Top 10 Trending Topics of Research in India 2025
Choosing one of the top 10 research topics for 2025, like – ethical AI , employee-wellbeing, sustainable consumer behaviour, or gig economy – can set you apart academically. Equally important is having access to nation-wide audience panel that supports your journey. That’s where ThinkSurvey academic research comes in. Whether you are a PHD scholar, faculty member, or postdoc researcher, your ability to collect authentic and representative data with the demographics of your choice, gives you the stability to focus on your research. ThinkSurvey ensures you can focus on any of the below hot topics of research fields – advancing your research with confidence and credibility.
Why These Topics Matter in 2025
India is at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and social transformation. With the government prioritizing digital innovation, renewable energy, and healthcare, researchers are finding new opportunities across sectors. From AI to social media’s impact, 2025 is the year when multidisciplinary studies will shape India’s economy, culture, and policy.
1. Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change
Key Data:
- India pledged to reach net-zero by 2070 (COP26).
- Renewable energy capacity grew by 14% in 2024 (MNRE).
Research Subtopics:
- Solar-powered agriculture for rural communities.
- Climate policy impact on urban pollution control.
- Waste management models in Indian megacities.
Industry Impact: India’s $125B renewable energy market will depend heavily on local innovations in clean energy and waste solutions. If you are exploring this field further, check out our detailed guide on environment research topics to consider in 2025.
2. Artificial Intelligence in Indian Ecosystems
Current Trends:
- India’s AI market expected to hit $17B by 2027 (NASSCOM).
- AI adoption in banking, healthcare, and education grew 45% YoY.
Key Research Angles:
- Ethical AI in governance and public services.
- AI for personalized education in rural schools.
- Risks of algorithmic bias in Indian recruitment systems.
Why It Matters: With 500M+ internet users, India is uniquely placed to explore AI’s societal impact. Specially curated for AI researchers, we have explored this in detail in our guide to trending topics of research in Artificial Intelligence in India 2025.
3. Fintech & Financial Research
Key Data:
- UPI transactions crossed 14B in a single month (NPCI, 2024).
- Digital lending projected to reach $350B by 2030 (BCG).
Research Opportunities:
- Credit accessibility for MSMEs via fintech.
- Cryptocurrency regulation in India.
- Green finance and ESG-focused investments.
Industry Relevance: India’s fintech boom is reshaping financial inclusion, making finance research a key driver in 2025. We have compiled emerging areas in finance research that are shaping policy and business decisions in India.
4. Employee Satisfaction & Workplace Well-being
Stats You Can’t Ignore:
- 63% of Indian employees report stress in hybrid models (LinkedIn 2024).
- Companies with high engagement see 21% higher profitability (Gallup).
Research Subtopics:
- Burnout in hybrid vs. remote work.
- Diversity and inclusion in Indian corporates.
- Digital tools for employee engagement.
Why It Matters: Productivity and retention will define business competitiveness in India’s knowledge economy. For deeper insights into how employee well-being is shifting the workplace dynamics, see our full breakdown on research on employee satisfaction in 2025.
5. Food Technology & Sustainable Nutrition
Market Shift:
- India’s plant-based food market expected to grow at 18% CAGR till 2030.
- Global alternative protein investment crossed $5B in 2024.
Research Areas:
- Consumer acceptance of lab-grown meat.
- Food safety innovations using AI/IoT.
- Tackling food waste in urban India.
Impact: Food research is no longer niche; it’s central to sustainability, health, and global trade. Researchers can find more specific directions in our article on topics of food research in India 2025, especially around food tech and consumer behaviour
6. Political Science & Policy Research in India 2025
Key Trends:
- Social media influencing 65% of young voters (CSDS 2024).
- India ranks among top 5 in e-governance adoption globally.
Research Opportunities:
- Digital platforms and democratic participation.
- Policy reforms for inclusive growth.
- Comparative studies of state-level governance.
Why It Matters: In the world’s largest democracy, political science research informs decisions that impact 1.4B people. Those exploring governance and policy may benefit from our list of political science research topics.
7. Influencer Marketing & Digital Consumers
Current Trends:
- Influencer market in India to reach $400M by 2025.
- 61% of Gen Z trust influencer opinions over ads.
Research Angles:
- Impact of micro-influencers on local markets.
- Transparency and ethics in brand partnerships.
- Consumer psychology in influencer-led campaigns.
