Theme: Growth and Employment
Sponsor: The Crafts Council of India
Project Director/s: Professor G.C. Manna
Research Team: Dr. Sunil K. Mishra, Mr. Vikas Dubey, Mr. Subodh Kumar

Introduction: Estimating the contribution of the handicraft and handloom sector to value added and employment in India is vital for understanding its role within the broader economic framework, particularly in terms of rural development, income generation, and poverty alleviation.

This sector, deeply embedded in India’s socio-economic fabric, employs a substantial proportion of the rural workforce, including marginalized communities and women, who often lack alternative livelihood opportunities. Moreover, as a sector characterized by labour-intensive production processes, it has the potential to contribute significantly to inclusive growth by generating employment in regions with limited industrial development. Quantifying its contribution allows for a more accurate assessment of its economic impact, which is essential for designing evidence-based policies aimed at enhancing productivity, ensuring sustainable livelihoods, and preserving traditional skills. Additionally, such estimation helps in capturing the sector’s potential in contributing to export earnings and regional economic diversification, thereby reinforcing its strategic importance in India’s economic policy discourse.

Aims and Objective: Fulfilling the data gaps for the handicraft and handloom sector by estimating the size of the sector in terms of employment and their contribution to gross value added

Methodology: The primary survey involves data collection from a stratified random sample of establishments engaged in handloom and handicrafts sector in 4 States of Assam, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. From each State, 3 districts have been selected and from each district, a random sample of 20 villages and 20 CEBs with 10 establishments (4 engaged in handloom and 6 in handicraft activities) per village/CEB are approached for data collection.

Theme: Education and Skills
Sponsor/s: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
Project Director/s: Dr. Raghunanadan Sharma (Patna University)
Research Team: Dr. Swati Dutta, Mr. Arjun Dubey

Introduction: The quality of education in Bihar remains a critical concern, largely due to challenges in governance at various levels of the educational system. Issues such as unclear transfer policies, frequent non-academic duties, and declining teacher-pupil ratios contribute to the inefficiencies that hinder educational outcomes. Similarly, governance issues at the intermediate and higher education levels, including the lack of a coherent policy framework and financial mismanagement, further exacerbate the situation. This research aims to investigate the governance failures within Bihar’s educational institutions and assess their impact on the quality of education from the perspectives of key stakeholders—teachers, administrators, and students. Addressing these governance challenges is vital for enhancing the effectiveness of educational services and ensuring that Bihar’s educational system can meet its potential to drive both economic and social development.

Aims and Objective: The aim of the study is to understand the governance of educational institutions in the state. The objective of the study broadly focused on

• To understand the governance of education at different levels of administration and institutions such as schools, colleges and universities in Bihar;
• To assess the quality by some measurable yardsticks such as employees and students satisfaction and understand factors determining quality;
• To suggest measures for effective governance and sound financial system for improving quality of education in the state.

Methodology: The methodology of this study combines both secondary data analysis and extensive primary data collection to investigate governance in Bihar’s educational institutions. Secondary data will be drawn from sources such as NUEPA, UGC, and Government of Bihar, alongside an analysis of relevant committee reports. The primary data will be gathered through structured questionnaires targeting various administrative levels—state, district, and block—as well as educational institutions, including elementary and secondary schools, intermediate colleges, universities, and postgraduate departments. The study will survey stakeholders, including teachers, employees, and students, across these institutions to understand their perceptions of governance. The sampling will cover a range of educational settings across four regions of Bihar, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of governance practices and their impact on educational quality.

Theme: Education and Skills
Sponsor/s: NITI Aayog
Project Director/s: Dr. Tanuka Endow
Co-PI: Dr. Balwant Singh Mehta
Research Team: Dr. Swati Dutta, Dr. Deeksha Tayal and Mr. Siddharth Dhote

Introduction: India has the largest population of youth in the world. The youth need to enhance their skills to take up new opportunities such as jobs emerging from evolving technologies like Industry 4.0, (automation, robotics, big data analytics, AI, and machine learning etc.). Given this background, the education system must reorient and upskill both the future and current workforce.

Aims and Objective: The main objective of the study is to map the education and skill profile needed for the future. Detailed objectives are:

• Background and Context of the Role of Education and Skilling for Economic Growth and Development
• Education and Skilling Ecosystem in India (School Education, Vocational Education, Higher Education, Technical Education, Teacher Education, Skill Education)
• Status and Impact of Existing Schemes/Programmes/Policies of the Central Govt. including:
• Employability: Current Status and Future Projections
• Education and Skill Mapping
• Stakeholder Feedback Analysis (based on primary data)
• Global Preparedness and Best Practices in Education and Skill Mapping
• Challenges and Bottlenecks for India in:
  • Education and Skilling in the short-term,medium-term, and long-term and
  • Life-long learning focused on skilling, reskilling, and up-skilling, especially for vulnerable groups
• Comprehensive Policy Recommendations and Implementation Roadmap for Short-term
• (2029) , Medium-term (2035) and Long-term (2047).

Methodology: Secondary data analysis, literature review, primary survey across major states of India for different education sectors such as school education, vocational education, higher education, technical education, teacher education, skills etc. and an employer survey along with consultation with experts and stakeholders.

