Young Scholars Programme: Economics, Finance & Markets ESSENTIALS

Young Scholars Programme: Economics, Finance & Markets Essentials

Unpacking the Complex Structures of Economies and Finance

The YSP Economics, Finance & Markets Essentials (EFM Essentials) is a five-day certified residential programme for high school students entering grades 9 to 12. Designed to cultivate economic insight and financial literacy, the programme combines rigorous academic engagement with practical exposure to help students understand how economies function, how financial systems allocate capital, and why markets rise and fall.

What You Will Explore

• Core principles of economics and finance, from supply and demand to complex ideas like market failures, business cycles, and externalities.
• How policy choices like taxation, subsidies, regulation, or monetary decisions shape growth, inflation, trade, and inequality.
• The functioning of financial institutions and markets, including capital flows, investment strategies, and behavioural finance.
• Real-world case studies and simulations that place you in the role of economists, policymakers, and business leaders making high-stakes decisions.
• Critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills that connect classroom theory to global challenges such as debt, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

Leading faculty and practitioners such as Dr. Prachi Mishra, Sanjay Kukreja, Shantanu Bhanja, and Prof. Ashwini Deshpande will engage with students in dialogic sessions and hands-on workshops, tackling topics like fiscal governance, monetary systems, capital markets, behavioural finance, and corporate and public finance strategies.

At YSP EFM Essentials, students will move beyond textbook definitions and start asking the kinds of questions that economists, policymakers, and business leaders grapple with every day:

• How do countries balance growth with inflation?
• Why do businesses sometimes thrive in competitive markets while others form monopolies?
• What role do households play in shaping demand? 
• How do governments use taxes or subsidies to influence choices?

From the basics of supply and demand to complex ideas like business cycles, market failures, and externalities, you will gain an edge by exploring macroeconomic and microeconomic concepts in ways that go beyond conventional classroom learning and connect directly to the real world.

Exploring the Dynamics of Money, Markets, and Policy

Over the course of five days, students dive into interdisciplinary fields including Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Capital Markets & Financial Institutions, Monetary & Fiscal Policy, Data & Forecasting, Behavioural Economics, and Trade & Development. Each of these sessions are carefully curated to provide not only a strong conceptual foundation but also practical exposure to real-world applications. These sessions blend theory with quantitative tools, empirical evidence, and case studies, enabling students to grasp the functioning of markets and the levers that shape them.

This programme is uniquely designed for students who are curious about how money flows through households, businesses, governments, and globally. It caters to those who want to explore the interconnections between finance, policy, and governance, as well as students eager to test their ideas through simulations and structured debates. Participants will sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving skills while learning to connect abstract economic models to tangible global challenges.

At YSP EFM Essentials, you will engage not only with traditional lectures and readings but also with highly interactive experiences, such as simulations, and problem-solving exercises. Imagine stepping into the role of a central bank governor to set interest rates; collaborating on valuation of startups; analyzing macroeconomic data to forecast trends; debating ethical issues in regulation or finance; or designing forward-looking policy recommendations that balance growth, inequality, and sustainability. These activities are designed to build confidence, adaptability, and a deeper appreciation of the complexities involved in economic decision-making.

Beyond academic rigor, YSP EFM Essentials offers a vibrant and holistic residential experience. Students live in on-campus residences at Ashoka, share meals in Ashoka’s dining facilities, and participate in a wide range of sports activities, Talent Night and bond with peers from across India and beyond. These shared experiences foster friendships, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. More than just an academic programme, YSP EFM Essentials is a space to grow intellectually, socially, and personally.

Experiential Learning

• Hands-on Workshops: Bring abstract ideas into practice by combining conceptual frameworks, data, and decision-making. Students work with financial statements, experiment with forecasting tools, and tackle policy dilemmas, sharpening their analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Simulations and Case Studies: Immerse yourself in the perspective of real decision-makers. Whether trading like NSE professionals, analyzing the growth of startups, debating regulation, or assessing the impact of trade wars and climate change, these exercises show how economics and finance shape households, businesses, governments, and global society. They also foster critical thinking, debate, and collaboration while testing judgment under uncertainty.

By the programme’s conclusion, participants will have explored real-world scenarios such as how enterprises navigate economic crises, what strategies global companies use for fundraising and taxation, and how different stakeholders negotiate in global trade. They will emerge as informed citizens and future leaders, ready to analyze, innovate, and make decisions with clarity, ethics, and impact, armed with the mindset and skills of tomorrow’s economists, financial strategists, and changemakers.

