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This study examines Bihar’s economic trajectory, identifying key determinants, persistent constraints, and strategic revitalization pathways. Post-2005 reforms spurred significant growth, with Bihar achieving double-digit expansion and a 20% poverty reduction, driven by targeted investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and governance reforms. However, structural bottlenecks persist, including high unemployment, fragmented agricultural landholdings, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities.

Using 2011–12 base-year data and workforce metrics from the 2017–18 Periodic Labor Force Survey, the study analyzes trends in Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) and Per Capita Net State Domestic Product (PCNSDP), highlighting sectoral contributions. Bihar exhibited resilience to external shocks, contracting by 5.00% during the 2020–21 pandemic and rebounding with 14.40% growth in 2022–23. However, interstate comparisons with Gujarat and Tamil Nadu reveal income, industrialization, and infrastructure disparities. Agriculture employs 80% of Bihar’s population, necessitating economic diversification. 

Key growth drivers include pro-business reforms, infrastructure expansion, and industrialization. Challenges such as recurrent flooding, governance inefficiencies, and caste-based political dynamics impede progress. Policy recommendations emphasize fostering a business-friendly environment, enhancing human capital through education and skill development, and aligning state policies with national and global economic trends. This study also underscores the need for further research on Bihar’s long-term economic trajectory, inter-state disparities, and the socio-environmental implications of industrialization, offering critical insights for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Keywords: Net State Domestic Product (NSDP); Per Capita Net State Domestic Product (PCNSDP); Growth rates; Sustainable Growth; Economic Challenges; Strategic Pathways.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of training programmes aimed at training rural development and line departments with ultimate impact in terms of empowering rural populations. Conducted by the authors in 2017, the analysis draws on empirical data from participants across several states to assess the impact of capacity-building interventions on knowledge enhancement, skill development, governance, and behavioural change. The evaluation encompassed diverse thematic areas, including rural development, panchayat raj institutions, e-governance, the effectiveness of rural development schemes, climate-resilient agriculture, livelihoods, and entrepreneurial promotion. Findings reveal that training programmes significantly improved the participants’ technical know-how and confidence levels. A majority reported increased adoption of managerial and sector-specific skills following training. The study also identifies key drivers of effective training outcomes, including participatory learning methods, the relevance of content to local needs, and the practical orientation of sessions. However, gaps remain in post-training support, handholding mechanisms, and promotional prospects, which constrain the translation of knowledge into sustained socio-economic gains. The paper recommends a more structured follow-up system, integration with rural development schemes, and greater involvement of local institutions to enhance the long-term impact of training. Gender-sensitive approaches and the inclusion of marginalized groups are emphasized to ensure equitable empowerment and representation. By systematically evaluating outcomes and suggesting improvements, this study contributes to strengthening rural human capital and shaping policy for more impactful capacity-building initiatives. The insights are particularly relevant for policymakers and institutions engaged in rural development and agricultural transformation.

Keywords: Rural Development Training Institutions (RDTIs), Participatory Governance and Capacity Building, Digital and Climate-Resilient Rural Development, Empowerment and Inclusion Frameworks.

The level of financial inclusion in India is not only low but also differs widely across states of India. This paper aims to identify and estimate the effects of the determinants of deposit and credit penetration in states of India, the indicators of financial inclusion, using state-wise panel data for 23 years over the period 2001-2023, applying panel regression methods. The paper observes a relatively high level of bank account holding in states like Himachal Pradesh and a low level of financial activities in states like Nagaland and Bihar. The panel estimates of account penetrations reveal a significant effect of NSDP per capita income on deposit penetration, while beyond the income level, bank branch networking and access to banks also determine the level of credit penetration in states of India. The intensity of financial inclusion in Indian states depends on not only banking sector variables but also other state-level development and economic factors. The empirical results reveal that in deposit penetration, income and industrialisation of states play a vital role and apart from income and industrialisation, population density and bank branch networking in states also matter for credit penetration.

Keywords: Financial inclusion, deposit and credit accounts, bank penetration, inclusion intensity, panel estimation.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), world’s largest employment guarantee program of India provides 100 days of work to one-third of women to protect their lives and build assets. The main objective of this paper to examine the socio economic effect of MGNREGA programmes on women beneficiaries using primary data sources. This study was done in the twelve villages of Baranga block of Cuttack district of Odisha state of India involving a sample of 300 respondents. The findings showed that a significant portion of the women beneficiaries were young (51.60 percent), 61.50 percentage in the SC/ST category, 36.4 percentage working in farming or agriculture. The socio-economic level of women beneficiaries of MGNREGA changed significantly and favorably after the MGNREGA program was put into place. Following the MGNREGA program’s implementation, the women beneficiaries’ food consumption expenditures, social participation, social status, and material possessions all significantly were improved.

Keywords: Women, MGNREGA, Baranga block, Socio-Economic Impact, Paired T Test.
JEL Codes: G28, J16, P25.

This study explores distress migration among Vidarbha’s tribal communities, where agrarian crises, landlessness, and climate variability enforce a significant portion of particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) households to migrate to distant land. It examines the socio-economic and environmental factors driving this trend through a qualitative approach, drawing on secondary sources of data such as government reports and field observations. The analysis highlights exploitation at urban destinations, including trafficking risks and wage disparities, particularly for tribal women, worsened by corruption in rural employment schemes. In Vidarbha, Maharashtra, the multi-dimensional factors like depletion of natural, human, and social resources drives tribal communities into precarious urban labor markets, manifested distress induced migration, shaped by ecological pressures, economic struggles, and institutional failures, offering a holistic understanding of the tribal experience in the region. Proposed policy implications focus on improving irrigation, enhancing fund utilization, and promoting localized livelihoods to tackling distress migration of vulnerable PVTGs and strengthen tribal resilience. Further, the Livelihoods Approach offers a framework for understanding how tribal households adapt to  stressors by diversifying income, often through migration.

Keywords: Distress Migration, Tribal Communities, Vidarbha, PESA
JEL classification: J61, O15, Q54.

Street vendors in India are vital to the urban informal economy, supporting millions of livelihoods, particularly in Odisha’s Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Vendors face precarious working conditions and severe health risks despite their economic significance. Empirical studies highlight respiratory ailments from air pollution, heat-related illnesses due to extreme temperatures, and foodborne diseases among vendors. Moreover, musculoskeletal disorders and mental health stressors, exacerbated by economic instability and harassment, pose serious challenges. Effective governance, including streamlined registration through Town Vending Committees (TVCs), vending zone allocations, and enforcement of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, is essential. Enhancing financial inclusion via PM SVANidhi, leveraging technology for vendor mapping, and improving grievance redressal mechanisms can strengthen vendor protection. Policy reforms will ensure sustainable livelihoods while integrating street vendors into urban planning frameworks by mitigating health, sanitation, and legal challenges.

Keywords: Urban informal economy, street vendors, health risks, governance.