Journal of Social Review and Development

Reimagining entrepreneurial skills for Viksit Bharat @2047

Sanjay Kumar — 2026-05-18

Entrepreneurship has emerged as a key driver of employment generation, innovation, self-reliance, and inclusive economic development in India. As the country advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, there is a growing need to redesign the entrepreneurial skilling ecosystem in accordance with changing technological, industrial, and market requirements. The traditional framework of entrepreneurial training is increasingly becoming inadequate in the context of Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0, digital platforms, and rapidly evolving employment structures. In this background, the present study examines the need for reimagining entrepreneurial skills and restructuring India’s skill infrastructure to create a future-ready and innovation-oriented workforce.

The study analyses the role of government initiatives, entrepreneurial training institutions, Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), digital learning systems, and community-based skilling models in promoting entrepreneurship and employability. It further highlights major challenges such as low employability, inadequate industry alignment, limited access to advanced digital skills, weak market linkages, and insufficient opportunities for re-skilling and up-skilling. Special emphasis has been placed on rural entrepreneurship, women participation, localised skill development, practical training, and digital marketing mechanisms.

The paper is based on secondary data collected from government reports, policy documents, journals, and institutional publications. The study concludes that India requires a flexible, technology-oriented, industry-aligned, and inclusive entrepreneurial skilling framework capable of transforming youth from job seekers into job creators in line with the developmental vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

From data to decisions: Understanding AI-driven consumer buying patterns in Chamoli district

Ghanshyam Singh — 2026-05-18

This study examines the role of Artificial Intelligence-based digital tools in shaping consumer buying behaviour in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. With the increasing use of smartphones, internet services, online shopping platforms, and digital payment systems, consumers in semi-urban and hilly regions are gradually becoming exposed to AI-supported features such as product recommendations, personalized advertisements, and chatbot-based assistance. The research is based on primary data collected from 400 respondents. It focuses on how AI-enabled recommendations, personalization, consumer trust, and data privacy awareness influence purchase-related decisions. The findings indicate that AI-supported personalization and recommendation systems have a positive effect on consumer purchase behaviour. Trust strengthens this relationship, while privacy awareness affects the manner in which consumers respond to AI-driven marketing practices. The study further reveals that AI tools improve convenience and enhance the shopping experience, but concerns regarding excessive personalization, data misuse, and limited transparency may reduce consumer confidence. Therefore, the responsible use of AI, clear communication about data practices, and protection of consumer privacy are necessary for developing long-term trust in emerging digital markets such as Chamoli.

Youth dependency on FMCG food products and green marketing-driven transformation in India

Baldeva Ram — 2026-05-18

The increasing dependency of youth on Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) food products reflects significant changes in lifestyle, consumption patterns, and market dynamics in India. Alongside this trend, green marketing has emerged as an important strategy adopted by FMCG companies to promote environmentally responsible consumption and contribute to sustainable development. This study examines youth dependency on FMCG food products and analyses how green marketing practices are influencing consumption behaviour and driving market transformation in rural and urban areas of Uttarakhand. The research is descriptive and quantitative in nature and is based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to youth respondents from selected rural and urban regions of Uttarakhand. A stratified sampling technique was employed to ensure balanced representation of both areas. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, mean scores, and comparative analysis were used to assess consumption frequency, dependency levels, awareness of green marketing practices, and their influence on purchase decisions.

The findings reveal a high level of dependency on FMCG food products among youth, with urban respondents exhibiting greater consumption frequency compared to rural youth. Green marketing elements such as eco-friendly packaging, organic ingredients, and environmental claims significantly influence youth purchase behaviour, particularly in urban areas. The study highlights noticeable rural–urban differences in awareness and perception of green marketing initiatives. The findings provide useful insights for marketers and policymakers to design effective green marketing strategies and promote sustainable consumption among Indian youth.

India’s path toward becoming a world leading economy: Opportunities, challenges, and the role of Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Anurodh Prabhakar — 2026-05-18

In recent years, India has become one of the largest economy growth rates with structural reforms, growing domestic demand and digital transformation, policy efforts to enhance industrial capacity. Some of the research papers point out the fact that India is on its way to becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy, its rising performance in terms of GDP growth compared to other economies and its increasing role in international trade and investments. Meanwhile, researchers underline the presence of long-term socio-economic and structural limitations, which can influence sustainability. The aim of the current review paper is to discuss the opportunities of India becoming a leading economy in the world, discussing the main opportunities, the major challenges, and the role of the policy of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The paper is premised on systematic review of secondary literature, based on academic research articles, policy papers, and economic reports released in the period between the year 2009 and 2025.The review cites key drivers of growth which include population strength, digital advancement, manufacturing reform, and globalization. It also talks about issues such as unemployment, inequality, fiscal strains and infrastructure deficits. It is concluded in the paper that India has great potential of becoming global economic leader, however, it should continue with reforms, inclusive growth policies and proper implementation of self-reliance policies to achieve long-term success.

