Top 24 Commerce Project Topics & Ideas in 2024 [For Freshers]

Updated on 21 May, 2024

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Commerce Project Topics & Ideas

Table of Contents

  1. How to Choose a Good Project Topic for the Commerce Project For Final Year Students?
    1. Interest and Passion
    2. Relevance to Commerce
    3. Narrow and Focused
    4. Originality and Uniqueness
    5. Feasibility
    6. Practical Application
    7. Current and Emerging Trends
    8. Alignment with Learning Objectives
    9. Market Analysis
    10. Consultation with Faculty/Advisors
    11. Feasibility of Data Collection
    12. Ethical Considerations
    13. Cross-Disciplinary Approach
    14. Scalability
    15. Audience Appeal
    16. Personal and Professional Growth
  2. Best Commerce Projects & Ideas For College Students & Beginners
    1. Topic 1: Impact of Outsourcing Material Availability Decision-Making
    2. Topic 2: Monetary Policy – Enhancing Employee Performance Through Monetary Incentives
    3. Topic 3: Outsourcing Human Resource in Beverage and Food Firms
    4. Topic 4: Role of E-Commerce in Reducing Operational Cost
    5. Topic 5: Reducing Unemployment Through a Co-Operative Movement
    6. Topic 6: An Analysis of the Downside of Co-Operative Thrift and Credit Society
    7. Topic 7: Analysis of the Role of Insurance Companies in Driving Growth of SMEs
    8. Topic 8: Implications of Globalization on National Security
    9. Topic 9: Exploring the Significance of Commerce in Today’s World
    10. Topic 10: The Significance of E-Commerce in Emerging Markets
    11. Topic 11: Public Sector bank’s future in the country
    12. Topic 12: Impact of Covid on Indian Economy
  3. What is the project topic for Bcom final year?
  4. Additional Commerce Project Topics
  5. Other Interesting Project Topics for Commerce Students
    1. 13. SWOT Analysis of an MNC
    2. 14. A Study of Joint Ventures
    3. 15. Job Opportunities from the Transportation Sector
    4. 16. The Power of Branding on Consumer Purchasing Behavior
    5. 17. A Project on the Indian Railways Undertaking
    6. 18. A Project on Mumbai Dabbawalas
    7. 19. Preparing a Report on Nationalized Banks
    8. 20. Exploring Indian Exports
    9. 21. Studying Different Distribution Channels
    10. 22. A Project on the Consumer Protection Act
    11. 23. Project on the Dairy Industry
    12. 24. Studying Different Advertising Media
  6. Takeaway
  7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In this article, you will learn the Top 24 Commerce Project Topics & Ideas. Take a glimpse below.

Best 24 Commerce Project Ideas & Topics 

Read the full article to know more about the project Ideas & Topics in detail.

Commerce is fundamental to the success of any business. To streamline trading operations and maintain profits, the industry must focus on commerce, which deals with a lot more than just selling and buying. As the world is digitizing, eCommerce solutions are increasingly becoming common. The advent of machine learning and AI has further enhanced the effectiveness of eCommerce. While the world is moving fast, it is important to upskill ourselves to get the edge over the competitors. upGrad offers some of the best free courses for working professionals to compete in the market. 

Why is Commerce important?

With the global economy projected to achieve the US$100 trillion milestone in 2022, it is not surprising that commerce has established itself as a vital stream. So, whether you are deciding on your 6th sem project topics, writing a dissertation on online shopping project topics, or compiling a “Project topics for commerce students” pdf, you will have to consider the role of commerce in the real world.

As a society, most of our activities revolve around buying and selling goods and services. At some level, we are all economic actors. Right at this very moment, you must be reading this article on a gadget you bought from a retailer. It’s next to impossible to not depend on the market for our needs today. 

In fact, as a Commerce graduate, you will have to depend on the market as a salaried employee, a business owner, or an entrepreneur. You will have to sell your services or products to buy other services and products. In some capacity, commerce will become a part of your life. 

The business of buying and selling is at the heart of commerce. As a student of commerce, this view of commerce would be an over-simplification. If you were to browse articles related to commerce stream or look up commerce topics for presentation, you would come across a diversity of topics. The discipline covers a multitude of subjects beyond just buying and selling activities, such as accounting, labor relations, supply chain management, and financial markets. 

Whether you are taking a micro or macro-view, trade and commerce play a role in our everyday lives as members of a household, community, nation, or the world. You might pick up a newspaper article telling you about global inflation- there is commerce involved. 

Further, with globalization and the advancement of technology, world commerce has transformed. And commerce as a discipline has had to evolve with these shifts and will continue to do so. For example, online shopping project topics exploring the role of digital technology and the impact of globalization on economies is one of the more popular commerce topics for presentation. 

As it directly or indirectly impacts a large section of the world population, e-commerce is a notable topic of discussion amongst graduate and post-graduate students of commerce. Working on projects to find solutions to trade-related issues, and explore operational challenges, among others is an important part of their curriculum. 

Given the vast pool of trending commerce project ideas, it may be difficult to choose a topic for your project. Commerce encompasses various business domains, with trade and selling being the pertinent ones. You require deep analysis and understanding to pick a topic that serves your interests and career goals. If analytics is your forte, and if you want to hone your skills, consider pursuing our business analytics certificate designed specifically for analytics aspirants.

In this article, we have compiled a list of interesting and innovative commerce project ideas to help you with your project. Irrespective of the topic you choose for your final project, you stand to gain immense knowledge and expertise to leverage exciting career opportunities. 

How to Choose a Good Project Topic for the Commerce Project For Final Year Students?

Choosing a topic for your m.com final year project topics is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration and no doubt guidance. The right topic can make your project engaging, insightful, and valuable. So, keeping the above points in mind, here are some points to help you select a Trending project topics for commerce students for your project: –

  • Interest and Passion

Always choose that topic in which you have great interest. The reason being when you have interest in the subject, you will give your 100% making it more enjoyable and likely resulting in a better outcome.

  • Relevance to Commerce

Ensure that the topic is directly related to commerce. It could be a current trend, an emerging issue, or a classic concept you want to explore in depth.

  • Narrow and Focused

A broad topic can be overwhelming and challenging to cover in depth. So, narrow down your focus to a specific aspect or sub-topic within commerce. For example, instead of “Global E-Commerce Trends,” you could focus on “The Impact of Social Media on Online Retail Sales.”

  • Originality and Uniqueness

While some topics are popular and well-studied, try to bring a unique perspective or angle to your chosen topic. Look for gaps in existing research or areas that haven’t been explored extensively.

  • Feasibility

Consider the availability of resources, data, and information related to your chosen topic. Ensure you can access enough credible sources to support your research and analysis.

  • Practical Application

Choose a topic that has real-world relevance and application. Consider how your findings could be applied in business settings or how they might address a practical issue.

  • Current and Emerging Trends

Topics related to current trends, technological advancements, or emerging practices in commerce tend to capture attention. They showcase your ability to stay updated with the industry.

Looking to leverage your commerce background? Dive into the wide range of career options for commerce students and unlock the door to numerous opportunities that await you in the business world.

  • Alignment with Learning Objectives

Review your course or program objectives. Your project should align with the key concepts you’ve learned and demonstrate your understanding.

  • Market Analysis

If applicable, conduct a preliminary market analysis to identify areas of commerce that require more attention or improvement. Addressing these gaps could lead to an impactful project.

  • Consultation with Faculty/Advisors

Discuss your ideas with your faculty members or project advisors. They can provide valuable insights, suggest modifications, and guide you toward a more refined topic.

  • Feasibility of Data Collection

If your project involves data collection, consider the ease of gathering data. Complex data collection processes might require more time and resources.

  • Ethical Considerations

Ensure that your chosen topic doesn’t raise ethical concerns. Commerce projects might involve sensitive data or controversial issues, so it’s important to approach them with ethical integrity.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Approach

Explore topics that intersect with other disciplines like economics, psychology, or technology. This can add depth and uniqueness to your project.

  • Scalability

While your project might be limited in scope, consider whether the topic has the potential for broader applications or research beyond your project.

  • Audience Appeal

Think about your target audience. Will your project be interesting and informative to your peers, instructors, and potentially even professionals in the field?

  • Personal and Professional Growth

Choose a project topics for commerce that fulfills academic requirements and contributes to personal and professional growth. Acquiring in-depth knowledge about a relevant topic can be valuable in your future career.

Remember that the process of selecting a project topic is iterative. You might need to refine and narrow your ideas as you gather more information and feedback. Take your time, conduct thorough research, and select a topic that aligns with your interests, skills, and academic objectives.

Curious about the most lucrative career paths in commerce? Explore our detailed guide on the highest paid jobs in India in commerce, and aim for a prosperous future in the business world.

So let’s get started with the list of trending project topics for commerce students

Best Commerce Projects & Ideas For College Students & Beginners

In any field, the end consumers are given top priority. Their choices, preferences, and demands are factors that form the basis of marketing strategies and manufacturing operations. It is evident that we are dependent on commerce to ensure this chain of processes runs smoothly. 

If you are wondering what kind of commerce projects could bring you closer to your goals, here is a thought-out list of 8 projects that will not just familiarize you with the existing problems in commerce but also provide solutions. Furthermore, they will be a glowing addition to your resume and increase your chances of success in this all-encompassing field of commerce. To increase your resume weightage, doing a business-related course would be beneficial. For example, our business analytics certificate has 100+ hours of learning with case studies and live sessions aids you positive career growth. 

Topic 1: Impact of Outsourcing Material Availability Decision-Making 

Objective: To determine the criteria used while deciding to outsource material availability along with strategizing the outsourcing process.

Outsourcing is a beneficial practice but at the same time, it poses a variety of challenges. Every industry seeks low labour cost, however, numerous other aspects require attention when outsourcing. 

Although outsourcing is done at various levels, if you have a clear set of goals and strategies, more often than not, it will prove to be advantageous. It is important to understand that the performance of a company and its outsourced aspects do not have a connection because it does not impact the material availability directly. 

Usually, two challenges are seen: the first one being, the time challenge, where the production process is slowed down due to unavailability of material and the second, more pressing financial challenge. Through this project, you can find solutions to both challenges. 

Impacts of outsourcing-

  • Affects delivery time
  • Product quality
  • Employee productivity
  • Cost

Benefits of outsourcing-

  • Flexible staffing arrangement
  • Better risk management
  • Gain customer satisfaction 
  • Increased efficiency
  • Reduces labour cost
  • Cost cutting
  • Saves time
  • Improves quality
  • Helps in relieving workload

 

Topic 2: Monetary Policy – Enhancing Employee Performance Through Monetary Incentives

Objective: To perceive the relationship between monetary incentive and employee performance.

It is observed that bonuses ate fixed according to the employee’s performance, however, hard work being intangible is not considered. Therefore, it can be deduced that monetary incentives are independent of the performance, since the bonus and allowances are fixed according to a specific performance parameter. Moreover, the failure of a company’s promise to release the bonus on time also leads to dissatisfaction and demotivation among its employees. 

On the other hand, companies can attain their target by quoting the performance bonus in advance, thereby, stimulating employees to perform more efficiently and proactively. This project will help you comprehend how effective monetary incentives are imperative to employee satisfaction and alleviating the attrition rate in the company. 

Why are monetary incentives necessary?

  • Rewards employees
  • Profit sharing, partnerships, ESOPS, etc., increases the ownership attitude 
  • Helps in acquiring quality talent
  • Controls attrition 
  • Increases employee satisfaction
  • Increases employee engagement
  • Improves organisation’s performance

Types of monetary incentives-

  • Bonuses
  • ESOPS
  • Rewards
  • Commissions
  • Added allowances payment
  • Wage incentives
  • Referral benefits
  • Profit sharing

Also read: Career options in medical

Topic 3: Outsourcing Human Resource in Beverage and Food Firms

Objective: To understand the implications of outsourcing human resource functions on organizational performance. This includes finding potential benefits and analyzing how it directly impacts employee performance and thought process.

Not allocating the budget for the Human Resource department leaves companies with one option — outsourcing. This may have decreased the company’s liability for its employees, but it has not been very beneficial for those who seek a long term and focused career.  Outsourcing of human resources is usually undertaken to reduce costs for a company as well as bring productive resources onboard. However, neither of these parameters remain fulfilled in the long run.

It is often observed that this leads to a disconnect in employees, which reflects in their attitudes as they then carry out assigned tasks irresponsibly. Outsourcing has also observed a high attrition rate among employees. This is especially common in the food and beverage industries, where the time-sensitive nature of commerce takes a toll on human resource professionals.

Types of outsourcing-

  • International & Domestic
  • Onshore
  • Nearshore
  • Offshore

Benefits of Outsourcing Human Resource in Beverage and Food Firms-

  • Lower administration costs
  • Cost effective
  • Streamlining of important functions
  • Program Management
  • Employee satisfaction
  • Provides additional services due to lower limitations
  • Growth 
  • Flexible 
  • Payroll Management

Topic 4: Role of E-Commerce in Reducing Operational Cost

Objective: To evaluate how e-commerce aids the reduction of functional costs by making a comparative analysis.

This project emphasizes the benefits of eCommerce in today’s world. It is clear from the recent pandemic as well that electronic transactions have grown exponentially. An organization that will operate through a physical office will have significant costs to bear as compared to organizations that can function remotely.

These costs include logistics, administration, salesperson salary, the lease on storefront, electricity, telephone, heating/cooling, taxes, displays, repairs and maintenance of the building. On the contrary, for a virtual office, the entailing costs include web hosting charges, shopping cart software, and distribution rates.

This accounts for much less than the expense involved with physical offices.  Both functional and operational costs are affected by eCommerce. Furthermore, e-commerce also has many other unmatched benefits when compared with offline commerce methods. 

Benefits of reduced cost in e-commerce:

  • Self-regulating
  • Increased revenue
  • Utilisation of revenue into product development
  • Creates a competitive advantage

Ways to reduce cost in e-commerce:

  • Supplier tie-ups
  • Reduce returns
  • Marketing budget 
  • Inventory management
  • Shipping methods optimization

Topic 5: Reducing Unemployment Through a Co-Operative Movement

Objective: To establish a co-operative movement in a working society and analyze its benefits on society members. It also evaluates various aspects of the co-operative movement that provide support to team members.

This project helps us gain an understanding of the benefits of a co-operative movement in reducing unemployment. The analysis concludes that co-operative movements support employees and their well-being in terms of education and growth, thus, every organization must adopt one.

It is recommended that since a co-operative movement encourages and supports existing employees to study further and take up training to scale their skill sets, it must be made compulsory for every establishment. To facilitate the set up of the cooperatives, the project recommends aiding organisations financially in the form of loans from the co-operative banks.  Consequently, establishing co-operative banks is also deemed significantly beneficial.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Commerce Field

Topic 6: An Analysis of the Downside of Co-Operative Thrift and Credit Society

Objective: To shine a light on the futility of establishing a co-operative and credit society.

This kind of society is set up in organizations to help employees save a certain percentage of their salaries. These savings will support them after their retirement and can be used as an investment. However, it is noticed that such a society does not form a consensus as the goals are not attained. With a disparity in the financials and personal contexts, this society has not been able to satisfy its members.

This is due to poor inspection, and the irresponsible attitudes of authoritative people that have marred the interests of its members. Another important aspect that this project highlight is that when members take a loan from a credit society, they are often not in a position to return it, indicating a loss of money. The bad debts increase and the vested member’s interest is exploited unfairly.

Types of unemployment-

  • Voluntary
  • Demand deficient
  • Structural
  • Frictional
  • Seasonal
  • Geographical
  • Casual
  • Chronic
  • Disguised
  • Cyclical

Benefits of Reducing Unemployment Through a Co-Operative Movement-

  • Enhanced social, economic and cultural aspects of the society
  • Provides social services such as education, housing, health, etc.
  • Increase wealth 
  • Better living conditions
  • Higher satisfaction 
  • Society progression
  • Improved economy

Checkout: Career Options for Commerce Students

Topic 7: Analysis of the Role of Insurance Companies in Driving Growth of SMEs

Objective: To understand the relationship between SMEs and insurance companies. The project also aims to understand how insurance companies contribute to the growth of SMEs. This involves studying factors that are responsible for growth and failure alike. One major aspect that this project covers is the reason that SMEs do not get their businesses insured.

This project highlights what SMEs are and how l insurance companies can prevent them from being shut down. SMEs are small and medium scale enterprises with about 5 to 10 employees in a small SME and a maximum of 50 to 100 employees in a medium-scale enterprise.

SMEs are vital for the growth of the economy as they are independent and can generate effective revenue, contributing to the country’s GDP. It is recommended that these SMEs must get business insurance. However, with the lack of awareness of insurance of businesses, most small to medium enterprises fail to function beyond two years.

The lack of sustenance due to a blend of financial difficulties and departmental challenges is the cause of the shutdown. Therefore, insurance can step this up. If the employees feel secure, they will be motivated to work irrespective of the un-segregated organizational structure of the SMEs. The resolution for running SMEs for the long term is insurance.

Benefits of Insurance Companies in Driving Growth of SMEs-

  • Financial security to the employees
  • Higher employee satisfaction
  • Lower attrition
  • Financial stability 
  • Improved organisation growth 
  • Increase loyalty
  • Help in acquiring qualified candidates 

Topic 8: Implications of Globalization on National Security  

Objective: To examine the frequency of transnational threats and the method by which the security is breached. Furthermore, it highlights the effects of globalisation on increased national security. 

A deep analysis of this project highlights two aspects of globalization. Firstly, where there is an increased threat due to breach of security, a significant increase in business is noticed. The to and fro of trade and ease of communication, facilitated by transportation are anticipated as threats to National Security.

At the same time, this has also elevated the business to a large extent. It causes businesses to amp their security measures and streamline their services. When the pros and cons are weighed, globalization has proved to be beneficial for most sectors.

It has also brought an upsurge in the National Income of many underdeveloped countries. Secondly, globalization has also brought about a lot of awareness, stimulating consumers to buy needful products. The positive impacts on the national income of a country have significantly increased. 

Impacts of globalisation on national security-

  • Integration of markets
  • Trade measures
  • Access to new cultures
  • Potential of new threats
  • Access to new talent
  • Manage employee integration 

Topic 9: Exploring the Significance of Commerce in Today’s World

Objective: To understand the various benefits of commerce.

The project highlights the following aspects:

  1. Helps accomplish human wants: Commerce has facilitated trade between states, and across the borders. In turn, human wants are fulfilled because of this movement of goods. This also contributes to social welfare. The distribution of products through e-commerce has further enabled many small businesses to survive. 
  2. Enhances the standard of living: The increased flow of money has also increased consumerism. It encourages and financially supports people to make required purchases, subsequently, increasing the standard of living. Also, the pliability of a product’s delivery to diverse locations m, as well as flexibility of ordering from any location has facilitated streamlined services, further, enhancing consumerism and elevating the standard of living.       
  3. Empowering consumers and producers: If manufacturing continues to produce, but ceases to sell, the economy of a country is bound to plummet. It is due to commerce that trade persists. The chain of retailers, and wholesalers who purchase the products from manufacturers and market them appropriately, facilitates the movement of goods. The absence of these channels will stagnate the market. In addition to this, digital platforms have made e-commerce the most convenient link between consumers and producers.
  4. Providing employment opportunities: Commerce is the harbinger of growth in manufacturing, warehousing, transporting, banking, advertising and so on. To ensure the efficiency of these operations, we need human resources. Commerce proffers employment to skilled and unskilled labour, along with numerous white-collar professionals.  
  5. Enabling income generation for a country on the whole When trade increases, production and consumption follows. This creates work opportunities for the citizens of a country. This in turn impacts the national Income of a country. The average gross income of citizens contributes to the development of a country.
  6. Driving growth in auxiliary sectors: Commerce leads to increased growth in auxiliary sectors such as banking, insurance, publicity, marketing, and advertising, among others.
  7. Driving industrial development: One of the major outcomes of the commerce sector is the development of industries. Commerce aids in streamlining the division of labour, as well as providing raw materials to the industries. A meticulous division of every sector in the industry leads to its growth and development.
  8. Driving international trade: The emergence of e-commerce has allowed businesses to think beyond the periphery of their country. This has facilitated streamlined trade between countries. Besides, commerce has opened doors for the exchange of commodities, and surplus produces of the country.  Better transport and communication systems have resulted in increased international trade, which again is a result of commerce.
  9. Benefitting underdeveloped countries: Commerce has created avenues for underdeveloped countries to export surplus raw material to other countries. This process has enhanced trade and the flow of money into underdeveloped countries.
  10. Supporting exigencies: Whatever trade and exchange of food, medicines, relief packets, etc, is done, is highly dependent on the smooth functioning of the supply chain and commerce industry. During exigencies like earthquakes, floods, and other natural calamities, commerce proves its worth.

Impacts of commerce-

 

  • Impact productivity
  • Affect inflation
  • Reach market potential
  • Increases R&D of the country
  • Better talent management
  • Gives competitive advantage
  • Cost management
  • Impact culture and lifestyle

Topic 10: The Significance of E-Commerce in Emerging Markets

Objective: To explore the benefits of e-commerce, upcoming trends, and provide solutions to existing challenges. 

Needless to mention, the significance of the internet and its usage in today’s world is skyrocketing. The increasing usage of mobile devices has enabled customers to purchase anything from anywhere. Evidently, the future of commerce is headed online. As e-commerce is replacing other traditional commerce models to provide seamless services and consumer experience, there has been a significant reduction in operational costs. If customers are willing to bear the shipping and other costs, even cross-border shopping is possible through e-commerce.

This platform allows users to conduct a comparative analysis and purchase an item at the best available price. This doesn’t just inculcate awareness and transparency but also inculcates a sense of achievement among the consumers when they save a penny. The clarity in communication between portals and customers further streamlines the process.

Apart from the listed benefits, it also involves some threats. These threats usually involve a breach of customer trust and a volatile economy. The failure of e-commerce business is rare, but not absent. It also reflects on the reliability of a platform when cross-border trading is undertaken. Prioritizing customer satisfaction is the key to the success of an eCommerce business. 

Upcoming trends in eCommerce will pave the path for successful business ventures and economic development. As more and ML more businesses adopt AI-driven technologies, augmented reality, and speech recognition techniques in enhancing customer experience, there will be a shift towards personalised solutions which is mostly possible thrift eCommerce. Ecommerce has an integral role to play in helping businesses enhance reach and scalability.

Benefits of E-Commerce

  • Affects buying behaviour
  • Inventory management
  • Flexible 
  • Enhance shopping experience
  • Access to a wider range of products
  • Benefits seller and customers
  • More employment opportunities
  • Affordable
  • Cost reduction
  • Easy exchange and refund policy 
  • Impacts economy

Topic 11: Public Sector bank’s future in the country

The public sector banks are a pivotal part of the economy. They help in mobilising the scattered and small savings of the people. Thus adding to the economic growth. They also play a role of credit intermediation, settlement of payments and netting. 

Benefits of Public Sector Banks-

  • Pension after retirement
  • High-interest rate on deposits
  • Low- interest rates on loans
  • Job security 
  • Accessibility to the rural areas
  • Multiple branches

Topic 12: Impact of Covid on Indian Economy

The GDP shrank a lot during the Covid. The economy reached to its lowest. Every sector saw the impacts of Covid. The economy growth slowed down and its impacts are seen even today. 

Some of the impacts are

  • Multiple layoffs
  • Losing of livelihood
  • Low revenue
  • Infrastructure damage
  • Resource reduction
  • Slow growth 
  • Food shortage
  • Lack of basic amenities
  • Affordability

The students can take the approach of finding the causes behind the negative impacts of Covid on Indian Economy.

Checkout: Top Career Options After B.Com

What is the project topic for Bcom final year?

Some of the projects bcom final year students can do:

  • Financial Performance Analysis of a Company
  • Impact of Digital Marketing on Consumer Behavior
  • Study of Corporate Governance Practices
  • Analysis of Mutual Funds and Stock Market Trends
  • Consumer Perception of E-Banking Services

Additional Commerce Project Topics

  1. How does advertising affect sales and conversions? 
  2. The effectiveness of online shopping.
  3. The role of supply chain management in improving customer service.
  4. AI implementation in e-commerce.
  5. Green consumerism in the coming years.
  6. The role of technologies in enhancing eCommerce.

Other Interesting Project Topics for Commerce Students

A few more project topics for commerce students or commerce related topics for project are listed below:

13. SWOT Analysis of an MNC

SWOT is a innovative activities for commerce students which will serves as a powerful strategic tool for carefully examining and strategizing projects. Its implementation allows graduates to uncover fresh business prospects, boost revenue generation, and proactively address potential threats to an organization’s success.

By conducting a SWOT analysis, commerce project topics risks can be minimized, ensuring effortless execution of plans. In today’s digital age, multinational corporations often encounter challenges optimizing their online presence and maintaining top-notch cybersecurity. This makes a SWOT analysis a valuable asset for any research topics for commerce students or bcom project topics aiming to tackle these issues.

14. A Study of Joint Ventures

Two or more companies working together to share profits and losses, collaborate on business operations, and combine their resources for greater success culminate into a joint venture. As students, you can delve into this fascinating concept by focusing your commerce project topics report on prominent joint ventures such as Hero Honda, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola. 

Your objective will be to compile a comprehensive report that is packed with data, including performance metrics, thorough analysis, market insights, and real-life case studies. By doing so, you will create a vivid representation of your research on joint ventures.

15. Job Opportunities from the Transportation Sector

This is one of the project topics for commerce students that delves into the pivotal role of the transportation sector in creating employment opportunities within the country. The commerce related topics explores the various modes of transit, including buses, cars, trains, metros, cable lines, and more. This project topics for commerce main focus is to gain insight into the functioning of different modes of transportation.

This e commerce project topics will also explore the employment benefits associated with the transportation industry, the challenges it faces, and the crucial essentials for transportation design and movement.

Additionally, the commerce related topics also sheds light on shipping methods such as canal, land, ocean, and overseas transport. It is clear that transportation infrastructure is not limited to merely connecting people and places. Instead, the industry serves as a catalyst for economic growth by generating employment opportunities.

16. The Power of Branding on Consumer Purchasing Behavior

Effective marketing strategies require a strong focus on branding due to its role in influencing consumer behavior. In fact, exploring the impact of branding on consumer behavior and their journey toward brand loyalty makes for a fascinating final-year project in commerce. This research topics for commerce students allows students to delve into how repeat purchases are influenced by branding tactics. However, the world of branding also presents the challenges of budget constraints and the need to stand out from the sea of competitors.

17. A Project on the Indian Railways Undertaking

With over 1.4 billion employees, the Indian Railways is a major public sector organization, and the department can offer several project topics for commerce students. Under the oversight of the Ministry of Railways and the Railway Board, the Railway Minister holds responsibility for all operations and interactions with the Indian Parliament. As a departmental undertaking of the Indian Government, the railways are subject to an annual budget set by the Government of India. 

All expenses are closely monitored by the Ministry and subject to external audits. Conducting a project on this vast public transportation mode offers insights into the crucial role of government involvement in effectively running the railway service in a country as vast as India.

18. A Project on Mumbai Dabbawalas

The bustling city of Mumbai has a longstanding love affair with Dabbawalas. These skilled professionals are the city’s go-to for homemade office lunches. Through this project, students will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how these Dabbawalas operate. 

By participating in this project topics for commerce, students can develop essential skills such as team management, delivery efficiency, and business organization. They can also explore real-life case studies to enhance their learning experience.

19. Preparing a Report on Nationalized Banks

While looking for project topics for commerce students or project report topics preparing a report on a nationalized bank can be a great idea. The effectiveness and robustness of banking institutions have an influence on driving and shaping the economy. In the wake of India’s independence, the country established financial systems to promote the accessibility of banking services to the general public.

From standardizing currency practices to implementing global regulations on interest rates, the growth of India’s economy is closely intertwined with the operations of the Reserve Bank of India. This presents a fascinating avenue to explore for a simple project topics for b.com students, delving into the fundamentals of the Indian economy and providing comprehensive case studies and real-life examples to understand the intricacies of financial management and public/private sector banking. 

20. Exploring Indian Exports

India thrives on the export of petroleum products, gems and jewelry, electronics, pharmaceutical drugs, and textiles. Through this project report topics, students can delve into the realm of export marketing and differentiate it from domestic sales. This comprehensive overview also sheds light on the driving forces behind Indian exporters and the multitude of hurdles they encounter, such as trade barriers, third-party competition, and foreign currency regulations.

21. Studying Different Distribution Channels

In the dynamic realm of sales and marketing, businesses can utilize the wholesale, retail, and direct-to-consumer distribution channels. Companies can reach consumers directly by leveraging cutting-edge e-commerce platforms, while retailers acquire products from manufacturers and then, in turn, sell them to customers. Additionally, retailers often partner with wholesalers who provide goods at competitive market rates.

This project topics for m.com students aims to examine the intricate connections between wholesalers, manufacturers, and retailers, exploring their distinct attributes and crucial functions. In today’s digital era, traditional business strategies have undergone a significant shift in terms of product promotion and profit generation.

Nonetheless, the fundamental principles of effective marketing remain unchanged. These include product excellence, pricing, advertising, distribution, packaging, target demographics, and personnel.

22. A Project on the Consumer Protection Act

Among various project topics for commerce students, working on the Consumer Protection Act can be quite interesting. The prime focus of this act in India is the welfare of consumers when making purchases of goods, products, and services. 

With the rapid advancements in technology, the shopping landscape has significantly evolved in the nation. As a result, consumers now have higher expectations for top-notch products, immediate availability, and effective service. 

By thoroughly evaluating this act, we can gain valuable insights into consumer perceptions and decision-making processes within the marketplace. Furthermore, the b.com 3rd year project topics report must also tackle various obstacles encountered by the logistics industry, inadequacies in product design, and unethical behaviors like hoarding and black marketing. 

Additionally, it is important to mention how the government ensures the implementation of appropriate legal measures for the sales of goods and services. As a result, consumer protection measures encourage businesses to operate with honesty, efficiency, and transparency.

23. Project on the Dairy Industry

Let us take the example of Amul to conduct a commerce project on the dairy industry. Widely recognized as a top producer of milk, paneer, and dairy goods in India, Amul’s extensive reach and impact cannot be denied. 

Let’s delve deeper into their success story by exploring their partnership with UNICEF and the ways in which they’ve been able to uplift farmers across the nation through their business model. The origins of Amul, its innovative marketing techniques, and its meticulous product sourcing strategies are all prime areas for investigation in understanding how the brand continues to deliver a fresh selection of goods to its devoted customers.

Amul’s remarkable success can be attributed to the strategic use of the seven “Ps” by its marketing professionals. By implementing a low-cost pricing strategy and ensuring its products offer great value for money, Amul has successfully established a widespread supply chain and distribution network throughout the country, maximizing the advantages of its production location. This serves as a great example for students on how to effectively select a sub-topic from a broader subject area.

24. Studying Different Advertising Media

In the ever-evolving world of business, turning a profit and building a strong reputation are the ultimate goals. In the realm of e-commerce, a multitude of advertising methods are being explored and tested by brands. Through extensive research, scholars have evaluated the success of diverse techniques, including augmented and virtual reality technology. One of the most interesting project topics for commerce students is discovering and analyzing various forms of advertising media.

Takeaway

Just as world commerce combines and impacts different aspects of life, so should your commerce topics for presentation. Whether you use this list of project ideas or other project topics for commerce students pdf to decide your publication subject or your 6th sem project topics, engage with the significance of commerce. As a commerce student, you can provide an analysis of the smallest denominator to significant world events that are not accessible to the layman. 

With a country’s economic and cultural development hinging on commerce, it is one of the most sought-after fields today. As a skilled commerce professional, you can devise focused strategies to drive conversions and sales. You can also develop profitable relationships with manufacturers and enhance the customer experience. This also involves retailers and wholesalers, who directly deal with the consumers. 

Therefore, professionals in commerce are required to up-skill themselves to gain a comprehensive understanding of how commerce deals with problems. This is possible through experience gleaned from solving real-life problems which can be sought from working on commerce projects. Commerce involves a lot of moving parts which demands that you possess strong leadership skills, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, strategizing skills, and analytical decision-making abilities.

The listed commerce project topics in this article will help you enhance your job-relevant skills which can serve as catalysts to landing your preferred job. When you select one of these topics, you are exercising the decision making skill, which is an efficacious commerce skill! So, we wish you the best of luck! 

If you would like to learn more about commerce, we are here to help you at upGrad.

After completing your bachelor’s, you can pursue higher studies and get more specialized roles. As commerce with maths student, you can get an MBA in Finance to get lucrative positions in the finance sector. On the other hand, you can take a digital marketing course from MICA and become a marketing expert. It would allow you to pursue digital marketing careers.

To learn more about digital marketing courses and get hands-on experience, you can check out at upGrad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. MBA or CA, which is tougher?

Chartered Accountancy has a higher degree of difficulty than a Master of Business Administration program. There are four levels in the CA course – Common Proficiency Test (CPT), IPCC or IPCE, articleship of 3 years with any CA firm and then the finals. A full-time MBA program is of 2 years duration, segmented into semesters and exams by the institute or university. A CA course is generally lengthier since it takes at least four or five years to complete the entire program. However, MBA is recognized by organizations in India and across the world, whereas CA is recognized in India and a handful of Middle Eastern nations.

2. Why is CA the toughest course?

The Chartered Accountancy course is very well known for being extremely tough. So many people often wonder what makes it so difficult. Those who have experience say that every step in the CA course is a challenge, right from CA Foundation to the finals. The most challenging aspect of CA is its massive syllabus, and aspirants have to acquire in-depth knowledge of each subject. Also, the duration is short compared to the vastness of the syllabus. The course is designed to be for 4 to 5 years. But owing to the nature of this course, it does not matter how long it takes to complete the entire course.

3. Can a Commerce student join BSc in IT course after class 12?

Many commerce students aspire to study a course related to information technology for their graduation. Yes, those who have studied commerce in their senior secondary level at school can go for a BSc in IT. This degree is entirely different from an engineering degree and is of a duration of 3 years. Though BSc in IT is a science stream and most universities mandate science students as eligible, some colleges are allowing commerce students to enrol too due to the extreme demand. It is essential to check the eligibility criteria for commerce students before applying.

4. MBA or CA, which is tougher?

Chartered Accountancy has a higher degree of difficulty than a Master of Business Administration program. There are four levels in the CA course – Common Proficiency Test (CPT), IPCC or IPCE, articleship of 3 years with any CA firm and then the finals. A full-time MBA program is of 2 years duration, segmented into semesters and exams by the institute or university. A CA course is generally lengthier since it takes at least four or five years to complete the entire program. However, MBA is recognized by organizations in India and across the world, whereas CA is recognized in India and a handful of Middle Eastern nations.

5. Why is CA the toughest course?

The Chartered Accountancy course is very well known for being extremely tough. So many people often wonder what makes it so difficult. Those who have experience say that every step in the CA course is a challenge, right from CA Foundation to the finals. The most challenging aspect of CA is its massive syllabus, and aspirants have to acquire in-depth knowledge of each subject. Also, the duration is short compared to the vastness of the syllabus. The course is designed to be for 4 to 5 years. But owing to the nature of this course, it does not matter how long it takes to complete the entire course.

6. Can a Commerce student join BSc in IT course after class 12?

Many commerce students aspire to study a course related to information technology for their graduation. Yes, those who have studied commerce in their senior secondary level at school can go for a BSc in IT. This degree is entirely different from an engineering degree and is of a duration of 3 years. Though BSc in IT is a science stream and most universities mandate science students as eligible, some colleges are allowing commerce students to enroll too due to the extreme demand. It is essential to check the eligibility criteria for commerce students before applying.

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Meet Sriram, an SEO executive and blog content marketing whiz. He has a knack for crafting compelling content that not only engages readers but also boosts website traffic and conversions. When he's not busy optimizing websites or brainstorming blog ideas, you can find him lost in fictional books that transport him to magical worlds full of dragons, wizards, and aliens.

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Upgrad Talks are delivered online and you can listen to them at your own convenience. All you need to do is to long onto talks.upgrad.com and you can access high quality, pre-recorded sessions online. Upgrad is making content richer, bigger and better as it kicks off with 15+ talks delivered by entrepreneurs, experts & business leaders.  You definitely do not want to miss out on the educational transformation that UpGrad is fuelling in partnership with some of the greatest minds. Remember, one can never stop learning. So, if you always aspired to hear great advice and insights from the top Indian business leaders on how you can grow your business, choose a career goal or get inspired, do take a look at Upgrad Talks. They are truly the voices that impact. Join us today and be a part of it at talks.upgrad.com.
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Evolving online education: Learning Together

Technologies in online learning have been making promises since early 20th century. From radio to present day MOOCs,  multiple new technologies were seen as silver bullet in revolutionising education. These promises were indeed laudable, to make education accessible to everyone, affordable for everyone and more effective. Yet, the same history of unmet expectations has been repeated every time*. Although a lot has happened over the past decade in terms of growth and expansion of online education, there are many challenges yet to be solved before we can say online learning has truly arrived. We, at UpGrad, believe the following three challenges are the biggest hurdles to the success of online education. Isolation: Online learning is solitary experience   Acceptability: Online learning’s validity in the Job Market   Not Engaging: Interplay of distractions and motivations in learning online The dismally low completion rates and high failure rates are reflection of these challenges [1]. Our goal at UpGrad is to fight these challenges and provide an unmatched learning experience for the working professionals. We believe, with the flexibility of online learning, every working professional can “UpGrade” himself without going back to full-time formal education. Hence, we need to to make online learning mainstream. In this article we would be sharing how are setting the online learning as a ‘Social Experience’ for our students, ie the first of the three mentioned challenges. In 2000s, internet surfing was mainly an individual experience and on the other hand, in 2016 almost all of internet time is a social experience. We do not feel alone in 2016 version of internet. We believe online education will have much higher engagement and completion rates once it becomes a social experience. An average student’s e-learning journey is an individual experience making him/her feel isolated. Learners move through the course with limited interactions with both their instructor and classmates. We at UpGrad, are building a new learning platform specifically designed keeping our students and their needs in mind. We believe this would be key to provide the kind of engagement levels the students deserve. The perception of social presence (or lack of) is a big concern among students and teachers in online learning. Teachers develop courses in isolation and the students take the courses in isolation. Researchers have found strong correlation between the sense of social presence facilitated by the course and student’s perceived learning [3,4,5]. Also there is good re correlation between withdrawal in the course and student’s perceived lack of social interaction and instructor presence [3]. Lack of social interaction in e-learning increases the distraction, since a learner would look for social interaction elsewhere which is usually Twitter, Whatsapp or Facebook. If there is another learner doing the same course in my apartment building, there are limited chances that I would know about him. As learners of online courses, we are oblivious of everyone else’s presence except few replies on the discussion forum. They do form Facebook groups or Whatsapp groups organically, yet the whole online learning format ends up being mostly a solo experience. Here are the steps we are taking at UpGrad in making our online programs a social experience.: Profiles : The first step in ‘social’ e-learning is knowing your classmates. We have learner profiles with education and work history along with other details. Almost everyone is encouraged to fill in their full profile along with a descriptive ‘bio’ section. There are multiple points where learners are nudged to click on the profiles. To improve discoverability of relevant profiles we not only leverage cohort social graph but also use interest graph, performance graph, complementary skills graphs. Combined with other semi random** algorithms like who was recently online, learners bump into each other in interesting ways. In the first month of Data Analytics Program, an average engaged learner viewed peer profiles 110 times. Discussions: We have a discussion forum which is contextual and relevant to the course content. We designed it from the ground up to involve learners during the course. They help each other, solve doubts, ask questions, have healthy debates on the forum. Only when there is no consensus a Teaching Assistant gets involved in clearing the doubts. Last 3 months data shows that on a daily basis 50% of the students who are engaged on the platform, also engaged actively on the discussion forum. As most professionals have different backgrounds, sharing of experiences on the forum is much valuable to everyone in the cohort. We have seen learners fall into three buckets on the forum. First is the majority producers, the top 30% of forum content producers are responsible for around 70% of the discussions. The next 50% do the rest of 30% of the content but continue to voice their opinions through upvotes. Rest of the 20% are mere observers. These numbers are highly encouraging and we will be investing more time in finding out how student-student social interactions can help in overall engagement. Figure 1: Forum topic distribution in one of our programs. Share in the pie is (questions * votes) for each topic. Bigger share of the pie is a proxy for doubts. This lead us to start live sessions on those topics. Thought Leader AMAs: Initiating and maintaining engagement on the forum is hard. To set the ball rolling, we started the discussion forum for a new cohort with getting a thought leader to do an AMA on the platform. This way not only the students got a product onboarding experience but also the social expectation was set amongst the peers. In some months, the total content creation during AMAs ended up around 20% of the total cumulative content. We also observed a side benefit of starting the program with thought leader – that learners are more helpful, behave with more civility and show much more respect for each other. This is not very unusual because it is known that a group’s eventual social dynamics are very much impacted by behaviour in initial few days. In a way, it sets the trend which follows upto the end of the course. We also explored bringing in external motivations to see how does it impact on engagement levels. At times, there were small gifts for top forum contributors and at times we included forum participation in the grading. Our primary observations show that this is to be used cautiously. We are working on establishing a balance between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for social involvement. Facebook Groups: For all cohorts we have Facebook groups for students apart from the platform discussion forum. We were not very confident how much our forum will be used for non academic discussions and generic social sharing. However, we found more and more discussions of generic nature and sharing of articles & blogs also started happening on the forum. Hence facebook group ended up becoming redundant. We are thinking of doing away with a cohort’s facebook group with this expanded use of discussion forum In summary, having a strong sense of community within the students is a big predictor of learning outcomes. This has been researched multiple times [7, 8]. Our platform’s usage data of course progress and social interaction activity strongly confirms this research. At a time, a learner who is socially engaged on our platform has usually completed 4 times (Figure 2) course materials than a learner who does not participate in social discussions. This high correlation has been repeated across multiple cohorts. Figure 2: At a snapshot of time course completion rates for learners active on forum vs non active. Apart from the student isolation e-learning content creators and facilitators tend to work in isolation, reflecting and sharing of best practices is minimal[6]. We at UpGrad are aware of this problem, and making sure different program teams collaborate and share solutions to common problems. We do not have complete solution to isolation in learning yet. We as a company are focussed on solving this problem, we are testing out few ideas and are willing to share the results with the community. With these changes we are expecting online learning experience to be more engaging, more involving and eventually pushing up the low completion rates of online learning. These are early days of online education and we have miles to go. Bibliography [1] http://collegequarterly.ca/2007-vol10-num03-summer/rolfe.html [2] Online Social Networks as Formal Learning Environments: Learner Experiences and Activities, The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, Vol 13, No 1 (2012) [3] Tello SF (2007). An analysis of student persistence in online education. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education [4] Herbert, M. (2006). Staying the course: A study in online student satisfaction and retention. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 9(4). [5] Morris, T. A. (2009). Anytime/anywhere online learning: Does it remove barriers for adult learners. In T.Kidd (Ed.), Online education and adult learning: New frontiers for teaching practices. Hershey, PA:IGI Global. [6] Duncan, H & Barnett J (2009) Learning to teach online. [7] Kaulback, B (2015). Learning Together : Community and Network from the perspective of designers of online learning. (Doctoral dissertation) [8] Bernard, R. M., Abrami, P. C., Borokhovski, E., Wade, C. A., Tamim, R. M., Surkes, M. A., & Bethel, E. C. (2009). A meta-analysis of three types of interaction treatments in distance education. Review of Educational Research, 79(3), 1243–1289.
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by Ankit Mittal

08 Aug'16
Skill deprivation: Education alone won’t guarantee a job, in-demand skills need of hour

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Skill deprivation: Education alone won’t guarantee a job, in-demand skills need of hour

