All Things Policy

In this episode of All Things Policy, Astha Rastogi, Programme Manager, Takshashila, and Sai Rahul Poruri, CEO of FOSS United, explore how open-source tools and shared knowledge are fueling the next wave of creativity and problem-solving. From award-winning animations made entirely on open platforms to public infrastructure projects that rethink scale and access, openness isn’t just a license, it’...

In this episode of All Things Policy, join Shobhankita Reddy, Researcher with Takshashila's High Tech Geopolitics Programme, in conversation with Rishabh Jain as they break down critical minerals for you. What are these minerals, and what makes them critical? What's the buzz about these minerals right now? And how is India placed as geopolitical tensions bring these minerals to the fore to...

Over the past few years, the practice of technology politics has outpaced its theory. As a result, fundamental questions remain unanswered: is technology the means or the ends for geopolitical contestation? Does technology denial work? What's the best strategy to outpace your adversaries? To get answers to these foundational questions, Pranay Kotasthane speaks to Ansgar Baums, the co-author of...

Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) has been a cause for concern in recent years. But current measurement methods fail to capture the full spectrum of women’s work—especially unpaid, casual and gig labour, leading to a distorted picture of reality. In this episode of All Things Policy, Suman Joshi speaks with the authors of the paper "Visualising the Invisible"—Sarika Choudhar...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Bharath Reddy and Carl Jaison speak to Pranav Gupta, Doctoral Candidate at University of California, Berkeley on initial findings from a survey conducted by the Centre for Policy Research & Governance (CPRG), which surveyed close to 6000 students across Delhi's universities and colleges to understand how AI is transforming higher education. They discus...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Yusuf Unjhawala is joined by Anupam Manur for a deep dive into the evolving and unpredictable landscape of U.S. trade policy under Donald Trump. They talk about the credibility of the threat of secondary tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, the impact on India if the said policy goes through, and the policy options available to the Indian administration. T...

This episode will take a closer look at the case of the highly contested 2000-year-old Elgin Marbles, in a time when similar high-profile restitution cases may signal a shifting norm in favour of return of artefacts that were typically seized by colonial powers from their communities of origin. How should we think about such claims of ownership? What response should contemporary institutions such...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Kannan and Anisree Suresh discuss an innovative proposal to enable growth of labour-intensive industries and large-scale employment in India. They unpack the problem of Underemployment on one hand, and the factor market barriers faced by industries on the other, and how creating exceptions may be the way forward to solving both. All Things Policy is a daily po...

In this special episode of All Things Policy, Dr Y. Nithiyanandam, Professor and Head of the Geospatial Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution, engages in a conversation with Mr Gokul C V, Assistant Director General at the Ministry of Communication, Government of India, who leads the DigiPIN initiative. They discuss how DigiPIN, a 10-digit alphanumeric code mapped to a 3.8 x 3.8 metre g...

Join Brigadier Sandeep Tyagi, Colonel Vikrant Shinde and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we dive deep into one of India's most sophisticated homegrown defence innovations - the Akashteer air defence network. Born from India's quest for self-reliance in defence technology, Akashteer is a testament to Indian engineering prowess, capable of generating dynamic commo...

Join Brigadier Sandeep Tyagi, Colonel Vikrant Shinde and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we dive deep into one of India's most sophisticated homegrown defence innovations - the Akashteer air defence network. Born from India's quest for self-reliance in defence technology, Akashteer is a testament to Indian engineering prowess, capable of generating dynamic commo...

India’s big cat conservation story has captured imaginations from the globally acclaimed Project Tiger to the contentious reintroduction of cheetahs and the growing Asiatic lion population in Gujarat. But behind the headlines lie complex questions about ecology, ethics, and policy. In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane speaks with Dr. Anish Andheria, President of the Wildlife Co...

