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Established in 1972 by Professor V K R V Rao, ISEC is an All-India Institute for Interdisciplinary Research and Training in the Social Sciences

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Indrajit Bairagya – isec

Indrajit Bairagya

Faculty

Indrajit Bairagya

Associate Professor and Head, Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD)

Area of Specialisation
  • Informal sector and informal employment
  • Economics of education
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Input-Output Analysis

Academic Qualification

  • M.A. in Economics (2006) from Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.

  • Ph.D. in Economics (2012) from Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore, India.

Award/ Recognition/ Fellowship

  • Recipient of ‘The Nancy and Richard Ruggles Memorial Prize’ (2010) for the paper ‘Liberalization, Informal Sector and Formal-Informal Sectors’ Relationship: a Study of India’ from International Association for Research in Income and Wealth (IARIW).

  • Participated as a Young Economist in the 5th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, 19th to 23rd August 2014 in Lindau, Germany.

  • Recipient of Young Scholar Grant to attend the 2016 NBER Summer Institute under the Prof. Raghuram Rajan’s “Young Scholar Grant Programme”. 

  • Participated in the UNU-WIDER Summer School, organized by UNU-WIDER in collaboration with the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) on labour markets and economic development during 17-29 November 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. 

  • Completed a three-month online course on ‘Computable General Equilibrium Modelling’ as a part of Microprogramme on Applied Development Economics from Laval University, Canada (with grade A). [Course fee is sponsored with a fellowship by Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP)] (Duration: January to April 2018).

  1. Varughese, A. R., & Bairagya, I. (2025). Public and household financing of education in India: are they substitutes or complements?. World Development Perspectives, 39, 100703 (Elsevier), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2025.100703 (Impact factor:2.3) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  2. Bairagya, I. & S. Thomas (2025). “Impact of Vocational Education on Economic Growth: An Analysis of the Indian Economy”, The Singapore Economic Review, Vol. 70, No. 2, https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217590824500383 (Impact factor:1.2) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  3. Bairagya, I. & S. Thomas (2025). “Does Vocational Education and Training Help Reduce Poverty at the National Level? An Analysis of the Indian Economy”, Review of Development and Change (Sage Publication), DOI: 10.1177/09722661251383742 [UGC-care listed]

  4. Varughese, A.R. & I. Bairagya (2023). Socio-economic inequalities in spending on various levels of education across Indian households: an update. Indian Economic Review, Vol. 58, 197–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41775-023-00186-9 [SCOPUS-indexed]

  5. Manasi S., M. L. Tantri, C. Kambara, I. Bairagya & S. Vijayalakshmi (2023). Challenges of Education among Informal Migrant Construction Workers’ Children: A study in Bengaluru, Urban India, Vol 23, No. 2, pp. 53-71. [UGC-care listed]

  6. Bairagya, I. (2022). “Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Rural Non-farm Self-employed in India: Does Skill Make a Difference?”, Economic and Political Weekly (Special Issue on ‘Review of Rural Affairs’), Vol. 57, Issue No. 26-27, pp. 39-47. [SCOPUS-indexed]

[Media citations of the above article: Hindustan Times, August 30, 2022]

  1. Bairagya, I. (2022). “Differential Impact of Vocational Training on Earnings of Different Types of Employment: An Analysis of India’s Economy”, in L. Arthur and D. Hondo (ed.), Strengthening Active Labor Market Policies to Drive an Inclusive Recovery in Asia. Tokyo: Asian Development Bank Institute

  2. Bairagya, I. & B. Joy (2022). “What determines the quality of higher education? A study of commerce graduates in Kerala (India)”, Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 1-25. (Routledge- Taylor & Francis), https://doi.org/10.1080/13547860.2020.1870067 (Impact factor 1.4) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  3. Bhattacharya, T., B. Bhandari & I. Bairagya (2020). “Where Are the Jobs? Estimating Skill-based Employment Linkages across Sectors for the Indian Economy: An Input-Output Analysis”, Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Vol. 53, pp. 292-308 (Elsevier), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2020.03.003 (Impact factor 5) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  4. Bairagya, I., T. Bhattacharya & M. Bhattacharjee (2020). “Impact of Credit Accessibility on the Earnings of Self-employed Businesses in India”, Journal of Asian Economics, Vol. 69, 101202 (Elsevier), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2020.101202 (Impact factor 2.9) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  5. Varughese, A. R. & I. Bairagya (2020). “Group-based educational inequalities in India: Have major education policy interventions been effective?”, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol. 73, 102159 (Elsevier), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102159 (Impact factor 2.8) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  6. Varughese, A. R., & I. Bairagya (2021). Interstate Variation in Household Spending on Education in India: Does it Influence Educational Status?. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Vol. 59, pp. 405-415 (Elsevier), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2021.09.015 (Impact factor 5) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  7. Bairagya, I. (2021). “Impact of formal vocational training on the earnings of self-employed individuals in rural India”, Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Vol. 16, e00269 (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbvi.2021.e00269 [SCOPUS-indexed]

