Protiva has over 15 years of experience in the area of public policy, that includes research, policy engagement and capacity building with diverse stakeholders at both national and state levels. Her core areas of interest include social sector policy, public finance, and gender.

An economist by training, Protiva has published extensively on financing for education, gender and child responsive budgeting, early childhood education, education equity, and child protection.

At the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), she works on Education and Skills within the Human Development vertical.

Prior to joining CSEP, Protiva worked with the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA), the IDFC Policy Group, and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP).

She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.