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Brief Profile
Karan Babbar is an Assistant Professor in the Economics Area at XLRI. He holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and his research examines social and economic inequalities in India and South Asia, particularly in health, gender, education, and development.
Work Experience7 yrs
Jun 2025 – May 2026
Assistant Professor
Plaksha University
Jul 2022 – Jun 2025
Assistant Professor
OP Jindal Global University
Feb 2013 – Apr 2016
Software Engineering Analyst
Accenture Services Private Limited
Achievements and Research Interest/Area of Research Interests
Empirical Development Economics, Applied Micro Economics, Gender Economics, Health Economics, Public Policy.
Courses Taught
- Core Courses: Introduction to Economics, Business Analytics, Public Policy, Data Analysis & Interpretation, Principles of Management.
- Electives: Gender in Economics & Business, Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Vision 2030
Consultancy Undertaken
- Lead Consultant, City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Public Health & Columbia University, USA
Provided cost–benefit analysis to inform the proposed merger of UN Women and UNFPA. - Consultant (Project Lead), WaterAid India
Acted as project lead for WaterAid's "Men in Menstruation" project. - Consultant (Co-PI), American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Provided technical support as Co-Principal Investigator on a menstrual health randomised controlled trial (RCT) in Chennai. - Consultant, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
Conducted data mapping on violence against women (VAW) in Jharkhand, establishing baseline evidence for a larger ICRW project. - Research Consultant, University of Pennsylvania, Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI)
Conducted two research projects on social norms: one on women's public toilet usage, and one on the manual emptying of leach pits among Dalit communities.
Intellectual Contributions (Publications)
Journal Articles-Refereed
Research Articles
- Babbar, K.*, & Ojha, M. (2026). Towards improved menstrual health: The causal impact of period products on reproductive tract infections. Oxford Development Studies. (Link). Paper Summary: English, Hindi.
- Zhang, C.*, Ramaiya, A., Mandeville, J., Babbar, K., Gupta, J. (2026). Infertility and Intimate Partner Violence Experience Among HIV-Negative Women in Low- And Middle-Income Countries. Global Public Health. (Link).
- Babbar, K*. (2025). The Hidden Burden: Understanding the causal link between Menstrual Health and Hygiene and Mental Health Outcomes in Nepal. Social Science & Medicine. (Link).
- Babbar, K.*, & Garikipati, S. (2025). From Sanitation to Safety: Understanding the link between Water and Sanitation facilities and Domestic Violence in Nepal. Health & Place. (Link).
- Babbar, K.*, & Dev, P. (2025). The Need for Sex Education: Evidence from Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) of India. Journal of Population Research. (Link).
- Babbar, K*. (2025). Female Sterilization Paradoxical Association with Premature Menopause in Bihar. Scientific Reports. (Link).
- Garikipati, S., Babbar, K.*, & Mahajan, T. (2025). High prevalence of gynaecological symptoms among Indian women: implications for integrated menstrual and reproductive health. Journal of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. (Link).
- Babbar, K.*, Bodas, M., & Puro, N. (2025). Negotiating Choice: Unpacking the linkages between Women's Relative Resources and Contraceptive Decision Making in India. Sociology. (Link).
- Chakrabarty, M., Babbar, K.*, Singh, A. (2025). Reconceptualizing menstrual health and hygiene among young women in India. (Link). npj Women’s Health.
- Ojha, M.*, & Babbar, K. (2024). Power to choose? Examining the link between contraceptive use decision and domestic violence. (Link). Economics and Human Biology.
- Babbar, K.*, Singh, V., & Sivakami, M. (2024). Rising Premature Menopause and Variations by Education Level in India. Scientific Reports. (Link). Media Coverage: Telegraph India, The Medical News.
- Babbar, K.*, Vandana., & Arora, A. (2023). Bleeding at the margins: Understanding period poverty among SC and ST women using decomposition analysis. Journal of Development Studies. (Link).
- Babbar, K.*, & Dev, P. (2023). Period Products during the Pandemic: The Impact of Lockdowns on Period Products Usage. Applied Economics. (Link). Media Coverage:ET Health World, EdexLive.
- Babbar, K.*, Das, U., Ashraf, S., Shpenev, A., & Bicchieri, C. (2023). Unlocking the Role of Social Norms: How They Shape Women’s Public Toilet Usage in India. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. (Link).
