Economics Research Institute in Pune - Student Research - SSE

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Student Research - Economics

At SSE, students get to work on Live research project during the second and third year of BSc. program. One of the most rewarding part of the dissertation and research project is the opportunity to engage in the research process.

Each year, Bachelors students in fourth semester do a group research project (Primary and Secondary Research Projects) under the mentorship of faculty. In the Secondary Research Project, students write a Research Proposal or do secondary data analysis. In the primary research project, students collect the data, analyse, write and present their research paper. This research project helps in developing Research Skills and Techniques, Documenting and reporting (Writing skills), project and information management (Bibliography Softwares like Mendeley, MS Word), Communication Skills, Networking and Teamworking Skills. Students have published their research in research journals and presented at various conferences.

The Objectives of exposing the students to research Include:

  • Providing them with the opportunity to understand real life developmental problems/ issues / concerns
  • To frame research question and objectives in a precise and clear manner
  • To understand the various quantitative and qualitative methods that can be applied to a given situation
  • To help them identify research gaps and make relevant contributions to society with their interventions
  • All of this helps them develop critical thinking, gain multiple perspectives and incorporate interdisciplinary frameworks to their study.
  • The Project also provides the students an opportunity to work in groups thereby preparing them to understand the importance of teamwork, at the same time being ably mentored by very capable and competent faculty

Details of Student Research project can be found below

Research Project 2021-22

Students did their primary and secondary Research Projects-

(1) SHG/JLG and (2) MSME.

The student research project intended to study the credit utilization and impact of credit on SHGs/MSMEs in recent times. In addition, select studies also investigated about 
(a) awareness of Bank Schemes/Products among SHGs/MSMEs members;
(b) constraints faced by SHGs/MSMEs in availing finance from Banks and NBFCs;
(c) Banker's perspective on SHGs/MSMEs financing.


Within the overall theme of “Effects of Bank lending on SHGs”, groups comprising of six students each did their research on the following topics Role of SHGs in Political Participation and Community Mobilisation in Manchar, Maharashtra: A Multifocal Approach


  • Women Empowerment Index - A Case Study of Kudumbashree
  • Role of Self-help Groups (SHGs) in Empowering Women through Entrepreneurial Activities
  • Factors Affecting Women Empowerment Through SHGs– A case study based in Pune
  • Impact evaluation of NABARD refinances on the financial inclusion of SHGs/JLGs IN Maharashtra
  • Impact of the SHGs in economic empowerment of rural communities
  • Impact Evaluation study on Long Term refinance flowing to Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) with specific reference to Tamil Nadu
  • Contribution of self-help groups towards maternal health, child care and nutrition:  a study in Maharashtra
  • Study assessing the state of credit lending of contemporary women SHG members
  • SHGs and Women Empowerment: A study in Pune
  • Impact Evaluation Study on Long Term Refinance Flowing to Joint Liability Groups
  • Role of Self-Help Groups as a tool of financial empowerment and reduction of multi-dimensional poverty of in India
  • Impact Evaluation Study on Long Term Refinance Flowing to Self Help Groups
  • An Assessment of the Role and performance of SHGs in tackling unemployment and facilitating financial development in Maharashtra; special emphasis on Pune.
  • A study on understanding the challenges faced by SHGs in Maharashtra and their impact on SHG performance

Within the overall theme of “Effects of Bank lending on MSMEs”, group comprising six students each did their research on the following topics

  • Credit access and effects of bank lending on MSMEs, a special study of pune’
  • Access to Credit and Credit Utilization by Service MSMEs in Thane District
  • An Exploration into Credit Funding Availed by MSMEs in Maharashtra: Gauging the Aftermath and Impediments Faced
  • Analysing the Awareness and Reach for State-led MSME Credit Accession Schemes
  • Modern Banking Structure and Priority Sector Lending towards MSMEs in India
  • Impact Evaluation of Credit Accessibility, Utilization and COVID-19 on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Pune
  • An Analysis of External Credit Accessibility to MSMEs: Assessing the hurdles encountered & Areas of utilization
  • Analysing access to credit and digital banking in textile sector MSMEs of Rajasthan
  • Impact Evaluation of Credit Utilisation of MSMEs in Pune: Emphasis on Digital Lending
  • Impact of Credit Utilization and outcome of women-led MSMEs in Pune across the Pandemic.