  8. Bairagya, I., T. Bhattacharya & P. Tiwari (2021). “Does Vocational Training Promote Female Labour Force Participation? An Analysis for India”. Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp.149-173 (Sage publication). https://doi.org/10.1177/0973801020976601 [SCOPUS-indexed]

  9. Kambara, C. & I. Bairagya (2021). Earnings and Investment Differentials between Migrants and Natives: A Study of Female Street Vendors in Bangalore City, Environment and Urbanization ASIA, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 56-72 (Sage Publication). https://doi.org/10.1177/0975425321990318 [SCOPUS-indexed]

  10. Bairagya, I., T. Bhattacharya & S. Mukherjee (2019). “What do socio-economic characteristics and determinants imply for Female Labour Force Participation Rate in Karnataka?”, Aathika Charche: FPI Journal of Economics & Governance, Vol 4, No. 2., pp. 53-69. [UGC-care listed]

  11. Bairagya, I (2018). “Why is Unemployment Higher among the Educated?”, Economic and Political Weekly (Special Article), Vol. 53, Issue No. 7, PP. 43-51. [SCOPUS-indexed]

[Media citations of the above article: (1) Livemint, February 24, 2018; 

(2) The Week, May 06, 2018]

  1. Bhattacharya, T., M. Rajeev & I. Bairagya (2018). “Are High Linked Sectors More Productive in India?: An Analysis under an Input-Output Framework”, Indian Economic Review, Vol. 53, Issue No. 1-2, pp. 333-367 (Springer). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41775-019-00035-8 [SCOPUS-indexed]

  2. Bairagya, I. & R. Saraf. (2018). “Elementary Education in India: A Study of Accessibility and Quality”, in P. Agrawal (ed.), Sustaining High Growth in India. New Delhi: Cambridge University Press.

  3. Gayathri, K. & I. Bairagya (2016). “Funding for Social Science Research: Government Sources”, in S. Thorat and S. Verma (ed.), Social Science Research in India: Status, Issues and Policies. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

  4. Bairagya, I. (2016). “Gaps in the National Sample Survey (NSS) Data: Need for and ways to Bridge them for Economic Studies”, Artha Vijnana, Vol. 58, No. 3, PP. 245-248. https://doi.org/10.21648/arthavij%2F2016%2Fv58%2Fi3%2F147830 [UGC-care listed]

  5. Bairagya, I. (2013). “Sub-contracting and Efficiency of the Informal Sector in India”, Journal of Developing Areas, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 341-361. doi:10.1353/jda.2013.0036.

  6. Bairagya, I. (2012). “Employment in India’s Informal Sector: Size, Patterns, Growth and Determinants”, Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 593-615 (Routledge- Taylor & Francis), https://doi.org/10.1080/13547860.2012.724548 (Impact factor 1.4) [SCOPUS-indexed]

  7. Bairagya, I. and S. Chakrabarti (2011). “Social Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Case Study of Pollution Intensive Industries”, Indian Economic Journal, Vol. 58, No. 4, pp. 128-148. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019466220110408 [UGC-care listed]

  8. Bairagya, I. (2011). “Distinction between Informal and Unorganized Sector: A Study of Total Factor Productivity Growth for Manufacturing Sector in India” Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 296-310. https://doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v3i5.283

  9. Bairagya, I. (2009). “Sustainable Industrialisation: A Case Study of Impact on Income and Employment” in Prankrishna Pal (ed.), Contemporary Issues in Development Economics: Models and Applications, pp. 257-289. New Delhi: Regal Publications.

  10. Bairagya, I. (2008). “Contribution and Growth of Unorganized Sector: Data and Measurement Issues in National Accounts Statistics”, The Journal of Income and Wealth, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 27-43.

  • Bairagya, I. (2015). “Liberalization and Performance of the Informal Sector: A Study of Indian Economy”, Routledge-Taylor & Francis Group (London and New York) Hardcover 2015, Paperback 2017.

  1. Manasi S, M. L. Tantri, C. Kambara, I. Bairagya and S. Vijayalakshmi S (2025). “Disparities in Educational Outcome among Informal Migrant Workers’ Children: Evidence from Bengaluru, India”, ISEC working paper No. 595.

  2. Naik, S. K. & I. Bairagya (2024). “Does Human Capital Matter for the Economic Growth of Indian States? A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis”, ISEC Working paper No. 576.

  3. Naik, S. K. & I. Bairagya (2023). “Human Capital and Economic Growth in India: A Time Series Analysis Using Educational Variables from 1982-2017”, ISEC Working paper No. 557.

  4. Bairagya, I. (2021). “Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Rural Non-farm Self-Employed in India: Does skill make a Difference?” ISEC Working Paper No. 515.