India’s big cat conservation story has captured imaginations from the globally acclaimed Project Tiger to the contentious reintroduction of cheetahs and the growing Asiatic lion population in Gujarat. But behind the headlines lie complex questions about ecology, ethics, and policy. In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane speaks with Dr. Anish Andheria, President of the Wildlife Co...

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 institutionalised urban democracy in India. The goal was to facilitate functional devolution and fiscal empowerment of Urban Local Self-Governments. It has been more than three decades since the amendment. Have these goals been met? In this episode of All Things Policy, Sarthak Pradhan speaks with Vachana V.R., Head of Municipal Law and Policy at Janaa...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Dr. Y. Nithyanandam and Swati Kalyani from the Geospatial Research Team at the Takshashila Institution delve into the rapid expansion of solar energy infrastructure in the Tibet Autonomous Region. They discuss how the solar projects serve both civilian and strategic purposes, help China move towards its 2060 carbon neutrality goal, and support the country’s re...

Rare earths are not really 'rare'. They are quite abundant in the Earth's crust, and some of them are as abundant as copper or gold. But the misnomer sticks and continues to influence our popular imagination. But why is this so? With China imposing export controls on rare earth metals and magnets, Shobhankita Reddy and Tannmay Baid chat with Dr. Julie Klinger, Professor of Geography at...

Join Srinath Raghavan and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we explore the life and legacy of Indira Gandhi, one of India’s most influential and controversial leaders. Drawing on Srinath Raghavan’s insightful book, Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India, we journey through the pivotal decades that reshaped Indian democracy, politics, economy and international...

Join Srinath Raghavan and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we explore the life and legacy of Indira Gandhi, one of India’s most influential and controversial leaders. Drawing on Srinath Raghavan’s insightful book, Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India, we journey through the pivotal decades that reshaped Indian democracy, politics, economy and international...

Last month, India Post rolled out a 10-digit alphanumeric Digital Postal Index Number (DIGIPIN), which represents geographic coordinates, developed by creating a uniform 4x4 metre grid of the country. This is a significant development in geolocation as well as the India Stack. In this episode of All Things Policy, Anwesha Sen and Swathi Kalyani discuss what this development means for goods and ser...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Arshi Yasin , founder of The Bridge , chats with Malathi Renati on her inspiring sportspreneur journey, marked by grit, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of untold stories. From navigating the initial hurdles to amplifying the voices of India's diverse sporting ecosystem, her story is a testament to the growing role of markets, media, and society in...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Adya Madhavan, Yusuf Unjhawala, and Aniket Vijayvargiya delve into the intricacies of India's defence ecosystem. They explore the nation's defence imports and procurement processes, aiming to understand the needs of 21st-century warfare, the evolving requirements of the Indian armed forces, and the ongoing modernisation efforts within the sector. All T...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Vanshika Saraf is joined by Dr. Chietigj Bajpee, Senior Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, London. They discuss how India is managing the intersection between its neighbourhood constraints and its global power aspirations. From India’s recent charm offensive in the international realm to the illusion of regional peace and security,...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Sowmya Prabhakar , COO of Takshashila Institution, is in conversation with Uday Vijayan , Managing Trustee & President of Beyond Carlton , a citizen-led fire safety initiative established after the 2010 Carlton Towers fire tragedy in Bangalore. We unpack lived experiences, gaps in the system, and the sparks of hope through citizen action, responsible gover...

In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Col. KPM Das and Anushka Saxena talk about the story of the SATHI Handheld Battle Computer—a pioneering but ultimately shelved project that could have transformed the Indian Army’s battlefield operations. As a leading army officer for the project, KPM sheds light on how the product was developed, what SATHI aimed to do, and why it was a unique device...

The final ban on bike taxis in Karnataka is the culmination of a legal tussle between the government and commercial operators. The ban is not only deeply misguided, but also a reflection of the gap in governance that exists in the state and how it has been exploited by incumbent vested interests. In this episode of All Things Policy, Leah Govias and Anupam Manur discuss the government's cited safe...