Pioneering Research in Economics
The primary objective of the Institute is to conduct research in the socio-economic dimensions of the Indian society, and impart training to researchers in this domain. The thrust areas of research at the Institute are Agricultural Economics, Rural Development & Cooperation, Population Studies, Input-Output Studies for Planning & Development, Monetary Economics & Finance, Public Economics, International Economics, among others.
A Legacy of Contributions to Socio-Economic Policy-making
Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics is renowned for its initiatives in qualitative research in diverse areas of economic theory and practice. The Institute is credited with pioneering contributions by way of surveys, research, informed debate, analysis and critique which have shaped public discourse on major socio-economic initiatives and in formulating economic plans at the regional level in the State of Maharashtra, as well at the national level.
Some of the major Research contributions of the Institute include: First cooperative sugar factory in India at Pravaranagar and subsequent support to the cooperative sector.
- Development of methodology for rural data collection, still in use by NSSO.
- Development of methodology for national income estimation in rural India, still in use by CSO.
- Development of methodology for social cost-benefit analysis of large scale irrigation projects.
- Design of the institutional framework for NABARD.
- Formulation of the Employment Guarantee Scheme in Maharashtra.
- Formulation of National Agricultural Insurance Scheme.
- Design of weather-based Insurance products.
- Design of Actuarial Rating of National Agricultural Insurance Scheme.
- Design of inflation-indexed bonds for Reserve Bank of India.
- Formulae for pricing of electricity based on biomass and bagasse.
- Evaluation of Comprehensive District Agricultural Plans for various districts in Maharashtra.
- Study of Impact of NREGA on Wage Rates, Cost of Production, Food Security and Rural Urban Migration, etc.
Agro Economic Research Centre (AERC)
Established by the Union Ministry of Food and Agriculture at the Institute in 1954, the AERC has contributed to major research studies in Agricultural Economy of India. Over the past seven decades, the AERC has completed over 200 studies, notably in the field of Farm Business Survey, Irrigation, Watershed Management, Rural Electrification, Village Surveys, Rural Credit, Agricultural Tenancy, Co-operation, Droughts and Famines, Crop Insurance, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Exports, Poverty Alleviation, etc., for the Central and the State governments, as well as for institutions such as NABARD. The Centre is credited with pioneering research on the economics of irrigation, which has contributed towards better understanding of the concept of irrigation potential and its utilization. Similarly, its studies on Watershed Development have contributed significantly to research in soil and water conservation, and in sustainable development.
Population Research Centre (PRC)
Established by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Population Research Centre at the Institute is credited with pioneering methodologies in demographic surveys. The PRC has undertaken studies on various dimensions of the family planning programme at its various stages starting with communication methods, adoption of spacing methods, maternal and child health, RCH approach of the programme, RTI/STI, client satisfaction, unwanted pregnancies, etc. The PRC has also undertaken evaluation of the work of NGOs in the field of family welfare. In recent years the Centre has undertaken evaluation of sterilisation bed reservation scheme, family welfare training institutions, functioning of ultrasound sonographycentres, functioning of urban health posts, etc.
Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSE&IP)
Established under the University Grants Commission XI Plan, the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSE&IP) at GIPE is a multi-disciplinary research centrethat conducts research and teaching in the areas of social exclusion, studies on discrimination, and inclusive policy. The key objective of the Centre is to conceptualize and problematize discrimination, exclusion and inclusion based on caste, ethnicity and religion.
The Centre focuses on developing understanding of the nature and dynamics of social exclusion and discrimination at both theoretical and empirical levels. The Centre also focuses on collaborative research/other academic activities with NGOs working for the marginalized groups. One of the important objectives of the Centre is to disseminate knowledge and sensitize on patterns of discrimination and exclusion to the public at large by holding public lecture series at the Institute.
Dhananjayrao Gadgil Research & Development
The Institute presently hosts four prestigious Research Chairs:
- RBI Chair Professor of Finance for research and teaching in Monetary and Financial Economics (funded by Reserve Bank of India)
- D.R. Gadgil Chair Professor of Planning and Development (funded by Planning Commission of India)
- Ford Foundation Chair Professor of International Economics (funded by Ford Foundation)
- Kamalnayan Bajaj Chair Professor of Industrial Economics (funded by Kamalnayan Bajaj Foundation)
In addition to the research studies undertaken by the three Research Centres, the Institute has emerged as a premier agency for socio-economic research and independent evaluation projects sponsored by state/central government agencies, the Indian corporate sector, international agencies and the NGO sector.
Some of the major research/evaluation studies undertaken by the Institute during the past three years include:
- A Study of the Contributory Factors to the Reversing Son Preference in India (UNFPA)
- Strengthening Growth Monitoring and Promotion through the Integrated Child Development Services in Maharashtra (UNICEF)
- Revival of Unfinished Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra, PPCP model for pilot Nira-Devghar Project (Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation, Govt. of Maharashtra)
- Benchmark Survey of Scheduled Tribes in Maharashtra (Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of Maharashtra)
- Quality Evaluation of Annual Plan Schemes of four districts in Maharashtra (District Planning Committees)
- Inspection and Evaluation of beneficiaries financed/trained under schemes of National Backward Classes Finance & Development (National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corp (NBCFDC) Delhi)
- Evaluation of Debt Waiver Scheme (NABARD)
- Assessment of growth monitoring activities of ICDs Anganwadi Centre (UNICEF)
- Female Domestic Workers and Socio Economic Inclusion (Indian Council of Social Science & Research, New Delhi)
- Capital Flows & Exchange Rate Volatility in the Financial Stability Framework for India (Reserve Bank of India)
- Anatomy and Measurement of Judicial Pendency in India’, (with Maharashtra Judicial Academy, Mumbai)
