Category education

Empirical insights on gender gaps, conflict, credit shocks, industrialization, and social policy brought to the fore

29 June, 2025, Bengaluru: The Economics area at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) hosted Day 1 of the Symposium on Evidence of Economic Development (SEED 2025), a premier academic event focused on the presentation of empirical research in economic and social development. SEED 2025 brought together leading researchers from institutions across the country to present evidence-based insights on critical issues in behavioural economics, public policy, development, and industrial dynamics.

The symposium was initiated by an inaugural address by Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Dean of Faculty at IIMB, emphasizing the need for stringent, evidence-based research to help guide inclusive and effective policy. SEED 2025 is chaired by Prof. Ritwik Banerjee, Chairperson, Economics Area, IIMB; Prof. Anindya Chakrabarti, IIM Ahmedabad; and Prof. Pavel Chakraborty, University of Lancaster.

Day 1 featured a rich blend of theory, field evidence, and policy evaluation by leading researchers. Among them:

Prof. Tarun Jain, IIM Ahmedabad, opened the symposium with compelling findings of how girls’ interest in science as a discipline is disproportionately affected by quantitative presentation in scientific evaluation. His experiments, founded on behavioural data, proved that math-intensive presentation styles, whether innately challenging or not, can instill gendered presumptions deep-seated in students’ minds, deterring female students from science careers and burgeoning. The ASSET test and an innovative AI-driven categorization method, the study reveals how beliefs about math intensity are to blame for gender disparities in STEM pursuits.

Prof. Yatish Arya, Ashoka University, presented robust preliminary findings on the political economy of green policy with ‘Green Spaces for Saffron Growth’, considering whether initiatives on green development such as reforestation are ideologically neutral or politically motivated. By applying spatial data and policy analysis, his work challenged how majoritarian politics increasingly shapes environmental stories, which unveils new aspects of environmental governance in India.

Prof. Moumita Roy, Ahmedabad University, laid down a theoretical framework for explaining conflict resolution in situations where individual decisions have spillover effects—good or bad—on others. Her work in ‘Achieving Peace in Conflicts with Spillovers’, emphasized the difficulties of obtaining cooperation in interdependent settings, such as neighborhood disputes or strategic rivalries, and offered new measures to explain and settle collective conflict.

Meanwhile, Prof. Jeevant Rampal of IIM Ahmedabad gave a very strong institutional analysis of the assignment of senior Indian bureaucrats to administrative cadres with his findings on ‘Bureaucrat Assignment Mechanisms: Theory and Evidence’. Through his research, combining economic theory with empirical evidence, he revealed possible inefficiencies and mismatches in cadre assignment and suggested clear, evidence-based reforms to enhance the working of the Indian administrative system. His findings opened up a broader dialogue on aligning governance structures with principles of transparency and performance.

Prof. Abhishek Shaw, Azim Premji University, discussed how household responses to cash transfers vary by land-holding status. Drawing from field data for his work on ‘Consumption and Borrowing: Land-holding Inequality and the Impacts of Cash Transfers’, he established that structurally conditional borrowing, saving, and consumption behaviors are indeed shaped post-transfer as a result of land inequality. The findings highlighted the relevance of finely calibrated welfare policy designs that are responsive to structural rural economic inequalities.

Through her research on ‘Banning the Bottle, Shifting the Balance: Causal Evidence from Bihar’s Alcohol Ban’, Prof. Manini Ojha, O.P. Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, examined the unanticipated social effects of the state-level prohibition of alcohol in Bihar. She depicted the way Bihar’s 2016 ban on alcohol led to significant improvements in women’s decision-making, mobility, and autonomy. Her study used household-level data to quantify shifts in intra-household bargaining power, domestic violence occurrence, and social conduct following the ban. The talk offered critical insight into the way regulatory action, albeit altruistic, can produce subtle gendered effects at the household level.

Dr. Vidhya Soundararajan, Research Director at the Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL), examined the macroeconomic consequences of India’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) regime on firms’ productivity. Presenting the analysis of Reserve Bank of India’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework, the study, ‘Credit Supply Shocks, Firm Performance, and Aggregate Productivity Growth’, used loan-level data to establish that lending curbs resulted in significant reduction in firm credit, particularly among riskier or erstwhile dependent firms. Her research traced the effect of banking curbs on access to credit, firm production, and industry productivity. The findings clarify the economic trade-offs between financial regulation and economic dynamism, and their implications for India’s growth trajectory.