Theme: Education and Skill
Sponsor/s: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
Project Director/s: Prof. Ravi Srivastava
Research Team: Dr. Balwant Mehta, Dr. I.C. Awasthi, Dr. Aditi Madan, Mr. Siddharth Dhote, Mr.Arjun Dubey

Introduction: Formal education in India gained momentum in the 19th century, largely through non-governmental efforts. By independence, private institutions played a key role in higher education, driven mainly by non-commercial motives. After independence, the government prioritized expanding access to education, yet state funding for higher education remained insufficient, leading to financial constraints. By the 1980s, private unaided institutions emerged, primarily offering professional and technical education, filling the gaps left by the public sector. This shift was driven by rising demand for education, economic growth, and public institutions’ inability to meet needs. The rapid growth of private self-financed institutions reshaped the higher education landscape, with private enrolments outpacing public ones. Yet, concerns over quality, equity, and regulatory oversight remain significant. Public institutions, too, have turned to self-financing mechanisms, blurring lines between public and private sectors. The regulatory framework, designed for a state-dominated system, struggled to adapt to this growth, often fostering rent-seeking and malpractices.

Aims and Objective: This study explores the privatization of higher education in India, its impact on access and equity, and the regulatory challenges faced. It aims to suggest reforms to ensure a balanced, inclusive, and quality-oriented higher education system.

• To examine the various forms of privatization in higher education and understand why these particular forms have become predominant.
• To analyze the profile of entities that have established private educational institutions, explored their objectives, and assessed their relationship with the existing regulatory framework.
• To investigate the aims and objectives of state and national-level regulatory institutions in higher education, trace their evolution, and evaluate the potential for regulatory capture by groups influencing privatization.
• To assess the impact of privatization on access, equity, and quality in higher education.

Methodology: The secondary data will be analysed and relationships between the variables will be assessed using standard econometric techniques. The primary data will be analysed using descriptive statistics to uncover the patterns and impact of privatization across different types of institutions. The information gleaned from secondary sources and stakeholder and informant sources will be the most important source of information in the survey and will be used to find answers to the key questions of this study.

Present Status: The primary survey is currently being conducted at Delhi Metropolitan College in Noida, and contact has also been established with BIT Noida. Efforts to connect with other institutions in Noida and Jaipur are ongoing.

Theme: Health and Nutrition
Sponsor/s: ICSSR (Post-Doctoral Fellowship)
Project Director/s: Dr. Aditi Madan

Introduction: Water permeates all aspects of life on earth and access to improved water sources and sanitation is crucial for human survival. Despite the progress in access to water and sanitation, there are existing inequalities in access to improved water supply and sanitation between rich and poor, between rural and urban areas and between men and women affecting the overall health of the poor. Additionally, women and girls are affected disproportionally by poor access Further, urban poverty and life in slums significantly impacts the ability of women and girls to effectively manage menstruation due to lack of access to WASH facilities. A number of existing studies have established a link that access to improved water and sanitation is associated with lower mortality and a lower risk of diseases. The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in maintaining public health, especially in urban areas as inadequate WASH infrastructure can exacerbate public health crises, particularly in densely populated urban areas where the risk of transmission is higher.

Aims and Objective: Overall objective of the study is to assess the status, trend in access and determinants of WASH practices at the regional level in India. Specific objective of study include:

• To assess the status and trend in access to WASH at regional level
• To identify the inequalities and determinants of WASH practices
• To assess existing knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among women in reproductive age
• To find out the impact of Covid-19 on WASH practices
• To study vaccine hesitancy during pregnancy
• To understand the effectiveness of government programmes on WASH practices and to suggest appropriate policy options for effective WASH practices

Methodology: The study is a mix of quantitative and qualitative study with secondary data based on NFHS (3 and 4), IHDS (IHDS 2) and NSS dataset (76th round). Primary data was collected through qualitative interviews and FGDs with different stakeholders engaged in planning and implementation of WASH and slum development related initiatives in Delhi. Thus, this study will suggest policy options for reducing the water and sanitation related vulnerabilities among poor households.

Theme: Health and Nutrition
Researcher/s: Priyanka Srivastava
Sponsor/s: ICSSR

Introduction: The study seeks to explore the impact of parenting styles on the psychological well-being of adolescents in Indian urban households. Although extensive research has been conducted in the West, there is a pressing need to examine how Indian parenting practices—shaped by the unique socio-cultural realities of India—affect adolescent outcomes. This study aims to fill this gap, offering insights into the interplay between traditional values and modern influences, articularly in the context of globalization and urbanization.

Aims and Objective: This study aims to fill this gap, offering insights into the interplay between traditional values and modern influences, particularly in the context of globalization and urbanization. The objectives of the study are as follows.

• Ascertain the nature and types of parenting styles practiced with adolescents (10-19 years) in Indian urban households.
• Identify the parenting styles perceived by adolescents (10-19 years) in Indian urban households.
• Explore the meaning of psychological well-being (cognitive, affective, behavioral) as understoodby adolescents (10-19 years) in Indian urban households.
• Identify differences in parenting styles experienced by adolescent boys and girls.
• Explore factors affecting the parenting styles employed by parents on adolescents (10-19 years) in Indian urban households.
• Study the impact of parenting styles on the psychological well-being of adolescents (10-19 years) to identify gender differences.
• Develop a framework for understanding psychological well-being in terms of determinants, influences, and indicators for adolescents (10-19 years).
• Define parameters for psychological well-being, focusing on control, emotional balance, confidence, physical health, and connection to nature.

