Category Economy and Infrastructure

Digital Postal Index Number Initiative (DIGIPIN), 2024

Policy Update, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Center for Work and Welfare, Economy and Infrastructure, Governance and Law, Insights, Urbanization, Habitat, Transportation and Regional Development

Traditional postal addresses often do not adequately represent exact geographic locations, and can be especially problematic in areas such as rural settlements, rapidly urbanizing areas, and locations with unstructured numbering. To find solutions for addressing limitations, the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications (Department of Posts, n.d.), developed the Digital Postal Index Number (DIGIPIN) system. Spanning the entire country, the system divides geographical space into a precise grid of approximately 4×4 square meters. Furthermore, this initiative aligns closely with India’s broader national geospatial data policies and guidelines aimed at democratizing location data. DIGIPIN is a geo-referenced digital address system that aims to provide a standard geographic reference for all locations in India.

IMPRI Desk
November 8, 2026

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE), 2025: 2026 Implementation and Export Credit Support

Policy Update, Center for the Study for Finance and Economics, Centres, Economy and Infrastructure, Insights, Thematic Areas

Exporters finance shipments before they are paid, so access to working capital shapes how much they can produce and sell abroad. The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 12 November 2025 to provide collateral-free credit support to exporters, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Its stated aims are to strengthen liquidity, support diversification into new and emerging markets and improve global competitiveness. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) in the Ministry of Finance implements it through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC), which gives a 100 per cent guarantee to member lending institutions (MLIs) on additional credit of up to Rs 20,000 crore (Press Information Bureau, 2025a).

IMPRI Desk
November 7, 2026

Samudra Manthan: National Offshore Exploration Scheme (2026)

Policy Update, Center for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Work and Welfare, Economy and Infrastructure, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Insights

India is the world's third-largest consumer of crude oil, with an annual crude oil import bill of approximately USD 144 billion. Rising energy demand and dependence on imported hydrocarbons make domestic exploration important for strengthening India's energy security. Although India has undertaken reforms to expand offshore exploration, deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration remain challenging because of high investment requirements, technological complexity and uncertain returns.

IMPRI Desk
November 3, 2026

What Drives Daily Currency Rate Movements in Hyderabad

Insights, Economy and Infrastructure, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation

You check the dollar rate in the morning, and by the afternoon it has changed. A friend in Mumbai quotes one figure; your cousin in Hyderabad sees another. It’s natural to wonder: who decides the rate, and why does it…

IMPRI
November 3, 2026

Chandigarh Budget (2026-2027) : A Department-wise Review

Policy Update, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Center for the Study for Finance and Economics, Economy and Infrastructure, Governance and Law, Insights, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being, Public Finances and Macroeconomics, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes

Chandigarh’s scheme architecture combines locally administered welfare programmes, centrally sponsored schemes and public infrastructure projects financed through the Union Budget. Chandigarh is a Union Territory without a legislature, therefore, its expenditure is presented under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Demand No. 53. Consequently, its departmental priorities must be read through Union budget documents, Chandigarh Administration’s departmental records and the programmes implemented by its public institutions.

IMPRI Desk
November 1, 2026

“31 October” — Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day): Marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Policy Update, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Economy and Infrastructure, Insights, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being, Society, Literature, Arts, Sports and Culture

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, is observed annually on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallahabhai Patel, a pivotal figure in India's struggle for independence, the Iron Man of India, and the architect of a united India, and to honour his pivotal role in fostering national and political integration and unity in India. The day underscores in maintaining the sovereignty, peace and integrity of the nation, encouraging citizens to pledge in unity in diversity.

IMPRI Desk
October 31, 2026

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Amendment Rules, 2025: Senior Level Accountability for Takedowns

Policy Update, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Center for ICT for Development, Center for Work and Welfare, Economy and Infrastructure, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Governance and Law, Insights

The safe harbour framework for intermediaries in India flows from Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, operationalized by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Under Rule 3(1)(d), intermediaries had to disable access to unlawful content upon receiving actual knowledge through a court order or government notification. The phrase "Appropriate Government or its agency" was, however, not hierarchically defined, which in practice permitted officers as low as Inspector rank to issue takedown directions, leading to risks of arbitrary action, lack of transparency, and chilling effect on Article 19(1)(a), as cautioned in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India.

IMPRI Desk
October 30, 2026