Researchers Publication

The IHDS Forum is a monthly update of socio-economic developments in India by the IHDS research community, based on the India Human Development Survey, jointly conducted by NCAER and the University of Maryland. While two earlier rounds of the survey were completed in 2004-05 and 2011-12, respectively. Fieldwork for the third round was undertaken in...   Read More

India stands out as a beacon of hope, demonstrating unwavering commitment through innovative climate initiatives and sustainable practices. This year’s record spell of an intense heatwave in Delhi, during which temperatures touched 50°C, highlighted concerns over the adverse effects of climate change globally. India remains a beacon of hope through its actions as part of...   Read More

The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), one of India’s premier economic policy research think tanks, carried out the 129th Round of its Business Expectations Survey (BES) in June 2024, with support from the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE). NCAER has been carrying out the BES every quarter since 1992, covering 500...   Read More

India proved that development is the best contraceptive. Now, we need to focus on adapting to the demographic destiny through careful planning. We’ve made the right choices, the next step is fixing the pieces of the population puzzle. There is often a gap between public posturing and private reality. This disconnect in the context of...   Read More

Sketching a reform agenda for the International Monetary Fund is easy; implementing reform is hard. It will require, among other things, the US to give up its veto in the institution, and China to assume more responsibility for global stability and the problems of other economies. AIX-EN-PROVENCE – In July 1944, exactly 80 years ago,...   Read More

Globally, women’s share in corporate leadership has been steadily rising, including in India. The female director mandate under The Companies Act (2013) in India marked a significant step toward gender-inclusive corporate leadership, requiring listed firms to have at least one woman on their board. Within a year, the percentage of listed firms without women on...   Read More

This paper assesses the state of Punjab’s economy, reasons for its current situation, prospects for growth, and policies to enable that growth. Punjab’s economy is characterized by slow growth, societal challenges, and environmental degradation. We identify four interrelated issues that act as constraints on the Punjab economy. First, driven largely by dependence on the central...   Read More

While exceeding solar power targets and promoting sustainable lifestyles, India grapples with financing gaps and policy implementation challenges. Net Zero plan: India is vigorously striving not only to cut greenhouse gas emissions but also to improve the quality of life for its people. Its diverse topography and ecosystems render it especially susceptible to calamities triggered...   Read More

With a growing economy and declining poverty, India faces a curious challenge in providing a social safety net to its citizens. Using data from three rounds of the India Human Development Survey (IHDS), collected in 2004-5, 2011-12, and 2022-24, this paper shows that households face considerable transition in and out of poverty as the economy...   Read More

India accumulated a sizable stock of foreign reserves over the past two decades, in common with many other emerging economies. Its current reserves comfortably surpass conventional thresholds for adequacy used by the International Monetary Fund and others. An assessment of whether the stock of reserves is appropriate should depend on an evaluation of the benefits...   Read More

How can India leverage its potential and implement effective strategies to become a developed nation by 2047? In his 2022 Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister (PM) outlined an ambitious vision for transforming the nation into a developed country by 2047—‘Viksit Bharat (VB)’. It aims to reshape India into a technologically advanced, economically strong and...   Read More

As India stands on the cusp of an unprecedented political milestone with the Prime Minister poised to win a historic third term, the nation’s gaze shifts towards the ambitious vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. The cornerstone of the Viksit Bharat vision is achieving a $30 trillion economy by 2047, which would elevate India’s per...   Read More