Issue Briefs

State of Mind: The ‘Lunatic’ in Prisons 

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 […]

The Use of Psychological Risk Assessment Tools in Sentencing

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 […]

Economy and Society

Up in the Air! Policy Overview of the Indian Drone Industry

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 […]

Economy and Society

Did the PLI Reap what it Sowed? An Intermediate Case Study of the Textile Sector

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 […]

Governance

Navigating India’s AI Governance Framework: Future Directions in #AIforAll

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 […]

Economy and Society

India’s Shifting Demographics and the Challenge of Elderly Care

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 […]

Environment and Energy

Yamuna Rejuvenation: Reimagining the Future of the River

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 […]

Environment and Energy

Guardians of the Grasslands: Recognizing India’s Pastoralist Communities

1. Background Amid the towering challenges of climate change, the quiet loss of pastoral lands may seem inconsequential to many. Still, for India’s pastoralist communities, it marks the erosion of a lifeline. Pastoralism is understood to be one of the oldest practices in India, where communities lead nomadic lives rearing livestock, with a multifaceted production […]

Gendered Labor and Climate Change: A Case for Eco-feminism

The structural foundation of our socio-economic system is built on an unequal footing between the genders. Yet, when it comes to an existential crisis like climate change, we are confused regarding women’s increased vulnerability (H.X. Goh, 2012). Climate change is now perceived as an active threat to humanity (United Nations, 2021), and whether willingly or […]

Algorithmic Blindness and Gender Sensitivities in Gig Work 

Introduction A significant amount of research has been focused on Female Labor Force Participation in the Indian context, which has pushed the boundaries of existing knowledge on labor theories (Mahajan and Ramaswami, 2017), (Klasen and Pieters, 2015), (Chen,1995), (Boserup, 1970). As these studies indicate, gendered inequalities in labor are not a monolith and can creep […]

Lights, Camera, Carbon! Film Industry & Sustainability

Introduction  The Indian film industry is vibrant, globally celebrated for its elaborate song-and-dance sequences, dazzling costumes, and colors. Think of the ever-familiar scene: a car exploding in a fiery burst as the hero (or the villain) walks in slow motion towards the camera, unscathed and unbothered. These high-octane sequences that thrill the audience symbolize the […]

Is India Ready for the Next Wave of Digital Threats?

Introduction India is currently witnessing a rapid digitisation in all aspects. As per the 79th National Sample Survey conducted in 2022-23, more than 85% of individuals above the age of 15 can use smartphones, whereas 59.8% individuals can use the internet. Even in the rural areas, the percentage of individuals who can use the internet […]

Urban Utopias, Ecological Dystopias: The Yamuna Riverfront and Its Discontents

In 2019, the NGT banned all farming activities on the Yamuna floodplains following a study by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute that found high levels of lead in vegetables and corresponding soil samples. Environmentalists are increasingly suggesting that farming does not threaten the region’s ecology, especially with the controlled use of fertilisers and pesticides