srinivasu.nookarapu@uohyd.ac.in (or) nookarapu@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6491-4771
Mobile No.: 8919788604/ Landline: 040-23133059 (O)/23136251 (R)
Dr. Nookarapu Srinivasu is a trained sociocultural anthropologist and has been serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology, School of Social Sciences at the University of Hyderabad since April 2023. He brings over 15 years of experience in academic, policy, and field-based engagements across India, particularly among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and other marginalised communities, particularly the fishermen community. He holds a Ph.D. with a specialisation in educational anthropology and an M.Phil. in medical anthropology, and his interdisciplinary work bridges the domains of tribal development, indigenous education, ethnomedicine, and linguistic diversity. His research practice integrates theoretical, applied, and policy-oriented approaches in anthropology.
Over the years, Dr. Srinivasu has associated and collaborated extensively with both governmental and non-governmental organisations at the state and national levels. He has made notable contributions to the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) across Andhra Pradesh and has led curriculum and capacity-building initiatives in tribal education. His current research and academic work continue to engage with pressing questions of cultural resilience, community health, and education reform within marginalised and indigenous contexts.
Ph.D. in Anthropology (Educational Anthropology), Andhra University, 2017
M.Phil. in Anthropology (Medical Anthropology), University of Hyderabad, 2010
M.A. in Anthropology (Social), University of Hyderabad, 2006
B.Sc. (Microbiology, Biochemistry, Applied Nutrition), Acharya Nagarjuna University, 2000
Adjunct Professor, Tribal Cultural Research and Training Mission (TCR&TM), Visakhapatnam, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (2020–2021)
Member, Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museum, Lambasingi, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (2021–2022)
Member, Sub-Committee on Tribal Education, Tribal Welfare Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (2021)
Courses taught
Integrated Master's Programme (5 - Years):
Introduction to Social and Linguistic Anthropology (Semester I, 2023)
The Science of Human Being: Introduction to Anthropology (Semester I, 2025)
Practicing Anthropology (Semester IV, 2023)
Master's Programme :
Introduction to Social Anthropology (Semester I, 2023)
Qualitative Research Methods (Semester II, 2023)
Anthropology of Education (Semester III, 2024)
Medical Anthropology (Semester III, 2023 )
Ph.D Programme -Coursework
Advanced Research Methods. (January–May 2025; August –December 2025)
Other roles at the Department
Internship Coordinator (2024-Present)
Alumni Coordinator (2025-Present)
Research
Medical Anthropology; Tribal Studies; Anthropology of Education; Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE); Anthropology of Fishing; Ethnography; Qualitative Research Methods; and Applied Anthropology
Professional Experience
Tribal Cultural Research and Training Mission (TCR&TM), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
2021–2023
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
2020–Present
Tribal Cultural Research and Training Mission (TCR&TM), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
2020–2021
State Institute of Educational Management & Training (SIEMAT),
Office of Samagra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh
2011–2021
Tribal Cultural Research & Training Institute,
Tribal Welfare Department, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
2009–2011
Vignan Public School, Samalkot, Andhra Pradesh
2001–2004
Publications
a) Books :
Subba Reddy, K. V., Ananthasayanam Raju, M., & Nookarapu, S. (2023). Scheduled tribe social status verification: Issuance of scheduled tribe community certificates in the state of Andhra Pradesh: A compendium of acts, rules, government orders, guidelines, clarifications, court judgments, case laws, etc. Tribal Cultural Research and Training Mission, Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam.
Nookarapu, S. (2018). Community participation in elementary education: A study on school management committees in Adilabad district of Telangana State. Neelkamal Publications, New Delhi.
Sharma, B. V., & Nookarapu, S. (2018). Ethnomedicine: Studies among the tribes of Andhra Pradesh. Neelkamal Publications, New Delhi.
Nookarapu, S. (2018). Health care practices and ethnomedicine: A case study on primitive tribal people of Chenchus in Andhra Pradesh. Serial Publications, New Delhi.
M., B. B., Nookarapu, S., & Sing, A. (2016). Inclusive school in Andhra Pradesh. Save the Children India, Hyderabad.
Nookarapu, S. (2014). Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment under the domain of ethnomedicine. Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany.
b) Published in edited volumes:
Nookarapu, S. (2025). Anthropological evidence (Section III). In Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (Ed.), Bharatiya Bhasha Pariwar: A new framework in linguistics (Chapter 3, pp. 123–167). National Book Trust, New Delhi.
Nookarapu, S. (2024). Exploring indigenous knowledge and healthcare practices among the Chenchus of Andhra Pradesh. In A. B. Otta, S. Reddy, & R. Lamba (Eds.), Indigenous knowledge systems and practices of PVTGs in India (Vol. II, pp. 291–298). Mayur Publications.
Sharma, B. V., & Nookarapu, S. (2013). A note on cognitive understanding of illness among the Gonds of Adilabad district. In V. K. Srivastava (Ed.), Tribes in India: Concepts, institutions, and practices (pp. 333–355). Serials Publications, New Delhi.