  5. Bairagya, I. (2020). “Returns to Education in Self-Employment in India: A Comparison Across Different Selection Models”. WIDER Working Paper 2020/5. Helsinki: UNU-WIDER.

  6. Bairagya, I., S. Manasi & Roshan Thomas (2020). “COVID-19 Pandemic and Primary Education in India: Does it Cause More Inequality between Public and Private Schools?”. ISEC Working paper No. 503.

  7. Bairagya, I. & B. Joy (2019). “Assessing Quality of Higher Education: An Empirical Study of Commerce Graduates, Kerala State”, ISEC Working paper No. 463. 

  8. Bairagya, I. & R. Mukerji (2019). “Impact of Non-Cognitive Skills on Cognitive Learning Outcomes: A Study of Elementary Education in India”, ISEC Working paper No. 452.

  9. Kambara, C. & I. Bairagya (2017). Earnings and Investment Differentials between Migrants and Natives: A Study of Street Vendors in Bangalore City, ISEC Working Paper No. 393.

  10. Bairagya, I. (2015). “Socio-economic Determinants of Educated Unemployment in India”, ISEC Working Paper No. 343.

  • Indrajit Bairagya, Stanzin Nouskit & Renu Nanda – Published Policy Brief (2025) titled “Promoting Inclusive Education in Ladakh: A Study of NGO Contributions and Strategies”, Policy Brief No. 67, Institute for Social and Economic Change.

  • Bairagya, I., S. Manasi & Roshan Thomas (December 2020). “Effects of COVID-19 on primary education in India: Does it divide the government and private schools more sharply?”. SANEM Thinking Aloud, Vol. 7, Issue 7.

  • Gayithri, K. and I. Bairagya, (May, 2018). “Source of Funding for Social Science Research in India: Flows, Adequacy and Priorities”, Policy Brief No. 18, Institute for Social and Economic Change.

  • Bairagya, I. (2018). “Postmatric Scolarship Programme for Minority Community Students for College Studies”, in Abdul Aziz (ed.) “Education Promotion Efforts of the Directorate of Minority Welfare in Respect of Minorities”, Directorate of Minorities, Ministry of Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka, pp. 22-31. Available in https://gokdom.kar.nic.in/Documents/Downloads/Education%20Promotion.pdf

  • Bairagya, I. (2018). “Strategies for Enhancing Quality of Education in Minority Education Institutions”, in Abdul Aziz (ed.) “Strategies for Improving Quality of Education in the Minority Community Education Institutions”, Directorate of Minorities, Ministry of Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka, pp. 32-33. 

  • Bairagya, I. and M. Birua (2013). Employment Intensity of Output: An Analysis of Non Agriculture Sectors – Transport, Storage and Communication Sector, IAMR Report No. 15/2013, Institute of Applied manpower Research, Planning Commission, Government of India.

  1. Prof. D. Rajasekhar (PI), Prof. Kala Sitaram Sridhar, Prof. B. P. Vani, Dr. Indrajit Bairagya, Dr. Manjula, Dr. Felix Thomas (2024)- Co-PI of the project “Evaluation of Finances of State of Karnataka”, funded by the 16th Finance Commission, New Delhi, Government of India (Budget: 6,50,000 /-).

  2. Indrajit Bairagya– “Role of Skill Development for Promotion of Rural Non-farm Self-employment in India”, funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) under IMPRESS scheme (Budget: Rs. 8,00,000 /-)

  3. Sobin George & Indrajit Bairagya– Co-PI of the project “Estimating the Contribution of Informal Sector in India”, funded by the National Alliance of Social Security (NASS) (Budget: 6,67,000 /-).          

  4. Indrajit Bairagya & S. Manasi– “A Study on the Effectiveness of Online Training to Teachers during COVID Times”, funded by Agastya International Foundation (Budget: Rs. 7,32,780 /-). 

  5. S. Manasi (PI), Malini L Tantri, Channamma Kambara & Indrajit Bairagya (2022)– Co-PI of the Project “Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihoods and Education of Migrant Workers Children” funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) under Budget Head OH-31 (Budget: Rs. 6,00,000 /-) 

  6. Kala Seetharam Sridhar (PI), B. P. Vani & Indrajit Bairagya– project titled “Frontline Public service Delivery Institutions in Karnataka: Recommendations for Improving Delivery of Services”, funded by Administrative Reforms Commission-2, Government of Karnataka (Rs. 8,17,000 /-).

  7. Indrajit Bairagya & S. Manasi – ‘Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic and Dynamics of Online Learning in Primary Education in India’ funded by ISEC (Budget: Rs. 2,00,000 /-). 

