This report highlights challenges in the design and implementation of social security schemes in India, and draws out lessons for designing a comprehensive social security framework. The report delves into issues of ownership structure, program coverage, delivery architecture and specific … Read More
Publications
Agent Intermediated Lending: A New Approach to Microfinance
In this paper, authors present findings from a study on trader agent intermediated lending (TRAIL), a new version of microfinance where local intermediaries (lenders) are appointed as agents to recommend borrowers for individual liability loans designed to allow the financing … Read More
The Diffusion of Microfinance
To study the impact of the choice of injection points in the diffusion of a new product in society, this study examined the impact of a word-of-mouth diffusion model and applied it to data on social networks and participation in … Read More
Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function
The poor often behave in less capable ways, which can further perpetuate poverty. We hypothesize that poverty directly impedes cognitive function and present two studies that test this hypothesis. First, we experimentally induced thoughts about finances and found that this … Read More
Gender Differentials in the Seeking of Eye Care
A central feature of many developing countries is the presence of significant gender differentials in health outcomes. In this working paper, authors present findings from a study on one potential factor which can account for this; namely, that females seek … Read More
Does the Classic Microfinance Model Discourage Entrepreneurship Among the Poor? Experimental Evidence from India
Do the repayment requirements of the classic microfinance contract inhibit investment in high-return but illiquid business opportunities among the poor? Using a field experiment, the authors of this paper compare the classic contract which requires that repayment begin immediately after … Read More
Barriers To Household Risk Management: Evidence From India
The study throws light on the factors: both price and non-price related that play a role in the choice of rainfall insurance, designed to hedge a major source of agricultural production risk. With households exhibiting such a pattern, it remains … Read More
Savings and the Poor
In this note, factors that inhibit the poor to save are being discussed at length with evidence from various CMF based findings as well as studies conducted in the same subject worldwide.
Study of Ecological, Socio-Economic and Livelihood Dimensions of Grazing Exclusion in Protected Forests of West Sikkim
The goal of this study was to examine the impact of grazing exclusion in West Sikkim on forest ecosystems and livelihoods of local communities. This report presents findings from the assessment.
An Evaluation of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change
This project develops a broad-stroke analysis of the design of India’s climate missions of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. The study is based on interviews of experts in particular domains who also understand climate change. The broad crosscutting … Read More