Research Project 2020-21:Effects of Lockdown/Pandemic

Within the overall theme of “Effects of Lockdown/Pandemic”, groups comprising of 5 students did their research on following topics

  1. Learning Outcomes and Motivation of Students: A Comparative Analysis between Government and Private Colleges in India
  2. Ramifications of Coronavirus on Tourism And Travel: Hotel Industry In Goa
  3. Impact of Covid-19 on sleep and Circadian Rhythm
  4. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Lockdown: Its Effectiveness and Impact on Palghar District in Maharashtra
  5. Consumer Behaviour And Their Sentiments Towards Sustainable Fashion
  6. The Impact of Covid-19 on Public-Health and Sanitation
  7. Impact of Covid-19 on Dietary and Fitness Habits
  8. An Analysis of OTT Platforms and their Usage Against the Backdrop of the COVID-19 Pandemic
  9. Assessing The Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Indian Migrant Workers
  10. Impact of the Covid-19 Outbreak on the Health Insurance Sector in India
  11. Psychological and Economical Impact of The Covid -19 Pandemic on athletes in India
  12. Impact of COVID -19 on Women's Employment In Urban Area
  13. Nexus of Menstruation and Pandemic: A Case Study of Maharashtra
  14. Pandemic and Tourism
  15. Future of E-Banking Services Amidst the Pandemic
  16. Revitalization of Grassroot Tourism- A Case study on Shimla
  17. Impact of Covid-19 on the Aviation Industry and Customer Satisfaction - A study of India
  18. Clinical Waste Management in the health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic
  19. Impact of Covid-19 and Status of Migrant Workers (Skilled And Unskilled)
  20. Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Urban Transportation Sector In Kolkata
  21. Impact of Closure of Education Hubs on MSMEs Of the Food and Beverage Service Sector: Covid-19 Impact and Recovery
  22. The Impact of COVID-19 on the Trucking Industry: A Phenomenological Study
  23. How Covid 19 made the underdogs the new megalodon
  24. Impact of COVID-19 on E-commerce: A Case Study on Amazon
  25. Impact of Covid-19 on Five Major Automobile Companies in India- A Case Study
  26. The Impact of COVID-19 on the Indian Stock Market
  27. Impact of covid-19 on Indian tourism sector
  28. Analysing the Dynamics of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry in Light of the Covid-19 Pandemic
  29. Impact of covid 19 on digital marketing in India- consumers and digital marketing agencies' perspective
  30. Impact of covid 19 on e-learning platform
  31. Impact of the Pandemic on mental health among the youth of India
  32. Assessing the Resilience of The Information Technology Sector In India during The Covid-19 Pandemic
  33. Impact of Covid-19 Lockdown on Food Market Trends and Consumption Pattern: The Case of Maharashtra

Research Project 2019-20: Corporate interventions/CSR in Pune

in 2019-20 (December- March), Group of six students of SY BSc did their 6 credit research work on understanding and evaluating the CSR interventions pertaining to community development engagements in Pune. Research projects ranged from teacher training, school adoption, inclusive education, scholarship programs, sustainable livelihood and SHG programs, watershed development, waste management, etc. Students project exposed students to the workings of Community based interventions for development. The engagement has resulted in helping the organizations in planning and executing their programs. We have received a request to take more such research-based activities.

Topic Companym
An Impact Assessment of SMART-Inclusive Vocational Training and Skill Development Program Tech-Mahindra
Impact of CSR Watershed intervention in Junar Lupin
Assessment of Quality of Education in Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya Finolex
Impact of CSR on Education Sector: A case of Teach for India initiative Bajaj Finserv
Impact of Cybage and BAIF’s Sustainable Livelihood CSR Programme Cybage
Education at Varroc Academy VARROC Foundation
Evaluation of Malhotra Weikfield Foundation’s Scholarship Program Weikfield
Impact of CSR interventions by Adar Poonawalla in Pune Adar Poonawalla
An impact assessment of social interventions done by SVP in Pune SVP
An Evaluation of Waste Management in Savardari Village, Pune Forbe Marshall
impact of SHG on rural women in Pune Ashta No Kai
Study of Rescued Children from Street Situations in Pune Bajaj Finserv
Impact of CSR Interventions: Life Skill Education and Cyber Security Awareness Quick Heal
Employee participation in CSR and impact on beneficiaries: A case study of Maher Ashram Weikfield Foods Pvt Ltd.
CSR Initiatives by Shyamchi Aai Foundation: Reaching The Unreached Shyamchi Aai
Evaluating Project Reflowert in Pune: A Waste Management initiative Suzlon
Higher Education: A look into The CSR Involvement Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Research Project 2018-19: MSMEs in Pune

Students of 2017-20 batch did their projects on the theme of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises in Pune. The fieldwork for this research was conducted during January to March of 2019. The Topics are listed below

  1. Barriers to E-Commerce and impacts of adoption on MSMEs in India
  2. The adoption of E-Commerce by rubber industries in Pune
  3. Paucity of warehousing facilities in Pune
  4. Ease of doing business in Pune
  5. Financial Access to MSMEs and Alternatives to Traditional Lending
  6. Women Entrepreneurship in MSME in Pune
  7. MSME Automotive Cluster (CDP Scheme)
  8. Impact of GST on the Automobile Sector
  9. The impact of PMMY on the MSME Sector of India
  10. Critical analysis of the attempts at the revival of the Khadi industry in India
  11. Bloom or Bust?: The Rise of Flori-entrepreneurship in Pune
  12. Effective forward and backward linkages using Internet based technology in Food Service MSMEs.
  13. Challenges and Opportunities faced by the Women Entrepreneurs in the MSME Sector in Maharashtra
  14. Financing of textile industries and their imports and exports.
  15. Impact of cashless economy on MSMEs in India
  16. Tapping the Potential of Women and Exports in the Manufacturing Sectors