  8. Indrajit Bairagya, S. Manasi and Channamma Kambara– Project titled “Promoting Leadership Skills among the Children in Government Schools: Impact of Young Instructor Leaders Program, Agastya Foundation”, funded by Agastya International Foundation, Bangalore (Rs. 8,82,050 /-).

  9. Indrajit Bairagya– Project titled “Inequality in Quality of Primary Education: An Analysis across Regions, Gender and Social Groups”, funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) (Rs. 2,00,000 /-)

  10. Indrajit Bairagya– Project titled “Nature, Extent and Implications of Diploma Disease in India“, funded by Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) (Rs. 1,20,000 /-)

  11. K. Gayathri & Indrajit Bairagya- project on “Sources of Funding for Social Science Research in India: Flows, Adequacy and Priorities”, funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) (Rs. 10,00,000 /-). 

  12. Indrajit Bairagya– Project titled “Educated Unemployment in India: Causes, Consequences and Remedies“, funded by Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) (Rs. 35,000 /-)

  13. K S Umanami, M Lingaraju & Indrajit Bairagya-Project titled “Monitoring of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Mid–Day Meal (MDM) Programme in Karnataka”, funded by Government of India (Co–investigator).

  1. Indrajit Bairagya, Marchang Reimeingam, Stanzin Nouskit, R. Manjula and Khalil Shaha (2025)- Project titled “Implementation, Accessibility and Utilisation of Scholarships, Residential Schools and Colony Development Schemes for Minority Communities’ Development in Karnataka”, funded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Research Centre, Directorate of Minorities, Government of Karnataka. (Budget: Rs. 42,09,000 /-). 

Work Status: We are revising the research proposal, finalizing methodology and tools.

  1. Dr. Indrajit Bairagya & Dr. Stanzin Nouskit (2025) – “Validation of Imagination Questionnaire”, Agastya International Foundation, Bengaluru (Budget: Rs. 2,50,000 /-)

Work Status: We are preparing the questionnaire.

  1. Indrajit Bairagya (2025)– “Revisiting the Debate on Gender Disparity in the Selection of Higher Education Streams and Its Effect on Labour Market Outcomes in India”, funded under OH-31 (ICSSR) grant of ISEC. (Budget: Rs. 5,00,000 /-)

Work Status: Data analysis is going on.

  1. Indrajit Bairagya, Stanzin Nouskit & S. Manasi (2024)– “Assessing the Impact of Voluntary Efforts of Non-Governmental Organisations on Educational Outcomes: A Case Study of Agastya Foundation’s Interventions in Karnataka”, funded by Agastya International Foundation, Bengaluru (Budget: Rs. 12,34,870 /-)

Work Status: Data analysis is going on.

  1. Indrajit Bairagya & Stanzin Nouskit (2023)– “Impact of Teachers’ Training through Constructivist Approach on Students’ Learning Outcomes”, funded by Agastya International Foundation, Bengaluru (Budget: Rs. 8,07,415 /-)

Work Status: Draft report has already been submitted.
 

  1. D. Rajasekhar & Indrajit Bairagya (2022)– “Assessing Macroeconomic Impact of Skill Development Programme in India”, funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) under Budget Head OH-31 (Budget: Rs. 6,00,000 /-) 

Work Status: Draft report has already been submitted.

  1. Indrajit Bairagya (2022)– “Employment in the Platform Economy during and after the Pandemic: A Study of Digital Cab Services”, funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) under Major Research Project Scheme (Budget: Rs. 8,00,000 /-)

Work Status: Draft report has already been submitted.

  • Joint Organising Secretary of the 65th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), organised by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru and Department of Labour, Government of Karnataka during 9 – 11 January 2025.

  • Coordinator of the workshop on “Migration, Development and Informality”, organised by Work Fair and Free Foundation, Aajeevika Bureau, and ISEC, during 3-7 March, 2025 at ISEC.

  • Organised ISEC Golden Jubilee National Conference on “Transformations Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Possibilities of a Better Tomorrow” during 26-27 July 2022 (with S. Manasi and Channamma Kambara).

  • Conducted a one-day workshop on “Using NSSO and ASI Data” on 1st January, 2020 during the Research Week at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore.

  • Co-coordinator (with Prof. K. Gayathri) of the Executive Education Programme on Public Policy and Governance, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, 7th January to 2nd February 2019.

  • Conducted a one-day workshop on “NSSO and ASI Datasets” at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore on 16th August 2018.

  • Co-coordinator (with Prof. Meenakshi Rajeev) of the Development Convention 2018 on ‘India at Seventy: New Development Challenges’, at ISEC, 24-25 April, 2018.

  • Co-coordinator (with Prof. Meenakshi Rajeev) of the Conference on ‘India, China And The New World Order: Economic, Social, Political And Cultural Dimensions’, as a part of collaborative research activities between Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) and Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) at ISEC, Bangalore, November 21-22, 2016

  • Coordinated a two-week Certificate Course in Methods and Applications in social Science Research (CCMASSR) from 26th September to 7th October, 2016 at Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore. 