In the final featured session of the day, Prof. Kunal Dasgupta, IIM Bangalore, presented empirical evidence linking internal and external trade costs to industrialization. Using panel data on India’s organized manufacturing, he illustrated that lower trade frictions are strongly associated with greater industrial activity and regional diversification. His research on ‘Transport Costs and Industrialization’, lends support to policy intervention that reduces logistics and trade barriers to equitable industrialization.

With engaging discussions and heightened engagement by students, scholars, and instructors, SEED 2025 Day 1 reflected the timeliness of interdisciplinarity in researching India’s social and economic transformation. The symposium will continue tomorrow with talks on healthcare, identity, and gender norms in development.

Lively exchanges between students, scholars, and faculty marked Day 1 of SEED 2025, with eight presentations bringing to the fore the urgency of an intersectional approach to studying India’s transformation. Day 2 of the symposium will explore themes of healthcare, identity, and gender in development.

Mr. Neeraj Kansal, CEO and Founder of Crack Academy

In recent years, the education landscape has undergone a significant transformation, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Online learning has become an integral part of academic life, and among the most impactful innovations is the rise of live interactive classes. These sessions go far beyond replicating the traditional classroom—they actively engage students in real-time, foster collaboration, and bridge the gap between physical and digital learning environments.

Real-Time Interaction and Engagement

Live interactive classes provide students with the opportunity to actively participate by asking questions, expressing opinions, and engaging in meaningful discussions. Unlike static recorded content, these sessions promote two-way communication, which enhances understanding and retention. Students also benefit from the option to revisit recorded classes for revision or clarification, reinforcing concepts at their own pace.

Building a Sense of Community

A major advantage of live classes is the sense of belonging they create. The ability to interact with peers and instructors in real time helps students feel more connected to their learning environment. This connection is especially important in online education, where isolation can often be a challenge. When students feel part of a learning community, their motivation and commitment to the course naturally improve.

Developing Digital and Collaborative Skills

Participating in live classes introduces students to a variety of digital tools—from video conferencing platforms to shared documents, online whiteboards, and presentation software. These interactions not only make the learning experience more dynamic but also equip students with valuable tech skills that are increasingly vital in today’s job market. Through collaborative assignments and discussions, students also learn how to communicate effectively and work as a team, skills that are critical for future careers.

Supportive and Responsive Learning

One of the most important features of live sessions is the immediate feedback loop. Students can get their doubts clarified on the spot, which enhances comprehension and reduces confusion. Post-session, many platforms allow for continued interaction through chat groups or messaging tools, offering ongoing support and reinforcing a student-centred learning environment.

Flexible, Yet Structured

Live classes can be attended from anywhere, eliminating geographical barriers and making education more accessible and inclusive. The availability of recordings ensures that learning continues even if a session is missed. At the same time, the structured nature of scheduled live sessions instills a sense of accountability. Knowing they need to attend and participate at a specific time fosters discipline, routine, and consistent study habits.

Preparing for a Tech-Driven Future

Ultimately, live interactive classes are more than just a digital substitute for in-person learning—they are a step forward in preparing students for a rapidly evolving world. They offer a platform where real-time engagement, personal interaction, collaboration, and technological fluency come together to create a richer, more immersive educational experience.

As educational institutions continue to innovate, live interactive learning will play a central role in shaping a future-ready, inclusive, and engaged generation of learners.

27th June 2025: Delhi Public School has been named a Top 10 finalist for the World’s Best School Prizes 2025 for Environmental Action. The five World’s Best School Prizes, founded by T4 Education to share the best practices of schools that are changing lives in their classrooms and far beyond their walls, are the world’s most prestigious education prizes.

Delhi Public School Varanasi, an independent kindergarten, primary and senior-secondary school in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, is creating an environment where students are empowered to explore, grow and lead with compassion through its learner-centric educational model that embeds environmental stewardship and social responsibility into the learning experience, and has been named a Top 10 finalist for the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action. Driven by the need to address the impact of environmental harm in the region, along with the desire to entrench a ‘service before self’ school culture, the school’s reimagined approach includes the entire community – students, parents and staff – to delivering high-quality education that blends traditional Indian values with modern global perspectives to build both competence and character.

