National seminar

MES KALLADI COLLEGE MANNARKKAD (AUTONOMOUS) Report of Two-Day National Seminar “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” The PG and Research Department of Economics, MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous) organised a Two-Day National Seminar on “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” on 05 & 06 February 2026, with the support of PM-USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) and in association with the Kerala State Higher Education Council, Thiruvananthapuram. The seminar aimed to provide a meaningful academic platform for researchers, academicians, policy experts and students to deliberate on the emerging issue of depopulation in Kerala and its implications for the state budget, fiscal sustainability, and future development policies. The Inaugural Session of the seminar was held on 05 February 2026 (Thursday) at 10.00 AM at MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous). The programme commenced with a Prayer, invoking divine blessings for the successful conduct of the seminar and its academic deliberations Following the prayer, the Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. Ramadas M, Head of the Department of Economics, who warmly welcomed the dignitaries, resource persons, faculty members, research scholars, students, and participants. He highlighted the relevance of the seminar theme, especially in the context of Kerala’s demographic transition and the fiscal challenges emerging due to depopulation trends. The session was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Jasmine P M, Principal, MES Kalladi College (Autonomous), who delivered the Presidential Address. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of academic deliberations on public finance, demographic change, and policy reforms. She appreciated the efforts of the Economics Department in organising such a timely national seminar and wished success for all sessions and discussions. The Inaugural Address was delivered by Dr. Prashobhan Palakkeel, Assistant Professor, Chair – AI and Analytics Area, Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore. In his address, he provided valuable insights into the emerging issue of depopulation and its long-term economic consequences. He highlighted how population decline affects labour supply, ageing, welfare expenditure, and the fiscal sustainability of the state budget. His scholarly inaugural talk set the academic tone for the seminar. The inaugural session also included a series of felicitation speeches. The felicitation addresses were delivered by Mr. P M Sainudeen, Staff Secretary, Dr. Azhar A, IQAC Coordinator, Dr. Sereena, PM-USHA Joint Coordinator, Ms. Akhila, Union Chairman, and S. Lt. Dr. Jaleel T K, Vice Principal. All the dignitaries congratulated the Department of Economics for organising the national seminar and appreciated the relevance of the theme in the context of Kerala’s changing demographic structure and fiscal challenges. All the dignitaries congratulated the Department of Economics for organizing the national seminar and expressed their support for academic research and policy-oriented discussions on demographic issues and public finance in Kerala. Finally, the session concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. Shameer Moozhiyan, National Seminar Coordinator, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Principal, the invited resource person, all dignitaries, organizing committee members, faculty, students, and participants for their cooperation and active presence. The inaugural session came to an end at 11.00 AM, followed by a Tea Break SESSION 1 Session I of the Two Day National Seminar on “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” was held on 05 February 2026 at 11.15 AM. The session was chaired by Dr. Ramadas M, Head of the Department of Economics, MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous).The resource person for the session was Dr. Prashobhan Palakkeel, Assistant Professor and Chair – AI and Analytics Area, Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore. He delivered an insightful lecture on the theme “Federalism and Devolution”, highlighting the importance of centre-state financial relations in the context of Kerala’s demographic changes. In his presentation, Dr. Prashobhan Palakkeel explained how fiscal federalism and the system of devolution play a crucial role in supporting state finances, especially when states face challenges such as ageing population, migration, and declining workforce. He elaborated on the role of Finance Commissions, tax-sharing mechanisms, and the need for equitable distribution of resources to ensure balanced development among states. The session provided a clear understanding of how Kerala’s depopulation trends may influence future budget planning, welfare expenditure, and intergovernmental fiscal transfers. The session was followed by an engaging discussion where faculty members, research scholars, and students actively participated. The students raised several thoughtful questions regarding the impact of declining population on state revenue, welfare commitments, and Kerala’s dependence on central assistance. Dr. Prashobhan responded to the queries with clarity and provided detailed explanations, making the session highly interactive and academically enriching. The active participation and questioning by students reflected the relevance of the topic and the success of the session. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Ms. Mini B, who expressed sincere gratitude to the resource person, the chair, faculty members, and all participants for their active involvement and cooperation. The session ended on a successful note with valuable academic deliberations. SESSION II Session II of the Two Day National Seminar on “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” was held on 05 February 2026 at 02.00 PM at MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous). The session was chaired by Dr. Nasiya V K, faculty member, Department of Economics. The resource person for the session was Mr. Muhammed Shameer Kaipangara, Assistant Professor of History, Government College, Malappuram. He delivered an informative and thought-provoking presentation on the topic “Depopulation and Fiscal Burden – The Kerala Experience.” In his lecture, Mr. Muhammed Shameer Kaipangara discussed the changing demographic structure of Kerala, particularly the declining fertility rate, increasing life expectancy, and rising proportion of elderly population. He explained how these demographic trends contribute to a growing fiscal burden on the state government, especially in terms of pension liabilities, healthcare expenditure, and social security measures. He also highlighted the impact of migration and shrinking workforce on state revenue generation and long-term economic sustainability. The session was followed by an active discussion in which faculty members, research scholars and students participated enthusiastically. The participants raised relevant questions regarding the long-term economic consequences of depopulation, challenges in public expenditure management, and possible policy responses to reduce fiscal stress. The resource person responded to the questions effectively and clarified various aspects of Kerala’s demographic and fiscal transition, making the session highly interactive and engaging. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Ms. Ambili S, who expressed sincere gratitude to the chairperson, the resource person, and all participants for their valuable contributions and active participation. The session ended successfully with meaningful academic deliberations. SESSION III Session III of the Two Day National Seminar on “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” was held on 06 February 2026 at 10.00 AM at MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous). The session was chaired by Abdul Naser U , faculty member, Department of History MES Mambad college . The session was led by the resource person Mr. Retnakumar, who delivered a highly informative and analytical lecture on the topic “Aging, Demographic Dividend Exhaustion, and Depopulation in Kerala: Emerging Economic and Developmental Challenges.” In his presentation, the resource person discussed Kerala’s ongoing demographic transition, with particular emphasis on the increasing ageing population and the gradual exhaustion of the demographic dividend. He explained that Kerala is entering a phase where the working-age population is declining while the dependent elderly population is increasing, leading to significant challenges in labour supply, productivity, economic growth, and public welfare systems. He also highlighted the implications of depopulation on the state’s development planning, healthcare demands, pension obligations, and overall fiscal sustainability. The session was followed by an interactive discussion in which students, research scholars, and faculty members actively participated. Several questions were raised regarding Kerala’s future workforce availability, the impact of migration, and the possible policy strategies to address ageing-related challenges. The resource person responded with clarity and provided valuable insights, making the session academically enriching and highly engaging. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr. Limseer Ali P A, who expressed sincere gratitude to the chairperson, the resource person, and all participants for their active involvement and meaningful academic interaction. The session ended successfully with productive deliberations and valuable takeaways for the participants. Session IV (Technical Session) - Paper presentation Session IV (Technical Session) of the Two Day National Seminar on “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” was conducted on 06 February 2026 from 11.45 AM to 01.15 PM at MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous). The session was chaired by Mr. Abdul Naser,Assistant professor ,Department of History ,MES Mambad college (autonomus) who guided the proceedings effectively and ensured smooth conduct of the technical deliberations. The session witnessed an active academic exchange through paper presentations, in which nearly 36 research papers were presented by participants. The presentations were conducted in both online and offline modes, providing an inclusive platform for scholars and academicians from different institutions. The papers covered diverse sub-themes related to depopulation, ageing, migration, fiscal burden, welfare expenditure, and policy reforms, reflecting the interdisciplinary and research-oriented nature of the seminar. The technical session encouraged fruitful discussions, critical reflections, and scholarly interaction among presenters, faculty members, and participants. The chairperson appreciated the quality of presentations and highlighted the importance of such research contributions in understanding Kerala’s demographic challenges and their implications on public finance. At the end of the session, the Best Paper Award was presented to Ms. Remya R, Assistant Professor, Najath Arts and Science College, Mannarkkad, in recognition of her outstanding research contribution and effective presentation. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Anu Joseph, who expressed sincere appreciation to the chairperson, paper presenters, organizing committee, and all participants for their cooperation and active involvement in making the technical session a great success. Session V Session V of the Two Day National Seminar on “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” was conducted on 06 February 2026 from 02.15 PM to 03.30 PM at MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous). The session was chaired by Dr. Anu Joseph, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics. The session featured an insightful lead lecture by the resource person Dr. Sujathan P K, who delivered a detailed presentation on the topic “Expenditure and Ageing in Kerala: Demographic Transitions, Fiscal Burden, and Policy Response.” In his presentation, Dr. Sujathan P K highlighted Kerala’s ageing population as one of the most significant demographic challenges affecting the state’s economic and fiscal framework. He explained how demographic transition leads to increasing dependency ratios, rising healthcare expenditure, pension liabilities, and greater demand for welfare schemes. He also discussed the policy responses required to address the fiscal burden arising from ageing, including reforms in public expenditure management, strengthening social security systems, and ensuring sustainable budgeting practices. The session was followed by an interactive discussion, where participants raised relevant questions regarding the long-term sustainability of Kerala’s welfare model, the impact of ageing on state finances, and possible reforms in public policy. The resource person responded to the questions with clarity and academic depth, making the session highly informative and engaging. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Nasiya V K, who expressed sincere gratitude to the chairperson, the resource person, and all participants for their active presence and valuable contributions. The session ended successfully with meaningful deliberations and academic interaction. Valedictory Session The Valedictory Session of the Two Day National Seminar on “Depopulation and the State Budget: The Kerala Scenario” was held on 06 February 2026 from 03.30 PM to 04.00 PM at MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad (Autonomous). The session marked the formal conclusion of the two-day academic event organised by the PG and Research Department of Economics.The session began with a welcome address by Dr. Shameer Moozhiyan, Seminar Coordinator, who warmly welcomed all dignitaries, faculty members, research scholars, and students. He briefly highlighted the success of the seminar and the active participation of presenters and delegates throughout the sessions. The Presidential Address and Seminar Report was presented by Dr. Ramadas M, Head of the Department of Economics, who summarised the key deliberations of the seminar. He highlighted the importance of discussions held on various themes such as depopulation, ageing, migration, fiscal burden, federalism, and policy reforms. He also appreciated the contributions of the resource persons and the active involvement of participants in making the seminar academically enriching and meaningful.The session included a felicitation address by Dr. P K Sujathan, who congratulated the department for successfully conducting the national seminar. As part of the valedictory function, certificates were distributed to the paper presenters, acknowledging their valuable academic contributions.A felicitation was also delivered by Dr. Jaleel T K, Vice Principal, who appreciated the efforts of the organising committee and encouraged students and scholars to actively engage in research and academic discussions on socially relevant issues.The session concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Anu Joseph, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Principal, resource persons, dignitaries, organising committee members, faculty, students, and all participants for their cooperation and support throughout the seminar.The Valedictory Session came to an end with the National Anthem, marking the successful completion of the Two Day National Seminar.