Population Research Centre (PRC), Gandhigram is the fulcrum around which all research program of the Institute operate. The Institue commenced its research activities four decades back as an action research through its Pilot Health Project in Athoor Block

To consolidate its research effect in 1961, the Family Planning Communication and Action Research Centre (FPCAR) was sanctioned by the Government of India. Through the FPCAR project, the institute devised methods by which innovative approaches in health / family planning services delivery could be tested

The contribution and achievements of this project were appreciated and the FPCAR was upgraded in 1981 to a PRC, one of the 18 PRCs currently in operation in India. Our research activities have expanded to suit the demands of the community into all broad areas of maternal and child health, fertility and mortality, family planning, nutrition, rural health, communication, evaluation of program, and other related areas. The Institute has so for completed over 227 studies in the above areas

The Population Research Centre of the Institute undertakes with the following objectives:

T To provide an independent and objective assessment of the family welfare programs and its impact

To provide factors which have a bearing on the family welfare programs

To provide quick feedback on the functioning of the program to the policy makers for taking necessary correct   

       measures

FUNCTIONS :

To undertake studies listed as top priorities by Government of India with the findings relevant to program   

     development, policy making and testing of demographic theories and models

To undertake evaluation studies and investigate into relevant points connected with ongoing national health 

     and  family welfare programs for effective implementation

To design, implement and evaluate various innovative action oriented research projects in the field on health

     and  family welfare

To give consultancy services to various institutions engaged in the field of population studies

To help the government in the policy decisions, planning and implementation to achieve Health promotion goals

TYPE OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES :

Demographic research studies

Biomedical research studies

Action research studies

Evaluation studies

Communication research

Studies on health promotion

Training related studies

Operation research studies

Epidemiological research studies

AREAS OF STUDY :

Fertility

Nutrition

Mortality

Communication

Family Planning

Environmental Sanitation

Health Studies

Program Evaluation

The recent achievements are:

National Family Health Survey (two rounds)

Rapid Household Survey

Reproductive and Child Health (Two rounds)

Evaluation of program inputs for promoting mother and child health

Evaluation of Pulse polio immunization in all districts of Tamil Nadu