Cheistha Kochhar Good Samaritan Award Instituted by the Centre for Digital Economy Policy Research
Please fill up the google form for nomination
Google Forms: Sign-in
Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).
Nomination Form
Life of Cheistha Kochhar
Cheistha Kochhar was a distinguished scholar and influential leader in the field of behavioural science and organisational strategy. She held an MA in International Development and Policy (MAIDP) from the University of Chicago and a BA (Honours) in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Delhi. Her academic and professional work was marked by an intersection of behavioural science and organisational strategy, particularly within public sector organisations, social enterprises, and philanthropies.
Cheistha Kochhar’s life was cut short when she was run over by a truck while cycling in London. Cheistha Kochhar, who had earlier worked with the public policy think-thank NITI Aayog, was pursuing her PhD at the London School of Economics. Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, had shared the news of her death in an online post saying “Cheistha Kochhar worked with me on the #LIFE programme in @NITIAayog. She was in the #Nudge unit and had gone to do her Ph.D in behavioural science at #LSE. Passed away in a terrible traffic incident while cycling in London. She
was bright, brilliant & brave and always full of life. Gone away too early. RIP.”
Throughout her career, Cheistha made significant contributions to the field of behavioural policy. She spent over a decade as a behavioural policy expert, where she designed and scaled national programs for prestigious global institutions such as McKinsey, the University of Chicago, and the Government of India. Her most notable role was as the founding Senior Advisor to the National Behavioural Insights Unit (BIU) of India, where she built and scaled the first BIU in the Global South. Additionally, she was a key member of the founding team of Aadhar, the Social Security Number equivalent of India.
Cheistha’s research focused on understanding and improving collaboration dynamics within and across pro-social organisations to address grand challenges. She employed mixed methods in her research designs to explore emerging forms of collaborations within non-market organisations and develop interventions to enhance their outcomes.
Born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, Cheistha Kochhar was pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London at the time of her passing. She had been a Doctoral Candidate studying behavioural research since moving to London from Gurugram, Haryana.
Cheistha’s academic journey was remarkable. She earned her Masters from the University of Chicago after completing her Young India Fellowship from Ashoka University, her undergraduate degree from Delhi University, and completing her schooling in Delhi and various Army schools around India. She also earned a postgraduate diploma from the University of Pennsylvania during this period. She was a proud recipient of prestigious academic distinctions including the Tata Scholarship, Clinton Fellowship and Harris Fellowship. In addition to this, she was also the
recipient of full scholarships with stipends from the London School of Economic, University of
Chicago and Ashoka University.
At the NITI Aayog, Cheistha served as the Associate Director at the Centre for Social and Behaviour Change and as a Senior Advisor at the National Behaviour Insight Unit. She established the ‘Nudge unit’ at India’s Niti Aayog, a UK-based global social purpose organisation that generates and applies behavioural insights to inform policy and improve public services using nudge theory. This was the first unit set up in the global South, and she was also consulting with University of Chicago to set up a unit there, while she was studying at LSE. Additionally, she
worked with the Ministry of Human Resource Development in Delhi as a Senior Educational Consultant for two years.
Cheistha Kochhar’s legacy is one of profound impact and dedication to advancing the field of behavioural science and its application in public policy and organisational strategy. She was 33 years old, and strongly desired to return to India to continue her work here. Her work continues to inspire and influence scholars and practitioners around the world.
About C-DEP.org
The Centre for Digital Economy Policy Research (C-DEP.org) is an independent think tank focused on advancing India’s technology-driven economy and domestic industries through well-researched, inclusive policy recommendations, and to work towards increasing the manufacturing capacity in the country through appropriate policy and fiscal interventions. By instituting this award, C-DEP continues its mission to foster a society driven by fairness, innovation, and social responsibility.
C-DEP aims to accelerate India’s transition into a digital economy, and transform Indian domestic industries. It focuses on promoting a level playing field for e-commerce and trade, technology-enabled manufacturing and services, next-generation digital services, digital infrastructure, data governance and other domestic industries including manufacturing and services.
The guiding goal of the organisation is to advocate policies that are fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory, and enabling. C-DEP provides support to diverse stakeholders, across governments, business communities, academia and civil society, in response to relevant and pressing policy matters relating to digital economy and trade remedies for domestic industries. With this approach, C-DEP seeks to ensure that policy responses are well-researched, inclusive and effective.
C-DEP’s objective is to bring together the finest brains in academia and industry to craft policy viewpoints on areas concerning India’s digital economy, trade and domestic manufacturing and service industries thus contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of India. It collaborates with thought leaders, both in India and abroad, for supporting and sensitising the Government of India and state governments in their various initiatives to make India a global digital industry hub.
About Cheistha Kocchar Good Samaritan Award
The Cheistha Kochhar Good Samaritan Award is being instituted by Centre for Digital Economy Policy Research (C-DEP.org) in memory of Cheistha Kochhar, 1990—2024. The award is being instituted at the behest of Sujit Bhattacharya, a young scholar who wants to use the nudge theory that Cheistha used to work on, to bring in change in society.
The Award will be given annually to person or persons who have contributed to the betterment of the society and who have consistently helped fellow humans in need. The award will support actions taken by exceptional individuals dedicated to service to society and is expected to nudge more citizens to become good samaritans.
The award aims to provide exceptional individuals with the resources and financial support to make significant contributions to the betterment of the society.
Eligibility Criteria
The award is open to any Indian citizen, anywhere in the world, who has consistently demonstrated selfless service to society, for the betterment and upliftment of the society.
Selection Process
Deserving candidates may be nominated through C-DEP.org for consideration. Deserving candidates may also self-nominate. A jury would then select the awardee through a consensual process.
Award
- An honorarium of Rs 10,000 per month for a year, to be shared with all awardees of that year
- Access to resources and student volunteers to drive social change
- A platform to present and share their work with the larger society, so as to motivate others to
join in the efforts to improve our society - Support to connect with legislators, to enable dialogue to effect the changes being
championed by the awardee