How do you expect 2014 to be? Will it be good for the economy and jobs? What are your hopes and aspirations? B-schoolers from across the country respond:

2014 will be interesting for India. The Assembly elections will occupy centre-stage for the first half of the year with equal focus on the performance of the newly-formed Delhi government. The uncertainty associated with elections will make companies hold back any aggressive hiring.

Nothing spectacular can be expected in the economy too as the policy paralysis will continue till a new government is formed.

However, behind these uncertain clouds, there is a silver lining of hope that things will only get better. If they don't, there is at least the FIFA Football World Cup to cheer about.

Leela Krishna Annnam, IIM-B

2014 is all set to bring with it, a wind of change that promises a positive economic outlook.

Although the current public perception is at its all-time low, due to the quagmire of economic stagnation and high inflation that we find ourselves in, as an MBA student, I believe that the job scenario will change for the better, and excellent opportunities lie ahead in all domains, especially in human resources, entrepreneurship and healthcare.

Soham Barman, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon

2013 marked a year of uncertainty for the world economy, with doubts over the Euro zone crisis, Fed tapering, and so on.

But now, as all these fears have subsided, the world economy is poised to break out of its weak growth syndrome.

In India, with Raghuram Rajan at the helm, the interest rate cycle is expected to reverse as inflation is close to topping out.

Lower rates would fuel growth and the job scene is expected to improve too by the latter half of 2014.

And if the upcoming Lok Sabha elections throw up a politically stable result, investments in India would surely gain momentum and one would see the S&P Nifty Index reaching record levels of 6,800-7,000 by year end.

Amit Mehta, IIM Calcutta

As 2013 comes to a close, the general outlook for the coming year seems more optimistic than before. The economy looks set on the recovery path with some sectors such as banking and IT hiring aggressively.

Many large scale projects in the infrastructure sector are likely to be resumed, which in turn will create more jobs. The Aam Aadmi party’s phenomenal victory in the recent Delhi state elections is a harbinger of change in the Indian political system. Overall, 2014 augurs well on many fronts.

Anusha Subramanian, IIMB

Whosoever forms the government in 2014 must be able to provide clean governance. India has to build a relatively better image with an inclusive and equitable growth. A country with access to quality education, better preventive healthcare, rural transformation with improved infrastructure and meeting the energy needs without compromising on our environment is the least to ask for.

Sonal Barwa, IIM Shillong

The economy may well move into a higher growth trajectory, resulting in many more jobs. The key reasons are the rapidly improving US and European economies, a competent RBI Governor, the rising impact of FDI by global giants in numerous domestic industries, an expected rise in spending due to the general elections, and an ever increasing political will power across parties in implementing further reforms resulting in higher growth, transparency and a quick and effective resolution of various issues. The hopes and aspirations for the year include a quick resolution of the GST, higher and more focused investment in infrastructure and related sectors by the government, and a greater distribution of resources relating to the forthcoming general elections.

Siddharth Mokkapati, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad

India, unlike before, has shrugged off the fear of US taper implemented on December 21, bringing about a $10-billion reduction in the monthly cash inflow by the US government into its economy.

If Narendra Modi comes to power, new projects in the form of FDI and delayed projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore are expected to take off in 2014, creating lakhs of jobs and pushing the Sensex up. The resulting cash inflow will increase our foreign reserves and will see the rupee appreciate. Thus 2014 seems to be a better year than 2013 in terms of economic growth, job opportunities and a stable rupee.

Gagan Dawar, Great Lakes, Chennai

More student takes on https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/on-campus

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