Srinivas Chokkakula

Srinivas Chokkakula is the President and CEO of the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in New Delhi, India, and holds the MoJS Research Chair (Ministry of Jal Shakti) in Water Conflicts and Governance. He leads the Transboundary Rivers, Ecologies, and Development Studies (TREADS) research cluster at CPR, focusing on river governance, infrastructure development, and policy reform. His work bridges academic research with practical policy interventions, including collaborations with India’s National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to enhance river rejuvenation efforts.

Chokkakula’s interdisciplinary background includes a PhD in Geography from the University of Washington, an MA in Political Geography from the University of Miami, and a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Kakatiya University. His postdoctoral research at SOAS, University of London, deepened his expertise in socio-environmental dynamics. He previously worked for a decade with public voluntary organizations (PVOs) on urban planning, disaster response, and indigenous knowledge systems.

His research interests span transboundary water management, smart cities, rural infrastructure, and the politics of large-scale development projects. He contributed to India’s 2019 National Water Policy as a member of the Drafting Committee and advocates for inclusive urbanism and environmental sustainability.

Chokkakula actively supports the non-profit sector, founding NGOs and serving on organizational boards. His accolades include the Chevening Scholarship and the Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Chair, reflecting his global impact in public policy and environmental governance.