SPRFDriving evidence-based policy change. We deliver impactful, non-partisan research across economics, governance, environment & climate change, foreign & defense policy, and human rights & law, focusing on monitoring and evaluating policy progress in crucial areas impacting society. We bridge the gap between research and public policy.
This project seeks to explore the nuances of the Indian welfare state, and draw comparisons between the welfare approaches taken by different governments at the state and centre. Particularly, the project will involve exploring the political environment during which major welfare regimes and institutions were created, the management of these institutions by the central and state governments and the political economy of welfare in Indian public life.
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Background The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a remote archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, are renowned for their pristine beaches, rich biodiversity and vibrant indigenous cultures. Much of the rich biodiversity has remained undiscovered in parts of the islands, and the fragile ecosystem faces significant environmental challenges. The island of Great Nicobar, a part of […]
Abstract India is currently at a complex standpoint since, as the most populous country, it is continuously exploring new and alternative energy due to its growing energy needs. Yet, it is now also among the largest emitters in the world. Amidst India’s energy transition goals, the country is moving towards expanding its share of renewable […]
The 2024 Indian general elections was the largest, and consequently, the most expensive election ever held, in the world. Notably, social media emerged as a dominant theatre of political campaigning, with parties spending large amounts of money on advertising, on platforms such as Meta, and on running Google advertising campaigns. However, the large-scale embrace of […]
The region shares borders with Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), China and Aksai Chin, Tibet, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Several of these neighbours, notably Pakistan and China, have caused conflicts in India. Additionally, border tensions with Myanmar and sporadic conflicts with Bangladesh have further highlighted the strategic importance of the Himalayas.
The recent Supreme Court ruling on electoral bonds has brought attention to the nature of political finance and its implication for democratic attitudes in the country. Notably, the first election held after the Electoral Bond Scheme of 2018, the 2019 Indian General Election, stands out as the largest and the most expensive Indian election to […]
Overview of Aadhaar Aadhaar has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s identity infrastructure since its inception in 2009, revolutionising the way the residents of India authenticate their identity. Aadhaar was introduced as a means to provide a unique identification number to every resident of India and to provide access to public services and welfare schemes […]
In the contemporary world, the Internet and social media have become dominant forms of digital media, often used for news dissemination. In many cases, the information accessed via these mediums can become trojan horses for misinformation and propaganda. While social media has allowed for unfiltered global news to reach every single corner of the earth, it has also led to a deceptive idea of the world, which can often differ from the ground reality. This shaping of perception through digital media is also a significant part of Indian politics, and in this month’s editor’s pick, we look at some of our work that navigates the intersections of social media and Indian politics.
The 2024 Indian general elections was the largest, and consequently, the most expensive election ever held, in the world. Notably, social media emerged as a dominant theatre of political campaigning, with parties spending large amounts of money on advertising, on platforms such as Meta, and on running Google advertising campaigns. However, the large-scale embrace of […]
ABSTRACT This issue brief inquires into the presence of Dalit voices in media by employing ‘politics of presence’ as a conceptual tool for analysis. These voices in the media reflect how issues related to the Dalits are interpreted and how much they shape the discourse at the national and international level. While tracing the presence […]
Introduction Election campaigning in India, the world’s largest democracy, has undergone a profound transformation in recent decades. From traditional methods relying on grassroots mobilisation and rallies to the integration of sophisticated technology and data-driven strategies, the evolution of election campaigning reflects broader societal changes and advancements in communication and information technology. Independence from British rule […]
The revolutionary digital transformation of our world in the twenty-first century has impacted almost all aspects of our life. The trajectories of such changes across various countries are, however, uneven. Cheap and affordable gadgets and accessible internet services are instrumental in India’s digital revolution. There are now over 450 million mobile internet users in India […]
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The term Shershabadi (original Shershabadia) has direct reference to the community’s place of origin, i.e., the former Jawar-e-Sarsabad, which comprised parts of Murshidabad, Malda in West Bengal, and Sahibganj district in Jharkhand.
Owing to various social, political, and environmental reasons, they migrated from their place of origin, and are now settled in Kishanganj and its neighbouring districts, in Bihar. Originally a community of settled agriculturists, they slowly dispersed along the river banks and tried to make a living through cultivation.
arrow_outwardThe photo story captures the neighbourhood which falls under the administration of Tiruchirappalli City Municipal Corporation and is navigating complex ecological, geographical, and governance problems.
arrow_outwardMalihabad, tehsil and Nagar panchayat in Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh is famous for its mangoes. The Malihabadi Dussehra, a variety of mango, got its Geographical Indicator [GI] tag in 2009[1]. Even though Mangoes are widely consumed across the subcontinent, a common narrative of all the mango cultivators of the region is: “Everybody loves mangoes, but no one wants to make the lives of mango farmers any better.”
arrow_outwardn the east of Delhi lies Ghazipur. Over the years, Ghazipur has become an essential route and a stop for people looking to purchase flowers for special occasions.
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