About PAC
Our Story
Established in 1994 Public Affairs Centre (PAC) conducts action research by using data analytics effectively. PAC pioneered the Social Accountability Tools (SATs) which is well received and accepted globally. In doing so PAC ensures that it includes the last mile-the community by giving “voice to the voiceless”. As a Think Tank it constantly develops evidence-based research for public policies which has actionable points for scalability and replicability.
Currently it focusses on key SDGs to include primary education, health, livelihood and skills and gender which overarches all the SDGs. In short, it conducts effective research to provide accurate and judicious recommendations on key policy concerns. To do this PAC ensures that data analytics is woven into all its research projects. Through the policy engagements and communications activities it effectively unpacks and conveys key action points to relevant stakeholders.
Public Affairs Centre (PAC) began its journey from a modest office in Koramangala, Bengaluru, reflecting the vision of a small but ambitious institution committed to improving governance through evidence-based research and citizen engagement. As the organisation expanded, it established its own purpose-built campus on a two-acre site at KIADB Industrial Area, Bommasandra–Jigani Link Road, where it operated for nearly two decades and developed into one of India’s leading public policy and governance research institutions.
As part of its continuing evolution, PAC has leased its campus to an esteemed university while retaining ownership of the property. The organisation has relocated its headquarters to HM Geneva House on Cunningham Road, Bengaluru, positioning itself in the heart of the city and in close proximity to the Vidhana Soudha, government departments, and key administrative institutions.
This strategic move strengthens PAC’s engagement with policymakers, public institutions, development partners, and civil society while continuing its mission of advancing accountable, citizen-centric governance.
Our Founder
Dr. Samuel Paul established Public Affairs Centre (PAC) to primarily ensure that citizens are protected to have a rightful place in the flow diagram of procedures and access. This idea was spurned by a statement he observed with regard to public services in India.
The creation of PAC involved mobilisation of a vast amount of goodwill founded upon a cheery optimism and faith in humanity. Dr. Paul utilised his huge acquaintance and bonds with academicians, bureaucrats, researchers, and a number of students.
He invited them to co-habit a fresh space in Indian governance thinking, bringing with them a wide range of experiences with governments and service providers. He indulged several ideas that flowed in, sifted them for feasibility, and chose those ideas that indicated potential for application in real life situations. Around this nucleus of work, a team was born, dedicated to the protection of the values of transparency and public responsibility.
Mission
Enhance the quality of public governance, through active civil society engagement, to make it equitable, inclusive, and accountable; to ensure that we advance the rights of the vulnerable population; and secure fair development opportunities for all.
Vision
Undertake action research to generate evidence and new knowledge for sustainable development; foster awareness, informed advocacy, and well-designed action to enhance community agency; and partner with govern- ments to improve the quality of development praxis.
Chairman over the Years
Dr. Samuel Paul
1994–2010
Justice M. N. Venkatachalaiah
2010–2017
Dr. K. Kasturirangan
2017–2020
Dr. A. Ravindra, IAS (Retd.)
2020–2023
Sudhakar Rao, IAS (Retd.)
2023–Present
Directors over the Years
Dr. Suresh Balakrishnan
1997–2001
Dr. A. Ravindra, IAS (Retd.)
2005–2006
Dr. K. R. S. Murthy
2006–2007
Dr. Gopa Kumar Thampi
2007–2009
Suresh Raghavan
2009–2016
G. Gurucharan, IAS (Retd.)
2017-2023
Dr. Chaya Degaonkar
2023-2024
N. T. Abroo, IAS (Retd.)
2024-2025
Sujit Kumar Chowdhury, IPoS (Retd.)
2025-Present
Registrations & Accreditations
- Registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, Reg. No.: 207:94-95
- Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act (FCRA) No.: 094420730
- GSTIN: 29AAATP0947R1ZT
- TAN Number: BLRP01141A
- 80G & 12 A Certificates
- DARPAN ID: KA/2017/0117014
Dr. Samuel Paul established the Public Affairs Foundation (PAF) was established in 2003, as a not-for-profit company under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8, under the Companies Act 2013). It is primarily a knowledge-based organisation that is dedicated to improving the quality of public governance by providing advisory services which include developing customised knowledge products to improve social accountability.
