PGPPM Policy Talk to examine XVI Finance Commission and its implications for India’s cities
Experts to discuss urban public finance reforms at IIMB on 18 February
18 February, 2026, Bengaluru: The Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM) at IIM Bangalore will host a session under its Policy Talk Series titled ‘XVI Finance Commission: What It Means for India’s Cities’ on 18 February 2026, from 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm, in Classroom Q-101.
The session will be delivered by Prabhat Kumar, Director – Public Finance Management, and Apula Singh, Senior Manager – Public Finance Management, Janaagraha. Both speakers have closely worked on Janaagraha’s engagement with the XVI Finance Commission and bring extensive experience in urban governance, municipal finance, and public systems reform.
It will examine how Finance Commission recommendations can influence the capacity of cities to deliver services, manage infrastructure, and respond to growing urbanisation challenges.
Speakers’ profiles
Prabhat Kumar is Director, Public Finance Management at Janaagraha – a leading civil society organization working towards transforming the quality of life in India’s cities and towns. In his role, Prabhat leads the advocacy, program design and implementation work on improving own revenues, inter-governmental transfers, financial planning, budgeting, accounting and audit reforms in Urban Local Governments.
Apula Singh is a Senior Manager in the Public Finance Management team at Janaagraha, with nearly a decade of experience in urban governance and municipal reforms. Her work has focused on strengthening municipal systems through service delivery improvements, performance monitoring and sustainable municipal financing. Currently, she leads Janaagraha’s engagements with the 16th Finance Commission, the Women in Public Finance Fellowship, and building public discourse on municipal budgets.
PGPPM Policy Talk to examine XVI Finance Commission and its implications for India’s cities
Experts to discuss urban public finance reforms at IIMB on 18 February
18 February, 2026, Bengaluru: The Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM) at IIM Bangalore will host a session under its Policy Talk Series titled ‘XVI Finance Commission: What It Means for India’s Cities’ on 18 February 2026, from 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm, in Classroom Q-101.
The session will be delivered by Prabhat Kumar, Director – Public Finance Management, and Apula Singh, Senior Manager – Public Finance Management, Janaagraha. Both speakers have closely worked on Janaagraha’s engagement with the XVI Finance Commission and bring extensive experience in urban governance, municipal finance, and public systems reform.
It will examine how Finance Commission recommendations can influence the capacity of cities to deliver services, manage infrastructure, and respond to growing urbanisation challenges.
Speakers’ profiles
Prabhat Kumar is Director, Public Finance Management at Janaagraha – a leading civil society organization working towards transforming the quality of life in India’s cities and towns. In his role, Prabhat leads the advocacy, program design and implementation work on improving own revenues, inter-governmental transfers, financial planning, budgeting, accounting and audit reforms in Urban Local Governments.
Apula Singh is a Senior Manager in the Public Finance Management team at Janaagraha, with nearly a decade of experience in urban governance and municipal reforms. Her work has focused on strengthening municipal systems through service delivery improvements, performance monitoring and sustainable municipal financing. Currently, she leads Janaagraha’s engagements with the 16th Finance Commission, the Women in Public Finance Fellowship, and building public discourse on municipal budgets.