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…
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.
For over ten years, India maintained a law aimed at allowing mineral development of its seabed, yet for the same period, very little occurred. The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act was enacted in 2002 and took effect in 2010, providing the government with a legal structure for mining in territorial waters, the continental shelf, and the Exclusive Economic Zone. However, when the Ministry of Mines was questioned about this in Parliament, their response was straightforward: no mining operation had ever started under the previous system. The Ministry was direct about the reason as well. It stated clearly that the distribution process allowed excessive discretion and failed to provide a fair, transparent method for assigning operating rights.
Policy UpdateSneha Kohli Background The India Semiconductor Mission, launched in 2021 aims to develop a strong semiconductor ecosystem for enhancing India’s position in the global electronics manufacturing and design hub. The successful implementation of the first phase has led to…
Policy UpdateNinchen Tamang Background The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and its successor, the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) form the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) policy framework for acquiring defence equipment and developing military capabilities. Over time, this framework has evolved from…
Policy UpdateVibha Sethi BACKGROUND With the rapid expansion of India’s digital marketplace and internet user base, the government required a comprehensive legal framework to secure personal data and govern corporate processing practices. ● Policy Inception ● Need and Rationale ●…
Policy UpdatePrisha Sachdeva Background IndiaAI Mission was launched in March 2024 and is centered on addressing existing gaps in data, research, and skill mismatch so that the benefits of AI can contribute to the growth of our country. The Ministry…