CSTEP

What CSTEP does

CSTEP (Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy) is a Bengaluru-headquartered, FCRA-registered non-profit think tank founded in 2005, with 101-250 employees and operations across more than 16 Indian states plus selected international partnerships. Its core function is producing evidence-based research, scenario modeling, and decision-support tools to inform Indian government policy on climate, clean energy, air quality, sustainable development, and digital transformation. The technology stack is built around classical quantitative methods rather than AI/ML: proprietary system dynamics modeling (SAFARI for India development pathways), spatial climate risk visualization (CRAT), techno-economic assessment tools (E-DEPOT for e-bus depots, SiteRight for transmission planning, DEFT for ecosystem-based adaptation feasibility, DISHA for district-level socio-economic analytics), and a physical sensor evaluation facility (Indi-SET, established December 2023) that calibrates low-cost air quality instruments against reference-grade standards.

CSTEP does not sell software or services commercially. Its business model is grant-funded: revenue flows from central ministries (Power, MNRE, MoEFCC, NITI Aayog, DRDO), state governments (notably Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh), and a diversified base of international philanthropy and development institutions (Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Open Philanthropy, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Oak Foundation, Rainmatter, Nilekani Philanthropies, World Bank, UNDP, AFD). Pricing is non-commercial — all publications, tools, and models are available free of charge, and grants qualify for Section 80G tax exemption. Go-to-market is sales-led but relationship-driven: direct collaboration with ministries and state governments, supplemented by thought-leadership dissemination through publications, media coverage (The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Times of India, Business Standard), conferences, and digital content. CSTEP's primary customer segments are Indian central and state government institutions, international development agencies, and academic collaborators.

Name

CSTEP

Legal name

Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy

Website

https://cstep.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CSTEP is a Bengaluru-based, FCRA-registered non-profit think tank founded in 2005 that develops evidence-based research, scenario models, and decision-support tools to inform Indian central and state government policy on climate, clean energy, air quality, and sustainable development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Advisory Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) & Clean Energy Standards Compliance (EUAMANAF), Climate Finance, Carbon Markets & MRV Systems (BPADALAB), Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) (BPADAEAB)

Keywords

• Policy research
• Climate risk assessment
• Energy systems modeling
• Air quality monitoring
• Sustainable development research

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Donations: CSTEP operates as a non-profit think tank funded through grants from government bodies, international organizations, philanthropies, and foundations. Their website notes that grants and donations are eligible for tax exemptions under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CSTEP is a research-based think tank that conducts evidence-based policy research and develops analytical tools for governments and institutions. It produces research publications, policy briefs, techno-economic assessments, climate risk analyses, and decision-support platforms such as the SAFARI system dynamics model, CRAT climate risk tool, and E-DEPOT e-bus planning tool. Its work spans clean energy, air quality management, climate adaptation, and digital transformation, delivered primarily through project collaborations with central and state government ministries.

Product overview

CSTEP operates as a research think tank that has developed multiple analytical tools and models focused on climate, energy, and sustainability planning. Its core product portfolio includes the SAFARI system dynamics model for exploring India's development pathways, the CRAT climate risk assessment tool for visualizing multi-hazard risks across regions and sectors, the Indi-SET sensor evaluation facility for air quality monitoring calibration, and several specialized planning tools including E-DEPOT for e-bus electrification, SiteRight for transmission planning, and Karnataka DISHA for district analytics. These products function as standalone analytical platforms rather than an integrated suite, serving government and institutional stakeholders for evidence-based policy planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Indi-SET: India Sensor Evaluation and Training - India's first ambient low-cost sensor evaluation facility established at CSTEP's Bengaluru campus for testing and calibrating air quality sensors.
• SAFARI
• E-DEPOT
• CRAT

