Research ideas for icmr sts for 2nd yr mbbs student
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ICMR STS 2025 2026 selected topics 2nd year MBBS observational study ideas
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ICMR STS student research project ideas MBBS observational survey feasible low cost
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ICMR STS project ideas observational survey MBBS 2nd year
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medical student research undergraduate India observational study
Here is a well-organized set of ICMR STS project ideas tailored for a 2nd-year MBBS student doing an observational/survey-based study. These are chosen to be feasible within the 2-month STS period, doable without advanced lab skills, and aligned with ICMR's current priority areas.
ICMR STS 2026 - Observational/Survey Study Ideas for 2nd Year MBBS
What ICMR STS Looks For
- Clear research question with public health relevance
- Simple, achievable methodology (cross-sectional, KAP studies work well)
- Ethical feasibility (no invasive procedures needed)
- Novelty or local-context gap in existing literature
- A willing guide (faculty mentor) at your institution
Category 1: Lifestyle & Non-Communicable Diseases
1. Sleep Quality and Academic Performance Among Medical Students
- Design: Cross-sectional survey using validated tools - Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) + academic records
- Why it works: High prevalence, no cost, sample is right there (your own college), strong public health angle
- Gap to highlight: Most studies from Western countries; local Indian data from 2nd/3rd year students is sparse
- Department: Physiology or Community Medicine
2. Screen Time, Posture, and Musculoskeletal Complaints in College Students
- Design: Self-administered questionnaire + Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire
- Why it works: Very topical post-COVID; neck/back pain in young students is under-studied
- Department: Physiology or Anatomy
3. Dietary Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and BMI Among 1st Year MBBS Students
- Design: 24-hour dietary recall + validated nutrition KAP questionnaire + anthropometric measurements
- Why it works: Simple measurements, no invasive tests, policy-relevant
- Department: Biochemistry or Physiology
Category 2: Mental Health & Behaviour (ICMR Priority Area)
4. Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies Among MBBS Students
- Design: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) + Brief COPE inventory
- Why it works: Mental health in medical students is an ICMR priority; easy IRB approval; fast data collection
- Department: Physiology or Psychiatry
5. Smartphone Addiction and Its Association with Anxiety and Sleep in Medical Students
- Design: Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV) + GAD-7 + PSQI
- Why it works: Highly novel locally, no cost, publishable in indexed journals after completion
- Department: Physiology or Community Medicine
6. Social Media Use and Body Image Perception Among Female Medical Students
- Design: Survey-based; Body Appreciation Scale + social media usage log
- Department: Physiology or Psychiatry
Category 3: Public Health / Community Focus
7. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Hand Hygiene Among First-Year Nursing/MBBS Students
- Design: Validated KAP questionnaire + direct observation (optional)
- Why it works: ICMR strongly funds infection control research; practical and policy-relevant
- Department: Microbiology or Community Medicine
8. Self-Medication Practices Among Medical and Non-Medical Students - A Comparative Survey
- Design: Structured questionnaire on OTC drug use, types, reasons, awareness of risks
- Why it works: Ongoing public health concern; easy comparison group available (nursing/dental students)
- Department: Pharmacology
9. Awareness of Antibiotic Resistance and Antimicrobial Stewardship Among MBBS Students
- Design: KAP survey with validated antibiotic resistance knowledge scale
- Why it works: Global AMR is an ICMR top priority; 1st-5th year students as population gives rich data
- Department: Microbiology or Pharmacology
10. Menstrual Health Knowledge and Practice Among Female Undergraduate Students in a Semi-Urban College
- Design: Questionnaire + retrospective menstrual history
- Why it works: Direct ICMR priority area (women's health); easy IRB clearance; publishable
- Department: Physiology or Community Medicine
Category 4: Environmental & Occupational Health
11. Indoor Air Quality Perception and Respiratory Symptoms Among Students in Hostel Rooms
- Design: Survey on respiratory symptoms (MRC dyspnoea scale) + ventilation assessment + questionnaire
- Department: Physiology or Community Medicine
12. Noise Pollution Exposure and Hearing Threshold Shifts in Urban Residents Near a Traffic Zone
- Design: Questionnaire + audiometry referral data from ENT OPD (retrospective record review)
- Department: Physiology or Community Medicine
Category 5: Clinical Observational (OPD-Based)
13. Association Between Oral Hygiene Practices and Prevalence of Oral Health Problems in OPD Patients
- Design: Structured interview + clinical observation (with dental/ENT OPD)
- Department: Microbiology or Community Medicine
14. Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors in Young Adults (18-30 years) Attending OPD
- Design: BP measurement + lifestyle questionnaire (JNC criteria)
- Why it works: Rising hypertension burden in young Indians; straightforward methodology
- Department: Physiology or Community Medicine
Practical Tips for ICMR STS Success
| Factor | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sample size | Aim for 100-200 participants minimum; calculate with a formula and mention it in proposal |
| Validated tools | Always use pre-validated questionnaires (PSS, PSQI, GAD-7, etc.) - ICMR reviewers prefer them |
| Novelty | Choose a topic where Indian data is limited - search PubMed briefly to confirm |
| Guide selection | Pick a guide who has published before and is familiar with STS format |
| Duration | Design the study to complete data collection in 6-8 weeks |
| Ethics | Mention informed consent, no harm to participants; ICMR wants this clearly stated |
| ICMR Priority Areas | Mental health, AMR, women's health, NCDs, digital health - these score higher |
Top 3 Picks for a 2nd Year Student (Ease + Impact)
- Perceived Stress + Coping Strategies in MBBS students - zero cost, sample right there, guide easy to find (Physiology dept), very publishable
- Self-Medication Practices Survey - Pharmacology dept mentor easy to approach, ICMR scores it well, simple design
- KAP of Antibiotic Use/AMR - Microbiology mentor, ICMR priority area, strong selection potential
If you share your college's city/state or any specific area of interest (women's health, digital health, NCDs, etc.), I can help you narrow down to one topic and even help draft the proposal outline.
