In her Budget Speech on 1 February 2020, Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasised a “three-pillar framework” that promised fulfillment of the aspirations of different sections of the society, economic development and a caring society. It is undeniable that all three issues are...

A borrower may hesitate to borrow from her close relatives and family members as it costs them in terms of reduction in social insurance in the case of default. This invisible cost reduces credit risk. India’s household indebtedness survey shows some evidence on these borrowing preferences....

This paper argues for a reassessment of the distinct and complementary roles of the union and states in the agriculture sector in accord with the spirit of the Constitution. It then goes on to spell out five principles consistent with these distinct but complementary roles. Finally, the paper...

West Bengal and Kerala are often juxtaposed with each other under a common communist identity in most scholarly and policy discourse. In this paper, we deconstruct these linkages by looking at data revealed by the election results in the two states in last five decades. In light of our...

The unofficial two-way contraband trade between Sri Lanka and India overshadows the official trade and capital transfers between the two countries. Quantitative estimates of this unofficial trade and transfer of capital are, however, hard to come by. This article attempts to make some estimates...

Besides facilitating overall economic growth, finance can help individuals smooth their income, insure themselves against risks and broaden investment opportunities. Empirical evidence shows that inclusive financial systems significantly raise growth, alleviate poverty and expand economic...

This paper examines the economics of the landed price of natural gas in India through the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline in comparison with the existing agreements for the import of liquefied natural gas. It reviews the natural gas demand and supply scenario in India, and assesses the efficacy of...