Through its collaborative culture and sustainability-led learning model, students learn the value of selflessness and community service. Various projects developed and led by students provide them with international perspectives on issues such as climate change and access to clean water, and Say no to plastic. They also provide hands-on experience that extends beyond the classroom to shape academically accomplished and empathetic individuals equipped to lead as socially responsible, globally connected citizens.

With sustainability as the core of school culture, the student-led initiatives have had a significant community impact. Trees have been planted, plastic waste have been diverted from landfills and made into eco-bricks, and close to 500 students across 23 schools globally have been engaged, creating a powerful platform for collaborative action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 70% of participating students reporting a heightened sense of responsibility and global awareness. Currently, students are collaborating with local hospitals to install vertical planters, and the newly launched Har Ghar Neem Abhiyan (Neem for Every Home – A Community Plantation Drive) is aiming to become a massive green movement led by the community. This shared sense of purpose has also positively impacted staff retention.

In this collaborative learning environment, DPS Varanasi is showing students that change is possible, education can fuel lasting impact, and being active contributors in their community can make a meaningful difference.

The winners of the five World’s Best School Prizes – for Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives – will be chosen by an expert Judging Academy based on rigorous criteria. All winners will be announced in October.

The winners and finalists of these global schools prizes will be invited to the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 15-16, where they will share their best practices and unique expertise and experience with policymakers and leading figures in global education.

New Delhi, 27 June 2025 – In a move that signals a growing commitment to international academic collaboration, the University of Leeds (UoL) and the University of Delhi (DU) have formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement aims to foster deeper engagement in collaborative research, academic exchange, and capacity building between the two institutions.

The MoU builds on a sustained relationship led by the UoL’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Over the past two years, University of Leeds academics have undertaken a series of visits to Delhi University and co-hosted events designed to create shared learning platforms. Most notably, a workshop on social science research methods was held in April 2025 in Delhi, bringing together scholars and early-career researchers from both institutions. This workshop marked a key milestone in advancing interdisciplinary and inter-institutional dialogue.

The MoU sets the stage for collaborations encompassing joint research initiatives, academic events, faculty and student exchanges, and shared resources. It reflects a mutual commitment to building capacity, fostering innovation, and contributing to global knowledge production through equitable and inclusive academic partnerships.

Talking about the MoU, Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, said, “This agreement with the University of Delhi is an important part of our ambition to be a truly global university. It reflects our commitment to forging meaningful partnerships that support impactful research, enrich student and staff experiences, and contribute to shared academic and societal goals. We are excited to continue growing our relationship with DU in the years to come.”

Professor Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, said, “We welcome this partnership with the University of Leeds as an opportunity to build collaborative networks that advance our academic mission. This MoU reflects our shared values of innovation, inclusion, and excellence in higher education and research.”

This partnership aligns with the UoL’s international strategy and long-standing engagement with India — one of its priority countries for academic collaboration. For the University of Delhi, the MoU strengthens its vision of building globally relevant research capacity and enhancing the internationalisation of its academic programmes.

Further announcements regarding upcoming joint initiatives are anticipated in the months ahead.

Mumbai, June 26, 2025: In a dynamic initiative combining purely academic learnings with real industry challenges, ITM Skills University’s School of FutureTech organized a hands-on, brand-based web development challenge. The challenge engaged students to act as developers and business strategists to develop real market-worthy digital solutions for developed simulated brands.

Participants were asked to create working websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript based on real-world brand problem statements and assignments. The challenges did not end at merely coding. Not only were students expected to present a fully developed business model, they also had to submit a user interface design prototype using Figma. This ensured that their final solutions were not only technically sound; they also followed user-centered design principles and were market ready.

Dr. Kalpana Kumaran, Head of B.Tech Program, ITM Skills University stated, “This challenge was created to engage our students beyond classroom learning and engage them with the kind of real-world thinking they will need in the technology field today. From coding and design, to business modelling, they addressed every feature with creativity and professionalism. It is refreshing to see such high levels of innovative and interdisciplinary thinking from our future technologists.”

