Palakshi Sarmah

Overview:
Dr. Palakshi Sarmah is an Assistant Professor in the Humanities and Liberal Arts area at IIM Bodh Gaya. She holds a Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. She is UGC-NET JRF qualified and a gold medalist in Masters in Psychology from Sikkim University. Her research areas include Happiness, Character Strengths, Life skills, Positive Psychology Interventions, Sustainable Development, and Quality of Life. She is also a trainer of well-being, character strengths, and life skills, conducting interactive and impactful sessions for students and educators.

Academic Background:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal.
• M.Sc. in Psychology, Sikkim University, Sikkim.
• B.Sc. in Psychology, Sikkim University, Sikkim.

Experience:

• Assistant Professor, IIM Bodh Gaya (March 2026- Present)
• Assistant Professor and Head (in-charge), Girijananda Chowdhury University, Guwahati (May 2023- March 2026)

Teaching Interest:

• The Science of Wellbeing
• Introduction to Psychology
• Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness
• Organizational Behaviour
• Research Methodology
• Mindfulness at Workplace
• Sustainable Development

Research Interest:

• Happiness
• Character Strengths
• Life skills
• Positive Psychology Interventions
• Sustainable Development
• Quality of life
• Eye-Tracking
• Thought Suppression
• Behavior Suppression
• Self-regulation

Publications

1. Journal Articles
• Maheshwari, S., Tuladhar, V., Roy, S., Sarmah, P., Rai, K., & Thargay, T. (2020). Do mindsets help in controlling eye gaze? A study to explore the effect of abstract and concrete mindsets on eye movements control. The Journal of General Psychology, 149(2), 258-277. (Scopus Q1)
• Maheshwari, S., Tuladhar, V., Thargay, T., Sarmah, P., Sarmah, P., & Rai, K. (2022). Do our eyes mirror our thought patterns? A study on the influence of convergent and divergent thinking on eye movement. Psychological Research, 86(3), 746-756. (ABDC A)
• Sarmah, P., Suar, D., & Patnaik, P. (2024). What is Good Life and How Do Individuals Attain It? Assessment of Happiness, Meanings, and its Pathways. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 27(1), 60-77. (Scopus Q1)
• Sarmah, P., Suar, D., & Patnaik, P. (2024). Gratitude Vs. Yoga Intervention to Increase Happiness Among Women. Psychological Studies, 69, 274-285. (Scopus Q3)
• Sarmah, P., Suar, D., & Patnaik, P. (2026). Sustainable Development Indicators as Predictors of Global Happiness: Evidence from Panel Data. Global Business Review, 0(0). (ABDC B)


2. Conference proceedings
Sarmah, P. (2023). The Link Between Sustainable Development Indicators and Global Happiness. Das, B., Phukon, J.M., Kalita, H., Nath, L.K. (Eds). Conference proceedings ICSSR-sponsored National Conference on India 2.0: Ideas of Self Reliant Bharat & Actions @ 75. Baksa: Ken Publication. ISBN: 978-81948217-2-4


3. Books/book chapters
Sarmah, P. (2024). Integrating Yoga for Health, Happiness, and Global Sustainability. In Bhuyan S. (Ed.) Sustainable Development Goals, Health and Education: Practices and Challenges. New York, USA: Professional Prints. ISBN:978-19-66695-20-2

Patents/Awards/Achievements/Recognitions:

• Awarded Gold Medal (2021) for securing 1st position in Master of Science (Psychology) from Sikkim University
• Awarded Best Paper Award (2023) in ICSSR sponsored Two- Day National Conference at Assam Don Bosco University

Projects:

• February 2025- April 2025: Evaluation of Functionality and Sociological Impact of the “Amar Jal Amar Bhandar” Initiative in Nagaon District, Assam, consultancy project sponsored by Nagaon District Administration, Government of Assam; Budget: 1.98 lakhs; Principal Investigators: Dr. Rachel Kabi, Dr. Palakshi Sarmah, Kritanjali Jaiswal
• May 2025- April 2026: Ongoing: Impact of The Ethnic Conflict on The Psychosocial Well-Being of The Youth in Manipur, research project sponsored by ICSSR Major/Minor project; Budget: 10 lakhs; Project Directors: Dr. Rachel Kabi, Dr. Palakshi Sarmah