School of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Does fiscal federalism prevent or provoke secessionist conflicts? The Autonomy-Equalization Conundrum and the promise of concessionary federalism
(2024) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
Does Fiscal Federalism Prevent or Provoke Secessionist Conflicts? This article shows that both insufficient fiscal equalisation and excessive redistribution can provoke contestations – especially when economic grievances of low- and high-income states coincide with national minorities. Fiscal federalism must strike a balance – empowering low-income states without expropriating high-income states – to prevent these contestations from escalating into con f licts. The challenge is twofold: First, designing a policy framework that discourages the perverse incentives associated with high levels of equalisation and autonomy. This may be recommended by Independent Fiscal Institutions (IFIs). However, this is not sufficient, because political incumbents – influenced by their incentives and self-interest – might resist these recommendations. Therefore, the second level challenge lies in making these recommendations work. One way is to establish institutionalised mechanisms of inter governmental negotiations which can reveal interdependencies and facilitate (a) continuous dialogue – enabling parties to align their incentives with economists’ recommendations and recognise their common interests where they had previously perceived con f licting ones, and (b) reciprocal concessions – encouraging parties to relax their dominant strategies. Intergovernmental councils with predefined principles for contestations and mandatory outputs (agreed-upon concessions) can yield an equilibrium where no party has a unilateral incentive to deviate, encapsulating the essence of negotiated cooperation and concessionary federalism.
The Return of the Center: Reconfiguration of Center-State Relations in Modi’s India
(2025) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
INVESTIGATION OF ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF USEFULNESS IN ONLINE TRAVEL COMMUNITIES: THE MODERATING ROLE OF DECISION MAKING STAGE
(2023-05) Ranga, B; Singh, R; Ranga, I
This study examines the perceived usefulness (PU) of online discourse and the decision-making behavior of users in Online Travel Communities (OTCs). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used on secondary data available in OTCs in the form of 852 threads to empirically test the proposed integrated model. The antecedents of the perceived usefulness of online travel communities were found to be the argument quality and credibility. These influence the PU of user generated content significantly and are helpful in information adoption in OTCs. The PU of OTC discourse positively impacts travelers' information adoption and decision-making. The current study offers implications for OTCs and online service providers for enhancing the usefulness of user-generated content in OTCs and social media sites, leading to online information use and travel decision-making. Prior literature has explored the nature and magnitude of the influence of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on information adoption and intention to use information for travel purchases from users' perspectives and has investigated the PU of third-party travel sites. This paper is an effort to examine PU and decision-making by analyzing the User-Generated-Content (UGC) posted by the actual users.
Building an outreach culture for fairer access to higher education in Haryana, India: a ‘bottom up’ contribution to policy implementation
(2023) Stewart, A; Sabharwal, N; Yadav, R
This article is concerned with an institutional initiative designed to encourage the development of an outreach culture which can support fairer, more equal, access to higher education (HE) in India. The initiative constituted the final impact phase of a five-year research Fair Chance Foundation (FCF) project (2017-2022) which explored gendered pathways to fair access to HE in the northern Indian state of Haryana. We present the methodology used to prepare a toolkit, named an Outreach Activity Resource (OAR), which enabled staff in government colleges in Haryana to plan and conduct pilot ‘taster days’. The article provides an assessment of the outcome of these events. It argues that a practitioner as researcher methodology and a collaborative ‘bottom up’ research approach provides the basis for the development of contextually appropriate outreach activities to support fairer, more equal, access to higher education (HE). We argue that the adoption of ‘top down’ initiatives, in very different economic, social and cultural contexts to the those where they were originated, may fail to address the way in which the local ‘problem’ presents itself and may hinder the development of a contextually informed outreach culture which will support fairer, more equal access to HE. In contrast, initiatives such as the one present here, can contribute essential locally informed expertise, built on contextually informed research, to national and international policy making in relation to widening access to HE in an era in which massification is extending across the globe.
