Puran Singh

EMPLOYMENT

2022-Present    Associate Professor, School of Management, IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

2016-2023   Faculty Incharge & Director Incubation, IIT Mandi Catalyst, a technology business incubator

2021-2022          Associate Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

2015-2021          Assistant Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

2014-2015           Assistant Professor, Finance, BITS-Pilani, KK Birla Campus, Goa

2013-2014           Research Associate, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad

2012-2013           Academic Associate, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad

2009-2012           Research Scholar, University Business School, PU, Chandigarh

2008-2009     Analyst, Grail Research India Pvt Ltd

EDUCATION

2009-2013              PhD, Finance, University Business School, PU Chandigarh

2006-2008              MBA, Finance, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla

2003 -2006             B.Com, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (Gold Medal)

FELLOWSHIPS

Fellow, Digital Research Identity Initiative, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, April 2018-2020

Senior Research Fellowship, University Grants Commission, 2012

Junior Research Fellowship, University Grants Commission, 2010-12

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Entrepreneurship: Student Entrepreneurship, New Venture Creation Dynamics, National and Regional Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Entrepreneurship Policy Research

Financial Inclusion: Challenges facing the business correspondent model of banking

TEACHING

HS205 Financial Accounting, Aug 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

HS551 Financial Management, Aug 2015, Feb 2016, 2017,  2018, 2019, 2020, 2023

HS650 Statistical Methods, Feb 2017, Feb 2018

HS304 Organizational Management, Feb 2018

HS510 Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Aug 2018, Feb 2021, Aug 2021, Feb 2022, Aug 2022

HS535 Financial Inclusion, Aug 2020

Entrepreneurship Practicum July 2022

MB533 Entrepreneurship, Aug 2023, Aug 2024

MB515 Financial Statement Analysis, Aug 2023, Aug 2024

MB527 Financial Management Feb 2023, Jan 2024, Jan 2025

GUEST FACULTY

MBA ZC415 Financial and Management Accounting, WILP, Bits-Pilani, 2015, 2016, 2018

MOOC

Financial Accounting, NPTEL, July 2020, January 2022, January 2023, January 2024: https://nptel.ac.in/noc/courses/noc20/SEM2/noc20-mg71/

WORKING PAPERS

Gupta, S., & Singh, P.  Role of banking agents in shaping banking behaviour of rural populations. 

Kaur, N., Singh, P. & Gupta, S. Choice of Banking Methods and Financial Literacy: An Empirical Analysis in Rural India 

Gupta, S., & Singh, P. Business model analysis of Banking Agents

PUBLICATIONS 

Singh, P. & Yadav, D. (2024). Who wants to be an entrepreneur? Inside the Minds of Indian Student Entrepreneurs. GUESSS India, October 18, 2024, www.guesssindia.in

Prakash, A., Jain, A., Singh, P., & Sarkar, A. (Eds.). (2023). Technology, Policy, and Inclusion: An Intersection of Ideas for Public Policy (1st ed.). Routledge India. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003433194

Gupta, S., & Singh, P.  (2023) What drives activity of banking agents? Evidence from Rural India.  World Development Perspectives. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2023.100522

Gupta, S., & Singh, P. (2023). Technology and financial inclusion : A study of technology’s role in continuity of banking agents. In Technology, Policy, and Inclusion: An intersection of ideas for public policy (1st ed.). Routledge India.

Singh, P. & Gupta, S. (2021). State of Agent Banking Himachal Pradesh. DIRI, ISB. https://diri.isb.edu/en/community/blog-grid/state-of-agent-banking-in-hpstate-of--agent-banking-in-himachal-.html

Singh, P., & Ray, S. S. (2021). Arnetta technologies: minimum viable product. The CASE Journal. Emerald Publishing. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/TCJ-08-2019-0076/full/html

Singh, P. & Kaur, H. (2019). Zenatix: Discovering Market Fit. Ivey Publishing, 9B19A019, 11p. https://www.iveycases.com/ProductView.aspx?id=102444 

Singh, P., Vishwanathan, B. & Bang, Nupur, P. (2016). M Power Micro Finance: Early Battle for Survival, Ivey Publishing, 9B15M120, 10p. https://www.iveycases.com/ProductView.aspx?id=76011 

Singh, P., Bang, Nupur, P.  & Chakrabarti, R. (2015). Prosharpe Wealth Management, ET Cases, 17p. http://www.etcases.com/prosharpe-wealth-management-financial-management.html 

