Public Affairs Foundation

What Public Affairs Foundation does

Public Affairs Foundation (PAF) is a not-for-profit knowledge organization registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 (India), established in 2003 and headquartered in Bangalore with a single office. It was founded by Dr. Samuel Paul, who also founded the related Public Affairs Centre (PAC), with executive leadership under Dr. Annapoorna Ravichander. PAF operates with 1-10 employees and serves government agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, international development partners, and academia.

PAF's core offerings center on social accountability tools — notably Citizens' Report Cards (CRC), Community Score Cards (CSC), and Social Audit methodologies — combined with customized training modules, policy research, and consulting engagements. These are delivered through commissioned projects, workshops, and knowledge products including research reports, issue briefs, and annual reports published since 2009-2010. The technology layer is methodological rather than software-driven: participatory frameworks that collect citizen and service-provider feedback for evidence-based governance assessments.

Revenue is generated through project-based consulting, commissioned research, policy advisory services, and donor/grant funding from government bodies and international organizations. Pricing is largely undisclosed; one disclosed training course (Writing an Engaging Policy Brief) is priced at ₹1000 per participant for an 8-hour session, indicating training is a supplementary rather than primary revenue stream. The go-to-market motion is consultative and event-driven — direct engagement with government and NGO clients through projects, workshops, and stakeholder consultations rather than product-led distribution. Geographic reach spans multiple Indian states (Karnataka, Delhi, Bihar, UP, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya) plus international engagements in Egypt, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.

Name

Public Affairs Foundation

Legal name

Public Affairs Foundation

Website

https://pafglobal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Public Affairs Foundation is a Bangalore-based not-for-profit founded in 2003 that conducts governance research, social audits, and training using citizen feedback methodologies (CRC, CSC), serving government agencies, NGOs, and international development organizations across India, Egypt, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Governance Consulting and Public Policy Research

NAICS

Other General Government Support (92119), Administration of Economic Programs (926)

akta.pro primary industry

Democratic Governance & Public Administration Reform (BPADAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Affairs, Government Relations & Lobbying (BPAFADAB), Government Accountability, Ethics & Anti-Corruption Advocacy (BPAGAFAN)

Keywords

• Governance consulting
• Social accountability
• Capacity building training
• Public policy research
• Participatory monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Project-Based Consulting Services: The not-for-profit organization generates revenue through commissioned research projects, policy advisory services, and consulting engagements with government bodies and international organizations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Public Affairs Foundation is a knowledge-based not-for-profit that conducts governance research, policy evaluations, and capacity-building training, and develops citizen-centric tools to improve public service delivery. Its core offerings revolve around social accountability methodologies (Citizens' Report Cards, Community Score Cards, Social Audits, Impact Assessment, and PM&E), advisory services to government and civil society, and publications such as research reports, issue briefs, and annual reports.

