Blogs and Articles

Paradox of Democracy in India: Election Commission’s SIR and the Battle Over ‘The People’ Introduction The paradox of democracy in India becomes evident when the state, which is a creation of the people, acquires the power to decide who truly belongs to ‘the people’. The legitimacy of a modern democratic state rests on the principle […]

Mandatory Digital Systems in Welfare Delivery: Evaluating ABBA, Aadhaar and Geo-Tagging in India Ensuring efficient and corruption-free welfare delivery remains a persistent administrative challenge in India, where leakages, absenteeism, and weak monitoring have historically undermined programme outcomes. Over the last decade, governments have increasingly adopted mandatory digital systems in welfare delivery such as Aadhaar-Based Biometric

Socio-Economic Challenges in India’s Coal Phase-Out: A Critical Analysis & Just Transition Measures Socio-Economic Challenges in India’s Coal Phase-Out: A Critical Analysis & Measures for a Just Transition The socio-economic challenges in India’s coal phase-out are deeply intertwined with regional employment, energy security, state finances, and the pace of renewable energy adoption. A coal phase-out,

India’s Moment of Reckoning: Is It Becoming an Outlier in Global Politics? Introduction: India’s strategic environment in the mid-2020s is marked by heightened regional volatility, sharpening great-power contestation, and a rise in non-traditional security threats, prompting many analysts to describe the present as a “moment of reckoning” for Indian foreign policy. The assertion that India

How Retrospective Environmental Clearances in India Weaken Accountability and Deterrence Retrospective environmental clearances in India have emerged as a contentious feature of environmental governance, raising serious concerns about accountability, deterrence, and the integrity of regulatory institutions. Introduction • Retrospective or ex post facto environmental clearances refer to the practice of granting Environmental Clearances (ECs) to

Colombo Security Conclave: India’s Strategic Challenge Amid Growing Chinese Presence in the Indian Ocean Introduction The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) has emerged as a crucial sub-regional security framework in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), focusing on maritime security, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and transnational crime. The strategic relevance of the CSC is amplified by the Indian Ocean’s

How Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Became a National Development Priority in India Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is no longer just a medical issue—it has evolved into a national development priority for India, influencing public health, economic productivity, agriculture, environment, and governance structures. Introduction • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microbes such as bacteria, fungi,

India’s HIV Epidemic Control Strategy vs TB Eradication Efforts: Key Differences & State-Level Variations Explained India’s HIV epidemic control strategy and its current TB eradication efforts represent two contrasting public health journeys shaped by institutional design, disease characteristics, and State-level variations. While India managed to reduce HIV prevalence through targeted interventions and autonomous bodies, tuberculosis

Disaster Financing in India: Outdated Relief Norms, Ambiguous Classifications and Procedural Delays Introduction India’s disaster-financing architecture and overall disaster financing in India, anchored in the Disaster Management Act, 2005, was designed to uphold cooperative federalism, ensure timely inter-governmental transfers, and provide predictable financial support to States during calamities. However, the increasing frequency and intensity of

Four Labour Codes: India’s Biggest Structural Reform After GST The Four Labour Codes represent one of India’s most important structural reforms after GST, aiming to modernise labour governance, simplify laws, and strengthen worker protection. India’s labour regulatory architecture has historically been fragmented, consisting of more than 40 Central laws and about 100 State laws, leading