All Things Policy

Manasi Joshi (Para-badminton world champion) & Malathi Renati (Head of Policy School, Takshashila) contemplate what it truly takes to build a strong para-sports ecosystem in India. In this episode of All Things Policy, they unpack the para-sport journey in India through the lens of policy, systems and mindsets, and explore why para-sport must be seen not as an exception, but as an integral par...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Abhishek Kadiyala is in conversation with Brig. Anil Raman to explore the causes, impact and the potential consequences of US intervention in Venezuela. It discusses US interests of energy control, diaspora appeasement, MAGA electorate and hemispheric security in the context of this crisis. It also discusses several scenarios in which this intervention might p...

Single-window clearance systems are everywhere right now, from investment approvals to film permits, promising faster decisions and smoother coordination. In this episode of All Things Policy, Arindam Goswami and Shreya Ramakrishnan talk through why these tools are so popular, what they actually make better on the ground, where they run into limits, and what still needs to change for them to reall...

The VB-GRAM-G Bill was passed last week. While it is being positioned as a reform of MNREGA, it alters the very premise of employment guarantees. What exactly has changed—and why does it matter? M R Sharan joins Suman Joshi to discuss the far-reaching implications of this shift for rural employment, social movements, and existing power and social structures. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on...

Even as Trump 2.0's first year in office draws to a close, the ideological contestations unleashed by the MAGA base continue. The latest example is not any domestic policy measure, but instead an external-focused document called the National Security Strategy or NSS in short.   To unpack the US NSS and what it means for the world in general and India in particular, Lokendra Sharma sits down wi...

In this episode of All Things Policy, host Kavya Rai speaks with Dr Y Nithiyanandam about the growing geopolitical and ecological stakes surrounding the Brahmaputra River. From China’s proposed mega-dam in Tibet to India’s counter-dams and ambitious power-grid plans, the conversation explores how energy transition, disaster risk, local resistance, and transboundary governance intersect in one of A...

 Listen to  Ray Eitel Porter,  an expert and best-selling author of "Governing the Machine - How to navigate the risks of AI and unlock its potential”, talk to  Sridhar Krishna  about AI, the future with AI and whether companies and governments are doing enough to mitigate the risks and benefit from AI. References Governing the Machine - how to navigate the risks of AI and unlock its true pot...

In this episode, Shobhankita Reddy and Ashwin Prasad try to make sense of the year in Chip Wars that 2025 has been and especially, Trump's recently announced plans to allow the sale of H200 chips to China while the US takes a 25% cut in the revenues. This is a news of consequence - it is a shift in the trend of tightening export controls the world has experienced lately. Join in! All Things Po...

In this episode of the All Things Policy podcast, Abhishek Kadiyala is in conversation with Kashish Parpiani to explore how countries are navigating the intensifying U.S.–China technology rivalry without being forced into rigid geopolitical camps. The conversation examines the shift from choosing sides to adopting adaptive tech strategies, including selective regulatory alignment, quiet non-compli...

Join Swati Joshi and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we discuss some uncomfortable truths about India's innovation ecosystem. Here's a number that should make every Indian policymaker lose sleep: In 1993, India and China spent the exact same amount on research and development as a share of their economies - 0.6% of GDP. Fast forward to today. China is at 2.6%. I...

AI in warfare is not about robots taking over the battlefield. It is about decision advantage, geospatial intelligence, and operational readiness. In this episode, Lt Gen Karanbir Singh Brar (Retd.) explains how India is deploying AI across borders, space, and logistics -- why humans must remain in the loop, how ethics shape military AI, and what Atma Nirbharta means for the full defence AI stack....

