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The Economics Association had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Supriya Lakhtakia, a distinguished BITS Pilani alumna who graduated with dual degrees in Economics and Computer Science. During her time at BITS, she pursued research internships at organizations such as NITI Aayog, IIIT Hyderabad, and the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore, laying a strong foundation in economics, public policy, and data-driven research. Since graduating, she has worked with leading in

Dr. Dushyant Kumar is Assistant Professor and former Head of the Department of Economics and Finance at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad, an alumnus of the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi and a former post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for Development Economics of the Delhi School of Economics (DSE). In this interview, Professor Dushyant reflects on his journey into economics, shaped by a strong inclination toward mathematics and analytical thinking. Drawing from his experiences at

When the Indian Premier League played its inaugural season in 2008, many first dismissed it as a gimmick. Bollywood celebrities owned franchises, cheerleaders danced on the boundary, and a cricket match was packaged as prime-time entertainment. Cricket traditionalists were horrified. Investors, however, were paying keen attention...

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The strait is deep enough and wide enough to handle the world’s largest crude oil tankers, and it is one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. Large volumes of oil flow through the strait, and very few alternative options exist to move oil out of the strait if it is closed. In 2024, oil flow through the strait averaged 20 million barrels per day (

Movies aren’t just stories on screen — they’re billion-dollar engines that fuel jobs, tourism, merchandise, and even national identity. From Ladakh’s sudden tourist boom after 3 Idiots to Marvel’s empire of action figures and theme parks, cinema proves that culture and commerce are inseparable. Every blockbuster is more than entertainment; it’s an economic ripple that reshapes industries and societies worldwide. Job Creation The film industry is labor‑intensive, requiring a

The 18-year wait is officially over. India and the European Union have finally closed the deal on a landmark Free Trade Agreement, ending nearly two decades of wait. This isn’t just another trade pact; it’s a massive realignment of two of the world's most influential economies. By linking a combined $24 trillion market, this partnership opens up a modern trade corridor for nearly 2 billion people. From 110% duties on cars to 150% on spirits, the barriers that defined the Indi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented The Indian Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament on February 1, 2026 in midst of global economic uncertainty, supply chain realignments and focusing growth on India’s economic needs and fiscal discipline. This year’s Union Budget underscores the importance of certainty in regulations, ease of doing business and reforms to attract long term capital investment. How the Central Govt. will spend Key Highlights:- 1. State’s share in c

The Economics Association had the pleasure of sitting down with Professor Sunny Kumar Singh , of the Department of Economics and Finance at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. With a deep passion for teaching and research, Professor Sunny brings a unique perspective to economics, blending theoretical knowledge with real-world relevance. In this conversation, he talks about his academic journey, research, insights into macroeconomic and finance courses, and advice for students nag

Nepal today is not where many of its young people thought it would be. Beyond the social media ban and recent Gen-Z protests, there’s a bigger story - decades of political change, unfulfilled promises, economic struggles, and growing frustration among youth. Nepal’s expectations from democracy look very different from the reality people face today. This is not just Nepal’s problem - it reflects deeper issues in how democracy, the economy, and governance interact across South

The Economics Association sat down with 2021 batch seniors, (and Economics Association Alumni :)) Sidhant Bhat and Deepanshu Garg to discuss their experiences with the Practice School (PS) process. They shared insights on how PS-2 works, the types of roles offered, the application timeline, and how it compares to SI and Thesis. They also offered valuable advice on when and how to start preparing for PS-2 interviews. This interview was mainly focused on the finance roles for P

Imagine applying for a loan and suddenly your credit score jumps from “okay” to “good.” Banks start offering you lower EMIs, better...

Tariffs have recently been the centrepiece of international economics with the U.S.A.'s President Donald Trump's retaliatory tariffs. But...

At first glance, a number like $36 trillion, the size of the United States’ national debt in 2025, feels almost unreal. It’s so massive...

The Economics Association had the pleasure of sitting down with Professor Nivedita Sinha, of the Department of Economics and Finance at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. With a deep passion for teaching and research, Professor Nivedita brings a unique perspective to economics...

Every day, we benefit from various government-provided facilities—whether it's taking a subsidized bus ride to the city, free education, or receiving costless electricity up to a certain limit. But have you ever wondered where the funds for these "freebies" come from...

Mahakumbh Mela is a once-in-a-lifetime globally recognised Hindu pilgrimage festival celebrated only once 144 years after the completion of the 12-Kumbh Mela cycle. You've probably been hearing about it constantly these days in the news and on social media. The mela, being held in Prayagraj, attracts 400-500 million devotees, pilgrims and tourists, thus making it the world’s largest peaceful gathering of people...

The sixth edition of the Annual Conference on Economics and Finance (ACEF) is being organized on 4th-6th February, 2025 at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Hyderabad by the Department of Economics and Finance. The Economics Association had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Archana Srivastava, Convenor of the conference...

The Finance Minor stands out as one of the most popular minor courses on campus, attracting students across various disciplines who are eager to explore the world of finance and its vast opportunities. Naturally, questions like “Why should I take up the Finance Minor?”, “What are the courses like?”, and “How does it align with PS and placements?” often arise...

Imagine you're shopping for your favorite gadget online, and suddenly the price has shot up! Or you’re at the petrol pump, and it feels like you’re spending more every time. Behind these rising costs is a major force at play: the falling value of the Indian rupee. Over the past few months, the rupee has been losing its value against the US dollar, and it’s affecting everything from fuel to food, gadgets to travel...

Online shopping has now become a staple in our lives and the lives of people around the globe. It has made shopping incredibly convenient for users. Gone are the days of needing to visit stores in person. Now, with just a few clicks on our devices, we can purchase pretty much anything under the sun...