Independent Research and Policy Advocacy

Publications

Blogs

We produce blogs to discuss new research findings, ongoing projects, and even personal reflections on the research process. Our blogs are written for a variety of audiences, including other researchers, policymakers, practitioners, financial service providers, grassroots organizations, impact investors and the public. The format is simple and easy to grasp. The language is straightforward, and the tone is non-academic. Our blogs can be of varying lengths. We choose to write a blog when we don’t want to do a full- fledged study or follow a rigorous research process. Blogs may contain opinions and they can also be based on experiences. Some of our blogs may just share some observations, learnings, or challenges.

Our Work

February 6, 2014 | Dvara Research

Financial inclusion is a priority area in the minds of policy makers in India. The larger focus of this debate has been on access to credit and insurance.

By Renuka Sane
February 3, 2014 | Dvara Research

One of the more debated aspects of the Mor Committee’s report on “Comprehensive Financial Services for Small Businesses and Low Income Households” is the proposal for the new class of banks, in particular the “Payments Banks”.

By Graham A.N. Wright
January 29, 2014 | Dvara Research

India faces a major financial exclusion challenge. According to the 2011 World Bank Global Findex Survey, only 35% of Indian adults have access to a formal bank account and 8% borrowed formally in the last 12 months.

By Dan Radcliffe, Rodger Voorhies
January 27, 2014 | Dvara Research

In view of the rigid sectoral targets and the absence of an active trading market for PSL assets, current PSL requirements force identical strategies from all banks, with little scope for specialisation.

By Anand Sahasranaman
January 21, 2014 | Dvara Research

The Mor Committee Report offers a radical take on client protection, built around the concept of a legal right to suitability.

By Elisabeth Rhyne, Managing Director, Center for Financial Inclusion
January 13, 2014 | Dvara Research

Since its release on January 7, it has been heartening to see the amount of debate and interest generated by the Report of the Committee on Comprehensive Financial Services, chaired by Dr. Nachiket Mor.

January 7, 2014 | Dvara Research

The Committee on Comprehensive Financial Services for Small Businesses and Low Income Households, set up by the RBI in September 2013, was mandated with the task of framing a clear and detailed vision for financial inclusion and financial deepening in India.

By Anand Sahasranaman
January 2, 2014 | Dvara Research

A few months earlier IDFC Foundation had prepared the "India Rural Development Report 2012/13" which provided a wide perspective on the rural landscape covering the Rural dynamics, Livelihoods, Inclusion, Infrastructure, Sustainability and a review of major central government rural programmes and schemes and, in particular, the flagship MGNREGA.

By Cherian Thomas
December 28, 2013 | Dvara Research

Our picks: 1)Appointment of Dr. Raghuram Rajan - In September Dr. Rajan took over as the 23rd governor of the Reserve Bank of India. If his opening speech is any indicator, his appointment could be one of the most important milestones for the Indian financial system.

By Dvara Research
December 20, 2013 | Dvara Research

This post is a follow-up to our earlier post where we had invited public comments on Comprehensive Financial Services. In this post we seek your thoughts on the theme of Consumer Protection.

By Vishnu Prasad