Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt on Wednesday partnered with international research organisation J-PAL South Asia to strengthen evidence-based policymaking across state departments, signing a three-year agreement to use research, data and innovation to improve governance and public service delivery.Under the agreement, J-PAL South Asia will work with various departments to identify key policy challenges, conduct rigorous research and translate findings into actionable recommendations. The MoU was signed by Rashmi Kabi, FA-cum-additional secretary of the planning and convergence department, and Shobhini Mukerji, executive director of J-PAL South Asia, in the presence of chief secretary Anu Garg, development commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh and senior govt officials.“Our vision commits us to engaging research institutions in policy research and piloting innovations, as well as adopting data and AI-based interventions in line with global best practices,” said Garg.She said J-PAL would help bring global evidence, adapt successful approaches to Odisha’s needs and test solutions before scaling them up.