Commentaries

Environment and Energy

Navigating the Road to Sustainability: Vehicle Scrapping Policy 

Introduction The transport sector is estimated to emit 12 per cent of the CO2 emissions in India, making it one of the top contributors to pollution in the country. Vehicle Scrapping Policies (VSP) have been introduced as incentive programs that encourage the replacement of old vehicles with newer, more efficient vehicles. On the face of it, […]

What is the Aravalli Forest Safari Project?

The Aravalli Forest project is the Haryana government’s visionary project for a colossal 10,000-acre zoo safari in the Aravallis of Gurgaon and Nuh. The proposal incorporates the importance of wildlife conservation by setting goals to accommodate an array of animals, including big cats, amphibians, and herbivores. It also includes a bird park and nature trails […]

Traditional agricultural practices in a Satpuran river watershed: Dangarwari and Pahari kheti

Several small streams, channels of flowing water and rivulets drain to constitute one larger and broader mainstem stream in the form of a river. The drainage or catchment of a river becomes a significant area where the dynamic interaction between two vital natural resources that make life possible on earth—soil and water—take place. The interface […]

Decoding the Gender Budget and Its True Gains for ‘Naari Shakti’

Most discussions surrounding ‘Naari Shakti’ (women’s power) have focused on one term: the Gender Budget. Headlines across news channels claim a massive increase in the gender budget—from ₹2.38 lakh crores in 2023-24 to ₹3.27 lakh crores under the 2024-25 Union Budget—an increase of ₹89,000 crores, or 37%. But what do these numbers mean? Compared to […]

Unravelling the Threat: Rising Climate Risks and Landslides in India

The technology to map landslides for India has previously been highly dependent on larger data sources; however, readiness for landslides can prevent a high level of human and ecology loss. India accounts for 8% of the global fatalities due to landslides, yet they are not considered as devastating as floods, storms, and droughts. In the […]

Period Poverty and Public Policy: Challenges and Solutions

500 million women and girls around the world suffer from period poverty, according to World Bank estimates. In India, one can estimate numbers on the basis of different national level datasets which shed light on different aspects of the menstrual management practices of the country’s female population.

Human Rights & Law

Issues with the Current Women’s Representation at the State and National Level

While the representation of women MPs/MLAs across India is already low, standing at 9%, another concerning factor is their representation within the party itself and how it determines their effective influence on decision-making. Rai (2012) notes that narratives from women MPs unmistakably convey a significant frustration with and reliance on political parties. These narratives clearly […]

Governance

The Criminality Conundrum: Navigating Challenges in Indian Electoral Politics

Introduction The landmark case of People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) Vs The Union of India 2003, was the turning point for transparency with regards to elections, as it made it mandatory for contesting candidates to declare their criminal records in their affidavits accessible to the public. Quoted by P.V Reddi in his judgement from […]

Governance

Demystifying the Model Code of Conduct

As we inch closer to the start of one of the most cardinal and exhaustive exercises in Indian democracy, we reflect on one of the major frameworks instituted by the Election Commission of India to determine standards of political behaviour prior to elections. In 1960, it was referred to as the ‘Minimum Code of Conduct’ […]

Governance

Aadhaar in India: Catalyst for Inclusive Public Service Delivery or Challenge to Privacy and Equity

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 […]

Governance

Contours of Caste Census: The Kerala Quandary

Introduction The state of Bihar published the ‘Bihar Caste-based Survey 2022’ in October 2023, revealing that the combined population of Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) constitutes almost 63% of the state’s 13-crore population, establishing them as the largest caste group in the state. This revelation sparked the demand for a caste […]

Environment and Energy

India at COP28: Negotiations and Commitments

India has always been strongly positioned in international climate action dialogues. It is considered a big player in investments and advocacy, as well as a central voice for climate financing, especially for what is considered the global south. At the recent COP28 hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai, India again advocated for the […]