I am looking for motivated M.Tech and Ph.D. students in water resources and agriculture-related fields. If interested, please look into my research areas and Email me with a brief description of your research interest(s) and current CV.

NOTE: Candidates having a strong mathematical background and excellent coding skills will be preferred.

Dr. Gaurav Talukdar

Assistant Professor

Department of Civil Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
 Email: gtalukdar@iitd.ac.in

Professional Background

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IITDelhi     Dec 2024 - Present

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Kansas, USA       Oct 2023 - Dec 2024

Research Scientist, North Eastern Space Applications Centre, Meghalaya   June 2023 - October 2023

About me

Dr. Gaurav Talukdar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Before joining IITD, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kansas (KU), United States. He also worked as a Research Scientist at the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Department of Space, Govt. of India. He has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (water resources) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati in 2023. He is a recipient of the International Travel Support (ITS) grant by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India in 2021. He was also awarded the Best paper under the theme of Climate Change in HYDRO 2018 International Conference (Hydraulics, Water Resources and Coastal Engineering), held at NIT Patna, India. He completed his Master of Technology (water resources) from National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela in 2016. Prior to joining his doctoral studies, he worked as an Assistant Professor at National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), Berhampur, Odisha. 

Research Background

Dr. Talukdar's research focuses on agro-hydrology and the optimal utilization of riverine ecosystems, emphasizing the socio-economic development of communities dependent on these landscapes for their livelihoods. His pioneering doctoral research, titled 'Utilizing Riverine Ecosystem for Optimal Benefits,' encompasses multiple disciplines, including hydrology, optimization techniques, sediment analysis, agriculture, hydrodynamic modeling, geospatial techniques, and risk assessment. With a strong commitment to delivering tangible benefits to local communities, his work strategically integrates hydrological insights, agricultural dynamics, sediment assessment, remote sensing, and advanced modeling to develop optimization strategies that address uncertainties in complex riverine environments.

Dr. Talukdar’s research primarily revolves around the strategic utilization of sandbars within riverine ecosystems, ensuring the formulation of sustainable cropping patterns that directly benefit marginalized agricultural communities. During his doctoral studies, he developed optimization and damage estimation models to determine optimal cropping patterns in a complex riverine ecosystem under uncertainties that would be beneficial for the marginalized community and dwellers practicing agriculture and farming activities. The need for the research is in view of increasing urbanization and diminished mainland for agricultural activities; the majority of the people have shifted their occupation and moved to the industrial sector. On the contrary, the global food demand has increased, and the population needs to be fed. To address these challenges, he explores innovative strategies to optimize land and water use for food production, developing resilient cropping systems capable of thriving in reduced spaces. 

Research Interests:

Educational Background

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D), Water Resources Engineering                             (2017-2023)

Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, India.

Thesis Title: Utilizing Riverine Ecosystem for Optimal Benefits.

Thesis Supervisors: Prof. Arup Kumar Sarma & Prof. Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya.

Fellowship : Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India  

Master of Technology (M.Tech), Water Resources Engineering                (2014-2016)

Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, India.

Thesis Title: Flood Inundation Mapping of Baitarani River Basin Using Hydrologic and Hydraulic Model.

Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Kanhu Charan Patra.

Fellowship : Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India  

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)                 (2009-2013)

Department of Civil Engineering, RTM Nagpur University, Maharashtra, India.

Final year project title: Wastewater treatment using Vetiver grass Technology.

Project Supervisor: Prof. A L Nashine.

