ISDM Holds DoDM 2026 on Lasting Change
On Friday, 9 October 2026, the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) convened the fourth edition of Dialogues on Development Management (DoDM 2026) at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The conference was centred on the theme “What Makes Social Change Last?” and assembled leaders from business, technology, grassroots development, financial inclusion, public policy, governance, philanthropy and social‑sector institution‑building.
The plenary featured Ashwin Yardi, Non‑Executive Chairman of Capgemini India; Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chairperson of Mann Deshi Bank and Mann Deshi Foundation; Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and President of ISDM; and Sharad Agarwal, Co‑Founder of ISDM. Their remarks underscored the breadth of the development ecosystem and the institutional, community and leadership dimensions required to sustain social change.
DoDM 2026 was organised into four interconnected tracks:
1. Building Institutions, Not Just Organisations – examined governance, leadership and resilience needed for institutions to endure beyond individuals and funding cycles.
2. From Schemes to Systems – explored how public systems can become more adaptive and capable of sustaining change at scale.
3. Funding the Future We Say We Want – examined the funding relationships and forms of capital required for long‑term change.
4. What is Impact Beyond the Numbers? – discussed moving beyond output metrics to assess whether change is truly rooted and enduring.
The event attracted more than 4,000 participants, over 400 speakers and moderators, 270 research papers and 50 track partners. Formats included plenary conversations, Development Management Cases, masterclasses, research paper presentations, interactive discussions and Development Management Clinics, providing multiple avenues for participants to engage with real questions of organisational and systemic change.
Chetna Sinha emphasized that lasting social change depends on community agency, institutions and resources, noting that financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and community institutions have rooted change in the lives of rural women. Ravi Sreedharan stated that while good programmes or individuals can spark change, lasting impact requires Social Purpose Organisations that are resilient and equipped to operate over long periods in specific geographies or issues, a role fulfilled by Development Management. Sharad Agarwal added that sustaining change demands greater focus on the systems within which development programmes operate, stressing accountability and responsiveness to communities.
Since its inaugural edition in 2023, DoDM has grown into a platform for Development Management dialogue, with cumulative participation exceeding 4,000 individuals, 400 speakers, 270 research papers and 50 track partners across its editions.
About ISDM
Founded in 2016, ISDM prepares leaders with functional expertise, managerial judgment and ethical responsibility to build strong, resilient social‑purpose organisations that create sustained impact at scale. Its core activities are:
- Leadership development through the flagship Post Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP‑DM).
- Advancement of Development Management as a distinct discipline integrating management, social science, public policy and practice.
- Ecosystem capacity building across NGOs, foundations, social enterprises and policy spaces.
The PGP‑DM is an 11‑month programme spread over eight terms, combining development perspectives with management rigor to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and empathy required to lead work with real impact at scale.
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