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B.A.(H) and M.A. (Panjab University, Chandigarh);


Ph.D. (IIT Delhi)

Prof. (Dr.) Pulkit Khanna

Professor and Dean, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS)

Email pkhanna@jgu.edu.in
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Key Expertise Student well-being, Positive psychological interventions, Social Emotional Learning, Positive youth development , Classroom based interventions

B.A.(H) and M.A. (Panjab University, Chandigarh);


Ph.D. (IIT Delhi)


Biography

Pulkit Khanna serves as the Dean at the Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS). With a keen focus on shaping the institute’s vision, she plays a crucial role in devising and implementing strategic initiatives at JIBS.  
Dr. Khanna is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of behavioural science research, contributing significantly to JIBS’s reputation as an institute of knowledge and innovation. Dr. Khanna also stands as one of the founding members of the National Positive Psychology Association and is an active member of its Executive Committee. Her research focuses on enhancing student well-being and investigating indigenous practices that foster positive psychological constructs and nurture positive behavioural change.


In addition to her responsibilities as Dean, Dr. Khanna holds the position of Professor (Psychology) at the University. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi). Dr. Khanna’s expertise is strengthened by her certification in Positive Psychology (Research, Education, and Application in Community Health) from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS, Bangalore).


Dr. Khanna’s research centers on psychological interventions aimed at nurturing human flourishing, with a specific emphasis on educational contexts. She has received invitations to present her work at esteemed forums, such as the International Positive Psychology Association and the Templeton Foundation-funded ‘Science for Monks’ among others. She has published in well-recognized international peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. Her supervision work comprises doctoral and graduate thesis on topics including post-traumatic growth, psycho-spiritual interventions for students, traditional education systems, and gratitude in ultra high net worth families.


Dr. Khanna taught and co-taught various courses, including Introduction to Psychology, Positive Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Human Resource Management, and Applied Positive Psychology, to both undergraduate and graduate students. She currently offers  popular elective courses on Emotional Literacy, Consumer Psychology and Positive Psychology, catering to students from diverse fields within the university.
In addition to her teaching commitments, she frequently receives invitations as a resource person for training sessions aimed at school leaders, educators, and professionals from esteemed public and private sector organizations.


Dr. Khanna has conducted numerous Management Development Programs (MDPs), providing training for high-ranking officers from both the government and private sectors. Notable examples include officers from the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Power Grid Corporation of India, and Jindal Steel and Power Limited, among others. Additionally, she has led over 50 Teacher Training Programs and School Talk initiatives across India, involving more than 8,000 participants.


Elective - Positive Psychology: The Science of Flourishing

Elective - Psychological First Aid : Skills to Help Self & Others

Elective - Emotional Literacy : Insights and Application

Elective - Consumer Psychology

Elective - Application of Psychology to Enhance Human Potential

Elective - Management Consulting Fundamentals (A 5-Day Certificate Course)

Elective - Positive Psychology: The Science of Flourishing

Elective - Psychological First Aid : Skills to Help Self & Others

Elective - Emotional Literacy : Insights and Application

Elective - Consumer Psychology

Elective - Application of Psychology to Enhance Human Potential

Elective - Management Consulting Fundamentals (A 5-Day Certificate Course)

2021- Award for Research Excellence (JGU)

2019- Awarded best presentation in ‘My Research in 180 seconds’ at Seminar on Resilience and Early Life Adversities at Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India.

2015 - Awarded ‘IPA President’s Gold Medal Award – 2015’ for best research presentaion at the Third World Congress on Excellence at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

2014 - Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi for a period of three years.

2013 - Travel Scholarship (Partial travel and registration fee) from the International Positive Psychology Association to present a paper at the Third World Congress of Positive Psychology at Los Angeles, USA.

Khanna, P., Singh, K., Dua, S.(2023) Buddhist Practices Enhancing Positive Life: Mindfulness and Beyond. In: Singh, K., Saxena, G. (eds) Religious and Spiritual Practices in India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2397-7_7

Khanna P., Singh K., Dua S. (2022). Role of Gratitude in Positive Adolescent Development. In: Patra S. (eds) Adolescence in India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981- 16-9881-1_19

Khanna, P., Singh, K. & Proctor, C.(2021). Exploring the Impact of a Character Strengths Intervention on Well-Being in Indian Classrooms. School Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-021-09450-w

Khanna, P. & Singh, K.(2021) Stress management training and gratitude journaling in the classroom: an initial investigation in Indian context. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01242-w

Khanna, P. (2021) Criminal Psychology Through a Positive Psychology Lens: From a Deficit to Asset Perspective (in Eds. S. P. Sahni, P. Bhadra) Criminal Psychology and the Criminal Justice System in India and Beyond (pp 255-271). Springer Nature, Singapore.

Singh K., Khanna P., Kaur J. India, Quality of Life. In: Maggino F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319- 69909-7_1422-3

Khanna, P. (2021). Criminal Psychology Through a Positive Psychology Lens: From a Deficit to Asset Perspective (in Eds. S. P. Sahni, P. Bhadra) Criminal Psychology and the Criminal Justice System in India and Beyond. (Springer Singapore)

Singh K., Khanna P., Kaur J. (2021). India, Quality of Life. In: Maggino F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69909-7_1422-3

Khanna, P., & Singh, K. (2019) Applications of Positive Psychology in Indian School Setting. In K. Singh & S. Sigroha (Eds.) Translational Research and Applied Psychology in India. Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9789353287795.n7

Khanna, P., & Singh, K. (2019). Do All Positive Psychology Exercises Work for Everyone? Replication of Seligman et al.'s (2005) Interventions among Adolescents. Psychological Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-019-00477-3

Khanna, P., & Singh, K. (2016). Effect of gratitude educational intervention on well-being indicators among North Indian adolescents. Contemporary School Psychology, 20(4), 305-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-016-0087-9

Singh, K., Mitra, S., & Khanna, P. (2016). Psychometric Properties of Hindi Version of Peace of Mind, Harmony in Life and Sat-Chit-Ananda Scales. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43(1),58-64. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330410988_Psychometric_Properties_of_Hindi_Ve rsion_of_Peace_of_Mind_Harmony_in_Life_and_Sat-Chit-Ananda_Scales

Singh, K., Khanna, P., Khosla, M., Rapelly. M., & Soni, A. (2016).Revalidation of the Sat- Chit-Ananda Scale, Journal of Religion and Health, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0328- 2

Khanna, P., & Singh, K. (2015). Perceived factors affecting well-being among North Indian adolescents, Journal of Indian Association of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 11(3), 175- 205. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0973134220150302

Khanna, P., & Singh. K. (2014). Perceived effectiveness of positive psychology intervention programs among North Indian school students, International Research Journal of Human Resources and Social Sciences, 1(7), 1-17. https://www.academia.edu/77312684/Perceived_Effectiveness_of_Positive_Psychology_Inter vention_Programs_Among_North_Indian_School_Students

Khanna, P., Singh K., Singla, S. & Verma, V. (2013).Relationship between Triguna theory & well-being indicators. International Journal of Yoga Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology, 1(2), 69-74. https://www.ijoyppp.org/text.asp?2013/1/2/69/157888
Email pkhanna@jgu.edu.in
Key Expertise Student well-being, Positive psychological interventions, Social Emotional Learning, Positive youth development , Classroom based interventions
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