International Journal of Transdisciplinary Research and Perspectives
Call for Papers Volume 2, Issue 5, May 2026 Publish in Multidisciplinary Journal Publication Process Submit Manuscript ISSN (Online): 3107-7935 Publication Frequency: Monthly Subject/Scope: Multidisciplinary Areas Publication Format: Online Publication Time: Within 3 Days Publication Fee: ₹1800 (India), $59 (Others) CrossRef DOI to all published articles No Additional Author and Page Charges Free e-certificates to authors
Ethnic Nationalism and Insurgency in Northeast India: Historical Origins, Political Dynamics, and Contemporary Challenges
Northeast India represents one of the most ethnically diverse and politically sensitive regions of South Asia. Since India’s independence, the region has experienced multiple insurgent movements rooted in ethnic nationalism, political alienation, historical grievances, and socio-economic marginalization. The emergence of armed resistance movements among various ethnic communities reflects a broader struggle for identity, autonomy, territorial rights, and political recognition. This paper critically examines the historical evolution of ethnic nationalism and insurgency in Northeast India by exploring colonial legacies, postcolonial state formation, identity politics, and uneven development. The study further analyses the changing nature of insurgent movements, the role of the Indian state, and the impact of militarization and peace negotiations. While several insurgent groups have entered into ceasefire agreements and peace accords, the persistence of ethnic tensions, governance deficits, and developmental inequalities continues to challenge sustainable peace in the region. The paper argues that a long-term resolution requires democratic accommodation, inclusive governance, socio-economic transformation, and culturally sensitive peacebuilding approaches.
Copyright (c) 2026 Henna Vaiphei (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Assessing the Impact of Heritage Tourism on Rural Settlements: A Case Study of Pedgaon, Maharashtra
Rural settlements possessing significant cultural and architectural heritage often remain underutilized despite their potential to contribute to local development and tourism. Pedgaon, a historic settlement in Maharashtra, on the banks of river Bhima contains a diverse assemblage of heritage assets including temples, mosques, fortifications, gateways, and cultural landscapes that reflect the region's historical significance. However, inadequate conservation efforts, limited tourism infrastructure, and the absence of an integrated management framework have restricted the effective utilization of these resources. This study assesses the impact of heritage tourism on rural settlements through the case of Pedgaon, examining the relationship between heritage conservation, tourism development, and socio-economic growth. The research employs a mixed-method approach involving heritage documentation, site surveys, mapping, stakeholder interactions, and literature review. The findings indicate that heritage tourism can serve as a catalyst for rural development by generating livelihood opportunities, improving infrastructure, strengthening cultural identity, and encouraging community participation. At the same time, challenges such as inadequate visitor facilities, lack of awareness, environmental risks, and fragmented governance structures hinder tourism growth. The study concludes that a heritage-led tourism framework supported by community involvement and institutional coordination can contribute to the sustainable development of Pedgaon while safeguarding its cultural significance. The findings provide a replicable model for similar rural heritage settlements across Maharashtra.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zara Ahmed, Naziya Mistry (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Relevance of Traditional Knowledge to Conservation and Sustainable Development
This paper explores the close relationship between traditional knowledge and conservation among indigenous communities. It examines how traditional practices and knowledge systems contribute to Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development. Using thematic analysis, the study highlights the significance of traditional ecological knowledge, community-based conservation, and the integration of Indigenous and Social Work Interventions. Finally, it examines how policymakers can support the sustainable development initiatives of the tribes. The paper emphasizes the need for stronger policy support and community-centered approaches to preserve and integrate Indigenous knowledge into contemporary conservation and development strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jochebed Lepcha (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Smart Tribal Farming for Sustainable Livelihoods in Churachandpur District, Manipur: A Community-Based Model for Tribal Agricultural Transformation
Agriculture remains the principal source of livelihood for tribal communities in Churachandpur District, Manipur. Despite favorable agro-climatic conditions and abundant natural resources, agricultural productivity in the district remains relatively low due to dependence on traditional farming systems, inadequate irrigation facilities, poor market integration, limited mechanization, and weak institutional support. This study examines the existing agricultural practices and challenges faced by tribal farmers and proposes a Smart Tribal Farming Model tailored to the socio-economic and ecological conditions of the district. Primary data were collected through a baseline survey conducted in eighteen villages across Tuibong, Lamka South, and Singngat Tribal Development Blocks during November–December 2023. The findings indicate that low adoption of scientific farming practices, inadequate post-harvest infrastructure, poor access to agricultural inputs, and declining youth participation are major constraints affecting agricultural development. Based on these findings, the study proposes an integrated model incorporating climate-smart agriculture, precision farming, irrigation development, crop diversification, digital market linkages, women empowerment, and community-based institutions. The study argues that a localized smart farming approach can significantly enhance productivity, income generation, food security, and environmental sustainability while preserving indigenous agricultural knowledge and tribal cultural values.
