Other on-Going Projects

This research vertical is constituted to study Haryana’s diverse rural transformation processes. It has two sub-verticals focusing on the nature of i) socio-economic transformations and rural livelihoods and ii) agroecological transformations and sustainability practices. These sub-verticals aim to produce a holistic understanding of the structural transformation processes of Haryana and how rural households in the state are evolving and coping with the changing dynamics of market competition on one hand and climate change on the other. The research vertical EARTH aims to explore the developmental dilemmas and complex challenges faced by agrarian and non-agrarian households in rural areas by conducting primary and secondary studies.

The first project being launched under this vertical is a primary field study on the smallholder livelihoods and rural transformation among 150 households across three villages in Haryana. This study aims to understand the nature and composition of economic activity in rural areas of Haryana by employing quantitative (survey questionnaire) methods and assess the nature of rural development in terms of the quality o f institutions and infrastructure by employing qualitative (interviews and focus group discussions) methods. The study will highlight the stage characteristics of rural development, smallholder livelihood features, and the driving forces, paths, and directions of rural and ecological transformation in Haryana. The results of the study will be discussed, presented, and developed at the China Agricultural University (CAU), Beijing, in July-August 2025 as a part of the comparative rural studies project led by the CAU in collaboration with scholars from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Uganda, and Japan.

These discussions aim to generate a rich understanding of diversity in the paths of rural transformations across these countries and provide insights into potential ways of addressing the challenges faced by rural areas in these countries.

This research vertical examines how proximity to a thriving startup ecosystem influences regional entrepreneurship. Focusing on Haryana, which borders the dynamic Delhi-NCR startup hub, this study will explore whether and how entrepreneurial activity diffuses beyond established ecosystems. It will investigate how access to funding, talent, mentorship, and policy initiatives in a significant metropolitan startup hub contributes to the emergence and sustainability of new businesses in neighbouring regions. The research is structured around two core areas: (i) the transmission of entrepreneurial knowledge, investment, and institutional support from Delhi-NCR into Haryana, and (ii) the independent evolution of Haryana’s startup ecosystem in response to regional market conditions, infrastructure availability, and policy frameworks. Together, these aspects will provide a nuanced understanding of how external factors shape local entrepreneurial landscapes.

The first project under this vertical is a data-driven study that will analyse the spillover effects of Delhi-NCR on Haryana’s entre-preneurial ecosystem using data from the Startup India platform. This study will track trends in startup density, funding access, industry diversification, and policy impact.

To complement this, qualitative insights will be gathered through interviews with startup founders, investors, and policymakers to understand the barriers and opportunities for entrepreneurship in Haryana. The research aims to answer key questions: Does geographical proximity to a leading startup hub accelerate entrepre-neurial growth in Haryana? Are startups in Haryana leveraging the advantages of being near Delhi-NCR, or do regional economic and infrastructural limitations constrain them?

Findings from this study will contribute to policy discussions on fostering balanced regional entrepreneurship in India. The research identifies key drivers and con-straints and offers insights for ecosystem stakeholders, including government agen-cies, investors, and incubators, to enhance Haryana’s entrepreneurial landscape.

The historic bazaars of Sonipat represent more than just places of commerce; they are vibrant repositories of the city’s cultural heritage, social fabric, and economic evolution. This project, “Documentation of Historic Bazaars of Sonipat,” aims to capture and preserve the invaluable legacy of these traditional marketplaces.

These bazaars have been vital hubs for generations, fostering community interaction and preserving traditional trades. They offer a unique window into Sonipat’s past, reflecting its historical development and cultural identity. With rapid urbanisation and modernisation, these historic spaces risk disappearing, making documentation crucial.

The project will thoroughly survey selected historic bazaars within Sonipat, focusing on those with significant historical and cultural value. It will involve archival research, field observations, and interviews with relevant stakeholders. It will include documenting the changes to these locations over time.

