Dissertations
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This community hosts the full text of all LLM and MPP dissertations submitted at NLSIU. The collection serves as an institutional record of postgraduate research and is made available exclusively to the NLSIU community. Access to these dissertations is restricted and limited to authorized users within the University.
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Item Mental Health and Human Rights : A Legal Analysis with Reference to India(National Law School Of India University, 2023-05-31) Rajalakshmi, K.Item Analysing irregular in elections to urban local bodies in India (1994 - 2023)(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Raghavan, Rishvanjas; Dr. Rinku Lamba, - SupervisorIn the wake of massive urbanisation in India, the local governance of these urban areas are of utmost importance. However, India’s urban local governance is plagued by several issues which hamper the quality of its governance––one of them being the lack of timely elections to municipal corporations, which results in the absence of local representatives. Most of the other issues concerning municipal governance are extensively researched, but there is currently inadequate scholarship on delayed elections, and no comprehensive quantitative study which can highlight the magnitude of delays to municipal elections across India. This study intends to fill that research gap, through a quantitative study of elections to all the 250 Municipal Corporations in India today. It sets out with the research questions: (a) How prevalent and extensive are delays in elections to municipal corporations in India? (b) What are the reasons for delays in these local elections and are any of these reasons common to the different corporations across India? (c) Are there any correlations between the characteristics of corporations and the irregularity in the conduct of their elections? Chapter 1 discusses the nature of the problem of urban local governance in India through an extensive literature review, along with a discussion of the theory around delayed elections. Chapter 2 describes this quantitative study and the results obtained. Chapter 3 provides an analysis of the reasons for delays and concludes with some insights for the future.Item Platform economy a study of female labour force participation in platform industry : a case study of Hyderabad(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Bantula, Apoorva; Prof. Mohan Mani, - SupervisorItem Financial innovation and inclusion: understanding the fintech use-cases of alternative data(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Vinay, Painake Rutvik; Prof. Mohan Mani, - SupervisorThe purpose of this dissertation research study is to examine the role of fintechs in promoting financial inclusion in India. The study focuses on the innovative aspects of fintechs and their potential to serve the unserved and underserved population in India. The lens of alternative data is used to narrow down the scope of research on financial innovation by fintechs. The study begins by exploring the concept of financial inclusion and its importance in addressing the issue of poverty in India. It then examines the current state of financial inclusion in India, highlighting the challenges faced by the traditional banking sector in serving the unserved and underserved population. The study then shifts its focus to the fintech industry and its potential to serve as a catalyst for financial inclusion. It analyzes the innovative products and services offered by fintechs in India. The study also examines the data-sharing landscape currently evolving in India and the challenges faced by fintechs in expanding their reach to the unserved and underserved population. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both descriptive and exploratory research methods. The study will be entirely focused on qualitative data, primary as well as secondary. The primary data collection involves interviews with key stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, founders and product managers of fintech companies. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of fintechs in promoting financial inclusion in India, and to provide recommendations for policymakers and regulators to support the growth of fintechs in the country.Item Where do my tax rupees go? : a study to understand the effect of information provisioning on tax morale in case of India(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Juneja, Vipin; Dr. Sudipa Sarkar, - SupervisorTax evasion is a widely observed but inadequately understood phenomenon on a global scale. Governments have struggled with this issue since the inception of taxes. According to economic theory, taxpayers are expected to choose between paying taxes on time or evading them based on factors such as tax rates, penalties for non-compliance, and the likelihood of audits. However, some argue that these preventive measures fail to fully consider the taxpayer's decision-making process. Modern perspectives suggest that individual taxpayers make this choice to maximise their personal benefits, while also considering the societal costs, penalties, and deterrent policies imposed by the government. Nonetheless, the reasons behind why people ultimately choose to pay taxes instead of evading them remain unclear. Is it a voluntary decision on their part, the result of deterrent measures implemented by different levels of government, or the societal pressures they face? Additionally, what role do factors such as education level, employment type, gender, age, and income bracket play in tax compliance? On the other hand, what motivates individuals to resist or evade taxes? Could it be a lack of trust in their governments, the