Monsoon School on Inequality 2026

Project Description

The Monsoon School on Inequality is an intensive academic programme organised by the Inequality Working Group of the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) and the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET). The school brings together young scholars, early-career researchers, and senior academics to engage in critical discussions on the nature, causes, and consequences of inequality, particularly in the context of developing economies.

The initiative emerged from a recognition that inequality remains one of the defining challenges of our time. Persistent disparities in income, wealth, opportunities, and access to basic services often accompany rapid economic growth across many developing countries. Understanding these dynamics requires perspectives that go beyond conventional disciplinary boundaries and methodological approaches. The Monsoon School therefore aims to provide a pluralistic and interdisciplinary space where participants can explore inequality through diverse theoretical frameworks, empirical strategies, and policy debates.

Building on the success of the first two editions, the third edition of the Monsoon School on Inequality will continue to foster dialogue among scholars working on different dimensions of inequality, including economic, social, environmental, and institutional aspects. The programme is designed to create an open intellectual environment where participants can present their research, receive constructive feedback from mentors, and engage in discussions that connect academic research with real-world policy challenges.

Themes and Sessions 

Major themes covered include, but are not limited to:

1. Economic Inequality and its measures

• Income and wealth disparities.
• Labour market inequality and wage gaps.
• Diverse measures to estimate inequality: Data Sources and Indices
• Measures of intergroup and intragroup inequality.
• Linkages between governance, institutions, and economic inequality.

2. Social Mobility and equal opportunities

• Inequality of opportunity and its economic impact.
• Social determinants of health and educational inequality.
• Social mobility and intergenerational inequality.
• Affirmative action and its impact on intergenerational mobility.
• Social mobility across caste, gender, and religion.

3. Education, Health and Inequality

• Disparities in access to education and healthcare.
• Digital divide and technology access in education
• Early childhood development and long-term inequality
• Nutrition, sanitation, and preventive care disparities.
• Urban–rural health divide and human capital formation in India.

4. Economic Growth, Structural Transformation, Trade Policy and Inequality

• Taxation, redistribution, and fiscal policies addressing inequality.
• Trade, investment, and their implications for inequality and poverty.
• Global supply chains play a significant role in contributing to wage disparities.
• Structural change and unequal effects in development.
• Migration and its effect on sending and receiving economies.

Additional Activities:

1. Mentorship Session: Young scholars will have the opportunity to present their research with allocated mentoring groups.
2. YSI Session: An introduction to the activities and opportunities provided by the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI).

Eligibility Criteria

Target Audience:

• Advanced PhD students (those completed with academic coursework) or early-career researchers affiliated with Indian universities or research institutes.
• Scholars enrolled in advanced graduate programmes or working as research associates.
• We welcome applicants from all fields in the social sciences; however, preference will be given to those with some background in economics

Application Requirements:

• Submission of an extended abstract showcasing original and high-quality research on inequality.
• Active interest in pluralistic and interdisciplinary approaches to studying inequality.

Application Process
Application Package:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include academic qualifications, research experience, and key publications (if any).
2. Extended Abstract: 700 to 1,000 words, providing a detailed overview, including research objectives, theoretical framework, methodology, preliminary results, and implications.
3. Statement of Interest (500 words): Explain your motivation for participating, the relevance of your research to inequality, and how you would contribute to discussions at the school.

Apply here

Originality: Papers must be the original work of the scholars. All submissions will be checked for originality using one of the plagiarism detection tools.

Final selection will be based on the quality of the extended abstract. Only those whose papers meet the required standards will be selected to attend the school. The decision made by the organising committee will be final and binding.

Financial Support:
Selected scholars will be provided accommodation on a sharing basis and a travel stipend equivalent to a third-tier AC train (excluding Rajdhani, Duronto, Vande Bharat, and other dynamic-pricing/premium trains). Please share your tickets and proof of travel with us for reimbursement. We encourage scholars who can cover their own travel costs to apply, as the school will cover their accommodation.

Tentative Deadlines:
Call for Applications Open: April 22, 2026
Deadline for Submission of Abstract/Extended Abstract and Application Materials: May 7, 2026
Final Decisions and selection announcements made between May 25 and 30, 2026
Monsoon School: July 12–14, 2026

Host and Collaboration

This special event, organised by IWG-YSI, will be hosted at the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvananthapuram Campus, with the institution providing logistical support, accommodation for attendees, and other support. Jointly supported by the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) and Economiga (the local organiser) in organising this event.

Organizing Team