Testing Income Convergence: Evidence from Indian States Using Panel Linear and Nonlinear Unit Root Tests

The present study attempted to test income convergence of the Indian states. For the analysis, the study utilized panel linear and recently developed panel nonlinear unit root tests for the period 1980-1981 to 2007-2008. Use of recently developed panel nonlinear unit root test was the innovation of the study over the conventional studies based on “sigma” and “beta” convergence for testing convergence of SGDP in Indian sates. Study found strong evidence against the convergence of the State Gross Domestic product (GDP) among the Indian states.