Products and services

• SAFARI Model (Sustainable Alternative Futures for India) A system dynamics model that explores energy, emissions, resource, and macroeconomic implications of achieving developmental goals, enabling scenario-based planning for India's sustainable development pathways aligned with SDGs. Used by policymakers and researchers for long-term energy and emissions planning.
• Climate Risk Assessment Tool (CRAT)

Quantifiable outcome

• PM-KUSUM solar irrigation scheme analysis: Component A achieved 8.4%, Component C-FLS achieved 38.2% of targets
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian government's defence research agency. CSTEP works with DRDO on relevant research initiatives.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government ministry for environmental policy. CSTEP provides research support for climate and environmental initiatives.
• Government of KarnatakacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government of Karnataka where CSTEP is headquartered. Multiple collaborative projects on climate, energy, and sustainability.
• NITI AayogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian government's premier policy think tank. CSTEP contributes to national policy planning exercises and scenario modeling.
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral ministry for renewable energy. CSTEP collaborates on renewable energy research and planning.
• Carnegie Mellon UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution for research collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier engineering institute for technical collaboration.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier research institute in Bengaluru. Multiple collaborative research projects.
• Clean Air Task ForcesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO focused on clean air and climate solutions.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based environmental organization for climate research collaboration.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal environmental organization for nature-based solutions research.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency for sustainable development. CSTEP contributes to national adaptation planning.
• Airparif (France)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench air quality monitoring organization. Partner in AIRLAB Microsensor Challenge for global sensor evaluation standards.
• Afri-SET (Ghana)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican Sensor Evaluation and Training facility. Partner in AIRLAB Microsensor Challenge for global sensor evaluation.
• Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState pollution control body. CSTEP collaborates on air quality monitoring and DG set emission studies.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER): India-based policy think tank producing research on economic regulation, trade, and sustainability. Comparable to CSTEP as a New Delhi-based Indian policy research institution advising central government on regulatory and economic policy.
• World Resources Institute India (WRI India): India arm of the WRI global sustainability research organization, working on energy, climate, and sustainable cities. Directly comparable to CSTEP in climate risk analytics, sustainable cities focus, and deep engagement with Indian state and central governments.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI): India's flagship energy and sustainability think tank, founded 1974, conducting policy research, modelling, and advisory work for government and industry. Directly comparable to CSTEP in mission, government client base, and thematic coverage (energy, climate, air quality).
• Observer Research Foundation (ORF): India-based policy think tank covering energy, economy, and climate among other domains. Comparable to CSTEP in its policy research output, government advisory positioning, and pan-Indian thematic coverage.
• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): International research organization known for systems dynamics modeling of energy, climate, and land-use pathways. Closely comparable to CSTEP in the methodological approach used in its SAFARI model — system dynamics for national development scenario planning.
• National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP): Indian policy research institution focused on public finance, taxation, and economic policy. Comparable to CSTEP in its advisory role to government, research-driven approach, and think tank positioning on national policy dossiers.
• Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW): One of India's leading policy research institutions on energy, environment, and water, headquartered in New Delhi. Comparable to CSTEP in its evidence-to-policy model, focus on clean energy transition, and engagement with NITI Aayog and central ministries.
• Climate Policy Initiative (CPI): Global climate finance and policy analysis organization with India operations, advising governments and funders on climate investment. Comparable to CSTEP in policy advisory work on clean energy finance, MRV systems, and donor-driven research.

Broad incumbents

• Resources for the Future (RFF): US-based independent research institution focused on environmental, energy, and natural resource economics. Comparable to CSTEP in producing academic-grade policy analysis with quantitative modeling used by governments and foundations.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): US Department of Energy national lab conducting energy systems analysis, renewable integration studies, and climate risk research. Comparable to CSTEP in developing analytical tools (e.g., RE integration modeling akin to SiteRight) used by policymakers for grid and energy transition planning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSTEP_India
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCROj7dD9PqkZj4My5En829A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cstep
• Instagraminstagram.com/cstep_ind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CSTEP