Copyright (c) 2026 Pauchungnung Vaiphei (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Parental Psychological Distress in Pediatric Cancer Care: A Narrative Review with Focus on the Indian Context
Pediatric cancer is a severe and life-altering condition that affects not only the child but also the psychological functioning of parents who provide continuous care throughout the treatment process. Although advances in medical care have improved survival outcomes, the psychological distress experienced by parents remains highly prevalent and is often under-recognized, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as India. This narrative review critically synthesizes existing literature on parental psychological distress in pediatric oncology, emphasizing its multidimensional nature, which includes emotional, financial, social, cognitive, and systemic dimensions. Common psychological manifestations such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and chronic stress-related reactions are examined. The review also highlights structural and systemic barriers that limit access to psychological care, including inadequate psychosocial services, financial strain, stigma, and healthcare accessibility challenges. Special attention is given to the Indian context, where these barriers are more pronounced. Additionally, emerging evidence related to step-parent caregiving is briefly discussed as an underexplored area within pediatric psycho-oncology. Overall findings suggest that parental distress is most intense during diagnosis and early treatment stages, although psychological burden often persists long after treatment completion. The review emphasizes the importance of integrating structured, culturally sensitive, and family-centered psychosocial care within pediatric oncology services.
Copyright (c) 2026 K. A. Sneha (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Stress and Academic Performance Among College Students – A Critical Review
College life is considered an important transitional phase in an individual’s life. During this period, students experience academic pressure, emotional instability, interpersonal conflicts and uncertainty regarding career and future goals. These stressors negatively affect students and mental health and academic performance. Emotional intelligence had emerged as an important psychological construct that helps individual understand, regulate and manage emotions effectively. Researchers have found that emotional intelligence contributes positively to stress management, emotional adjustment, resilience, an academic achievement among students. The present review paper examines studies related to emotional intelligence, stress, and academic performance among college students. The paper mainly focuses on understanding the relationship and interaction between emotional intelligence, stress, and academic performance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Swathi Munigety (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Cancer Beyond the Physical Illness: Structural Barriers to Psychological Care – A Narrative Review
The Cancer is a life-threatening chronic illness that affects individuals not only physically but also psychologically, emotionally, socially, and financially. Cancer patients frequently experience anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence, emotional exhaustion, uncertainty regarding treatment outcomes, and reduced quality of life. Despite increasing recognition of psycho-oncology, access to psychological care among cancer patients remains inadequate, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as India. This narrative review synthesizes existing literature on the structural barriers that prevent cancer patients from accessing psychological care. The review highlights major barriers including financial burden, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, shortage of trained mental health professionals, geographic inaccessibility, social stigma, lack of awareness, and caregiver burden. Existing evidence indicates that these barriers significantly contribute to untreated psychological distress, poor treatment adherence, emotional suffering, and impaired psychosocial adjustment among cancer patients. Particular emphasis is placed on the Indian healthcare context, where economic inequalities, delayed diagnosis, and limited psycho-oncology services further intensify emotional and psychological burden. The review further discusses the importance of integrating psychological support into routine oncology care and emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary, accessible, and culturally sensitive psycho-oncology services. Findings suggest that structural barriers continue to remain a major obstacle in achieving holistic cancer care.
Copyright (c) 2026 P. Shwetha, P. Carol (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Review of Recent Evidence
Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common disorders and is related to clinically significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a widely researched and studied psychological intervention for the treatment of depression. This paper reviews the recent research regarding the effectiveness of CBT in reducing depressive symptoms. Even the Randomized Controlled Trials and Meta-analysis that were recently held help to understand how effective CBT is for treating Major Depressive Disorder and other forms of depression. The results of these studies show how CBT effectively reduces symptoms and helps improve psychological functioning. It also proves that CBT works well not only in controlled settings but also in real-life clinical settings or practices. Studies also reveal that blended Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is a combination of traditional therapy sessions with digital or online tools, might also improve patient engagement and accessibility, which makes it easier for a lot more people to receive it. However, there are a few limitations that exist, like patients not always stick to the treatment and differences in the therapist skill levels.
Copyright (c) 2026 R. Dharani Reddy (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Psychological Outcomes of CBT Intervention for Persons Who Loss the Partner: A Review
Loss of a life partner has been referred to as one of the most stressful and life-altering events that a person can experience. While grief is an emotional response to bereavement, a significant proportion of the bereaved population can experience psychological distress. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy for the treatment of psychological disorders. CBT is effective in the treatment of psychological disorders through the modification of maladaptive cognitions and behaviours related to psychological disorders. This review aimed to explore the psychological outcomes of CBT interventions on people who have experienced the loss of their life partners. This review found that CBT interventions were effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, guilt, and prolonged grief disorder in the bereaved population. This review found that CBT interventions were effective in enhancing the levels of resilience and quality of life in the bereaved population. Despite the effectiveness of CBT interventions in the treatment of psychological disorders, the limitations of CBT include cultural issues and grief response. This review found that CBT is effective for people who have experienced the loss of their life partners.