Bang, Nupur, P., Singh, P. & Kuriyan, V (2014). India’s Passion for Gold: Velvetcase, ISB Case Series, Harvard Business Publishing, ISB035-PDF-ENG, 18p. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/ISB035-PDF-ENG?Ntt=&itemFindingMethod=Search

Bang, Nupur, P., Singh, P. & Kuriyan, V. (2014). The Gold Story, ISB Case Series, Harvard Business Publishing, ISB037-PDF-ENG,8p. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/ISB037-PDF-ENG?Ntt=&itemFindingMethod=Search

Bang, Nupur, P., Singh, P. & Kuriyan, V. (2014). Gold as an asset class, ISB Case Series, Harvard Business Publishing, ISB038-PDF-ENG,12p. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/ISB038-PDF-ENG?itemFindingMethod=Other

Singh, P. , Bang, Nupur, P. Bhattacharjee, K. and Chakrabarti, R. (2013). Krishna Bhima Samruddhi Local Area Bank (KBSLAB): A Decade Review, ISB Case Series, Harvard Business Publishing, ISB018-PDF-ENG, 24p. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/ISB018-PDF-ENG 

Singh, P., Bang, Nupur, P. Bhattacharjee, K. and Chakrabarti, R. (2013). A Note on Evolution and Growth of Microfinance, ISB Case Series, Harvard Business Publishing, ISB020-PDF-ENG, June 2013, 6p. http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam;jsessionid=082168063298CF6EE75482D40B43370D?E=4800851&R=ISB020-PDF-ENG&conversationId=408877 

Singh, P. and Singh, K. (2011). An Empirical Analysis of Disclosure and Performance of Indian Microfinance Institutions, Panjab University Research Journal, 38 (1&2), 107-122.

Singh, P. (2011). Performance of Regulated Microfinance Institutions: Empirical Analysis of Indian Microfinance Industry. In Inclusive Growth and Microfinance Access, Proceedings of Conference on Inclusive Growth and Microfinance Access, Banaras Hindu University,  Macmillan Publishers, New Delhi.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

"Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student Survey 2025", in collaboration with the University of Bern & University of St.Gallen, 2025-2026

"Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student Survey 2023", in collaboration with the University of Bern & University of St.Gallen, 2023-2024

"Role of Aadhaar in improved last mile delivery of banking services?", funded by DIRI, ISB, Hyderabad, 2018-20

"Evaluation of BC Model of Banking: A case study in Himachal Pradesh", funded by ICSSR, 2018-19

"Financial Inclusion and Financial deepening through branch-less banking in Himachal Pradesh", funded by IIT Mandi, 2016-18

Doctoral Students

Sanal Gupta | Area: Agent Banking in Himachal Pradesh | 2016-2022 [Graduated]

Navdeep Kaur | Area: Financial literacy in rural populace | 2018-Present

Dharmendra Yadav | Area: Student Entrepreneurship | 2022-Present

Neha Jaswal | Area: Incubator's role in bridging market separations for startups | 2022-Present

Lakhwinder Singh | Area: Role of Startup Mentoring | 2022-Present

Gautam Misra | Area: Student Entrepreneurship | 2024-Present

Oshin Goel | Area: Student Entrepreneurship | 2024-Present

Akshara | Area: Student Entrepreneurship | 2024-Present

Javeed Dhar | Area: Student Entrepreneurship | 2024-Present

Mohit | Area: Student Entrepreneurship | 2024-Present

Saurabh | Area: Student Entrepreneurship | 2024-Present

ASSOCIATION WITH PROFESSIONAL BODIES/ COMMITTEES / OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Member,  Advisory Board, Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology, Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), 2025-Present

Member, Board of Governors, Uttisthati Foundation, i-TBI, NIT Hamirpur, 2024-Present

Member, Committee on Curriculum Design of FDPs on Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Education, 2025

Member, CII Northern Region Committee on Startup & Entrepreneurship for the years 2022–23 and 2023–24

Member, Governing Body, Indian STEPS and Business Incubators' Association (ISBA), Dec 2022-2023

Distinguished Member, CII NR Committee on Startups, 2024-25 

Member, CII Startup  Panel, Himachal Pradesh, 2022-2023

Founding Member,  Global Association of Financial and Entrepreneurial Research (GAFER), 2022-Present

WORKSHOPS/SESSIONS DELIVERED

Speaker, online session on Entrepreneurial Mindset for Acadmeia, Central University of Jammu, May 23, 2025

Speaker, 2-hour online Workshop on Minimum Viable Product: Lean Approach to Product Development, NPTEL+, Mar 1, 2025

Speaker, 2-hour online Workshop on Lean Startup Methodology: Why failing fast is important? NPTEL+, Feb 8, 2025

