Abstract:-

While the impact of drought on migration is well documented in the literature, no previous research has examined 14 whether households’ political connections can reduce the propensity of drought-induced migration. The present 15 study aims to address this gap in the literature. We used rainfall data from the Indian Meteorological Department 16 for the period 1970–2010 to construct a real-time drought variable and two rounds (2004–05, 2011–12) of the 17 India Human Development Survey data to construct households’ political connections and perceptions regarding 18 drought. Employing a dose-response model, it is identified that the propensity of migration among drought19 affected farm households that are politically connected is lower compared to their non-connected counterparts. 20 Furthermore, the mechanism analysis shows this moderating effect stems from political elite capture in accessing 21 crop insurance since households with access to crop insurance are less likely to migrate as a result of drought. 22 Policy implications of our findings are also discussed.