Is there conditional convergence in the per capita incomes of BIMAROU states in India?

Abstract

The stochastic income convergence hypothesis is examined for five BIMAROU (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh) states in India for the period 1960–2012 using the univariate Narayan and Popp (2010) unit root test with two structural breaks. The per capita incomes of all BIMAROU states, except Uttar Pradesh, are found to be stochastically converging in the long run. Significant structural breaks are detected in the relative per capita income series of the BIMAROU states. Most of the breaks spotted in the relative per capita income series correspond with periods of political uncertainty and regime change in the state elections.