International Institute for Population Sciences - IIPS

21/08/2026

Orientation Programme on Safe, Inclusive Campus Environment

On 20 August 2026, IIPS organized an Orientation Programme for students, staff, and faculty members to provide an overview of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act and to highlight the importance of fostering a safe, inclusive, and gender-neutral workplace. The programme was inaugurated by the Director, followed by two informative lectures delivered by members of the Internal Committee on key provisions of the Act and the role and responsibilities of the Institute. A significant number of students, faculty members, and staff actively participated in the programme, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to promoting a safe, respectful, inclusive, and gender-neutral campus environment. The Internal Committee expressed its sincere appreciation to all sections of the Institute for their support and active participation in making the programme a success.

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

Independence Day Celebration at IIPS, Mumbai.

The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, celebrated the 80th Independence Day with great enthusiasm and patriotic spirit. Students, faculty members, staff, and their family members came together for the hoisting of the National Flag, singing of the National Anthem, inspiring messages, and student orations.

Delivering the Independence Day address, Prof. Sanjay K. Mohanty, Director and Senior Professor, IIPS, emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort in achieving and safeguarding the freedom and progress of our nation. He highlighted India's remarkable economic growth and substantial reduction in poverty over the past two decades, describing these achievements as significant milestones in the country's development journey. He expressed the role of “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat @2047. He particularly mentioned the critical role of India's youth in nation-building and shaping the country's future.

Prof. Mohanty also highlighted the significant contribution of IIPS to teaching, research, and evidence-based policymaking in the areas of population, health, and development. He noted that the data generated through major national surveys such as the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), and Global Adult To***co Survey (GATS) serve as foundation for health and population policies and valuable public good for researchers, policymakers, and society at large. These surveys are now indigenously designed implemented and funded. He further outlined several initiatives being undertaken at IIPS to strengthen teaching, promote high-quality research, foster innovation, and enhance the Institute's contribution to national development.

The celebrations reflected the unity, cultural diversity, patriotism, and collective spirit of the IIPS community, reaffirming the Institute's commitment to contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat @2047

12/08/2026

The Director interacted with the students of the Master of Survey Research and Data Analytics (MSD) programme and discussed their academic experiences, aspirations, and learning requirements.

The interaction provided an opportunity for an open and constructive dialogue, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to fostering a student-centric learning environment that supports academic excellence, professional growth, and the overall development of students.

06/08/2026

The Director engaged with MBD students in an interactive discussion on their academic experiences, aspirations, and requirements, fostering open dialogue and reinforcing the Institute's commitment to a student-centric learning environment.

31/07/2026

Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine Inauguration with the Support of Bank of Baroda (CSR)

The Internal Committee (IC) of International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai (IIPS) has taken an initiative to install a Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine in the campus and the Bank of Baroda has provided the support under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring a safe women’s health, dignity, good hygiene practices at the institute. The inauguration of the Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine was held on 28 July 2026 at the Ground Floor of the Library Building of IIPS in the presence of Prof. Sanjay K Mohanty (Director and Senior Professor, IIPS), Mrs. Priyanka Krishna, Branch Manager of Bank of Baroda (Nerul Branch), Prof. Aparajita Chattopadhyay, Presiding Officer of the Internal Committee, members of the Internal Committee, faculty members, staff and students of the institute. A large number of participants enthusiastically joined this initiative after class and office hours.

At the beginning of the programme, Mrs. Priyanka Krishna, was warmly welcomed by the Prof. Sanjay Mohanty with token of appreciation from the institute. The Director addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of this initiative for women’s health at the institute. He also expressed the sincere gratitude to Bank of Baroda on behalf of the IIPS for providing valuable support through the installation of the Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine.

Prof. Aparajita Chattopadhyay, shared her thoughts on prioritizing this initiative soon after assuming the role of Presiding Officer. She acknowledged the wholehearted support extended by the students, staff members, the Director, and the Bank of Baroda in successfully implementing this initiative. The members of the reconstituted Internal Committee were introduced to the participants. It was emphasized that the IC is a statutory committee with a strong legal mandate to ensure a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all members of the Institute. Further, the Institute established a Gender Development Cell a week earlier to address all forms of harassment and to promote a gender-sensitive environment for all members of the Institute. The Director appreciated the initiatives undertaken by this committee within a short span of time, and these efforts were also well received by the students and staff members.

Mrs. Priyanka Krishna, Branch Manager, BoB, provided information related to the BoB’s products, services and customer-centric initiatives. Students raised questions regarding the various schemes and services offered by the BoB. She expressed her sincere appreciation and gratitude to IC members especially Ms. Nivedita Mishra for her valuable commitment to this initiative. During the interaction, the Director and the members of the Internal Committee also requested the representatives of the Bank of Baroda to explore opportunities for facilitating internships, financial literacy programmes, career guidance, and other possible recruitment avenues for the students of the Institute.

The program was concluded with vote of thanks.

31/07/2026

The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) team, led by Prof. Sanjay K. Mohanty, Director and Senior Professor, had the privilege of presenting the academic and research activities of the Institute, and discussing the Institute's potential contributions to the High-Level Committee on Demographic Change (HLCDC) at Hall No.10, Heritage Building, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi. The IIPS team is grateful to the esteemed members of the Committee for their valuable suggestions and insightful guidance. The IIPS team looks forward to supporting the Committee's work and contributing to evidence-based policy formulation on demographic change in India under the Committee’s guidance.

31/07/2026

The Institutional Review Board (IRB), IIPS, organised a Workshop and Interactive Session on Research Ethics on 28 July 2026. The programme brought together Institutional Review Board members, faculty members, and PhD scholars to engage in meaningful discussions on ethical issues encountered in research and the role of ethics review in ensuring responsible research practices. IIPS IRB has received DHR certification and is therefore required to adhere to the prescribed guidelines and ethical standards. During the session, the six IRB members, faculty members, and PhD scholars raised several insightful and thought-provoking issues. These discussions highlighted many of the ethical and procedural challenges currently faced in research and underscored the need for continued dialogue to strengthen research ethics.

The workshop featured two distinguished experts in research ethics who shared their knowledge and practical experiences.

Talk 1: Ethical Considerations in Mental Health and Social Science Research
Speaker: Dr. Nilesh Gawde

Dr. Gawli highlighted the unique ethical challenges associated with mental health research in demography and the social sciences, distinguishing them from clinical trials involving psychoactive drugs. He discussed important issues related to participant eligibility, informed consent, autonomy, and benefit-risk assessment. The session also emphasized that social science research, although often perceived as low risk, can expose participants to psychological and social harms. The speaker underscored the need for researchers to anticipate such risks and adopt appropriate safeguards to protect participants and effectively manage adverse events.

Talk 2: Ethical Considerations in Varying Research Projects: A Macro-to-Micro Perspective
Speaker: Dr. Lalita Sarvedekar

Dr. Sarvedekar presented a comprehensive overview of research ethics, examining ethical considerations from both macro- and micro-level perspectives. Her presentation covered the broader regulatory and institutional framework governing ethical review, followed by practical guidance on addressing study-specific ethical issues. The session illustrated how ethical principles are applied throughout the research process, from protocol review and project approval to post-approval monitoring, audits, and continued compliance with ethical guidelines.

Participants gained a deeper understanding of the scope of ethical review, the responsibilities of Institutional Review Boards in project clearance, and the importance of ongoing monitoring and auditing to ensure adherence to ethical standards. The workshop served as an important platform for strengthening awareness of research ethics and promoting ethical conduct in research across disciplines.