  • An organizing committee member to conduct the 6th Annual Conference International Conference of the Comparative Education Society of India (CESI) in collaboration with Azim Premji University (APU) and Institute for Social and Economic Change, at Azim Premji University, Bangalore from 14th – 16th December, 2015. 

  • Coordinated a two-week Certificate Course in Methods and Applications in social Science Research (CCMASSR) from 26th October to 6th November, 2015 at Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.

  • Participated as an invited panelist for a panel discussion on “Skill Development and Training for Urban Street Vendors”, at the state level award ceremony “Utkrishata ki Ore Badhte Kadam – Celebraing Achievements, Inspiring Excellence 2023-24, organised by Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department, Government of Karnataka.

  • Delivered a special address on “Education sector in Karnataka” at the 105th Annual Conference of Indian Economic Association, hosted by CMS Business School Faculty of Management Studies, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, during 27-29 December, 2022.

  • An invited Panelist for the Report Launch Webinar on “Strengthening Active Labor Market Policies to Drive an Inclusive Recovery in Asia”, organised by the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank Institute on 9th November 2022.

  • Delivered an invited talk on “The effect of Non-cognitive skills on Cognitive Abilities of Children: The Socio-economic Angle” on the event of “Teaching the Learning Brain Workshop”, organized by International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad on 15th February 2021.

  • An invited panelist for the webinar on ‘Productive Employment Creation in India during COVID-19’, Ramaiah Public Policy Center, Bangalore on 28th August 2020.

  • An invited panelist for a panel discussion on “Union Budget 2020-21” at at Bangalore Dr. B. R. Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE), Bangalore on 15th of February 2020.

  • Chaired an ADBI special session: Financial Development-3 on 30th May 2019 at the “7th Seminar on Asia and Pacific Economies” held at Xi’an Jiaotong- Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.

  • Delivered a public lecture on ‘Missing Link between Education and Labour Market’ in the Bangalore Social Sciences Forum, The National College, Basavanagudi, Bangalore on 28th May 2018. 

  • Co-chaired in the session “Economic Status of Persons with Disabilities” in two-day national seminar on “Person with Disabilities and their Socio-Economic Status in India” organised by Population Research Centre, at ISEC during 28-29 June, 2018.

  • Chaired a session on “Education and social inequality 3: Composite roots” in the 6th Annual International Conference of the Comparative Education Society of India (CESI) at Azim Premji University, Bangalore on 15th December, 2015. 

  • An invited panelist for a panel discussion on “Education and Labour Market in India” in the 6th Annual International Conference of the Comparative Education Society of India (CESI) at Azim Premji University, Bangalore on 15th December, 2015.

  • Delivered inaugural speech on “Globalization and Informalization”, in OIKONOMIKA 2014, organized by Post Graduate Department of Economics of St. Joseph’s Postgraduate and Research Centre, Bangalore, India on 24th February, 2014.

  • An invited panelist in the round–table discussion on “Rural Non–Farm Livelihood Sector” organized by Public Affairs Centre, Bangalore and CUTS international, Jaipur on 5th December, 2013 at Bangalore, India.

  • A panelist in the discussion on “Economic Challenges Before the New NDA Government”, at Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, India on 25th July, 2014.

International Conferences 

  1. Present my paper “Examining Quality of Employment in the Emerging Platform Economy: A Study of Digital Cab Services in Two Mega Cities of India” at the Ninth Regulating for Decent Work Conference, ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, during 2-4 July 2025.         

  2. Presented a paper titled “Does Employment in the Emerging Platform Economy Help with Higher Earnings? An Analysis of Digital Cab Services in India” at the 7th SANEM Annual Economists’ Conference (SAEC), during February 24–25, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

  3. Presented a paper, “Differential Impact of Vocational Training on Earnings of Different Types of Employment: An Analysis for Indian Economy” at the virtual conference, “Boosting Decent Work in Asia for an Inclusive Recovery”, held on 27-28 October 2021, organised by Asian Development Bank Institute and Asian Development Bank.

  4. Presented a paper titled “Covid-19 Pandemic and Primary Education in India: Does It Cause More Inequality between Public and Private Schools?” in the WIDER Development Conference on “COVID-19 and development – effects and new realities for the Global South”, organized by UNU-WIDER, 6-8 September, 2021. 

  5. Presented a paper titled “Covid-19 pandemic and employment challenges: A special reference to Karnataka (India)” in an Online Workshop on “Surviving the Informal City”, Organized by Urban & Mobility Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, on 12th August, 2021.

  6. Presented a paper entitled “Effects of COVID-19 on the Rural Non-farm Self-employed in India: Does Skill make a Difference?” in the Bay of Bengal Economic Dialogue 2021 on “Post-COVID Challenges in the Bay of Bengal Region” during 8-11 February 2021, Organized by the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM).

