Research Papers

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Shadows in the Margins: A Look at Trafficking among India’s Vulnerable Communities

The National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2024 raises the slogan ‘Freedom’s not for sale; fight modern slavery.’ Human Trafficking affects more than 27.6 million people worldwide, according to the International Labour Organisation (Blinken, 2023), also estimating that in 2022, 3.3 million children were being trafficked for sexual and labour exploitation at any given time. 

Mahadayi Water Dispute: A Perplexing Question of Freshwater Needs

Inter-state water disputes pose complex challenges, intertwining the needs of various stakeholders with ecological imperatives. This article delves into the Mahadayi River dispute, highlighting the perspectives of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa, while probing the perplexing questions surrounding equitable water allocation and environmental preservation.

Women’s Mobility and Public Transportation: How Gendered is Movement in Urban India?

Introduction  The social and economic emancipation of women cannot be discussed without one of the critical elements which continues to enable this change—mobility. This paper explores the concept of spatial mobility as experienced by women in urban and rural spaces, and draws connections with institutional measures undertaken through gender-based reservations in public transportation in the […]

Towards Equality and Inclusivity: The Case of Transgender Horizontal Reservation

Abstract This article delves into the need for horizontal reservation for transgender individuals in India, particularly after the recent Madras High Court judgement. It examines the concept, distinguishing it from vertical reservation, explains its rationale for advancing transgender rights, and discusses the limitations of vertical reservation. The paper also provides insights into the current state […]

Contours of Justice: Human Rights and Constitutionality of Capital Punishment in India

Background: Theory of Capital Punishment and Law Commission Reports Capital Punishment involves the legal killing of a person who has committed any crime punishable by death under a legal system, such as terrorism or murder. The practice of capital punishment has existed in all nations across the world. In India, capital punishment remains a highly […]

Sheltering Dignity: Exploring the Hurdles in PMAY-U Implementation

Abstract As India undergoes rapid urbanisation, the challenge of providing suitable, affordable, and quality housing has become more pronounced. This paper examines the housing challenges in urban India, emphasising issues of dispossession, prolonged resettlement waits, slum redevelopment challenges, and governance issues. The paper focuses on the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), arguing for its comprehensive […]

Distress or Growth? Exploring the Recent Trends in Women’s Labour Force Participation

Abstract This discussion paper critically examines the recent surge in female labour force participation in rural India, utilising key labour market metrics such as the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker-Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR). The analysis unveils the complex dynamics behind this increase, drawing from diverse data sources, including the Periodic Labour […]

Shimmers in a Dull Room: Experiences of Home-Based Women Artisans in the Kaamdani Craft

Fatima Juned Fahad Nahvi ABSTRACT The Kaamdani (also known as Muqaish) craft was traditionally done by men, however, over the years the craft has been feminised, employing home-based women workers. The women artisans in Lucknow function from within their homes, juggling between their family and work life. Home-based women artisans face challenges, which are common […]

India’s DISCOMs: Weak Link in the Power Sector

Authors: Neha Chauhan and Smriti Behl ABSTRACT: Power is among the most critical components of infrastructure and serves as a crucial metric for assessing the living standard of a country’s population. Unfortunately, a variety of problems plague India’s power sector. The poor financial health of power distribution companies has often been recognised as a critical […]

Language Endangerment and Culture Loss – A Case Study of Tai Khamti

  Author: Ritwiz Sarma ABSTRACT: Language has a deep and well-documented relationship with culture. Therefore, its loss has significant implications for communities’ cultural heritage. This study attempts to analyse the cultural impact of language loss in Tai Khamti speakers, an endangered language community native to North-Eastern India. Primary data is collected to assess cultural markers […]

The Delhi metro

Delhi Metro Rail System and the Need for An Inclusive Last-mile Connectivity System

  Author: Geetanjali Sharma Editor: Soumya Singhal   Abstract The Delhi Metro-Rail [DMR] System is an essential mode of mass transit that facilitates an integrated urban public transport system. However, poor last-mile connectivity impacts the DMR system’s ridership and makes it less inclusive for socio-economically marginalised groups. It is important to understand the issues related […]

India’s Land Reforms: Exemplifying the gap between principle and realisation

  Author: Arpita Victor Editor: Riya Singh Rathore   ABSTRACT Land rights are often touted as a means to empower the economically backward classes. The early completion of effective land reforms was key to the economic growth and development of many (now developed) countries. While the importance of land reforms was emphasised in newly independent […]

Safeguarding local communities against Industrial Development: A case study of Orissa

Author: Bhamini Rathor Editor: Soumya Singhal  Abstract Rural development projects have largely centred around the establishment of industries, such as steel plants and oil refineries, or industrial activities like mining. In the past, the coverage and scope of such projects have seen consistent growth. Development projects are also seen to provide job opportunities for the […]