Founder, researcher, and policy thinker, Shivalee Duara is rewriting what undergraduate ambition looks like, leading a consulting venture, ICSSR research, and national competitions all before graduation.
At an age when most are still navigating the complexities of undergraduate life, Shivalee Duara, a B.A. (Hons) Economics student at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, has already established herself as a formidable leader in the startup and policy ecosystems. With a current CGPA of 8.69 and ranking within the top 10 of her department, Duara’s academic rigor is matched only by her entrepreneurial drive.
Her most significant venture, YIOS Consulting, was born from a desire to democratize opportunity. As Founder and CEO, she leads a team of 10 associates and over 80 interns, providing strategic, financial, and marketing services to early-stage startups. Under her leadership, YIOS has successfully onboarded and delivered projects for four startups—including two featured on Shark Tank India—such as Cup-Ji, Curve Electric, Rapid Rasoi, and Chainge. Her role as a Project Head and Manager across these ventures has been characterized by “exceptional performance” and “efficient leadership,” ensuring that deliverables ranging from sanitary pad packaging to e-bike rental growth models are met with precision.
Duara’s impact extends deep into the realm of economic research and policy. She currently serves as one of only three students selected for an ICSSR-funded collaborative empirical research project on solar energy deployment pathways. This expertise culminated in her presenting a research paper at the prestigious International Conference on “VISION 2047: PROSPEROUS & GREAT BHARAT,” organized by Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Her professional portfolio is further bolstered by high-stakes internships at premier institutions. At the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), she analyzed bilateral trade relations for Australia, Brazil, and Vietnam, and researched non-tariff barriers impacting Indian tea and textile exports. Similarly, at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), she developed quantitative models to evaluate the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme and an export potential model for Sri Lanka.
Her thought leadership is evidenced by her publications. Duara has authored research papers on agricultural credit, reproductive health laws (MTP Act 2021), and the economic repercussions of the French snap elections, two of which are published in the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research Review and Studies. She also contributed to the North East Cell’s academic journal at Lady Shri Ram College, highlighting her commitment to her roots.
A National Winner of the “Excelsior 4.0” brand strategy competition by IIM Lucknow and Devyani International, and a Second Runner-Up in the SRCC “Ace the Case” competition, Duara consistently proves her mettle in competitive arenas. From serving as Chairperson of the Global Association of Economics Education (GAEE) India to her role as Joint Secretary of Purvasha at Daulat Ram College, she is not just a student of economics; she is an active participant in shaping its future.
Profiled by: Richa Choudhary