Methodology: A sequential mixed method design would be used in the study. Stage I shall be qualitative in nature and would use focus group to ascertain the meaning drawn by parents and adolescents about parenting and psychological wellbeing. The categories emerging from Stage I of the study would lead to Stage II of the study, which would be quantitative in nature. Stage II stage shall explore the impact of parenting styles on psychological wellbeing of adolescents (10- 19 years of age) in urban Indian household (An Urbanised areas is a continuously built-up area with a population of 50,000 or more. It comprises one or more places—central place(s)—and the adjacent densely settled surrounding area—urban fringe—consisting of other places and nonplaceterritory). A structured questionnaire would be developed to measure the said phenomenon from Indian urban organized settings.

Theme: Health and Nutrition
Sponsor/s: ICSSR
Project Director/s: Dr. Swati Dutta
Research Team: Dr. Balwant Singh Mehta, Dr. Aditi Madan Dr. Devika Modi

Introduction: In India, the burden of healthcare expenditure weighs heavily on individuals and households due to limited government spending and high out-of-pocket costs, exacerbating disparities in healthcare access and perpetuating financial strain, particularly among the urban poor. Initiatives like the Jan Aushadhi Yojana aim to alleviate this burden by providing affordable generic medicines, yet challenges such as lack of awareness and uneven distribution persist.

Aims and Objective: The study aims to evaluate localized impacts of Jan Aushadhi Yojana in specific regions like Delhi-NCT, Ranchi, and Bokaro to understand and improve the effectiveness of the intervention.

Methodology: The study utilizes the OECD-DAC framework to assess the Jan Aushadhi Yojana (JAY) comprehensively, focusing on relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, sustainability, and impact. Major indicators include healthcare expenditure reduction, generic medicine acceptance, operational efficiency, equitable distribution, and user perceptions. Objectives encompass assessing JAY coverage, impact on medicine accessibility, awareness levels, challenges faced, and formulating policy options for improvement. Research questions delve into JAY’s impact on affordability and accessibility, awareness levels, challenges faced, and ways to enhance effectiveness. Methodology involves data analysis from NSSO, questionnaire-based surveys targeting JAS owners, users, and households, with representative sampling across Delhi-NCT, Ranchi, and Bokaro, aiming for comprehensive insights into scheme functionality and user perspectives.

The study targets a total of 200 operational Jan Aushadhi Stores (JAS), with 180 stores in Delhi and 20 in Jharkhand, covering a sample of 2000 users of the JAY scheme, including 1800 users from Delhi and 200 from Jharkhand. Additionally, a household survey involves 450 households, with 300 households surveyed in Delhi and 150 in Jharkhand (Bokaro and Ranchi).

Theme: Health and Nutrition
Project Director/s: Dr. Deeksha Tayal
Research Team: Prof. Ramesh Sharan, Prof. I.C. Awasthi, Dr Tanuka Endow, Dr. Ashwani Kumar and Mr. Vikas Dubey.

Introduction: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), launched in 2014, is one of India’s most ambitious national initiatives aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene across the country. While significant progress has been reported in terms of infrastructure development and public awareness, the campaign’s impact on the functioning of the sanitation sector, particularly concerning the experiences and perceptions of sanitation workers and urban households, remains under-explored. Understanding these aspects is crucial, as sanitation workers form the backbone of the SBA’s implementation, and household perceptions can offer valuable insights into the program’s effectiveness and areas needing improvement. This study focuses on these dynamics within urban contexts, providing a nuanced analysis of the SBA’s outcomes at the ground level.

Aims and Objective: The study aims to understanding the perception, problems, and suggestions of families/household regarding benefits and lags in the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It also aims to explore the differences in the living and working conditions of male and female sanitation workers.

• To understand the perception, problems, and suggestions of families/households regarding benefits and lags in the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA)?
• To explore the working conditions of sanitation workers and its association with the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA)?
• To explore the differences in the functioning of the sanitation sectors of the three cities of Delhi, Ranchi, and Indore?
• To examine the effectiveness of technological innovation on functioning of the key players in the sanitation sector?
• To suggest policy initiatives for improvising the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) and paving the way for attaining the sustainable development goals for the sanitation sector?

Methodology: It employed a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative survey for collecting primary data. It was supplemented by an analysis of secondary data and information.

Theme: Health and Nutrition
Sponsor/s: SOAS University of London
Project Director/s: Dr. C. Sathyamala
Research Team: Dr. Somjita Laha, Mr. Arjun Dubey, Mr. Subodh Kumar

Introduction: Food insecurity is rising globally and increasing numbers of people experience humanitarian crisis or precarious livelihoods. Following the 2008 food and finance crisis and the current pandemic, the past two decades have seen an increase in the use of digital practices in food security programmes. Digitalisation is now an intrinsic part of welfare and humanitarian assistance reforms, with aims of addressing food insecurity more efficiently and accountably. Yet, little is known about its actual ability to do so in practice. This research examines the use of mobile phones and digital platforms, smart cards, banking and vouchers, biometrics, and artificial intelligence, in cash transfers, market and agricultural support.

