Category Policy Update

Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Development Initiatives and Quick Impact Projects (2023–24): Elevating India–Pacific Partnerships

Insights, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies, Economy and Infrastructure, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, International Relations and Strategic Studies, Policy Update, South Asia Studies Center

The Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) was established in November 2014 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Fiji, marking a transformative shift in India's diplomatic and economic engagement with the South Pacific. Comprising India and 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs): Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, FIPIC was created to address the unique development priorities of these island nations through structured, action-oriented plurilateral cooperation.

IMPRI Desk
September 30, 2026

Sustainable Agrarian Mission on Use of Agro-Residue in Thermal power Plants (SAMARTH), 2021

Policy Update, Center for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes

The estimated biomass generation in India is 750-754 MT per year of which 228-230 MT is surplus after utilizing biomass for conventional purposes like fodder, manure and for industries (Administrative Staff College of India, cited in Ministry of Power, 2023). Most of this surplus, especially paddy straw and other crop residues from northern states, has traditionally been burned in the open, which is a major source of seasonal air pollution in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring areas (Ministry of Power, 2023).

IMPRI Desk
September 29, 2026

India Electric Mobility Index 2025: Measuring State-Level Progress in Electric Mobility.

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

India's transport sector sits at the centre of its climate commitments and energy security goals. Road transport accounts for roughly 12 per cent of the country's energy-related carbon dioxide emissions and an estimated 18 per cent of its nitrogen oxide emissions, even as the automotive sector contributes close to 7.1 per cent of national GDP and employs about 19 million people (NITI Aayog, 2026a). Because vehicle registration, road transport and electricity distribution are largely State subjects, the pace of the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) varies considerably across States and Union Territories, shaped by differences in industrial base, fiscal capacity and policy priorities.

IMPRI Desk
September 29, 2026

Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Policy Update, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Insights, Urbanization, Habitat, Transportation and Regional Development

India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act (1999) under Article 22 of the WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. It required member states to protect signs identifying goods as originating from a specific territory – where a given quality, reputation or characteristic is essentially attributable to that origin. The Act was brought into force on 15 September 2003. This was done once the Geographical Indications Registry was established at Chennai. Under the Office of the Controller General of Patents , Designs and Trade Marks, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade , Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999).

IMPRI Desk
September 29, 2026

Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme 2026

Policy Update, Center for ICT for Development, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes, Science and Technology

The Make India Initiative has propelled electronics manufacturing to grow 7 times and exports to grow 11 times since FY 2014-15. The electronics manufacturing sector has also emerged as a significant source of employment, with a few plants employing more than 5,000 employees at a single location. (MeitY, 2026)

IMPRI Desk
September 28, 2026

Initiative to strengthen school environment : Assessing the vidyanjali scheme (2021)

Insights, Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies, Center for Human Dignity and Development, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being, Policy Update, Social Sector

School education in India has long relied on public investment alone to meet the twin challenges of infrastructure gaps and learning-resource shortages, particularly in government schools. Recognising that community and private-sector participation could supplement rather than replace government effort, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, introduced Vidyanjali, a school volunteer programme designed to connect government and government-aided schools with volunteers, resources, and institutional support.

IMPRI Desk
September 28, 2026

National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM), 2015

Policy Update, Center for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes

The journey of smart grid in India is not new and it's even pre-dating the National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM). The Ministry of Power (MoP) has set up the India Smart Grid Task Force (ISGTF) and the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) in 2010 to give policy guidance for smart grid technologies.

IMPRI Desk
September 28, 2026