- Babbar, K.*, & Garikipati, S. (2023). What Socio-Demographic Factors Support Sustainable Menstrual Choices? Evidence from India’s National Family Health Survey. PLOS One. (Link).
- Babbar, K.*, Swathysree, SS., Nandhuri, K (2023). Navigating through menstrual health experiences of individuals who menstruate during the lockdown: A study from India. Culture, Health & Sexuality.(Link).
- Babbar, K.*, Rustagi, N., Dev, P. (2022). How COVID-19 lockdown has impacted the sanitary pads distribution among adolescent girls and women in India. Journal of Social Issues. (Link). Coverage: UNICEF, WHO.
- Singh, V*., & Babbar, K. (2022). Empowered but abused? A moderated mediation analysis to explore the relationship between Wife’s Relative Resources, Relational Empowerment and Physical Abuse. Social Science & Medicine. (Link).
- Babbar, K.*, Saluja, D., Sivakami, M. (2021). How socio-demographic and mass-media factors impact sanitary items usage among women in rural and urban India. Waterlines. (Link).
Commentary in Journals
- Babbar, K.* (2026). A Milestone and the Miles to Go. Economics & Political Weekly. (Link).
- Babbar, K*. (2025). Rethinking Menopause Measurement: Untangling the Complexities in DHS Data. npj Women’s Health. (Link).
- Babbar, K. *, Varansi, P., & Martin, J. (2023). Inclusion means Everyone: Standing up for transgender and non-binary individuals who menstruate worldwide. The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia. (Link).
- Babbar, K. *, Martin, J., Ruiz, J., Parray, A., & Sommer, M. (2022). Menstrual Health is a Public Health and Human Right issue. TheLancet Public Health. (Link).
- Martin, J.*, Babbar, K., & Maschette, U. (2022). Menstrual health for all requires wider high-level commitment. British Medical Journal (BMJ). (Link).
Chapters in Scholarly Books
- Babbar, K. The Premature Menopause Paradox in India: Unpacking Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Healthcare Dimensions. (Accepted). The Routledge Handbook of the Anthropology of Menstruation. (Expected Publication: May 2027)
- Babbar, K., Zaman, M., Biedron, A., Maima, G., & Martin, J. (2026). Diverse Experiences in or through activism. The Sage Encyclopedia of Menstruation and Society. (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2026). Humanitarian Setting and Disasters. The Sage Encyclopedia of Menstruation and Society. (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2026). Men and Boys: Allyship and Mythmaking. The Sage Encyclopaedia of Menstruation and Society. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Garikipati, S. (2025). Achieving Sustainable Menstrual Health for All: Investigating Menstrual Cup Take up in India. TheRoutledge Handbook of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Research and Policy. (Link).
- Singh, V., Acharya, S., & Babbar, K. (2021). Sexual and Reproductive Health of Elderly – A Neglected Aspect of Public Health. Rural Elderly and Their Quest for Health. Authors Upfront.
Research Report
- Babbar, K*. (2026). When Law Normalises Violence as the Baseline. The Policy Edge. (Link).
- Babbar, K*., & Ojha, M. (2023). Towards an Inclusive National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene. ORF Issue Brief No. 675, November 2023. Observer Research Foundation. (Link).
- Babbar, K*., & Sivakami, M. (2023). Promoting Menstrual Health: Towards Sexual and Reproductive Health for All. ORF Issue Brief No. 613, February 2023. Observer Researcher Foundation. (Link).
- Mai, HNA., Temesgen, M., Ilori, T; Fonteyne, L; Wilson, S; Martin, J*; Carson, C; Moss, R; Babbar, K. (2023). Scottish Local Authorities Implementation Policy Assessment Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021. Pandemic Periods. (Link).
Published Articles in Newspapers/Magazines
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. India’s education gender gap four times wider in rural areas than urban. The Hindu. (Link).
- Singla, T., Jacob, M., & Babbar, K. An ageing India, counted but not fully understood. The Hindu. (Link).
- Maitra, R., & Babbar, K. Geography and caste shape access to private coaching in India. The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. ₹1,855 – What parents of each govt. school student spend on private tuition on average. The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. Data check: India’s gender gap in private education defies caste and class. The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2026). Karnataka is right to notice menopause. It should also ask how women get there. The Quint. (Link).