Lab Development and Teaching Experience

Lab Development

Teaching 

Mentoring Experience

Publications

Journal Publications 

  1. Gaurav Talukdar, Arup Kumar Sarma, and Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya. “Integrating optimization and damage estimation to increase economic benefit and ensure food security under seasonal land variability." Journal of Environmental Management 320 (2022): 115872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115872 [IF:8.91, Q1, SCI]
2. Gaurav Talukdar, Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya and Arup Kumar Sarma (2023). "Understanding the effect of long term and short term hydrological components on landscape ecosystem". Ecological Informatics, 102267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2023.102267 [IF:5.1, Q1, SCI]
3. Gaurav Talukdar, and Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya (2021). "Sediment analysis and modelling based approach for optimal allocation of riverine sandbar for socio economic benefits". Ecological Engineering, 173, 106415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106415 [IF:4.379, Q1, SCI]
4. Gaurav Talukdar, Arup Kumar Sarma, and Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya (2022). “Assessment of Land use change in riverine ecosystem and utilizing it for socio-economic benefit.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10495-w  [IF:3.307, Q1, SCI]
5. Gaurav Talukdar, Janaki B Swain, and Kanhu Charan Patra (2021). “Flood inundation mapping and hazard assessment of Baitarani River basin using hydrologic and hydraulic model”. Nat Hazards, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-04841-3   [IF:3.158, Q1, SCI]
6. Gaurav Talukdar, Arup Kumar Sarma, and Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya (2020). “Mapping agricultural activities and their temporal variations in the riverine ecosystem of the Brahmaputra River using geospatial techniques”. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, Elsevier 20(August), 100423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2020.100423  [IF:4.7, Q1, SCI]
7. Gaurav Talukdar, Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya, and Arup Kumar Sarma. “Optimal cropping pattern based on short-term streamflow forecasts to improve agricultural economic benefits and crop productivity under uncertainties” Hydrological Sciences Journal, Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2022.2151914  [IF:3.942, Q1, SCI]
8*. Frichot, J. J. H., Rubiyatno, & Talukdar, G. (2021). “Water Quality Assessment of Roof-collected Rainwater in Miri, Malaysia”. Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution, 1(2), 87–97. https://doi.org/10.53623/tasp.v1i2.19 *(In collaboration with Curtin University, Malaysia)
9*. Lau, Y. Y., Talukdar, G., Widyasamratri, H., Wang, J., & El-shaammari, M. (2023). Utilization of Green Materials and Technology for Sustainable Construction in Malaysia. Tropical Environment, Biology, and Technology, 1(1), 47-66. https://doi.org/10.53623/tebt.v1i1.238 *(In collaboration with Curtin University, Malaysia)
10*. Tie, S. Y., Emre, M., Bennani, C., Garcia, S., Talukdar, G., & Maharjan, R. (2023). Environmental Management and Green Practices in the Construction Industry Across ASEAN Countries: A Comparative Study. Civil and Sustainable Urban Engineering, 3(2), 163-180. https://doi.org/10.53623/csue.v3i2.336 *(In collaboration)
11*. Tang, Y. Y., Slimani, Y., Al-Ghazal, M. A., Talukdar, G., & Maharjan, A. K. (2023). Sustainable Urban Development in Malaysia: Enhancing Green Roofs with Integrated Technologies. Civil and Sustainable Urban Engineering, 3(2), 148-162.  https://doi.org/10.53623/csue.v3i2.335 *(In collaboration)

Book Chapter Publications 

1. Gaurav Talukdar and Arup Kumar Sarma. (2021). “Assuring Water Intake Sustainability under Changing Climate”. Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources: Hydraulics, Water Resources and Coastal Engineering, 233–239, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64202-0_21
2. Gaurav Talukdar, Anupal Baruah, and Arup Kumar Sarma (2023). "2D Hydrodynamic Model for Evaluating Impact of Possible Riverfront Activities in an Urbanized Bank of Brahmaputra River". In: Bhattacharjya, R.K., Talukdar, B., Katsifarakis, K.L. (eds) Sustainable Water Resources Management. Advances in Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7535-5_12
3. Gaurav Talukdar, Arup K Sarma and Rajib K Bhattacharjya (2025) “Unraveling the nexus between socioeconomic facets and land use - cover change for analyzing agricultural productivity within riverine ecosystems” (accepted), Springer Geography Book Series. ISBN: 978-3-031-62376-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62376-9_10  