Speaker, Workshop on Team Building, Reva University, Bangalore Feb 2025

Speaker, Fireside chat with Innovators, Reva University, Bangalore Feb 2025

Program Coordinator and Facilitator, 6-day General Management & Leadership Program, Feb 24-Mar 1, 2025, Organized by School of Management & Center for Continuing Education at IIT Mandi, Sponsored by Ministry of MSME 

Program Coordinator and Facilitator, 6-day Entrepreneurship Mindset Program, Jan 24-29, 2025, Organized by School of Management & Center for Continuing Education at IIT Mandi, Sponsored by Ministry of MSME 

Speaker, STEM-Entrepreneurship Development Program, Sponsored by SIDBI at Chitkara University, Jan 8-10, 2025

Speaker, "Establishing and Managing Effective Incubators: Planning, Resources, and Leadership", Business Incubation Management & Leadership (BIML) Program, AIC t-hub, Hyderabad, January 8th, 2025

Speaker, 2-hour online Workshop on Cultivating Entrepreneurial Mindset, NPTEL+, Jan 4, 2025

Speaker, 3-hour online Workshop on Problem Statement Formulation: How to not build a ‘solution in search of a problem? NPTEL+, Dec 9, 2024

Speaker, Panel on lnfusing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at grassroots, during 5-day In-service program for capacity building of civil servants titled "Delivering Good Governance in Himalayan & North-East States/UTs, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academic of Administration, Musoorie, 17 July 2024.

Expert Speaker, Rich Startup, Poor Startup, Innoventure, NMIS Chandigarh, April 2, 2024

Speaker, General Management/Leadership Program for GUVNL, March 11-16, 2024, IIT Mandi

Speaker, Panel discussion on "Unveiling the Impact of PMJDY: Integrating Quantitative Outcomes and Qualitative Insights",  “The Impact Assessment of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): With Reference to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh”, Dept of Economics, University of Rajasthan, March 14, 2024

Speaker, Panel discussion on 'Journey from Financial Inclusion to Financial Wellbeing – Focus areas for the next financial inclusion strategy', Reserve Bank of India, Frontline Managers' Conference, March 7, 2024, New Delhi

Speaker, 2-hour workshop on Problem Statement Canvas, IIT Mandi Catalyst, Feb 28, 2024

Speaker, 10-Hour Workshop on Entrepreneurship Development, HP Kaushal Vikas Nigam & Center for Continuing Education, IIT Mandi, Feb 20-21, 2023

Speaker, "Fundamentals of Finance for Startups", during IIT Mandi Catalyst's Exploration Program, IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Feb 19, 2024

Speaker, "Mindset to Methodology",  during event titled आवर्धन: From spark to unicorn brilliance,” Organized by the Incubation Centre, NIT Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, Feb 03, 2024

Speaker, "Effectuating an Incubator in an Impossible Geography",  The International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate), Gujarat, Dec 22, 2023

Speaker, "Effectuating an Incubator in an Impossible Geography",  International Confluence Conference on Startups and Innovation, December 13-15, 2023, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras

Chair, Master Session,  International Confluence Conference on Startups and Innovation, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras, December 13-15, 2023,

Speaker, 3-Hour Workshop on Entrepreneurship Development, HP Kaushal Vikas Nigam & Center for Continuing Education, IIT Mandi, Nov 14, 2023

Speaker, 10-Hour Workshop on Entrepreneurship Development, HP Kaushal Vikas Nigam & Center for Continuing Education, IIT Mandi, Nov 09-13, 2023

Speaker, 10-Hour Workshop on Entrepreneurship Development, HP Kaushal Vikas Nigam & Center for Continuing Education, IIT Mandi, July 29-30, 2023

Speaker, Panel Discussion on Sustainability of Business Incubator-Good Practices, ISBAcon 2023, Indian STEPS and Incubators' Association, Mumbai, Oct 26-28, 2023

Coordinator and Facilitator, 5-day Faculty Development Program on Entrepreneurship, Ideation & Innovation, Oct 9-13, 2023, Organized by SCERT, School of Management-IIT Mandi & Center for Continuing Education, IIT Mandi

"Effectuating an incubator in an impossible geography", UNCONFERENCE ON INCUBATION PRACTICE AND NETWORKING", Indian STEPS & Incubators' Association, April 20–21, 2023, IIT Mandi Campus

Speaker, Strengthening the Ecosystem: Incubators as Enablers, Startup Kumbh: G20-DIA National Roadshow, AIC-BIMTECH, March 28, 2023

