To Give Or Not To Give? The Types, Benefits And Costs Of Universal Basic Income In India

Abstract

The focus of the dissertation is to evaluate the UBI proposals made for India. In doing so, the historical background and the philosophical idea of UBI is explored in detail. The feasibility of implementing different types of UBI in India has been studied. The study uses simulation techniques to gauge the impact of converting existing welfare program-food subsidies into income transfers. Second, a quasi-experimental research design is used to find that there are significant costs associated with income transfer programs. The findings serve as a caution against indiscriminately converting existing welfare schemes into income transfer programs. The main argument made in the study is that-India is perhaps not ready for a completely redistributive UBI. It is also argued that a serious cost benefit analysis has to be done on a case by case basis before converting existing welfare schemes into income transfer programs.