Insights Forum 2025
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About the Event

ISB was founded on the premise that academic research that is locally relevant and globally respected plays a vital role in creating a vibrant business ecosystem. We are proud that we have made some progress in building a community of scholars who use cutting-edge research to solve the thorny problems that India faces as it develops.

Research isn't just about facts and figures. It is a fusion of science and imagination. And framing India’s research future is a collaborative effort. 

The ISB Insights Forum, launched in 2023, is a by-invitation-only, annual research showcase, and a platform to spotlight key research shaping management discourse in India and around the globe. It also seeks to recognise crucial support from individuals - through their philanthropy, corporate expertise, and academic contributions - towards the advancement of research initiatives in the country. 

Why attend?

The third edition of the Forum aims to bring together academicians, policymakers, industrialists, and knowledge creators to create actionable research agendas towards a brighter future for the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants. Led by some of ISB’s senior faculty and senior thought leaders from the government and industry, discussions at the day-long forum will explore solutions to many of the pressing issues that the nation faces today and in the future. 

Themes

Digital Gold: The Future of Assets and NFTs

Digital assets and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are transforming how we create, value, and trade ownership in the digital world. But what lies beyond the buzzwords? This session, featuring Professor Vasundhara Sharma and Professor Pranav Jindal, will demystify the digital assets landscape by explaining what NFTs really are, why they matter, and how they are being used. It will shed light on the financial side of NFTs and focus on investing, valuation, risk, and liquidity in the evolving market. From changing market dynamics to real-world applications and key trends, this session will equip you with practical insights to help navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of this emerging asset class.

Data Science and Digital Technology in Healthcare Administration: Unlocking Efficiency and Evaluating Impact

As healthcare systems grapple with rising demands and limited resources, data science and digital technologies are redefining what’s possible in healthcare delivery. In this session, Professor Sandeep Rath explores how data-driven innovation can transform hospital operations, from optimising staff deployment and surgical workflows to enhancing EHR (Electronic Health Record) utilisation and scheduling. Drawing on cutting-edge research, the discussion will reveal how smarter systems can drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve both provider well-being and patient outcomes.

Wealth creation through Capital Markets – Retail Investor focus

As India’s capital markets surge in scale and participation, the role of individual investors has never been more pivotal or more complex. Join this session with Professor Karthik Balakrishnan (Accounting) and Professor Ramabhadran S Thirumalai (Finance) as they examine how retail investors engage with markets, the effects of rapid technological change, and the challenges of excessive trading. Drawing insights from their research on information, price discovery, retail trading and market discipline, they explore how platforms, asset managers, and regulatory frameworks can foster informed participation, lower transaction costs, and enable sustainable wealth creation in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Climate impacts, climate action, and climate justice

Climate change is the defining policy challenge of our time, one that defies simple solutions and demands collective action. Join Professor Ashwini Chhatre and a diverse set of leaders as they discuss how fragmented climate efforts across governments, businesses, and civil society can be aligned for meaningful impact. The discussion will delve into the intersections of climate impacts, coordinated action, and climate justice spotlighting how equitable, data-driven, and inclusive approaches can help build a climate-safe future for all.

Azim Premji
Karthik Muralidharan
Madan Pillutla
Sarang Deo
Abhinav Guptha
Abhishek Srivastava
Ashwini Chhatre
Ankit Mandholia
DNV Kumara Guru
Karthik Balakrishnan
Maharshi Vaishnav
Manisha Kumar
Dr Pankaj Arora
Dr Pawan Kumar
Prajakta Mony
Pranav Jindal (1)
R Venkatesh (1)
Ramabhadran Thirumalai (1)
Rohini Chaturvedi
Sandeep Rath (1)
Sangeeth Aloysius
Saurav Raaj
Sharat Chandra
Shivkumar Kalyanaraman
Shraddha Gupta
Vasundhara Sharma

Agenda

Location: Chitravina, Executive Square

Time

Session

09:00 AM

Registration and Breakfast

10:00 AM

Inaugural Session - Accelerating India’s Development: A Roadmap for Effective Governance