Copyright (c) 2026 S. Renuka, S. P. Nivetha, Maria Shirley, P. Chinnadurai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Childhood Experiences, Attachment Styles and Personality Traits in Young Adults
The present study examined the role of childhood trauma and attachment insecurity in the development of vulnerable and grandiose narcissistic traits among young adults. Drawing upon Attachment Theory, the study investigated whether early adverse experiences are associated with narcissistic tendencies and whether attachment insecurity functions as a developmental mechanism linking childhood trauma to narcissistic outcomes. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was employed with 103 university students aged 18 to 26 years. Data were collected using a researcher-adapted questionnaire based on selected items from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form, Experiences in Close Relationships–Revised, Narcissistic Personality Inventory–16, and Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results indicated that attachment insecurity was significantly and positively associated with vulnerable narcissism (r = .294, p = .003). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that attachment insecurity significantly predicted vulnerable narcissism (B = 0.351, p = .002), whereas childhood trauma did not emerge as a significant predictor (B = 0.041, p = .620). The regression model was statistically significant, F(2, 100) = 4.97, p = .009, explaining 9.0% of the variance in vulnerable narcissism (R² = .090). Grandiose narcissism was not significantly associated with the primary study variables. The findings highlight the central role of attachment insecurity in understanding vulnerable narcissistic traits among young adults and underscore the value of attachment-based and trauma-informed interventions.
Copyright (c) 2026 N. Umme Asra, Monalisa Nayak (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Importance of Anatomical Knowledge in Accurate Homoeopathic Case Taking
Homoeopathic case taking is a comprehensive and individualized process aimed at understanding the patient as a whole. While homoeopathy primarily emphasizes functional and dynamic disturbances, accurate interpretation of symptoms requires a strong foundation in human anatomy. Anatomical knowledge enables the physician to localize symptoms precisely, differentiate between similar clinical presentations, recognize underlying structural involvement, and avoid diagnostic errors. This article discusses the vital role of anatomy in homoeopathic case taking, highlighting its importance in symptom analysis, clinical reasoning, patient safety, and medical education. Strengthening anatomical understanding enhances the scientific approach, accuracy, and credibility of homoeopathic practice.
Copyright (c) 2026 Vineeta Singh, Amit Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of Structured Psychological Recovery Interventions on Training Fatigue and Motivation in Taekwondo Students: A Single Group Pre-Post Study
Background: Repetitive taekwondo training produces Training Fatigue (TF), cognitive and emotional depletion from overexposure to routine practice. Structured in-session psychological recovery interventions to address this remain largely untested in martial arts. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of breathwork, guided visualization, and micro-breaks on training fatigue, intrinsic motivation, and perceived stress in adult taekwondo students over 4 weeks. Method: A single-group pre-post design was employed. Thirty adults (23 male, 7 female; M = 22.27 years, SD = 2.49, range = 18–26) from a Bangalore taekwondo academy received a 3–5-minute recovery activity at session start across 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 4) using the PSS-10, SMS-II intrinsic motivation subscale, and the Training Fatigue Scale (TFS), an 8-item scale developed for this study. Shapiro-Wilk tests determined test selection; analyses used paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Spearman correlation. Results: Training fatigue did not decrease significantly, t(29) = 1.03, p = .313, d = 0.19 (H1 not supported). Intrinsic motivation increased significantly, W = 64.00, p = .023, d = 0.44 (H2 supported). Perceived stress decreased significantly, W = 51.00, p = .007, d = 0.37. Fatigue-motivation correlation was weak and non-significant, ρ = −0.204, p = .280. TFS internal consistency was acceptable (α = .80, .78). Conclusion: The intervention improved motivation and stress but did not reduce training fatigue within 4 weeks. Brief recovery activities function as motivational primers rather than fatigue-reduction tools over short intervention windows.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aamir Hussein Bharmal, Deepak Jayachandran (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Supportive-Expressive Therapy for Cancer Patients – A Review
Supportive-Expressive Therapy (SET) is a psychotherapeutic intervention tailored to meet the specific needs of cancer patients. Cancer patients face various emotional challenges that affect their mental well-being, and this therapy is grounded in the idea that patients need to feel safe in order to express their feelings. This review paper examines how Supportive-Expressive Therapy effectively improves the psychological wellbeing of persons diagnosed with cancer. Clinical studies have established that SET is capable of alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression, promoting positive mood, and boosting the overall psychological well-being of the patient. Such positive psychological states have been proven to significantly help patients cope with the challenges of cancer treatment and disease prognosis. SET addresses the intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects of the cancer experience. In conclusion, the role of Supportive-Expressive Therapy in treating the whole patient cannot be overemphasized: the therapy encourages emotional healing, creates social connectedness, and helps patients cope with the complex emotional issues associated with the disease. The emotional component of the therapy enhances the patient's quality of life, underscoring its importance in psychosocial oncology.