The culmination of the “Documentation of Historic Bazaars of Sonipat” project will be a comprehensive, publicly accessible digital archive and report that is vital for understanding and preserving the city’s rich cultural and economic heritage. This outcome will document the historic bazaars’ architectural, commercial, and social evolution and contribute to increased local awareness and appreciation of these irreplaceable spaces through curated Tours/walks on the traditional Cuisines/delicacies, occupations, and residing communities. By providing detailed historical context, visual documentation, and personal narratives, the project will potentially lead to informed preservation efforts and revitalisation strategies that ensure their continued relevance within Sonipat’s evolving historic urban landscape.

Effective public service delivery is essential for building responsive and accountable governance. In many states in India, citizens often struggle to understand the division of responsibilities across central, state, and local governments. This confusion frequently results in grievances being directed to the wrong authorities, leading to delays, frustration, and added pressure on public offices. This research vertical addresses these challenges in the state of Haryana through two closely linked projects that combine detailed institutional mapping, evaluation of digital provision of public services, empirical insights into citizen perceptions, and practical recommendations to promote informed participation and streamlined access to public services in Haryana.

The first project concentrates on raising citizen awareness about the jurisdiction and duties of elected representatives in delivering public services throughout Haryana. It aims to bridge the widespread information gap where public understanding of responsibility for specific services often differs significantly from actual administrative arrangements. By conducting thorough mapping of roles, responsibilities, and jurisdictions at all three levels of government, the project relies on legal frameworks, policies, and operational guidelines to clearly outline which services are handled by different agencies of central ministries, state departments, panchayats, or municipalities. Along with this, a primary survey across diverse districts, covering both urban and rural populations from varied socio-economic backgrounds, assesses current awareness levels and pinpoints major areas of misunderstanding. Drawing on these findings, the project proposes targeted solutions such as awareness campaigns, accessible digital tools, community workshops, and policy adjustments to enhance transparency and help citizens approach the appropriate channels more efficiently. By sharing the report with relevant authorities, the project expects to help administrative offices in Haryana avoid misguided grievances and frame better-targeted delivery of various schemes under them.

The second project evaluates the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014 and the Antyodaya SARAL portal. The Act was designed to ensure timely delivery of notified services, fostering greater transparency and accountability, while the SARAL portal acts as a single digital platform offering access to over 600 government-to-citizen services for applications, tracking, and grievance resolution. Using a mixed-methods approach, this evaluation measures citizen awareness of the Act and platform, reviews service coverage and usage trends, identifies access barriers including digital literacy and connectivity challenges, and examines user experiences such as satisfaction and difficulties faced. This intra-state study aims to measure and highlight heterogeneity in access and usage of the portal. The study draws on primary surveys, administrative data from the platform, and in-depth interviews with citizens and officials to produce reliable insights. Recommendations focus on platform enhancements, expanded awareness initiatives, and policy refinements to increase citizen engagement and effective utilization.

Collectively, these projects seek to reinforce governance accountability, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and empower Haryana’s citizens and administration to engage more meaningfully with public institutions, paving the way for a more transparent and citizen-focused governance framework.

This project focuses on the aspirations, well-being and quality of life of senior citizens in Haryana, a demographic often overlooked in policy discussions despite its growing significance. With individuals aged 60 years and above constituting nearly 10 percent of the state’s population and having a life expectancy of approximately 17–20 years, understanding their living conditions is essential for informed policymaking. The initiative will assesses multiple dimensions of their lives, including their aspirations, physical and mental health, family support mechanisms, financial security, access to social support systems such as community programmes and government welfare schemes, experiences of age-related discrimination, and overall life satisfaction. It will also examine the challenges faced by older persons and the coping mechanisms they adopt in response.

Adopting a mixed-methods approach and covering diverse districts across both rural and urban settings in Haryana, the research will captures perspectives from senior citizens belonging to varied socio-economic backgrounds. By assessing their everyday experiences, challenges, and adaptive strategies, the initiative aims to generate evidence-based insights for policymakers and relevant organizations. The findings will help identify gaps in existing support systems and enable government agencies and stakeholders to better address these gaps, streamline services, and design targeted interventions that meet the aspirations and enhance the well-being, inclusion, and participation of senior citizens in community and governance processes in Haryana.