Speakers:

Karthik Muralidharan, Tata Chancellor's Professor of Economics, University of California, San Diego

Madan Pillutla, Dean and Professor, Organisational Behaviour, Indian School of Business

Sarang Deo, Professor, Operations Management, and Executive Director - Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM), Indian School of Business

11:05 AM

Session on Data Science and Digital Technology in Healthcare Administration: Unlocking Efficiency and Evaluating Impact

Speakers:

Sandeep Rath, Assistant Professor, Operations Management, Indian School of Business

Dr Pawan Kumar, (PGP Co '13) Chief Executive Officer, CARE Hospitals

Manisha Kumar, Regional Chief Operating Officer, HealthCare Global

R Venkatesh, Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), Narayana Health

Dr Pankaj Arora,  Additional Professor, Department of Hospital Administration
PGIMER, Chandigarh

12:15 PM Tea Break
12:35 PM

Session on 'Climate Impacts, Climate Action, and Climate Justice'

Speakers:

Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor, Economics and Public Policy and Executive Director - Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), Indian School of Business

Rohini Chaturvedi, The International Land and Forest Tenure Facility

01:30 PM Lunch and Research Showcase by RCIs
02:40 PM

Session on 'Wealth creation through Capital Markets – Retail Investor focus'

Speakers:

Karthik Balakrishnan, Professor, Accounting, Indian School of Business

Ramabhadran Thirumalai, Associate Professor of Finance (Practice) and Deputy Dean - Mohali Campus, Indian School of Business

Ankit Mandholia, Head Equity & Derivatives, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited

Abhishek Srivastava, Managing Partner, Kae Capital

03:50 PM Tea Break
04:10 PM

Session on 'Digital Gold: The Future of Assets and NFTs'

Speakers:

Pranav Jindal, Associate Professor, Marketing and Research Director - ISB Institute of Data Science (IIDS), Indian School of Business

Vasundhara Sharma, Assistant Professor, Information Systems, Indian School of Business

Saurav Raaj, Co-Founder, NUVOWallet and Tokenize

Sharat Chandra, Founder, EmpowerEdge Ventures

Abhinav Guptha, Product and Strategy Leader - Digital Asset Solutions, Broadridge

Sangeeth Aloysius, SVP - Head of Products & Design, CoinDCX

06:05 PM

Panel discussion on CSR as a Catalyst for Higher Education Institutions and Research

Speakers:

Maharshi Vaishnav Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Motilal Oswal Foundation

DNV Kumara Guru Senior Director - Advancement, Alumni Engagement and External Relations, Indian School of Business

Prajakta Mony, Co-founder and Lead Social Auditor, BlueSky Sustainable Business

Shraddha Gupta, Head of Human Resources & Corporate Social Responsibility
J.C. Flowers Asset Reconstruction Private Limited

05:25 PM

Address by Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF

Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Sarang Deo, Professor, Operations Management, and Executive Director - Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM), Indian School of Business

07:00 PM

ISB Research Catalyst Award (virtual)

Speaker:

Azim Premji, Founder Chairman, Wipro Ltd

Madan Pillutla, Dean and Professor, Organisational Behaviour, Indian School of Business

Sarang Deo, Professor, Operations Management, and Executive Director - Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM), Indian School of Business

07:15 PM Dinner

 

ISB Research Catalyst Award

The ISB Research Catalyst Award is a recognition presented by the Indian School of Business (ISB) at its ISB Insights Forum to honour individuals who have significantly advanced research ecosystems in India and globally.

The award was first presented at the inaugural ISB Insights Forum to Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of Axilor Ventures, for his pioneering contributions to India's research growth.

This year, the ISB Research Catalyst Award is being presented to Azim Premji, Founder Chairman, Wipro.

Indian School of Business

Knowledge City, Sector – 81

Mohali - 140306

 

Mohali Campus

Get in touch

For any queries, please write to us at ExternalRelations@isb.edu.