Copyright (c) 2026 P. Chinnadurai, Prankanta Roy (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Sexual Functioning: A Review of Psychological and Therapeutic Perspectives
Childhood trauma is more widespread than many people realise, and one consequence that rarely gets the attention it deserves is how it affects sexuality in later life. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and witnessing violence at home can all leave lasting marks on how a person relates to their own body and to intimate partners in adulthood. This paper reviews existing research on the psychological effects of childhood trauma on adult sexual functioning, and looks at what kinds of therapy have been found to help. The review draws on attachment theory, trauma theory, neurobiological research, and cognitive models to understand why early adversity so often disrupts adult sexuality and intimacy. In terms of treatment, the paper covers trauma-informed care, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic approaches, sex therapy, and couple therapy. Given that both authors are based in India, the paper also addresses how cultural factors such as stigma, silence around abuse, and limited access to trained clinicians shape this issue in the Indian context. Childhood trauma affects adult sexuality through several different pathways, and no single intervention is enough on its own. Effective clinical work in this area needs to be trauma-informed, integrated across psychological and somatic domains, and sensitive to the relational and cultural context each client brings.
Copyright (c) 2026 D. Krishnashree, Prakriti Seraphim, P. Shreelaxmi, George William (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Cultural and Socioeconomic Determinants of Sexual Dysfunction in South India: A Structured Narrative Review
Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common yet highly neglected health concerns in South India, affecting not only physical health but also emotional well-being, relationships, and quality of life. In the South Indian context, sexual dysfunction is often viewed through the lens of shame, morality, cultural silence, and gender expectations rather than as a medical or psychological concern. This review aims to examine the sociocultural and socioeconomic determinants associated with sexual dysfunction in South India and to understand how these factors influence access to professional sex therapy. A structured review of literature was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, IndMED, and Shodhganga, along with Indian psychiatric and psychological journals. The findings from the reviewed studies indicate that stigma, lack of sexual awareness, rigid gender norms, myths such as Dhat syndrome, poverty, low educational status, caste-based inequalities, and the rural–urban divide significantly contribute to the persistence of sexual dysfunction and delay help-seeking behaviour. The review also highlights the severe shortage of trained sex therapists and the large treatment gap, particularly in rural South Indian communities. Concluding these findings, there is a strong need for culturally sensitive interventions, improved sexual health education, professional training, and public health policies that address sexual dysfunction through a biopsychosocial and sociocultural approach rather than a purely biomedical perspective.
Copyright (c) 2026 M. Janaki, Priscilla Victor, P. Shree Lakshmi, Chinnadurai Periyasamy (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Cognitive Virtue in the Workplace: A Systematic Literature Review of Intellectual Humility and Organizational Outcomes
In an era characterized by rapid technological change, political polarization, and increasing organizational complexity, Intellectual Humility (IH), the recognition of the fallibility of one’s own beliefs and the openness to others’ perspectives, has emerged as a vital construct in organizational research. This systematic review synthesizes recent literature (2021–2026) to explore the conceptualization, measurement, and impact of IH on individual and organizational outcomes. Guided by theories such as Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, and the Self-Other Knowledge Asymmetry (SOKA) model, the review categorizes findings into four major themes: conceptual foundations and measurement, leadership and employee flourishing, conflict management and ethical conduct, and psychological safety and resilience. The findings indicate that IH is a robust predictor of job performance, thriving at work, and reduced interpersonal conflict. However, the review also highlights critical gaps, including a heavy reliance on self-report data, geographic concentration of samples, and a lack of longitudinal research. This review serves as a roadmap for future research aiming to integrate IH into leadership development and diversity initiatives.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rusha Chowdhury, P. Chinnadurai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Land Use and Land Cover Change Detection in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh: A Geo-Informatics Approach
The current study attempts to examine land use and land cover changes of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh in India for 2017 through 2024 using satellite images provided by Sentinel-2 Level-2A. The goal is to assess and analyze transitions in land use categories including agricultural crops, forests, water, built-up areas, and rangelands. According to the obtained data, most of the land in Srikakulam district belongs to agricultural crops covering 2,599.36 sq. km or 58.47% in 2024, which indicates the heavy dependence on agriculture. In addition, tree cover has been reduced to 939.19 sq. km or 21.13%, water bodies have stayed relatively unchanged comprising 106.51 sq. km or 2.4% of the total area. The growth of rangeland has reached 468.88 sq. km or 10.55% while built-up areas have been expanded up to 303.95 sq. km or 6.84%. Transitions detected in the analyzed area include the expansion of agricultural land through conversions of rangeland and built-up areas. It shows that the priority is given to crop farming as the dominant activity.
