| SDG and Strand |
Examples of Research Questions |
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2a
Urban Farming & Local Food Production
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- Are there any individuals, schools, or community groups already practicing urban farming in your area? What is their production efficiency?
- What role do local markets (mandis, weekly bazaars) play in supporting small-scale food producers in my area?
- What challenges do small-scale farmers in or near my city face in growing and selling their crops?
- What are the major challenges faced by local farmers in producing and selling food in my area?
- Are there any government policies, subsidies, or schemes promoting urban farming or home gardens in your city?
- What types of fertilizers (organic manure vs chemical fertilizers) are used by households/farmers, and how do they impact yield?
- What challenges do families face in growing their own food (e.g., water shortage, pests, cost of seeds, lack of knowledge)?
- How is education affecting the local farming economy in my town?
- Are there any government schemes (e.g., subsidies, training programs) that support small farmers or kitchen gardens in my area, and how many people benefit from them?
- What role do women play in food production at the household or community level?
- What percentage of families use traditional farming practices versus modern techniques, and what are the differences in output?
- What are the most commonly grown crops in urban home gardens in my city, and why are these preferred?
- How does the cost of growing vegetables at home compare to buying them from local markets?
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8a
Employment Trends & Job Market
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- What percentage of young people (18–25 years) in our city/community are unemployed, and what are the reasons?
- How many college graduates from my city want to go abroad versus work in India and how has this trend shifted in the past 2 decades?
- What trends do we see among recent college graduates in my city with respect to job preferences?
- What kinds of hazardous jobs are people in my community doing?
- How has employment in my community changed over the past 5–10 years (e.g., more service jobs, fewer agricultural jobs)?
- What percentage of young people in my community are pursuing vocational training or skill-based courses instead of traditional degrees?
- How many people in my community work multiple jobs, and what are the reasons for doing so?
- What is the average number of working hours per day across different occupations in my community?
- How do employment opportunities differ between men and women in my community?
- What types of jobs are most available for people without higher education in my area?
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8b
Informal Economy & Gig Work
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- What challenges do gig economy workers face in terms of income stability and benefits?
- What impact does AI have on jobs in the gig economy?
- Is there a gender or age gap with respect proportion of people working in the informal sector/gig economy?
- What opportunities exist for physically challenged persons in the informal or gig economy?
- How has the use of digital platforms or apps changed the number of people entering gig work in my community over the past few years?
- What skills are most commonly required for gig economy jobs in my area, and how are workers learning or adapting to these skills (including use of AI tools)?
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8c
Promote Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses
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- What percentage of youth in my city/community are interested in starting their own business, and what support do they need?
- How many young people in our city are interested in starting their own businesses, and what barriers do they face?
- How do rising costs (e.g., rent, wages, inflation) impact small businesses in our city?
- What small business are likely to come up over the next 20 years?
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11a
Safe and Affordable Housing
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- What is the average monthly rent for a 1BHK or 2BHK apartment in my neighbourhood? How does it compare to the average income of residents?
- What are residents’ perceptions about safety, sense of community etc. in various types of housing in my city?
- Have any older residential areas in my city been demolished or redeveloped to build high-end apartments? How has this impacted the culture of that neighbourhood?
- Are families in flood-prone or heat-vulnerable areas receiving any government support for improving housing safety in my city?
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11b
Affordable and Sustainable Transport
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Last-Mile Connectivity
- What percentage of commuters in areas around metro stations in Delhi rely on autos, e-rickshaws, or walking for the last 1 km of their journey?
- How long (in minutes) does it take for commuters in Bengaluru to travel from their home to the nearest public transport stop, and how does this affect their choice of transport?
- How many metro or train stations in Mumbai have integrated feeder services (buses, e-rickshaws), and how frequently are these used?
Sustainability & Environment
- How does a sudden increase in fuel prices or shortages affect the number of people using public transport in cities like Nagpur?
- What percentage of short-distance trips (under 2 km) in Jaipur are made using walking or cycling instead of motorised transport?
- What proportion of public transport fleets (buses, autos) in Ahmedabad or Pune are electric or low-emission vehicles?
- How does traffic congestion in major areas of Chennai impact air quality levels during peak hours?
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11c
Access to Green and Public Spaces
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- How many public parks, gardens, or open spaces are available within walking distance of residential areas in my neighbourhood?
- Is there a difference in the availability of green spaces between high-income and low-income neighbourhoods in my city?
- Who uses public parks in your area the most?
- Are public spaces in my area wheelchair accessible and accommodating for people with disabilities?
- How many accessible public green spaces (like beaches, promenades, community gardens, or nature trails) are there within a 2 km radius of my community?
- How clean are various public spaces in my city?
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13a
Climate Change Awareness & Impact
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- What changes in temperature or weather patterns have been observed in my city over the past 25–40 years?
- How do rising temperatures affect the daily lives for people in my community Vs. another community (e.g., health, work, school)?
- What are the impacts of climate change on coastal cities like Mumbai (e.g., flooding, sea-level rise)?
- How does air pollution in my city contribute to climate change and affect people’s health?
- How has climate change affected certain professions that rely on weather conditions e.g., fisherfolk, farmers, etc.?
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13b
Policies, Innovation & Community Action
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- What is the change in tree cover in my city over the past 5–10 years, and how has this impacted local temperatures?
- How many households or housing societies in my city have adopted solar panels, and what challenges do they face in installation and usage?
- How many government or community-led tree plantation drives have taken place in these cities in the past year, and what percentage of planted trees survive?
- What is the average AQI (Air Quality Index) in different parts of these cities, and how does it vary between residential, industrial, and green areas?
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15a
Conservation of Terrestrial and Inland Freshwater Ecosystems
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- What types of trees and plants are most common in local parks or school premises?
- How does urbanization affect the population of birds and insects in a neighbourhood?
- What is the water quality of a nearby lake or river, and how does it affect biodiversity?
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15b
Reduce Biodiversity Loss
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- What are the common bird species found in the neighbourhood, and how has their population changed?
- What is the awareness level of local communities about endangered species in their region?
- What role do urban gardens or community forests play in biodiversity conservation?
- How does air pollution affect plant health in different areas (e.g., near roads vs. inside parks)?
- What is the impact of plastic waste on Mumbai’s coastal biodiversity?
- How does construction activity affect bird or insect populations in urban neighbourhoods?
- How does construction and land reclamation impact the size of mangrove areas over time? (Comparing satellite images, Interviewing environmental experts)
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15c
Native and Alien Species
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- What invasive plant species are found in a nearby park or green area, and how do they affect local biodiversity?
- What types of invasive plants are growing on roadsides, and how do they differ from those in parks or gardens?
- Which native species of birds, plants, or small animals can be commonly observed in my area?
- Do farmers, fishermen, or gardeners in my area report any negative impact of invasive species on local plants, crops, or fish?
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