UNDERSTANDING THE INDIAN THINK TANKS SPACE AND THEIR TRAJECTORY THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF ‘THE GLOBAL GO TO THINK TANKS INDEX REPORT’ FROM 2011 TO 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compile and analyze certain information that has been previously published in the ‘The Global Go To Think Tanks Index Report'. Designed/methodology approach: The analytical approach was used to analyze the past 10 years of published data of ‘The Global Go To Think Tanks Index Report' from 2011 to 2020. The analysis includes the year-wise distribution pattern and quantity of think tanks worldwide, particularly India. It also consists of the percentage growth of these think tanks, especially the growth of different policy think tanks in India. Research limitation(s): The research is confined to only 10 years of ‘The Global Go To Think Tanks Index Report' publications spanning from 2011 to 2020, and no other aspects were considered for this particular research paper. Key finding(s): According to the findings of the research, at the end of the decade, i.e., the year 2020, there were a total of 11175 think tanks from all over the world, out of which 612 were think tanks from India that featured in the GGTTI Report. The research also revealed that from 2011to 2020, think tanks in India had a growth of 110%, while it was a 70% overall growth of think tanks worldwide. The Indian think tanks have seen a rise from 2014, while think tanks worldwide have seen a gradual rise till 2016 and then a significant rise from 2016 to 2019, with a spike from 2019 to 2020. Practical implication(s): Policy making is a complex process, and think tanks are major players in policy making. However, their role and approach have not been studied or taken into consideration. This study identified the gap and loopholes in the existing study and understanding of think tanks by examining their growth. The analysis will create awareness among potential authors, readers, policymakers, experts, and analysts. This study will attempt to understand the scope and importance of think tanks. Contribution to knowledge: The research attempted to highlight the contribution of ‘The Global Go To Think Tanks Index Report's to the field of think tanks and their study. This study attempts to serve as a source of guidance for novice researchers interested in the analysis of research outputs of various think tanks and their scholarly databases. It also contributes to the academic world to assist and extend the boundaries of knowledge. Paper type: Research