A. Webinars
1. Institutional regimes and financial inclusion: Evidence from commercial banking in India by Dr Kiran Kumar Kakarlapudi, Assistant Professor, GIFT  on 19-01-2021.
Welcome : Prof K J Joseph, Director, GIFT
Chair: Prof M A Oommen,Honorary Professor, GIFT
Discussant: Dr Zakaria Siddiqui, Associate Professor, GIFT
Seminar Co ordinator: SmtAnitha Kumary L , Associate Professor, GIFT
Abstract:In the context of growing emphasis on fostering financial access to the excluded sections, this paper analyses the effects on two major institutional regimes; bank nationalization and financial sector reforms in shaping the pattern of financial inclusion in India during 1972-2014. Going beyond one-dimensional measure of financial inclusion, this study constructs a measure of financial inclusion index using six dimensions of inclusion representing both access and use indicators. Further, a separate financial inclusion index for rural and urban areas is constructed to explore the differences. The empirical analysis shows positive effects of both the institutional innovations on financial inclusion. However, the first institutional intervention with its objective of social banking contributed to the growth of banking in rural areas and backward states. The second institutional regime, reforms, with its objective of efficient banking, contributed to the faster growth of banking services in urban and developed regions. The results show unequal effects of reforms on financial inclusion as manifested in increase in inter-state inequalities, rural-urban inequalities, and concentration of banking services. Based on the findings, the study, therefore, calls for increased role of the state to create an institutional architecture for inclusive financial systems in order to foster access to financial services among hitherto excluded areas and sections.
Book launch
GIFT organized online book launch on Basic computational techniques for data analysis: An Exploration in MS Excel held on 1 January 2021 at 3 pm. The book was released by Hon'ble Minister for Finance, Prof T M Thomas Isaac. The book was written by Dr D Narayana, former Director, GIFT, Sharad Ranjan, Faculty Department of Economics, Zakir Husain Delhi College Evening, University of Delhi, and Nupur Tyagi, Faculty, Department of Commerce, Gargi College, University of Delhi. The book is published at Sage publications, New Delhi. Sri Rajesh P, Assistant Professor, Govt Engineering College introduced the book and Prof K J Joseph, Director, GIFT  welcomed the gathering.  Smt AnithaKumary L, Associate professor, GIFT coordinated the programme.
Abstract: The book is designed to equip students to navigate through MS Excel spread sheets to compute various statistical and financial measures for use in data analysis.
Basic Computational Techniques for Data Analysis illustrates the concepts used in economic and financial decision-making in business as well as in day-to-day life, thus enhancing a deeper understanding of the concepts from both theoretical and practical perspectives. After going through the textbook, readers will be able to ascertain the inbuilt capabilities in MS Excel and comprehend basic computations in statistics and finance.
This book is essential as a supportive companion for students of economics, commerce, management and social science subjects in general.
Key Features:
Provides an in-depth and clear understanding of various data analysis techniques
Systemic and stepwise explanation of financial and statistical concepts using MS Excel functions
Prior knowledge of statistics, finance and MS-Excel functions not required to understand the concepts
Simplistic clarification of topics such as Future Value of Money, Loan Amortization and Investment Decision Criteria

B. Teaching and training programmes
PGDGST program : Third  batch
Admission for the third batch of the Post Graduate Diploma in Goods and Service Tax (PGDGST) is closed .120 hours training program started through onlinemode for the 325 students. 17 more students joined. Total strength of students is 342.
Third set of training for the third batch for 56 hours started on 24 December through online mode.Examination result for the second batch of PGDGST students was published.
Course Co ordinators: Dr N Ramalingam and L AnithaKumary
For more detailshttps://www.gift.res.in/index.php/course/detail/14/PGD-GST
PhD program
PhD interview for the Third batch of students of GIFT was held on 13th and 14thof January 2020.  Eight students are selected for the programme as given below. Course work for the second batch of students is going on.
1. Riju Mohan A, CUSAT
2. Shagishna K, Kerala University
3. Athira Karunakaran, Central University of Kerala
4. Ashkar K, Kannur University
5. Vipasha Ray Hajong, Christ University
6. Anuja V P, Jawaharlal Nehru University
7. Indhu T R, MG  University
8. BalaramRoula, Utkal University

C. New faculty in GIFT
Dr Zakaria Siddiqui
Dr Zakaria Siddiqui joined as Associate Professor at GIFT.He is an applied economist. His research and teaching focus on contemporary themes of public policy debates in India. He uses large scale nationally representative surveys such as NSS and NFHS data sets to reconcile policy debates such as malnutrition, Calorie consumption 'puzzle' , participation of women in the labour market, the role of scientific diaspora in development, democracy and marginalisation of minorities. He has also been working on understanding emergence of political instability. His research has found its way in reputed academic journals such as World Development, The Journal of Development Studies, Health Policy and Planning, Public Health and Nutrition, Energy Policy.
Dr Siddiqui has worked with wide range of experts from diverse disciplines and regions including Europe and Australia. He has worked with Sydney based Institute of Economics and Peace, Australian National University, University of South Australia, Institute of Development Studies Kolkata and JPAL-South Asia. He was associated with BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad recently.
 His initial learnings in development research were at Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvananthapuram, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning (CESP), JawaharlalNehru University(JNU), New Delhi and at Center for Operations Research and Econometrics(CORE), Universitécatholique de Louvain(UCL), Belgium. https://www.gift.res.in/faculty/faculty_details
D. Publications
1. Kerala Tax Reporter (KTR)
November issue of KTR published Online and offline.
https://www.gift.res.in/ktr
2. Innovation and Development
A Routledge journal from GIFT,Volume 10,No. 3 published, Editor in chief, K J Joseph.
For details please visit https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/riad20/current
3. Weekly update on the Indian economy
This is an attempt by the Young Scholars' Forum in GIFT, led by Smt Shency  Mathew to update you on important developments in the national economy. Latest issue 16-22 January, 2021.
https://www.gift.res.in/index.php/publish/publish_list/14/Weekly-Updates-on-Indian-Economy