The 18th Annual Doctoral Thesis Conference, jointly organized by the ICFAI School of Social Sciences (ISoSS), Constituent Unit of ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad, and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai, was inaugurated on June 4, 2026. Conducted in a hybrid mode, the two-day conference brought together eminent academicians, researchers, faculty members, and doctoral scholars from across the country.
The conference has emerged as a significant academic platform for doctoral researchers to present their work, receive expert feedback, and engage in scholarly dialogue. The strong response to the event, with participation from nearly 200 research scholars representing leading institutions including IIMs, IITs, NITs, IIITs, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and several Central and State universities, reflects its growing importance in India's research ecosystem.
The keynote inaugural address was delivered by Dr. C. Rangarajan, Former Chairman, and Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, and Former Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Chancellor, ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, who underscored the critical role of universities and research institutions in advancing knowledge. Analyzing the current economic challenges facing India, he noted that many of the difficulties confronting the country are the result of external or exogenous shocks like the international trade disruptions, and tensions in West Asia, rather than domestic weaknesses.
These developments have affected global supply chains, increased energy and food prices, and created uncertainty in international financial markets. He emphasized that in spite of a falling rupee, India’s fundamentals remain strong, and the end of the war would revive the value of the rupee. According to him, recent currency pressures have been influenced largely by capital outflows, rather than by structural weaknesses in the economy.
Addressing the policy response to such external shocks, Dr. Rangarajan outlined a three-pronged strategy. In the short term, he stressed the importance of diplomatic engagement and diversification of supply sources. In the medium term, he advocated the creation of strategic buffers, particularly in critical areas such as energy security. For the long term, Dr. Rangarajan highlighted the need for efficient and selective import substitution in strategically important sectors.
He argued that India's objective should not be self-sufficiency at any cost, but rather the development of competitive domestic capabilities in critical areas where excessive dependence on imports may pose risks. He also stressed the importance of accelerating the transition towards alternative and sustainable energy sources, including renewable energy and electric mobility, to strengthen India's long-term energy security and reduce vulnerability to glob al disruptions. Concluding his address, Dr. Rangarajan called upon researchers and doctoral scholars to address contemporary economic and social challenges through rigorous research, robust data analysis, and innovative methodologies.
Delivering the special address, Prof. Basanta Kumar Pradhan, Director (Vice-Chancellor), IGIDR, Mumbai, spoke on “The Global Climate Finance Landscape: Concepts, Architecture, and the Road Ahead.” He explained the distinctions among climate finance, green finance, transition finance, and sustainable finance, emphasizing the need to avoid greenwashing.
Tracing the evolution of climate finance from the Rio Earth Summit and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to recent global climate negotiations, he discussed changing patterns in climate finance, including the growing role of private finance and project-based funding.
The inaugural session was graced by Dr. Tamma Koti Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, IFHE, Hyderabad. Welcoming the gathering, Prof. C. S. Shylajan, Director, ICFAI School of Social Sciences, highlighted the conference's role in nurturing research excellence and fostering intellectual exchange among young scholars and experts from diverse disciplines.
The conference featured technical sessions covering a wide range of disciplines, including Agricultural Economics and Sustainability, Development Economics, Entrepreneurial Development and General Management, Behavioral Economics and Psychology, Finance and Accounting, Health Economics, Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour, Macroeconomics and International Economics, Marketing and Business Strategy, and Sociology and Public Policy.
The sessions chaired by distinguished academicians, policymakers, and industry experts who provided guidance and feedback to participating scholars. Paper presentations and academic discussions were made on June 5, 2026.
The ISoSS intends to offer distinctive, high value education programs at the under-graduate and post graduate levels, and promote high quality research at the masters and doctoral degree levels. Currently, the institution offers a 3-year BA undergraduate and a 2-year MA postgraduate degree programs in Economics, and a doctoral research program leading to a PhD.
Towards internationalizing higher education, a 4-year BA Economics Program leading to an undergraduate degree with Honors or Honors with Research was offering from 2023-24 academic year. In the academic year 2024-25 the School offers a 3-year B.Sc. (Psychology), a 4-year B.Sc. (Psychology (Honors) and a 4-year B.Sc. (Psychology (Honors with Research).
A masters level research program leading to an MS (by research) degree is also being conceived of. Going forward, the ISoSS proposes to offer double-degree programs leading to BA Economics with Psychology, or Law, or Data Analytics, or Management.
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