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Asking for Preferences
Searching the Web
ICMR STS 2026 selected project topics observational cross-sectional KAP survey ideas MBBS
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cross-sectional survey India undergraduate students health knowledge attitude practice
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ICMR STS project ideas observational KAP cross-sectional categories topics MBBS
Here is a fully expanded list covering every major category relevant to ICMR STS - well beyond the original 14 ideas. All are observational/survey-based and feasible for a 2nd-year MBBS student within the 2-month window.
ICMR STS 2026 - Complete Observational Study Ideas for 2nd Year MBBS
Format for each idea: Topic | Department | Design | Tools/Instruments
CATEGORY 1: Mental Health & Psychological Wellbeing
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perceived stress and coping strategies among MBBS students | Physiology / Psychiatry | Cross-sectional | PSS-10, Brief COPE |
| 2 | Smartphone addiction and anxiety in medical students | Physiology | Cross-sectional | SAS-SV, GAD-7 |
| 3 | Depression, anxiety, and stress among 1st-year MBBS vs 2nd-year MBBS | Physiology | Comparative cross-sectional | DASS-21 |
| 4 | Burnout levels among interns vs clinical year students | Community Medicine | Comparative survey | Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) |
| 5 | Loneliness and social support in hostel-dwelling medical students | Psychiatry / Physiology | Cross-sectional | UCLA Loneliness Scale, MSPSS |
| 6 | Fear of failure and perfectionism among MBBS students | Psychiatry | KAP + cross-sectional | Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory |
| 7 | Social media use and body image dissatisfaction among female students | Physiology / Psychiatry | Survey | Body Appreciation Scale-2, SATAQ-4 |
| 8 | Emotional intelligence and empathy among pre-clinical vs clinical MBBS students | Physiology | Comparative | Schutte EI Scale, JSPE |
CATEGORY 2: Sleep, Fatigue & Circadian Health
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Sleep quality and academic performance in medical students | Physiology | Cross-sectional | PSQI, academic records |
| 10 | Chronotype (morningness/eveningness) and its effect on attention in students | Physiology | Cross-sectional | MEQ (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire), d2 Attention Test |
| 11 | Daytime sleepiness and its association with screen time | Physiology | Cross-sectional | Epworth Sleepiness Scale, screen time log |
| 12 | Sleep deprivation and cognitive function during exam periods | Physiology | Observational (repeated) | PSQI, MoCA or simple reaction time test |
CATEGORY 3: Substance Use & Addictive Behaviours
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Prevalence of tobacco use and awareness of its harms among male college students | Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | AUDIT-C, structured questionnaire |
| 14 | Determinants of smoking initiation among MBBS students | Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | Structured interview + Fagerstrom scale |
| 15 | Alcohol use patterns and associated risk factors in undergraduate students | Community Medicine / Psychiatry | Cross-sectional | AUDIT questionnaire |
| 16 | Energy drink consumption and perceived performance among students | Physiology / Community Medicine | Survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 17 | Substance abuse awareness and attitudes: medical vs non-medical students | Community Medicine | Comparative KAP | Validated awareness scale |
| 18 | Social media addiction and its impact on offline social relationships | Psychiatry | Cross-sectional | Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale |
CATEGORY 4: Self-Medication & Pharmacological Awareness
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Self-medication practices among medical and non-medical students (comparative) | Pharmacology | Comparative cross-sectional | Structured questionnaire |
| 20 | Over-the-counter analgesic misuse and awareness of GI side effects | Pharmacology | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 21 | KAP of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance among MBBS students (year-wise) | Microbiology / Pharmacology | Cross-sectional | KAAP scale (validated) |
| 22 | Awareness of generic vs branded drugs among 1st-year MBBS | Pharmacology | KAP survey | Self-designed validated tool |
| 23 | Attitude toward herbal/Ayurvedic self-medication among urban college students | Pharmacology | Survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 24 | Knowledge of drug interactions among MBBS students across years | Pharmacology | Cross-sectional | Structured MCQ-based tool |
CATEGORY 5: Nutrition, Obesity & Metabolic Health
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Dietary habits and nutritional knowledge among 1st-year MBBS students | Biochemistry / Physiology | Cross-sectional | 24-hr dietary recall, NKQ |
