Dr. Deepratan Singh Khara is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (TSLAS) and the Research Lead at the Policy Advisory and Network for Joint Progress (PANJ) Foundation. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Panjab University, Chandigarh. His academic and professional work explores the intersection of development economics, environmental sustainability, and public policy, with a dedicated focus on subnational governance in Northwest India.

Driven by a commitment to evidence-based public policy, Dr. Khara focuses on groundwater irrigation, agricultural resource efficiency, and climate compliance through extensive on-ground inquiry. His broader research examines structural development constraints, regional public finance, and the shadow economy in Punjab. Bridging academia and policy, he regularly contributes policy briefs and analytical commentary to leading national media platforms.