  7. Presented a paper entitled “Effects of COVID 19 on Primary education in India: Does it Cause more Inequality between Public and Private Schools?” in the in the Winter School 2020, organized by the Centre for Development Economics (CDE) jointly with The Econometric Society at the Delhi School of Economics from December 14th-17th, 2020.

  8. Presented a paper “Effects of COVID 19 on Primary education in India: Does it Divide the Government and Private Schools more sharply?” in the web-conference SANEM International Development Conference (SIDC) 2020 “COVID-19 and Development Challenges” Organized by South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) held on 1-3 October 2020.

  9. Paper titled ‘Returns to Education in Self-Employment in India: An Application of Double-Selection Model with Endogeneity’ presented at the WIDER Development Conference on “Transforming economies for better jobs”, jointly organized by the United Nations University – World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), during 11-13 September 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

  10. Presented a paper titled “Impact of Financial Accessibility on the Growth of the Self-employed Businesses in India” at the “7th Seminar on Asia and Pacific Economies” held at Xi’an Jiaotong- Liverpool University, Suzhou, China during 31st May-1st June 2019. 

  11. Presented a paper titled “Returns to Education in Self-employment: A Comparative Study of India and China” in the conference on ‘Economic Growth in India and China: Social and Economic Impacts’ organized by ISEC and Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, during 27-28 September, 2018 at ISEC, Bengaluru.          

  12. Presented a paper titled “Parents to Son, why not from Parents to Daughter? Intergenrational Transfers of Educational Years and Streams in India” in ‘Fourth International Conference on South Asian Economic Development’, organized by Faculty of Economics, South Asian University, New Delhi, on February 22-23, 2018.

  13. Presented paper on ‘Does Earnings Differentials Exist between Migrants and Natives in Self-Employed Businesses? A Study of Indian Economy’ at the UNU-WIDER Development Conference on ‘Migration and Mobility’ organised by the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) in collaboration with the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) on 5-6 October 2017 in Accra, Ghana. 

  14. Presented paper on “When can Women have a Career and Children together? A Comparative Analysis of India and China” in the Joint International Conference organized by SASS and ISEC at Chengdu, China, September 13-14, 2017 (with Tulika Bhattacharya). 

  15. Presented paper on “Measuring Quality of Higher Education: A Study of Commerce Graduates in Kerala State” in the International Conference on ‘Inclusive Quality Education: Towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Lessons from Kerala Model’ organized by Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) at India International Centre, New Delhi, June 17-18, 2017 (with Bino Joy). 

  16. Presented paper on “Unemployment among Educated Youths: A Comparative Analysis of China and India” in the conference on ‘India, China And The New World Order: Economic, Social, Political And Cultural Dimensions’, as a part of collaborative research activities between Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) and Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) at ISEC, Bangalore, November 21-22, 2016.

  17. Paper titled ‘Functional Income Distribution to Personal Income Distribution: An Analysis of Impact of Liberalization on Indian Economy’ presented at the 21st International Input-Output Conference organized by International Input-Output Association from July 9 – 12, 2013 at Kitakyushu, Japan.

  18. Paper titled “Determinants of Informal Sector Employment and Level of Development: A study of Indian Economy” for the conference on ‘Labour and Employment’ organized by Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research on September 5-6, 2013 at IGIDR, Film City Road, Goregoan East, Mumbai.

  19. “Liberalization, Informal Sector and Formal-Informal Sectors’ Relationship: a Study of India” in the 31st General Conference organized by International Association for Research in Income and wealth, 22-28th August, at St. Gallen, Switzerland. 

  20. “Employment in India’s Informal Sector: Size, Patterns, Growth and Determinants” in the international conference on ‘The Informal Sector and Informal Employment: Statistical Measurement, Economic Implications and Public policies’ organized by the VASS (Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences), 6-7th May, 2010, at Hanoi, Vietnam. 

  21. “Sub-contracting, Market Certainty and Efficiency of the Informal Sector in India” in the 9th Annual International Consortium of Students in Management Research organized by Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 5-6 November, 2009, at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

  22. “Informal Sector in India: Contribution, growth and efficiency” in the international conference on ‘Measuring the Informal Economy in Developing countries’ organized by International Association for Research in Income and wealth and South Asian Institute of Management, 23-26th September, 2009, at Kathmandu, Nepal. 
     

National Conferences:

  1. Present a paper “Examining Quality of Employment in the Emerging Platform Economy: A Study of Digital Cab Services in Two Mega Cities of India” at ISEC as a part of the ISEC seminar series on 11th August, 2025.

  2. Presented a paper on “Beyond Academics: The Role of Non-cognitive Skills for Improving Learning Outcomes” at the Symposium on Estimating the Requirements of Schooling in the 21st Century, organised by the Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education (CETE), School of Education, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai), held on June 5th, 2025, at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. 