Impact of corporate social responsibility on perceived community well-being: The mediating role of awareness and trust

Madhuri Uniyal — 2026-05-18

Over the past number of years, CSR has come to be seen as a stakeholder-based model that is beyond the scope of philanthropy to produce wider social value. Even though previous research recognizes the potential of CSR efforts in improving community outcomes, mechanisms that underlie the impact of CSR in promoting community well-being have not been done extensively in a perception- based approach. This study analyses how perceived CSR initiatives affect the perceived community well-being through the use of awareness and trust. Using stakeholder theory along with existing literature on CSR perception, the study proposes a conceptual framework that mediates among CSR initiatives, awareness, trust, and perceived community well-being. The key assumption underlying the study is that CSR initiatives would have higher chances of improving the community's well-being when they are observable to stakeholders.

This study employs a quantitative method and relies on primary data to examine the population's perceptions of CSR initiatives, using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study attempts to uncover how CSR initiatives can turn into positive perceptions of community well-being by concentrating on awareness as a cognitive mechanism and trust as an evaluative mechanism. The research shows that effective communication and trust-building strategies of CSR can increase the social impact of CSR activities. The research is especially pertinent within the frame of the long-term national development objectives like Viksit Bharat@2047, in which the contribution of the corporations to community development matters.

Financial literacy awareness and digital financial behaviour in Uttarakhand, India: A qualitative exploration

Amit Kumar Gandhi — 2026-05-18

Financial literacy is central to financial inclusion, digital participation and household-level economic security in emerging economies. This study examines financial literacy awareness and digital financial behaviour in Uttarakhand, India, through a qualitative research design. Drawing on 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews, the study identifies important variables shaping financial knowledge, awareness of public financial schemes, digital payment use, perceived online risk, socio-cultural influence and gender-based financial autonomy. The findings indicate that access to bank accounts and digital payment channels has expanded, but many individuals still hold only limited conceptual knowledge of loans, insurance, interest calculation, investment options and scheme procedures. Respondents also reported concerns about cyber fraud, OTP misuse and failed transactions, which reduce confidence in wider digital financial engagement. Family hierarchy and gender norms further shape financial decision-making, particularly for women, who often experience restricted financial independence. The study argues that financial inclusion programmes should move beyond account access and digital adoption towards practical financial education, cyber-safety awareness and gender-sensitive capacity-building. By presenting localised qualitative evidence from Uttarakhand, the study contributes to the literature on financial capability, digital inclusion and inclusive development in India.

Cultural diplomacy as an instrument of soft power in India’s foreign policy towards Kazakhstan

Meena — 2026-05-18

Cultural diplomacy, which involves promoting Indian culture through exchanges, festivals, language, and education, plays a crucial role in India's strategy in Kazakhstan. This paper explores how India conveys its soft power in Kazakhstan through various cultural initiatives and evaluates their significance for bilateral relations. It focuses on India-Kazakhstan relations in a historical context, highlighting ancient contacts as well as the post-Soviet "Connect Central Asia" policy. The main sections of the paper focus on India's cultural institutions and programs aimed at Kazakhstan, such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), cultural centers, yoga initiatives, film screenings, and scholarship opportunities, all supported by embassy efforts. Recent examples of these cultural initiatives include the annual International Yoga Day celebrations, the "Festival of India" in Astana, and various bilateral music and arts festivals. Despite facing infrastructural and geographic challenges, India's cultural diplomacy has fostered goodwill in Kazakhstan. Bollywood films and Hindi music are widely appreciated, and Kazakh artists are increasingly engaging with Indian cultural events. The paper concludes that cultural diplomacy has become an essential component of India's soft power strategy in Kazakhstan, complementing economic and security cooperation.

ESG reporting and sustainable development: A study of top 10 Indian companies

Suryansh Singh — 2026-05-18

Companies across the world are now expected to be accountable not just for their profits, but also for how they manage their environmental impact, how they treat their people, and how transparent their governance is. This is what ESG Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting is about. In India, this became a formal regulatory requirement when SEBI introduced the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework in May 2021, making it mandatory from FY 2022-23 for the top 1,000 listed companies.

Analyzed the ESG performance of India's ten most valued companies by market capitalization – Infosys, TCS, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, Bajaj Finance, HUL, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries, and LIC – using CRISIL ESG ratings for FY 2024-25. The scores ranged from 76 (Infosys) to 53 (LIC), a gap of 23 points. Among sectors, Digital/IT companies averaged 75.0, Financial Services averaged 65.2, Manufacturing and Telecom averaged 60.5, and the Energy sector stood at 55.0. When the data was examined, the Governance score was the highest of the three pillars for all seven companies pillar-level data was available.

Evaluated that the sector of which a company belongs to is especially how carbon-intensive its business is, that plays a major role in determining its ESG score. IT firms score high partly because of the nature of their business, not just because they manage sustainability better. The Governance pillar emerged as the strongest pillar consistently, which ties directly to India's BRSR framework where governance disclosures are the most standardized and most verifiable. These findings are placed in the context of India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and the Panchamrit climate commitments made at COP26.