policy circle image

Indonesia’s red white cooperatives, grey zone governance

President Prabowo’s nationwide Red‑White village cooperatives reveal a shift in Indonesia’s governance: state initiatives launched through personal directives, military mobilisation and extra-legal authority. Read more »
Unsafe food

Unsafe food exposes gaps in India’s food security

India has expanded food access, but weak testing and enforcement still leave consumers exposed to adulterated and unsafe food. #food #safety Read more »
Trade and sustainable development

Trade and sustainable development rules bring forests into FTA strategy

India’s Trade and sustainable development shift is moving forests into market access, export compliance and FTA negotiations. Read more »
Private investment in research

Private investment in research needs institutional freedom

Private investment in research now funds 45% of India’s R&D, but total spending remains low, especially in fundamental science. #reserach #education Read more »
MSME Bill

MSME Bill fixes dues, but skirts credit and infrastructure problems

The MSME Bill tackles delayed payments, while costly credit and weak industrial infrastructure continue to restrain smaller firms. #MSMEBill Read more »
Closing schools

Closing schools put the right to education at risk

Closing schools and merging them can improve staffing, but rural access to education must be measured before governments claim savings. #schools #education #NEP Read more »
Energy consumption policy

Energy consumption policy misreads consumer behaviour

Energy consumption policy can overstate efficiency gains when it ignores habits, social norms and changes in consumer behaviour. #energy Read more »
india governance

Governance lessons from a civil servant’s frontline

Book Review | Insights from the Frontlines of Governance: Reflections of a Civil Servant by Suresh Kumar Read more »
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and india

Mecca Joint Defence Agreement raises stakes for Iran, India

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement may deepen military ties among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey while raising nuclear concerns for neighbours. Read more »
CJP movement success

CJP movement: Digital protest is reshaping democratic accountability beyond elections

The CJP protest reveals digitally driven mobilisation increasingly influencing governance while established parties retain enduring electoral dominance. Read more »