Call for Papers

Annual Conference on Finance and Markets 2026

26–27 February 2026

The Institute of Economic Growth invites submissions for its upcoming conference “Finance and Markets,” to be held on 26–27 February 2026 at IEG, Delhi. The conference aims to bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss cutting-edge research and contemporary issues in finance and markets.

Key Highlights

  • Keynote Address will be delivered by a renowned expert in finance and markets.
  • A special panel discussion on contemporary issues in finance and markets will be held at the India International Centre (IIC).
  • Each selected participant will serve as a discussant for one other paper.

Submission Guidelines

  • Full Paper Submission Deadline: 31 December 2025
  • Notification of Acceptance: 15 January 2026, based on the review committee’s decision.

Travel & Accommodation

  • Travel Support: Travel expenses for selected participants will be reimbursed for the shortest route up to a maximum of ₹6,000 (round trip), covering AC 2-tier / AC 3-tier train fare or economy-class airfare. Any amount exceeding ₹6,000 must be borne by the participant. Please note that local conveyance will not be reimbursed.
  • Accommodation: The accommodation will be provided at the IEG Guest House. Due to limited rooms, accommodation will be allotted to non-Delhi participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • There will be no registration fee and accommodation charges for the conference.

We invite high-quality research papers on all finance and market-related themes outlined in the concept note. Full papers may be submitted by filling up the google form in the link: https://forms.gle/oidVeiuFyNeb1ZQMA. For any queries or further information regarding submissions, please contact the conference organizers at the email address: finance.markets@iegindia.org.

We look forward to your participation at IEG Delhi in February 2026!

Concept Note

The Second Conference on “Finance and Markets” is being organized under the HDFC Bank Chair of Banking and Finance, the TATA Chair of Information Technology, and the Development Planning Centre (DPC) at the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), Delhi. This two-day event aims to bring together scholars, policymakers, and industry practitioners to deliberate on the evolving landscape of finance, investment, inclusive growth, and global market dynamics, with a special focus on India’s challenges, opportunities, and policy responses.

The Indian economy is currently at a critical juncture characterized by rapid digital transformation, the growing influence of artificial intelligence, and evolving patterns of global integration amid recent geopolitical shifts. Against this backdrop, the conference seeks research contributions that examine the intersections of financial innovation, investment behaviour, human capital development, technological adoption, trade, and industrial policy. These are the key forces shaping India’s economic trajectory.

The modern finance literature covers diverse theoretical and empirical questions. Corporate finance and financial inclusion are two important sub-domains within this growing body of research. Recent trends in corporate finance indicate that Indian firms have benefited from significant structural reforms, including improvements in the ease of doing business, the introduction of bankruptcy frameworks, tax rationalization, and the deepening of capital markets. These reforms have attracted both foreign and domestic investors, enhancing the vibrancy of India’s financial ecosystem. However, this expansion also presents new regulatory and governance challenges, such as ensuring compliance, protecting investors, and maintaining market transparency. Furthermore, while digitalization and AI are expected to boost corporate performance, traditional financial institutions face the dual challenges of sustainability and intensified competition.

Similarly, financial inclusion continues to be a foundation of inclusive and equitable growth, particularly amid India’s ongoing financial and digital transformation. Expanding access to formal financial services empowers individuals, especially women and marginalized groups, to engage more actively in productive and entrepreneurial activities. Government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and the rapid rise of digital banking and fintech have broadened financial access across social strata. These developments have enabled micro and small enterprises to formalize their operations, improve credit access, and strengthen their participation in financial markets. Nonetheless, persistent challenges such as limited financial literacy, digital security risks, and infrastructural gaps in rural areas emphasize the need for policy innovation. The conference will therefore explore how digital transformation, financial literacy, and inclusive participation can together foster a more resilient and sustainable financial ecosystem.

Along with the developments in the financial landscape, there have been tectonic shifts in the global industrial and economic order. Rising geopolitical uncertainties and developments have placed globalisation on the backburner. This uncertainty has affected the global supply chain configurations, prompting a rethinking of trading relationships. The conference will explore how geopolitical and economic disruptions are reshaping global supply chains and trade strategies.

Accompanying these developments has been a re-emergence of industrial policy across the globe that aims to boost domestic manufacturing capacities and technological capabilities. Governments across both advanced and emerging economies are once again using subsidies and public R&D programmes to strengthen domestic production. These include the US CHIPS Act, Made in China 2025, and the EU’s Green Deal.  India, too, has experimented with its own set of industrial policies, most notably the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This revival raises important questions about what forms of industrial intervention actually deliver durable gains in productivity, innovation, and export competitiveness. The conference will explore the effectiveness of industrial policies in achieving their objectives.

Alongside these broader changes, there have been shifts in both the enforcement and perception of environmental policy. Many firms are adopting greener practices, either to comply with emerging regulations or to signal stronger environmental credentials. The expansion of carbon markets has introduced new challenges and opportunities for firms. The introduction of measures such as the EU’s CBAM is forcing exporting firms, including those in India, to reassess their production processes and hedge against the adverse impacts of these requirements. The conference will examine how these evolving environmental pressures shape firm behaviour, export strategies, and the broader pattern of trade and industrial development, with a particular focus on the emergence and functioning of carbon markets.

With this background, the following are some of the major sub-themes of the conference:

Capital Markets and Foreign Investment

  • FII and Stock Market Performance in India
  • FDI in the Insurance Sector
  • Participation of Retail Investors in Financial Markets

Financial Inclusion and Participation

  • Gender and Finance: Women’s Financial Empowerment
  • Financial Inclusion and Digital Banking Transformation
  • Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, and Financial Literacy

Innovation and the Future of Finance

  • The Future of Banking and Financial Sector Innovations
  • Impact of AI on the Financial Landscape

Industrial and Investment Policy

  • Geopolitical Shocks and Supply Chain Reallocation
  • PLI Schemes and the Growth of India’s Manufacturing Sector
  • Drivers of Corporate Investment in India
  • Industrial Policy Instruments and Manufacturing Outcomes

Environmental Policy, Firm Behaviour, and Trade Adjustments

  • Firms’ Environmental Actions and Responses to Environmental Regulation
  • Design, Functioning, and Implications of Carbon Markets
  • Adjustment Challenges for Exporting Countries under CBAM