- Mishra, S., & Babbar, K. (2026). The Rs 4.6 Lakh Crore Price India Pays For Violence Against Women. The Wire. (Link).
- Mishra, S., & Babbar, K. (2026). Why breastfeeding rates have dropped in India: insights from NFHS-6. The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2026). Why are Bihar's women reaching menopause in their thirties? The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2026). The Blindspot in India’s Menstrual Cup Rollout. Observer Research Foundation. (Link).
- Saxena, A., & Babbar, K. (2026). The 130:1 Imbalance in India’s Family Planning Programme. The Policy Edge. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. Catching up or falling behind: What NFHS data shows about state-level disparities. The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. India sees surge in preschool enrollment, but outside formal schools. The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. NFHS-6, UDISE+: Girls overtake boys in higher secondary attainment for the first time. The Hindu. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Kakkat, A. Pads without pipes: India’s menstrual health crisis is above all an infrastructure failure. International Health Policies. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. Where education still moves the needle: marriage, not family size. The Hindu. (Link).
- Martin, J., Babbar. K., & Irfan, S. Why menstrual-health policy must move beyond products. The Economist Enterprise. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Maitra, R. What does NFHS-6 reveal about the use of period products in India? The Hindu. (Link).
- Telang, A., & Babbar, K. (2026). Beyond Her, Beyond Him: The Unacknowledged Side of Domestic Violence in India. International Health Policies. (Link).
- Singh, R.A., Garg, S., & Babbar, K. India’s Development Gains for Women Still Fall Short on Agency. The Policy Edge. (Link).
- Diwedi, G., & Babbar, K. India’s marital rape exception: When law makes violence invisible. Scroll.in. 25th Nov 2025. (Link).
- Babbar, K., & Singh, P. A half-won battle: why India’s growth is leaving a generation of women behind. The Hindu. 10th July 2025.(Link).
- Babbar, K. The politics of periods: why India cannot afford to ignore menstrual health. The Hindu. 31st May 2025.(Link).
- Babbar, K. Why India’s menstrual health policy should pay more attention to reusable products. Scroll.in. 28th May 2025.(Link).
- Babbar, K., Nagesh, S., & Mangal, V. Frontline, Forgotten: The ASHA Workers’ Fight for Fairness. International Health Policies. 11th April 2025.(Link).
- Babbar, K., & Chakrabarty, M. (2025). Regional inequity in menstrual health persists in India. 360info. 7th March 2025. (Link).
- Article re-published by other outlets: The Diplomat; Pratirodh.
- Telang, A., & Babbar, K. (2025). Beyond The Macho Image: A Message From Two Men To Indian Men. Feminism in India. 3rd January 2025. (Link).
- Ojha, M., & Babbar, K. (2024). Decisions and dynamics: Unpacking the impact of contraceptive decisions on domestic violence. Ideas for India. 9th September 2024. (Link). Hindi Version: (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2024). Why menopause data matters on World Population Day. Observer Research Foundation. 10th July 2024. (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2024). Championing Change: How Political Action Can Transform Menstrual Health in India. International Health Policies. 30th May 2024.(Link).
- Babbar, K., & Ojha, M. (2024). What NFHS-5 reveals about menstrual health and hygiene practices. The Economic Times. 6th March 2024. (Link).
- Babbar, K. (2024). How India's COVID-19 lockdowns impacted menstrual health. 360info. 21st February 2024.(Link). Article re-published by other outlets: The Diplomat; The Wire; Down to Earth; Kathmandu Post;Eco Business; Tempco; East Mojo; HTDS.
Canizares, A., Martin, J., & Babbar, K. (2024). ‘Levelling Up’ Efforts for Menstrual Health. Pandemic Periods. 8th February 2024.(Link).
Muralidharan, A., Babbar, K., & Bhattacharjee, M. (2023). Does India Need a 'Uniform National Policy' for Menstrual Health and Hygiene? The Quint. 21st August 2023. (Link).
Babbar, K., & Ojha, M. (2023). Contraceptive decision-making in India. Observer Research Foundation (ORF). 11th July 2023. (Link).
Sharma, S., & Babbar, K. (2023). Securing support for same-sex marriage in India. East Asia Forum. 1st July 2023 (Link).
