses the intersection of environmental stressors and socio-economic systems, emphasizing the need for anticipatory planning and integrated resource management. By assessing policy coherence and institutional readiness, the research facilitates the design of adaptive interventions that mitigate vulnerability and enhance sustainability outcomes. The objective is to equip stakeholders with evidence-driven strategies that balance growth imperatives with environmental stewardship, enabling systemic responses to the accelerating climate crisis.
Gender Outcomes

This area of work is rooted in integrating gender-responsive frameworks into policy research and institutional analysis. By interrogating disparities in financial inclusion, labor force participation, and control over productive assets, the approach identifies structural barriers that hinder equitable participation in economic systems. Methodologies emphasize intersectionality, ensuring that both women and other historically marginalized groups are visible within developmental agendas. The research supports the formulation of inclusive strategies that not only recognize differential impacts but also promote redistributive justice in policy design. The goal is to inform governance and programming that advance gender-equitable growth, foster agency, and catalyze social mobility through targeted, evidence-informed pathways.
Market Research and Consumer Insights

Work in this domain is centered on decoding consumption patterns and market structures through robust empirical inquiry. By employing advanced tools for demand forecasting, behavioral segmentation, and trend analysis, the research enables stakeholders to navigate shifting consumer preferences with greater precision. The objective is to generate actionable intelligence that guides strategic planning, product positioning, and policy development. Insight generation spans across demographic and geographic spectra, allowing for a nuanced understanding of market gaps, emerging opportunities, and sectoral constraints. These findings are crucial for institutions aiming to enhance operational agility, calibrate interventions, and align offerings with real-time consumer needs and macroeconomic developments.