CUJ Faculty Awarded Prestigious ICSSR Project to Study Jharkhand’s Vulnerable Tribal Groups

Ranchi: In a significant academic achievement, the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), under the Ministry of Education, has sanctioned a major multidisciplinary research project to Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Associate Professor at the Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ).

The study, included in the approved list for the 2025–26 academic year, will focus on the social, cultural, and traditional belief systems of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Jharkhand, specifically the Asur, Korwa, and Pahadi Kharia communities.

Multidisciplinary Team and Scope

Dr. Rajesh Kumar (Department of Mass Communication) will lead the study as Project Director. He will be supported by a distinguished team of Co-Project Directors, Prof. K.B. Singh (Department of Commerce and Financial Studies)
Dr. Shashank Dattatraya Kulkarni (Department of Political Science and Public Administration). The field research is slated to be conducted across the tribal-dominated districts of Simdega, Lohardaga, and Gumla.

Academic and Policy Impact
By integrating perspectives from communication studies, economics, and political science, the project aims to document the shifting dynamics within these ancient tribal societies through a rigorous scientific lens. Beyond its academic value, the study is expected to provide critical data for future policymaking and the refinement of tribal welfare schemes in the region.

University officials noted that the selection of this proposal highlights CUJ’s growing role as a hub for specialized research into the complex issues facing indigenous societies.