| 26 | Prevalence of overweight/obesity and its association with physical activity | Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | BMI measurement, IPAQ |
| 27 | Junk food consumption and its correlation with BMI and stress | Biochemistry | Cross-sectional | Food frequency questionnaire, PSS |
| 28 | Iron-deficiency anaemia awareness and dietary iron intake among female students | Biochemistry / Physiology | KAP + dietary recall | Validated tool + 24-hr recall |
| 29 | Breakfast skipping habits and cognitive performance in college students | Physiology | Cross-sectional | Structured questionnaire + simple cognitive tests |
| 30 | Eating disorders risk and body dissatisfaction in female medical students | Physiology / Psychiatry | Cross-sectional | EAT-26, BSQ |
CATEGORY 6: Reproductive & Sexual Health
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Menstrual health knowledge, practices, and dysmenorrhoea prevalence | Physiology / OBG | Cross-sectional | Structured questionnaire |
| 32 | KAP of PCOS among female MBBS students | Physiology / OBG | KAP survey | PCOSQ + structured KAP tool |
| 33 | Contraceptive awareness among female undergraduate students | Community Medicine | KAP survey | Validated questionnaire |
| 34 | Awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine uptake | Community Medicine / Microbiology | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 35 | Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among 1st/2nd year MBBS | Microbiology / Community Medicine | KAP survey | Structured validated tool |
| 36 | Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) prevalence and its effect on academic performance | Physiology | Cross-sectional | Shortened PMSS scale |
CATEGORY 7: Infection Control & Microbiology
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | KAP of hand hygiene among nursing and MBBS students | Microbiology | KAP + observational audit | WHO HHKQ |
| 38 | Awareness of needle-stick injury protocol among interns and final-year students | Microbiology | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 39 | Hepatitis B vaccination coverage and awareness among new MBBS entrants | Microbiology | Cross-sectional survey | Vaccination record review + KAP tool |
| 40 | KAP of COVID-19 long-term precautions and vaccine hesitancy in 2026 | Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | Structured questionnaire |
| 41 | Awareness of biomedical waste management among pre-clinical MBBS students | Microbiology | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 42 | Mobile phone contamination awareness and hygiene practices among students | Microbiology | KAP + observational | Structured questionnaire |
CATEGORY 8: Digital Health, AI & Technology
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | Awareness and attitude toward AI in healthcare among MBBS students | Community Medicine / Anatomy | KAP survey | Adapted AIHI questionnaire |
| 44 | Use of ChatGPT/AI tools for learning among medical students - benefits and concerns | Community Medicine | Mixed survey | Structured tool |
| 45 | Telemedicine awareness and attitude among outpatient attendees in a rural clinic | Community Medicine | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 46 | Cyberchondria (health anxiety from internet searches) among college students | Community Medicine / Psychiatry | Cross-sectional | CSS-12 (Cyberchondria Severity Scale) |
| 47 | Digital literacy and online health information seeking among MBBS students | Community Medicine | Survey | eHEALS tool |
CATEGORY 9: Environmental & Occupational Health
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | Screen time, eye strain, and visual symptoms among medical students | Physiology / Ophthalmology | Cross-sectional | CVS-Q (Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire) |
| 49 | Posture and musculoskeletal complaints among students using laptops/smartphones | Anatomy / Physiology | Cross-sectional | Nordic MSK Questionnaire |
| 50 | Noise exposure and hearing concerns among students in urban areas | Physiology / ENT | Survey + audiometric referral | Structured questionnaire |
| 51 | Air pollution awareness and respiratory symptoms near a highway/industrial area | Community Medicine | Survey + symptom scale | MRC Dyspnoea Scale, AQLQ |
| 52 | Menstrual disruptions and work-related stress in female healthcare workers (nurses) | Physiology / Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | Structured interview |
CATEGORY 10: Cardiovascular & Metabolic Risk
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | Hypertension prevalence and risk factors in young adults (18-30 yrs) at OPD | Physiology | Cross-sectional | BP measurement, lifestyle questionnaire |
| 54 | Resting heart rate variability and stress levels in medical students | Physiology | Observational | HRV app + PSS |
| 55 | Physical activity levels and cardiovascular fitness awareness among students | Physiology | Cross-sectional | IPAQ, SCORE2 simplified |
| 56 | KAP of diabetes prevention among first-degree relatives of diabetic patients | Community Medicine | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 57 | Awareness of metabolic syndrome risk factors among medical vs non-medical students | Community Medicine | Comparative | Structured validated tool |
