Kautilya Economic Conclave 2026: VP Radhakrishnan opens 5th edition
Why in the news
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi on 3 October 2026. He argued that inclusion is the base on which economic resilience is built, and that economic and social resilience go together.
Key facts
- Dates and venue: 3-5 October 2026, New Delhi.
- Theme: ‘Resilience in an Age of Flux’.
- Organiser: Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance.
- Participation: more than 180 participants, with 80+ international participants from around 30 countries.
- Other speakers: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (special plenary), RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra (central banking session), Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (digital economy keynote) and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar (concluding address).
- Session topics: energy shocks and trade, central banking amid volatility, capital markets, fiscal federalism and industrial policy, digital infrastructure and AI, and rewiring of trade networks.
Inclusion data cited by the Vice President
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| Jan Dhan accounts | 590 million+ (August 2026) |
| GST registrations | 6.65 million (2017) to 16.5 million (May 2026) |
| Self-Help Groups | about 9.2 million, covering 100 million+ rural women |
| Lakhpati Didis | 34.6 million+ |
| People out of extreme poverty | 250 million+ |
About the Conclave
The Kautilya Economic Conclave was first held in 2022. It is hosted by the Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi, whose Board of Trustees is chaired by N. K. Singh; Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra chairs its Board of Governors. A ‘Lakhpati Didi’ is an SHG woman earning ₹1 lakh or more a year.
Exam angle
- Remember the edition (5th), theme and organiser (IEG with Ministry of Finance).
- Inclusion statistics (Jan Dhan, GST, SHGs, Lakhpati Didis) are likely static-plus-current questions.
- Know the key speakers: FM, RBI Governor, EAM and Communications Minister.