The event concluded with a final evaluation round where projects were evaluated by a board of outstanding industry experts. This board was made up of Mr. Suraj Sahani, Mr. Nikhil Barke, Ms. Shabnam Padvekar, Ms. Muskaan, Mr. Shivam, and Mr. Balvinder Singh. The board was able to give students valuable input into design aesthetics, usability, innovation, and business logic, giving them much needed feedback and a taste of the professional world.

This challenge highlighted the School of Future Tech’s commitment to experiential learning, encouraging students to blend design thinking, technical skills, and strategic planning in a cohesive and practical manner. The event served not only as a platform to showcase student talent but also as a testament to ITM Skills University’s forward-thinking approach to education—preparing future-ready technologists and innovators.

MUMBAI, 26 June 2025: Lakmē Academy powered by Aptech announces the launch of its newest certificate course in advance HD makeup artistry, continuing its commitment to empowering the next generation of beauty professionals. This program is designed for aspiring makeup artists looking to gain mastery over high-definition makeup techniques used in bridal, editorial fashion spreads, and on-camera formats.

The course is now available across all 140+ centres of Lakmē Academy powered by Aptech in India.

Key Course Highlights:

• Global-standard curriculum covering Bridal, HD, Airbrush, and Fantasy makeup
• Hands-on practical exposure with state-of-the-art tools and techniques
• Expert guidance from Lakmē-certified faculty
• Access to student portfolio management and backstage opportunities
• Exposure to industry trends across film, photoshoots, and fashion events

Course Details:

• Duration: 64 hours
• Eligibility: Minimum SSC (10th pass), foundation/ basic skills in makeup must be known
• Course Fee: INR 47,000 onwards
• Learning outcomes: Expertise in advanced bridal makeup, sculpting, hi-definition & airbrush techniques, fantasy looks
• Profile on Completion: Professional Makeup Artist

What Sets Us Apart!

Lakmē Academy Powered by Aptech’s program boasts unparalleled depth and breadth, empowering students to excel in the competitive beauty industry and equips students for top careers in salons, the TV & film industry, media, and beauty & fashion brands. Its job-oriented courses open doors to exciting opportunities in the beauty and wellness industry.

Lakmē Academy Powered by Aptech awarded as Best Professional Beauty Training Institute at ASSOCHAM’s 3rd Beauty, Wellness and Personal Care Awards, 2020, Lakmē Academy won the Global Education Awards 2019 for ‘The Best Beauty & Wellness Training Institute of the Year’. Aptech Ltd was also awarded with “Skill Learning Award – Beauty Training” by Franchise India in 2018.

For further information, please visit Lakmē Academy Powered by Aptech, log on to https://www.lakme-academy.com / OR call 1-800-266-8630.

Greater Noida, 26th June 2025: Professor Subhabrata Sen from School of Natural Sciences at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi–NCR, and his team has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Horizon Prize by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The award recognizes a groundbreaking work in developing Alternate-Electrode Electrolysis (AEE) and its transformative applications in organic synthesis. This recognition makes them the first Indian team to be recognised by the award since its inception in 2020.

The Horizon Prize, one of the RSC’s most distinguished honours, celebrates innovative discoveries that advance the frontiers of chemical science. Professor Sen’s team has developed a novel and efficient strategy of organic electrosynthesis, called Alternate Electrode Electrolysis (AEE) that switches the electrochemical reactions between two pairs of electrodes through a custom-built microcontroller, that enables precision-driven efficient electrochemical reactions. Their innovation significantly simplifies and enhances the efficiency of critical electrochemical processes -paving the way for greener, more sustainable applications in areas such as clean energy, carbon reduction, and green manufacturing.

Professor Subhabrata Sen from School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi–NCR, speaking on this recognition said, “It is an immense privilege to receive this recognition from the Royal Society of Chemistry. Beyond the award itself, this moment is a celebration of scientific curiosity, persistence, and discovery. It reinforces our commitment to sustainable chemistry and reflects the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. We hope this milestone will inspire further innovation and wider adoption of cleaner, more efficient chemical technologies.”

Looking ahead, Professor Sen and his collaborators are developing a next generation electrosynthesis instrument and cell to enable AEE at both laboratory and industrial scales. This solution aims to make AEE technology more accessible across global research and manufacturing sectors – transforming a complex prototype into a standard tool for modern chemistry.

