Issues - IJSS

Editorial

Empowering Women Through Fiscal Policy: An Evaluation Of India’s Gender Budgeting Experience

The realization of human development necessitates the progress and empowerment of women and girls, who constitute 48.9% of

Indiaandrsquo;s overall population according to the 2011 census. Women are not only a significant proportion of the nationandrsquo;s valued human

capital, but they are also individuals whose socioeconomic development is crucial for sustaining the progress of the country.

Disparities are evident in India concerning the control and access to resources by women. These disparities are evident in various

domains, including but not limited to occupational status, skill levels, health, and literacy. In recent decades, womenandrsquo;s empowerment

has garnered global focus, including in India, and several initiatives have been taken both at national and international levels for

promoting womenandrsquo;s empowerment. Gender Budgeting is a recent addition to these initiatives and is recognized as a crucial tool

for attaining gender equality and womenandrsquo;s empowerment. The present study seeks to analyze the effects of gender budgeting on

womenandrsquo;s empowerment in India by examining some key socioeconomic indicators such as education, health, and employment

status. The findings reveal a mixed picture of the effectiveness of gender budgeting in promoting gender equality and womenandrsquo;s

empowerment in India. Despite a number of positive developments, the gender budgeting effort has certain flaws that minimize its

impact on holistic empowerment of women.

Revenue Generation and Migrant Precarity: An Economic Analysis of UK Immigration Policy (2020-2025)

This journal offers an economic analysis of UK immigration policy from 2020 to 2025, a period marked by a significant post-Brexit rise in non-EU migrants (Home Office, 2025; ONS, 2025). It explores the developing policy framework, the notable economic contributions of migrants, and the considerable financial and human costs linked to the system (Home Office, 2025; Migration Observatory, 2025; OBR, 2025; Migration Policy Institute, 2025; Office for National Statistics, 2025; Royal College of Nursing, 2025; The Guardian, 2025). Key findings reveal record net migration, mainly driven by work and study routes, which bolstered the UK labour market and generated billions in revenue for the Exchequer through increased visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) (Home Office, 2025; Migration Policy Institute, 2025; Parliament UK, 2025; The Guardian, 2025). However, this revenue has increased migrant precarity, imposing substantial financial burdens on individuals and making it harder for many to qualify for visas due to higher salary and skill thresholds (Home Office, 2025; Migration Policy Institute, 2025; Migration Observatory, 2025). The report also highlights widespread exploitation of overseas skilled workers, especially in the care sector, a problem worsened by visa conditions and the Home Officeandrsquo;s documented complacency in tackling these abuses (Home Office, 2025; Migration Policy Institute, 2025; Royal College of Nursing, 2025). While migrants are vital to the UK economy and cultural fabric, the rapid pace of change and systemic failures have caused significant uncertainty and hardship (The Guardian, 2025; OBR, 2025; The Independent, 2025). Recommendations are provided for the UK government to improve policy stability, strengthen migrant protections, reconsider financial burdens, and invest in infrastructure, along with guidance for prospective migrants to navigate this complex landscape. The period from 2020 to 2025 marked a profound transformation in the United Kingdomandrsquo;s immigration landscape, characterised by an unprecedented influx of migrants, primarily from non-European Union (EU) countries, following the implementation of the post- Brexit Points-Based System (Home Office, 2025; ONS, 2025). This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic and social impacts of these shifts, examining the intricate interplay of evolving policy, global aspirations, and the human consequences of frequent and often abrupt changes in immigration rules (Home Office, 2025; Migration Observatory, 2025; OBR, 2025; Migration

Policy Institute, 2025; Office for National Statistics, 2025; Royal College of Nursing, 2025; The Guardian, 2025). Official data showed a significant and sustained rise in net migration, reaching 906,000 in the year ending June 2023, a fourfold increase from pre-Brexit levels (Home Office, 2025). Although later policy tightening by both Conservative and Labour governments caused a decline in 2024, the figures remained well above historical averages (Migration Observatory, 2025; The Guardian, 2025). This surge was mainly driven by non-EU citizens arriving for work, especially in critical sectors like health and social care, and to study (Home Office, 2025; ONS, 2025).

