Articles

This study investigates the role of public sector banks (PSBs) in fostering financial inclusion in India from 2010 to 2016. Using a state-level panel dataset, we employ a fixed effects model with robust standard errors to estimate the impact of PSB branch penetration and credit outreach on financial inclusion indices. Results indicate that a one-unit increase in PSB branches per 100,000 adults significantly raises the inclusion index by 0.42 (t=3.87, p<0.01), with an R-squared of 0.78. Deposit mobilization and credit to priority sectors also show positive effects. Findings suggest PSBs are instrumental, but private sector banks complement rather than substitute. Policy implications emphasize targeted expansion in underbanked regions and digital infrastructure to sustain inclusion.

This study examines the evolution of human resource (HR) practices in the Indian IT sector from 2010 to 2016, focusing on the determinants of employee retention and productivity. Using firm-level panel data from NASSCOM and annual reports, we apply a system GMM estimator to address endogeneity and dynamic effects. Results indicate that flexible work arrangements and skill development programs significantly enhance retention, with coefficients of 0.32 (t=2.87, p<0.01) and 0.28 (t=2.45, p<0.05), respectively, while attrition negatively impacts productivity (β=-0.41, t=-3.12, p<0.01). The Hansen J-test confirms instrument validity (p=0.23). Policy implications suggest incentivizing HR innovation to sustain sectoral growth.

Addressing recent macroeconomic and institutional developments, this research provides an analytical assessment of Digital Payment Systems in India before UPI Introduction, evaluating sectoral efficiency, regulatory policy transmission, and stakeholder dynamics. Utilizing secondary data compiled from statutory regulatory filings, Reserve Bank of India statistical releases, and industry publications from 2016, the study applies quantitative and thematic evaluations to identify core growth vectors. Empirical results indicate that enterprises adopting proactive compliance frameworks and structural modernization achieve superior resilience and sustainable performance gains. Concluding observations provide actionable policy recommendations and strategic guidelines for industry practitioners and regulatory authorities.

The emergence of e-commerce in India marked a structural shift in the way consumers and businesses interacted. Driven by advancements in internet penetration, mobile technology, digital payments, and changing lifestyles, the Indian e-commerce industry grew exponentially during the first decade of the 21st century. By 2016, India had become one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the world, attracting significant foreign investment and creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers. This paper examines the growth of the e-commerce sector in India till 2016 and analyzes its impact on consumer behavior. It explores factors such as technological infrastructure, policy environment, competitive dynamics, and demographic changes. The study finds that while e-commerce expanded consumer choice, convenience, and market efficiency, challenges related to trust, logistics, regulatory issues, and digital divides remained.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) represents one of the most ambitious tax reforms in the history of independent India. Conceived as a unified indirect tax regime, GST aimed to replace the complex and fragmented system of excise, VAT, service tax, and other levies imposed by the central and state governments. The journey towards GST began in 2006, but it was only in 2016 that the constitutional amendment paved the way for its implementation. This paper examines the preparatory phase of GST, analyzing the expectations of policymakers, businesses, and consumers, as well as the challenges encountered before its introduction in July 2017. By 2016, debates around revenue sharing, dual structure, IT infrastructure, and compliance frameworks dominated the discourse. The study finds that GST was expected to simplify taxation, promote ease of doing business, and create a unified market, but significant challenges in administration, technology, and political consensus delayed its rollout.

This study examines the impact of microfinance and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on rural entrepreneurship in India from 2010 to 2016. Using state-level panel data and a Dynamic Panel GMM framework, we find that SHG credit disbursement significantly promotes rural enterprise formation, with a one-standard-deviation increase in SHG loans associated with a 0.42% rise in rural enterprises (coefficient = 0.042, t-stat = 3.12, p = 0.002). The effect is stronger in states with higher financial inclusion and female literacy. Our results are robust to endogeneity concerns and alternative specifications. Policy implications suggest that targeted SHG credit programs, coupled with financial literacy, can foster sustainable rural entrepreneurship.