Category Policy Update

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The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) : India’s Maritime Security Diplomacy Under the Quad Framework

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

The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), launched at the 2022 Quad Leaders' Summit in Tokyo, serves as a non-military, technology-driven data-sharing initiative designed to provide near-real-time maritime intelligence across the Indo-Pacific region. It integrates New Delhi’s national security policies, specifically the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision introduced in 2015 and the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Region) doctrine, with Quad-wide surveillance networks (Ministry of External Affairs, 2025). This framework allows India to act as a "net security provider" across the IOR while preserving its strategic autonomy and non-alignment posture.

IMPRI Desk
October 23, 2026

Women’s Financial Empowerment in Himachal Pradesh: Evaluation of the Sashakt Mahila Rin Yojana (2023)

Policy Update, Center for Work and Welfare, Livelihoods, Employment and Well-being

Women in Himachal Pradesh often face difficulties in accessing formal credit because of limited income, lack of collateral and financial constraints

IMPRI Desk
October 23, 2026

Capitalizing Community Action: A Policy Review of Kerala’s Kudumbashree Micro-Enterprise Loan Framework (1998)

Insights, Center for the Study for Finance and Economics, Centres, Economy and Infrastructure, Policy Update, Thematic Areas

The State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the Government of Kerala institutionalized the Kudumbashree Mission on 17 May 1998 as a localized response to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, synchronized with the state's pioneering People's Plan Campaign (Government of Kerala, 1998). While Kudumbashree initially functioned as a neighbourhood-based network centred on basic thrift and consumption credit, the operational landscape underwent a significant structural transformation between 2005 and 2010 (Kudumbashree, 2026).

IMPRI Desk
October 22, 2026

West Bengal IT & Electronics Policy 2018: Assessing Growth and Emerging Gaps

Insights, Center for ICT for Development, Centres, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Policy Update, Thematic Areas

The West Bengal Information Technology and Electronics Policy, 2018 was introduced on 13 August 2018 following Cabinet approval on 27 July 2018. The policy was designed to strengthen West Bengal’s information technology (IT), IT-enabled services (ITeS), information and communication technology (ICT), and electronics ecosystem while promoting employment, innovation, digital governance and social welfare. It also identified emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Blockchain, Cyber Security, Data Science, Drones, FinTech, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Industry 4.0, Quantum Computing and 5G as areas of future growth (Government of West Bengal, 2018).

IMPRI Desk
October 22, 2026

Reaffirming International Unity, Peace, and Multilateral Cooperation on United Nations Day (October 24)

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

The United Nations was established in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, when the world was reeling from unprecedented destruction and loss of life. Leaders recognized the urgent need for a global institution that could prevent future wars, foster cooperation, and uphold peace. Representatives of 50 countries participated in the San Francisco Conference (25 April-26 June 1945), where they drafted and signed the UN Charter. Although Poland did not attend because its government had not yet been formed, it signed the Charter on 15 October 1945 and subsequently became one of the 51 original Member States of the United Nations. The Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945 following ratification by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and a majority of the other signatory states. In 1947, the UN General Assembly officially designated 24 October as United Nations Day through Resolution 168 (II), and in 1971, Resolution 2782 (XXVI) recommended its observance as a public holiday to promote awareness of the aims and achievements of the United Nations.

IMPRI Desk
October 22, 2026

Vahli Dikri Yojana (2019): Can Financial Support Improve Outcomes for Girls in Gujarat?

Policy Update, Gender Impact Studies Center, Gender, Pluralism and Social Inclusion, Insights

Gujarat introduced the Vahli Dikri Yojana on 2 August 2019 to address concerns about the status of girls and their access to education. The state had faced challenges related to an unfavourable child sex ratio, gender discrimination and early marriage. Census 2011 recorded Gujarat’s child sex ratio at 890 girls (0-6 years of age group) per 1,000 boys, below the national figure of 919. The government introduced this scheme to encourage families to value their daughters and support their future. It provides financial assistance at different stages of a girl’s life, including school entry and adulthood. The main aim is to improve girls’ education, reduce school dropouts and discourage child marriage.

IMPRI Desk
October 22, 2026

Tamil Nadu R&D Policy 2022: Strengthening Research, Innovation and Industry-Academia Linkages

Policy Update, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Governance and Law, Insights, Public Finances and Macroeconomics, Urbanization, Habitat, Transportation and Regional Development

The Tamil Nadu R&D Policy 2022 is the State Government's dedicated framework for attracting and supporting research and development investment, issued by the Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department. The Department's own Policy Note describes its purpose as boosting an R&D ecosystem that can feed innovative technologies and solutions across industrial and service sectors, with a particular aim of attracting scientific R&D and Global Capability Centre (GCC) investments (Government of Tamil Nadu, 2023). The policy takes effect from the date of the Government Order and is valid for ten years or until a new policy is announced, whichever is earlier (Government of Tamil Nadu, 2022).

IMPRI Desk
October 22, 2026