01
Vision
A society where progress is guided by sustainability and respect for people and nature.
Science of the People, by the People and for the People
Founded by young IITians who put participatory development and citizens’ rights first.
- Founded
- 1988
- Years of public interest research
- 35
- Headquarters
- Dehradun
- States reached
- 22
Our history
In 1988, a group of IIT alumni motivated by the ideal of nation building came together to establish the People’s Science Institute (PSI), a non-profit organisation committed to applying science and technology to address poverty and development challenges in marginalised regions.
What began as a thoughtful experiment grew into the People’s Science Institute (PSI), which, for 35 years, has worked towards its mission of “elevating communities through sustainable development and public interest research.”
At PSI, empowerment is not a buzzword. It is a living, breathing commitment to building sustainable communities while putting people at the heart of development.
From fighting poverty to self-reliant communities
PSI has come a long way since its inception in 1988.
Where we began
In 1988, PSI started with the mission of focusing on combating ‘poverty’ through collaborative development.
Where we are now
Drawing on decades of experience and a continued commitment to sustainable and equitable community development, PSI has expanded its work beyond rural livelihoods, addressing challenges of climate change and urbanisation.
02
Mission
To build self-reliant communities through the democratic, equitable, sustainable and productive use of resources.
Registered and tax-exempt
01
Registered society
PSI is registered as a society (S/19082, dated June 27, 1988) under the Societies Act (1860).
02
Donations are tax-exempt
In regards to the section 80G of Income Tax Act, donations to PSI are entitled to tax exemption.
03
Annual reports
Downloadable PDFs.
Files to be addedTrusted by national and state bodies
1 of 7
National institutions chosen by CAPART
In 1996, CAPART selected PSI (one among the seven national institutions) to be training and development support organization in watershed development for the entire north India region from Jammu & Kashmir to Bihar.
CPWD
Training centre in Himachal Pradesh
The HP state government has identified CPWD as a training center for participatory watershed development programs in that state.
Committees
Central and state government
Dr. Ravi Chopra of PSI has served on several central and state government committees, in recognition of the work done by the Institute.
Partners and supporters named in our work
What Makes Us Different?
PSI’s work is guided by the belief that progress must be rooted in sustainability, equity and democratic participation.
01
Sustainability
We believe in aligning human development with the responsible use of natural resources to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.
02
Equity
We believe in equal opportunities, fair access to resources and the recognition of every person’s contribution to society irrespective of their social locations.
03
Participation
We believe development is most effective when communities actively plan, implement and monitor their lives and livelihoods.
04
Self-reliance
We believe in strengthening communities’ ability to manage their resources, make informed decisions and live with dignity.
05
Productivity
We believe in promoting the efficient and sustainable use of resources to improve livelihoods and create lasting value.
These values guide our work towards development that addresses people’s needs while addressing the limits of natural resources.
We aim to improve livelihoods, conserve the environment and enable communities to make decisions about their own futures.
Research and communities, together
Our strength lies in our ability to connect research and technical expertise with community-informed action to deliver development programmes at scale.
Since 1988, we have worked on watershed development, environmental management, livelihoods and disaster resilience, with a focus on sustainability, equity and community self-reliance.
- Watershed development
- Environmental management
- Livelihoods
- Disaster resilience
A
Programmes that last
Programs such as Sukha Mukti Abhiyan and Gram Swaraj Abhiyan reflect our systems-based approach as these have historically strengthened local communities’ capacity to implement and sustain development initiatives for a much longer time.
This approach enables communities to take ownership of development projects while involving them in the process of sustaining these initiatives.
B
Innovation beyond technology
Innovation for us extends beyond technology. It involves social processes, administrative procedures and programme guidelines.
Another distinguishing feature is our ability to make technical knowledge accessible and useful to communities.
Throughout these years our projects have included earthquake-safe rural housing, water management technologies, environmental quality monitoring, traditional water management systems and women’s work patterns in the central-western Himalayas.
C
Institutions and policy
We also have experience in the domains of institutional development, training and policy engagement.
Our work with government agencies has also contributed to the development of programmes and management systems.
1996
Our expertise in watershed development was recognised by CAPART in 1996, when we were selected to provide training and development support across northern India.
How we turn research into action
01
Start with communities
PSI combines deep research and technical expertise together with communities' own lived experiences to address the challenges in socio economic development.
Keeping local needs and experiences as the foundation of the work, it helps in strengthening their institutions.
02
Make solutions last
This foundation leads to offering solutions that are adaptable and could be used in different social contexts.
The involvement of communities promotes local ownership, self reliance and the equitable use of resources.
Its work experience of more than three decades shows that this approach can support large scale development and sustains the efforts on ground for a much larger time.
03
Put research at the core
Research and innovation are central to PSI’s work. The organisation focuses on developing and testing new technologies and approaches to community mobilisation along with supporting their adoption and wider use.
PSI places research at the core of its development work. Its interventions are informed by the needs and priorities of local communities.
This approach guides its work across watershed development, environmental quality monitoring, climate change, disaster management and livelihood improvement.
- Watershed development
- Environmental quality monitoring
- Climate change
- Disaster management
- Livelihood improvement
04
Deliver with partners
If research guides PSI’s approach to development, then collaboration supports its implementation on the ground.
The organisation works closely with government institutions and local voluntary organisations to put its findings and plans into practice.
PSI continues to build skills and institutional capacity through technical support, consultancy and knowledge sharing. It also brings its interventions into policy discussions and into governments’ larger welfare programmes.
Executive board
Seven members from agriculture engineering, sociology, disaster management, paediatrics, hydrology, hydrogeology and limnology.
Chairperson
Dr. C. Shambu Prasad
On the board since 2018
Dr. C. Shambu Prasad holds a Ph.D. in Sociology of Science & Technology and has been associated with the Organisation's Board since 2018. He brings expertise in General Management - Strategy and Policy from IRMA, Anand.
Treasurer
Prof. Janki Andharia
On the board since 2018
Prof. Janki Andharia has a Ph.D. in Sociology of Science & Technology and has served on the Organisation's Board since 2018. Her relevant work experience lies in Disaster Management at TISS, Mumbai.
Member
Dr. Kshama Metre
On the board since 2016
Dr. Kshama Metre is an MD in Paediatrics and has been a Board member since 2016. She brings experience in Development Peripheral work and as a Paediatrician with CORD, H.P.
Member
Dr. Sumit Sen
On the board since 2023
Dr. Sumit Sen holds a Ph.D. in Hydrology and has served on the Board since 2023. He is a Professor of Hydrology at IIT-Roorkee.
Member
Dr. Himanshu Chandrakant Kulkarni
On the board since 2023
Dr. Himanshu Chandrakant Kulkarni is a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology and has been a Board member since 2023. He brings relevant work experience as a Hydrogeologist.
Member
Dr. Malavika Chauhan
On the board since 2023
Dr. Malavika Chauhan has a Ph.D. in Limnology and has served on the Board since 2023. She works as an Independent Consultant.
Director (Ex-officio)
Dr. Debashish Sen
On the board since 2016
Dr. Debashish Sen holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture Engineering and has been on the Board since 2016. He works as a Scientist at PSI.
Meet the PSI team
Staff profiles and photos will be added here.
To be added