Sharma, B. V., & Nookarapu, S. (2013). Health status and healthcare among the Chenchus. In H. K. Butt, V. R. Vijayendra, & P. C. Joshi (Eds.), Explorations in Indian medical anthropology and health sciences (pp. 188–197). Concept Publishing House, New Delhi.
c) Journal Articles:
Bonthu, A., & Nookarapu, S. (2025). Navigating health and illness etiologies among the fishing community of Palakayatippa in Andhra Pradesh. Man in India, 105(1–2).
Sharma, B. V., Pukkalla, D., & Nookarapu, S. (2016). What matters in the schooling of tribal girls? A study in Visakhapatnam agency area of Andhra Pradesh. The Eastern Anthropologist, 69(2), 225–244.
Nookarapu, S., & Yalla, P. (2016). Geo-ethnic and cultural profile of Chenchus. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 21(5), 48–50.
Nookarapu, S., & Yalla, P. (2015). Ethnographic profile of Gonds of Adilabad district. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 4(1), 62–66.
Nookarapu, S., Umadevi, L., & Kavithakiran, V. (2015). School infrastructure facilities of KGBVs in Andhra Pradesh. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education, 5(1), 29–34.
Nookarapu, S., & Umadevi, L. (2012). The personality of girls studying in primary schools. International Journal of Science and Research, 3(12), 230–233.
d). Contribution to the Development of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE)
Contributed to the development and implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in Andhra Pradesh under the frameworks of Samagra Shiksha and the Tribal Cultural Research and Training Mission (TCR&TM), aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Curriculum design and framework development for tribal language education
Textbook preparation and content development in selected mother tongues
Editorial review and academic validation of MTB-MLE instructional materials
Teacher training and capacity-building workshops for multilingual classroom implementation
Institutional collaboration between academic bodies and state-level educational agencies
Policy-level inputs supporting NEP 2020 emphasis on foundational literacy in home language
Contributed to policy documents on MTB-MLE, ST status verification, rural transport planning, and tribal education frameworks. Collaborated with government departments and NGOs for educational planning and evaluation.
Mentor and supervisor for the Integrated MA (IMA) Internship Programme, MA Anthropology fieldwork and dissertation supervision, and PhD research guidance in the Department of Anthropology. Actively coordinates student internships and field-based learning modules in collaboration with research institutions, government departments, and NGOs.
Anthropology in Contemporary Practice: Pathways for a Sustainable Future
Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad
Supported by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Dakshin Foundation, and Sthreesakti Pvt. Ltd.
Conducted in honour of Prof. B. V. Sharma
Post Congress – World Anthropological Congress 2023
Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad
In collaboration with MANUU, IIT Hyderabad, CESS, TISS, CDS, and Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana
Right to Education Act: Issues and Concerns in Implementation
State Institute of Educational Management & Training (SIEMAT), Andhra Pradesh
In collaboration with the Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad
Supported by UNICEF and Save the Children
Craft Livelihoods in Transition: A Comprehensive Baseline Survey among Handloom Artisans in Venkatagiri and Srikalahasthi (Andhra Pradesh) and Gopalpur and Manjabandha (Odisha)
Sponsored Research Project under the Antaran Programme
Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (Supported by Tata Trusts), Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Duration: December 2025 – February 2026
Status: Completed
Explicating Fishers’ Healthcare: An Anthropological Study on Marine Fishing Communities of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
Funded by Institute of Eminence (IoE), Directorate of IoE, University of Hyderabad
Status: Ongoing
Evaluation of the ‘Driver Empowerment Programme’ Implemented by TRICOR, Government of Telangana
Funded by Tribal Cooperative Finance Corporation Ltd. (TRICOR), Telangana
Status: Completed
Evaluation of the Rural Transport Plan and Opportunities for Alternate Livelihoods for Scheduled Tribe Youth in Telangana
Funded by Tribal Cooperative Finance Corporation Ltd. (TRICOR), Tribal Welfare Department, Telangana
Status: Completed
Evaluation Study on Selected Tribal Villages under the Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Grama Yojana in Khammam and Warangal Districts, Telangana
Funded by Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana
Status: Completed
A Historical Study of the Raju Kshatriya Community in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Conducted by Social Tech Research Foundation (STRF), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad
Status: Ongoing
A Village-Level Study on Development Activities and Schemes in Telangana
Funded by Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana
Status: Completed
Membership in Professional Bodies/Societies
INCAA – Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists ;
IAA – Indian Anthropological Association
IAS – Indian Anthropological Society
ISS - Indian Sociological Society
AFI - Anthropos India Foundation
AIAER - All India Association for Educational Research
The government partners include the Tribal Welfare Departments of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, the Tribal Cooperative Finance Corporation Ltd. (TRICOR) of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, the Fisheries Department of Andhra Pradesh, and others.
Non-government partners include PRATHAM Education Foundation, Save the Children, Room to Read, the Coastal Resilience Network, LAYA Social Research Foundation (STRF), United Way of Hyderabad, and others.
Email: srinivasu.nookarapu@uohyd.ac.in / nookarapu@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 8919788604/9701929740
Landline: 040-23133059 (Office) / 040-23136251 (Residence)
Office: Office Room No. 209, Department of Anthropology, School of Social Sciences building, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, India - 500 046