Aims and Objective: The aim of the research is to explore the effects of the shift to digitalisation on the food security of marginalised groups, in particular migrant and displaced populations, who are at risk of exclusion. The specific objectives are:

• To map the range of digital food assistance practices and understand what is driving their use
• To understand how digital practices interact with economic and political processes in welfare, production, trade, and finance, and the implications for power relations, inequality, and profit-making.
• To explore the effect of digitalising food assistance on the food security and actions of marginalised populations (with reference to migrant and displaced populations)
• To influence policy by providing evidence of the effects of digital technologies and develop a
• framework for negotiating their use
• To promote equal research partnerships through joint leadership and co-production of knowledge between researchers from the Global South and North

Methodology: The primary research approach is qualitative in data collection and analysis. Methods such as field observations, semi-structure interviews, focus group meetings and key informant interviews will be used to gather the empirical information. In conjunction, critical review of literature and news updates will also be undertaken.

Spatial Regions: The project has a local and global dimension and case study countries of Sudan,India and the UK have been selected to reflect the range of digital food assistance practices. In India, Delhi is one of the field sites (apart from Chattisgarh) and two areas of Delhi has been chosen for field study. The first is an urban resettlement colony in North-East Delhi and the other is a rural area in the North-West of Delhi.

Present Status: The project has nearly completed the first phase of fieldwork, with mapping of sites finalized and initial data collection completed in an urban resettlement colony in North-East Delhi. Despite delays due to the farmers’ protest, ongoing data collection in a North-West Delhi village is progressing, alongside the completion of key informant interviews. Preparatory activities, including training of field staff and development of research tools, were conducted prior to the commencement of fieldwork.

Theme: Gender and Development
Sponsor/s: ICSSR
Projects Director/s: Dr. Indubala Sinha

Introduction: Over the past 15 years, Bihar has experienced significant agricultural transformation, driven by the implementation of three consecutive Krishi Road Maps (KRMs) since 2008. These initiatives, beginning with a focus on inclusive farming, have evolved to emphasize sustainable development with active participation of women in agriculture. The first two phases, KRM-I and II (2008-2017), successfully diversified farming practices, enhancing productivity and income for farmers. The current phase, KRM-III (2017-2023), has expanded this agenda to include organic farming through the creation of a “Jaivik Corridor” and the adoption of climate-friendly farming systems. Women play a crucial role in this agrarian economy, reflecting a broader “feminization of labor” in the state. This study explore women’s participation in agriculture from a gender perspective, examining gender constructs, land ownership, and the status of female-headed households.

Aims and Objective: To carve out a ‘gender landscape’ for Bihar’s countryside within the evolving agricultural environment and provide research-based recommendations for policy-making regarding women in Bihar and other migration-prone states.

• Explore the sustainability aspect in development practices and assess the adoption of climate-smart farming and climate-change-resistant practices.
• Investigate the diverse roles of women in the farm sector and associated activities. Study theconceptual constructs of feminization of labor, female-headed households, and changes in gender roles within the expanded production regime.
• Examine gender inequality in land ownership patterns. Enrich the body of literature on gender studies, specifically in the context of Bihar.
• Provide a foundation for similar studies in other states with high migration rates

Methodology: The study will employ the Social Anthropological Method, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Data will be gathered through formal questionnaire-based surveys, interviews (both formal and informal), focused group discussions, and case studies. The study will rely on both primary data collected from fieldwork across three selected villages in north Bihar and secondary data from official sources, literature, and documents.

Theme: Gender and Development
Sponsor/s: Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN)
Projects Director/s: Prof. Aasha Kapur Mehta
Research Team: Dr. Balwant Singh Mehta, Dr. Aditi Madan and Dr. Deeksha Tayal

Introduction: PRADAN introduced a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) for the period 2022-2027, aiming to consistently pursue PRADAN’s vision of becoming an inclusive and gender equitable organization.

Aims and Objective: The primary aim of the study was to conduct a baseline study based on measurable indicators that are aligned with PRADAN’s Gender Equality Plan and that can be used to track progress in implementing the Gender Equity Plan (GEP) for the period 2022-2027. The specific objectives of the baseline assessment included:

• To provide benchmark information for measuring change by establishing baseline values for each outcome indicator that serves for before-and-after comparison with the different project evaluation terms.
• To provide gender-responsive recommendations on the interventions in terms of designing and planning the new initiatives, with potential adjustments in existing interventions.

Methodology: The study spanned across 7 states, including PRADAN Headquarters in Delhi. The states comprised of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and West Bengal. It employed a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative survey for collecting primary data. It was supplemented by an analysis of secondary data and information.

