Our Mission
Driving Excellence
Comprehensive research studies offering in-depth analysis on key economic, social, and policy-related issues, aimed at informing decision-making and public discourse.
Op-Eds
India's Silent Elderly Care Crisis
Budget 2026 must confront the under-utilised framework for supporting older persons in India.
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Research
The Missing Gender Balance
Why India's economic momentum needs female workforce participation to thrive and grow.
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Policy Review
Evaluate MGNREGA Honestly
To make rural development work, we must re-examine the engineering of MGNREGA with data.
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Books & Reports
Assessment of Logistics Cost
A deep dive into India's supply chain performance indicators and global competitiveness.
Explore PublicationAbout the Organization (Who We Are)
NCAER, founded in 1956 as a public-private partnership, was initiated by Commerce Minister T.T. Krishnamachari and industrialist J.R.D.
NCAER's first Governing Board included the entire Cabinet of Economic Ministers and the leading lights of the private sector, including names like C. D. Deshmukh, J.R.D. Tata, John Mathai, and Asoka Mehta.
On October 31, 1959, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the current iconic campus designed by Harvard-trained architect, A. P. Kanvinde. In doing so, he laid the foundation for a unique research institution that has stood the test of time in its service to the nation. Parisila Bhawan, literally translating to 'Research Building' was inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad, independent India's first President, on 27 March 1961.
The Ford Foundation provided strong financial support in the early years, combined with support from the Finance Ministry and Tata Sons.
In doing so, he laid the foundation for a unique research institution that has stood the test of time in its service to the nation. Parisila Bhawan, literally translating to 'Research Building' was inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad, independent India's first President, on 27 March 1961.
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First Independent Institute
India's first independent economic policy institute for evidence-based research.
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1956
Pioneering Surveys
Conducted landmark studies that informed major agricultural reforms.
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1960s-70s
Growth Studies
Key studies that influenced India's competitive economic edge globally.
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1990s-2000s
Policy Think Tank
Advanced research informing national strategies and institutions.
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2010s
View all our
Research Publications
Access NCAER's publications— including books, reports, working papers, op-eds, journals, newsletters, and policy briefs— in one listing, across all our research themes.
Publications
Publications &
Knowledge Outputs
Gallery
NCAER explore a curated collection of NCAER's research publications, data products, and knowledge resources. Each product reflects rigorous analysis, policy relevance, and long-standing expertise in economic and social research.
Team
Arvind Panagariya
Visiting Distinguished Professor
Barbara McPake
Professor
Poonam Munjal
Professor
Bornali Bhandari
Professor
Vivek Johri
Senior Advisor
Pradip Kumar Bagchi
Senior Advisor
Discussion
Research Driven
Discussion and Dialogue
NCAER remains India's oldest and largest independent, non-profit, economic policy research institute, fostering dialogue between public policy and industrial growth.
Policy Roundtables
Collaborative discussions with global bodies like the World Bank to address critical employment and economic shifts.
Capacity Building
Strengthening institutional frameworks through targeted workshops and skill-transfer sessions for researchers.
Knowledge Sessions
Interactive forums sharing deep insights into the South Asian economic landscape and policy innovations.
Data Presentations
Unveiling primary research and large-scale datasets that drive national-level economic decision making.