perception of inadequate punishment if caught, or a sense of unfair burden distribution? This research dissertation, titled "Where do my Tax Rupees Go: A Study to Understand the Effect of Information Provisioning on Tax Morale in the Case of India," aims to shed light on these complex issues. By examining the tax compliance behaviour of individuals through the analysis of Stamp Duty on new property purchases and Registration Fees for rent agreements in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, this study seeks to provide answers to the aforementioned questions. Considering recent trends observed in Delhi, which indicate a positive correlation between education expenditure, government advertisements, and total tax collection, this research offers a potential explanation and describes three parallel trends observed in the case of Delhi. In terms of the findings, the research findings shed light on various aspects related to tax morale and compliance. The study conducted in the city revealed an interesting trend regarding women's property ownership, where despite not being the official owners, women showed higher tax compliance. This phenomenon could be attributed to the concept of "shadow ownership" among women. Additionally, the research highlighted the importance of diverse channels for information provisioning, indicating that traditional and unconventional sources should be targeted to raise public awareness effectively. Furthermore, the study emphasized the need for a stronger presence of local governance in citizens' lives to deepen democracy and trust. The research also explored the relationship between education level and tax morale, suggesting that education alone does not necessarily lead to higher awareness or responsibility. Trust in governance was found to have limited influence on tax morale and compliance, emphasizing the complexity of taxpayer-citizen relationships. The study also uncovered the significance of perceptions of equity and fairness in shaping tax compliance behavior. The lack of clarity regarding tax imposition was found to undermine trust and compliance. Lastly, the research challenged the assumption that self employed individuals have a higher tendency to evade taxes compared to salaried individuals. The motivations for tax payment were found to stem from a sense of responsibility as citizens and a desire for recognition. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights into fostering tax morale, compliance, and sustainable development.Item Impact of informal debt retirement among short-term migrant labour with policy implications(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Katiyar, Tushar; Prof. Mohan Mani, - SupervisorMalcolm Darling (British Indian Civil Officer) while studying the high indebtedness among farmers in Punjab said, the Indian peasants are born in debt, live in debt and die in debt (Darling, 1977). Rural India is marred with extreme poverty due to erratic income, defective agricultural structures and little to no savings. Thus, the rural population are forced to seasonally migrate for better work opportunities and borrow heavy amounts of money to meet basic production, consumption and social requirements. Majority of rural households are, thus, debt burdened. The lack of social security and formal financial services means that the majority of lending occurs through informal sources. Initially higher indebtedness was attributed to higher dependence on informal moneylenders, who work without paperwork and charge higher interest rates. Despite an increase in provision of institutional credit to rural households, almost 52% of rural households are still indebted (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, 2015). Through a detailed survey and extensive case studies in southern Rajasthan this paper will explore how seasonal migrants and their families deal with informal debt. Qualitative and quantitative impact assessment will be conducted to find the effects of removal of debt from a migrant labourers' household. The role of targeted formal financial services will be analysed by trying to measure the social, financial and behavioural impact of removing informal debt through institutional credit. The last section of the paper will deal with the scope and analysis of the policy framework in order to improve access of institutional finance for the seasonal migrant labour.Item Impact of peer-effects in the adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at the household level(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Rathi, Tavi; Dr. Ashna Singh, - SupervisorThis study examines the impact of peer-effects on the adoption of rooftop solar PV in households in India and its implications for policy development on encouraging the adoption of rooftop solar panels. The research combines survey data and interviews conducted with a subset of the survey respondents to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of peer-effects in the raising an individual’s interest in solar panels, as well as their decision-making process. The findings reveal that peer-effects play a significant role in influencing individuals' interest in solar panels and their final decision to adopt rooftop solar PV. Active peer-effects, facilitated by conversations and information-sharing among individuals within existing social networks, are found to be more influential than passive peer-effects. The study emphasizes the importance of knowing someone who has already adopted solar panels as it builds trust, provides confirmation about the technology, and helps address concerns regarding economic feasibility and durability. The insights from this research contribute to a better understanding of peer-effects and their implications for promoting