National Seminar on the Socio-Economic Impact of GST on the Middle Classes and the Emerging Middle Classes
Bhubaneswar, March 25, 2026
The Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development Studies (NCDS), Bhubaneswar, successfully hosted a national seminar on March 25, 2026, titled "The Socio-Economic Impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST): Consumption Patterns and its Influence on the Middle Class and the Emerging Middle Class." The event brought together policymakers, economists, and academics, reaffirming NCDS's role as a leading institution in development research and policy dialogue.
The seminar, held at the institute's premises, provided a platform for critical engagement on the evolving impact of GST, particularly on India's middle and emerging middle classes.
The inaugural session was attended by distinguished guests, including Smt. Yamini Sarangi, IAS, Commissioner of CT&GST, Odisha, as the Chief Guest; Prof. Sudhakar Patra, RBI Chair Professor at Utkal University, as the Guest of Honour; and Dr. Satya Priya Rath, IAS, Additional Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Odisha, as the Special Guest.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address by Shri Prakash Chandra Mohanty, Director, NCDS. He emphasized the importance of examining tax reforms beyond revenue metrics, focusing on their social and economic implications. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Smt. Rashmi Kabi, Secretary, NCDS.
The seminar featured two technical sessions. The first session included a presentation of a research report by NCDS scholars, highlighting changing consumption patterns under GST. Expert lectures by an RBI Chair Professor and an Associate Professor from IIT Bhubaneswar provided theoretical insights into taxation and household economic behaviour.
The second session focused on administrative and policy perspectives. The Joint Commissioner of CT&GST, Odisha, shared practical insights on compliance and its socio-economic implications, while a former NCDS professor reflected on the long-term evolution of GST. The discussions were marked by active participation and critical engagement.
The concluding session synthesized key insights on the resilience of the middle class and inclusive tax policy. Concluding remarks were delivered by the Secretary, NCDS, followed by the felicitation of guests led by the Director. The seminar ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Biswabas Patra, Convenor, and concluded with encouraging further interaction among participants. Overall, the seminar reinforced NCDS's commitment to fostering informed policy discourse and advancing research on contemporary economic issues.
Bhubaneswar, March 25, 2026
The Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development Studies (NCDS), Bhubaneswar, successfully hosted a national seminar on March 25, 2026, titled "The Socio-Economic Impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST): Consumption Patterns and its Influence on the Middle Class and the Emerging Middle Class." The event brought together policymakers, economists, and academics, reaffirming NCDS's role as a leading institution in development research and policy dialogue.
The seminar, held at the institute's premises, provided a platform for critical engagement on the evolving impact of GST, particularly on India's middle and emerging middle classes.
The inaugural session was attended by distinguished guests, including Smt. Yamini Sarangi, IAS, Commissioner of CT&GST, Odisha, as the Chief Guest; Prof. Sudhakar Patra, RBI Chair Professor at Utkal University, as the Guest of Honour; and Dr. Satya Priya Rath, IAS, Additional Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Odisha, as the Special Guest.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address by Shri Prakash Chandra Mohanty, Director, NCDS. He emphasized the importance of examining tax reforms beyond revenue metrics, focusing on their social and economic implications. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Smt. Rashmi Kabi, Secretary, NCDS.
The seminar featured two technical sessions. The first session included a presentation of a research report by NCDS scholars, highlighting changing consumption patterns under GST. Expert lectures by an RBI Chair Professor and an Associate Professor from IIT Bhubaneswar provided theoretical insights into taxation and household economic behaviour.
The second session focused on administrative and policy perspectives. The Joint Commissioner of CT&GST, Odisha, shared practical insights on compliance and its socio-economic implications, while a former NCDS professor reflected on the long-term evolution of GST. The discussions were marked by active participation and critical engagement.
The concluding session synthesized key insights on the resilience of the middle class and inclusive tax policy. Concluding remarks were delivered by the Secretary, NCDS, followed by the felicitation of guests led by the Director. The seminar ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Biswabas Patra, Convenor, and concluded with encouraging further interaction among participants. Overall, the seminar reinforced NCDS's commitment to fostering informed policy discourse and advancing research on contemporary economic issues.