The world is witnessing dramatic changes in its order defined by a state of sustained and compounding uncertainties. Geopolitical conflicts are disrupting trade, investment, and energy supply chains; increasing climate variability is amplifying the impacts of climate change; and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is poised to reshape labour markets, productivity, and economic structures, among other structural changes. At the same time, demographic transitions, technological disruptions, and evolving patterns of globalisation are creating both new opportunities and new risks.
As India advances towards the mission of Viksit Bharat, these developments present both opportunities and challenges. Understanding their implications for growth, inclusion, sustainability, and resilience has therefore become increasingly important. In this context, it is pertinent to examine these emerging challenges through an academic lens and explore policies and strategies that can foster inclusive and resilient national development despite these uncertainties.
With this aim, the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), in its 39th year since inception, is organising a two-day Fourth Biennial Conference on Development from December 21 to 22, 2026. The theme of this year's conference is Navigating Global Uncertainties for Resilient and Inclusive Growth. The conference will include keynote addresses and technical sessions on these broad themes. The conference intends to bring together policymakers, academicians and researchers to examine the interconnections among these emerging challenges and identify pathways for addressing them. The conference will provide a forum for presenting and discussing high-quality innovative academic and policy-relevant research on the following themes and sub-themes:
• Digital Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Structural Transformation
Digital Technologies and Poverty Reduction
AI, Inequality, and Inclusive Growth
AI and the Transformation of Agriculture, Industry, and Services
AI, Employment, and the Future of Work
• Energy, Environment, and Climate Change
Energy access, affordability and reliability
Clean energy transition modeling and policies
Environmental regulations and policy instruments
Climate change risks, resilience and adaptation
Climate financing and just transitions
• Conflicts and Long-term Development
Conflict and development outcomes
Measuring economic costs of conflict
Measuring spillovers of local conflicts
Post conflict development
• Demographic Transition and Labour Markets
Population Aging and Labour Market Adjustments
Demographic Dividend: Opportunities and Challenges
Migration, Mobility, and Labour Market Outcomes
Demographic Transition and Future Skill Requirements
Platform Economy and Gig Work in Demographic Transition
IGIDR invites faculty and research students from academic institutions and think tanks to submit original research papers for the conference. Each accepted paper will be allocated 30 minutes at the conference, including discussant comments and audience discussion. The last date for submitting the extended abstract is August 31, 2026 (midnight IST).
Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), in its 39th year since inception, is organizing the Fourth Biennial Conference on Development to be held from December 21 to 22, 2026. The theme of this year's conference is Navigating Global Uncertainties for Resilient and Inclusive Growth, reflecting the challenges and opportunities posed by a rapidly changing world. The conference will include keynote addresses, panel discussions, and technical sessions.
IGIDR invites faculty and research students from academic institutions and think tanks to submit original research papers for the conference. Extended abstracts should be submitted online using https://forms.gle/qq8Ca7rfQ1RSr9u46 by August 31, 2026 (midnight IST). Authors are requested to prepare the extended abstract using the prescribed format available in the submission form. The use of AI-generated content should be kept to a minimum. Submitted manuscripts should have an overall similarity index of no more than 10–15% (excluding references and standard exclusions). Each accepted paper will be allocated 30 minutes at the conference, including discussant comments and audience discussion. Details of the conference and guidelines for the extended submission are available on the conference webpage: http://www.igidr.ac.in/devconf-2026
Important dates
Last date for submission of extended abstract/full paper – August 31, 2026
Acceptance of extended abstract/full paper – September 30, 2026
Submission of full/revised paper – October 30, 2026
*Please note that the conference registration fee is INR 1000/-
Logistics
- Travel Support: Paper presenters have to make their travel arrangements to Mumbai and to IGIDR campus from airport or railway stations. Directions for reaching IGIDR from Airport and Railway stations are given below. Your arrival and departure dates can be 20th December and 23rd December 2026, respectively.
- Accommodation: IGIDR will provide accommodation for only one author per paper for the period December 20 – 23, 2026. IGIDR will not be able to provide accommodation for co-author(s) or any other person(s) accompanying the paper presenters due to room availability constraints. They have to make their own arrangements for stay; IGIDR will not be able to help on this. Paper presenters are required to fill their arrival and departure details to facilitate booking of accommodation latest by December 09, 2026 (Link will be provided later).
- Meals: IGIDR will provide all meals during December 20 - 23, 2026 for the conference participants.
- Participation Certificate: Please mention if you need a Participation Certificate latest by December 09, 2026 so that we can keep it ready (Link will be provided later).
Travel support
IGIDR offers travel support to the presenting author of each paper. The support is provided as follows:
For Students: Reimbursement for round-trip train fare in 2nd AC class
For Faculty: Reimbursement for round-trip airfare in economy class, maximum upto ₹15,000.
Please note that only one presenting author per paper is eligible for this support.
Those seeking travel support have to book their tickets and submit a copy of the ticket during the conference for reimbursement. IGIDR will not be able to book tickets.
Additionally, Ph.D students have to upload a scanned copy of a Bonafide Certificate issued by the Head of the Department / Director / any other authorized official of their University / Institute regarding their PhD student status. The original of this Bonafide Certificate has to be submitted during the conference while claiming the reimbursement.
About IGIDR
Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) is an advanced research Institute established in 1987 in Mumbai by the Reserve Bank of India for the study of national and global development issues. It is governed by a Board of Management comprising distinguished academicians. The Institute is recognized as a Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act.
As an institution of national and international repute, IGIDR's mission has been to promote academic excellence with respect to research, teaching, and capacity building in economics and development policy. The Institute offers M.Sc. in Economics, M.Sc. in Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Ph.D in Economics, Ph.D. in Development Studies and Ph.D. in Energy & Environment. Students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds are admitted to these programmes. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach with economics at its core, the course structure in each programme is designed to impart theoretical and empirical skills to analyse economic, energy and environmental issues and problems.
IGIDR faculty are drawn from reputed institutions from India and abroad and have established themselves as leading researchers in their respective areas of specialization. They have published in high quality peer reviewed journals and have contributed to academic and development policy debates at both national and international level.
The Institute carries out research funded by various international organizations like the World Bank, USAID, Asian Development Bank, IMF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. FAO, and the like. IGIDR is well known for its biennial India Development Report that surveys contemporary economic issues. IGIDR has well-connected links with policy makers, regulators and industry leaders.
For more information, please visit www.igidr.ac.in
How to reach IGIDR
Please see this link http://www.igidr.ac.in/about-us/reach-igidr/
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Last Date |
Milestone |
Link |
|
August 31, 2026 |
Registering and submission of abstract of the paper |
|
|
September 30, 2026 |
Confirmation of acceptance to authors |
|
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October 30, 2026 |
Submission of full paper |
will be announced soon
- First Biennial Conference on Development 2020 – Trade and Development
- Second Biennial Conference on Development 2022 – Sustainable Development Goals amidst Multiple Global Shocks: Progress, Challenges and Way Forward
- Third Biennial Conference on Development on the theme Energy, Environment & Climate Change.
Organising Committee
Dr. Vijay Laxmi Pandey
Dr. Bharti Nandwani
Dr. Disha Gupta
Dr. Swati Sharma
Dr. Manisha Jain
Conference Secretariat
Ms. Sayli Charatkar
Email: devconf@igidr.ac.in
Tel: +91-22-6909 6530
Website: http://www.igidr.ac.in/devconf-2026
