S c h o o l o f H u m a n i t i e s a n d S o c i a l S c i e n c e s
Department of ECONOMICS
Head, Economics
Subarna Banerjee Ph.D. Student, Economics
Visiting Scholar – United Nations University
World Institute of Development Economics Research
During his visit to United Nations University in Finland in summer of 2025, Dr. Roychowdhury will examine the longterm effects of early-life exposure to counterinsurgency policy on human capital and labour market outcomes in India. While the adverse consequences of growing up in conflict zones are well documented, much less is known about how state responses to insurgency shape individual economic trajectories.
Persistent Effects of a Conditional Cash Transfer
Details : Banerjee, S., Sen, G. Persistent effects of a conditional cash transfer: a case of empowering women through Kanyashree in India. J Popul Econ 37, 66 (2024).
Using data from West Bengal’s Kanyashree Prakalpa program , the study finds that women experience a 7 to 8 percentage points higher likelihood of independent movement outside the home and have a lower tolerance for domestic violence.
Aakash Dev Ph.D. Student, Economics
Unlocking Women’s Workforce Potential in India
Details : Dev, A., & Sahay, R. (2025). Unlocking Women’s Workforce Potential in India (Working Paper - 178), National Council of Applied Economic Research
This paper uses the McCall-Mortensen macroeconomic job search framework to assess how gender-equal unpaid care work and formalized part-time jobs impact female labor participation in India. Simulations predict a 6 percentage point rise in LFPR. Policy recommendations include investing in care infrastructure, paid parental leave, and flexible work models to support women’s employment.
Binay Shankar Ph.D. Student, Economics
Does urbanization empower women? Evidence from India
Binay used satellite-based nighttime lights to measure urbanisation and studied its impact on 1.2 million women’s lives. His study found urbanization improves mobility but doesn’t boost jobs, autonomy, or decision-making. It even raises risks of partner violence. The benefits, he found, are limited and urban growth seems to empower men more than women. The paper was published in Journal of Population Economics.