India’s economy is marked by deep disparities — while some districts thrive through industrialisation and services, others remain trapped in low-productivity agriculture. This vertical of the Centre for the Study of the Indian Economy (CSIE) aims to understand these uneven patterns of growth and exclusion through grounded, data-driven research.

In addition to national statistics and conventional models, this vertical will strive to combine alternative data sources — such as satellite imagery, labour market dashboards, and firm registries — with local insights. The goal is to map where value is being created, who benefits from it, and which regions or communities are being left behind.

Key questions sought to be answered by this vertical include: What drives capital, labour and firms’ accumulation  across regions? Why do some areas structurally transform while others stagnate? How do historical inequalities and informal networks shape these outcomes?

By reframing ​“inclusive growth” as a regionally grounded, empirically rich inquiry, CSIE hopes to inform better policy, deepen public understanding, and contribute to a more equitable economic future.