Head of the Department, Economics and Finance, BITS Pilani (Pilani Campus)

• • Current Term: September 2024 – Present
  • First Term: September 2022 – August 2024

Conferences, Workshops & Academic Initiatives

• Organizing Secretary | International Conference ICAEF 2023
  • The First International Conference on Applied Economics and Finance (ICAEF 2023) was held from November 2–4, 2023, attracting over 100 national participants, securing ₹75,000 in external sponsorship, and hosting prominent global keynote speakers. View Volume Details. Click here
• Co-Convener | Five-Day National Workshop on NSSO Survey Data Analysis (2024)
  • This national workshop was delivered from February 21–25, 2024, focusing on advanced empirical training and unit-level survey data analysis using STATA and R Studio frameworks. 
• Organizing Chair | Diamond Jubilee International Conference (DJIC 2025)
  • The Second International Conference on Applied Economics and Finance was conducted as part of the BITS Pilani Diamond Jubilee celebrations, encompassing the management of all academic tracks and execution frameworks. View Springer Volume. 
• Co-Convener | Five-Day National Workshop on Frontiers in Health Economics (2025)
  • This five-day national workshop was organized in collaboration with the International Health Economics Association (IHEPA) from September 16–20, 2025, providing specialized empirical research training using STATA and R Studio. 
• UGC NAAC Accreditation Review
  • The official departmental evaluation presentation was delivered to the visiting NAAC peer team on November 14, 2024, followed by a collaborative site visit and successful document verification process conducted with the assistance of the department faculty.
• Organizer | Varun Sehgal Memorial Award Ceremony (2024–Present)
  • A departmental selection committee was constituted to oversee the annual Varun Sehgal Memorial Award Ceremony, an initiative established in 2024 to recognize outstanding student achievements within the department.

Departmental Administration and Academic Management (September 2022–Present)

• • Ph.D. Admission Operations: The Ph.D. admission entry examinations are conducted each semester in coordination with the Departmental Research Committee (DRC) Convener.
  • Research Scholar Allocation: The assignment of incoming Ph.D. scholars to faculty mentors is facilitated in alignment with DRC panel resolutions.
  • Academic Review and Examination Oversight: Academic oversight is maintained for foundational Ph.D. coursework modules, qualifying examinations, and milestone presentation reviews.
  • Progress Presentations: Mid-semester and end-semester research milestone presentations are coordinated alongside the seminar coordinator and the DRC Convener.
  • Grade Moderation Operations: The verification, compilation, and submission of all terminal and mid-semester grades for research scholars/ first degree students are managed each term.
  • Faculty Teaching Workload Assignment: Teaching requirements and first-degree program course mappings are assigned and managed for departmental faculty members.
  • Specialized Academic Terms: Specialized courses are identified, floated, and coordinated during the summer terms.
  • Stakeholder Engagement Forums: Meetings spanning faculty, research scholars, and first-degree students are organized to resolve workload, performance, and interpersonal concerns.
  • Institutional Metrics Reporting: The Departmental Annual Report summarizing academic, research, and institutional milestones is compiled and finalized.
  • Faculty Recruitment: Part of the applicant screening and shortlisting, which is managed through the Department-Level Shortlisting Committee (DLSC).

Committee Member (Since 1st September 2022)

• • Chairperson: Departmental Research Committee: 
  • Chairperson: Departmental Committee on Academics: 
    • Exercised role as HOD and Chairperson of the DCA to lead the 2025–26 curriculum revision for the department, collaborating with other economics department heads across BITS Pilani to align course structures with institutional benchmarks.
  • Chairperson: Student-Faculty Council (SFC):
    • It brings together student representatives and faculty members to discuss campus issues, academic policies, and student welfare; two meetings in a semester at the departmental level and submission of meeting minutes on the AUGSD portal. 
    • Duration from 01 September 2022
  • Member: ccDAC 
  • Member: Department Level Shortlisting Committee (DLSC) 
  • Member: Department Level Performance Evaluation Committee (DPEC):
    • The task of evaluating faculty performance across three core pillars: Teaching Excellence, Research & Publications, and Institutional/Administrative Contributions.
    • Duration from 01 September 2022
  • Member: Institute Disposal Committee:
    • An internal governing body to inspect, evaluate, and manage the proper write-off, condemnation, and liquidation of surplus, obsolete, or unserviceable assets:
    • Duration from 28 October 2024 to 28 October 2026 

• Resident Warden (2018–2022):
  • Student welfare and hostel administration duties were discharged as the Resident Warden for SR Bhawan, managing newly admitted first-degree students.
• Academic Counselling Cell Member (2015–2019):
  • Institutional responsibilities were undertaken as a core group member of the Academic Counselling Committee (ACC). Hostel mess visits were coordinated to engage with newly admitted students, addressing their academic and non-academic concerns. Additionally, an Interaction and Counselling (IC) event was organized at SR Bhawan, which was attended by all first-year course instructors and approximately 100 students.
• Library Committee Member (2014–2017):
  • Institutional governance and resource management support were provided as a member of the Library Committee for the Pilani Campus.