Author(s): Nayamath Basha S, Shaik Mahaboob Syed, Saraswathi R, Kattamuri Satish and Kotigari Reddi Swaroop
Purpose of the research paper is to assess the impact of COVID – 19 lockdown on the unemployment rate in India. Design / Methodology / Approach: The data on unemployment rate is collected from CMIE database and the data set is divided into three phases i.e. Before Lockdown, During Lockdown and After Lockdown. Kruskal - Wallis K Samples test is applied to this data set. A Post-hoc analysis with Mann – Whitney U test is also conducted by taking two phases at a time to locate the phase from which the statistically significant difference is emanating in unemployment rate. Findings: The results of this study indicate that there is a significant difference between before and after lockdown phases in case of total unemployment rate. Similar findings are found in case of rural unemployment rate also. Interestingly, in case of urban unemployment rate, it is found that there is no significant difference between before and after lockdown phases. It means that COVID-19 lockdown has not affected the unemployment rate in urban areas. Research Limitations and Implications: The study is based on the total, rural, and urban unemployment rates that are measured in terms of monthly %. However, if the data is taken in terms of quarterly, half yearly and on annual basis, the results may differ. The future researchers may collect the unemployment data state-wise or sector-wise and trace out the state or sector that is affected heavily by lockdown. Originality: In this research paper, the authors have used Kruskal Wallis K samples test and Mann Whitney U test to the real time data collected from Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) database and the findings are in tune with the original data and reflect the current situation in India.