CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The 108th Annual Conference of the Indian Economic Association (IEA) concluded successfully at VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, reaffirming the critical role of economists in shaping India’s growth trajectory amid evolving global and domestic challenges. Held from 27 to 29 December 2025, the three-day national conference brought together over 1,500 delegates from more than 400 higher education institutions across India, along with eminent economists, policymakers, and international scholars, making it one of the largest academic gatherings of economists in the country.
The conference was inaugurated by Prof. S. Mahendra Dev, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, and concluded with the valedictory address by Thiru R. N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Inaugural Session: Reform, Resilience and Growth
In his inaugural address, Prof. S. Mahendra Dev emphasised that investment and exports remain the key drivers of India’s economic growth, supported by structural reforms such as GST, income tax and customs reforms, and a flexible monetary policy framework. Highlighting the importance of women’s workforce participation, urbanisation, ease of doing business, and reducing inequalities in education and healthcare, he stated that India’s economy is resilient and well-positioned to significantly increase its share of global GDP in the coming decades.
During the inaugural session, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) conferred the Best Thesis Award on Prof. Nynika Dhugal of IIT Bombay for her research on Mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility, along with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000.
Eminent Voices on India’s Economic Roadmap
The inaugural ceremony was graced by several distinguished economists and academic leaders, including Dr. C. Rangarajan, Former Chairman, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council; Dr. Kaushik Basu, Professor, Cornell University, USA; Dr. G. Viswanathan, Patron, IEA and Founder-Chancellor, VIT; Prof. A. D. N. Bajpai, President, IEA; Prof. Ravindra K. Bhrame, General Secretary, IEA; Prof. Jothi Murugan, Conference President, IEA and Pro-Chancellor, VISTAS; Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Chairman, VELS Group of Institutions & Companies and Chief Patron, IEA; and Thiru C. V. Ganesan, Hon’ble Minister for Labour Welfare & Skill Development, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Addressing the gathering, Thiru C. V. Ganesan highlighted Tamil Nadu’s 11.9% growth rate, ranking first in industrial growth. He noted that private educational institutions such as VELS and VIT have contributed to the creation of nearly 2.97 lakh jobs, and that women’s workforce participation in Tamil Nadu stands at 43%, among the highest in India, underscoring the role of education and employment as engines of economic growth.
Dr. C. Rangarajan spoke on India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, with a targeted per capita income of USD 18,000, while Dr. Kaushik Basu called upon the IEA to proactively equip economists to respond to rapid technological transformations and global economic shifts.
Valedictory Address: Inclusive Growth and Social Capital
Delivering the valedictory address, Thiru R. N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, stated, “Senior citizens are not liabilities; they are valuable assets of the nation.”
Highlighting inclusive economic initiatives, he noted that the Mudra Scheme has benefited 52 lakh people, with Rs. 3.25 lakh crore disbursed in Tamil Nadu alone. He observed that India has been the fastest-growing major economy since 2021, has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty, and now ranks among the top three startup ecosystems globally, reflecting the strength of India’s inclusive development model.
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