Copyright (c) 2026 M. Karunakara Rao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Psychological Impact of Children Exposed to Trauma
Childhood trauma is a significant issue for public health because it can have lasting effects on mental, physical, and social well-being. This study looks at the emotional, behavioral, social, and neurological impacts of different types of trauma, including abuse, neglect, and witnessing domestic violence. It explores attachment theory, trauma theory, and views on brain development. The study highlights protective factors that affect development, along with key aspects such as family dysfunction, age at which trauma occurs, intensity of trauma, and financial difficulties. The findings indicate that childhood trauma leads to ongoing inflammation, disrupts the stress response, and changes brain structure. These changes significantly increase the risk of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Some limitations of this literature review include a lack of original research, insufficient understanding of resilience mechanisms, and few studies focused on Eastern perspectives. To help children exposed to trauma, it is essential to detect these issues early and provide appropriate evaluations, culturally sensitive therapies, and trauma-informed practices. It is important to address childhood trauma through teamwork among various professionals to create a safe environment and support healthy development in children.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shraddha Manandhar, Fiza Khan, Waseefa Sadaf, P. Chinnadurai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Significance of Repetitive Learning Exhaustion Among Students
Repetitive practice is foundational to skill acquisition in professional training within higher education. However, sustained engagement in unvaried, institutionally imposed repetition may produce Repetitive Learning Exhaustion (RLE), a multidimensional state of cognitive, emotional, and vocational depletion. Using constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2014) and reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006), this study examined the lived experiences of eight higher education students (N = 8) at the final stage of a postgraduate professional training programme. Analysis generated seven superordinate themes and a provisional six-stage grounded model of RLE. The study introduces several novel constructs, with ‘maladaptive automaticity’ the paradox through which over-rehearsal of relational professional acts produces scripted performance that displaces authentic engagement as its central theoretical contribution. The discipline-motivation dissociation, semantic satiation of professional communication, and the locus-of-initiation moderator are also introduced, collectively constituting a fundamental critique of deliberate practice frameworks as applied to relational professional training in higher education.
Copyright (c) 2026 P. Tharun, P. Shreelakshmi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Parenting Styles and Marriage Decision Self-Confidence: A Review and Empirical Analysis within the Indian Context
Parenting style is a critical determinant of an individual's emotional growth, autonomy, and decision-making abilities. In the Indian socio-cultural environment, where marriage is often a collective family decision, understanding the factors that influence marital decision confidence is essential. This paper reviews current literature on parenting typologies and presents empirical findings from a study of 104 unmarried Indian adults. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between authoritative ($r = .276, p = .005$) and permissive ($r = .306, p = .002$) parenting styles with marriage decision self-confidence. Conversely, authoritarian parenting demonstrated a non-significant negative trend. These findings highlight the enduring impact of early family environments on significant adult life choices.
Copyright (c) 2026 Srilekha M. Karnic, P. Chinnadurai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Psychosocial Assessments and Counsellor Skill Requirements for Supporting Trauma Survivors: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Psychological trauma is a significant global mental health concern that affects individuals across diverse social, cultural, and developmental contexts. Survivors of trauma often experience complex psychological, emotional, and social difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and disruptions in interpersonal functioning. Effective support for trauma survivors requires comprehensive psychosocial assessment and specialized counselling competencies grounded in trauma-informed care. The present literature review examines existing research on psychosocial assessment approaches and the essential skills required by counsellors to effectively support individuals who have experienced trauma. The review synthesizes findings from scholarly literature related to trauma theory, trauma-informed practice, assessment frameworks, and counsellor competencies. Psychosocial assessments are discussed as multidimensional evaluations that explore trauma history, psychological symptoms, social support systems, coping resources, and contextual stressors. The review also highlights commonly used standardized trauma assessment instruments and emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive and survivor-centred assessment practices. In addition, the literature identifies key counsellor competencies necessary for trauma work, including trauma literacy, empathic communication, therapeutic alliance building, cultural competence, ethical awareness, and the ability to apply evidence-based trauma interventions. Challenges such as inadequate trauma training, risk of re-traumatization during assessment, and the impact of secondary traumatic stress on counsellors are also discussed. Overall, the literature indicates that integrating trauma-informed psychosocial assessments with well-developed counsellor skills is essential for providing effective, ethical, and holistic support to trauma survivors. The findings underscore the need for improved training, supervision, and research to strengthen trauma-informed counselling practices across mental health settings.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Period Paradox: A Review of Menstrual Policy Discourse in Indian Workspaces
Menstruation is a critical and largely invisible factor that influences female labor force participation, workplace productivity, and professional dignity, particularly in India. Despite over half of the Indian workforce being affected by menstrual health, corporate and legislative frameworks often operate under a gender-neutral standard that fails to account for biological needs, creating what this study defines as the Period Paradox. This narrative review synthesizes current academic, legal, and policy discourse surrounding menstrual leave in Indian workspaces to identify systemic barriers and evaluate the feasibility of standardized policy implementation. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a hybrid narrative review was conducted. A search of five electronic databases (including Google Scholar and PubMed) identified 52 records published between 2018 and 2025. After a two-stage screening process, 36 foundational papers were selected for thematic synthesis. The literature was synthesized into three core themes: (1) Stigma and Internalization (n=8), highlighting how socio-cultural "purity" taboos and disclosure anxiety (the Privacy Paradox) deter leave utilization; (2) Health and Productivity (n=13), quantifying the economic impact of "Presenteeism" where chronic menstrual pain leads to significant annual productivity leaks; and (3) Policy and Gender Norms (n=15), examining the tension between constitutional rights to dignity and the pragmatic risks of othering women in the labor market. The review concludes that menstrual leave is a constitutional imperative under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, yet its success depends on moving beyond isolated policies toward a rights-based normalization.
