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The India Observatory

The India Observatory (IO), set up in 2006, is a centre to develop and enhance research and programmes related to India's economy, politics and society. It is involved in public policy engagement in, and with, India and also works in collaboration with international partners for the generation and exchange of knowledge on India and its position in the world.

The IO is involved in evidence based research and a strong public policy engagement in and with India and beyond. We work in collaboration with international partners for the generation and exchange of knowledge on India and its position in the world. It has a global focus, especially with respect to emerging economies. This is to enable sharing knowledge and experiences between India and other countries with common synergies for better understanding and mutual benefit.

The IO is involved in developing, enhancing and undertaking high impact multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research at the LSE and beyond. It has strong links with academic institutions; public and private sector institutions to further knowledge exchange and contributes to the debate on broader policy issues by promoting and supporting an active engagement around economics and social policy.

The IO operates in conjunction with the IG Patel Chair, forming a collaborative partnership with the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of India. This initiative honours the legacy of Dr IG Patel, a highly distinguished Indian economist and public servant who served as the Director of the London School of Economics from 1984 to 1990 and as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1977 to 1982.

Professor Lord Stern and Dr Ruth Kattumuri jointly serve as co-chairs of the India Observatory.

Research and Policy Commitment

The IG Patel Chair and the India Observatory are deeply committed to conducting research and engaging in public policy discussions to address global societal challenges. Their primary focus areas include sustainable growth, social inclusion, population development, and governance.

Research Approach

The India Observatory works in partnership with key academic, government and corporate organisations in order to:

  • Support and promote research into economic, social, developmental and cultural issues relevant to India
  • Promote research related to India within LSE by developing and supporting a network of academics from across the school
  • Forge partnerships with India, Asia, Europe and other regions for collaborative research and knowledge sharing issues related to India and Asia
  • Support public-private partnerships for research and dissemination

The IO's Relationship with India

Since 2003, LSE has been intensifying its institutional engagement with India still further, developing strong links with Indian academic institutions, government and corporate bodies to foster exchange of ideas and research, contribute to capacity building and contribute to the debate on broader policy issues.

The story of LSE and India starts with the School's foundation in 1895. As far back as 1912, an Indian was the first non-European president of the Students' Union.

Ralf Dahrendorf (1995) refers to the association between India and LSE as a story of soul mates. Through exchanges with government and academic initiatives, LSE has been more deeply entrenched in Indian life than a few highly visible names could achieve. In the words of a well-known Indian political leader, there is a vacant chair at every cabinet meeting in India reserved for the ghost of Professor Harold Laski.

Among the many famous Indians who have passed through LSE, two of the most prominent are Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, a founding father of the Indian constitution and a leader of the Dalit community in India and ex-President KR Narayanan. Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen is an LSE Honorary Fellow. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is an Honorary Fellow of the Asia Research Centre. Thus the LSE-India partnership has been sustained and strengthened over the years.

Dr IG Patel was the ninth Director of LSE from 1984-90. In 1999 Professor Anthony Giddens, then Director of LSE and author of The Third Way, delivered the BBC Reith lecture in Delhi. Former Director Howard Davies visited India in early 2004 when a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) for collaborative activities and projects / knowledge-exchange programmes to facilitate interaction on new innovations in business practices. He also visited the then President of India Dr Abdul Kalam.

Past research projects

Dr Ruth Kattumuri (India Observatory Co-Chair)

Professor Lord Nicholas Stern (IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government; India Observatory Co-Chair; and Chair of the Grantham Research Institute)

Dr Ashraf Pulikkamath (Sir Ratan Tata Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow)

Dr Sandeep Kumar Kujur (Subir Chowdhury Visiting Fellow)

Dr Niyathi R. Krishna (Sir Ratan Tata Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow)

Dr Wasim Ahmad (Subir Chowdhury Visiting Fellow)

Dr Ashish Dongare (Sir Ratan Tata Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow)

Shantanu Singh (Research Fellow)

Dr Soham Sahoo (Subir Chowdhury Visiting Fellow)

Dr Malvika Tyagi (Sir Ratan Tata Fellow)

Akshita Goyal (Research Intern)

Manas Goyal (Research Intern)

Sophie Savage (Research Intern)

Mehak Garg (Research Assistant)

Kerrie Quirk (Administrative Staff)

Associates

Dr Ehtisham Ahmad

Professor Sumantra Bose

Dr Saipriya Kamath

Dr Sunil Kumar

Professor David Piachaud

Professor Tirthankar Roy

Books

Executive Summary

Research Reports

India Observatory Working Papers

Asia Research Centre Working Papers

The Sir Ratan Tata Fellowship is available to scholars with experience researching on South Asia in the social sciences. The Fellowship is for a period of six months.

The Subir Chowdhury Fellowship on Quality and Economics is available to scholars with experience researching on Bangladesh and/or India in the social sciences. The Fellowship is for a period of three months.

Alumni

Our objective is to develop the alumni networks in India in order to maintain and strengthen relationships with former students and friends, and to engage their active support. We have been building, strengthening and supporting alumni networks in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore through regular events and meetings.

  • Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Chief Architect of Indian Constitution
  • Professor Amartya Sen, Honorary Fellow LSE and Professor of Economics and Philosophy, Harvard University
  • Mr Ratan Tata, Honorary Fellow LSE and Former Chairman of Tata Sons
  • Dr IG Patel, Honorary Fellow LSE and Director of LSE 1984-90
  • Mr Shail Anjarai, International Monetary Foundation
  • Mr Kalyan Banerji, World Bank
  • Mr Jyoti Kiran Basu, former Chief Minister of West Bengal
  • Professor Partha Dasgupta, Honorary Fellow LSE and Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Cambridge
  • Mr Anthony Desai, Honorary fellow LSE and former Governor of West Bengal
  • Mr Ashok Desai (in memory), Attorney General of India (1996-1998) and Solicitor General of India (1989-1990)
  • Mr Nitin Desai, Honorary Fellow LSE and formerly of the United Nations
  • Dr John Matthai, First Railway Minister (1947-48) and subsequently Finance Minister (1949-50), Government of India
  • Mr VK Krishna Menon, motivator for India League; India's freedom movement
  • Shri Dr KR Narayanan, Honorary Fellow LSE and former President of India
  • Mr Aroon Purie, India Today Group founding Chairman and Editor-in-Chief
  • Dr Manmohan Singh, Honorary Fellow of Asia Research Centre and Former Prime Minister of India
  • Dr Tarlok Singh, Honorary Fellow LSE and India's first High Commissioner in London