Mr. Sarthak Bagchi is a political scientist and researcher based in Ahmedabad. He is currently a doctoral researcher at the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, where he is pursuing a PhD in South Asian Studies. He holds an M.Phil. in Political Science and Government from the University of Hyderabad. 

Mr. Bagchi’s research focuses on the everyday functioning of democracy in India, political mobilisation, comparative politics, party politics, informal politics, patronage and clientelism, and global populism. He has a particular interest in examining the dynamics of state–society relations and their role in shaping everyday political processes.

He has published peer-reviewed research articles in leading academic journals, including Economic and Political Weekly and Journal of Contemporary Asia. He has also contributed chapters to several edited volumes published by renowned academic publishers, including Duke University Press, Orient Blackswan, the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC), and Sage Publications.

In addition to his academic publications, Mr. Bagchi is a regular contributor of opinion pieces and political commentary to leading newspapers and public affairs platforms, including The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Times of India, The India Forum, The Wire, Outlook, and Frontline.

Alongside his research, Mr. Bagchi teaches courses on Indian politics, democracy, and global populism in Ahmedabad.