RIS

Happening Tomorrow!

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), in collaboration with the Delhi School of Economics, is organising a High-level Policy Dialogue on the Union Budget 2026-27 and the Economic Survey 2025-26 titled 'Roadmap for Atmanirbhar Bharat in a Fragmented World with Strong Headwinds'.

We are honoured to welcome Dr. V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, Government of India, as the Keynote Speaker.

The panel features an eminent group of Speakers:
* Mr. A.K. Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard
* Mr. P Vaidyanathan Iyer, Managing Editor, The Indian Express
* Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and Professor, Faculty of Management Studies - University of Delhi
* Dr. Charan Singh, CEO & Founder Director, EGROW Foundation
* Dr. Sekhar C.S.C., Professor, Institute of Economic Growth
* Dr. Prabir De, Professor, CMEC - Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity, RIS

The session will be moderated by Prof. Ram Singh, Director, Delhi School of Economics.

📅 Date: 7 February 2026
⏰Time: 2:30 pm onwards
📍 Venue: The Imperial New Delhi.

Live streaming is available at:
https://lnkd.in/gnJszmCm

Concept Note & Agenda for the discussion available at: https://lnkd.in/gf5A2rp4

We look forward to an engaging discussion on India’s economic priorities, global positioning, and the road ahead towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, launched the report 'MSME Digitalisation in India: Current Status & Challenges'.

Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, RIS, highlighted MSME digitalisation as a powerful driver of growth, employment, and inclusion, noting the significant opportunity to further expand adoption and unlock productivity gains, as MSMEs contribute nearly 30% to India’s GDP.

Dr. Pankaj Vashisht, Associate Professor, RIS, presented the report based on a survey of 2,882 MSMEs across 14 states and 5 sectors and highlighted strong adoption of digital tools, especially payments, uneven use of AI, ERP, e-commerce & SCM, and a positive link between digitalisation and enterprise growth. He noted disparities & barriers and called for awareness, skills development, cost reduction, and trust-building to enable a more inclusive and productive digital transition for India’s MSMEs.

Professor Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, met Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the first woman Vice Chancellor and a distinguished alumna of one of India’s foremost universities.

The interaction explored strengthening institutional collaboration between RIS and JNU, particularly in trade and international economic relations. As India takes on the BRICS INDIA 2026 Presidency, these conversations become even more timely and relevant.

RIS and JNU share a strong complementarity in this regard. While JNU brings deep academic expertise across international studies, economics, law, and political economy, RIS contributes policy-oriented research, engagement with multilateral institutions, and a strong Global South perspective.

Together, there is strong potential to deepen collaboration through joint research, policy dialogues, faculty and student engagement, and capacity-building initiatives across JNU’s School of Social Sciences, SIS JNU, and its other schools.

The discussion reflected and built upon RIS’s recent collaboration with JNU, including the International Conference “Reimagining the Global South: Opportunities and Challenges for India” held at JNU.

Such academic-policy partnerships are essential for generating evidence-based, development-centric insights that can inform India’s engagement with the evolving global economic order.

या कुन्देन्दु तुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता।
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना॥
ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिः देवैः सदा वन्दिता।
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥

On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, celebrates the spirit of renewal, learning, and creativity.

May the blessings of Maa Saraswati inspire wisdom, harmony, and new beginnings.

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) kick-starts a brainstorming series focusing on key issues likely to engage Trade Ministers of World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled to be held in Cameroon from 26–29 March 2026.

The opening session, entitled 'The Lynchpins for Re-invigorating the World Trade Organization: WTO Reforms and Dispute Settlement Reforms,' brought together former bureaucrats, the Indian WTO Ambassadors, academicians specialising in WTO law and economics, and senior trade policy experts, creating a rich forum for informed and forward-looking deliberation. Discussions commenced with two of the most consequential items on the MC14 agenda—WTO reform and dispute settlement reform.

Setting the tone for the series, Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, RIS, delivered the welcome address, outlining the objectives and thematic focus of the brainstorming initiative. His address was followed by the inaugural speech by Shri. Amitabh Kumar, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, who highlighted key policy priorities and contextualised the discussions within India’s engagement with the evolving multilateral trading system.

The session featured substantive presentations by Ms. Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary (PP&R), Ministry of External Affairs; Atul Kaushik; and Dr Harsha Vardhana SINGH. Their interventions provided analytical perspectives on key dimensions of WTO reform and dispute settlement, enriching the discussions with policy-relevant insights grounded in institutional experience and scholarly engagement.

The participants offered insightful and constructive perspectives on pathways to restore the effectiveness, credibility, and centrality of the multilateral trading system, reflecting on reforms needed to enable the WTO to respond to contemporary global trade challenges while preserving its development dimension. The deliberations highlighted the imperative of reviving an institution that has underpinned global economic growth and prosperity for over three decades.

Building on these discussions, RIS will publish well-researched analytical papers on each theme covered in the series, aimed at contributing substantively to policy debates in the run-up to MC14.

As we welcomed 2026, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) family congregated for a cheerful New Year get-together marked by warm conversations, shared reflections, laughter, and a strong sense of togetherness. The occasion offered an opportunity to connect with colleagues, reflect on the year gone by, and exchange thoughts and aspirations for the year ahead.

The gathering provided a relaxed, welcoming setting that encouraged informal conversations and the exchange of ideas and perspectives on shared priorities. This was followed by a pleasant luncheon and a group photograph that captured the spirit of camaraderie and togetherness that defines our workplace.

As we step into 2026, we do so with optimism, renewed energy, and a shared commitment to collaboration, learning, and purposeful progress. We look forward to the year ahead with positivity and a collective resolve to grow together and contribute meaningfully to our common goals.

The India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) explore avenues to strengthen their partnership through joint academic initiatives.

Prof. (Dr.) K G Suresh, Director, IHC, met Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, RIS, to discuss initiating an IHC–RIS seminar series focusing on India–ASEAN cultural connectivity, historical linkages, and people-to-people exchanges.

The proposed seminar series aims to foster sustained scholarly collaboration, bringing together researchers, historians, and policy practitioners to deepen understanding of the cultural foundations underpinning contemporary India–ASEAN relations.

The Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) was pleased to host Dr. Senthil Pandian C, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the WTO (PMI), today.

Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, DG, RIS, along with Mr. Atul Kaushik, held discussions with the Ambassador on key developments at the WTO, with a particular focus on agriculture negotiations and related issues. The exchange provided valuable insights into the evolving multilateral trade landscape and ongoing negotiating dynamics.

Importantly, the discussions also explored ways to strengthen collaboration between RIS and the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO, particularly on agriculture-related issues, analytical support, and policy research, in view of the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-14). Such collaboration would help inform evidence-based positions and support India’s engagement in ongoing and future WTO negotiations.

RIS is grateful to Dr. Pandian for his valuable insights and perspectives, which greatly enriched the discussion, and looks forward to continued engagement on critical WTO and development-related issues.