Research Reports

BNM Institute of Technology, Bengaluru (2023–2024)

Project Title: Awareness, Utilisation and Socio-Economic Impact of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras in Karnataka
Funding: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

This project focused on one of India’s most ambitious health initiatives — the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), designed to provide high-quality generic medicines at affordable prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs). With rising healthcare costs and heavy out-of-pocket expenditures in India, PMBJP represents a crucial intervention to improve access to essential medicines, especially for vulnerable groups.

The research sought to examine not only the availability and affordability of generic medicines but also the scheme’s broader economic and social impact on three key stakeholders: entrepreneurs, doctors, and consumers. The study explored questions of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, and equity.

Beyond data collection and analysis, this project was a deeply immersive experience. Working closely with field investigators gave me insight into how ground realities shape the success or failure of health schemes. Traveling across Karnataka exposed me to the state’s diverse cultures, languages, and communities, and I even picked up bits of Kannada while engaging with local households.

The workshops with doctors and entrepreneurs were especially rewarding - hearing them openly discuss challenges such as stock shortages, gaps in patient trust, and barriers in prescription practices made me appreciate how complex the implementation of health policy truly is. These interactions helped us identify gaps that might not have been visible in raw data, and reinforced the value of combining qualitative insights with quantitative analysis.

For me, this project underscored how policy meets people: generic medicines are not only a matter of economics but of awareness, trust, and accessibility. It was also an invaluable opportunity to learn how government schemes are evaluated, how stakeholders at different levels view health interventions, and how evidence-based recommendations can shape future improvements.

CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad (2022–2023)

Project Title: Archaeo-genomics in the Reconstruction of the Population History of South Asia
Funding: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

The project at CCMB was a turning point in my research journey  - it asked some of the oldest and most fundamental questions of humankind: Who are we? Where did we come from? But what fascinated me most was how these questions, while deeply rooted in the past, opened up new layers of inquiry about the present and future - from the spread of populations to the emergence of new diseases, from genetic continuity to the vulnerabilities of marginalized groups. Working at the ancient DNA (aDNA) laboratory meant engaging with both cutting-edge science and ethical responsibilities. I worked on DNA extraction and contamination control from ancient remains and blood samples. 

What made the experience particularly rich was the exposure I gained outside the lab. I had the chance to travel to tribal areas for sample collection, engaging directly with community representatives. These interactions revealed how health and genetics are intertwined with cultural identity, stigma, and access to care. Tribal health, often overlooked in mainstream narratives, became an important lens for me - reminding me that science cannot be separated from society.

Equally memorable were the people I met along the way - archaeologists uncovering material histories, medical researchers tracing links between genetics and disease, and DNA specialists pushing the boundaries of laboratory science. Their perspectives expanded my own, showing me how collaboration across disciplines enriches the pursuit of knowledge. 

This journey also gave me opportunities to present my work at major academic platforms:

• ADNAT, Banaras Hindu University - presented a poster on ancient DNA and received the Lalji Singh Travel Grant.

• UIAF World Anthropology Congress, University of Delhi - delivered an oral presentation on Tracing Genomic History of South Asia and Why it Matters.

• Scientific Applications in South Asian Archaeology, University of Chicago & BSIP - awarded a travel grantand presented a poster on Ancient DNA and its Encouraging Prospects from India.

The outcome of this journey was not only professional growth but also a peer-reviewed international publication in Genes (MDPI), co-authored with leading scientists in the field. For me, this project was more than a research assignment - it was an exploration of identity, diversity, and resilience. 

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Hyderabad (2021)

Project Title: Impact of Assessment Tools to Regulate Positive Thinking during COVID-19
Funding: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

The project at BITS Pilani came at a unique time, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the conversation around mental health was no longer peripheral but central to public well-being. The study aimed to assess how psychological assessment tools could be used to regulate positive thinking and improve resilience among individuals experiencing stress, isolation, and uncertainty.

Working on this project deepened my understanding of how mental health is shaped not only by individual coping strategies but also by structural and social determinants. Collecting and analyzing data from over 180 participants, I saw firsthand how age, gender, employment status, and living arrangements intersected with mental health outcomes during the crisis. It also made me aware of the stark gaps in mental health literacy and access to care in India. The project highlighted the urgent need for integrating mental health into broader public health systems, not as an afterthought but as a core component of crisis preparedness.

ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal (2020)

Project Title: Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Change among the Changpa Pastoral Nomads of Leh–Ladakh
Funding: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

This was my first research project - and with it came all the excitement, curiosity, and even mistakes that shaped how I approach research today. It was here that I first experienced how the knowledge I carried from classrooms and books could be translated into real-world impact.

The project focused on the Changpa pastoral nomads of Leh-Ladakh, whose lives are intricately tied to their livestock. These communities depend on vast grazing lands for their herds, yet face mounting challenges from both climate changeand state restrictions. Reserved forests and restricted lands, set aside for conservation, often overlap with the grazing routes of nomads. This has created tensions between communities and government authorities, forcing the Changpas to constantly negotiate their livelihoods in an already fragile environment.

What struck me most was how climate change acts as a multiplier of vulnerabilities. Shrinking pastures, erratic weather, and resource conflicts, directly affect survival, migration routes, and cultural continuity. Through this project, I came to understand how livelihoods and climate are deeply intertwined, and how policies that do not take into account the realities of nomadic life can inadvertently marginalize communities further.