Growth Employment and Macroeconomy (GEM)

The Growth, Employment and Macroeconomy (GEM) vertical examines India's growth and development through the lens of inclusion, participation and opportunity. Our research focuses on three interconnected areas: gender and women's economic participation across sectors, from agriculture to emerging technology-driven fields; and MSMEs, including their internationalisation, productivity and resilience. We also examine the evolving development finance architecture and the role of multilateral institutions in supporting emerging economies. The vertical is guided by a central question: who participates in growth, and on what terms. Combining rigorous data analysis with primary research, field engagement and lived experiences, the programme seeks to generate evidence and policy insights that can help make India's growth more inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Alongside this, GEM's macroeconomic and trade research examines India's external sector and its position in the global economy, spanning trade agreements, digital trade governance, e-commerce, and India's growth trajectory and the evolving geo-economic global order of our times. The team works closely with the Department of Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Ministry of Ayush, alongside international partners including the World Bank and other multilateral institutions to shape India's policy priorities and its role in the global economy.