SPRF
Introduction: Contexts and Contingencies The discourse around one of the key labour issues in India, today, adequately typifies a major objective in writing this paper. This relates to the ongoing conflict between the central government’s attempt to notify the four new Labour Codes, which were announced in 2020, and have been met with consistent protests […]
The recent decision of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) to include caste enumeration is monumental (The Indian Express, 2025). It has been unanimously welcomed as a major step towards a fuller understanding of caste based inequalities to better formulate policies. But the 16th decennial census is also loaded with aspects that make it […]
Abstract The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MGNREGS) is the world’s largest social protection programme (World Bank, 2012). Enacted in India in 2005, it guarantees 100 days of employment, in a year, to poor families, keeping the local government at the centre of the implementation of the program. The 73rd Amendment recognizes the village […]
Introduction In the May of 1990 when Montek Singh Ahluwalia delivered his seminal paper, “Towards a Restructuring of Industrial, Trade and Fiscal Policies” for an internal discussion in the government, a reservation on the question of labour was made for a later date, saying, “Reforms relating to labour legislation are also necessary. However, this is […]
Introduction Throughout India’s history, both pre- and post-independence, Maharashtra and West Bengal have been leaders in advancing social reforms for women. Maharashtra’s contributions include the pioneering efforts of Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule, who broke societal barriers by establishing the first school for girls in Pune. Reformers like Dhondo Keshav Karve further pushed […]
While the Female Labour Force Participation in the country is seeing a steady growth over the past few years, the number of women moving out of the workforce for multiple reasons including domestic and caregiving duties is considerably high.
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.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]