New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has established the Mattu Center for Research in Securities Pricing and Corporate Finance to advance research in asset pricing, corporate finance, corporate governance and financial economics. Announced on July 13, 2026, the Center of Excellence aims to strengthen the financial research ecosystem in India through India-specific databases, academic collaborations and evidence-based research.The Center was established with the philanthropic support of IIMA alumnus Ravi Mattu, a 1979 Postgraduate Program (PGP) member and former Managing Director and Global Head of Analysis at PIMCO. LIMITED. (Pacific Investment Management Company). It aims to bring together researchers, industry leaders, regulators and policymakers to jointly address issues related to the Indian capital markets.Center to build financial research infrastructureA major goal of the Mattu Center is to develop comprehensive financial databases and analytical resources to support empirical research in finance. The institute said the initiative will enhance access to reliable data while encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration in areas such as asset pricing, investment, market microstructure, corporate finance and corporate governance.The center will also promote finance scholars studying Indian capital markets and organize seminars, conferences, workshops and distinguished lectures to encourage interaction among researchers, practitioners and policymakers.Council members include academicians and industry leadersThe center will be headed by a Board of Governors chaired by IIMA Director Prof. Bharat Bhasker. Professors Joshy Jacob and Ellapulli Vasudevan will serve as co-chairs.The committee also includes Ravi Mattu, Professor R. Narayanaswamy, former faculty at IIM Bangalore, Professor Vaidyanathan Venkateswaran, NYU Stern School of Business, and Rajan Raju, Director, Invespar Pte. Ltd.Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Professor Bharat Bhasker said, “As India continues to evolve as a globally important financial market, it is crucial to address structural challenges within the system and build a strong India-specific database.”Ravi Mattu said the center will facilitate collaborative research between Indian and U.S. faculty, support dialogue with Indian regulators and help create a comprehensive database of securities prices. The program will also support early-career financial researchers in India, he added.Support through the IIMA Endowment FundThe center was established through the IIMA Endowment Fund, the institute’s philanthropic platform that attracts donations from alumni, corporates, individuals and corporate social responsibility partners. IIMA said the initiative aims to strengthen long-term research capabilities, encourage innovation and support management education and public policy through financial research.
