In this special episode of The India Briefing, Nobel Laureate and development economist Esther Duflo joins hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pya 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.
Further Links -
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 - What’s going on with India’s female labour force participation?