Theme: Vulnerability and Social Protection
Sponsor/s: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
Principal Investigator/s: Dr. Bhim Reddy
Research Team: Mr. Vikas Dubey, Mr. Arjun Dubey

Introduction: Urban centres in India have historically been overlooked in caste studies, with much of the focus concentrated on rural villages by anthropologists and sociologists. This relative neglect stems from a belief in the transformative power of modernity, where the introduction of technology and liberal values was expected to erode traditional structures like caste, leading to a shift towards class-based identities. However, the Indian experience has defied such straightforward narratives of social transformation. While modern economic forces and values have indeed influenced caste dynamics, they have not eradicated caste consciousness. Instead, caste has evolved, manifesting differently across various urban contexts—be it in cities, provincial towns, or metropolitan areas. This research seeks to unravel the contemporary meanings and expressions of caste in urban settings, focusing on how caste identities are maintained and reproduced in areas such as urban politics, social networks, job markets, and matrimonial practices. The study also delves into the experiences and perceptions of caste-based discrimination, highlighting how these inequalities persist and adapt in the ever-changing urban landscape.

Aims and Objective: The broad objective of this study is to explore and map contemporary meanings and manifestations of caste, and caste inequalities in urban locations.

• To identify the sites of caste manifestation and analyze how caste operates across classes and urban locales, focusing on urban space, politics, social networks, job markets, and matrimonial practices.
• To investigate the forms of caste-stimulated inequalities in urban contexts and examine the relationship between caste and class, including how class may reproduce caste inequalities in cities.
• To assess whether lower caste groups experience social discrimination in urban areas, identify the forms and sites of discrimination, and explore how these groups navigate socio-cultural constraints.
• To examine the persistence and flexibility of caste endogamy in urban contexts and analyzeemerging matrimonial practices in relation to caste.

Methodology: This study is based on qualitative and quantitative research methods using both primary and secondary data sources. Primary field research constitutes the major component of the study. The field sites for this study comprise of heterogeneous residential settlements such as planned/authorised localities, unauthorised/informal colonies and slums, and urban villages in the cities of Patna and Delhi. A survey of 750 households in Delhi and 500 households in Patna was conducted along with qualitative interviews and group discussions as part of this study. The report is being finalised.

Theme: Vulnerability and Social Protection
Sponsor/s: Ford Foundation, India
Project Director/s: Dr. Dev Nathan
Research Team: Dr. Shreeranjan, Professor Ramesh Sharan, Dr. Devika Modi, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Dr. Sunil Mishra, Ms. Priyanka Tyagi and Mr. B.K.N. Singh

Introduction: The program addresses the lack of community-based institutions of forest dwellers that can intervene in markets for non-timber forest products (NTFP). Through the Forest Rights act (FRA) and the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA), forest communities have been awarded substantial rights in managing and using forest resources, including extraction of non-timber forest products (NTFP). However, the incomes that forest dwellers secure through these economic activities are very meagre because of the strong cartels of traders-cum-moneylenders. Schemes of the Government of Jharkhand, such as the Van Dhan Yojana to provide grants to communities, are not well known and poorly implemented.

Aims and Objective: The Project aims to increase the income of NTFP producers/collectors from the sale of NTFP. In addition, while women are the main producers of NTFP, the limited returns from NTFP restrict women’s empowerment. The project also seeks to enhance women’s empowerment and extend it across household, community and market levels.

Methodology: Building community-based institutions, such as cooperatives, producer companies, federations of self-help groups (SHGs) or collective marketing by Gram Sabhas will strengthen forest dwellers position in the market. After having tried out marketing by groups of SHGs, the project has taken up collective marketing by Gram Sabhas. It is expected that Gram Sabha-based marketing will give the producers sufficient volume of sales to be able to have a bigger impact on prices realized. In the last season (June 2024), it was seen that such Gram Sabha-based collective marketing of sal seeds led to an increase of prices not only for the Gram Sabhas concerned but also in area market, as traders increased prices to compete with the Gram Sabhas.

Theme: Vulnerability and Social Protection
Sponsor/s: V V Giri National Labour Institute
Project Director/s: Dr. I. C. Awasthi

Introduction: The V.V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) is indeed a premier institute in the field of labour research, education, and training in the country. It serves as a major national think tank, offering valuable insights and inputs to concerned Ministries and departments in both central and state governments. Over the years, the institute has diversified its activities and expanded its reach by establishing networks and collaborations with various national, state, and international organizations focusing on labour and related issues. The tripartite structure of its Governing Body is a notable feature, highlighting the active involvement of major social partners such as the government, trade unions, and employers, along with the professional activities of the Institute.

Aims and Objective: The aim of this evaluation is to carry out a detailed quinquennial review of the various professional activities of the VVGNLI during the period 2017-18 to 2021-22. The following are the objectives

• Conduct a detailed review of VVG’s professional activities
• Evaluate infrastructure and facilities at the Institute’s campus through on-site visits and assessments.
• Examine relevant documents, including Annual Reports and other work, to assess the Institute’s performance.
• Develop evaluation indicators based on discussions with stakeholders and the information provided.
• Utilize evaluation tools to gather insights from faculty, administrative officials, and key stakeholders on research and training activities.
• Analyse feedback from participants who attended recent training courses to assess effectiveness.

Methodology: The entire faculty and administrative officials were covered for detailed discussions. Close to 100 questionnaires were sent to trainee participants (national and international) graduated during 2 years (2020 and 2021) for eliciting required information. Similarly, two representatives each from worker’s organizations, employer’s organization and eminent persons were also canvassed short questionnaire. It further includes meeting with the Director General, faculty members, officials, and other stake holders of the Institute.

