Category Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies

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

Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED) Scheme, 2024

Policy Update, Agriculture, Food, Nutrition Security and Rural Development, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Center for Work and Welfare, Insights, Public Finances and Macroeconomics

The spice sector is an important part of India's agricultural trade and food processing as well as rural employment. While the domestic market for spices is large, growing exports requires improvement in quality and compliance with food safety and traceability standards of importing countries. Regulatory requirements of importing countries are constantly changing. Therefore, measures to strengthen the export competitiveness of spices need to be innovative and collaborative. The Spices Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched the Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED) scheme in 2024. The scheme has received an approved outlay of ₹422.30 crore for implementation in the remainder of the 15th Finance Commission cycle, that is, up to 2025-26 (PIB, 2024).

IMPRI Desk
November 6, 2026

Nationwide Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign (21 October–31 December 2026): Bridging the Gap Between Scheme Enrolment and Effective Financial Protection in India

Policy Update, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Center for Work and Welfare, Gender, Pluralism and Social Inclusion, Insights, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being, Public Finances and Macroeconomics

Financial inclusion is often measured by the number of bank accounts opened or people enrolled in government schemes. However, access to financial services matters most when people can use them to manage financial risks, meet unexpected expenses and secure their future. For households with limited savings, the absence of insurance or pension coverage can make an unexpected event a serious economic setback. Financial inclusion, therefore, should not end with enrollment but should help people build greater financial security.

IMPRI Desk
November 6, 2026

Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyaan (CMAAA): Assam’s Flagship Self-Employment Scheme for Youth

Policy Update, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Center for Work and Welfare, Insights, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being, Public Finances and Macroeconomics, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes

Unemployment is a key structural constraint on economic development. It is the condition in which members of the labour force, able and willing to work at the prevailing wage, cannot find gainful employment. Educated unemployment is especially significant in developing economies. It arises from a mismatch between higher-education output and labour-market absorption, which leaves graduates openly unemployed or underemployed and wastes the human capital invested in them.

IMPRI Desk
November 4, 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

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