How this tech leader is using innovation to revolutionise governance in Karnataka

How Pravin Hungund leveraged three decades of corporate expertise to strengthen public-private partnerships
Driven by purpose, this leader returned home to transform Karnataka’s governance with The/Nudge Indian Administrative Fellowship using a blend of tech and innovation.

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A beacon for homecoming – that is what The/Nudge Indian Administrative Fellowship (IAF) meant for Pravin Hungund, a Fellow in the 2023 cohort of the IAF Karnataka. For Pravin, home is Belgaum, nestled in the northern Western Ghats where he grew up, and Bijapur where he’d visit his grandparents over summers. While the journey of life and work took him far from his homeland to Europe and the USA, the longing to return to his roots remained strong. So when the opportunity to reconnect and serve his people came along, Pravin seized it with open arms.

Tech for a future-ready Karnataka

Pravin’s vision for Karnataka is one of hope and long-term change driven by tech innovation. He dreams of propelling livelihoods, education, health, and economic growth to achieve a $1 trillion GDP for Karnataka by 2030 and contribute towards India’s development vision for 2047.

The focus on technology is also a passion project for Pravin, who, early on, recognised the need for creating a unified technology platform to synergise various ecosystems. In his career spanning 30 years, Pravin has thrived on solving complex industrial problems across customer service, consulting, and emerging technology. Recognising this, it was clear that tech could be a powerful catalyst to drive long-term, systemic change.

Pravin’s ideas for technological integration in public services are both enterprising and practical. He believes that effective digital transformation hinges on managing intricate systems behind the scenes. Today’s technological advancements allow technical teams to manage complexity internally while keeping things simple for stakeholders and end users. This approach not only enhances user experience but also holds the potential to drive widespread adoption and meaningful, long-term impact across various sectors.

Collaboration for eGovernance

Pravin’s journey with the Indian Administrative Fellowship began with the ambitious task of exploring Panchatantra 2.0, a flagship eGovernance app by the Panchayat Raj department that promotes transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness, making the department a prime candidate for adopting Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) models for sustainable impact. Pravin was inspired by the vision of Smt. Uma Mahadevan, ACS, Panchayat Raj and Skill Development, to create livelihoods at the grassroots while simultaneously solving complex problems at a population scale, aiming to change outcomes over the next 10 years and beyond.

In order to realise this vision, he facilitated collaboration with CSOs like the eGovernment Foundation and EKStep Foundation. This resulted in transformative DPI projects on Digit and Sunbird platforms, which enhanced digital governance and educational infrastructure, respectively. Among his projects, building Digital Public Infrastructure and Solid Waste Management initiatives stands out, exemplifying his dedication to impactful, scalable solutions that integrate business models, technology, and public health to address climate change.

Building bridges between tech and people

While tech is important, Pravin believes engaging with local communities and stakeholders is just as important in defining problem spaces and designing solutions.

“It has been invaluable to engage with local stakeholders during my field visits to various districts in Karnataka and Kerala. Workshops with representatives to  

Paradigm shift from corporate to public sector

Pravin’s transition from the corporate world to working with the Karnataka state government has been both challenging and enlightening. Unlike the predictable, data-driven nature of corporate problems, the public sector presents unpredictable and complex issues requiring visionary leadership and immediate responses.

Pravin has been inspired by the leadership and decision-making abilities of IAS officers, whose courage and simplicity of thinking enable them to achieve results at scale. This experience has provided him with a lifetime of knowledge compressed into a year. Adapting to the government culture required a significant mindset shift for Pravin, who had to understand the thought processes of officers and earn respect through grassroots involvement.

Pravin Hungund's reflections on The/Nudge Indian Administrative Fellowship

Pravin has embraced his role as a student, diving into grassroots work and contributing to concept notes, roadmaps, and presentations. With the support and guidance from Smt. Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government (Panchayat Raj), and other department leaders, quickly adapted to the new ecosystem. This paradigm shift, though challenging, proved to be deeply satisfying and enriching for Pravin.

After the IAF, he aims to continue contributing to public service, leveraging his expertise in technology and innovation to drive positive change. Pravin envisions playing a role in initiatives that have a broad societal impact and contribute to nation-building.

About Authors

Pravin Hungund

Pravin Hungund is an Indian Administrative Fellow at The/Nudge Institute. He has worked with Karnataka state government for enhancing the state’s digital governance and educational infrastructure.

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Naren Srinivasan

Naren is Senior Manager – Product, Economic Inclusion Program (EIP) at The/Nudge Institut

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