Theme: Vulnerability and Social Protection
Sponsor/s: PHIA Foundation (Partnering Hope into Action Foundation)
Project Investigator: Dr. Ashwani Kumar,
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Devika Modi and Dr. Sunil Kumar Mishra
Research Team: Mr. B.K.N Singh, Mr. Adarsh Kumal and Mr. Amit Kumar

Introduction: Right to food is one of the major grounds in India that need special attention. It is in this context that the project ‘Strengthening Rural Governance for the Right to adequate Food (SRGRF)’ envisions ‘administrative, political and traditional duty bearers in the project regions in the country to deliver better on the right to adequate food, guided by the principles of participation, transparency and accountability, non-discrimination, and the rule of law’. By addressing the governance issues around the right to food, the project hopes to catalyze the governance structures and the service providers to provide better service to target populations in the project districts.

Aims and Objective: The study design draws from the need to inform programme interventions on the:

• Awareness & Access to rights and entitlements to food (at the level of individuals and households), the difference after the intervention of the project,
• Current status of commitments by duty bearers and governance structures related to delivery of these rights (Availability, Adequacy & Quality dimensions), and what difference has the project made towards the commitments of the duty bearers,
• Actions pursued by the governance structures, ownership and Accountability among bearers to uphold the right to food (i.e. Grievance redressal mechanism), what changes have come about after the implementation of the project in terms of grievance redressals, and has the mechanism become more accessible and easily doable by the villagers
• Current barriers/enablers in the implementation of Right to Food in the project geographies, what can be done policy wise to reduce barriers

Methodology: Based on the discussion with members of PHIA Foundation and WHH team, the data collection for the Endline Survey will follow the same sample size and methodology used in the Baseline Survey. Data will be collected from the same 800 households who have studied in the baseline survey. In case of unavailability of any households, a new households will be replaced. In replacing any households, the survey will ensure that the replaced household should possessed the same or similar socio-economic characteristic. The socio-economic characteristics may include the social category of households, income range, broad occupation.

Theme: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Sponsor/s: ICSSR
Project Director/s: Dr. Anuradha Sen Mookerjee
Research Team : Dr. Bhim Reddy, Dr. Alakh N. Sharma, Dr. Devesh Vijay, Dr. Rakesh Tiwary

Introduction: This project is an investigation of the ‘ecosociality’ of riverscapes in the Ganga River basin. It aims to document the interconnected social, cultural, historical, economic aspects of human and ecological interactions that constitute the riverscape. The riverscape is a mosaic of different land uses including natural, rural and agricultural ecosystems, built-up urban environment including flood plains and is an ecologically sustained system that has developed due to the meandering of the river along the course. It necessitates looking at the river as a river system.

Aims and Objective: The aim of this study is the exploration of the nature-culture bind of Ganga riverscapes and river-based life. The objectives are

• To explore how the Ganga riverscapes have dealt with the influence of the human societies throughout history,
• The patterns of resource use and exploitation,
• Their influence in terms of Eco-social dynamics,
• The religious and cultural beliefs, social norms, values, practices and rituals, that have all cumulatively shaped interactions in the Ganga riverscapes.
• The study will also analyse the impact of these interactions, historically and sociologically, on social structures, economic systems and livelihoods dependent on the Ganga,
• The role of historical events, such as floods, droughts, and other environmental challenges
• The factors influencing social resilience and adaptation, management and conservation of the river,
• The urbanization along the river, its impact on the river’s ecology and the Eco-social dynamics of communities along the river.

Methodology: This study will explore the significance of the Ganga riverscapes in human evolution, as highlighted by Radhakamal Mukerjee (1926), who emphasized the interplay between human control over nature and the enduring forces of climate, soil, and vegetation. To achieve this, the study will integrate social and economic history, examining the roles humans have played in shaping and adapting to the natural regions of the Ganga. By linking socio-cultural and economic history with politics and ethnology, the research will investigate the genesis and development of the Ganga riverscapes as a complex ecosocial phenomenon. Employing the historical methodology of the Annales school, the study will consider a wide range of factors—psychological, cultural, economic, and environmental—that contribute to historical change. Human agency will be central to this inquiry, analyzed through the perspectives of Itihasa, Puranas, and oral history. Additionally, the study will draw on social ecology as articulated by Mukerjee and the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) developed by scholars like Michel Callon, Madeline Akrich, Bruno Latour, and John Law. ANT, with its focus on the dynamic networks of relationships that include both human and nonhuman actors, will be instrumental in understanding the interconnectedness of technical, natural, social, and cultural elements in the Ganga riverscapes.

Project Director/s: Dr. Sunil Kr. Mishra

Institute for Human Development (IHD), is empanelled as an institutional National Level Monitor (NLM)/ National Level Field Verification Agency (NLFVA) with three ministries, namely (i) Ministry of Rural Development, (ii) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and (iii) Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The institute undertakes regular monitoring of various schemes and programmes implemented by the ministries along with field verifications, as deputed. It further also conducts verification of complaints/enquires related to any scheme/programme of serious nature.

Some of the schemes/programmes monitored are (i) MNREGS, (ii) Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (SBM‐G), (iii) PMGSY, (iv) Basic verification of Panchayat in the month of January 2018 to March 2018, (v) field verification of the Panchayats under Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar and Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar, etc. Further, the institute collects quantitative and qualitative data both at household level and village level through a structured questionnaire/survey. This data is uploaded on the website by the institute itself. Additionally, a final report is submitted to the respective ministries with a copy to the district collectors with findings and policy recommendations.

