In early 2000, Azim Premji Foundation set out to work in the field of elementary education in government schools across India. The Foundation hoped to impact the quality of education of India at a deep and institutional level in close partnership with the government. Over the years, the Foundation set up district-level institutes that worked to improve the capacity of teachers, school leaders, teacher educators and administrators in public education. A decade of grassroots work generated critical insights into the challenges and opportunities on the ground. The biggest need of the hour was for well-qualified professionals in the social sector. Azim Premji University was set up in response to this need in 2010.