Copyright (c) 2026 Disha Baral, Rujula Sambrey, Saniya Khaleel, Shree Lakshmi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Regulatory Challenges in India’s E-Commerce Sector – Consumer Protection and Competition Law
India's e-commerce sector has undergone a structural transformation over the past decade that few jurisdictions can match in speed or scale. What began as a tentative experiment in online retail, dominated by a handful of platforms selling books and electronics, has become one of the most contested commercial battlegrounds in the world. The numbers reflect a trajectory that regulators, courts, and legislators are still scrambling to keep pace with. The e-retail market, valued at roughly USD 38 billion in 2018, crossed USD 65 billion in gross merchandise value by 2024, and Bain & Company project it will reach approximately USD 160 billion by 2028 and USD 190 billion by 2030.1The India Brand Equity Foundation places the broader e-commerce universe, which includes business-to-business transactions, digital financial services, and online travel, at USD 292 billion by 2028 under an expansive market definition.2These are not simply growth statistics; they represent the consolidation of market power, the acceleration of algorithmic intermediation, and the rapid emergence of digital harms that existing legal frameworks were never designed to address. The platforms driving this growth, principally Amazon and Flipkart (owned by Walmart), together command an estimated 60 to 65 percent of India's organised e-retail market by gross merchandise value.3 Their dominance is not accidental, nor is it the product of straightforward competitive merit. It is the outcome of deliberate platform architecture: deeply subsidised consumer pricing funded by seller-side extraction, algorithmic ranking systems that privilege affiliated or preferred vendors, proprietary logistics networks that create structural entry barriers, and data collection at a scale that allows each platform to compete directly against the very merchants who depend on it. This phenomenon, which the Competition Commission of India's Director General conclusively documented in August 2024 after a four-year investigation, exposes the central failure of India's regulatory architecture: the rules governing these markets were built for a world of linear commerce, transparent pricing, and bilateral contracts.4 Digital multi-sided platforms operate by none of these principles. The regulatory response that has emerged between 2020 and 2026 is substantial in 1 Bain & Company and Flipkart, How India Shops Online 2026 (Bain & Company, 2026); Business Standard, 'India's E-Retail Market Set to Reach Rs 16,27,540 Crore (US $190 Billion) GMV by 2030: Bain Report' (Business Standard, 27 March 2025). 2 India Brand Equity Foundation, E-Commerce Industry in India (IBEF, 2025) 3 Competition Commission of India, 'Market Study on E-Commerce in India: Key Findings and Observations' (CCI, January 2020) 12. ambition but fragmented in execution. The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules 2020, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, the Competition (Amendment) Act 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority's Dark Patterns Guidelines 2023, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2026 collectively represent a significant legislative effort to bring digital platforms within a rights-protective framework.5Yet these instruments are enforced by four separate regulators — the Competition Commission of India, the Central Consumer Protection Authority, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the nascent Data Protection Board — whose mandates overlap, whose enforcement philosophies diverge, and whose coordination mechanisms remain embryonic. The result is that a single algorithmic act by a dominant platform — say, deploying a subscription trap that simultaneously violates consumer consent norms, competition law, and data protection obligations — falls across three regulatory jurisdictions, each of which may reach a different conclusion on the same facts. This paper examines that fragmentation. Its central argument is that India's current multi-regulator, sector-siloed approach to e-commerce governance is constitutionally and economically inadequate to address the harms generated by algorithmically powerful, data-rich platform enterprises. The dissertation proposes the establishment of a unified Digital Markets Authority of India as the institutional architecture capable of delivering coherent, rights-protective, and economically rational oversight of India's digital economy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Anubhav Bisla (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Marital Rape – A Comparative Socio-Legal Analysis of Cultural Legitimacy, Norms, Religion, and Resistance to Reform
In modern criminal jurisprudence, especially in cultures where marriage is seen as a sacred institution both culturally and religiously. Marital rape continues to be one of the most debatable issues in modern criminal jurisprudence. This paper aims at conducting a comparative socio-legal study on marital rape by focusing on the interplay between law, cultural legitimacy, patriarchal norms, religion, and opposition to legal reform. It is more so concerned with the legal framework of India where the marital rape exception persists under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, despite the increasing constitutional and human rights issues. The paper follows the historical antecedents of the marital rape exemption to the common law doctrine of implied consent and theory of coverture, which denied married women independent sexual autonomy. The paper indicates how a number of legal systems have discarded marital immunity through a recognition of consent, dignity, and bodily autonomy in marriage. The paper also examines the role of conservative meanings of religion, family honour, gender roles, and fears of misuse of law in resisting criminalisation in India. It claims that the marital rape exception has been endured due to underlying socio-cultural disparities, and not necessarily due to legal restrictions. The paper finds that the remedy of the issue does not merely lie in the legislative amendments, but also in the institutional sensitisation, survivor support systems and the overall reformation of the societal attitudes towards marriage, consent, and autonomy of women.
