Category Policy Update

Advancing Innovation: ASEAN-India Science and Technology Partnership

The ASEAN-India Science and Technology Cooperation is a very important framework which fosters innovation and research collaboration in the region. A strategic and well-implemented approach is essential to maximise the impact of the cooperation. By strengthening the funding mechanism in which the contributions from ASEAN member states will be increased so that the cooperation equally impacts all the concerned states. The contribution will depend on their GDP and their technological capacity. This will provide better financial support for large-scale projects, thus leading to technological advancements and regional integration.

Purvodaya: Transforming Eastern Region of India into an Economic Powerhouse

The concept of Purvodaya was first introduced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 during the inauguration of an Indian Oil Corporation refinery in Paradip, Odisha. The initiative stepped up in Union Budget 2024-25 with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman allocating significant funds for infrastructure, industrial and skill development programs in the region. This policy aims to position India as a global economic powerhouse by leveraging the potential of all regions under the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

India’s Shipbuilding Revolution: Inside the Maritime Development Fund (MDF)

The Government of India launched the Maritime Development Fund (MDF), a strategic initiative to support the country's maritime sector, with a special emphasis on the shipbuilding and repair sectors. The MDF, unveiled during the Union Budget 2025–26, plans to raise 25,000 crore, or roughly $3 billion, to offer long-term, affordable financial support for domestic shipbuilding and other infrastructure projects.

Evaluating the National Geospatial Mission 2025: A New Era of Data-Driven Governance

The word geospatial simply means associating data with specific geographic locations. The process of rapid urbanization calls for actions to unlock the transformative potential that geospatial technology withhold. Traditional ways of keeping land records and planning urban development have proven to be inefficient, thereby leading to land disputes and delays in project executions. To address these challenges, the government initiated the National Geospatial Mission to operationalize the National Geospatial Policy (2022), to make land reforms and management more efficient and transparent.

Jal Jeevan Mission 2019 : Transforming Rural Water Access in India

The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched on 15th August, 2019, was to design a provision of functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to every rural household by 2024. This ambitious program addresses a crying need for potable water, which is estimated to cover around 19 crore rural families. Prior to JJM, more than 80% of rural households did not have piped water supply, thus exposing health hazards, economic burdens, and a greater share of responsibilities for women, with children joining in later to carry water for hours every day.

Her Cash, Her Power: The Impact of Cash Transfers on Women

Cash transfer schemes fall under both the State List and Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, depending on their implementation structure. While these schemes have gained popularity in recent years, they are not a new phenomenon. They have existed since market liberalization, reflecting a shift from a welfare state to a corporate welfare state, where targeted financial support replaces broad-based subsidies.

Talk to Us