The Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP) at Ashoka University recently concluded its First Annual Growth Conference 2025 in New Delhi, which focused on India’s medium-term growth, employment, rural economy, and the role of developed states in driving national progress. The two-day conference featured high-level sessions with leading policymakers, senior government officials, business leaders, and academics.
The conference highlighted the importance of building a skilled workforce to suit the current job market, with Dr. Anisha Sharma, Professor of Economics at Ashoka University, noting that despite a decline in unemployment since 2017, the level of unemployment among young, highly educated individuals remains high. Shri Atul Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, emphasized the need to bridge the skill gap in the country, citing the root cause as the education system prioritizing degrees over skills.
Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed, high-income society by 2047. He stressed the need for sustained and accelerated growth, focusing on labor productivity, investment, and structural reforms to boost the economy. Bery also highlighted the importance of leveraging demographic dividend, technology, and geopolitical shifts to accelerate growth.
The conference also featured a session on developed states, with senior policymakers and business leaders discussing the active roles different states play in pushing India towards further economic growth. Ashish Dhawan, Founding Chairperson of Ashoka University, highlighted the need for states to take unconventional approaches, new reforms, and initiatives to attract industry. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of Telangana, shared the growth story of Telangana, which has seen remarkable growth in recent years, registering the highest per capita income after Goa and Sikkim.
The session on agriculture and the rural economy brought together experts to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in India’s agricultural sector, including enhancing farm productivity, diversifying rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The conclave concluded with a special address by Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, who highlighted the need for India to maintain macroeconomic stability while pursuing innovation-led, inclusive growth strategies.
Overall, the conference provided a platform for dynamic discussions and collaborative strategies to strengthen India’s growth and governance frameworks. The ICPP at Ashoka University aims to identify research gaps linked with policy making and implementation, and works with leading public, private, and non-profit sector stakeholders to promote evidence-based policy making. With its research and policy initiatives, the ICPP seeks to contribute to India’s development and growth, aligning with the country’s vision of becoming a developed, high-income society by 2047.