Industry Impact: Current reliance on influencer marketing highlights the shifting balance of consumer trust in digital India. For a closer look at creator economy trends, refer to our in-depth article on research on influencer marketing in India 2025.
8. Travel & Tourism Research in India
Industry Data:
- Tourism contributed $178B to India’s GDP in 2023 (WTTC).
- Eco-tourism demand up by 22% among millennials.
Focus Areas:
- Sustainable tourism models for heritage sites.
- AI-driven travel personalization.
- Impact of digital nomadism in India.
Relevance: Post-pandemic recovery and India’s G20 spotlight make travel research a booming field.
9. Social Media Research in Indian Society
Key Data:
- India has 467M active social media users (Statista, 2024).
- WhatsApp, YouTube, and Instagram dominate usage.
Focus Topics:
- Spread of misinformation during elections.
- Online activism and civic engagement.
- Social media’s role in shaping youth mental health.
Why It Matters: Social platforms are the new battleground for politics, marketing, and identity in India.
10. Health & Well-being Research
Stats:
- India spends 2.1% of GDP on healthcare (World Bank).
- Mental health apps in India expected to grow 20% CAGR by 2030.
Research Directions:
- Digital health platforms in rural areas.
- Preventive healthcare adoption in urban India.
- Cross-cultural perspectives on mental well-being.
Why It Matters: Health equity is key to India’s development trajectory. Our detailed piece on [health research] covers mental health, digital health, and public health systems in India
How to Choose the Right Research Topic in 2025
Selecting from the trending topics of research requires balancing novelty, feasibility, and relevance to your field of study.
- Literature Scan – Review the latest journals and research databases to identify themes that are gaining traction in 2025, such as sustainability, AI adoption, or digital well-being.
- Spot Gaps – Look for underexplored niches within trending areas, like the role of micro-influencers in semi-urban India or ethical implications of AI in hiring.
- Check Feasibility – Ensure you have access to the right data sources. Survey-based studies remain one of the most effective ways to test emerging research questions in 2025.
- Seek Feedback – Discuss shortlisted topics with mentors, supervisors, or peers to refine your research focus.
How ThinkSurvey Enables Research on Trending Topics 2025 India
Whether you’re studying food technology, sustainability, finance, or influencer marketing, the biggest challenge is reliable data collection. ThinkSurvey helps you overcome these barriers seamlessly:
- Audience Panel – Access a nationwide pool of respondents, from students exploring AI-driven education to professionals sharing views on India’s gig economy.
- Diverse Demographics – Our panels cover urban, semi-urban, and rural participants across India, balanced by age, gender, and occupation.
- Research Expertise – Specialists who understand both academic methodologies and market validation studies.
- Scalable Data Collection – From small classroom studies with 100 respondents to large-scale projects with 5,000+ participants.
- End-to-End Support – From questionnaire creation to delivery of cleaned, reliable datasets for academic or business research.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the trending research topics in India for 2025?
India-focused research spans environment, AI, finance, social media, health, and more. These areas are shaping policies, businesses, and academic innovation.
2. Which field has the most research opportunities in 2025?
Emerging areas like AI, sustainability, and digital health are expected to offer the widest scope for impactful research in India.
3. How do I choose the best research topic in 2025?
Align your interest with relevance. For example, if sustainability excites you, explore our detailed guide on environment research in India.
4. Why is employee wellbeing an important research area in 2025?
With hybrid work and mental health awareness growing, India-based studies on employee satisfaction are gaining academic and corporate interest.
5. Is food research still relevant in 2025?
Absolutely. From food security to plant-based diets, food research connects India’s cultural habits with global sustainability goals.
6. What role does AI research play in India’s future?
AI is powering education, healthcare, and governance. In 2025, AI research in India will focus on ethical adoption and real-world use cases.
7. How can finance research benefit researchers in 2025?
Finance research helps decode trends in fintech, digital payments, and investment behaviors—key drivers of India’s economic landscape.
8. What is the scope of political science research in India 2025?
With elections, policy reforms, and global relations evolving, political science research provides rich opportunities for analysis.
9. Are trending topics the same as niche research areas?
Not always. For example, “social media research” may be a niche, but in 2025 it becomes a trending area due to influencer marketing and digital campaigns.
10. Where can I collect authentic data for my research in India?
Platforms like ThinkSurvey provide access to genuine participants across India, ensuring credible data for academic research.