Who You Will Learn From

The programme brings together Ashoka University’s distinguished faculty and experienced practitioners to offer students a rigorous introduction to economic thinking and its real-world applications. Through a carefully designed sequence of sessions, students explore foundational and advanced concepts across microeconomics, macroeconomics, and finance.

In YSP EFM 2026, students will engage with faculty such as Prof. Ayush Pant, Prof. Aditya Ajit Aradhye, and Prof. Parush Arora, who introduce core frameworks in economic reasoning, strategic decision-making, and macroeconomic analysis. Building on this, Prof. Bhanu Gupta and Prof. Piyali Banerjee guide students through key questions in microeconomics—such as price determination—and the functioning of economies, as well as the role of data in economic analysis.

Career Pathways

Studying economics and finance today opens doors far beyond traditional banking roles. YSP EFM Essentials prepares students with the foundations, skills, and interdisciplinary mindset needed to navigate these dynamic futures.

• Accounting, Finance & Trading: Build a career as an investment banker, corporate finance analyst, asset manager, venture capitalist, or private equity associate.
• Business Strategy, Consulting & Entrepreneurship: Step into roles such as management consultant, strategy analyst, startup founder, or business development manager, applying economic and financial insights to lead, innovate, and create impact across industries.
• Government, Policy & Trade: Become an economist, policy advisor, trade analyst, or public finance specialist, influencing taxation, spending, and trade policies to support fair and sustainable societies.
• Technology, Data & Emerging Fields: Pursue careers as a fintech developer, data scientist, AI/ML analyst, blockchain strategist, or algorithmic trader who drives innovation.
• Research, Academia & Global Institutions: Grow into roles such as a researcher, professor, economist, or policy specialist with universities or international organizations tackling global challenges.

By participating in YSP EFM Essentials, high school students gain valuable exposure to these pathways, empowering them to make informed choices as they step into higher education and beyond.

Final application deadline: April 26, 2026.
Limited seats. Apply now to secure your seat.

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Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• Students will gain a comprehensive introduction to interdisciplinary thinking in economics, sociology, data analysis, and their roles in policy-making. They will be equipped to approach problems with an emphasis on ethical considerations, understanding the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in addressing complex societal issues.
• Students will understand the key concepts of economics, including market dynamics, economic growth, and fiscal policies, and how they influence policy-making and governance.
• Students will explore the foundations of governance and policy-making, understanding how political institutions function and how policies are shaped at local, national, and global levels.
• Students will gain insights into the sociopolitical factors that drive societal changes, including social equity, justice, and the role of governance in addressing societal challenges.

Skills:

• Our scholars will develop the ability to critically analyze and evaluate economic theories, government policies, and societal dynamics, understanding their interconnectedness and implications.
• They will develop the ability to analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives, encouraging innovative solution-seeking and informed decision-making.
• Through hands-on activities and simulations, students will acquire skills in drafting, analyzing, and critiquing policies, understanding the multifaceted considerations that go into effective policy-making.
• Scholars will hone their communication skills, learning to articulate their ideas, analyses, and solutions effectively in both written and verbal formats.
• Students will develop data analysis skills to interpret and apply statistical information in solving economic and social issues, using real-world case studies.

Attitude:

• Engaging in group discussions and workshops, scholars will enhance their collaborative skills, learning to work with diverse perspectives to design impactful solutions to pressing challenges.
• Students will cultivate an ethical mindset, understanding the social and moral responsibilities involved in governance and policy-making, ensuring they approach challenges with integrity and fairness.
• Students will develop an open-minded attitude toward global governance challenges, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in formulating policies that promote social equity and justice.
• Students will embrace interdisciplinary thinking, understanding that effective governance and policy-making require integration of economics, sociology, and political science to address complex societal issues.

Applications:

• Our carefully designed project-based learning model will help young scholars identify the utility of economics, policy, and fields that deal with society. This identification will aid their growth in diverse academic and professional endeavors.
• With a holistic introduction to interdisciplinarity, students will be better informed to make college and career decisions, understanding the vast interconnected opportunities and pathways available in the fields of economics, policy, and society.
• Students will apply economic and policy analysis to current global challenges, using simulations and case studies to explore potential solutions for issues like poverty, climate change, and inequality.
• Students will use collaborative problem-solving techniques to draft policy proposals, incorporating input from peers and instructors, and presenting their solutions to real-world governance challenges.