Economically, migrants have become an integral part of the UK labour market, making significant contributions to tax revenues and filling essential roles (ONS, 2025; OBR, 2025). However, challenges persist, including the underutilization of highly skilled migrant labour and the substantial financial burden imposed by high visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) (ONS, 2025; Migration Policy Institute, 2025; Migration Observatory, 2025). This financial burden has translated into significant revenue generation for the Home Office, with billions of pounds collected from migrants navigating an increasingly precarious system (Migration Observatory, 2025). Socially, the rapid increase in population has exerted considerable pressure on public services and housing, contributing to concerns about social cohesion (The Guardian, 2025; Migration Policy Institute, 2025). A critical human cost has been the widespread exploitation of migrant care workers, exacerbated by restrictive visa conditions and, notably, a degree of complacency from the Home Office in addressing these abuses (Home Office, 2025; Royal College of Nursing, 2025). The report concludes with nuanced findings on the complex economic and social equilibrium of migration, highlighting the tension between the need for skilled labour and the publicandrsquo;s desire for controlled immigration (The Guardian, 2025). Recommendations are provided for the UK government to establish a more stable, humane, and economically beneficial immigration system, along with guidance for prospective migrants navigating this dynamic environment.

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Adapting Artificial Intelligence in Library OPAC: A Chatbot

A libraryandrsquo;s OPAC serves as a virtual junction and point of contact for patrons, offering access to library resources and Current Awareness Services (CAS). In this regard, the study aims to embrace the latest technological innovation to adjust to the evolving demands and expectations of users in todayandrsquo;s fast-changing environment. This studyandrsquo;s objective is to comprehend the viability of using a chatbot in a libraryandrsquo;s OPAC. According to the literature review, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots has expanded dramatically across all sectors. The study also discovers that Chatbot has been widely employed to give excellent services to patrons, not only for commercial objectives but also in many areas of library services. The library OPAC is one area where the Chatbot program can be developed to provide users with an interactive platform to get information 24andtimes;7, with no human intervention. This study strongly promotes the usage of chatbots for library services due to their numerous benefits for both users and library professionals. The study concludes that, while these bots have a lot of potential, they will only support and improve library performance and services, not replace library professionals.

Perspectives on Generative AI in Higher Education: A Systematic Review of Students’ Perceptions, Adoption, Ethical Concerns, and Pedagogical Implications

In higher education there is a sea change with the introduction and adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). The

GenAI has immensely transformed the teaching-learning and academic evaluation in higher education. Although, in this entire

process, the students remain central context of adoption, co-operation and pedagogical usage of GenAI. There are rising body of

research on studentsandrsquo; perception, attitude and intention of GenAI in higher education, however, scholarly research work in this

area is uneven, in terms of theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches across discipline. This Systematic review work will

comprise of 120 research paper published between 2018 to 2025 provide students perception, attitude, AI adoption, ethical aspects.

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) principles was used to identity, screened and

thematic analysis. The findings of this PRISMA analysis showed altogether five clusters -(a) students attitude and perceptions (b)

AI technology adoption and students behaviours (c) students self- pace learning and its outcome (d) ethical aspects and students

academic integrity (e) academic institutional and pedagogical implications. The findings show that GenAI is a supportive academic

interface, but doesnandrsquo;t replacement of the human cognition, however there is a concern of ethical use and anxiety and also uncertainly of its acceptability under scrutiny of academicians. This review ultimately provides insights about GenAI in higher educationandrsquo;s acceptance theory, learning theory and ethical concern. This paper ultimately provide a dossier to the planner, policy maker, educators to frame policy for equitable, responsible and pedagogical integration of GenAI in higher education for making learning as joyfully events.

Digital Leadership for Transformation of the Leadership: The Aspects of Developing and Least Developed Countries

Digital transformation (DT) is a global priority. Current Digital Leadership frameworks are predominantly based in Western developed economies, where infrastructure is strong and regulatory systems are well established. This study tries to bridge the theoretical gap by exploring the distinct leadership challenges encountered in Developing and Least Developed Nations (DLDNs). Based on a qualitative integration of Industry 4.0 and institutional theory, this study tries to Contextualised Digital Leadership Framework (CDLF). This paper provides the fundamental concept of Digital Leadership and highlight the Digital Leadership in Developing and Least Developed Nations. The paper tries to explore the technological concerns, institutional utilization of technology, skill development of the stakeholders and socio-economic challenges. The framework highlights some essential dimensions of Digital Leadership, like- Digital Competencies, Contextual Intelligence, Strategic Alignment and Sustainable Impact. Its impact helps leaders to navigate inclusive and sustainable digital transformation effectively.