Specialised Centres Advancing Focused Research
MSSRC's Centers of Excellence bring together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to conduct rigorous, focused research on the issues that matter most to institutions, governments, and society. Each Centre operates as an independent research unit, producing publications, convening events, and engaging with national and international policy processes within its domain.
Center on Corporate Governance
The Center on Corporate Governance advances research on board effectiveness, accountability structures, and governance reform across public and private institutions. It examines the evolving frameworks that govern state-owned enterprises, listed companies, and public institutions, with a particular focus on the Indian context and comparative international practice.
The Center engages with national policy bodies, corporate boards, and international governance networks, contributing to the development of governance standards and practices that strengthen accountability and institutional performance.
Board composition and competence, director responsibilities, ownership structures, governance of state-owned enterprises, ethical governance, and the intersection of corporate governance with ESG frameworks.
Center on Corporate Social Responsibility
The Center on Corporate Social Responsibility engages with the multi-faceted dimensions of CSR in Indian and global contexts. Since the enactment of the Companies Act 2013, which mandated CSR spending for qualifying companies, India has developed one of the most extensive statutory CSR frameworks in the world. The Center tracks this landscape, examines implementation patterns, and contributes research that informs both corporate practice and regulatory thinking.
CSR policy and regulation, community development, corporate philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, sustainability reporting, and the relationship between CSR and corporate governance.
Center on Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development
The Center on Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development conducts research on the environmental and developmental challenges that define the twenty-first century. Its work spans the science and policy of climate change, the green finance ecosystem, sustainable infrastructure, and India's commitments under the SDGs and the G20 agenda.
The Center engages with international bodies, government agencies, and research institutions working at the frontier of sustainability policy.
Climate measurement and reporting, environmental policy, green bonds and sustainable finance, circular economy frameworks, and the governance of natural resources.
Center for Alternative Energy and Infrastructure Management
The Center for Alternative Energy and Infrastructure Management builds knowledge on renewable energy transition, energy efficiency, and the management of sustainable infrastructure. As India pursues ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity and infrastructure development, the Center contributes research that informs policy design, institutional capacity, and investment frameworks.
The Center works with government agencies, energy sector institutions, and international research partners.
Solar and wind energy policy, energy governance, infrastructure project management, public-private partnerships in infrastructure, and the economics of energy transition.
Center for Social, Financial and Digital Inclusion, and Women Empowerment
The Center for Social, Financial and Digital Inclusion, and Women Empowerment addresses the social, financial, and digital divides that shape inequality and exclusion in India and across the developing world. Its research examines the barriers that prevent individuals and communities from accessing financial services, digital infrastructure, and economic opportunity — and the policy and institutional responses that can close those gaps.
The Center engages with civil society organisations, government programmes, and international development institutions.
Financial inclusion, microfinance, digital literacy, women's economic participation, social protection, and the governance of inclusive development programmes.
Center for Financial Management and Trade
The Center for Financial Management and Trade conducts research across the full spectrum of corporate finance, public finance, green finance, financial institutions, and domestic and international trade. It brings together academic scholarship and practitioner knowledge to examine the financial systems and trade frameworks that shape economic performance and institutional sustainability.
The Center contributes to policy deliberations on financial reform, trade agreements, and the development of India's financial markets.
Corporate financial strategy, public sector financial management, trade policy, foreign direct investment, financial regulation, and the governance of financial institutions.
Center for Public Policy
The Center for Public Policy functions as a think tank for policy deliberation, institutional analysis, and the study of governance at national and sub-national levels. It examines centre-state relations, the design and implementation of public programmes, the effectiveness of regulatory institutions, and the governance of public enterprises.
The Center contributes to policy discourse through publications, conferences, and engagement with government bodies and international institutions including IASIA and the OECD.
Public administration, regulatory governance, intergovernmental relations, performance management in government, public sector reform, and the governance of state-owned enterprises.
Research Collaborations and Sponsored Studies
MSSRC welcomes research collaborations, sponsored studies, and academic partnerships with its Centers of Excellence. To explore engagement opportunities, write to us at info@mssrc.in
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