Professor Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi–NCR congratulated Professor Sen stating: “We are extremely proud of Professor Sen and his team for this remarkable global recognition. Their pioneering work exemplifies the spirit of innovation and excellence that drives research at Shiv Nadar University. This accolade from the Royal Society of Chemistry will further energize our community to pursue science that solves real-world problems and contributes to a more sustainable future. Our hope is to make this university a breeding ground for brilliance which will set new benchmarks of success in research.”

This achievement reaffirms the commitment of Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR to world-class research that addresses some of the most pressing global challenges in sustainable chemistry and green innovation.

Mumbai, 26^th June 2025: IIHMR University, a leading health management research university in Jaipur, is thrilled to announce that admissions for the academic year 2025-27 are now open. The institute is inviting aspiring candidates to its Executive Programs; Master of Public Health, Master of Hospital Administration, MBA (CSR & ESG Management), MBA (Sustainable Business Management), and MBA (Pharmaceutical Management). The last date to apply for these programs is 25^th September 2025.

These two-year, executive programs are tailored for mid- to senior-level professionals aiming to elevate their careers through strategic learning. These comprehensive programs are designed with industry-aligned curriculum, to upskill and catalyse career advancement. Delivered in a blended learning format, these programs combine cutting-edge academic content with real-world applicability and is led by distinguished faculty and industry practitioners.

Dr. PR Sodani, President, IIHMR University shared, “With healthcare emerging as one of the largest sectors of the Indian economy in both revenue and employment, our Executive programs are designed to meet the sector’s evolving needs while aligning with students’ aspirations. With its 40 years of legacy, IIHMR will serve as a pivotal step in boosting your professional journey ahead. Our programs are aligned with the latest market trends in healthcare, ESG, sustainability, and pharmaceutical management, empowering working professionals to stay ahead of the curve and drive meaningful impact in their organizations and communities.”

Candidates possessing a graduation degree in any discipline with 50% or above [45% or above for SC/ST/OBC-NC/ EWS/ PwD] aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA can apply for these comprehensive programs. In addition, applicants with a postgraduate degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks are exempted from the requirement of a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in a graduate degree. To know more visit https://iihmr.edu.in/

Centurion University to showcase its Design Automation Work in the Prestigious Design Automation Workshop at San Francisco, from June 22 – 25

Bhubaneshwar/ Visakhapatnam, June 26, 2025: Centurion University of Technology & Management (CUTM) is proud to announce its participation in the 62nd Design Automation Conference (DAC) — the premier global event for the semiconductor and design automation industry — held in San Francisco from June 22 to 25, 2025. This marks a historic milestone as CUTM becomes the first university from India to exhibit at this prestigious international platform.

DAC 2025, themed “Chips to Systems,” brings together global leaders in electronic design automation (EDA), semiconductor technologies, and system innovation. Industry giants such as Siemens, ChipAgents AI, Synopsys, Keysight, Ansys, Cadence, and Rocket Software will also be showcasing their latest advancements.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. D.N. Rao, Co-Promoter and Vice President of Centurion University, stated:

“Our participation at DAC 2025 reflects our commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation. It is a proud moment for Indian academia, as we become the first university from the country to showcase our capabilities on such a world-class stage.”

CUTM will be showcasing innovations across multiple domains, including:

• Chromite M SoC – System-on-Chip development platform

• Digital Manufacturing for Apparel Tracking

• CUTM Dome and Smart Polyhouse – IoT-based environmental automation

• High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping Solutions

• Electric Control Unit (ECU) – Embedded system innovation

• Smart Retrofit Solution for Manual Lathe Automation

Driving Innovation in Education and Technology

Centurion University is widely recognized for its hands-on, career-oriented approach to education. The university integrates academic rigor with practical skills training across emerging technology areas such as:

• Chip Design and Manufacturing (EDA tools, Nano-Fabrication, VLSI)

• Blockchain, Generative AI, AR/VR, and Metaverse

• Industrial IoT, Drones, and Smart City Planning (BIM, 3D platforms)

With over 150 career-aligned skill programs in more than 15 industry sectors — including AI/ML, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Prompt Engineering, Aerospace, Automotive, and more — CUTM is at the forefront of shaping industry-ready professionals.  Collaborating with over 50 leading industry partners, the university ensures that its programs remain globally competitive and future-ready.

