A 2016 alumnus, Pushkar began his career at the district level with CARE India, diving deep into grassroots Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation (MLE) across some of the most challenging geographies. Over the years, he has steadily carved a niche in the public health domain, handling large-scale research, managing data systems, and contributing to state-level strategies. Currently a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, Pushkar works with the Health Department of West Bengal, applying data-driven solutions to improve public health outcomes. An ardent believer in field-rooted learning and evidence-based policy, Pushkar combines his technical strengths with a passion for real-world impact.
Location: Kolkata
Linkedin:linkedin.com/in/pushkar-dubey-01aa44146
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. My journey from IIFM has been quite enriching and full of learning. After completing the course in 2016, I started working with CARE India. I began my career as a District MLE Officer in Kishanganj, Bihar, where I was closely involved in monitoring, learning, and evaluation activities at the grassroots level. Over the course of more than seven years at CARE India, I progressed to the role of MLE Specialist, taking on greater responsibilities in program evaluation, data management, and field research. It’s been a steady learning process, especially in the areas of public health programs, data systems, and research methodologies. I had the opportunity to be part of several projects focused on maternal and child health, as well as diseases like visceral leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis, which gave me both field exposure and technical understanding.
At present, I’m working as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, where I remain engaged in data analytics and public health, but with a broader and more strategic focus. One of my key engagements involves supporting the Health Department of West Bengal in strengthening evidence-based policymaking and implementing a knowledge management approach for real-time monitoring of public healthcare programs. IIFM definitely laid the groundwork for this path—the coursework, field visits, and peer learning experiences helped shape my thinking and approach to development-oriented work.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A.There have been quite a few milestones that stand out for me. One experience I often reflect on is the work we did on large-scale research studies related to maternal and child health, as well as diseases like VL, LF, AES, and COVID-19 across Bihar and Jharkhand. These studies came with their own set of challenges, but they were also deeply rewarding. For example, the household survey on maternal and child health, which we conducted over 13 rounds and covered more than 75,000 households each time, was a major learning experience.It really taught me a lot about managing teams, ensuring data quality, and working under real-world constraints.
Getting the chance to present at the WorldLeish7 conference (2022) in Colombia was also a special moment—it was my first experience speaking on an international platform, and it felt good to represent the work being done in Bihar and Jharkhand on diseases like Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.
Apart from that, being part of publications and collaborating with teams from institutions like UCSF and NIH helped me grow a lot professionally. It gave me exposure to how research and public health are approached globally, and also taught me the importance of clear, grounded scientific communication.
Each of these experiences has reinforced the value of staying rooted in the field while also thinking systematically and using data to inform decisions.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Absolutely. IIFM’s mix of classroom learning and field exposure really helped shape how I think about problems and approach my work. Courses like Research Methodology, Quantitative techniques, MIS and GIS turned out to be quite relevant, especially in the kind of work I’ve been doing in public health and program monitoring and evaluation.
More than anything, IIFM helped me look at things more holistically—to see that issues are rarely isolated and that finding effective solutions often means understanding how different factors are connected and influence each other. That perspective has stayed with me throughout my career.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. Some of the people who’ve influenced me the most are mentors from Care India and colleagues from places like UCSF and NIH. I’ve really admired their dedication, humility, and focus on doing meaningful, evidence-based work.
My advice for freshers and fellow IIFM’ites would be:
- Be ready to learn on the job. A lot of skills come from real-world experience.
- Don’t avoid fieldwork—it’s where you get the best understanding, and it helps build your credibility in this line of work.
- Invest in technical skills. They’ll differentiate you and expand your opportunities.
- Avoid frequent job switches. While exploring opportunities is important, too many short stints can raise concerns for potential employers.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Some of my fondest memories from IIFM include performing nukkad natak events at different spots around Bhopal , playing gully cricket tournaments, and those late-night conversations with friends that went on for hours. These moments helped build friendships and made campus life memorable and special. They also played a big role in shaping my personality—helping me become more confident, expressive, and open to new experiences.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. Looking back, the biggest contributions for me were
- The supportive IIFM faculty who always encouraged us to think critically and look at issues from multiple perspectives,
- The strong friendship bond with batch mates that provided both support and fun, and
- The courses that gave me a solid foundation in research.
Together, these helped shape me not just as a professional, but as a person who understands the importance of teamwork, learning, and perseverance.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. I had some really good friends in the batch and wonderful faculty members like Amitabh Pandey Sir, CS Rathore Sir and Yogesh Dubey Sir. I still smile and wonder how faculty at times overlooked our childish acts and at some other time gave us great feedback which ultimately helped us in growing and becoming a better human being.
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. My advice would be to make the most of these two years by not just focusing on academics, but also by exploring your career interests and passions. IIFM offers a unique space to learn, network, and grow, so don’t hesitate to try new things, engage with faculty members and alumni, and figure out what truly excites you. This balanced approach will help you get the best out of your time there and prepare you well for the future.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. A typical workday usually involves a mix of planning, data analysis, preparing reports and presentations along with coordinating tasks with the government officials. It keeps me engaged. When I’m not working, I like to spend quality time with family and friends. It’s a nice way to recharge.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends are usually pretty relaxed. I like watching a good movie or series, spending time with family and catching up with a few friends. I also enjoy music and sometimes it’s nice to just do nothing!
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Rashmirathi by Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’ is a favorite — Karna’s story of resilience and inner conflict is deeply inspiring. I also enjoyed the series Panchayat and Gullak for their simple, honest portrayal of rural life and human emotions.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. I’m always happy to support IIFM students by offering guidance, particularly for those interested in careers in research and the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) domain.
I’m also open to contributing to OT/SI by passing along relevant internship or project opportunities that I come across in my professional network.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. From what I see, the institute has become more active on digital platforms and alumni engagement has improved significantly. The curriculum also seems to be evolving. A lot of new courses have been introduced, and the batch size has increased considerably, reflecting IIFM’s growing reach.
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