Arun Kumar

Arun Kumar, Malcolm S Adiseshiah Chair Professor, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi and author of ‘Indian Economy’s Greatest Crisis: Impact of the Coronavirus and the Road Ahead‘.

Articles: 0

Insights

Education Reform Stalled: Promises, Protests and Political Delay

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned under extreme pressure. His resignation was a precondition of Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to end the youth movement that started at Jantar Mantar and spread to metros and small towns. In a show of seriousness, the government has quickly got the Amendment of Public Examinations Bill passed, set up a high powered task force for reforming exams including those conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

IMPRI Desk and Arun Kumar
September 9, 2026

Insights

The GDP Growth Mystery: What the Methodology Reveals

Government of India, through its agency Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the data for Quarterly Estimate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the First Quarter of 2026-27, that is for the period April to June of 2026. It shows a high growth rate of 7.8% compared to 6.9% in Q1 of previous year, 2025-26. This is surprising since Q1 of 2026-27 contained the months April and May when the economy was impacted by the West Asia crisis which led to a drastic reduction in availability of crude oil and gas from that area. Pre-war 20% of the world supplies came from there and of that India was a major recipient.

IMPRI Desk and Arun Kumar
September 9, 2026

Insights, Center for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Center for the Study for Finance and Economics, Governance and Law, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes

Assessment of PM Modi’s 12 Years of Rule

Mr. Modi has been PM of India for the last 12 years. In 2014 the long period of coalition rule at the Center ended and hat was characterized as a period of uncertainty when hard decisions could not be taken and consequently there was policy paralysis and economic downturn.

IMPRI Desk and Arun Kumar
July 4, 2026

Insights, Center for the Study for Finance and Economics, Economy and Infrastructure

What Can (Realistically) Help the Indian Economy Now?

Earlier this month, the Union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, stated that India’s domestic economic situation remains positive and resilient even today.

IMPRI Desk and Arun Kumar
July 4, 2026

Insights, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies, Center for the Study for Finance and Economics, Economy and Infrastructure, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Governance and Law, International Relations and Strategic Studies

Who really needs to make the sacrifices?

Speaking to members of the Indian diaspora at The Hague in mid-May, Prime Minister Modi said the war in West Asia can overturn the gains of the Indian economy in the past decade.