Public Policy
Implementation Theory
Critical Policy Studies
Education Policy and Finance
Development and Social Sector
Infrastructure (Transport and Energy)
- tanojkumar.meshram@spjimr.org
Tanojkumar Meshram
Associate Professor, Economics and PolicyChairperson, Post Graduate Programme in Development Management
Tanojkumar Meshram holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy from Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA.
He holds a double master’s degree in Social Policy and Public Management and Policy from Brandeis University and IIM Ahmedabad, respectively.
His academic and research focus lies in public policy, education and development. He has presented his research at leading international conferences and contributed to media Publications.
Prior to joining academia in 2014, he spent 18 years in practice, including as a civil servant (IES), and worked with notable organisations across the public sector, government, and philanthropy.
Education
Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Ph.D., 2022
Focus: Social Policy
Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
MA, 2016
Major: Social Policy
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
Post Graduate Programme, 2010
Major: Public Management and Policy
Government College of Engineering, Amravati University
BE, 1995
Major: Mechanical Engineering
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Research interests
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Selected publications
Meshram, T. (2022). Ambedkarite-Buddhists: From untouchables to the vanguards of social justice in India. Prabuddha: Journal Of Social Equality, 6(2), 62-80. https://prabuddha.us/index.php/pjse/article/view/90.
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Conferences
Meshram, T. (Presenter), Youth in contemporary society: Attitudes of exclusion and attempts for inclusion, “How education is causing the exclusion of youth and what can be done?” Andhra University, Vizag. (2018).
Meshram, T. (Presenter), Conference on Caste, Inequality and Economic Growth in South Asia: Challenges of Modernity and Tradition, “Ambedkarite-Buddhists: From untouchables to the vanguards of social justice in India,” Brandeis University, Waltham-MA, USA. (2016).
Meshram, T. (Presenter), Conference on Caste, Inequality and Economic Growth in South Asia: Challenges of Modernity and Tradition., “Differing aims of education and problems of representation. Panel discussion.,” Brandeis University, Waltham-MA, USA. (2016).
Meshram, T. (Presenter), Learning to Change the World: Global Education Conference, “How to bridge the education policy and implementation gap in India?” Harvard University, Cambridge, USA. (2016).
Meshram, T. (Presenter), Annihilation of Caste: The Unfinished Legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, “The challenge ahead while annihilating the caste,” Brandeis University, Waltham-MA, USA. (2015).
Meshram, T. (Presenter), Parliament of World Religions, “The role of Ambedkarite-Buddhists in the social justice movement in India,” Parliament of World Religions, Salt Lake City, USA. (2015).
Meshram, T. (Presenter), Ninth Annual International Conference on Public Policy and Management, “The policy and institutional context for leadership development programme,” Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Bangalore. (2014).
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Periodicals
Meshram, T. (2025). Good management can drive social change. BW Education.
Meshram, T. (2022). How we ended up with seventy-five years of unequal education. Forbes India.
Meshram, T. (2022). In 75 Years, India’s Education Policies Have Failed to Eradicate Inequality The Wire.
Meshram, T. (2021). Killing by silence? The Census neglect of indigenous peoples in India. The Times of India Blogs.
Meshram, T. (2021). We need not just lateral but fair and egalitarian entry into civil services. The Times of India Blogs.
Meshram, T. (2021). Palace on a dung heap. The Times of India Blogs.
Meshram, T. (2021). Reimagining rural public schools for equal and quality education for all. The Times of India Blogs.
Meshram, T. (2020). India’s small schools are failing to provide equal education to rural children. News18 Opinion.
Meshram, T. (2020). Language trap in education. Velivada.
Meshram, T. (2020). Should the proponents of public (government) schools celebrate Global Teacher Prize 2020 to Mr. Ranjitsinh Disale? Round Table India.
Meshram, T. (2020). Fighting the writing culture of the privileged. Round Table India.
Meshram, T. (2020). The importance of a caste-based census. Round Table India.
Meshram, T. (2018). Kabali to Kaala: Politics of Rajnikanth-Ranjith political-film partnership. Velivada.
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Featured in
Meshram, T. (2025). Why young Indians are not interested in the Prime Minister’s ambitious internship scheme. Scroll.in.
Meshram, T. (2025). Beyond business: SPJIMR’s transformative approach to leadership. The CSR Journal.
Meshram, T. (2024). Babasaheb’s apostles: How Buddhism and culture shift lifted Mahars. The Telegraph.
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Courses
Understanding Society and Government
Theory of Change
Qualitative Research Methodology
Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Analysis
Education System, Policy, and Finance
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Awards and honours
Fellowships:
Wyatt Jones Endowed Fellowship, Brandeis University. (2014 – 2017).
Marjorie S. Trotter Doctoral Fellowship, Brandeis University. (2017 – 2018).
Brandeis University, Brandeis University. (2017).
Heller Annual Fund Dissertation Grant, Brandeis University. (2017).
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Teaching interest
Public Policy and Implementation
Education Policy and Finance
Social Context of Development
Leadership In the Social Sector
Business, Government and Society
Qualitative Research Methodology
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Work experience
S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai. (February 2022 – present).
Associate Professor – Economics and Policy
Administrative assignments (February 2022 – present).
Chairperson, Post Graduate Programme in Development Management
Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bangalore. (October 2018 – January 2020).
External Consultant
Education Pioneers, USA. (June 2016 – August 2016).
Education Pioneers Fellow
Azim Premji Foundation, Bangalore. (June 2011 – August 2014).
Leader – Education Leadership and Management
Ministry of Railways, Government of India. (September 2000 – June 2011).
Senior Civil Servant
National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC). (August 1996 – August 2000).
Engineer (Operations and Maintenance)
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Consulting
Government, Government of Rajasthan, Bangalore and Jaipur. (2012).
Government, Government of Chhattisgarh, Bangalore and Raipur. (2011).
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MDPs/FDPs
Workshop, Education Leadership Development Programme, for education officers of Government of Rajasthan. (June – July 2014).
Workshop, Education Leadership Development Programme, for District Education Officers of Government of Madhya Pradesh at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie on behalf of Azim Premji Foundation. (April – May 2013).
Workshop, Orientation workshop, for education officers of the Government of Chhattisgarh on behalf of Azim Premji Foundation. Raipur. (June 2012).
Workshop, Launch cum orientation workshop for Education Leadership Development Programme, For education officers of Government of Chhattisgarh on behalf of Azim Premji Foundation. Bangalore. (May 2012).
Workshops, Education Leadership Development Programme, for education officers of the Government of Chhattisgarh on behalf of Azim Premji Foundation. Multiple Locations in Karnataka and Chhattisgarh. (September 2011 – December 2013).
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Professional memberships
Member, Comparative and International Education Society. (2016 – present).
Member, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. (2015 – present).