the adoption of rooftop solar PV in India. The findings can inform policy initiatives aimed at enhancing energy security and mitigating climate change by encouraging widespread adoption of rooftop solar PV systems.Item Exploring the effect of farmer social networks on information access for sustainable agriculture in Haryana(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Dalal, Tamanna; Prof. Sony Pellissery, - SupervisorThis dissertation investigates the role of farmer networks in promoting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Haryana. The research objectives are to understand the composition, structure, and centrality of farmer networks, explore the influence of sociocultural attributes on farmers' positions within the network, examine the role of bridging ties in shaping social networks, and identify gaps in sustainable agriculture policies regarding information dissemination. Through Social Network Analysis and qualitative insights from questionnaires, the study addresses these objectives. The findings reveal that well-connected individuals within social networks, particularly farmers from upper castes, play a crucial role in disseminating information and influencing agricultural practices. Engaging farmers from Other Backward Caste (OBC) and General categories as intermediaries and bridges between different segments of the community can enhance knowledge exchange. Empowering farmers from Scheduled Castes (SC) through inclusive participation and tailored initiatives improves information flow to marginalized groups. Strengthening collaborative networks through farmer groups and cooperatives facilitates knowledge sharing and supports sustainable practices. Policy recommendations include targeted information dissemination, specifically targeting well-connected individuals within the network. Bridging caste divisions by involving farmers from OBC and General categories as intermediaries is recommended. Efforts should be made to empower farmers from Scheduled Castes through inclusive initiatives. Strengthening collaborative networks through platforms like farmer groups and cooperatives is crucial. Policy interventions should improve infrastructure, provide targeted extension services, and develop capacity-building programs. Additionally, prioritizing on-farm demonstrations within villages is recommended to bring knowledge closer to farmers and enhance engagement. In conclusion, this dissertation contributes to understanding the role of farmer networks in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Haryana. The findings inform policy recommendations to enhance information dissemination, bridge social divisions, and empower marginalized farmers. By implementing these recommendations, policymakers can foster sustainable agricultural development and improve the adoption of sustainable practices in the region.Item Energy poverty in India : a temporal study of household energy poverty levels across states(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) U, Supriya Nayak; Dr. Sudipa Sarkar, - SupervisorEnergy poverty can be broadly defined as the lack of access to modern energy services. Energy access comprises several dimensions like physical provisioning, quality, reliability and affordability of energy. However, there isn’t any consensus on the dimensions that matter the most to gauge energy poverty. Therefore, various scholars have proposed methods to calculate it differently. This dissertation has engaged with one of such recent methods called the Household Energy Poverty Index (HEPI) proposed by Gupta et al. (2020) for the Indian context. The research paper presents the energy poverty scenario that existed in 2011. In order to understand the status of energy poverty almost 10 years hence, this study attempts to recalculate HEPI for 2020. The findings are categorised into four groups and each is compared against the corresponding findings for the year 2011. It is observed that energy poverty has declined across all the states in the country. But, the regional patterns of energy deprivation which were present in 2011 continue to exist even in 2020. Likewise, the rural-urban energy poverty gap indicates that rural areas continue to be more energy poor compared to their urban counterparts. Further, the study examines the contribution of various factors to energy poverty and concludes by grouping states into four categories to reflect on the present state of energy poverty in India.Item Optimizing wetland ecosystem service : an institutional analysis and economic assessment of unburdening the east Kolkata wetlands(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-18) Mathur, Stuti; Dr. Sneha Thapliyal, - SupervisorThis dissertation investigates the socio-political cause of capacity issues of the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), a unique ecosystem that processes the city's sewage, enabling food production and supporting over 118,000 livelihoods. The EKW processes sewage over their carrying capacity, leading to higher level of contaminants in the fish and crops. The study delves into the root cause of the excess sewage influx, and the power dynamics influencing these factors. Utilizing the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, it uncovers that the local community of farmers and fishermen are largely excluded from the land-use decision-making process, leading to an unsustainable intake of sewage and declining wetland quality. Furthermore, the research reveals policy issues hindering community participation in resource governance, under the East Kolkata Wetlands Management Act. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable, inclusive strategies to relieve the wetland's strain, proposing a solution and estimating its financial implications.