The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi celebrated Research Scholars’ Day 2025 with the theme “The Pracademic Edge: Turning Research into Real World Results.” The three-day event brought together doctoral scholars, faculty members, and alumni to discuss, deliberate and showcase impactful research that bridges the gap between academics and practical implementation.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Manish Bansal, Chairperson, Doctoral Programme. He congratulated the research scholars for their continuous dedication and encouraged them to transform their work into sustainable and impactful contributions to society. Prof. Bansal outlined the key activities planned for the event, including the One-Slide Three-Minute Challenge, Infographic Explainer, and Full Paper Presentation. He also expressed pride in IIM Ranchi’s growing prominence in the research ecosystem and extended a warm welcome to three alumni of the PhD and Executive PhD (EPhD) programme, highlighting the institute’s expanding research network.

In a session, Prof. Aditya Shankar Mishra, Editor, IIM Ranchi Journal of Management Studies (IRJMS), emphasized the vital role of emerging researchers in shaping the future of academic inquiry. He said that the mission of IRJMS is to encourage high-quality, intellectually driven research that addresses modern challenges and provides actionable insights. He added, “Research must be locally relevant but globally impactful.” Prof. Mishra stated that IRJMS has witnessed a remarkable growth in leadership and academic impact, with IIM Ranchi’s research articles being downloaded over 1.2 lakh times across more than 40 countries, reflecting the trust and enthusiasm of the academic community.

Director, IIM Ranchi, Prof. Deepak Srivastava underlined the importance of research sensitization among scholars. “Creating awareness about research is challenging, but once internalized, it can lead to transformative outcomes,” he remarked. Prof. Srivastava stressed that the doctoral community plays a key role in enhancing academic curriculum and research practices within institutions. He highlighted that research strengthens quality education, as faculty engagement in research directly enriches classroom learning. Mentioning IIM Ranchi’s global academic contribution, he said, the Institute has produced more than 180 research papers aligned with the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing our commitment to socially responsible and sustainable research.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Charan Singh, CEO, EGROW Foundation and former Chairperson of Punjab & Sind Bank, shared his inspiring insights on the life of a research scholar. Reflecting on his own journey, he emphasized that time management and perseverance are the cornerstones of successful research. He stated - Research scholars are the soldiers of academia; they defend truth and build new visions for society. Dr. Singh encouraged scholars to embrace criticism from mentors, view research as purposeful service, and pursue their work with integrity and dedication.

Dr. Singh also outlined four guiding principles for effective research: Research should be policy-oriented, it should be replicable and reliable, it must serve a clear purpose and It should be objective, not agenda-driven. He urged scholars to contribute meaningfully toward the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, using research as a tool for national development.

The event concluded with an engaging alumni panel discussion followed by an award ceremony recognizing excellence across all three categories. Ankit Kumar Sinha received the award for Best Full Paper Presentation, Nistala Jagannath Sharma emerged as the winner of the One Slide – Three Minute Challenge, and Ramyani Kundu won the Infographic Explainers Competition.