Policy UpdateShivali Yadav Background For almost sixty years, India operated its Major Ports based on the Major Port Trusts Act of 1963. That system relied significantly on Boards of Trustees, while tariffs were mostly determined by another entity, the Tariff…
Policy UpdateVibha Sethi Background and Evolution The structural paradigm of India’s space economy has historically been governed by a centralized, public-sector-driven architecture under the exclusive aegis of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). For decades, private participation was restricted to…
As India pursues its vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy while fulfilling its Net Zero commitment by 2070, integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into national industrial policy is no longer optional—it is a strategic necessity. While regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have mandated Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), ESG adoption remains largely siloed from broader industrial initiatives, including Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. This policy article examines the imperative to shift from "compliance-driven" to "strategy-driven" ESG adoption. It highlights key bottlenecks faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), explores global carbon-trade pressures, and proposes a data-driven policy roadmap to embed sustainability into the core of India’s industrial framework
The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Viksit UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 4 July 2026 for FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, a modified form of UDAN, launched in October 2016 which has transformed regional connectivity by operationalising 669 routes and connecting 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes, benefitting over 1.66 crore passengers (PIB, 2026). This upgraded UDAN scheme emphasises on India’s development and self-sustainable air connectivity across the country.
After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the state faced major governance challenges in coordinating departments and delivering timely public services to over 49.5 million citizens (CAG, 2017) Isolated departmental systems and periodic reporting created data silos, delaying critical decisions in disaster response, welfare delivery, and grievance redress. Poor inter-departmental coordination hindered accountability, transparency, and performance tracking. Furthermore, the lack of integrated, real-time data severely limited predictive capacity, preventing proactive disaster management and evidence-based policymaking.
Policy UpdateSaachi Saxena Background India’s rapid urbanization has made cities the engines of economic growth while simultaneously increasing their exposure to climate-related risks. According to the World Bank (2025), India’s urban population is projected to increase from 480 million in…
Innovation has become a major driver of economic growth and global competitiveness. Countries investing heavily in research and development (R&D), such as the United States, China, South Korea, and Germany, have established leadership in advanced technologies. However, India's Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) remains significantly below the global average, with limited private-sector participation.