Research

This study examined intergenerational income mobility in India from 2004-05 to 2011-12 using the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS) data. We derived intergenerational elasticities from quantile regression and rank-rank analysis. Our research found a slight increase in income mobility. Great Gatsby Curves showed manufacturing states had higher income mobility, while other states had lower mobility. Directional rank mobility analysis revealed distinct patterns among Hindu castes and Muslims. Muslims experienced the lowest upward and downward mobility. Hindu castes saw a rise in downward mobility during 2011-12.

I examine the relationship between construction activities and air pollution in India using district-level data. Employing instrumental variable (IV) regressions, my study finds that a 1% point increase in construction sector employment leads to a significant rise in NO₂ emissions, ranging from 106 to 121 µg/m³ annually. However, I observe no clear causal association with SO₂, PM₂.₅, or PM₁₀ emissions. My analysis reveals that construction equipment and cement production are key mechanisms driving increased NO₂ emissions. These findings contribute to the literature on sectoral impacts on air quality and have important implications for environmental policy in rapidly urbanizing countries. My study underscores the need for targeted regulations in the construction sector to mitigate air pollution, particularly NO₂ emissions, in India.