Leah Govias speaks with Malathi Renati to examine India’s demographic transition and what it means for senior citizens. The discussion explores elder welfare laws, healthcare access, the expanding silver economy, and the erosion of traditional family support systems. Framed through the Samaaj–Sarkaar–Bazaar lens, this conversation asks a critical question: how do we ensure that longer lives also m...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Astha Rastogi talks to forensic science researcher and trainer Devina Sikdar about what really happens at crime scenes in India—and why it matters more than most people realise. With a new national mandate demanding better forensic response, the two discuss the gaps, the urgency, and the solutions that could reshape how India investigates crime. All Things Pol...

Non-communicable diseases (or NCDs) account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s total mortality and morbidity, led by ischaemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes, according to the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report. Globally in 2021, 18 million people died from an NCD before age 70 years. From the period 2021-23, NCDs were responsible for about 56.7 percent of all deaths in India. To h...

China recently released its 2035 NDC targets and the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. These documents are key to understanding the future direction of renewable energy deployment in China. In this episode of All Things Policy, Bhumika Sevkani, Research Analyst at the Takshashila Institution, is joined by Belinda Schäp...

In this episode of All Things Policy, host Aishwaria Sonavane explores Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, where history, insurgency, and great-power politics intersect. Joined by Prashant Singh, the conversation traces Baloch grievances from the accession of Kalat to the present-day insurgency, examines the impact of CPEC and external strategic interests, and assesses how regional geopoliti...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Sowmya Prabhakar and Anisree Suresh sit down to unpack the new Labour Codes. In this conversation, they explore the new provisions, the challenges and reforms with the implementation of the new labour codes. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Pakistan is making a big bet on Crypto - announcing its plans to hold it as a strategic reserve and potentially make it legal tender. Shobhankita Reddy and Anupam Manur sit down to discuss what the implications of this move may be for India. They conclude that this is a net negative for Pakistan's economy and India's national security if implemented beyond mere announcements and experiment...

India has had a chaotic two-week telecom cybersecurity sprint with DoT's now-retracted Sanchar Saathi app mandate, SIM binding rules forcing platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to verify active SIMs, and telcos pushing for always-on phone geolocation tracking. In this episode of All Things Policy, Anwesha Sen and Anushka Saxena discuss regulatory overreach of such moves, privacy implications,...

Accountability strengthens governance. Citizen feedback helps build accountability mechanisms. In this episode of All Things Policy, Sarthak Pradhan talks to A Krishna Prasanth, who explains how CIVIC's (Citizens' Voluntary Initiative for the City) annual citizen report cards serve as a tool to build data-driven political accountability. They also discuss the report card's findings on...

Why do India and Russia stay close despite opposing global pressure? Join Amit Kumar and Ashwin Prasad as they chat about the strategic utility of this partnership in this episode of All Things Policy. They also look ahead, asking the question: What must Moscow change to sustain this relationship amidst the complications of the war in Ukraine? Link to Amit Kumar's Op-ed on the topic. All Thing...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Amit Kumar, Staff Research Analyst with Takshashila's Indo-Pacific Studies Programme, to discuss China's 15th Five-Year Plan - why it is important, its salient features, and what the document reveals about Chinese thinking on major domestic priorities and international challenges. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar & Malathi Renati dive into what it really takes to handle human–wildlife encounters with sensitivity, empathy, and real-world understanding. They chat about policies, mindful wildlife tourism, and how each of us can be responsible citizens who care for the animals and forests that are our constitutional duty to protect. A thoughtful d...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Anisree Suresh and Bhumika Sevkani decode India’s Quality Control Orders (QCO) against the backdrop of the government’s recent decision to revoke several QCOs. They critically examine the objectives behind these regulations, unpack their unintended consequences, and discuss how QCOs are reshaping Indian industries and the country’s trade prospects. All Things...

The geopolitical climate has become increasingly volatile. New Delhi confronts mounting tensions with the US while managing border disputes and economic challenges from Beijing. As deglobalisation accelerates after decades of integration, India must recalibrate its strategic approach. What priorities should guide India's response? In this episode of All Things Policy, Wini Fred Gurung, Communi...