13–14 December 2025 | ISPP Campus, New Delhi
INER conducted a two-day technical workshop on Applied Econometrics with Socioeconomic Data, designed for students, researchers, and professionals focused on utilising Indian datasets for empirical research.
Curriculum and Technical Focus
Led by Kavya Vohra, the workshop provided a hands-on approach to working with large-scale survey data, specifically the India Human Development Survey (IHDS).
- Day 1: Data Architecture and Preparation – The first session explored the structure of socioeconomic data, covering panel, cross-sectional, and time-series formats. Participants practiced reading survey documentation and codebooks, learning to merge complex household, individual, and eligible-women datasets using R and RStudio. A key conceptual focus was the measurement of unobserved variables, using indicators of women’s autonomy as a case study.
- Day 2: Econometric Modeling and Inference – The second day shifted toward applied analysis. Participants explored model building through linear regression and the interpretation of coefficients. The session addressed critical modeling challenges, including omitted variables, heteroskedasticity, and multicollinearity. The program concluded with a discussion on research design, distinguishing between correlation and causation, and strategies for handling missing data (MCAR, MAR, and MNAR).
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Shubhashis Gangopadhyay delivered a guest lecture on the intersection of econometric tools and public policy. He emphasized the importance of critical thinking when connecting quantitative evidence to real-world socioeconomic problems, urging researchers to look beyond outputs to the underlying policy questions.
Event Integration
The workshop utilized AccioPix, an AI-based tool, to streamline photo sharing for participants via a selfie-based identification system.
Outcome
The event fostered a collaborative environment for peer learning and technical skill-building. By bridging the gap between theoretical econometrics and practical data cleaning in R, the workshop marks a continued effort by INER to strengthen the quality of India-focused economic research.
INER and ISPP extend their gratitude to Kavya Vohra, Dr. Shubhashis Gangopadhyay, and all participants for their contributions to a successful learning event. December 2025 | ISPP Campus, New Delhi
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