  3. Presented a paper “Do non‑cognitive skills influence the quality of education? An analysis of school education in India” in the “Bridging the gap: Gender inequality, education, and the pursuits of sustainability in emerging economies” organized by the Department of Economics, St. Joseph’s University in collaboration with Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Development Research (CMDR), Dharwad, held on 17th March 2025.

  4. Paper presented “Is Informality the Root Cause of Poor Quality of Employment?  An Analysis for the Indian Manufacturing Sector”, at the 2nd International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Economics held on February 20-21, 2025, at XIM University, Bhubaneswar.

  5. Presented a paper titled, “Diversity of Quality of Employment within the Manufacturing Sector in India: A Comparative Analysis of Formal and Informal Segments” has been selected for presentation at the Second National Conference on India’s Industrial Transformation from November 21-23, 2024, organized by the ISID, New Delhi. 

  6. Presented a paper titled ‘Diversity of Quality of Employment between Formal and Informal Employment: An Analysis for the Indian Manufacturing Sector’ in the International Labour Conference on ‘The Elephant in the Room: Generating Jobs and Imparting Skills for the Future: In the Context of India’s Labour Market’, organised by Centre for Public Policy & Governance, Goa Institute of Management (CPPG-GIM), on 13th -14th June 2024.

  7. Paper titled “Quality of Employment in the Indian Manufacturing Sector: Is it Changing Overtime?” has been accepted for presentation at the national seminar titled ‘Revisiting the Issue in the Indian Unorganised Manufacturing Sector’, on 21-22 March, 2024 in Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur. 

  8. Paper titled “Earnings from Employment in the Emerging Platform Economy: A Comparison of the Traditional Taxi System and Digital Cab Services in Two Indian Megacities” has been accepted for presentation at the 64th ISLE conference, during 29-31 March, 2024, at University of Hyderabad.

  9. Presented a paper, titled “Inter-Group Inequality in Educational Outcome in Karnataka” in the National Conference on Intergroup Inequality in Indian Society: Magnitude, Nature, Sources, Policies and The Movement, organised by Association of Academics for Social Justice (AASJ), Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru and Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS), Delhi at ISEC, Bengaluru during 23-25 August, 2023.

  10. Presented paper titled “Frontline Public Delivery Institutions in Karnataka – Recommendations for Improving Delivery of Services” in the conference on “Experience of Administrative Reforms in India”, organised by Indian Institute of Public Administration, Karnataka Regional Branch, Bengaluru and Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru in association with Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-II, on 29th April 2023 (with Prof. Kala Sitaram Sridhar and Prof. B P Vani).

  11. Presented paper titled “Public and Household Financing of Education in India: Are They Substitutes or Complements?”, in the 6th Asia KLEMS conference on “Productivity, Growth and Resilience in the Asian Economics”, organised by India KLEMS and Reserve Bank of India at Lonavala, June11-13, 2023 (with Aswathy Rachel Varughese).

  12. Presented a paper titled “Estimating Informal Sector’s Contribution to Output and Employment in India: A Revisit” at Conference on “Indian Economy”, organised by Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India 28 – 30 November, 2022 (with Sobin George)

  13. Presented a paper titled “Revisiting the Educated Unemployment Debate: How Far is Skill-Mismatch Responsible” at the National Seminar on Changing Characteristics of the Indian Labour Market: Issues and Challenges in the backdrop of COVID-19, held on 7-8th July, 2022, organised by Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research (SPISER), Thaltej. 

  14. Presented a paper titled “COVID-19 Pandemic and Inequality in Primary Education between Private and Public Schools in India” at the ISEC Golden Jubilee National Conference on “Transformations Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Possibilities of a Better Tomorrow” during 26-27 July 2022.

  15. Presented a paper titled “Do Special intervention aid in leadership skill among school children? Capturing the stakeholders’ perceptions” in the National Webinar on Perspectives and Practices on School leadership, organized by National Centre for School leadership, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, during 23-24 March 2021 (with S. Manasi, Channamma Kambara and K. Hamsalatha).

  16. Presented a paper titled “‘COVID-19 Pandemic and Primary Education in India: Does it Cause More Inequality between Public and Private Schools?’ in the national webinar on “Impact of COVID-19: A Black Swan of Indian Economy”, during 27-28 March, 2021, organized by Department of Economics, Providence Women’s College, Kerala in collaboration with Department of Economics, Mahatma Gandhi Government Arts College, Puducherry.

  17. Presented a paper titled “Earnings in Street Vending: Does it differ between Migrants and Natives?”, 20th IASSI Annual Conference, during 27-29 February 2020, at Institute for Social Economic and Change (ISEC), Bengaluru, India (with Channamma Kambara). 
     