Copyright (c) 2026 Pushpender Kumar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Competition Act, 2002 in Detecting and Penalizing Cartel Behaviour in India
Cartels fix prices, rig bids, and divide markets. Detected cartels raise prices by double-digit percentages across jurisdictions. The harm is not abstract: deadweight loss, misallocated resources, and fiscal losses in public procurement that disproportionately burden developing economies. This dissertation undertakes a systematic comparative evaluation of cartel enforcement in India, the EU, and the US. The Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 introduced global turnover penalties, a leniency-plus framework, and expanded hub-and-spoke liability. Yet horizontal cartels were excluded from the settlement procedure. Does this produce stronger deterrence or merely statutory complexity? That is the central question. India is the world's fifth-largest economy. The Competition Commission of India remains a young institution operating without criminal sanctions. Empirical data: of approximately Rs 20,350 crore in penalties imposed as of April 2025, Rs 18,512 crore stayed or dismissed on appeal. A penalty never collected does not deter. The analysis anchors on optimal deterrence theory. Expected cost must exceed expected benefit. The calculus is equally sensitive to detection probability and sanction magnitude. Leniency programmes interact in complex ways. Sanctions must strip total cartel profit discounted for detection. The research employs functional comparative methodology across three models: India (developing-economy administrative regime), the EU (civil-penalty administrative regime with private enforcement growing), and the US (criminalised model with imprisonment and treble damages). The penalty recovery crisis is the most urgent problem. The leniency framework has not generated self-reporting. Without credible ex officio detection or individual criminal liability, India's leniency programme asks corporate actors to take significant risks for uncertain rewards. The exclusion of horizontal cartels from settlement contradicts Parliament's own Standing Committee recommendation. The global turnover penalty, without binding proportionality safeguards, creates constitutional vulnerability. NCLAT's full merits review and easy appellate stays make enforcement finality structurally elusive. The dissertation formulates reform recommendations: extend settlement to cartels, establish an anonymous whistleblower tool, mandate proportionality in penalty guidelines, individual civil penalties and director disqualification, reform appellate review, invest in dawn raids and digital forensics, and develop private enforcement infrastructure. An effective competition regime is not a luxury. It is a precondition for India's consumer oriented market economy. The law exists. The institutional foundation exists. What is needed 1 Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1969, ss 2, 10, 33, 37; Bhattacharjea (n 1) 61314. now is the will to close the gap between statutory ambition and enforcement reality.
Copyright (c) 2026 Samriddhi Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Trauma and Female Sexual Dysfunction: An Integrative Review of Early Psychological Processes and the Role of Crisis Intervention
This study employs an integrative review design to examine the relationship between trauma and female sexual dysfunction (FSD), with a focus on early psychological processes. Literature published between 2000 and 2025 was analyzed, and studies were evaluated for methodological and conceptual relevance to identify patterns related to trauma exposure, psychological responses, sexual functioning, and intervention-related factors. Thematic synthesis of the select-ed studies resulted in five key themes: (1) peri-traumatic psychological responses, (2) disruption of safety, personal agency, and bodily autonomy, (3) early sexual health vulnerability, (4) behavioral and relational adaptations, and (5) intervention perspectives. The findings indicate that trauma influences sexual functioning through early disruptions in emotional regulation, perceived safety, and interpersonal processes, contributing to a stage of vulnerability prior to the development of clinically defined dysfunction. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework is proposed that reconceptualizes the trauma sexual dysfunction relationship as a dynamic trajectory rather than a direct out-come. Within this framework, crisis intervention is positioned as a moderating factor that may influence this pathway by stabilizing early psychological responses, restoring a sense of safety and control, and supporting adaptive coping. Overall, the study advances a prevention-oriented perspective by emphasizing early-stage processes and intervention. The findings high-light the need for future empirical research examining the impact of early psychological sup-port on long-term sexual health outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Preeti Singh, P. Shree Lakshmi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Hybrid Deep Learning and Particle Filter Framework for NLOS Mitigation in AI-Enhanced UWB Indoor Navigation
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is one of the best technologies for accurate indoor location, which is a key part of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). But when there are Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) situations, its performance drops a lot. This research presents an innovative hybrid architecture that integrates a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) with a particle filter (PF) to effectively counteract non-line-of-sight (NLOS) effects. The CNN directly looks at the raw Channel Impulse Response (CIR) from UWB anchors to do both NLOS classification and range error regression at the same time. This data changes the measurement noise covariance of a PF in real time, which stops the filter from believing measurements that are wrong. In a difficult industrial testbed, our CNN model was put through a lot of tests and was able to identify NLOS with 98.5% accuracy. The hybrid framework cuts the average 3D positioning error down to 8.4 cm when used in the navigation system. This is a 76% reduction over a conventional Extended Kalman Filter (35.1 cm) and a 55% improvement over a regular PF (18.7 cm). Also, the 95th percentile error is cut down to 21.2 cm, which shows that it is quite reliable for use in industry.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sokliep Pheng, Wu Jun (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Ultra-wideband (UWB) Indoor Navigation Systems to Boost Precision and Reliability
Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology can help with indoor guidance and finding your way around with great accuracy. This science is very important. This might be because it has a high time precision and is not affected by multipath interference. There are several things that could make it less effective than other methods, such as signal confusion, situations where there is no line of sight (NLOS), and changes in the surroundings. This is true even though it has many benefits. The latest improvements in artificial intelligence (AI) programs have made UWB-based systems much better at handling their surroundings. They are also more reliable and adaptable. Because of these improvements, UWB-based products can now adapt better to the place where they are. It is the goal of this project to create a new UWB positioning system that uses artificial intelligence to do a better job than current systems. The Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) will be used to make this happen. During the tests, it was found that placing accuracy rose by 37%, with an average mistake of 7.5 centimetres, even though the conditions in the setting were changing all the time. The method described works even when there is no line of sight (NLOS). This makes it a great choice for uses like self-driving robots, smart stores, and healthcare guidance.
