• Water sanitation and hygiene
• Health and WASH nexus
• Instiutaional strengthening and community-based approaches to development
• Behaviour changes and sustainability of social sector interventions

Pankaj Kumar is a passionate development practitioner with nearly fifteen years of experience in managing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programmes, strengthening local institutions and promoting health, wellbeing, and community resilience. Pankaj’s work sits at the intersection of public health and sustainable development, with a strong emphasis on the health-WASH nexus and community‑driven approaches that create long‑lasting impact.

Over the course of his career, Pankaj has worked extensively across diverse socio‑cultural contexts in Bihar, Karnataka, and Assam. He has contributed to large‑scale programmes with renowned organisations such as Arghyam, WaterAid India, and the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP‑I). His roles have spanned capacity building, programme design and implementation, community mobilisation, and the strengthening of grassroots governance structures. Pankaj is particularly passionate about enabling local institutions to take leadership in development processes and ensuring that community perspectives drive decision‑making.

Pankaj holds a master’s degree in development from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, where he deepened his understanding of social systems, equity, and sustainable development. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), which laid the foundation for his interest in health, wellbeing, and behaviour change.

Beyond his professional work, Pankaj is an avid reader with a keen interest in learning about cultures, social change, and human behaviour. He enjoys travelling, exploring new cuisines, and cooking.