In the period of reporting, the following projects were evaluated by the Institute as the National Level Monitor:

1. Project: NLM Report on Working of Various Government Programme in Faridabad District
   Sponsor: Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, New Delhi
2. Project: NLM Report on Working of Various Government Programmes in Imphal East District
   Sponsor: Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, New Delhi

Sponsor/s: Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of NCT of Delhi
Project Director/s: Prof. Alakh Sharma, Dr. Balwant Mehta, Dr. Sunil Kumar

The survey aims to provide a realistic estimate of beggars in various districts of NCT Delhi, which will facilitate in formulation of policies and implementation plan of schemes or programme for rehabilitation of beggars in the state. The main objectives of the study are: to estimate the number of beggars across different districts/geographic locations; to provide a profile of beggars across age groups and gender; to prepare a beggars profile in forms of various characteristics such as with or without family; disability, geographical locations, activity before begging etc. and to provide a broad framework of the magnitude and nature of implementation plan for the rehabilitation of beggar. The survey of beggars is being conducted in all the 11 districts and 33 sub‐divisions of Delhi. A census of beggars across all the districts in Delhi is being conducted to identify and give the count of beggars’ location wise within the District. The study adopts a well‐ structured design to achieve the objective of estimation of the prevalence of beggars in Delhi. The study is based on primary survey and the information will be collected through a structured
Questionnaire prepared in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi.
Considering this, the study covered four objectives:

1. To estimate the number of ‘persons engaged in begging’ across different districts/geographic locations.
2. To provide a profile of such people across age groups and gender.
3. To prepare a profile of ‘persons engaged in begging’ in forms of various characteristics such as with or without family; disability, geographical locations, activity before begging etc.
4. To provide a broad framework of the magnitude and nature of the implementation plan for the rehabilitation of ‘persons engaged in begging’.

A semi‐structured questionnaire, consisting of closed and open‐ended questions was developed to collect field‐level information across the 11 districts of Delhi including North, North‐ East, North‐ West, West, South, South‐ West, South‐East, New‐Delhi, Central, Shahdara and East. To supplement field‐level data, key informant interviews with stakeholders and case studies were also undertaken to understand the situation in‐depth.

Sponsor/s: IGC and Monash University
Project Director/s: Prof. Alakh SharmaDr. Dr.Sunil Mishra, Dr. Swati Dutta

The objective of the study is to generate rapid survey‐based information to assess both the differentiated economic impact of the pandemic as well as support received by rural households in Bihar. While the Covid‐19 case load is concentrated in urban areas, the suppression measures have potentially deep though under‐investigated economic impacts on rural households through a range of channels. Similarly, while the announced relief measures cater to rural populations, little is known about actual delivery on the ground, especially in environments characterized limited and varied implantation capacity such as in Bihar. The project is a modest though systematic attempt to fill this gap, with an ultimate view to guiding and refining public policy response in the short‐to‐medium term focusing in particular on poor households. The information is also gathered with a view to anticipating implementation challenges and potential means of incentivizing households for future initiatives such as a prospective mass vaccination campaign once a vaccine for Covid‐19 becomes available.

The project aims to generate rapid survey‐based information to assess both the differentiated economic impact of the pandemic as well as support received by rural households in Bihar. The study is a joint collaboration between the Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability (CDES), Monash University, and the Institute for Human Development (IHD).

Primary data is being collected through phone interviews from a sample of about 1300 rural households in seven districts of Bihar focusing on two key areas: (i) impact of the pandemic on livelihoods since the lockdown, and (ii) support received by households from government and non‐government sources. The chosen sample makes use of past surveys conducted by the Institute of Human Development (IHD) with these households, most recently in 2016‐17. The sample follows a stratified random sample design with stratification based on cluster analysis of districts at different levels of development to ensure representativeness at the state level.

The gathered data will be analysed for differentiated impact across households though multiple channels while also documenting the actual reach of a variety of support and relief measures. The analysis will also make use of baseline data for these households from the 2016‐17 survey.

Sponsor/s : The World Bank
Project Director/s : Dr. Bhim Reddy
Co-Project Director : Dr. Tanuka Endow

Bihar state implemented a ban on alcohol, including its manufacture, sale, storage and consumption in 2016. The demand was driven by the belief that alcohol is the primary reason for household deprivation, in addition to violence against women. The ban was introduced with a declared intent of improving the economic conditions of the impoverished families and to reduce violence against women. The broad objective of this study is to explore the nature and extent of violence against women in poor households in urban Bihar. It seeks to examine if and to what extent alcohol prohibition in Bihar has actually reduced intimate partner violence in the state, and has contributed to the household economy and the general wellbeing of the poor people.

The research objectives of the study are:

1. To study the frequency, nature and places of drinking practices before prohibition and examine the extent of the reduction in the consumption of and people’s access to alcohol in present times and replacement by other substances;
2. To investigate the nature and level of intimate partner violence after prohibition and explore if and how drinking dynamics, gender norms, urban conditions and other socio‐economic factors differentially influence intimate partner violence among poor people;
3. To explore if and in what ways alcohol prohibition has helped people’s household economy in terms of purchasing power and productive spending, and whether it has also led to general well‐ being in the household;
4. To generate a series of concrete policy suggestions regarding alcohol related policies and domestic violence in Bihar, in particular, and across the globe, in general.