Research Project 2017-18: Waste Management in Pune city

Students of 2016-19 batch did their projects on the theme of Waste Management in Pune city. The research projects were undertaken by 21 groups covering a wide range of issues viz. household waste, biomedical, electronic waste, paper waste, restaurant waste, sewage etc. The student groups also ventured into examining waste generated at temples, agriculture markets, and educational institutes. The fieldwork for this research was conducted during January to March of 2018. The Topics are listed below:

  1. Food Waste Management in Restaurants
  2. Implementation and Awareness of solid waste management among Households
  3. Waste management in APMC Mandis
  4. Confluence of Waste Pickers in Waste management models
  5. Biomedical Waste management in pathological laboratories in Pune
  6. Menstrual Waste Management
  7. Food waste management in food chains
  8. Household waste management
  9. Electronic Waste Management in Banking and Educational Institutions
  10. Restaurant wastes: An inquiry
  11. Food Waste Management in Colleges and Hostel Mess.
  12. Biomedical waste management in pathological Labs
  13. Electronic waste management among households and educational institutions
  14. Catering food waste management
  15. Paper Waste Management in Educational Institutions
  16. Hotel waste management: A case of three, four and five star hotels
  17. Human Cadaver Disposal
  18. Temple Waste Management
  19. Housing society waste management
  20. Waste Management in Restaurants
  21. Biomedical waste management in Hospitals
  22. An analysis of the existing state of sewage treatment in Pune
  23. Lives of Ragpickers - A Qualitative study in Pune

Click Here to view Report

Mr Athreya Mukunthan, Mr Sebin Nidhri and Mr Vaishak Jayakrishan

M.Sc Economics

Presented a paper on “A Comparative Study of Industry in Gujarat and Kerala as a Consequence of their Respective State Policies” in the National Symposium on Poverty and Unemployment: Roadblocks on the growth highways held in Loyala College, Chennai on 6th December, 2013.


Prachi Arora

TY B.Sc Economics

Prachi wrote a research paper titled “The Political Economy Aspects of Micro Finance in India” under the theme of “Access to Capital” has been selected to represent India at the 10th South Asian Economics Students Meet (SAESM) being organized in Lahore from December 26-30, 2013.

A total of 20 students have been selected from India for the same including students from various colleges like LSR, SRCC, Xavier’s Kolkata etc.

The paper tries to outline the prevailing condition of Micro finance in India in the light of its emergence till now. Although micro finance has had a healthy growth in India, there are some major concerns at the macro and micro level that need to be addressed. This paper discovers the prevailing gap in functioning of MFI’s in India considering the political, social and economic segmentation of local markets.


Ms. Tahera Bharmal

TY B.Sc Economics

  • How the Twain meet: Linking Education and Employment among the Dawoodi Bohras presented at South Asia Economists Students’ Meet, 2011, New Delhi. The Dawoodi Bohras trace their origins to the Ismaili Shi’a sect, with a rough population of one million spread in over 470 communities across 40 countries. The paper explores the understanding of returns to education among the Bohras, a community largely associated with businesses/shop-keeping and the tendency of inheritance of these with every successive generation. In such cases, does the established linkage between investment in educations and the returns that accrue to apply? Or do education and employment become independent phenomena? How do these linkages manifest themselves in the gender context? The paper attempts to answer the above mentioned questions exercising participant observation and existing literature as tools.

  • Innovation and Natural Monopolies: A Study of the Distortions to the process of Creative Destruction presented at Elixir 2012, hosted by Ruia College, Mumbai. The process of Creative Destruction as suggested by Joseph Schumpeter has proved its relevance over time in various aspects of society. However distortions to this process can be observed, especially in industries largely dominated by the public sector. The reluctance to innovate or adopt technology can be observed in cases where technological innovation may lead to complete transformation of existing capital. The paper studies the reaction of such public sector units to upcoming innovations and thus attempts to analyse the distortions in Schumpeter’s theory. The research holds relevance in countries such where along with the functioning of the private sector, the public sector still runs operations of core industries.

  • Samples of Parallel Economies presented at Confluence, 2012 hosted by St. Xavier’s, Kolkata. The formal sector in India, employing only eight percent of the workforce, is not very dominant. Yet, due to its limitations and complexity of operation, a parallel economy generating a varied range of employment opportunities has emerged in the informal sector. The paper examines (i) Private Tutorials, (ii) The Transport system in Pune and (iii) Railway and Passport Agents as case studies of emergence of such parallel economies in such a context.