CATEGORY 11: Cancer Awareness & Screening
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | Awareness of oral cancer risk factors and self-examination among students | Community Medicine / ENT | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 59 | Breast self-examination: KAP among female undergraduate students | Community Medicine / Surgery | KAP survey | Validated KBSE tool |
| 60 | Cervical cancer awareness and attitude toward Pap smear in young women | Community Medicine / OBG | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 61 | Sun-exposure habits and awareness of skin cancer risk among outdoor workers | Community Medicine | Survey | Structured questionnaire |
CATEGORY 12: Maternal & Child Health
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | Awareness of breastfeeding benefits and barriers among pregnant women in OPD | Community Medicine / OBG | Cross-sectional | IOWA Infant Feeding Attitude Scale adapted |
| 63 | Immunization knowledge and vaccine hesitancy among mothers of under-5 children | Community Medicine | KAP survey | WHO vaccine hesitancy scale |
| 64 | Awareness of National Health Programs (NHPs) among rural community women | Community Medicine | Survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 65 | KAP of antenatal care among pregnant women in a PHC or urban OPD | Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | Structured interview |
CATEGORY 13: Geriatrics & Non-Communicable Diseases in Elderly
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | Polypharmacy awareness and medication adherence among elderly patients in OPD | Pharmacology / Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | MARS-5, pill count |
| 67 | Fall risk awareness and prevention practices among elderly outpatients | Community Medicine | Survey | STEADI tool adapted |
| 68 | Cognitive decline awareness and dementia KAP in caregivers of elderly | Physiology / Psychiatry | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 69 | Quality of life in elderly type-2 diabetics attending OPD | Community Medicine | Cross-sectional | WHOQOL-BREF |
CATEGORY 14: Awareness Studies on Specific Diseases / Conditions
| # | Topic | Dept | Design | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | KAP of epilepsy among schoolteachers | Community Medicine / Neurology | KAP survey | KAPE scale |
| 71 | Awareness of organ donation among MBBS students and general public (comparative) | Community Medicine | Comparative KAP | Structured questionnaire |
| 72 | KAP of blood donation among undergraduate students | Community Medicine | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 73 | Awareness of palliative care and end-of-life decisions among MBBS students | Community Medicine | Survey | Structured questionnaire |
| 74 | KAP of mental illness and stigma toward psychiatry among college students | Psychiatry | Cross-sectional | CAMI scale (Community Attitudes to Mental Illness) |
| 75 | Awareness of thalassemia, its prevention and premarital screening among students | Community Medicine | KAP survey | Structured questionnaire |
CATEGORY 15: Retrospective Record-Based Studies (OPD/Ward Audit)
These require no patient interaction - just hospital records. Very clean for 2nd year students.
| # | Topic | Dept | Design |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Prescription pattern audit in Medicine OPD (polypharmacy, generic prescribing) | Pharmacology | Retrospective record review (1-2 yrs) |
| 77 | Trend of antibiotic prescribing in paediatric OPD over 2 years | Microbiology / Paediatrics | Drug utilisation study |
| 78 | Adverse drug reaction reporting rate and pattern in a tertiary hospital | Pharmacology | Retrospective analysis |
| 79 | Demographic profile and co-morbidity pattern of type-2 diabetes patients in OPD | Community Medicine | Retrospective record review |
| 80 | Pattern of road traffic accident injuries in emergency department (1-3 yrs data) | Community Medicine / Surgery | Retrospective descriptive |
Quick Selection Guide
If your guide is in Physiology - go for ideas in Categories 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10
If your guide is in Community Medicine - widest options; categories 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
If your guide is in Microbiology - categories 7, 21, 22, 37-42
If your guide is in Pharmacology - categories 4 (19-24), 15 (76-80)
If your guide is in Biochemistry - categories 5 (25-30), iron/nutrition topics
Highest ICMR selection potential right now (2026):
- AMR / antibiotic KAP (national priority)
- AI in healthcare awareness (new and trendy)
- Mental health in students (ICMR NMH mission)
- Cancer screening awareness (NCD priority)
- Digital health / telemedicine
Pick any topic and I can help you write the full ICMR STS proposal (objectives, methodology, sample size calculation, ethical considerations, and budget) in the correct format.
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