Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA): Evaluation and Studies
Funded evaluation projects for NGOs/research orgs · social sector schemes · Ministry SJE
This central government scheme funds qualified research organizations to conduct independent evaluations of social welfare programmes run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, typically every two years. Funding covers staff, travel, consultancy, printing, and equipment costs, disbursed in three installments. Organizations apply through a competitive tender process initiated by the Ministry.
About This Scheme
This central government scheme funds qualified research organizations to conduct independent evaluations of social welfare programmes run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, typically every two years. Funding covers staff, travel, consultancy, printing, and equipment costs, disbursed in three installments. Organizations apply through a competitive tender process initiated by the Ministry.
Full official description
The scheme "Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA)" was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India. The "Evaluation and Studies" component of the scheme aims to establish institutionalized mechanisms for achieving transparency and accountability, generating lessons learned for real-time program improvement, and ensuring effective knowledge dissemination among stakeholders and targeted beneficiaries. The scheme provides for evaluation studies to be undertaken at regular intervals, preferably every two years, by reputed Agencies/Organizations or other Institutes.
Benefits
- Project funding covering: staff salaries, travel, consultancy fees, printing, equipment, books, computer costs, and overhead (up to 5% of total)
- Disbursed in 3 installments: 20% after Performance Bank Guarantee submission, 50% on draft report, 30% on final accepted report
- Performance Security: 8% of contract value via bank guarantee required
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If your startup provides social impact evaluation, data analytics, or survey technology to government programmes, this scheme is a direct entry point — organisations with 5+ years of social sector evaluation experience can bid for evaluation contracts.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a qualified organization, agency, or institute with experience in social sector evaluation studies
- Must not be blacklisted by any government body
- Must accept all Notice Inviting Tender terms and conditions
- Project Director must have at least 5 years of experience in social sector evaluation and statistical tools
- Must be willing and able to complete the assignment within the agreed timeframe
How to Apply
- Watch for an E-Bid/tender notification from the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Prepare a Technical Bid and Financial Bid, with the Project Director having at least 5 years of social sector evaluation experience.
- Submit all bid documents: Technical Bid, Financial Bid, Earnest Money Deposit (or exemption proof), and acceptance undertaking.
- A committee evaluates proposals; a Letter of Award (LoA) is issued to the successful bidder.
- Return the signed LoA with a Performance Bank Guarantee (8% of contract value) within the stipulated time.
- The first fund installment (20%) is released after receipt of the Performance Security.
- Draft report submission triggers the second installment (50%); final accepted report triggers the last 30%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What experience does the Project Director need to have in order to lead an evaluation study under this initiative?
The Project Director should possess at least 5 years' experience of evaluation studies in the social sector and must have necessary experience in the use of statistical tools.
If our organization has been exempted from paying the Earnest Money Deposit, what proof do we need to submit with our bid?
Organizations exempted from payment of Earnest Money Deposit must submit scanned proof of exemption along with their bid submission documents.
What are the different types of costs that will be covered by the Ministry if our evaluation project proposal gets approved?
The Ministry covers salaries and allowances of project staff, travel expenses, consultancy charges, printing costs, equipment and books, computer and tabulation costs, and contingency and overhead charges (calculated up to 5% of specified cost heads).
Within what time period must any unspent balance from the sanctioned funds be returned to the authorities after the project ends?
Any unspent balance out of the fund must be refunded within 30 days from the date of completion of the Project.
How many copies of the final report and summary report need to be submitted upon completion of the evaluation study?
Eight copies of the final report and twenty copies of the summary report must be submitted, along with soft versions of both.
What happens if our organization delays the submission of the report beyond the specified due date mentioned in the contract?
A penalty of 0.5% of the cost of the study per week will be levied if the Organization delays the submission of the report by the due date.
Is our organization required to maintain separate financial accounts specifically for the funds received under this evaluation project?
Yes, the Organization must maintain separate accounts for this fund, which will remain open to inspection by representatives of the Government of India, including the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
What percentage of the total contract value must be submitted as Performance Bank Guarantee after being selected for the project?
The successful bidder must submit a Performance Bank Guarantee issued by any scheduled commercial bank for 8% of the contract value.
At what stage of the project will the second installment of funds be released to our organization by the Ministry?
The second installment of 50% is released on submission and presentation of the draft report before the Ministry.
What interest rate will be charged if we fail to refund unspent balance or funds due to non-compliance with conditions?
Any unspent balance not refunded within 30 days, or funds required to be refunded due to failure to abide by conditions, will attract a penal interest of 15% per annum.
Can organizations that have been blacklisted by government authorities apply for undertaking evaluation studies under this programme?
No, the applicant must not have been blacklisted to be eligible for undertaking evaluation studies under this programme.
What kind of authorization letter needs to be submitted along with the bid documents to prove signatory authority?
An Authorization Letter from the firm must be submitted, certifying that the person who signed the bid is an authorized person to sign on behalf of the firm.
Are we required to submit audited financial statements and if so, for how many years should these statements cover?
Yes, scanned copies of audited annual accounts along with audit report of last three financial years must be submitted with the bid.
What happens to all the raw data, photographs, and filled schedules that our team collects during the evaluation study?
All raw data compiled during the study, including filled in schedules, tabulation or working sheets, reports, and photographs in electronic form, must be transferred to the Ministry and the ownership of the data transfers to the Department.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Earnest Money Deposit or exemption proof
- Organisation registration certificate
- Audited annual accounts for last 3 years
- PAN, TAN, and GST certificates
- Executive summaries of 3 evaluation studies completed in last 5 years
- Technical and Financial Bids
- Project Director and team credentials