VaultNFT – Preserve, Trade, Treasure: Application
The rapid growth of blockchain technology has unlocked new possibilities for representing digital ownership, with Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) emerging as a groundbreaking innovation. NFTs provide a means to tokenize digital assets such as art, music, videos, and collectibles, ensuring verifiable ownership and authenticity. VaultNFT is now developed as a mobile application designed to address the challenges of existing NFT marketplaces by offering a decentralized, secure, and user-centric platform for buying, selling, and minting NFTs on the go. This application integrates cutting-edge blockchain technology to ensure transparency and immutability of transactions. VaultNFT caters to creators, collectors, and traders by simplifying complex processes such as minting NFTs and conducting peer-to-peer transactions through an intuitive mobile interface. Unlike traditional NFT platforms, the VaultNFT app prioritizes inclusivity and affordability, leveraging Layer-2 blockchain solutions to reduce gas fees while maintaining a seamless and responsive user experience. Key features include a beginner-friendly in-app minting tool, advanced marketplace functionalities, and a real-time analytics dashboard for tracking trends and sales. The application also supports secure wallet integrations, ensuring safe transactions and verifiable proof of ownership directly from the device. Through its mobile-first approach, VaultNFT aims to revolutionize the digital economy by empowering creators and enabling a wider audience to engage with NFTs in a cost-efficient and accessible manner anytime, anywhere. By addressing existing challenges such as high costs, technical barriers, and market saturation, the VaultNFT application envisions a future where digital ownership becomes mainstream, reshaping the way users interact with digital assets through convenient and scalable mobile technology.These instructions give you guidelines for preparing.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aradhya Khobragade, Amit Yele, Ajinkya Raut, Rushikesh Walke (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Paper to Portal: Constitutional Validity of Digital Government Approvals in India
India’s quick transformation towards digital governance has completely revolutionized the way of working of governance processes as they move from the Older-paper-based approach to more sophisticated, faster, and efficient processes through technology. The use of digital means in making decisions related to governance by using government approvals for licenses, permits, certificates, among others, is crucial for e-governance. While this approach is associated with many advantages, there are important constitutional issues that need to be addressed here. The aim of this research paper is to test the constitutionality of electronic systems of government approvals in India, more particularly the compliance of such systems with the Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. This article provides for equal protection under the law and non-arbitrary state action and can be applied in the case of digital technologies and algorithms. Despite claims about objectivity and neutrality associated with technology, its opacity along with unequal distribution of technology access might lead to discrimination and arbitrary treatment by the system. Thus, the neutrality of technology does not always imply equality of rights of rights, at least not in the context of the socio-economic situations in India. Moreover, Article 21 is analyzed in this paper, which includes the right to life and personal liberty along with rights to privacy and procedural justice. In th light of the case law established in K.S Puttaswamy V. Union of India, in which privacy was declared to be a fundamental right in India, the paper evaluates the consequences of massive collection, processing, and storage of information through digital governance tools. The paper raises several concerns associated with surveillance and data security, in the light of new technological advancements and centralized data collection system. Furthermore, the paper discusses the problem of violation of procedural due process in automatic systems of decision-making. The Study examines the question of the digital divide as a problem of constitutional law, noting the fact that lack of technological access, low levels of digital literacy, and poor infrastructure have negative impacts on disadvantaged populations. Digital segregation not only violates the idea of quality in public services access but also questions the validity of a government that is not available to all citizens. The other issues that research focuses on include the existing legal framework about the process of online approvals and the emerging data protection regulations. The author suggests that the legal validity may not be enough for the process to be constitutional. Based on an in-depth examination of some important concepts from administrative law, certain deficiencies are highlighted. Although digital governance is an inescapable and indispensable development in the administrative process, it needs to align itself with the constitution to ensure that efficiency does not undermine fundamental rights. This paper calls for a pragmatic and holistic approach in which regulation, transparency in algorithms, mechanisms for dealing with grievances, and bridging the digital divide need to be taken into consideration, it is only through such reforms that digital government approvals will have legal and constitutional legitimacy in India.
Copyright (c) 2026 Prakash (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0