Other Professional Activities
Achievements in Professional Activities
- 2025: Shortlisted as top 8 finalist for Best Research Paper in Humanities at The Asia Awards 2025 by Times Higher Education.
- 2025: Travel Grant, to present at 2025 World Congress of the Econometric Society (ESWC 2025) at Seoul, Korea. (~2000 $)
- 2025: Travel Grant, to present at International Health Economics Association (IHEA) 2025 (~1000 $)
- 2025: Travel Grant, to present at Development Studies Association (DSA) 2025 (~395£)
- 2025: Article Processing Fees Waiver, Nature Journals (~2190$)
- 2024: Staff Development Grant, Jindal Global Business School, OP Jindal Global University (~2100$)
- 2024: Travel Grant; to present at Asian Meeting of Econometric Society (AMES), 2024. (500$).
- 2023: Staff Development Grant, Jindal Global Business School, OP Jindal Global University (~2100$)
- 2023: Adam Wagstaff Award (Nominated)
- 2023: 23rd Annual IHEA Meeting Grant. ($610).
- 2022: Academy of Management Reviewer Award
- 2021: American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting Award ($65)
- 2021: Comparative and International Education Society Annual Meeting Scholarship ($32)
- 2021: International Association for Feminist Economics Scholarship (IAFFE).
Contribution Towards Institution Building/ Development/ Services such as Chairperson (Placement) Etc.
- Founding Director, Centre for Development Studies, Jindal Global Business School, OP Jindal Global University
Guide/Evaluator/ Examiner at Doctoral Research Level
- External Examiner: Bhawna Taneja, Center for the Study of Regional Development (CSRD), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Membership of Professional Bodies
- 2024- Present Development Studies Association
- 2024- Present International Association for Feminist Economics (IAFFE)
- 2023- Present International Health Economics Association (IHEA)
- 2022- Present The Econometric Society.
Professional Services such as Member/Editor of Editorial Board/ Advisory Committee etc
- Board Member & Research Advisor, Menstrual Rights Global
Reviewer/Referee in Journals/ Conferences etc
Ad-hoc paper Reviewer in journals
- Acta Psychologica
- Applied Economics
- American Journal of Public Health
- Archives of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Archives of Sexual Behaviour
- Australian Feminist Studies
- Biodemography and Social Biology
- BMC Women’s Health
- British Medical Journal (BMJ)- Open
- Children and Youth Services Review
- Cogent Social Sciences
- Communications Medicine
- Community Health Equity Research and Policy
- Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering
- Discover Mental Health
- Discover Public Health
- e-Clinical Medicine, Part of THE LANCET Discovery Science
- Economics and Political Weekly
- Environmental Health Insights
- Feminist Economics
- Global Public Health
- Humanities and Social Science Communications
- IIM B- Management Review
- Information Discovery and Delivery
- International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
- International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
- International Journal of Women’s Health
- International Journal for Quality in Health Care
- JMIR Research Protocols
- Journal of Adolescent Health
- Journal of Advanced Nursing
- Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics
- Journal of Development Policy and Practice
- Journal of Family Studies
- Journal of Health and Human Rights
- Journal of Social Issues
- Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
- Local Environment
- Peer J
- PLoS One
- PLoS Global Public Health
- Reproductive Health
- Scientific Reports
- Sexual Health
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters
- Social Indicators Research
- Social Science & Humanities Open
- Social Science and Medicine (SSM)
- Social Science and Medicine (SSM)-Population Health
- Social Science and Medicine (SSM)- Health Systems
- Societal Impacts
- The Journal of Sex Research
- The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia
- Vikalpa, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
- Women’s Health
- Women's Studies International Forum
Conference Proposal Reviewer
- IMR Doctoral Conference (2026).
- International Health Economics Association (2025).
- International Association for Feminist Economics (2025).
- IMR Doctoral Conference (2025).
- American Psychological Association (2024).
- Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) Conference (2024).
- IMR Doctoral Conference (2024).
- Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) Conference (2023).
- RMLNLU National Seminar on Menstrual Health Management (2023).
- American Public Health Association (2022)
- Academy of Management (2022); Received AOM Reviewer Award.
- American Educational Research Association (2021)
Book Reviewer
- Palgrave Macmillan