[1] The objectives of CPR are to develop substantive policy options on matters relevant to the Indian polity, economy and society; to provide advisory services to governments, public bodies and other institutions; and to disseminate information on policy issues through various channels.

Based on the profiles of its faculty members, CPR focuses on the following research areas.

[citation needed] CPR, being a non-profit organisation, receives its funds from:[2] In 2015, the Delhi Police registered a criminal complaint for breach of trust against Mehta and the Center for Policy Research in connection with a recruitment scam at the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

On 7 September 2022, the Income Tax Department Officers conducted raids on CPR premises[7] to investigate possible violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

[10] Notable academics in CPR's core faculty from various fields of public policy include: