Biography

Zara holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from O.P. Jindal Global University (2017) and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science (Hons.) from Jesus and Mary College, New Delhi (2015).

Before joining Jindal, Zara worked extensively in education, sanitation, and rural development. She has held key roles, including Smart City Fellow at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and Zila Swachh Bharat Prerak with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Her work has taken her to Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and the Mewat region of Haryana, where she contributed to women’s empowerment initiatives with the Sehgal Foundation.

In addition, Zara was part of the ASER-Pratham team as a research assistant, focusing on education policy. She has also provided political consultancy to various leaders, showcasing her versatility and expertise in policy and governance.

Currently, Zara serves as the Lab Coordinator at the Policy Research Lab at JSGP. She teaches courses on Gender and Development, Public Finance, Program Design and Evaluation, Identity Policy, and Democratic Governance. Her work continues to impact the intersection of policy, development, and social change.