All Things Policy

In today's episode of All Things Policy, Shree Keerthi and Swathi Kalyani discuss the world of locusts, exploring their origins, evolution, and swarming behaviour. Locust infestations pose significant challenges for both the government and farmers. Swarms threaten crops, but GIS technology and remote sensing can aid in monitoring, forecasting, and mitigating damage. These tools enable early in...

The big news story in artificial intelligence is the R1 model from DeepSeek, a chinese AI lab. Shobhankita and Rijesh from the Takshashila Institution's High-Tech Geopolitics programme explore why this is newsworthy and what this means for the AI community in India as well as globally. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoreti...

This is the second of a 2-part series. Childhood is precious! How can we guarantee that India's youth receive a well-rounded and enriching education where play is seamlessly integrated into learning? Malathi Renati hosts the authors of Get Kids to Play —Saumil Majmudar (CEO and Co-founder of SportzVillage) and Vijay Krishnamurthy (Sports Researcher and Executive Coach)—as they explore the vita...

Childhood is precious! How do we ensure India’s youth experience a fulfilling and holistic education, where play is part and parcel of learning? Malathi Renati hosts the authors of “Get Kids to Play”, Saumil Majmudar (CEO and Co-founder SportzVillage) and Vijay Krishnamurthy (Sports Researcher and Executive Coach), and together they unpack the significance of the key focus areas in their book Spac...

In this episode of All Things Policy podcast, Ashwin Prasad and Avinash Shet discuss the scramjet engine technology. Motivated by the ground test of the scramjet engine by DRDL, a DRDO lab, we discuss the importance of this successful test. We unravel the technology behind the scramjet engine and explore its implication on regional and global geopolitics. Link to the Jet Engine document mentioned...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer Karandikar and Anisree Suresh explore the latest proposed policy by the Maharashtra government to mandate individuals to own or secure a parking space to buy a car in Mumbai. They examine the intricacies of the proposed policy and suggest how congestion pricing can be an effective solution to traffic congestion woes.   All Things Policy is a daily podca...

How can conditions be created where domestic workers can flourish through their engagements and employment? Why domestic workers, though - They cook, clean, and care for our homes, yet their own working conditions remain precarious and invisible. With estimates ranging from 4 million to over 50 million, domestic workers are an essential yet undervalued part of India’s economy. Beyond formal vs. in...

There are numerous challenges facing India in the aerial domain. Lack of pace of modernisation, China’s rapid pace of acquisition and technological advances including a new 6th gen fighter. Air Marshal TD Joseph (Retd.) and Yusuf Unjhawala discuss how India can defend itself in this situation. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Beng...

An Advisory Group, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, has been formed to develop an India-Specific AI Regulatory Framework. A subcommittee within this group has released a guidelines report that is currently open for consultation. Rijesh Panicker and Bharath Reddy unpack and discuss the recommendations in the report. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by...

In 2024, the City of Seoul announced that it would spend $325 million over the next five years to “create a city where no-one is lonely”. The initiative proposed a series of interventions ranging from a 24/7 counselling helpline to more green spaces and nutritional meal plans. But is there a role for government intervention to tackle this issue? Join Kripa Koshy and Suman Joshi, Programme Managers...

With his return to the Oval Office for a second term, US President Donald Trump has promised a 'Golden Age' for America. But questions loom large as to his stance on the US's precious alliances, his approach to deal with the war in Ukraine and the intensifying contestation with China, and his commitment to a strengthening India-US partnership. In this episode of 'All Things Policy&...

The Shakti program offers free bus travel for women and transgender individuals in Karnataka, boosting workforce participation and financial freedom for marginalized communities. While it has increased ridership and saved money for millions, challenges like overcrowding, harassment, and insufficient buses remain. Maya and Vanshika discuss the pros and cons of the scheme in this episode. Watching C...

