All Things Policy

Community networks that function as media platforms—such as community radio, grassroots journalism, and digital collectives—are empowering people to take control of the narratives that shape their lives. From Sangam Radio in Telangana to Khabar Lahariya’s fearless rural journalism, these community-driven platforms are redefining civic engagement and governance at the grassroots level**. In this ep...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Vaidehi Vaidya (Founder and MD - Women In Sports India) shares with Malathi Renati the toolkit her organization is developing to gather data-driven insights aimed at identifying and addressing barriers to women's leadership in sports. They also discuss the economic aspects and the role of society in effecting meaningful change.  The PGP is a comprehensive...

In this episode of All Things Policy , Wini Fred Gurung and Sourav Mannaraprayil explore a critical question: Is AI quietly killing our curiosity and critical thinking or simply making us more efficient? As AI tools like ChatGPT become ubiquitous in education, work, and creative fields, the duo examines how this growing reliance on instant answers and automation might weaken our cognitive abilitie...

The Indian Meteorological Department recently issued heatwave alerts for districts in Karnataka and Kerala. In this episode, Swathi Kalyani and Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam, part of the Geospatial Programme at the Takshashila Institution, explore the definition of heatwaves, its impact across sectors and communities, how cities are adapting to rising heat and what more needs to be done. The PGP is a compr...

While global gender frameworks set crucial benchmarks, they often fail to capture the localised realities of the Indian subcontinent, where identity, mobility, and political structures shape women’s experiences in ways Western models overlook. In this episode of All Things Policy, AIshwaria Sonavane and Amna Nasir break down why one-size-fits-all policies fall short and explore what a more localiz...

In India, many plants serve both as food and medicine. Shambhavi Naik discusses with Megha (@meghaphd), Varun from TDU, and Bob Allkin from the Royal Botanic Gardens about the use and regulation of medicinal plants. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course o...

Donald Trump’s second term in the White House has resulted in allies and partners, like Australia and India, adjusting to new geopolitical realities. In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani speaks to Lisa Singh, the CEO of the Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne, about how Australia is adapting to these changes and the future of India-Australia ties. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-w...

How walkable are India’s cities? Are our footpaths safe and accessible? In this episode, Kripa Koshy, Suman Joshi, and Sarthak Pradhan discuss the state of pedestrian infrastructure in Indian cities. They explore the key obstacles to walkability and reflect on potential solutions to make our cities more pedestrian-friendly. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aim...

In this episode, Vanshika Saraf sits down with Rushali Saha to unpack the shifting dynamics between Delhi and Dhaka. More than six months after Sheikh Hasina’s exit and a new interim leadership in Bangladesh, bilateral relations are at a crossroads. Can India recalibrate its strategy and move beyond megaphone diplomacy? How will Bangladesh’s warming ties with Pakistan and China reshape the neighbo...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Wini Fred Gurung and Rishabh Yadav discuss Rishabh’s paper “Do populists make populist foreign policy: Pakistan's foreign policy under Imran khan,” which looks at the linkages between Populism and foreign policy where civilian supremacy is lacking. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoreti...

Join Aishwaria Sonavane and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we explore one of the most consequential yet understudied strategic relationships in Eurasia. The Turkey-Pakistan alliance has evolved from cultural kinship to a comprehensive strategic partnership with profound implications for regional security, nuclear diplomacy, and counterterrorism efforts. As Turkey emerg...

Cross-Strait relations between China and Taiwan have seldom been without tensions. Developments from the past few days, however, have ignited military and political skirmishes between the two sides once again. In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena discuss the takeaways from China's recently concluded Taiwan Affairs Work Conference, and the latest confrontation betwe...

Bengaluru Metro’s recent fare hike has sparked plenty of frustration—while BMRCL insists it’s necessary to stay afloat, commuters are feeling the pinch. With rising transport costs, is public transport losing its edge as an affordable alternative? In this episode of All Things Policy, host Sourav Mannaraprayil sits down with Anisree Suresh to unpack the metro fare hike, its impact on daily commute...

One of the key objectives of any economy’s industrial policy is to boost domestic manufacturing. India’s manufacturing sector, however, has remained stagnant. In addition, India's industrial policies have sometimes violated WTO norms and resulted in a number of trade disputes. Is India creating norms of it’s own when it comes to such policies or is it just following the crowd? In this episode...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Rohan Pai and Shobhankita Reddy discuss the recently concluded Paris AI Action Summit that was co-chaired by France and India. What are the outcomes of the summit and why did the US and the UK decline to sign the summit's final statement? What are the implications of this for the global AI landscape? Tune in to read the tea leaves on the changing political...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Aparna Rajesh and Maya Patra discuss the Goa State Amrit Kaal Agriculture Policy 2025 and its emphasis on agri-tourism. The policy aims to integrate agriculture with tourism, providing farmers with additional income streams through farm stays, experiential visits, and rural tourism activities. They examine successful Agri-tourism models from Maharashtra and Th...

India's PM Narendra Modi became one of the first state leaders to pay a visit to the US as Trump 2.0 completes a month in office. Join Anushka Saxena and Amit Kumar in this episode of ATP where they discuss whether Modi's visit succeeded in assuaging the anxieties surrounding the Indo-US ties. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into...

Have you found yourself frustrated with some of the issues you face every day in your city? Be it real estate prices or public transport systems? In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer Karandikar unpacks some of the problems that plague India's cities today and outlines some measures that can be taken to mitigate them. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for thos...

How can cities be designed to be more inclusive and accessible for women? In this episode of All Things Policy, Maya and Aparna explore gender-responsive urban design in India—examining how public transport, street lighting, and city planning impact women's mobility and safety. They discuss global best practices, community-driven initiatives, and policy solutions India can adopt to transform u...

Throughout history, Humans have crossed forests and the sea using their navigation skills. Europeans leveraged maps for conquering foreign lands and improving their administration. As we rely so much on technology for our movements in the present, how did people of the past navigate unfamiliar lands? What kind of maps did they create? What relevance do maps hold today? Join Sowmya and Swathi Kalya...

A budget reflects the government's priorities. The union finance minister presented the budget a few days back. Given the role of research and development (R&D) in fostering innovation and driving economic growth, it is worth exploring the union budget provisions to facilitate R&D in India - What does the government's R&D spending look like? What about prominent policies like t...

Join Abhishek Nagaraj and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we discuss innovation policy, private sector R&D and AI. In today's world of techno-nationalism, where technological supremacy is considered to be an indicator of a country's prowess, and in the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancement, innovation and private sector research and developmen...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria and Anushka unpack India’s defence budget for FY 2025-26, exploring spending priorities, capital allocation, and strategic implications. They examine how India is balancing military modernisation, operational readiness, and rising pension costs, while also comparing defence spending trends in Pakistan and China. With China’s expanding military footpr...

In this episode, Vanshika Saraf sits with Ashwin Prasad to understand the strategic nuances of the U.S. AI diffusion framework, exploring how it aims to position America for technological leadership in a future dominated by advanced AI. They discuss the motivations behind these regulations, their geopolitical implications, and their potential impact on global innovation. The PGP is a comprehensive...

China has approved the construction of a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, yet key details about its impact assessment remain undisclosed. The recent earthquakes in Tibet and their associated damage highlight the potential risks of such large-scale initiatives. The latest edition of the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin delves deep into the Medong Dam, exploring its implications for...