India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC), IIM Ahmedabad

IGPC is excited to share an interview of Prof. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami, Chairperson-IGPC, by Mr. Virendra Vyas, Founder & Editor of Gold Silver News, Indore during the 8th IGPC-IIMA Annual Gold & Gold Markets Conference, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on March 4, 2025.  In this interview, Prof. Narayanaswami shares highlights of the policy thoughts keynote she delivered in the Conference. A more detailed take on these policy briefings is found in this working paper. https://lnkd.in/gUFyXCxb] India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC), IIM Ahmedabad Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #IIMA #ProfessorInterview #GoldIndustry #ConferenceInsights #Leadership

Hiring at the India Gold Policy Centre, IIM Ahmedabad Position: Research Assistant / Associate Location: IIM Ahmedabad Campus The India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC) at IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) is hiring full-time Research Assistants/ Associates to support the Centre's research activities. We are looking for self-motivated, highly productive individuals with good academic credentials and a strong aptitude for high quality research in the allied disciplines of gold and precious metals. The selected candidates will work independently within the scope of assigned tasks and contribute to ongoing research projects. Essential Qualifications & Skills: Education: Masters/MPhil in Economics, Finance, Operations, Computer Science, Informations Technology, Supply Chain or Management from reputed institutions. Experience: Prior experience in quantitative methods, including, OR approaches, data analysis and econometric modeling preferred (1-5 years). Skills: Strong writing, presentation, and data analytical skills. Proficiency in CPLEX, Tableau, STATA, Power BI, and MS Office. Ability to manage surveys, interpret complex data, and work independently. Ability to collaboratively work with a high-performance team. Key Responsibilities (non-exhaustive): Collect, analyze, and interpret data from various sources. Organize datasets and manage surveys/market research. Use statistical tools (e.g., Tableau, STATA, Power BI) for quantitative and qualitative analysis. Develop reports, presentations, and support the creation of predictive models. Update the Gold Dashboard on IGPC-IIMA website and handle social media updates. Work on research projects and produce articles, policy briefs, reports, and cases. Provide editorial support for research and publishing activities. Details: Number of Posts: 2 Age Limit: Max. 35 years as of application deadline. Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Tenure: Initially one year with potential for extension based on performance. Location: IIM Ahmedabad campus (accommodation outside the campus is required). Application Deadline: April 5, 2025 How to Apply: Interested candidates can send their application and CV to  manager-igpc@iima.ac.in For more details, visit: India Gold Policy Centre #ResearchAssistant #DataAnalysis #IIMA #EconomicsJobs #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #IIMJobs #ResearchOpportunities #HiringNow #Academia #GoldResearch  

Prof. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami attended the 10th India International Bullion Summit hosted by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd. (IBJA), where she was a panelist in the discussion "IS FTA & CEPA DISTORTING MARKET". The panel examined critical perspectives on how trade agreements impact India's gold ecosystem, challenging common assumptions about market distortions. The discussion highlighted that while UAE-CEPA receives significant attention, it represents just one piece of a complex trade network. Prof. Narayanaswami revealed an interesting paradox - substantial gold imports continue to flow from countries without preferential trade agreements, raising questions about the true drivers of market dynamics. The analysis suggested that differential treatment of doré imports creates additional complexities worthy of deeper examination. As an independent think tank, IGPC emphasized the importance of evaluating all bilateral trade relationships comprehensively, looking beyond singular agreements to understand the complete picture of India's gold trade flows and their market implications. #GoldPolicy #TradeAgreements #MarketAnalysis #IGPC #IIMA #IBJA #IIBS

The 8th IGPC-IIMA Annual Gold & Gold Markets Conference concluded with a profound vote of thanks by Prof. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami (Chairperson IGPC) that captured the essence of our collective journey in understanding India's gold ecosystem. The address reflected on the critical conversations that unfolded, highlighting the collaborative spirit of researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers committed to advancing India's gold markets. As we move forward, the insights shared will undoubtedly contribute to more robust, transparent, and dynamic gold markets in India. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami Mini Nair Anumeha Saxena Ilma Rizvi Aparna R. Anmaya Agarwal Shimoli Kapadia Harihar Mohapatra Ayushi Trivedi #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #FinancialMarkets #GoldConference #EconomicPolicy #PreciousMetals #GoldTrade #IGPCConference #IGPC #IIMA

The dynamic panel discussion titled "Achieving $10 Billion in Bullion Exports from India" unveiled India's strategic vision to scale bullion exports to $10 billion, addressing critical challenges in the global gold market. Experts highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms, regulatory clarity, and infrastructure development. The panel was very well moderated by Mr. Johnson Lewis (FinMet) and the esteemed panel consisted of: Mr. NEVILLE PATEL (HDFC Bank) Mr. Haresh Acharya (Parker Bullion) Mr. R Arulanandan (Ministry of Commerce & Industry) Mr. Dileep Narayanan (Malabar Group) Mr. Ankur Goyal (MMTC-PAMP) Key insights emerged around transforming India's bullion ecosystem: establishing robust export guidelines, enhancing refining standards, and creating competitive mechanisms. The panel emphasized learning from global leaders like Japan and UAE, who successfully expanded their bullion export capabilities through targeted policy interventions and strategic market positioning. The roadmap underscores India's potential to become a significant global bullion player by leveraging technology, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and focusing on quality and transparency. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami Mini Nair Anumeha Saxena Ilma Rizvi Aparna R. Anmaya Agarwal Shimoli Kapadia Harihar Mohapatra Ayushi Trivedi #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #FinancialMarkets #GoldConference #EconomicPolicy #PreciousMetals #GoldTrade #IGPCConference #IGPC #IIMA