In the latest episode of 'All Things Policy', Anushka Saxena quizzes Amit Kumar on his approach and framework to determine sectors of vulnerability in the burgeoning and asymmetric India-China Trade Relationship. Amit also sheds light on why electronic and electrical components, machinery and machine tools, and organic chemicals should emerge as priority sectors in India's de-risking s...

In this episode, Rakshith hosts Lauri Myllyvirta, a co-founder and lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) as well as a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's China Climate Hub. Lauri has spent the past decade as an energy analyst focusing on climate, energy, and air pollution issues across Asia, having been based in Beijing from 2015 to 2019. His r...

The discussion around the upcoming census and the ensuing delimitation and reapportionment exercise has immense ramifications for the democratic future of India.  Voters per MP, vote equality, and federalism are some of the principles on which arguments are being made. What is the historical context of this exercise, and what is at stake for the southern states? What could be the pathways for the...

India’s states have each charted their unique growth paths. While some states have performed remarkably well, some have lagged. Recent studies highlight these dynamics, identifying successes and areas of concern. In this episode, Sarthak Pradhan and Rijesh Panicker discuss the economic trajectory of India’s states, examining their growth stories and challenges. The studies referred to in the paper...

Since the military coup in 2021, things have dramatically changed in Myanmar and the nation has succumbed to a civil war. Shobhankita and Vanshika, research analysts at The Takshashila Institution, discuss the complex situation in Myanmar, its geopolitical implications and way forward for India-Myanmar relations. Link to Vanshika's working paper here- https://takshashila.org.in/research/overco...

In this episode, Rakshith quizzes Saheb Singh Chadha, a senior research analyst at Carnegie India, who recently authored a paper that meticulously examines the four-year period of heightened tensions and negotiations between India and China from 2020-2024. This paper divides the period into three distinct phases based on the negotiating positions of both sides. The analysis explores various commun...

In this episode of All Things Policy, host Aishwaria Sonavane sits down with Abdul Basit, Senior Associate Fellow at RSIS, to examine the future of Taliban-Pakistan relations, currently strained by periodic border clashes, the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) recent airstrikes in Paktika, and the longstanding refugee crisis. The discussion also delves into broader regional implications, including India’...

Join Miheer Karandikar and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, in which we unpack a scheme that was touted as a game-changer in India's industrial landscape—the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Launched to position India as a global manufacturing hub, these schemes aim to boost domestic production, attract investments, and reduce import dependencies. But is the PLI strat...

The nature of warfare is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology. In this episode of All Things Policy, Avinash Shet and Adya Madhavan explore how Artificial Intelligence is shaping the military domain. From autonomous drones to predictive maintenance systems and lethal autonomous weapons, we unpack the transformative role AI plays on and off the battlefield. Join us as we discuss key glo...

Predictive policing is an AI use case in law enforcement wherein biometric technologies are used to “predict” crimes. There has been a considerable increase in deployment of such technologies across countries in the past decade and these are thought to be a way to reduce crime. However, while its effectiveness is debatable, increased surveillance and reduced privacy for all citizens is an immediat...

The appearance of Starlink in Manipur wasn't just about unauthorised internet access - it was a wake-up call. Rakshith Shetty and Ashwin Prasad explore the technology, its risks, and opportunities as India confronts the reality of global satellite internet. Read more about this here: www.outlookbusiness.com/columns/how-satellite-internet-can-bridge-indias-digital-divide-and-expand-its-strategic-he...

There is much talk about the state of India's air quality and the urgency of the problem. However, thus far, most mechanisms for its addressal focus on more short term solutions. In this episode, Dr. Sarath Guttikunda talks about the problem and its sources, the need for better air quality monitoring, and long term solutions that have worked elsewhere. He also explains the science behind trans-bou...

Local government bodies are essential to grassroots democracy and effective governance in any country, much more so in a large country like India. However, their elections and functioning have been intermittent and delayed since the 1990s. In the second and final part of this episode, Miheer Karandikar talks to Rishvanjas Raghavan about the extent of, reasons behind and solutions for delays in mun...