Speaker, ICON 2022: A startup-corporate connect initiative, Confederation of Indian Industries, Panel on Strengthening Startup Ecosystem and Promoting Partnership, organized by CII-HP, Nov 15, 2022

Speaker, ICON 2021 - A startup-corporate connect initiative, Confederation of Indian Industries, HP, Nov 29, 2021

Speaker, Jajba-Celebrating World Entrepreneur Week, Chitkara University-Baddi, Nov 17, 2021

Panel member, Stories From India’s Startup Schools, 100X.VC, June 2020, https://www.100x.vc/blog/stories-from-indias-startup-schools-100x.vc-team-2020-startups

Technical Session Chair, Finance and Accounting, PAN IIT International Management Conference 2018, IIT Roorkee, Nov 30-Dec 2, 2018

Workshop: Building teams that work, Forest Training Institute, Sundernagar, HP, October 2018

Workshop: Accounting and Finance for Startups, IIT Mandi Catalyst, September 2018

Member, Panel Discussion on State of Aadhaar, International Conference on Aadhaar, Digital Identity Research Initiative, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, 12-13, July 2018

CONFERENCE PAPERS

Singh, P., Kadam, A., & Bird, A. (2024). Caste, social capital and credit: Signaling creditworthiness in India, Conference on innovation and integration for development (VIID), Foreign Trade University, Hanoi, Vietnam, December 12, 2025

Singh, P., Asava, R., Agarwal, N. (2024). AI-Connect: Talent as a Service, 9th Effectuation Conference: Effectuation: Bridging Research and Practice Nantes, France November 12th – 13th, 2024

Kaur, N., & Singh, P. (2024). Financial Literacy and Saving behaviour: Evidence from Rural India, 6th International Conference on Financial Markets and Corporate Finance (ICFMCF 2024), IIT (ISM), Dhanbad. 6th-7th July 2024 

Singh, P., Asava, R.,  & Agrawal, N.M. (2024). AI-Connect: Talent-as-a-Service. 4th AIMA- ICRC Case Writing Competition & Conference, 2024, All-India Management Association, 9-11 May, 2024. (Certificate of Merit - Top 10 Cases)

Yadav, D., & Singh P. (2023). Student Entrepreneurship Landscape: Mapping Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions, and Activities. National Conference on the Power of Entrepreneurial Education: Developing Youth Mindset for Innovation and Economic Growth’ Organized by SCERT-Delhi, 20th December, 2023. 

Jaswal, N., & Singh P. (2023). The Emerging Market Separations in Early-Stage Tech Startups: A Systematic Review of the Market Separation Theory,  International Confluence Conference on Startups and Innovation, December 13-15, 2023, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras (Best Paper Award)

Singh, L., & Singh P. (2023). How does mentoring navigate startup innovation?, International Confluence Conference on Startups and Innovation, December 13-15, 2023, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras

Yadav, D., & Singh P. (2023). "What drives Student Entrepreneurship? An Empirical Analysis of Entrepreneurial Intention and Activities in Indian Educational Institutions",  International Confluence Conference on Startups and Innovation, December 13-15, 2023, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras

Sirohi, A., & Singh, P. (2022). Homestay Business Model Analysis: A Case Study of Himachal Pradesh. International Conference on People, Ecosystem & Emerging Trend in Entrepreneurship, FIED, IIM Kashipur & HCE, Strathclyde Business School, United Kingdom.

Kaur, N., & Singh, P. (2022). Role of financial literacy in the adoption of banking methods among the rural population: An empirical study of Himachal Pradesh, India.  India Public Policy Network (IPPN) Annual Conference, IIM Ahmedabad.

Gupta, S., & Singh, P. (2021). Factors affecting Banking Agents ’ Intention to Continue : Empirical Study in rural India. 3rd Annual Indian Public Policy Network Conference.

Ray, S. S., & Singh, P. (2021). MVP Discovery by Early Stage Startups: A Qualitative Analysis of Founders' Hindsight. In R.Sharma, S. Shukla, A. Kumar, A.K. Dwivedi & G. Batthini (Eds.), Fourteenth Biennial Conference on Entrepreneurship. Bookwell Delhi. http://library.ediindia.ac.in:8181/xmlui//handle/123456789/12646 

Gupta, S., & Singh, P. (2020). Technology readiness and intention to continue: A study of banking agents in HP. 3rd ICDE and 14th ISDSI Annual Conference 2020 on Building New Digital Ecosystem.

