IIM Ranchi successfully concluded the third edition of Vidhan: The Policy Triathlon 2026, a national-level policy-making competition. Vidhan is an interdisciplinary and collaborative initiative jointly organized by IIM Ranchi & National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi. The event was entirely conceptualized and executed by student bodies, with the Polytrics and Paradox from IIM Ranchi and Kautilya Society from NUSRL Ranchi, playing a central role. The initiative was taken to establish a student-led platform to promote informed, evidence-based public policy discourse. Where Vidhan seeks to foster practical policy thinking, interdisciplinary engagement, and democratic dialogue among young scholars.

In the welcome address, Director IIM Ranchi, Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, emphasized the importance of discussing public policy among students. He stated that public policy is a critical subject that supports capacity building and prepares young minds for roles in public administration and policymaking. According to him, developing an understanding of public policy during student life can significantly contribute to better governance and informed decision-making in the future. He explained that continuous social and economic changes have increased the need for well-designed public policies. He also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between public administration and policymaking. He noted that IIMs contribute at the national level by supporting policy formulation and its effective implementation. He further shared that IIM Ranchi has expanded its Economics area to include Economics & Public Policy, reflecting the institute’s commitment to social impact.

The Chief Guest of the occasion, Shri Deepak Prakash, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, stated in his address that more attention should be given to the implementation of public policies rather than their formulation. He pointed out that while many policies are created in the country, it is essential to assess which ones are truly successful at the grassroots level. He stressed that the benefits of policies must reach the most disadvantaged sections of society. He added that management-level decision-makers must prioritize effective execution and ensure that policies are used properly after being formulated.

On the occasion, Prof. Utkarsh Verma, Assistant Professor, NUSRL Ranchi said that such competitions and discussions encourage students to actively engage in public policymaking and promote policy research. The session was graced by Dean - Academics, Prof. Tanusree Dutta; Dean - Executive Education & Consultancy, Prof. Amit Sachan; and Prof. Angshuman Hazarika.

The competition attracted students from across the country, representing premier institutions such as IIMs, NLUs, IITs, and several reputed private universities. Following multiple evaluation stages, 11 teams qualified as national finalists and presented their policy frameworks in the final round.  

In the final results, Team Upper East Side from IIM Shillong secured the first prize, receiving a cash award of ₹20,000 and a 100% free Manupatra course subscription. The team Power Clause from NUSRL Ranchi won the second prize, earning ₹15,000 and 75% off on Manupatra course, while team Cite and Cry from the RGNUL Patiala secured the third prize, receiving ₹10,000 along with 50% off on Manupatra course.