All Things Policy

As 2025 draws to a close, India finds itself in a difficult geopolitical position. The political polarisation in the US, the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe and structural issues with China are forcing India to look at plurilateral arrangements with a renewed emphasis. It is in this context that the recently announced Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation partnership assumes significance....

Join Colonel Vikrant Shinde and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we explore the shadowy space between peace and war - the Grey Zone. It's where nations fight without fighting, coerce without conquering, and win without anyone noticing they've lost. From Chinese border villages in the Himalayas to Pakistan's proxy networks, from cyber operations to cartographi...

Following the Gig Workers Act, Karnataka’s proposed Domestic Workers Social Security and Welfare Bill aims to extend similar protections to domestic workers. While the need for safeguards is unquestionable, can laws designed for one sector be simply transplanted to another? What makes domestic work uniquely different — and how might this bill reshape our daily lives? In this episode, Anoop Gannerk...

In this episode, Vanshika Saraf joins Sriram Iyer, a pension fund manager and financial expert. Together, they explore pensions as a public policy challenge rather than just a personal finance issue. They discuss the recent reforms to the National Pension System, the regulatory institutions involved, and what it will take for India to build a more inclusive and sustainable pension architecture. Al...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Swathi Kalyani, Geospatial Research Analyst and Anisree Suresh, Geoeconomics Research Analyst, at the Takshashila Institution, discuss the recent extreme poverty eradication claim by the state of Kerala. They delve into the definitions of poverty in India and Kerala, the historical evolution of the efforts towards removing poverty, methodologies involved in th...

Though exit barriers intend to preserve employment, they often have adverse implications. They deter the entry of new firms and lock productive resources into low-productivity firms, ultimately lowering the economy's overall productivity. In this episode of All Things Policy, Sarthak Pradhan talks to Dr Shoumitro Chatterjee, who explains the extent of exit barriers in India and their consequen...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Air Marshal T.D. Joseph (Retd) and Brigadier Anil Raman (Retd) examine how growing tensions in U.S.–India relations are affecting India’s efforts to build its military capabilities. President Donald Trump’s turbulent handling of bilateral ties, particularly his trade-driven disruptions, has led many in India to question the wisdom of relying too heavily on the...

Jobs with high exposure to AI are seeing signs of disruption, causing real anxiety about the future. Join Sridhar Krishna, Rijesh Panicker, and Bharath Reddy as they try and make sense of the downsizing, the impact on hiring, and explore how we can prepare for this transformation. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

MeitY has officially notified the DPDP Rules 2025, paving the way for implementing India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act. However, there are multiple aspects to be considered when reading the Act and Rules such as consent, data retention, children's data protection, grievance redressal, etc. In this episode of All Things Policy, Adya Madhavan discusses the Rules and it's impleme...

This episode of All Things Policy unpacks one of the most persistent features of China’s economy: overcapacity. Bhumika Sevkani, Research Analyst at the Takshashila Institution, speaks with Yanmei Xie, Senior Associate Fellow at MERICS, about Beijing’s emerging anti-involution policies and their implications for China and its trading partners. Drawing on her expertise, Yanmei explains the structur...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Abhishek Kadiyala is in conversation with Brigadier Anil Raman (Retd.) to unpack the myths surrounding US–China stability and America’s supposed disengagement from East Asia. Together, they explore why the idea of a US–China “G2” repeatedly collapses, how US rhetoric masks a deepening military presence in the Indo-Pacific, and what these trends mean for India’...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane sits with audio director Rahul Ranganath to explore the convergence between global politics and the gaming industry. This episode unpacks how video games sometimes mirror geopolitical dynamics, potentially become vectors for propaganda and activism, and shape public perception on identity and conflict. Be a part of the conversation that unpa...

What does it take to build something bigger than ourselves? Join Sowmya Prabhakar and Shreya Ramakrishnan in this episode of All Things Policy, as they talk about collaborative changemaking, the often long, challenging, and inspiring process of communities learning, giving, and growing together. They unpack myths, share tools and frameworks, and reflect on what it means to make change in India tod...

The months-long US-China trade tensions have reignited global attention on rare earths, the critical minerals that power everything from smartphones to fighter jets. When Beijing used export controls to restrict rare earth supplies to the United States, it pushed Donald Trump to negotiate a truce in Busan, South Korea. But was that truce the end, or just the beginning, of a new phase in great powe...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Astha Rastogi, Programme Manager for Defence & Foreign Affairs, and Bhumika Sevkani, Research Analyst in the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme, will explore how creative work in India has begun to influence public policy in unexpected ways. From food-label activism on Instagram to narrative shifts triggered by documentaries, and from pedestrian walkability au...

In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Ashwin Prasad and Anushka Saxena discuss the highlights from the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Anushka speaks to the differences in the two sides immediate and long-term signalling on "concessions" and "consensus", even as she acknowledges that important foundations for stabilit...

Malathi Renati and Sowmya Prabhakar share their firsthand experience in senior care.  Their conversation focuses on the policy response to securing the future of India’s growing senior population, the emerging 'silver economy,' and the crucial role of society and culture in supporting our senior citizens. To age actively and gracefully. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy...

Languages are more than words; they’re emotion, identity, and access. This week on All Things Policy, Sowmya Prabhakar  speaks with Omshivaprakash about what it will take to make AI inclusive, one that truly understands India’s people, not just its English speakers. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Why do governments, even with the best minds and the noblest intentions, so often get it wrong? Taking the route to Whitehall, Vanshika Saraf and Maria Ann Philip discuss the book The Blunders of Our Governments by Anthony King and Ivor Crewe, an enriching study of Britain’s political missteps. Reflecting on detailed examples by the authors, they probe why civic and institutional cultures lead to...

In this episode, Leah and Astha discuss the state of teacher training in government schools: what’s working, what isn’t, and how policy can do better. From the promise of DIETs to new models like mentorship programs and digital learning platforms, the discussion unpacks how thoughtful reform could transform the classroom experience for millions of children. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on...

A few months ago, the world witnessed a historic breakthrough in Earth observation technology with the successful launch of the NISAR satellite, a landmark joint mission by NASA and ISRO. More than just another step forward in space exploration, NISAR marks the beginning of a new era of global cooperation and a deeper understanding of our planet. Since entering orbit, the satellite has started tra...

Biotechnologies are transforming how we grow, produce, and consume food. What does this mean for the future of nutrition and health? What challenges do producers and consumers face as food becomes smarter and more functional? And how should governments respond to these rapid changes? In this episode, Shambhavi Naik joins Suman Joshi to explore these questions and more. All Things Policy is a daily...

The Brahamaputra is one of the world’s longest and widest rivers, running through Tibet, Bangladesh and India, with a total area of 5,80,000 Sq.km and a total length of 2,900 km. What are the unique challenges that emerge due to the river’s transnational existence? What are some of the pressing environmental and developmental concerns related to the river and what could nimble policymaking look li...

In this episode of All Things Policy, Abhishek Kadiyala is in conversation with Brigadier Anil Raman (Retd.) to discuss emerging signs of democratic backsliding in the United States. The Second Trump administration’s approach to the top military brass, their legally contested deployments of National Guard and ICE become an important symptom of this backsliding. President Trump’s close ally and Sec...

Join Srinivasan Iyengar and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where the discussion focuses on India’s electricity sector. Around the world, electricity demand is rising sharply due to post-COVID economic recovery, greater electrification of transport (EVs), the growing share of renewables, and the expansion of data centres. As a rapidly industrialising developing nation, how is...