Ray, S. S., & Singh, P. (2020, December 27-29). Demystifying Minimum Viable Product: Theory, Perceptions, and Practice [Paper presentation]. 3rd ICDE & 14th ISDSI Annual Conference 2020, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

Singh, P., & Gupta, S. (2019b). Role of Aadhaar in the last mile banking: Experiences from the field. 2nd Annual Conference of the Indian Public Policy Network.

Singh, Puran and Gupta, Sanal (2019a). Does Location affect performance of banking agent? A study of BC Model of Banking in Himachal Pradesh, In XIV International Conference on Public Policy and Management, IIM Bangalore.

Singh, Puran, Gupta, Sanal and Kaur Navdeep (2019). Aadhaar-linkinig and improved last mile delivery of banking services in Himachal Pradesh, In 2nd Annual International Conference of the India Public Policy Network, University of Delhi.

Singh, Puran and Gupta, Sanal (2018). Product design and delivery issues in last mile banking: Experiences from field study in Himachal Pradesh, In PAN IIT International Management Conference 2018, IIT Roorkee.

Singh, Puran and Ray, Suryani,S. (2018). Dynamics of Incubation Selection Criteria: How Does Startup Application Content Guide Selection Decision?, In PAN IIT International Management Conference 2018, IIT Roorkee.

Singh, Puran (2012). Funding Structure and Performance of Microfinance Institutions in India: An Empirical Analysis of Indian Microfinance Institutions, In International Conference on India in an era of global uncertainties: issues, opportunities & challenges, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management Studies, Mohali.

Singh, Puran (2012). Evaluation of Microfinance Delivery Mechanisms: A Study of Indian Microfinance Industry, In UGC- sponsored National Seminar on global supply chain management: challenges and prospects, University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Singh, Puran (2012). Role of External Governance in Development of Microfinance Industry: An Empirical Analysis of Indian Microfinance Institutions, In National Seminar on Economic reforms: an unfinished agenda, GGDSD College, Chandigarh.

Singh, Puran (2012). Ethical Issues in Governance of Shareholder Funded Model of Microfinance, In International conference on business ethics and human values, University Business School, Panjab University,Chandigarh.

Singh, Puran and Saini, Gagan (2009). Skills Gap Analysis, In International conference on management and valuation of intangibles, University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

ARTICLES IN POPULAR PRESS

Singh, Puran (2018). Starting up is more than complex tech. Here is some advice for the budding entrepreneur raring to go, Yourstory.com.

Singh, Puran, Bang, Nupur. P and Patke, Prachi (2015). To cut or not to cut: Tug of war between RBI and govt, Business Section, Rediff.com.

Bang, Nupur. P and Singh, Puran (2014). The Coal Plight of India, Global Association of Risk Professionals.

Bang, Nupur. P and Singh, Puran (2014). Why India can't do away with taxes, Business Section, Rediff.com.

Bang, Nupur. P and Singh, Puran (2013). The untold coal story: Jharkhand’s cycle pullers work for pittance, Firstpost.com.

Bang, Nupur. P and Singh, Puran (2013). Duvvuri Subbarao: Green horn that locked horns, Business Section, Rediff.com.

Bang, Nupur. P and Singh, Puran (2013). Punishing India’s love of gold will not yield result, Beyond Bricks, Financial Times.

Bang, Nupur. P and Singh, Puran (2013). Why is gold so dear to everyone?, Business Section, Rediff. com.

AWARDS

"Certificate of Merit - Top 10 Cases", Singh, P., Asava, R.,  & Agrawal, N.M. (2024). AI-Connect: Talent-as-a-Service. 4th AIMA- ICRC Case Writing Competition & Conference, 2024, All-India Management Association, 9-11 May, 2024

"Best Paper Award" for Jaswal, N., & Singh P. (2023). The Emerging Market Separations in Early-Stage Tech Startups: A Systematic Review of the Market Separation Theory,  International Confluence Conference on Startups and Innovation, December 13-15, 2023, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras

"Recognized for Contribution to ISBA Governing Body during 2022-23", at ISBAcon 2023, Indian STEPS and Incubators' Association, Mumbai, Oct 26-28, 2023 

"Excellence in Teaching", Teaching Honors Award 2021,  IIT Mandi

"Significant and effective contribution in setting up Catalyst, IIT Mandi's TBI",  Foundation Day Awards, Feb 24, 2018, IIT Mandi

"Excellence in Teaching", Teaching Honors Award 2017,  IIT Mandi

"IIM RAIPUR - ET CASES Award – For a Case Showcasing Futuristic and Progressive Idea", Global Summit on Management Cases, 2014

“Excellent Contribution by an Academic Associate”, Annual Awards for 2012-13, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad

"Gold Medal", B. Com, 2006, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla