Prof. Arunkumar holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru, sponsored through an RBI doctoral fellowship. In addition to his M.Phil (Central University Pondicherry) and UGC-NET qualifications, he completed his Certificate course in Management from Asian Institute of Management, Manila and completed Certificate Course in MSME credit from Israel. He is also certified in Financial Risk Management by the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI), London. In addition, he participated over 200 advanced training programs globally, focusing on finance, banking, policy, leadership and administration.

Prof. Arunkumar’s professional journey began as a faculty of Economics and Commerce, followed by roles as a Research Fellow and Deputy Director at the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS), Bengaluru. His career in industry spans across senior leadership roles, including Assistant General Manager (AGM) – Economist at Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and key executive positions such as Deputy General Manager and General Manager in the credit and risk management areas. Prof. Arunkumar later functioned as the Chief Risk Officer of a commercial bank in India and international banks abroad. He has also led cross-functional teams, supervised large-scale projects, and introduced policies and processes that enhanced operational efficiency.

In academics, experienced in managing undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs across University and Autonomous business school, with particular focus on enhancing skill-oriented curricula and experiential learning. During this period, developed programs that integrate both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, ensuring students are well-prepared for the business world. He has been teaching subjects related to banking, finance, risk management, development policy and economics. While in Industry, Prof. Arunkumar had been a regular visiting faculty in various training academies and centres of banking and finance.

Prof. Arunkumar’s research covers areas such as access to credit, technology, policy for small enterprises, microfinance, development banking, sustainable finance including sustainable development, and digital financial inclusion. His contributions to academia are reflected in his working papers, journal articles, book chapters, and books. He is also a regular commentator on financial and economic matters in mainstream newspapers.

The recent co-edited book titled: “Institutions and Public Policy for India’s Sustainable Development” was released in January 2025, which was published by Routledge/Taylor and Francis, London.

Dr. Shagufta Anjum is an accomplished academician and researcher with a strong focus on contemporary legal issues, particularly in the areas of labour law, gender justice, human rights, and emerging intersections between law and technology. Her scholarly contributions reflect a sustained engagement with evolving legal frameworks in response to socio-economic transformations. 

Her research portfolio includes significant publications in reputed journals and edited volumes. Notably, her work on gig economy and platform employment has been published in Reform India 2025: Journal of 2025 Reforms by Law Hunt Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. (2026). She has also authored a Scopus-indexed publication titled “The Silent Victims of Compassion” in TPM – Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology (2025), which undertakes a comparative analysis of surrogacy laws across jurisdictions. Her earlier contributions include book chapters on compensatory jurisprudence and surrogacy rights published by Walnut Publications and Bharti Publications, along with articles addressing assisted reproduction laws and migrant labour issues, including a publication with National Law School of India University. 

Dr. Shagufta has actively participated in national and international academic platforms. She has presented research papers on themes such as gig economy, marginalised communities, and access to justice at reputed conferences and seminars. Her academic engagement extends to leadership roles, including serving as a Technical Session Chair at the International Conference on Global Legal Challenges (GLC-2025) hosted by Dayananda Sagar University in collaboration with Staffordshire University. 

In addition to her research, she has contributed as a resource person, delivering expert lectures on constitutional values, workplace safety for women, and evolving interpretations of life and liberty. Her commitment to academic development is reflected in her participation in multiple Faculty Development programs, including those organized by National Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development, Amity University, and workshops conducted by Banaras Hindu University. 

Dr. Shagufta has also engaged with contemporary technological advancements through participation in initiatives such as the AI literacy campaign conducted by the National Commission for Women at Christ University, reflecting her interest in integrating technology with legal education and social justice. 

Overall, her academic journey demonstrates a consistent commitment to research excellence, interdisciplinary inquiry, and socially relevant legal scholarship, positioning her as a dynamic contributor to legal academia. 

Angarika Borah is an academic specializing in Natural Resources Law, with research focusing on environmental law, dimensions of human rights, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her work critically examines the intersection of environmental governance, human rights frameworks, and sustainable development policies.

She completed her LL.M. from Tamil Nadu National Law University and began her academic career in Chennai. She is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at IFIM Law School, Bengaluru, with teaching and research experience in core areas of law. She has also completed certification courses in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Commercial Contract Drafting.

Her research has been published in reputed journals and edited volumes, including Shilpkar Law Review, International Journal of Advanced Legal Research, Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research, and International Journal of Law Management and Humanities.

Angarika Borah has actively contributed to academic and co-curricular activities, participating in numerous national and international conferences. She has received recognition for her scholarly contributions, including awards for best paper presentations and research excellence. She is also invited as a judge in moot court competitions, ADR mediation competitions, client counselling competitions and as speaker in workshops.

She actively contributes to academic leadership through curriculum development, research engagement, and the organization of academic events, while playing a key role in various institutional committees.

In the classroom, she teaches Environmental Law, Constitutional Law, and White-Collar Crime, with a focus on experiential learning through case analysis, research-based teaching, and interactive pedagogy. Her teaching approach emphasizes analytical thinking and practical legal understanding.