Mission Karmayogi SĀDHANA Saptah 2026

The University Grants Commission organised a series of capacity-building lectures under Mission Karmayogi SĀDHANA Saptah 2026 from 2–8 April 2026, in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission, the Department of Personnel and Training, and Karmayogi Bharat. The initiative sought to promote continuous learning and competency development across governance systems and the higher education ecosystem, in line with the theme “Technology, Tradition and Tangible Outcomes.”

As part of the Chetna Series, Dr. Rajesh Tandon delivered a lecture on “Community Engagement & Participatory Research (CBPR) in Nation Building” on 6 April 2026. He emphasised that higher education should not only produce graduates, but also nurture changemakers capable of driving social transformation.

Referring to the UGC’s vision for fostering community engagement and social responsibility in higher education, Dr. Tandon highlighted that universities and institutions must function as active contributors to equitable and sustainable development rather than remain isolated centres of knowledge.

During the lecture, he outlined several ways in which community engagement can strengthen higher education, including:

• Bridging the gap between theory and practice through real-world learning experiences
• Building meaningful and collaborative partnerships
• Recognising and valuing community knowledge systems, including traditional food practices, climate-resilient housing, and water conservation methods
• Reimagining curricula and pedagogy to support national development goals
• Encouraging values of public service, citizenship, and social responsibility among students

A central theme of the session was the importance of mutual learning and respect. Dr. Tandon stressed that community engagement is a process of co-creation, where academic knowledge and lived experiences come together to develop practical and sustainable solutions.

Drawing from the work of PRIA and the DECODE Project, he shared examples of community-led initiatives already making a difference on the ground:

• In Ajmer, Rajasthan, participatory approaches to documenting and strengthening community-led water management systems have supported the revival and sustainability of local water resources
• Through the DECODE Project, efforts to strengthen community knowledge of wild forest foods have enhanced economic resilience and food security, particularly for women

These examples reinforced the idea that knowledge becomes more meaningful and actionable when co-created with communities.

Dr. Tandon also underscored the importance of community-engaged teaching through field-based learning, experiential pedagogy, and locally contextualised teaching materials that make education more relevant and impactful.

Concluding the session, he emphasised that Higher Education Institutions must view themselves as an integral part of society. By fostering trust, connecting diverse knowledge systems, and mobilising collective resources, HEIs can play a significant role in addressing pressing societal challenges such as climate change, livelihoods, and social equity.

Click here to watch the session.