The Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS) was launched on 1 April 2009 to ease the financial barrier to higher education for students from economically weaker sections. It works by covering the full interest on eligible education loans during the moratorium period, so students aren't accumulating interest while they're still studying.
Affirmative action is one of the most debated instruments of modern democratic governance. Its critics often view reservation and other forms of preferential treatment as a departure from equality. They argue that individuals should be judged by the same standards, regardless of caste, race, gender, or social background. Supporters, however, argue that formal equality is insufficient in societies shaped by historical discrimination. Social inequalities often continue to influence access to education, employment, political representation, and social status.
Policy UpdateDivya Natranjan Background Arunachal Pradesh, India’s largest north-eastern state by area at roughly 84,000 sq km, is also its least densely populated, with a 2011 Census population of about 1.4 million spread across just 17 people per sq km,…
The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) was launched in 1986-87 by the Government of India to address a structural gap in nation-building
Policy UpdateHimanshi Singh Background The NCT of Delhi, with a geographical area of 1,484 sq km and a population exceeding 2 crore, is an urban city-state and Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly. This administrative setup, combined with high migration…
Old-age pensions are one of the oldest tools of social protection anywhere. In India it sits at the crosshairs of elderly poverty relief and dignity. The Union government's main instrument is the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which is run by the Ministry of Rural Development. It has operated since 1995 and today comprises five components - the largest is the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). IGNOAPS was introduced in 2007 (NSAP, 1995). IGNOAPS offers Below Poverty Line citizens aged 60 and above a monthly pension of ₹200 and which further becomes ₹500 after the recipient turns 80 years old (NSAP, 1995).
Forensic evidence has become increasingly important in criminal investigation as India moves towards more scientific and technology-driven investigation. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 has further increased the importance of forensic examination by providing for forensic investigation of offences punishable with seven years or more of imprisonment, creating greater demand for forensic infrastructure and trained professionals (Press Information Bureau, 2024).