Ms. Shreshtha Bhattacharya highlighted the harsh realities faced by gold karigars (artisans) in India and explored sustainable solutions based on stakeholder perspectives in her study titled "All That Glitters Also Has a Shadow-- An Exploratory research in the lives of Gold Karigars in India and Sustainable solution based on Middlemen perspective in the Sector". Key insights: 🔍 Severe health & safety risks – Karigars work in hazardous conditions with toxic chemicals and poor ventilation, leading to chronic illnesses. 💰 Economic exploitation – Despite creating high-value jewellery, artisans earn low wages and lack social security. 🌍 Sustainable solutions – The study aligns with SDG goals (Decent Work, Industry Innovation, and Responsible Consumption) to enhance wages, working conditions, and industry formalization. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami Mini Nair Anumeha Saxena Ilma Rizvi Aparna R. Anmaya Agarwal Shimoli Kapadia Harihar Mohapatra Ayushi Trivedi #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #FinancialMarkets #GoldConference #EconomicPolicy #PreciousMetals #GoldTrade #IGPCConference #IGPC #IIMA

Mr. Anmaya Agarwal (IGPC, IIMA) explored how India can enhance its gold value chain by learning from Switzerland and Japan in his study titled "Strategic Acquisition and Value Addition of Gold Resources for India". Key takeaways: 🌍 Smart Sourcing – Switzerland imports low-cost raw gold, maximizing refining profits. India must develop strategic supply partnerships to lower import costs. 🏭 Value Addition – Processing gold doré instead of finished bullion captures more economic value. India’s underutilized refineries need policy support. ♻️ Sustainable Innovation – Japan is experimenting in urban mining & gold recycling, reducing costs and emissions. India can leverage e-waste for refining due to the huge amount of e-waste in our country. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami Mini Nair Anumeha Saxena Ilma Rizvi Aparna R. Anmaya Agarwal Shimoli Kapadia Harihar Mohapatra Ayushi Trivedi #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #FinancialMarkets #GoldConference #EconomicPolicy #PreciousMetals #GoldTrade #IGPCConference #IGPC #IIMA

Dr. Bharti Harnal explored the challenges and opportunities in expanding digital gold investments in rural India in her study titled "From Glitters to Gigabytes: The Rise of Digital Gold". Key insights: 🌾 Building trust is crucial – Concerns over fraud, influenced by past cases like Sahara Finance, hinder adoption. 📲 Enhancing accessibility – Regulatory safeguards and financial literacy are key to boosting confidence in digital gold. 💡 Bridging tradition & technology – Understanding rural investment behavior can help integrate digital gold into local financial ecosystems. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami Mini Nair Ilma Rizvi Aparna R. Anmaya Agarwal Shimoli Kapadia Harihar Mohapatra Ayushi Trivedi Anumeha Saxena #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #FinancialMarkets #GoldConference #EconomicPolicy #PreciousMetals #GoldTrade #IGPCConference #IGPC #IIMA

Ms. Anumeha Saxena (IGPC, IIMA) explored how district-level financial inclusion influences household jewellery spending in India in her study titled "Whether Formal Financial Inclusion Affects Household Jewellery Expenditure? Evidence from India's Districts". Key findings: 🏦 Higher credit access leads to lower jewellery expenditure, suggesting a substitution effect—households rely less on jewellery as collateral when formal lending is accessible. 📉 Declining dependence on informal lending reduces the need to invest in gold for security. 🌍 Impact varies by demographics—the effect is weaker in rural areas, higher-income households, and families with more female members. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami Mini Nair Anumeha Saxena Ilma Rizvi Aparna R. Anmaya Agarwal Shimoli Kapadia Harihar Mohapatra Ayushi Trivedi #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #FinancialMarkets #GoldConference #EconomicPolicy #PreciousMetals #GoldTrade #IGPCConference #IGPC #IIMA

Dr. R Balasubramanian (Rajagiri Business School) explored human resource practices in Tamil Nadu and Kerala’s gold and jewelry sector, a traditionally family-dominated industry now evolving into corporate models in his study titled "A study on HR practices in gold and jewelry industry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala". Key insights: 👥 Trust & expertise matter – Hiring prioritizes reliability, industry knowledge, and customer service. 🏢 Traditional vs. Corporate Models – Family-run businesses rely on legacy practices, while corporate retailers adopt structured HR strategies. 🎓 Training & Compensation – While commissions drive sales in other industries, jewelry retail focuses on skill-building, security, and customer engagement. Sundaravalli Narayanaswami Mini Nair Anumeha Saxena Ilma Rizvi Aparna R. Anmaya Agarwal Shimoli Kapadia Harihar Mohapatra Ayushi Trivedi #IGPC2025 #GoldMarkets #GoldPolicy #IndiaGold #FinancialMarkets #GoldConference #EconomicPolicy #PreciousMetals #GoldTrade #IGPCConference #IGPC #IIMA