How Knowing the Law Improves Public Policy Decision Making – Expert Insights

Explore how knowing the law improves public policy decision making through expert insights and global perspectives in this informative webinar coverage.

In today’s rapidly evolving governance landscape, the question of whether understanding legal frameworks can improve policy formulation is gaining importance. How knowing the law improves public policy decision making has become a central topic for educators, professionals, and law students seeking to bridge the gap between legal knowledge and actionable public policy.

Recently, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, organized a dynamic webinar titled “Can Knowing the Law make better Public Policy?” on February 8, 2026. This session brought together three global policy experts to unpack the intersection of legal expertise and public policy formulation.

The Importance of Legal Knowledge in Policy Making

Effective public policies require more than just good ideas—they demand an understanding of the legal, social, and institutional frameworks within which policies operate. Policymakers often face the challenge of moving from evidence and theory to practical implementation. This is where knowing the law becomes critical. Experts argue that law provides the foundational structure enabling policymakers to craft enforceable, sustainable, and impactful interventions.

Key Points Discussed:

• The transition from theoretical research to actionable policy.
• Legal considerations in authorizing government interventions.
• Scaling interventions while remaining compliant with legal frameworks.

This webinar emphasized that how knowing the law improves public policy decision making is not merely academic—it can directly affect the efficiency and legitimacy of government actions.

Speakers and Their Expertise

The panel included distinguished professionals with extensive experience in public policy, governance, and law:

1. Dr. Srikrishna Ayyangar

Chair of the Master’s in Public Policy Programme at NLSIU, Dr. Ayyangar is a political scientist with decades of experience in public policy education. He graduated from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and focuses on populism and case study methodologies. Dr. Ayyangar’s insights highlighted the importance of structured legal knowledge in designing actionable policies.

2. Ronald Abraham

Co-founder of IDinsight and current leader of Veeraa, Ronald Abraham has worked across Asia and Africa to support governments and nonprofits in using data and evidence for better decision-making. He shared real-world examples of how law-informed interventions improve policy outcomes, particularly in community-driven projects like the Jan Suraaj Foundation in Bihar.

3. Shimal Kapoor

Shimal Kapoor, a public policy professional with nearly a decade of experience, has worked at the intersection of governance, regulation, and technology. Her experience spans roles at the Supreme Court of India, World Bank, and leading tech firms including Meta. Kapoor emphasized the critical role of legal literacy in digital governance, privacy regulation, and AI policy.

How Law Shapes Public Policy

Understanding legal frameworks ensures that policy initiatives are:

• Legally Compliant: Prevents administrative challenges and litigation.
• Scalable: Enables policies to be implemented effectively across regions.
• Evidence-Based: Law helps translate research and data into enforceable actions.
• Transparent and Accountable: Legal grounding strengthens public trust.

The discussion also highlighted webinar on law and public policy insights for students, making it an invaluable resource for young professionals transitioning from legal studies to policy roles.

Implications for Law Students and Professionals

Law students and policy enthusiasts often overlook the importance of legal knowledge in practical policy work. This session provided guidance on:

• Identifying policy gaps that require legal solutions.
• Leveraging legal understanding for governance and regulatory roles.
• Preparing for career transitions into public policy and administrative services.

Integrating law and public policy expert conversations online webinar strategies can help emerging professionals contribute meaningfully to societal challenges.

Bridging Legal Knowledge with Public Policy

The webinar underscored actionable steps for students and professionals:

1. Engage with Legal Research: Regularly review statutes, case law, and regulatory frameworks relevant to policy issues.
2. Participate in Webinars and Workshops: Gain exposure to global practices and insights.
3. Collaborate with Experts: Multi-disciplinary teams enhance policy efficacy.
4. Focus on Evidence-Based Interventions: Combine law with data for informed decision-making.

Experts recommended that understanding the law should not remain theoretical; rather, it must be applied to public policy career transition for law graduates webinar programs, ensuring readiness for practical governance challenges.

Expert Insights on Effective Policy Making

Dr. Ayyangar highlighted the value of comparative case studies, enabling policymakers to learn from international best practices. Ronald Abraham shared examples from community-driven development projects in India, illustrating the practical impact of law-informed interventions. Shimal Kapoor stressed the growing relevance of legal literacy in emerging technology governance, including AI regulation and digital content oversight.

The discussion concluded that benefits of legal knowledge in effective policy making are profound, spanning improved compliance, evidence-driven strategy, and societal trust.

Integrating Legal Knowledge into Academic and Professional Growth

For students preparing for competitive exams or considering policy roles, understanding the interplay between law and public policy is vital. Resources such as NCERT courses, current affairs updates, and MCQs can enhance foundational knowledge, while webinars and expert sessions provide applied insights.

Useful Resources:

• NCERT Courses: https://courses.edunovations.com/
• Current Affairs: https://edunovations.com/currentaffairs/
• Notes & MCQs: https://edunovations.com/notes/, https://edunovations.com/mcq/
• Free NCERT PDFs & Mind Maps: https://courses.edunovations.com/shop-2/
• Videos & Syllabus: https://edunovations.com/videos/, https://edunovations.com/syllabus/
• External Reference: Mart India Infotech

Conclusion

The NLSIU webinar reinforced the critical link between law and public policy. Whether for students, aspiring policymakers, or professionals, understanding legal frameworks is essential to crafting sustainable, scalable, and socially impactful policies. The insights shared by Dr. Srikrishna Ayyangar, Ronald Abraham, and Shimal Kapoor make a compelling case for integrating legal knowledge into policy education and practice.

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FAQs

1. How knowing the law improves public policy decision making?
   Legal knowledge provides the foundation for policies that are enforceable, scalable, and evidence-driven.
2. Who can benefit from a webinar on law and public policy insights for students?
   Law students, policy professionals, and anyone transitioning into public policy roles can benefit.
3. What are the benefits of legal knowledge in effective policy making?
   It ensures compliance, transparency, accountability, and strengthens societal trust.
4. How can law and public policy expert conversations online webinar help professionals?
   They provide insights from global leaders, bridging theory and practical application.
5. Why is legal literacy important in digital governance?
   It helps regulate emerging technologies, including AI, online safety, and data privacy.
6. How does knowing the law support public policy career transition for law graduates webinar?
   It equips graduates with skills to navigate regulatory frameworks in policy roles.
7. Which skills are essential for integrating law with public policy?
   Legal research, comparative case studies, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration.
8. How can law knowledge improve evidence-based interventions in policy?
   It ensures interventions comply with regulations while maximizing impact.
9. What role do webinars play in understanding law and policy?
   Webinars provide expert insights, networking, and applied knowledge for policy development.
10. Can law knowledge enhance community-driven public policy initiatives?
    Yes, legal literacy supports sustainable, scalable, and accountable community programs.