From BITS to Global Development: A Conversation with Supriya Lakhtakia
- Economics Association Hyderabad Campus
- Jun 27
- 6 min read
The Economics Association had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Supriya Lakhtakia, a distinguished BITS Pilani alumna who graduated with dual degrees in Economics and Computer Science. During her time at BITS, she pursued research internships at organizations such as NITI Aayog, IIIT Hyderabad, and the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore, laying a strong foundation in economics, public policy, and data-driven research. Since graduating, she has worked with leading institutions including the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore and the Asian Development Bank, where she currently works on gender equality and development research. She has also co-authored several research publications with BITS faculty, with her work appearing in reputed academic journals and being presented at international conferences. We had the opportunity to speak with her about her journey from BITS to a career in research and public policy, her experiences, and her advice for students aspiring to pursue a similar path.
Q) In your experience at the Asian Development Bank and IIM Bangalore, you have focused heavily on gender impacts and economic outcomes. What drew your interest to this field, and why do you think it is critical for understanding how a country develops?
My interest in development economics goes back to my time at BITS. I was always drawn to subjects such as Issues in Economic Development and Indian Economic Development, and I had opportunities to work on academic projects related to women’s empowerment. Those experiences sparked an early interest that continued to grow over time. As part of my work, I have examined issues such as women’s property rights, women’s agency, and intra-household inequalities.
Today, gender equality is a key focus area for many development organizations. It is a matter of social justice and is essential for sustainable development. To monitor progress towards gender equality, countries need to collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data. Much of the data we use is collected at the household level, which often assumes that all members of a household share resources equally. In reality, there can be significant inequalities within households, especially along gender lines. Understanding these differences helps us gain a more accurate picture of development outcomes and informs better policy decisions.
Q) Was there a particular moment when you realized you were interested in development economics? Were there any professors who influenced this interest?
There was no single moment as such. Through research projects and coursework, I learned how to work with microdata, conduct analysis, and approach research systematically. Initially, it was challenging to go through the extensive literature, but writing helped bring structure and clarity. Professors played a significant role in shaping my interests. Having mentors who guide you through the research process makes a tremendous difference.
I also completed thesis projects at both IIM Bangalore and IIIT Hyderabad. My work at IIM Bangalore focused on gender inequality in earnings within households, which further strengthened my interest in development-related questions. Alongside this, econometrics became an important foundation for my work because it provided the tools needed to analyze economic and social issues.
Q) You also considered the UPSC path. How did that preparation period change your perspective on Indian development, and did it influence you as a researcher?
Most students opted for jobs immediately after graduation. However, I wanted to explore a career in public service. Although I ultimately did not pursue that path, the experience taught me a great deal. Preparing for the civil services exposed me to a wide range of subjects, including history, geography, international relations, polity and governance. It helped me develop interdisciplinary thinking, written and verbal communication skills, and gave me a holistic understanding of development challenges.
These learnings have been invaluable in research. For example, when I worked at the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore, it was easier to follow legal and policy-related readings around women’s property rights. Most importantly, this preparation taught me patience and resilience. Research can often be a slow process that requires persistence, and that mindset has stayed with me.
Q) You worked at NITI Aayog and IIIT Hyderabad. Were those opportunities obtained through the usual application process, or did the BITS network play a role? What were your experiences like?
In both cases, the opportunities came through direct applications. For NITI Aayog, I applied for the internship program and was fortunate to be selected despite the large number of applicants. Similarly, my positions at IIIT Hyderabad and IIM Bangalore came through reaching out directly via email.
That said, I do believe that being from BITS helped. The institute has a strong reputation, and organizations are often interested in working with students who come from a proven academic background.
My internship at NITI Aayog was for a short duration but it provided valuable exposure to how government institutions function. I worked in the Project Appraisal and Management Division and gained insight into the process of assessment of various government schemes.
At IIIT Hyderabad, I had the freedom to choose my research topic. I worked on analyzing and summarizing budget speeches using topic modeling. Since I had interest in both computer science and economics, it was an opportunity to combine the two disciplines. The faculty was highly supportive, which made it a rewarding experience.
Q) You have publications in journals such as Health Care for Women International. How important is building a publication record for students interested in development and research-oriented fields?
Publications are certainly valuable, especially if you plan to stay in academia or research. They are one way in which contributions to the field are recognized and evaluated.
However, I would advise students not to put excessive pressure on themselves to publish. Academic publishing is often a long process. I remember one of my mentors telling me, early in my research journey, that once you submit a paper, you should focus on the next piece of work rather than constantly worrying about the outcome.
Many aspects of publication are beyond your control. What is within your control is the quality of your work. If you focus on conducting good research and communicating it effectively, publications will follow over time. Most importantly, publications should be viewed as a means of sharing knowledge and evidence and contributing to broader conversations in the field.
Q) With a background in Economics and Computer Science, you had opportunities in finance and technology sectors. What motivated you to pursue research instead?
When I thought about my long-term career, I felt that many corporate roles might eventually become too hectic, and might even get monotonous. I valued work-life balance right from the beginning. BITS provided a strong foundation and valuable exposure, but it was only later that I realized that research also suited my personality. It allows for deeper engagement with ideas, an independent work style, and an environment to learn at my own pace.
My advice to students would be that while it is easy to get swayed by high salary prospects, it is better in the long run to not choose a career solely based on compensation. Instead, try to identify work that genuinely interests you. Exploring different options is easier early on in your career, and do weigh every opportunity holistically rather than from a single point of view.
Q) Do you have any advice for current students, especially those at a STEM-focused institution, who are exploring different career paths?
My advice would be to focus on understanding what genuinely interests you and what kind of work you can see yourself doing in the long term. Take time to understand the nature of different professions and compare them with your own strengths, preferences, and working style. Experiment with different opportunities whenever possible. It is also important to remember that you do not need to have everything figured out by the time you graduate. Career paths are rarely linear. Sometimes the best way to discover what suits you is simply to try something. Approach decisions with curiosity rather than fear. Even if a particular path does not work out, the experience will teach you something valuable. Your first career choice does not have to define the rest of your life. It is always possible to learn, adapt, and move in a different direction.
The interview was taken by Vidyesh Panyam and NB Chesan and edited by Sai Asrith.
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