about us

Our Story

Development Solutions (DS) was founded by S Ramanathan and Vasudha Chakravarthy in 2014. DS exists for two reasons:

To enable informed and grounded decision-making for development, through improved availability, interpretation, and utilization of evidence
To enable impact-driven institutions to leverage the power of research and knowledge, strengthen data systems, build team capacity, and imbibe learnings irrespective of size, context, and networks

Today, DS works across India to support development partners with evidence, research, and knowledge to deepen social impact.

Fudding

83%

Donations

66%

Our Track Record

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+Years

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Projects

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Clients

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Indian States

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Countries

We have advised government bodies, philanthropic foundations, multilateral and bilateral organizations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations on a range of issues. We have worked across India. We have earned a reputation for expertise in health, education, and child protection. We have also worked extensively on issues related to skilling and livelihoods, nutrition, WASH, climate change, socio-economic inclusion, and urban transformation.

Our People

Our 35+ member team combines strategic thinking and methodological rigor with experience in getting things done on the ground. The team includes professionals with experience in UN organizations, government, strategy consulting firms, impact evaluation and research agencies, and non-profit organizations. We are skilled in quantitative and qualitative research methods, evaluation design, program monitoring, and capacity building. We can draw from a pool of experts and consultants with deep expertise across issues and methodologies. We are united by our shared passion for social impact and commitment to excellent client service. We are responsive. We are committed to facilitating an enabling environment with learning, growth, purpose (and of course fun!) for each individual. We are committed to embodying the best practices for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging that we espouse.

"My journey with DS has been truly enlightening. When I joined the organization, I had a vague idea of my career aspirations but lacked clarity on the specific path to pursue. DS has been instrumental in providing me with a nurturing environment that prioritizes personal and professional development. Through various projects and assignments, I have been able to delve into different aspects of the social impact sector, and I have finally found my niche.”

Sidhi Goyal

Senior Research Associate

“I am immensely grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and friendships I have gained at DS. Time truly flies when you're having fun, and at DS, every day has been an exciting journey filled with growth, camaraderie, and personal fulfillment. I cannot recommend DS enough to anyone seeking a vibrant and fulfilling professional environment.”

Avantika Bagai

Project Manager

“DS holds a special place in my heart as it gave me the opportunity to transition from an engineering background into the development sector, an avenue that seemed elusive in other organizations. Despite coming from a different background, DS believed in me and gave me an opportunity to nurture my passion for research. This place offers a platform where one can make mistakes and learn from them, fostering a culture of growth and continuous improvement.”

Anubhav Pandey

Business Development Associate

“Every day at DS has been a unique adventure, with each day presenting fresh opportunities and challenges. This constant variety has kept me engaged and motivated, as I am constantly learning and growing. Personally, DS has a warm and inclusive environment, and I am genuinely happy to be a part of it.”

Vranda Gandhi

Research Associate

“From the day I joined DS, I quickly discovered that it is like a close-knit family where everyone looks out for each other. The capacity-building sessions and bootcamp sessions have been immensely educational, providing me with valuable learning opportunities. I am excited about the prospect of continuing to learn and grow within this organization.”