An Efficient Method to Decide the Malicious Traffic: A Voting-Based Efficient Method
(2023) Kumar, A; Singh, J; Kumar, V
To address the high rate of false alarms, this article proposed a voting-based method to efficiently predict intrusions in real time. To carry out this study, an intrusion detection dataset from UNSW was downloaded and preprocessed before being used. Given the number of features at hand and the large size of the dataset, performance was poor while accuracy was low. This low prediction accuracy led to the generation of false alerts, consequently, legitimate alerts used to pass without an action assuming them as false. To deal with large size and false alarms, the proposed voting-based feature reduction approach proved to be highly beneficial in reducing the dataset size by selecting only the features secured majority votes. Outcome collected prior to and following the application of the proposed model were compared. The findings reveal that the proposed approach required less time to predict, at the same time predicted accuracy was higher. The proposed approach will be extremely effective at detecting intrusions in real-time environments and mitigating the cyber-attacks.
Decoding start-up failures in Indian start-ups: Insights from Interpretive Structural Modeling and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification
(2024-02) Pathania, A; Tanwar, S
Start-ups are widely acknowledged as crucial catalysts for innovation and drivers of economic progress. However, their vulnerability to failure continues to pose a persistent and significant obstacle. In light of this, the study intends to ascertain the various elements responsible for the elevated incidence of start-up failures and examine their contextual associations. It further aims to establish the hierarchical structure and identify the crucial factors of start-up failure. METHODOLOGY: The paper uses the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach to determine the structural hierarchy and interconnections among the causes of start-up failures identified through the comprehensive analysis of existing literature and experts’ opinions. MICMAC (Cross Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification) analysis is also being utilized to categorize these identified failure causes into autonomous, independent, dependent, and linking factors by their driving and dependency powers. FINDINGS: A structural framework depicting the interrelationships among the factors has been derived, showing the failure factor, ‘poor market positioning’ factor at the highest level, and the ‘lack of entrepreneurial efficiency’ at the lowest level of the model. The results also revealed that lack of entrepreneurial efficiency, poor management, and external environmental issues are the most significant independent factors upon which all other failure factors rely. It also categorizes ‘poor market positioning’ as the dependent factor, signifying its passive role in the failure of start-ups. IMPLICATIONS: As previous literature has discussed the various factors responsible for the failure of start-ups in isolation, the current study fills out the gap in the literature by establishing linkages among those factors. The study’s insights emphasize the value of effective management teams and entrepreneurial skills in averting start-up failures. It highlights the importance of skill development and mentorship to enhance the capabilities of entrepreneurs and their teams. Furthermore, the research indicates that policymakers and support groups can create focus initiatives addressing issues like market validation, team dynamics, and financial management to enhance the start-up environment. These initiatives may encompass entrepreneurship training, financial assistance, and mentorship through the ‘Start-up India’ Program, Bharat Fund platform, etc. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: Previous studies on entrepreneurial failure are based on AHP (Analytical Hierarchical Process), content analysis, and quality management methodologies. This is potentially the first study using the ISM-MICMAC approach that explores the complex world of start-up failures in India and illustrates the relative influence and interdependence of various failure factors of start-ups through a hierarchical model.
Conditional Concessions and Cessation of Secession: What Role for Fiscal Federalism?—Insights from India
(2024) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
Sukshmjeevanu in Vedas: The Forgotten Past of Microbiology in Indian Vedic Knowledge
(2020-10) Kuhad, U; Goel, G; Maurya, P; Kuhad, R
No one questions the existence of presumptive knowledge of invisible organisms causing disease, decay and destruction mentioned before the discovery of the microbial world by Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, who was the first to describe the invisible world as per literature available today. However, the knowledge about microbial world by Indian Rishis presented in Sanskrit shlokas or suktas of our traditional manuscripts such as Vedas remained unseen, where the Rishis had predicted the role of microorganisms known as Krimi or Jeevanu years before Leeuwenhoek. This note is an attempt to bring an emphasis to revisit our traditional Vedic knowledge and establish them through research based facts for wider acceptance globally.
