In this special episode of The India Briefing, Nobel Laureate and development economist Esther Duflo joins hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari for a wide-ranging conversation on poverty, inequality, and evidence-based policymaking in India. Duflo, whose path breaking work on Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) has transformed development economics, reflects on two decades of field research across India through the lens of J-PAL—the global research centre she co-founded to reduce poverty by ensuring policy is informed by scientific evidence.

From Tamil Nadu’s welfare innovations to the promise and pitfalls of cash transfers, the episode unpacks the structural realities of India’s poverty alleviation strategies, and the urgent need for better data. Duflo also speaks candidly about common misconceptions about the poor, why children from low-income households struggle in school, and how the role of economists has shifted—from prescribing grand theories to fixing the plumbing of policy.

With insights into the gender gap in labour force participation, the unequal impact of climate change, and the evolving welfare state, this episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand how India can shape a more equitable future.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

Further Links -

• Good Economics for Hard Times: Better Answers to Our Biggest Problems byEsther Duflo & Abhijit V. Banerjee

• https://open.spotify.com/episode/2avs2N1iDzeE5rbGgWj7Jw - Podcast EP: Cash Transfer for Women: The New Trend Shaping Indian Electoral Politics

• https://www.povertyactionlab.org/ - J-PAL: Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

• https://poverty-action.org/study/graduating-ultra-poor-india - Graduating the Ultra Poor in India

• https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/394531465569503682/Esther-Duflo-PRESENTATION.pdf - Randomized Controlled Trials, Development Economics and Policy Making in Developing Countries by Esther Duflo

• https://wid.world/www-site/uploads/2024/03/WorldInequalityLab_WP2024_09_Income-and-Wealth-Inequality-in-India-1922-2023_Final.pdf - Income And Wealth Inequality In India, 1922-2023: The Rise Of The Billionaire Raj

• https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/pandp.20181073#:~:text=We%20plot%20the%20curve%20of,growth%20rates%20at%20the%20top. - The Elephant Curve of Global Inequality and Growth

• https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/poverty-inequality/weighty-evidence-poverty-estimation-with-missing-data.html - Weighty evidence? Poverty estimation with missing data by Jean Drèze & Anmol Somanchi

• https://www.povertyactionlab.org/case-study/teaching-right-level-improve-learning - Teaching at the Right Level to improve learning

• https://news.mit.edu/2025/study-shows-kids-use-different-math-skills-work-vs-school-0205 - Study in India shows kids use different math skills at work vs. school

• https://www.ft.com/content/2fa5787c-7139-405d-aecc-b07a493cb304 - Esther Duflo: Rich world owes $500bn in ‘moral debt’ to poor countries

• https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/08/india-economy-natural-climate-solutions/#:~:text=India's%20economy%20will%20be%20severely%20affected%20by%20climate%20change&text=Some%2033%25%20of%20its%20GDP,and%20water%20utilities%20and%20construction. - Climate Action; World Economic Forum

• https://www.preventionweb.net/news/women-frontlines-heat-surveys-informing-climate-resilience#:~:text=In%20informal%20settlements%2C%20women%20are,their%20days%20on%20household%20chores. - Women on the frontlines of heat: the surveys informing climate resilience

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305750X17301663#:~:text=Female%20LFPR%20has%20been%20declining,for%20skilled%20female%20job%20seekers - Why is the Labour Force Participation of Women Declining in India?

  https://idronline.org/article/gender/whats-going-on-with-indias-female-labour-force-participation/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5PK_BhBBEiwAL7GTPRT1BYa4BJs3Rs25kySfpFmdw-ZRfk5URqf4jIIN05Po0tMzup4xpBoCvX4QAvD_BwE - India’s female labour force participation..