Conference presentations/ publications 

  1. Gaurav Talukdar, Sumiaya Preota, Camden Hatley, Alaura Custard, Erin Seybold, Sam Zipper (2024), "Increasing compound wet extremes in the US Great Plains over last 100 years" AGU Fall Meeting 24 , Washinton, D.C., 9-13 Dec 2024, USA.
  2. Gaurav Talukdar , Sam Zipper, Alaura Custard, Camden Hatley, Erin Seybold (2024), "Unraveling Changing Precipitation Patterns over US Great Plains" WaterSciCon24 (AGU), Saint Paul, MN, USA, 24-27 June 2024.
  3. Gaurav Talukdar and Arup Kumar Sarma. “Understanding the behaviour of sandbars of Brahmaputra River and its utilization”. 11th World Congress on Water Resources and Environment (EWRA 2019) “Managing Water Resources for a Sustainable Future”, 25-29 June 2019, Madrid, Spain© European Water Resources Association. http://ewra.net/pages/EWRA2019_Proceedings.pdf
  4. Gaurav Talukdar, Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya, and Arup Kumar Sarma. “Effect of Long-term and Short Term Hydrological Components in Riverine Sandbars”. AGU Fall meeting 2022, Chicago, USA, 12 - 16 December 2022
  5. Gaurav Talukdar, Arup Kumar Sarma, and Dipima Sarma. “Surprises in alluvial river due to diverse anthropogenic activities”. EWRI Congress 2023, Henderson, Nevada, USA, May 21-24, 2023.
  6. Gaurav Talukdar, Dipsikha Devi and Arup Kumar Sarma. “Mathematical Model tale: A success story of protecting river bridge over a mountainous river”. STREAM-2022 (Sustainable Technologies for River Erosion Alleviation and Management), Assam Water Centre, Guwahati, 14-15 December 2022.
  7. Gaurav Talukdar, Vishnu Krishnan, Arup Kumar Sarma, and Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya. Evaluating the Phytoplankton activities near Riverine Sandbars by estimating Chlorophyll-a Concentrations. AGU Fall meeting 2021, New Orleans, LA, USA, 13 - 17 December 2021
  8. Gaurav Talukdar, Arup Kumar Sarma, and Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya. “Riverine ecosystem for socio economic development” 15th IHE PhD Symposium for Collaborative Water Resources Management for a Water Secure World organized by IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, 14-15 October 2021, Netherlands
  9. Gaurav Talukdar and Arup Kumar Sarma “Assuring Water Intake Sustainability under Changing Climate”. 23rd HYDRO 2018 International (Hydraulics, Water Resources and Coastal Engineering), 19-21 December 2018, NIT Patna.
  10. Gaurav Talukdar, Anupal Baruah, and Arup Kumar Sarma. “2D hydrodynamic model for evaluating impact of possible river front activities in an urbanized bank of Brahmaputra River”. International Conference on Sustainable Water Resources Management (SWARM 2020), June 19-21, 2020, Guwahati, Assam
  11. Bhaswatee Baishya, Gaurav Talukdar and Arup Kumar Sarma. “Chlorophyll-a estimation and evaluating the effect of land use change in a Ramsar Site of North East India”. EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria, 23–27 May 2022, EGU22-11568. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu22- 11568, 2022
  12. Dipsikha Devi, Gaurav Talukdar, Amit Kalita, and Arup Kumar Sarma. “Introducing a Flood Risk Factor (FRF) for Effective Flood Warning at Downstream of a Hydel Project using BRAHMA 1-D Model”. STREAM-2022 (Sustainable Technologies for River Erosion Alleviation and Management), Assam Water Centre, Guwahati, 14-15 December 2022.

Worshops/seminars/short term courses

  1. Webinar on Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) organized by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and Vigyan Prasar (VP) on 10 September 2021.
  2. Short Term Web Training Course on “Advanced Hyperspectral Data Analysis Software tool” (AVHYAS) under TREES (Training and Research in Earth Eco-System) organized by Space Application Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad during 11-12 February 2021.
  3. Basic course on Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System & Global Navigation Satellite System conducted by Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO, Government of India from August 10 to November 27, 2015.
  4. Short Term Course on Classical and Metaheuristic Optimization Methods for Engineering planning and design under the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP-III) sponsored by Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India during 22-26 February 2021.
  5. Advances in Integrated Water Resources Management under the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP-III) sponsored by Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India during 16 - 18 December 2019.
  6. Monsoon school on Urban Floods organized by Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore during July 02-08, 2017 sponsored by Information Technology Research Academy (ITRA)
  7. Geospatial Technology for Climate Smart Agriculture conducted during 10-07-2023 to 14-07-2023 by Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Projects handled 

Principal Investigator: Arup Kumar Sarma 

Funding Agency: Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.


Principal Investigator: Arup Kumar Sarma

Funding Agency: CE (P) Udayak, C/O 99 APO, BRTF, Border Roads


Principal Investigator: Arup Kumar Sarma

Funding Agency: Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project of PWDepartment, Govt. of Assam.


Principal Investigator: Arup Kumar Sarma

Funding Agency: S.A. Infrastructure.


Principal Investigator: Arup Kumar Sarma

Funding Agency: Public Works Department (PWD), Govt. of Assam


Principal Investigator: Arup Kumar Sarma

Funding Agency: Brahmaputra Board, Minsitry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India

Non-academic and Professional activities

  • Head, Branding and Management, Research Conclave 2018, IIT Guwahati
  • Sports Secretary, Dibang Hostel, IIT Guwahati 2018-2021
  • Represented Inter IIT Volleyball competition, IITGuwahati  2018, 2022
  • Represented Inter NIT Volleyball competition, NITRourkela 2015-16
  • Represented Inter University Volleyball, Nagpur University, 2010-13
  • Represented Inter District Volleyball competition, 2007

Research in Media 

"Sandbar cropping can boost production, sustain food demands: study”. Ph.D. work published in the newspaper “The Assam Tribune” on 22nd September 2021.

Invited Talks 

Field trips

Research Group

Team AKS at AGU Fall meeting 24, Washinton D.C.

Research Team (Geohydro), University of Kansas

Research Team of Prof. A K Sarma, IITGuwahati

Kansas Geological Survey Team at WaterSciCon24, Minnesota

Sediment sample collections within Brahmaputra

Research work presentations

Field survey in sandbars of Brahmaputra River

Extracurricular and sports