A situational theory of pork-barrel politics: The shifting logic of discretionary allocations in india
(India Review, 2017) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
Despite the extensive literature on distributive politics, there is still a lack of a theory of how political and fiscal institutions interact to shape the pork barreling ability of national leaders in a federal parliamentary democracy. This article examines how the party system types (dominant party versus coalition system) and particular attributes of discretionary grants (providing credit claiming opportunity or facilitating side payments) influence opportunities for pork-barrel politics. This article proposes a situational theory of distributive politics that states that incentives for exclusive targeting of affiliated states in one-party dominant systems drive national ruling parties toward particularism while the shrinking opportunity to indulge in such a policy in multiparty coalition systems creates a universalization effect. The disaggregated analysis of discretionary grants using Indian data for 14 states for the one-party dominant period (1972–89) and the coalition era (1996–2012) confirms the theoretical expectations. Additionally, the exercise brings to the fore the fact that the shift from particularism to universalism occurs for schematic grants that provide credit claiming opportunity. The ad hoc grants that are like side payments remain subject to particularism.
Twin deficit hypothesis and reverse causality: A case study of China
(Palgrave Communications, 2019) Banday, Umer Jeelaine; Aneja, Ranjan
This paper analyses the causal relationship between budget deficit and current account deficit for the Chinese economy using time series data over the period of 1985–2016. We initially analyzed the theoretical framework obtained from the Keynesian spending equation and empirically test the hypothesis using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing and the Zivot and Andrew (ZA) structural break for testing the twin deficits hypothesis. The results of ARDL bound testing approach gives evidence in support of longrun relationship among the variables, validating the Keynesian hypothesis for the Chinese economy. The result of Granger causality test accepts the twin deficit hypothesis. Our results suggest that the negative shock to the budget deficit reduces current account balance and positive shock to the budget deficit increases current account balance. However, higher effect growth shocks and extensive fluctuation in interest rate and exchange rate lead to divergence of the deficits. The interest rate and inflation stability should, therefore, be the target variable for policy makers.
Decomposing the performance metrics of coconut cultivation in the South Indian States
(Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2021) Kappil, Shin Raju; Aneja, Ranjan; Rani, Poonam
Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is extensively cultivated and used as a staple ingredient in Indian cuisines, especially in the South Indian cuisines. In India, other than edible purposes, coconut is widely used in religious practices and, it is considered as symbol of prosperity. Despite these facts, several upturns and downturns occurring in the growth trends of coconut in recent periods irrespective of geographical differences. This study attempts to decipher the growth trends in the area, the production and yield of coconut in major coconut producing states in India from 2000–2001 to 2017–2018. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are the states in India where coconut palms are extensively cultivated and produced in large quantities. These states together contribute to approximately 84 per cent of the total area for cultivation of coconut and account for over 87 per cent of total production in the country. We analyse the growth trends in coconut cultivation using appropriate growth equations to estimate the growth rates and instabilities in growth trends. Besides, we use decomposition analysis to find the role of area, price, yield and crop mix effects on coconut production. The results reveal that Karnataka secured high growth in coconut production and its productivity and recorded better acceleration but fluctuated heavily between the phases of years under investigation. It shows that the price effect and yield effect play a crucial role in the total change of coconut production among the selected states. Based on the results, we recommend the local governments and other dedicated authorities to ensure that coconut growers have better access to modern technology, quality inputs, marketing and credit facilities following local necessity. Eventually, these measures can attract and encourage many new farmers into coconut cultivation and thereby achieving better advances in coconut farming.
India after the 2014 general elections: BJP dominance and the crisis of the third party system
(Regional and Federal Studies, 2019) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar; Swenden, Wilfried; Schakel, Arjan H.
This article critically assesses claims that India has entered a new party system after the 2014 general elections, marked by renationalisation with the BJP as the new ‘dominant’ party.’ To assess these claims, we examine the electoral rise of the BJP in the build-up to and since the 2014 general elections until the state assembly elections in December 2018. Overall, we argue that despite the emerging dominance of the BJP, a core feature of the third party system -a system of binodal interactions- has remained largely intact albeit in a somewhat weaker form. Furthermore, by comparing the post 2014 Indian party system with key electoral features of the first three party systems, we conclude that the rise of the BJP has thrown the third-party system into crisis, but does not yet define the consolidation of a new party system.
