D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 Winner Announced: Young Scholars Recognized for Landmark Aadhaar Welfare Study

D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 winner Anjor Bhaskar, Arpita Sarkar, and Preeti Singh honored for groundbreaking Aadhaar welfare research.

Introduction

In a prestigious recognition of academic excellence, the D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 winner Anjor Bhaskar along with co-authors Arpita Sarkar and Preeti Singh has been awarded the Economic & Political Weekly’s Best Paper Award in the Young Scholar category. Their paper, “To Link or Not to Link: How Aadhaar Impacts the Delivery of Welfare”, provides an insightful examination of Aadhaar’s role in enhancing social welfare programs in India, particularly focusing on MGNREGA implementation in Jharkhand. This award highlights the growing importance of rigorous, data-driven research in shaping public policy and governance.

Young Scholars Making an Impact

The recognition of D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 winner Anjor Bhaskar underscores the critical contributions of young researchers in addressing pressing societal challenges. By analyzing Aadhaar’s integration with welfare programs, the study evaluates both successes and shortcomings, providing actionable insights for policymakers, NGOs, and government agencies.

• Key Authors: Anjor Bhaskar, Arpita Sarkar, Preeti Singh
• Research Focus: Aadhaar’s impact on welfare delivery and MGNREGA efficiency
• Recognition: Economic & Political Weekly Best Paper Award 2024, Young Scholar category

The study draws on comprehensive field data, offering a nuanced understanding of how digital identity systems influence welfare efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for marginalized communities.

Aadhaar and Welfare Delivery in India

Aadhaar, India’s national digital identity program, has transformed welfare distribution across the country. The award-winning paper highlights several critical points:

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1. Efficiency in Welfare Delivery: Aadhaar has streamlined beneficiary identification, reducing duplication and fraud.
2. Targeted Program Implementation: By linking welfare schemes with Aadhaar, programs like MGNREGA in Jharkhand have improved in targeting resources to eligible recipients.
3. Challenges and Limitations: Despite the advantages, issues of exclusion due to authentication errors and digital literacy gaps remain significant.

The insights from D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 winner Anjor Bhaskar and team provide policymakers with recommendations to optimize welfare systems using technology without marginalizing vulnerable populations.

Significance of the D N Ghosh Prize

The D N Ghosh Prize, named after the eminent economist Dhruba Narayan Ghosh, is awarded annually by the Economic & Political Weekly to recognize outstanding research contributions in economics and social sciences. Winning this prize places young scholars at the forefront of academic discourse, offering visibility and recognition that can influence national and regional policy debates.

Expert Insights on the Award

Dr. Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, commented on the importance of such research in modern governance: “Studies like these provide evidence-based insights crucial for designing effective public policies. Young scholars contributing innovative approaches to welfare delivery deserve commendation.”

This statement reinforces the impact of digital integration and academic research on practical policy-making, highlighting why the paper by Anjor Bhaskar and colleagues received the coveted award.

Implications for Policy and Practice

The findings of the paper carry significant implications:

• Policy Optimization: Government agencies can use these insights to fine-tune Aadhaar-linked welfare programs.
• Enhanced Accountability: Linking beneficiaries digitally reduces chances of corruption and fund leakage.
• Inclusivity Measures: Addressing exclusion errors ensures vulnerable populations are not left behind.

The paper’s contribution aligns with India’s broader goals of using technology to improve public service delivery, making it an essential reference for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

How New Scholars Can Learn from This Research

For students and early-career researchers, the work of D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 winner Anjor Bhaskar offers a roadmap for impactful research:

1. Identify Policy-Relevant Issues: Focus on areas with practical societal impact.
2. Collect Robust Data: Ensure fieldwork and data analysis are thorough and methodologically sound.
3. Collaborate and Peer Review: Work with experienced scholars to strengthen the research.
4. Communicate Clearly: Present findings in accessible language for policymakers and the public.

For those interested in exploring related resources, internal links like NCERT courses, current affairs, and notes can provide foundational knowledge. Free NCERT PDFs and mind maps are also valuable tools for research preparation.

Conclusion

The recognition of the paper “To Link or Not to Link: How Aadhaar Impacts the Delivery of Welfare” by the Economic & Political Weekly highlights the transformative role of young scholars in shaping India’s policy landscape. The D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 winner Anjor Bhaskar, along with Arpita Sarkar and Preeti Singh, exemplifies how rigorous academic research can bridge the gap between policy and practice, offering actionable insights for government and civil society alike.

For educators, policymakers, and students, this award-winning research underscores the power of evidence-based policy evaluation and the need for continued scholarship in digital governance.

10 FAQs:

1. Who won the D N Ghosh Prize EPW 2024 in the Young Scholar category?
   • Anjor Bhaskar, Arpita Sarkar, and Preeti Singh.
2. What is the title of the award-winning paper?
   • To Link or Not to Link: How Aadhaar Impacts the Delivery of Welfare.
3. What is the main focus of the study?
   • Evaluating Aadhaar’s impact on welfare delivery, particularly MGNREGA in Jharkhand.
4. How does Aadhaar improve welfare program efficiency?
   • By streamlining beneficiary identification and reducing duplication and fraud.
5. Which publication awarded the Best Paper Award 2024?
   • Economic & Political Weekly (EPW).
6. What challenges did the research highlight regarding Aadhaar?
   • Issues of exclusion due to authentication errors and digital literacy gaps.
7. Why is the D N Ghosh Prize significant?
   • It recognizes outstanding contributions by young scholars in economics and social sciences.
8. How can new researchers benefit from this study?
   • By learning evidence-based policy evaluation methods and data-driven research approaches.
9. Who commented on the importance of the study?
   • Dr. Raghuram Rajan, former RBI Governor.
10. Where can students access related educational resources?
    • NCERT courses, current affairs, notes, and mind maps.