1. Mitigation of Climate Change in Blue Ecosystems of Minicoy: A Science-Based Social Federal Outreach Study:
This ‘research-action-transformation’ project, supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), focuses on Minicoy Island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. It aims to develop science-driven, community-led strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change in fragile island ecosystems. The study adopts an integrated approach combining ecological, socio-economic, and governance analyses to build climate resilience and promote sustainable development.
Key objectives include identifying nature-based and structural solutions to protect coastal areas from sea-level rise and flood risks, mapping income, employment, energy use, and waste disposal to understand the socio-economic fabric, and examining cultural and governance systems that shape local adaptation strategies.
The project also analyzes barriers to adopting climate-smart technologies by engaging local governance bodies, ministries, civil society, and traditional institutions. The initiative emphasizes documenting community experiences with disasters, exploring the potential of eco-tourism, and assessing critical infrastructure such as transport and telecommunications. A major focus is placed on blue carbon ecosystems—like seagrass and mangroves—which offer dual benefits of ecological protection and socio-economic value. Awareness campaigns will sensitize communities to these co-benefits.
Expected outcomes include:
- Comprehensive mapping of seagrass and mangrove plantation zones
- Enhanced community readiness and adaptive capacity
- Identification of socio-cultural and political factors influencing climate action
- Development of disaster-resilient, sustainable economic modules
- Eco-tourism strategies linked with improved, climate-resilient infrastructure
By blending scientific inquiry with grassroots participation, this project aims to create a replicable model of island resilience. It envisions a future where communities are empowered with knowledge, institutions are better prepared, and environmental sustainability is at the heart of local development planning.
2. Conversations with Councilors: Development Vision, Opportunities and Challenges
This is an ISS (Institute for Social Sciences) initiative aimed at understanding the priorities, challenges, and aspirations of elected councillors in urban governance. The study focuses on the Delhi Municipal Corporation area, where selected councillors are being interviewed to gain insights into their experiences and perspectives.The research seeks to explore:
- Councillors’ Vision for Development: What are their key priorities for their constituencies, and how do they perceive progress and growth?
- Opportunities and Challenges: What are the major obstacles they face in fulfilling their roles, and what opportunities exist for effective governance?
- Relationship with Bureaucracy: How do councillors interact with administrative officials, and what dynamics shape this relationship?
- Capacity Building Needs: What skills and resources do councillors believe enhance their effectiveness?
- Support Systems: What kind of institutional or policy support do they require from the government and other agencies to perform their duties more efficiently?Through these conversations, the study aims to provide actionable recommendations to strengthen local governance, improve councillor-bureaucracy collaboration, and ensure more responsive and effective urban development.
3. Next Generation Panchayats- What Next Best Panchayats Will Do?
Across India, several Panchayats have demonstrated exceptional performance in delivering basic amenities, ensuring good governance, and improving service delivery for their communities. Recognized and awarded annually by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, these top-performing Panchayats serve as models of effective rural governance.
This ISS-led cross-country study examines award-winning Panchayats from different states to identify:
- Key Success Factors: What governance practices, leadership approaches, and institutional mechanisms enabled these Panchayats to excel?
- Future Vision of Panchayat Leaders: How do elected representatives and local administrators envision the next phase of development for their Panchayats?
- Capacity Building Needs: What skills, resources, and policy support do these Panchayats require to evolve into ‘next-generation Panchayats’—more empowered, technologically advanced, economically sustainable?
By analyzing these aspects, the study aims to document best practices, highlight systemic enablers, and recommend actionable strategies to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions across India. The findings will assist policymakers, development agencies, and local leaders in replicating success and fostering transformative rural governance.
4. Towards Health Security: A Study of PM-Jan Arogya Yojana Implementation in Two States:
This study focuses on evaluating the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in one urban state (Delhi) and one rural state (Bihar), assessing how well the scheme aligns with the goals of the National Health Policy 2017, particularly its commitment to Universal Health Coverage. As the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, PM-JAY aims to provide financial protection of up to ₹5 lakhs per family annually for secondary and tertiary care to over 500 million vulnerable Indians.
While government sources highlight PM-JAY’s outreach in terms of cards issued, empaneled hospitals, and claim payments, they provide little insight into the real-world impact, such as the actual proportion of the population receiving quality care. Key gaps remain in understanding beneficiary identification, implementation models, hospital service quality, incentive structures, and grievance redress mechanisms.
The study directly addresses India’s urgent need for a functional Universal Health Care model that ensures access regardless of one’s ability to pay. At a time when the direction of healthcare reform remains contested, this research can provide evidence to support a balanced strategy combining public and private initiatives, with the state playing a regulatory role. Healthcare inequalities in India largely stem from inadequate public financing and infrastructure. While private healthcare and Indian medical professionals are globally respected, access remains skewed. PM-JAY, as the world’s largest public health assurance initiative, offers valuable lessons for the global South, and this research contributes to understanding how such schemes can reduce inequality and promote inclusive health systems.