The study is largely based on mixed methods approach to answer the questions that the study aims to address. Primary data will be collected using a large quantitative household survey and qualitative‐participatory methods employed in violence research (Moser, 2012). The study will have a target sample size of 500 households for covering the second part of the questionnaire. The initial listing questionnaire will therefore be canvassed over a larger sample of for a larger number, say, 2000 households. The sample of 2000 households will be distributed across the four sample cities/towns in proportion to the slum population in the same. It will also compile and analyse secondary data and reports from National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB), news reports from print media (newspapers), official documents and other study reports. The study will have a target sample size of 500 households for covering the second part of the questionnaire. The initial listing questionnaire will therefore be canvassed over a larger sample of for a larger number, say, 2000 households. The sample of 2000 households will be distributed across the four sample cities/towns in proportion to the slum population in the same.
List of activities being undertaken currently include review of literature, analysis of secondary data; authoring a blog using secondary data; qualitative instruments and collection of qualitative primary field data; developing a questionnaire for household survey; preparation of annual report submitted to SVRI‐WBG.

Sponsor/s: IGC
Project Director/s: Dr. Sunil Mishra and Dr. Swati Dutta

IGIDR and the System of Promoting Appropriate National Dynamism for Agriculture and Nutrition (SPANDAN) India, have undertaken a project to support innovative research on the broad areas covered under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals‐2 (SDG‐2 Zero Hunger). As a part of the larger project, IHD has been invited to do a study on dynamics of changes in food security over a longer time in Bihar. The study will be based on longitudinal data from 12 villages collected during last two decades by IHD. The study will be completed by January 2022.

Sponsor/s: Volkswagen Foundation, Novo Nordisk Fonden, RiksbankensJubileumsfond, Compagnia San Paolo

This research investigates the levels and main drivers of two key manifestations of socio‐economic inequality: poverty and inequality of opportunity (IOp). It focuses on inter‐ and intra‐ regional/country comparison in the countries of Indian, Bolivia, Germany and Italy. The project is centred on the application of cutting‐edge ML (machine learning) techniques to integrate large‐ scale datasets from various sources and to provide improved estimates of IOp and poverty across and within countries. ML techniques will be used for three main tasks: 1) integrating data from different sources; 2) extracting information from non‐standard data sources, in particular satellite images; 3) estimating IOp and poverty measures across and within countries.

Sponsor/s: Ford Foundation
Project Director/s: Prof. Dev Nathan
Research Team: Dr. Tanushree Kundu, Dr. Prashant Arya and Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Sponsor/s: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Project Director/s: Dr. Bhim Reddy

The research aims to study the dynamics of tribal migration and its outcomes against the background of livelihood opportunities and constraints in the state of Rajasthan. It focusses on migration patterns and their changing dynamics, employment and livelihoods, changing aspirations of tribal population, especially the youth, and the challenges in accessing opportunities. The objective of this study is twofold: it seeks to identify the possible areas of intervention i). to facilitate safe migration and improve the outcomes of migration process; and ii). in addressing and reducing involuntary/forced migration as well as in expanding livelihood opportunities in the areas of origin. Broadly, it aims to study the role of migration in development and social change in tribal areas and contribute to policy towards improving the conditions of migrants.
The research is based on primary data collected using mixed methods. This includes a large primary household survey of about 1000 households for collecting quantifiable data at household and individual level. Beside this survey, qualitative data will be collected through interviews and focus group discussions. This study covers the Scheduled Tribe population living in the western state of Rajasthan which has large share of tribal population – 13.5% in the total population of the state and nearly 9% of the total ST population in India. About 1000 tribal households will be covered to gather household level information with respect to economic activity, migration, employment, education, assets among others will be collected through canvassing a structured questionnaire. Qualitative primary data will also be collected for this study using in‐depth interviews, focus group discussions and 10 in depth case studies.
This research, thus, will map the interlinkages between the origins and destinations, remittance flows and household economy, skills and occupational mobility.

Sponsor/s: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
Project Director/s: Prof. Dev Nathan
Research Team: Dr. Sarthi Acharya, Dr. Balwant Singh Mehta, Dr. Bhim Reddy, Dr. Tanuka

Concerned by the low levels of human development indicators and inequality between tribal peoples and the rest of the Indian population, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India has entrusted Institute for Human Development (IHD) with the preparation of National Tribal Human Development Report. The purpose of the Report is not only to document the existing levels of human development and inequalities, but also, and more importantly, to formulate policies to bridge the vast development gaps that now exist. The report will draw on both national and international best practices and policies.

This Scheduled Tribes Human Development Report (ST‐HDR) is the first such Report exclusively highlighting human development status and issues of the ST population in India. The report is prepared by the Institute for Human Development (IHD), a Centre of Excellence of Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India with support from the Ministry. The Report examines and discusses livelihoods, education and health, as also gender dimensions among the STs. It also examines the relative position of STs vis‐à‐vis other social groups.