These positive effects contrast with recent U.S. evidence: Noble et al. (2025) found no developmental gains from large 4-year transfers. Context matters—underscoring the importance of testing in relevant settings.
@nberpubs
WP: nber.org/papers/w32093 10/10

Overall, we find:
a) Positive impacts on food intake, nutrition, and gender equity
b) Meaningful gains in child functional development
c) Limited average anthropometric gains, mediated by sanitation; highlighting need to pair nutrition efforts with sanitation investments (9/10)

Increased food spending from cash transfers to women was at par with in-kind PDS transfers (similar MPC on food). Thus, cash versus kind debates may be second order when the value of cash transfers is less than what HH are spending on the in-kind item anyway. 8/10

Child functional development improved. We find a 0.12σ gain in ASQ-3 scores at age 3 — including cognition, and both gross and fine motor skills. These effects may matter even more than physical growth over time as labor markets reward ‘brains’ more than ‘brawn’ (7/10)

Older siblings (not directly targeted) also saw gains: WAZ scores rose by 0.11–0.13σ, with no heterogeneity by sanitation. Thus, cash transfers benefited other children too, but the mediating role of sanitation in nutrition-to-growth translation may be greater for infants (6/10)

Despite better diets, we do not find average gains in standard anthropometric outcomes (WAZ/HAZ) for targeted children. However, we do find some evidence of gains in areas with better sanitation, consistent with sanitation mediating nutrition-to-growth translation. (5/10)

We find substantial improvements in intra-household equity: in Y2, maternal calorie intake rose ~3x more than the household average, helping narrow pre-existing gender gaps in nutrition. Measures of empowerment (e.g., health-seeking behavior for children) also increased. (4/10)

Food consumption rose significantly: household food spending up >11%; calorie intake up 9% (Y1) and 14% (Y2) for mothers and children; protein and iron intake also improved. Dietary diversity gains persisted 18 months after the transfers ended. (3/10)

The intervention: ₹500/month (~10% of HH consumption) for 2 years to ~1,200 new mothers across 8 Jharkhand districts; given unconditionally, but labeled as support for nutritious food. We tracked food, nutrition, and child development over 3 years. (2/10)

We tend to make offers all the way until April 15, and will update waitlist status as best we can once we start hearing back from the first round of admits. At this point we have limited information, so please hold off on waitlist status inquiries at least until after the Open House. n/n

All other waitlisted students are invited to the virtual open house. Invitations for both Open Houses will go out this week, so look out for these in your email soon. 2/n