Ashoka University Economist Kanika Mahajan Wins Elizabeth Adiseshiah Award 2026
New Delhi— Kanika Mahajan, Associate Professor of Economics at Ashoka University, has been awarded the prestigious Elizabeth Adiseshiah Award 2026 for her contributions to development studies.
The award, presented annually by the Malcolm & Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust, recognizes scholars under the age of 45 for outstanding research that shapes policy and discourse in India’s development landscape. It carries a citation and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. As part of the honor, Mahajan will deliver the Elizabeth Adiseshiah Memorial Lecture in August 2026.
Mahajan’s research focuses on labor economics, gender, and firm dynamics, with particular emphasis on structural barriers affecting women’s participation in India’s workforce, wage inequality, and how firms adapt to economic change. Her work has been widely published and has contributed to policy discussions on inclusive growth.
“It is an honour to receive the Elizabeth Adiseshiah Award… I hope this recognition draws greater attention to the need for sustained research in these areas,” Mahajan said.
The recognition comes as Ashoka University’s economics department was recently ranked No. 1 in India by Research Papers in Economics (RePEc).
Commenting on the achievement, Ashwini Deshpande, Head of the Economics Department, said, “Kanika’s recognition is well-deserved… Her work exemplifies rigorous, policy-relevant research.” Vice-Chancellor Somak Raychaudhury added that the award reflects the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary and socially relevant research.
Ashoka’s Centre for Economic Data and Analysis continues to support data-driven research and public engagement on key economic issues, including labor markets and gender equity.
