Establishing State Governing Councils Under the Economic Transformation Council: Tamil Nadu Pilot and Southern Region Rollout Strategy (2025–2026)

Introduction

The Economic Transformation Council (ETC) is a transdisciplinary initiative focused on unlocking systemic change by aligning policy, talent, environment, and innovation across geographies. In its next phase of evolution, ETC is introducing State Governing Council Bodies (SGCBs) as localized governance units to better respond to regional developmental dynamics.

This model will be piloted in the state of Tamil Nadu during the fiscal year 2025–2026, followed by planned extensions into Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana. The introduction of SGCBs signifies a commitment to embedding transformation efforts into state-level governance frameworks, enhancing both ownership and delivery of ETC’s strategic programs.

The Need for Regionalized Governance

India's states exhibit deep heterogeneity in terms of institutional strength, economic activity, environmental vulnerability, and human capital readiness. National strategies, while visionary, often face challenges in implementation due to this regional complexity. The SGCBs are designed to fill this structural gap.

By introducing state-level governance bodies under the broader ETC umbrella, the organization aims to:

• Contextualize national initiatives in line with local realities

• Facilitate decentralized planning, engagement, and monitoring

• Build a direct bridge between the ETC’s central strategies and regional implementation networks

• Encourage policy co-creation, stakeholder ownership, and adaptive frameworks

Tamil Nadu as the Pilot State

Tamil Nadu has been selected as the pilot location for the SGCB framework due to its diverse industrial base, high literacy rate, robust institutional networks, and progressive development policies. It offers a conducive environment to model and validate the SGC architecture.

The pilot phase will involve coordinated engagement with academic institutions, industry clusters, non-profits, and regional thought leaders to ensure inclusive participation in the design and operationalization of the council.

Steering Committee as an Interim Mechanism (2025–2026)

To enable a smooth and participatory transition, ETC will constitute a State Steering Committee in Tamil Nadu for the financial year 2025–26. This ad-hoc body will serve as the foundational framework for the permanent State Governing Council Body, focusing on the following interim functions:

• Engaging in stakeholder consultations and policy dialogues

• Designing governance protocols and membership frameworks

• Mapping and identifying district-level representation

• Mobilizing local experts and institutions into ETC’s programs

• Laying the groundwork for integration of programs such as Sustainable Development Goals.

The Steering Committee will not only build structural clarity but also develop trust and credibility across sectors, which is essential for long-term legitimacy.

Functional Role of the SGCB

Once fully constituted, the State Governing Council Body will serve as ETC’s principal nodal body within the respective state. Its long-term responsibilities will include:

• Advising ETC on state-specific socio-economic development priorities

• Coordinating with district representatives to implement programs on the ground

• Overseeing the alignment of ETC’s thematic missions (e.g., Employability Programs, digital economy, rural innovation, green infrastructure) with state initiatives

• Establishing centers of excellence, hosting public consultations, and ensuring quality feedback loops to ETC headquarters

This governance model will allow for multi-level coordination, with state, district, and thematic verticals interconnected through a common strategy.

Timeline and Transition Plan

The implementation will follow this structured timeline:

1. Q2–Q3 FY 2025: Formation of the Tamil Nadu Steering Committee

2. Q4 FY 2025: Completion of policy frameworks, onboarding of district representatives, and vertical structuring

3. Q1 FY 2026: Formal inauguration of the Tamil Nadu State Governing Council

4. Q2–Q4 FY 2026: Replication of the model in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana

Each rollout will be guided by the insights and evaluation of the Tamil Nadu pilot, ensuring an iterative and data-informed expansion.

Evaluation Criteria

The success of the SGC model will be assessed based on:

• Level and diversity of stakeholder participation

• Quality and contextual relevance of the governance framework developed

• Integration efficiency of ETC flagship initiatives at the district level

• Creation of scalable models for other Indian states and regions

The evaluation will use a mix of qualitative stakeholder feedback and quantitative impact assessments.

The State Governing Council Body model reflects ETC’s commitment to systemic decentralization, context-sensitive governance, and participatory development. Tamil Nadu will serve as the blueprint for establishing state-aligned policy ecosystems, nurturing region-specific innovations, and catalyzing the next phase of India’s transformation story.

Through strategic planning, inclusive representation, and structured evaluation, the ETC aims to ensure that each SGCB becomes a center of gravity for regional transformation and institutional strength. #EconomicTransformationCouncil #IndianEconomy #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #TamilNadu #StateGoverningCouncilBody