Insights, a blog published by IMPRI.
India’s infrastructure financing requirements have expanded with urbanisation, industrialisation and the growth of physical and digital connectivity. The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), established in 2015, was registered under SEBI specifically as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund, and was designed to bring institutional capital into this space by using government funding as an anchor.
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.
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…
Manodarpan was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education), Government of India, on 21 July 2020 as a comprehensive initiative to provide psychosocial support for the mental health and well being of students during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond (Press Information Bureau, 2020).
DAPRF Data Analytics for Policy Research Fellowship- Cohort 5.0 | A Four-Month Online Immersive Hands-On Certificate Flexible Training Fellowship Program | Aug-Nov 2026 | IMPRI #WebPolicyLearning DAPRF Program Details Field Details Program Name DAPRF Data Analytics for Policy Research Fellowship– Cohort 5.0…
The 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting, held in Pune on 21 August 2026 under India’s Chairship, marked a significant milestone through advancing cooperation on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among BRICS nations. It was chaired by the Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the meeting focused on the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.” This led to the discussions that were centered on building sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystems, strengthening cybersecurity, promoting digital skilling, and fostering innovation through startups and entrepreneurship. Thus, the deliberations highlighted the growing importance of digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and next‑generation networks in shaping the future of the Global South. Beyond these broad themes, the meeting produced concrete outcomes that signal a shift from rhetoric to implementation. Ministers agreed to establish a BRICS Digital Cooperation Forum as a follow‑up mechanism to coordinate projects and share best practices. Commitments were made to expand cross‑border connectivity initiatives, strengthen cybersecurity frameworks through joint task forces, and support startup ecosystems by creating innovation hubs across member states. The meeting also endorsed pilot programs for digital skills training and pledged to harmonize regulatory standards for emerging technologies, ensuring interoperability and inclusivity. These outcomes distinguish the Pune meeting as more than a symbolic milestone, it laid the groundwork for measurable cooperation, institutional mechanisms, and accountability structures. By embedding these commitments within BRICS’ broader agenda, the grouping signaled its intent to translate digital aspirations into tangible results that can empower citizens, enhance competitiveness, and reduce dependency on external technological powers.
The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector serves as the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing to employment generation, entrepreneurship and industrial development across urban and rural landscapes. However, many MSMEs face technological constraints, like limited access to modern machinery, inadequate technical skills, and high costs of technology adoption. This technological divide can affect productivity, product quality, innovation, and competitiveness.