About

Praveen Rao is an author, good governance advocate and wildlife photographer with nearly two decades of experience working at the intersection of government, public policy and technology.

Throughout his career, he has worked with central and state governments, public-sector organisations, urban development agencies, and senior civil servants. He has also worked with leading multinational companies, including IBM, Autodesk and SAS. His experience includes government affairs, public-sector transformation, stakeholder engagement, and applying technology to complex challenges in public administration and public service delivery.

Having worked closely with policymakers, administrators and industry leaders, Praveen has developed a practical understanding of how public decisions are shaped, implemented and experienced by citizens. His writing and professional work reflect a continuing interest in good governance, public policy, public service and the relationship between public systems and society.

He is the author of Ballots to Benefits: The Impact of Pre-Election Social Schemes in India, an examination of welfare politics, fiscal sustainability and public policy. His second book, Still They Serve: The Untold Stories of Indian Public Servants, documents the dedication, resilience and often unseen contributions of India’s civil servants. His third book, The Cost of Not Answering: The Conversations We Think We Had, is forthcoming.

Praveen is also exploring doctoral research in good governance, with an interest in understanding practical challenges in public administration and identifying ways to strengthen public decision-making and public service delivery.

He is also the founder of Voice of Governance, an independent platform that encourages informed conversations about governance and public service. Through his writing, public engagements and research interests, he seeks to make important public issues more accessible and meaningful to a wider audience.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Praveen believes that meaningful change begins with informed conversations, evidence-based thinking and a genuine commitment to public service. Away from writing and governance, he finds perspective through wildlife photography and cycling, which helps him stay active, clear his mind and maintain balance.