सामाजिक शास्त्र अध्ययन केंद्र

Making Sense of GST

This year, the government has rolled out a broad wave of economic reforms – from changes in personal income taxation to stepped-up trade negotiations with global partners. Many of these measures seek to introduce structural changes while addressing growing global trade uncertainty, especially the impact of rising U.S. tariffs on key export markets. One area […]

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A Fair Share? Finance Commission’s Resource Distribution Through the Eyes of Experts

So far in this article series, we have discussed the role of the Finance Commission (FC), the methodology used by the 15th FC that has sparked controversy, and the socio-economic concerns and demands of the five southern states.  In this article, we will examine expert perspectives on some of the major issues raised by the

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The New Geopolitics of Conflict: Identity, Territory, and Trade

From the towering mountains of the South Caucasus to the evergreen forests of Southeast Asia, conflicts worldwide are shaped by distinct histories and geographies. Yet, when examined closely, a common thread emerges: struggles over nationalism, ethnicity, culture, and economics, often manifesting in the form of control over resources, trade routes, or access to opportunities. These dimensions

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Mutual Funds – Investment Returns vs Investor Returns

Do you rely on the returns that the mutual fund shows you, or do you calculate the returns yourself? If not, then try doing it once. However, wait a minute. Don’t take the invested value shown in your mutual fund app. Instead, you should calculate returns on your own using the invested value, current fund

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The Southern States’ Case for Fair Resource Allocation

The previous two articles explored the Finance Commission’s framework and tax distribution criteria while also briefly highlighting the conflicts these distribution parameters have sparked. They also briefly addressed protests by Southern leaders against inadequate and disproportionate allocations. This article presents, in greater detail, the concerns, grievances, and suggestions of five southern states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra

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Tax Devolution in India: The Debate Over Formula

Our introductory article examined the origin, functions, composition, and core principles of the Finance Commission (FC), including the concepts of the divisible pool and grants-in-aid. Building on this foundation, this article explores a key aspect of fiscal federalism that has been in the news in recent years—the formula for sharing tax revenues between the Centre and the

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From Cash Flow to Investments: A Guide to Personal Financial Planning

Financial Planning vs Investment Planning: Do you often get confused between Financial Planning and Investment Planning?  Have you made investments without knowing the financial goal behind them?  Do you want to know the asset classes in which you can invest?  If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, then you should read

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From Taxes to Grants: Understanding the Functioning of the Finance Commission

In a vast and diverse country like India, the fair distribution of resources among the states is challenging due to differing regional needs and economic conditions. The federal governance system, with shared powers and responsibilities between the Centre and states, often sparks conflicts over resource allocation. Recently, debates on the North-South divide in resource sharing

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Unlocking India’s Budget: Exploring Innovative Insights & Emerging Trends

On August 10th, 2024, the Social Science Study Centre at Jnana Prabodhini hosted an event titled “Unlocking India’s Budget: Exploring Innovative Insights & Emerging Trends.” The session aimed to decode the Union Budget and explored the socio-political motives behind various allocations. Key Speakers:1. Mr. Piyush Ozarde, a Doctoral Scholar at IIM Ahmedabad, and former Prime

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