Vision for Global Impact

By participating in DAC 2025, Centurion University aims to expand its global footprint, benchmark its innovations on an international platform, and cultivate a world-class research and innovation ecosystem for its faculty and students.

CUTM plans to actively participate in marquee global events in Biology, Sciences, and Engineering to further its mission of international academic excellence and technological advancement.

25 June, 2025, Bengaluru: The Economics area at IIM Bangalore will host the second edition of the Symposium on Evidence of Economic Development (SEED) on 28 and 29 June, 2025, in Classroom P-22 at IIMB. The two-day event will bring together a distinguished group of researchers from across the world to share empirical research work spanning behavioural economics, firm dynamics, and developmental outcomes.

The event is jointly curated by Prof. Pavel Chakraborty, University of Lancaster, Prof. Anindya Chakrabarti, IIM Ahmedabad, and Prof. Ritwik Banerjee, Chairperson of the Economics Area at IIMB. The first edition of the symposium was held at IIM Ahmedabad.

Agenda for the two-day event

Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Dean of Faculty and Chairperson of the Data Centre and Analytics Lab (DCAL) at IIMB, will deliver the inaugural address.

Session 1 on Behaviour will open with “When Science Feels Like Math: The Role of Quantitative Framing in Science Gender Gaps” by Prof. Tarun Jain, IIM Ahmedabad, who investigates the impact of math-intensive evaluation on gender disparities in science. This will be followed by Prof. Shilpa Aggarwal, ISB, presenting ‘A Road for all Seasons: Market Access and Inter-temporal Arbitrage in Rural India’, a study examining how a large-scale rural road infrastructure programme, connecting previously unlinked villages to market centres, affects inter-temporal price volatility in Indian agricultural markets.

Session 2 on Behaviour will begin with ‘Achieving Peace in Conflicts with Spillovers’ by Prof. Moumita Roy, Ahmedabad University. Her talk will explore strategic behaviour in conflicts where individual efforts have positive or negative spillover effects on rivals’ payoffs. This will be followed by ‘Bureaucrat Assignment Mechanisms: Theory and Evidence’ by Prof. Jeevant Rampal, IIM Ahmedabad, which analyses the mechanisms used to assign senior Indian bureaucrats to administrative cadres across the country.

Session 3 on Firms will feature ‘Spillover Effects in Complementary Markets: A Study of the Indian Cellphone and Wireless Service Markets’ by Prof. Debi Prasad Mohapatra, UMass Amherst. The session will continue with ‘Identity, Market Access, and Demand-led Diversification’ by Prof. Akhil Ilango, Young Faculty Research Chair, IIMB, which examines the intersection of social identity, access to markets, and diversification strategies.

The final sessions for Day 1 will begin with ‘Credit Supply Shocks, Firm Performance, and Aggregate Productivity Growth’ by Dr. Vidhya Soundararajan, Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL). The study evaluates India’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework and its effect on bank health and firm-level outcomes. The day will conclude with an assessment on ‘Trade Costs and Industrialization’ by Prof. Kunal Dasgupta, Chairperson, Admissions & Financial Aid, IIMB, offering insight into how internal and external trade costs influence industrialization using data from India’s organised manufacturing sector.

On Day 2, the focus will shift to Development. Prof. Tanika Chakraborty, IIM Calcutta, will present ‘The Roads to Hospital and Healthcare Access’, which explores the complementarity between public goods and its implications for the low uptake of social insurance schemes in India, despite high out-of-pocket medical expenditure. This will be followed by a presentation on ‘Green Spaces for Saffron Growth’ delivered by Prof. Yatish Arya, Ashoka University.

The second half of Day 2 will begin with ‘Consumption and Borrowing: Land-holding Inequality and the Effects of Cash Transfers’, by Prof. Abhishek Shaw, Azim Premji University. The paper explores whether land inequality alters the impact of cash transfers on household borrowing and consumption. The symposium will close with a presentation on ‘Attitudes and Norms about Intimate Partner Violence: What Makes Women More Impressionable?’ by Prof. Manini Ojha, Jindal Global University, which evaluates the causal effect of neighbourhood-level attitudes on individual acceptance of intimate partner violence, drawing on nationally representative data from the fifth wave of the National Family Health Survey of India.