  18. Presented a paper titled “Intergenerational Transfers of Education in India: Does Gender Discrimination Exist?”, in the Development Convention 2018 on “India At Seventy: New Development Challenges”, at ISEC, 24-25 April, 2018.
     

  19. Presented a paper on “Effectiveness of Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities’ College Education in Karnataka” in one-day state level seminar on ‘Educational Promotional Efforts of the Government of Karnataka in respect of Minorities’ on 10th July, 2018 at National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
     

  20. “Determinants of Educated Unemployment in India” National Seminar on Youth Employment in India: Trends, Challenges and Policy Responses, 30th and 31st of January 2015 at RGNIYD, Tamil Nadu.

  21. “Data Challenges for Indian Economy” presented in the conference on Official Statistical Systems on 15th November, 2014 at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune.         

  22. “Elementary Education in India: A Study of Accessibility and Quality” presented in the workshop on “Policies for Sustaining High Growth Rates in India, at Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, 19-20th August, 2014 (with Radhika Saraf, co-author).          

  23. “Contribution and Growth of Unorganized Sector: Data and Measurement Issues in National Accounts Statistics” in the conference on ‘National Income and Wealth’ organized by Indian Association for Research in National Income and Wealth, 27-29th November, 2008, at Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, India.          

  24. “Sustainable Industrialisation: A Case Study of Impact on Income and Employment” in the symposium/workshop on ‘Development Economics’ organized under the UGC ASIHSS Programme at the Dept. of Economics, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India, January 30-31, 2007.           

  25. Sixth Development Convention on ‘Transformation, Transition or Stagnation? Understanding Change in a Globalising Economy’ held at MIDS, Chennai, 22-24th February, 2007.          

  26. Two-Day UGC sponsored seminar on ‘Contemporary Issues in Development Economics’ organized by the Dept. of Economics, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, March 8-9, 2007.          

  27. ICFAI Business School on ‘Doctoral Theses Conference’, Hyderabad, March 9-10, 2007.

Ph.D Degree Awarded

  1. Dr. Aswathy Rachel Varughese– Household Education Expenditure and Educational Inequality: An Empirical Study for Indian Economy- Ph.D. degree awarded in Development Studies in 2022 from University of Mysore through Institute for Social and Economic Change.

  2. Dr. Jina Sarmah- Workers in Interactive Service Employment: A Study in Bengaluru, India – Registered in Development Studies- Ph.D. degree awarded in Development Studies in 2024 from University of Mysore through Institute for Social and Economic Change.

  3. Dr. Surendra Kumar Naik- Human Capital and Economic Growth: An Empirical Study of National and Sub-National Levels of Indian Economy – Ph.D. degree awarded in Development Studies in 2025 from University of Mysore through Institute for Social and Economic Change.

Ph.D-Ongoing

  1. Ms Shruti Priya- Women Labour Force Participation in the Informal Sector- Registered in Economics 

  2. Mr Subhendu Khan- Poverty and Inequality in Himalayan Region, India – Registered in Development Studies

  3. Ms Vishaka V Warrier– Impact of Civil Conflicts on Education Accessibility and Outcomes: The Case of Jammu and Kashmir

  4. Ms. Rakshitha Babu – Understanding Early Childhood Education and Gendering in Contemporary India: A study of Bangalore Preschools

Membership – Professional Association/ Bodies

  1. The Econometric Society (from 2020)

  2. International Association for Research in Income and Wealth (from 2009).

  3. Indian Association for Research in National Income and Wealth (Life member).

  4. International Input-Output Association (from 2013).

  5. Member, Research Committee, Sir M V Economic Research Centre, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (2019 – onwards).

  6. Member, Board of Studies (M.A., B.A. and B.Sc. Economics), Department of Economics, St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore (2022 – onwards).

  7. Member, Board of Studies (M.A., B.A. and B.Sc. Economics), Department of Economics, St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore (2019 – 2020).

  8. Member, Board of Studies (B.A.-Economics), Department of Economics, St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore (2016 – 2017).

Previous Professional Affiliation

CAREER HISTORY

Time period

Designation 

Institution

14th May, 2025 to till date

Associate Professor & Head

Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD), Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore, India

14th May, 2013 to 13th May, 2025

Assistant Professor

Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD), Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore, India

16th August, 2012 to 12th May, 2013

Assistant Professor

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), at Guwahati Campus, India

11th November, 2011 to 10th August, 2012

Young Professional

Institute of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR), the research institute under Planning Commission, Government of India



 

Dr. Indrajit Bairagya
Associate Professor and Head
Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD)
Institute for Social and Economic Change
Nagarabhavi P.O. Bangalore 560072, India.
Tel: Office 080-23215468, 23215519 (Ext.- 556)
Fax: 080-23217008
Email: indrajit@isec.ac.in, indrajitisec@gmail.com

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