Partisan federalism and subnational governments' international engagements:Insights from India
(Publius, 2020) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
This article situates the international activities of subnational governments in India within the broader political economy of federalism. It argues that the nature and the extent of subnational states’engagements in international affairs are a function of the partisan political relationship the state incumbents have with the national incumbents.The article takes amixedmethods approach. An analysis of 1,153 episodes of international engagements of India’s states from 1996 to 2017 reveals that shifts in foreign policy engagement of selected state governments primarily reflect alterations in the subnational incumbents’ political affiliation with the Union government. Several qualitative case studies shed light on how the central government’s inclusion of subnational governments’perspectives and representatives in foreign affairs is highly partisan and profoundly political. Therefore, the Indian case reveals how subnational diplomatic interactions merge domestic and international politics.
Examining open government data (OGD) usage in India through UTAUT framework
(Foresight, 2017) Saxena, Stuti
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the use and acceptance of open government data (OGD) of different stakeholder groups in India. Design/methodology/approach – Following an empirical investigation among 244 respondents in India, the paper deploys path analysis via LISREL. The conceptual construction of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework is used to assess the behavioral intention to use and accept OGD. Multiple regression analysis informs the relationship of demographic variables with the behavioral intention to use and accept OGD. Findings – Path analysis showed that there is an increased use and acceptance of OGD among the respondents. Multiple regression analysis shows that men are more likely to use open data sets than women. Individual differences are found among the respondents with regard toOGDusage. Thus, while men may tap open data sets in line with their purposes and professional backgrounds, women are likely to tap the data sets even for non-professional purposes. Furthermore, the respondents who are younger in age are more behaviorally inclined to accepting and using OGD than their older counterparts. Practical implications – The Indian government needs to popularize and familiarize OGD initiatives among the people to a greater extent. The utilitarian value of OGD may be provided when data sets are more user-friendly, frequently updated and accurate. This would facilitate in better provision of public services besides appreciating the public sentiment. Further, with increased interaction between citizens and the government, public accountability and transparency may be better realized. Social implications – The study shows that different groups of people are engaging in tapping information through government websites and related portals. Societal influence was found to be an important factor which predicts the acceptance and usage of OGD. An infrastructure can help to enable the use of OGD..Design/methodology/approach – Following an empirical investigation among 244 respondents in India, the paper deploys path analysis via LISREL. The conceptual construction of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework is used to assess the behavioral intention to use and accept OGD. Multiple regression analysis informs the relationship of demographic variables with the behavioral intention to use and accept OGD. Findings – Path analysis showed that there is an increased use and acceptance of OGD among the respondents. Multiple regression analysis shows that men are more likely to use open data sets than women. Individual differences are found among the respondents with regard toOGDusage. Thus, while men may tap open data sets in line with their purposes and professional backgrounds, women are likely to tap the data sets even for non-professional purposes. Furthermore, the respondents who are younger in age are more behaviorally inclined to accepting and using OGD than their older counterparts. Practical implications – The Indian government needs to popularize and familiarize OGD initiatives among the people to a greater extent. The utilitarian value of OGD may be provided when data sets are more user-friendly, frequently updated and accurate. This would facilitate in better provision of public services besides appreciating the public sentiment. Further, with increased interaction between citizens and the government, public accountability and transparency may be better realized. Social implications – The study shows that different groups of people are engaging in tapping information through government websites and related portals. Societal influence was found to be an important factor which predicts the acceptance and usage of OGD. An infrastructure can help to enable the use of OGD.
Grip strength performance as a determinant of body composition, muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance
(Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 2022) Ahlawat, Ravinder Pal
Continuity and change in contemporary Indian federalism
(India Review, 2017) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
Understanding multilevel dynamics in India:constituent power and multilevel governance
(Territory, Politics,Governance, 2022) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
The dynamics of federal (in)stability and negotiated cooperation under single-party dominance: insights from Modi’s India
(Contemporary South Asia, 2022) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
Concessionary Federalism as a Tactical choice to Facilitate Constitutional Change—A Lesson from India’s Indirect Tax Reforms
(50 SHADES OF FEDERALISM, 2022) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar
GST Reforms and Federalism in India: Understanding the Role of Critical Junctures, Veto Players, Constitutional Structures and the Judicial Safeguards of Federalism.
(Centre for Multilevel Federalism, 2022-10-30) Sharma, Chanchal Kumar

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