If you are 25 years old, hold a degree in a traditional arts discipline from a well-regarded institute and are looking for a job, you may not be handed one on a platter any time soon. You may be cushioned within the famous Indian demographic that is supposed to yield a ‘dividend,’ but unlike what you’ve been reading everywhere, this does not guarantee you employment. Between 1980 to 2010, 90% of world labour force growth occurred in developing countries and about 500 million new workers emerged in India and China alone (workers went from 260 million to 470 million in India, between this period). India is all set to power most of global growth in labour in the coming years. Enrolment in Indian higher education is 24% right now. With India attaining almost universal elementary education, and increased retention in secondary schools, the projected demand for higher education and jobs will only escalate. India has finally been placed on the world map with a solid advantage where labour supply is concerned. Impacting Education: My Journey and UpGrad It’s not all good news though. Indian millennials are being touted as the future of jobs and the saviours of the working world. But this won’t hold true if in-demand skills are not imparted to the youth entering the workforce. The world of work is changing and industries are transforming. It’s a fact that we are moving towards a massive labour pool, but we are possibly riding a low-skill, low-wage cycle to get there. The country is on a trajectory that involves a surplus of millions of low-skill workers, whereas most nations, including India, will be demanding high-skill workers more and more. Most industries are replacing low-skill jobs with high-skill ones. Skills relating to upcoming technologies in advanced areas – think AI, robotics, data science and mining – are gaining immense relevance. Unfortunately, our education system is not preparing students well enough to enter the workforce as high-skill workers nor equipping them with skills in emerging domains. Curricula is outdated and pedagogy poorly-developed. Gone are the days when just holding a graduate degree was enough to get employers to clamour to hire you. Education is not enough. The new-age job-seeker must strive to acquire specific skill sets to be considered employable (currently only 43% of Indian youth are considered fully employable). This applies to all sectors of the economy, as most industries and businesses are adopting new-age technologies and going digital within most functions. There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050! The positive connotation associated with our demographic shift has been taken for granted and assigned the term ‘dividend.’ But if we don’t strategically harness this change, we could easily be faced with a demographic disaster. We don’t want to be stuck in a situation where we have too many job-seekers with inadequate skills, and therefore not enough jobs for them. India is moving workers out of farm jobs at a very fast rate, and this will only add to the burden of providing jobs in other sectors. Realising this, even the government has begun focusing on skill development and training. Creating an entirely new Ministry and launching the Skill India Mission are clear indications of this. Another sign that skill training is gaining momentum is reflected in the growth of the Indian education and skills industry at an average rate of 13% over four years. From Rs 1.21 trillion in 2008 to Rs 2.35 trillion in 2012. However, these measures have not been enough to successfully skill India’s young. Only 2% of the Indian workforce has received some kind of formal skills training so far, and 8% have received informal training. Comparatively, 47% of China’s workforce is skill trained, 52% in USA, 68% in UK, 75% in Germany, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea. Almost half of Indian employers find it difficult to fill jobs and a similar proportion of employed youth suffer from some degree of skill deprivation. By 2050, India will be home to more than a billion jobseekers. This means providing jobs for over 12 million new entrants annually. There is also the challenge of finding jobs for the backlog, which reached 60 million by 2014. The pace of accretion to the labour market will keep increasing, given our demographic profile and declining age-dependency ratio. Our working age population (15-64 years) will peak in 2050 and till then pressures for jobs will only become worse. We need a wake-up call and more concerted efforts towards large-scale skill development and training. We may have a situation of too few high-skill workers and not enough jobs for medium or low-skill workers. This needs to be rectified by adjusting the education and skilling system to ready ourselves for the jobs of tomorrow. Article Source: http://www.firstpost.com/business/skill-deprivation-education-alone-wont-guarantee-a-job-in-demand-skills-need-of-hour-3020568.html
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by Apoorva Shankar

08 Nov'16
Why The Growth Of Higher Education In India Hinges On The Private Sector

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Why The Growth Of Higher Education In India Hinges On The Private Sector

For the sake of simplicity, let’s say that the public sector’s role in education can be identified as a three-fold one. Firstly, it is tasked with universalizing access to education. Its next responsibility would be to regulate the sector and finally, to ensure quality education for all. In the context of the access provider role, estimates show that just in terms of physical infrastructure, more than a US $100 billion spends would be required in higher education alone, to double enrollment, from where it stands today (24%). Where regulation is concerned, bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other higher education regulators are in-charge but leave much to be desired in terms of quality checks and monitoring, accreditation, etc. In fact, the UGC merely acts as a grants disbursing body now for universities and colleges, rather than a regulator. This is despite the fact that about 16% of the Ministry’s budget (2016-17) was allocated to UGC. Regarding quality, the government struggles to set standards and measure outcomes. Accreditation in the country is irregular and sub-optimal. In addition, unlike school education, where a certain level of learning outcomes may be gauged, this is difficult to do in higher education – especially assessing employability of a student post completing such education. So is there a role the government should prioritise? Further, because the government is entrusted with these roles, does it necessarily mean that they are its exclusive mandate? Or should the government act as an enabler and allow external participation if it means better execution and a higher success rate? The education and training industry is extremely large today and has strong further growth potential. With total educational spending of $2.7 trillion, the industry accounted for about 4.25% of the world’s GDP in 2010. In India alone, the spending on education and skilling has touched approximately Rs 74,000 crore. This may seem like a daunting figure but is still not sufficient. India spends about 4% of its GDP on all of education (about 1% on higher education), whereas globally the minimum recommended expenditure on education is 6% of GDP. Most of the public expenditure on higher education is used upon salaries and maintaining existing institutions, leaving very little to be spent on curriculum, research, and technology. However, spending on education still has enormous scaling to do and this is where the private sector comes in. Private players will have opportunities from rising demand in segments not well covered by the public education system (like adult education and vocational training). They bring in additional capital and are able to make huge investments, especially when government spending is insufficient and results in substantial infrastructure and investment deficit. For instance, the government had set a target of achieving a 30% enrolment ratio in higher education by 2020. The enrolment ratio currently is 24%. Judging by historical trends, and the current pace of rising enrolments, this target seems difficult to achieve. We may need a better, plan to succeed. Plus, the demand for higher education is only set to accelerate with growing population, higher enrolment as well as retention of students in schools. The private sector could play a crucial role in plugging these gaps and matching demand. In fact, it is already capturing the market in a big way, as can be seen in the adjacent graph. Enrolment in, and share of, private higher education institutions has surpassed that of government institutions (data as on 2013). Even the online education market in India expected to grow to US $40 billion by as soon as 2017. Unlike the education sector, which is legally mandated to operate on a not-for-profit basis, for-profit skill training institutes can be set up. This, coupled with initiatives of the National Skill Development Corporation, has encouraged the private sector to set up vocational training institutes. Corporate interest has also increased in the skill development space because of the benefits that accrue to businesses themselves, in the form of adequately trained manpower as a ready pool for future hiring. Majority of institutions offering professional disciplines are now in the private sector. There is a tendency of the public sector to view the private sector’s involvement in the education space with scepticism. But the private sector is necessary because of its ability to match industry demand for superior skilled manpower. It supplements infrastructure, facilities, technology and pedagogy and has an added advantage of escaping bureaucratic control and retaining autonomy to a large extent. Private players often collaborate with reputed international universities for faculty and other benefits which can be attractive to prospective students. They are also heavily investing in research-based education. As consumers of skilled manpower as well, the private sector is in a position to understand what type of skill training is to be imparted, and eventually benefit from it. This makes skill-training more efficient and effective. All three education-related roles of the government are equally important. However, while regulation should remain outside the purview of the private sector, nothing should stop them from assisting the public sector in maximising enrolments and improving quality of education. Public needs to work with private and create a level-playing field, in order to uplift the overall quality of education. Article Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/mayank-kumar/why-the-growth-of-higher-education-in-india-hinges-on-the-privat/
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by Apoorva Shankar

08 Nov'16