Centre for Development Economics
Department of Economics
Delhi School of Economics
ANNOUNCE A SEMINAR
Do conditional cash transfers affect time investments in education?
Evidence from Kanyashree Prakalpa in India
by
Sneha Lamba
(IIT Delhi)
(Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 3:10 PM, IST )
Venue: Amex Room
Abstract:-
Studies on gender-targeted conditional cash transfers (CCT) show positive effects of programs on girls’ school enrollment, but limited to no impacts on learning outcomes. This study seeks to uncover why, through a focus on time investments in education measured using data from the Indian Time Use Surveys carried out in 2019 and 2024. We study whether the Kanyashree Prakalpa, which is a CCT implemented in the state of West Bengal in 2013, affects educational time investments made both by adolescents and their caregivers. Using difference-in-difference and triple difference specifications, we find that program eligible adolescents spent more time on educational activities, both in school and outside school. We also find that mothers (but not fathers) of eligible adolescents spent more time on educational activities with their children.