SPRF
Rising global temperatures are intensifying climate hazards at an unprecedented rate. In 2025, the global annual average temperature increase reached 1.44 ± 0.09 °C (2.60 ± 0.17 °F) above the pre-industrial period, making it the third warmest year on record (Berkeley Earth, 2026). India, among the most climate vulnerable countries, experienced extreme weather events on 99 […]
Introduction The recently concluded India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a landmark deal in the growing strategic partnership between the two countries across wide-ranging industries including fintech, renewable energy, education, and even film production. A key aspect of this revitalised economic relationship is the ‘India-UK Vision 2035’, a roadmap for renewed defence partnership, forging a […]
Framing India’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy Terrorism has been an unfortunate reality in India for several decades. In India’s independent history, the country faced several threats from internal and external terrorism groups, claiming several lives. The leadership of India has strongly opposed and drafted laws against terrorism over the decades to confront these unprompted instances of violence. […]
Introduction In 2025, India experienced extreme weather events on 99% of the days from January to September, resulting in over 4,000 deaths, with heavy rains, floods and landslides accounting for the majority of these fatalities (Down to Earth, 2025). The recent floods in Punjab have affected nearly 20 lakh people with more than 3 lakh […]
Data is one of the fundamental pillars of evidence-based decision-making, fostering trust through transparency, which ultimately leads to better governance in a country. While developed economies have already established a robust national statistical ecosystem to ensure a steady flow of data within their countries, developing nations still struggle to generate even the most basic statistical […]
Introduction India’s challenge today is not a matter of choosing sides, but rather, how long it can manage not making a choice. For several decades after independence, the foreign policy of India was largely influenced by the principle of non-alignment, which meant that India did not align itself formally with any bloc, kept its strategic […]
The prevalence of mental illness in prison settings is significantly higher than in the general population—approximately 3-6 times higher, as available evidence indicates (Andersen, 2004; Fazel & Danesh, 2002; Lamb & Weinberger, 1998; Taylor, 2010; Wilper et al., 2009). Substance use disorders (alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, opioid, cocaine, benzodiazepines and other drugs) are the most frequently […]
Introduction The greatest challenge that we face in dealing with the juvenile justice system is to strike a balance by being both fair and just to the child in conflict with the law and the victim. The term ‘child’ is universally defined as any person under 18 years, as established by International law. As per […]
Introduction In criminal justice systems around the world, the question of “How dangerous is this person?” often shapes the outcome of sentencing and parole decisions. While several countries have turned to structured psychological tools such as the Historical-Clinical-Risk-20 (HCR-20) and Static-99 to bring transparency and consistency to these high-stakes judgments, India continues to rely almost […]
Introduction Perhaps nothing exemplifies the delicate balances that are crucial for successful growth of any industrial sector than the Indian drone industry, today. Caught between the disruptions and innovations of the fourth industrial revolution, risk and possibilities of an emerging nation in an increasingly globalizing world, policy regulation and liberalization, and, economic growth and inclusion—the […]
Introduction As India grapples with leveraging its manufacturing prowess to fuel its growth story with challenges emerging on the fronts of international trade, a closing demographic window, concerns of premature deindustrialization, etc., an analysis of what has been called as her de facto Industrial Policy—Production Linked Incentives, announced in 2020—becomes imperative (Dhar, 2024). Launched to […]
From healthcare to education, Artificial Intelligence hype has covered every sector, with some calling it the greatest breakthrough since splitting the atom (Price, 2023) while others leveling up their research on existential threats due to AI (Future of Life Institute, 2023). Whether or not AI is worth the hype, constant and steady progress is being […]
India’s demographic dividend—having more working-age than dependent population—provides for a significant opportunity for economic growth. The median age of the country stands at 28.4 years, which is significantly lower than countries like China, Japan, and the USA, which stand at 39.6, 49.4, and 38.3 years respectively (United Nations, n.d.). India’s current working age (15 to […]
Background The Yamuna River is deeply entrenched in historical & cultural significance but yet it stands as a stark contrast to its once life-giving form. Flowing through the heart of Delhi, the river has been overwhelmed by decades of unchecked urbanisation, untreated sewage, and now stands as a reminder of the ecological consequences of urbanization […]