Category Insights

Insights, a blog published by IMPRI.

India’s Debt Restructuring Support to Sri Lanka and Zambia (2024): Development Diplomacy and Sustainable Economic Recovery

Policy Update, Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies, International Relations and Strategic Studies

The escalating global debt crisis across the Global South has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges to post-pandemic economic recovery and sustainable development. Severe macroeconomic shocks—exacerbated by supply chain disruptions, rising international interest rates, and commodity price volatility—triggered acute balance-of-payments distress, forcing several developing nations into sovereign default.

IMPRI Desk
November 1, 2026

Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020: From Legislative Consolidation to Effective Worker Protection

Policy Update, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is both a labour-rights concern and a public-policy challenge. Unsafe workplaces impose costs through preventable injuries, occupational diseases, lost productivity and pressure on public health systems. In India, these risks are especially pronounced in hazardous industries such as mining, construction, manufacturing and chemical processing, where workers may face prolonged exposure to dangerous substances and inadequate protective infrastructure. In a parliamentary reply, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, provided data that recorded approximately 1,000 fatal injuries annually in registered factories. Non-fatal injuries also remained above 2,800 annually (Sansad, Ministry of Labour and Employment, 2026).

IMPRI Desk
October 31, 2026

Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, 2025: Strengthening India’s Circular Mineral Security.

Policy Update, Center for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development

The demand for critical minerals is on the rise, especially for clean energy and electric vehicles. These minerals are crucial for industry and the production of strategic goods. The cost and time required to explore and develop new mineral resources abroad make it important for India to focus on recycling critical minerals, especially given that India imports nearly 100% of its requirements for several critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The Union Cabinet approved the Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme from 2025-2026 to 2030-2031 for a period of six years on 3 September 2025. The scheme provides an outlay of ₹ 1500 crore. The objective of the scheme is to develop the capacity to extract critical minerals from electric and electronic waste and scrap (PIB 2025a).

IMPRI Desk
October 31, 2026

UP’s Construction Worker Welfare System: Assessing Whether Labour Cess Reaches the Workers It Is Meant to Protect

Policy Update, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being

Uttar Pradesh’s construction sector is supported by a large workforce engaged in building homes, highways and public infrastructure. For workers employed on a daily wage, or through contractors, however, employment does not necessarily provide access to pensions, health insurance or reliable compensation following injury. The building and other construction workers (BOCW) framework was designed to address precisely this gap by financing worker welfare through a levy on construction activity.

IMPRI Desk
October 31, 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

Manufacturing of Ammunition for the Indian Army by Indian Industry (2017): Advancing Defence Self Reliance

Policy Update, Insights

For most of independent India's history, ammunition manufacturing for the Army sat almost entirely with the Ordnance Factory Board. Private companies could make individual components, shells, fuzes, propellant, but the explosive filling process itself, the step that turns components into finished ammunition, was never licensed to a private player.

IMPRI Desk
October 30, 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