Product overview

Public Affairs Foundation (PAF) is a not-for-profit knowledge-based organization established in 2003 under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013. It operates as a unified service offering centered on improving public governance quality through three interconnected core services: (1) Product Portfolio - capacity building and training products; (2) Training Services - customised training modules and workshops; and (3) Partnership Services - strategic alliances and collaborations. The organization complements these with knowledge products including research reports, issue briefs, and annual publications, along with advisory services focused on social accountability using evidence-based methodologies like Citizens' Report Cards (CRC) and Community Score Cards (CSC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Training Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Social audits conducted for Delhi government recognized as valuable by Chief Minister for improving governance quality
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CUTS InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2023PAF partnered with CUTS International (Consumer Unity & Trust Society) for stakeholder consultation on policy advocacy in road safety issues in Karnataka. Joint initiative addressing road safety challenges with key policy recommendations submitted to the Karnataka government.
• Public Affairs Centre (PAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAC is the parent organization founded by Dr. Samuel Paul. PAF was established as a related entity under PAC's leadership. The organizations share leadership including Dr. Annapoorna Ravichander who serves as Executive Director of PAF and Head of Policy Engagement and Communications at PAC.
• Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2 (KARC-2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAF was commissioned by KARC-2 to conduct a study on 'Rejuvenating District, Taluk & Sub-Taluk Level Training Institutes'. The report was submitted to Hon'ble CM Siddaramaiah on November 25, 2023.
• Results for Development Institute, Washington DCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPAF partnered with Results for Development Institute to deliver CRC (Citizens' Report Card) training workshop. PAF led a thorough, practical, and engaging workshop working closely with the partner team to meet their partners' needs.
• Egyptian Cabinet - Information Decision Support Centre (IDSC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPAF delivered PM&E (Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation) workshop in Egypt. The workshop covered Citizens' Report Cards (CRC), impact assessment, and Community Score Cards (CSC). Positive feedback received with consensus that trainers were extremely qualified.
• Tanzania Local Action Fund (TASAF)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPAF's work contributed to the design of TASAF III (Tanzania Social Action Fund). The outputs made a remarkable contribution in designing the next phase of the social protection program, helping communities participate in development transparently.
• NABARDminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPAF conducted NABARD-supported training in Raichur district on agricultural technology and smart farming practices for farmers.
• IIPA-Karnataka (Indian Institute of Public Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAF co-hosts the IIPA-KRB Virtual Newsletter with IIPA-Karnataka Branch. Collaborative publication covering public administration and governance topics with monthly newsletters including October, November, and December 2023 editions.
• Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with IIPA for virtual newsletter publications and joint webinars including the Public Affairs Index-2020 Governance in the States of India webinar.
• BMS College of LawminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPAF conducted Faculty Development Program on Dealing with Sexual Harassment at Workplace and training for support staff at BMS College of Law, Bengaluru.
• On Think TanksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPAF content featured on On Think Tanks platform including interviews with public policy leaders and articles on think tank best practices.
• Harish and Bina Shah FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmira Shah, Director of Harish and Bina Shah Foundation, engaged with PAF Executive Director Dr. Annapoorna Ravichander regarding foundation work and collaborations.
• IDinsightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuth E Levine, CEO and Partner of IDinsight, participated in RadioActive interview series discussing long-lasting relationships and partnerships during COVID-19 pandemic.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CUTS International: Jaipur-headquartered NGO working on consumer protection, governance, and policy advocacy. PAF is already a formal partner with CUTS on the Karnataka road safety policy consultation; both organizations operate as policy research and advocacy non-profits serving government and civil society.
• Public Affairs Centre (PAC): Bengaluru-based non-profit founded by Dr. Samuel Paul (also PAF's founder) and the parent/sister organization of Public Affairs Foundation. PAC and PAF share leadership, mission focus on governance and citizen engagement, and a closely overlapping research and advocacy portfolio, making PAC PAF's most direct peer.
• Accountability Initiative (Tattva): Indian think tank focused on budget transparency, public expenditure tracking, and governance accountability. Closely aligned with PAF's social accountability and citizen feedback mandate, though with a stronger emphasis on fiscal transparency.
• Centre for Policy Research (CPR): Leading Indian public policy think tank conducting policy research, governance reform, and capacity building with central and state governments. Comparable to PAF in serving government clients with research-driven policy advice, though CPR operates at a much larger scale.
• Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy: Bengaluru-based non-profit working on citizen engagement, urban governance, and accountability in public service delivery. Highly comparable to PAF in its focus on citizens' feedback mechanisms for improving government services, with overlapping training and civic participation programs.

Emerging players

• Results for Development Institute (R4D): Washington DC-based non-profit partnering with PAF on Citizens' Report Card training and operating globally on health, education, and governance. Comparable as a mission-driven research and advisory organization serving governments and donors with similar methodology-driven approaches.
• IDinsight: Global advisory, research, and analytics non-profit working with governments and foundations on evidence-driven decision making. PAF has partnered with IDinsight, and both share a focus on rigorous impact evaluation and government advisory in developing countries.

Broad incumbents

• National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER): India's oldest and largest economic policy think tank, conducting policy research for government and industry. Much larger than PAF but operates in an adjacent space of policy advisory and research for government stakeholders.
• Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA): Autonomous institution under the Government of India focused on training, research, and consultancy in public administration. PAF is an active partner with IIPA's Karnataka branch; IIPA is a broader incumbent offering public administration training and capacity building.

Regional players

• National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP): India-based autonomous research institute focused on public finance, taxation, and fiscal governance. Comparable to PAF in operating as a policy research institution serving government, though specializing in economic and fiscal policy rather than citizen engagement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pafglobal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNYvDdC1TEWfIKd-GSat1RA
• Facebookfacebook.com/pafglobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pafglobal
• Instagraminstagram.com/pafglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Public Affairs Foundation