Sample Schedule

Delve into what makes the world around us as you explore the building blocks of the life you inhabit. In the YSP Economics, Finance & Markets Essentials programme, students will explore the vast expanse of economics, from microeconomic principles like Supply and Demand, to macroeconomic concepts such as Inflation, Fiscal Policy, and Global Trade. Sample topics include The Role of Government in Economic Development, where students will examine how fiscal and monetary policies influence national growth; Public Policy and Social Equity, exploring how policies can address inequalities in education, health, and income distribution; Global Governance and Climate Change, analyzing international collaborations on environmental challenges; and Data-Driven Policy-Making, where students will learn how to use data analysis to inform policy decisions. They will also delve into Behavioral Economics, examining the psychological factors that influence economic decision-making.

By understanding the multifaceted nature of economics and its interplay with sociology, data analysis, environmental studies, and international relations, students will gain a richer perspective on the complexities of policy-making. Topics such as Sustainability and Economic Growth, Public Policy for Social Equity, and International Relations and Global Governance will ensure that scholars appreciate the interconnectedness of disciplines, fostering critical thinking and innovative approaches to solving societal challenges.

Guided by Ashoka’s world-renowned faculty, students collaborate with like-minded peers, immersing themselves in a vibrant experience of ideas and perspectives. The five-day residential programme entails faculty sessions that bring together interdisciplinary exposure to students with varied and niche interests within topics around Social Sciences and allied disciplines.

The sessions are enhanced by an addition of simulating workshops in the second-half of the day. These workshops are designed to foster creative and critical thinking, hone skills useful for career development, and build understanding for the applicability of social sciences.

A schedule for YSP EFM Essentials is given below. (tentative schedule, subject to change)

YSP EFM Essentials Programme Schedule

Sample Faculty

Anuradha Saha

Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs, Associate Professor of Economics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Indian Statistical Institute

Prachi Mishra

Professor of Economics, Director and Head of the Isaac Centre for Public Policy, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Columbia University

Srijita Ghosh

Assistant Professor of Economics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. New York University

Bhanu Gupta

Assistant Professor of Economics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Michigan

Ashwini Deshpande

Head of the Department, Economics and Professor of Economics, Ashoka University
Founding Director, Centre for Economic Data and Analysis, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Delhi School of Economics

Sample Inspiring Speakers

Pramath Raj Sinha

Founder & Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania

Deep Kalra

Founder, MakeMyTrip

BA Economics, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, IIM Ahmedabad

Sanjeev Bikhchandani

Founder and Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (Naukri.com)
Visiting Faculty, Young India Fellowship

BA, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad 

Ashish Dhawan

Founding Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University
Advisory Council, The Isaac Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance, Ashoka University
Founder and Chairman, Central Square Foundation

BS, Yale University
MBA, Harvard University

Seema Bansal

Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University

MBA, IIM Calcutta; Bachelor's in Engineering, PEC Chandigarh

FAQs

1) What is the Young Scholars Programme Economics, Finance & Markets Essentials (YSP EFM Essentials)?

YSP Economics, Finance & Markets Essentials (EFM Essentials) is a certified 5-day residential programme designed to cultivate economic insight and financial literacy. Combining rigorous academic engagement with practical exposure, the programme helps students understand how economies function, how financial systems allocate capital, and why markets rise and fall. Learners explore crucial domains like price theory, macroeconomics, monetary policies, and public finance. Through workshops, case studies, and simulations, they build core skills in quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, and valuation to analyze economies and tackle fiscal challenges.

2) Is YSP EFM Essentials an online or offline programme?

YSP EFM Essentials is an offline, residential programme and will be held in person at Ashoka University Campus in Sonipat, Haryana.

3) What is liberal arts and sciences education?

Liberal Arts & Sciences education celebrates discussion and debate in the classroom. A Liberal Arts & Science education focuses on providing critical thinking skills and multiple perspectives to students, which is considered an essential part of leading an ethical and purposeful life. Essentially, it incorporates breadth and depth across multiple disciplines.

4) Do we get a certificate for attending The Young Scholars Programme?

Yes, students will be given a certificate on successful completion of the programme, provided all sessions are attended and there has been desirable participation by the student. Upon receipt of your certificate, please save it securely for your use later on. However, if you happen to lose it, a second copy of the certificate will be provided which will be chargeable for a sum of Rs. 500/-

5) Will attending the programme increase my chances of getting admission to the undergraduate programme at Ashoka University?

Attending the programme will give you an insight on liberal arts & sciences education and the Ashoka pedagogy. This will surely help you with your undergraduate application form at Ashoka University. However, this does not guarantee admission to the Ashoka UG programme.