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Title: The Shock of Corruption on GDP Per Capita: A Panel Data Postmortem on the South Asian Region

Abstract: Corruption is characterized as the exploitation of entrusted authority for personal advantage, often taking the form of illegal acts, deceit, or bribery, and is broadly regarded as harmful to economic progress. Although some research indicates that corruption might enhance certain economic activities, it is primarily perceived as a major obstacle to sustainable development on a global scale. The research question of this study is: What is the effect of corruption on GDP per capita in South Asian nations between 1995 and 2016? This investigation examines the link between corruption, as assessed by the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), and GDP per capita in South Asia. By employing a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) model, the study seeks to analyze the impact of corruption on GDP per capita. The results reveal a significant negative association between corruption and GDP per capita, indicating that corruption hinders economic growth in the region. Therefore, it is crucial for the governments of these nations to adopt effective strategies to address corruption and foster sustainable economic development.

By Md. Mahmudul Hassan, Tareq Imam Zahid
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: A Study on the Trend Analysis of India’s Trade Relations with SAFTA Nations: A Review

Abstract: Countries participating in a regional trading arrangement (RTA) are typically heterogeneous, as evidenced by their variations in geographic size, population, gross national product (GNP), economic systems—reflected in the various types of commodities and services manufactured when traded — and the policy instruments employed through monetary, financial, and trade-related measures that affect national production and trade activities. The diverse attributes of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) members significantly impact their benefits from a Regional Trade Agreement (RTA). The South Asian nations within the SAFTA distinctly illustrate their intrinsic disparities while also highlighting an unsettling situation about the inequitable distribution of prospective benefits from through regional collaboration initiative. Although the members of SAFTA members have low-income and the nations are developing, among these —Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives, —are classified as least developed countries (LDCs) due to many significant challenges that impede their business expansion and development. Thus, the extent to which these issues may impact the SAFTA agreement and the measures India must implement is a crucial inquiry, which serves as the primary purpose of this article. This research also considers the influence among the SAARC members. Analysis of data from several pertinent sources covering the period from 2016-17 to 2022-23 reveals that commerce among SAFTA members has not expanded as considerably as anticipated. The statistical analysis conducted validates the suspicions of numerous scholars, indicating that the SAFTA countries are not genuine trading partners; instead, they frequently compete by exporting identical product categories. Given that this context renders significant growth in mutual trade improbable, the paper finishes with views on enhancing India's regional commerce.

By Manish Upretya, Pankaj Kumar Shah
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: A Critical Review on Financial, Developmental and Supervisory Role of NABARD: With Special Reference to Functions of its Management Bodies

Abstract: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) formed in 1982 on 12th July is India's leading agricultural finance and rural development institution. This paper critically examines NABARD's development, financing, and supervisory roles with particular reference to the operations of its organizational hierarchies. NABARD performs as a support system for rural banking organizations' refinancing, financial inclusion, financing infrastructure operations, and promoting capacity-building schemes such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). Its departments such as Financial Inclusion and Development, Infrastructure and Development, and Supervision allow NABARD to support rural credit infrastructure and policy adherence. This paper assesses the performance of NABARD in rural development, climate resilient farming, and inclusive growth. Imbalanced credit flow to regions, over-reliance on government support, weak digital connectivity, and congruence of youth training skills remain issues despite these advancements. Despite these issues, NABARD remains a powerful instrument of sustainable rural development and farm advancement in India. This paper thus concludes the relevance of policy reforms, technology adoption, and greater autonomy to improve NABARD's long-term performance.

By Saumya Rai, Dinesh Kumar Tiwari
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Islamic Banking in Bangladesh: A Case Study of FSIBL and Implications for Indian Islamic Banking Prospects and Societal Banking

Abstract: Islamic banking is reshaping Bangladesh’s financial landscape by offering a Sharia-compliant alternative to conventional banking, particularly through innovative community-driven micro-savings and micro-investment models. This qualitative study analyzes First Security Islami Bank Limited (FSIBL), Bangladesh’s first full-fledged Islamic bank (est. 1999), to draw insights for India’s emerging Islamic banking sector. FSIBL’s success in applying profit-loss sharing (PLS) models—such as Mudarabah-based micro-savings pools converted into agricultural investments and Bai-mode financing for SMEs—alongside mobile banking-enabled societal banking initiatives, demonstrates how Islamic finance can bridge financial inclusion gaps in developing economies. The bank’s CSR-linked community investment programs, which transform small deposits into Waqf-funded local projects, offer a replicable template for India. However, recent governance lapses and liquidity crunches highlight systemic risks in scaling these models without robust safeguards. The study addresses two questions: (1) How does FSIBL’s integration of microfinance with Islamic principles validate its viability in emerging markets? (2) What lessons can India adopt to leverage societal banking wings for grassroots capital formation while avoiding governance pitfalls? Findings reveal that participatory micro-investment frameworks require three pillars: strong Sharia governance (e.g., community oversight committees), depositor protection mechanisms (e.g., taka ful-backed micro-savings), and adaptive asset-liability management (e.g., blockchain-tracked PLS ventures). By examining FSIBL’s journey, the paper proposes actionable strategies for India to harness Islamic banking’s dual social-commercial mandate, advocating for regulatory sandboxes to pilot community savings-to-investment chains and tax-neutrality for micro-investment products. The study concludes that India’s vast SHG networks and digital infrastructure position it to outperform Bangladesh’s model—if integrated with ethical resilience and operational transparency.

By Abu Sayed, Nabila Aktia Chowdhury
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Potential of Rural Earth in 21st Century Socio-Economic Study of Eastern Region of India

Abstract: Eastern Region of India (ERI) is the inclusion of four states namely – Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. It has 171040 villages with a vast quantity of rural population. It also includes several tribes in various areas. ERI also has forest resource with several products namely - fuelwood, fodder, edible nuts, herbs, flowers, seeds, leaves, bark, roots, tubers, lichen, honey etc. It has tradition of non-veg and veg cuisines. It is known for hand woven clothes. Jewellery, furniture, baskets, etc. handicraft products have attraction for people in rest of India. ERI is sea coast rich region. It owns much from marine activities. It has thousands of villages. For the socio-economic development of RURAL ERI, 8 Regional Rural Banks are established. These RRBs are the joint venture of central government, state government and scheduled banks. Main aim of these RRBs is rural development. These RRBs are shaping their aim with commitment. In the ERI, deposits, advances of RRBs are increasing continuously, NPA is lessening. RRBs in ERI are earning profit. ERI-RRBs are trying best to achieve the aim. This fact is certified by balance sheets, annual reports, and documents of RRBs, NABARD, RBI and State Governments. Primary cum secondary data and tools are used. Research provides useful conclusion and suggestions for the insight of policy makers. ERI scenario will change completely if conclusions and suggestions of research are implemented according to spirit.

By Madhusoodan Tripathi, Vinayaka Tripathi
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1