Ever wondered how automation will change the world? Maybe you puzzle over what India could do to ease traffic congestion, or how China's aircraft carriers will transform Indian Ocean geopolitics?
All Things Policy, a daily podcast brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, brings you all the answers. Every weekday, our researchers break down complex economic and geopolitical ideas through the lens of current events.
For everyone from the busy executive to the curious student, All Things Policy is all you'll need to understand the world (and appreciate your breakfast) better.
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What Makes The Chinese S&T Ecosystem Tick?
China's tech innovation has excelled despite a heavy-handed state crackdown on the private sector. Disruptors like Deepseek have emerged, and policy signals from the recent private tech entrepreneurs' symposium and the National People's Congress seem to finally ease on businesses, promising only to ...
China's Exports of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs)
China has emerged as one of the world's leading developers of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). This is reflected in China's exports of UCAVs, especially across West Asia and Central Africa. In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Adya Madhavan, researcher with ...
Economic Boycotts: Bane or Boon?
From France to Canada, headlines across the world are reporting consumer boycotts as a way for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with global economic policies. In France, for example, a widely cited poll in mainstream French media reported that 6 out of 10 French consumers supported a moveme...
Tracking Wildfires: Mapping Impacts and Risks
Wildfires are increasing in intensity and frequency—but do we know their extent? In this episode of All Things Policy, Swathi Kalyani and Keerthishree dissect India's wildfire hotspots, the shifting patterns of wildfires, and the challenges that come with them. We also look at California's catastrop...
The Times They Are A-Changin': The Descent of Dissent
In this episode, Shobhankita (Research Analyst, Takshashila), Kripa and Suman (Programme Managers, Takshashila) discuss the dwindling number of movies with themes around dissent. They examine a timeline of Hindi films from the 50s onwards to analyse the reasons for this change and its implications f...
State of AI Governance
In this episode of All Things Policy, Bharath Reddy and Rijesh Panicker discuss their upcoming report on AI governance. Stay tuned till the end for their predictions on the future of AI governance!The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the th...
Mauritius, India and China: The Tug of War in the Indian Ocean
In this episode of All Things Policy, Maya Patra and Swathi Kalyani discuss Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Mauritius, analysing India’s strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean. The conversation contrasts India’s developmental approach—rooted in historical ties and security cooperation—with C...
A Deep-Dive Into India's Venture Capital Ecosystem
Startups are integral to the Indian growth story. From grocery delivery app Zepto to HR software Darwinbox, we frequently come across news of Indian startups raising millions of dollars from venture capital (VC) funds. But why are startups, including deep tech ones, funded by a specific class of inv...
India-US Trade: India's Strategic Options
In this episode of All Things Policy, Anupam Manur, Shikha Tomar, and Anisree Suresh delve into the intricacies of India-US trade relations amidst reciprocal tariff threats from the US. They explore India's strategic options and propose that a bilateral treaty, coupled with the opening up of key sec...
Trump's World: What are India's Options?
Is Donald Trump truly remaking American foreign policy? How might his actions impact great power politics? In this episode of All Things Policy, Manoj Kewalramani and Aditya Ramanathan take a hard look at India's choices in an uncertain world.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tail...
Identity and Protest: The Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Story
In this episode of All Things Policy, Adya Madhavan is in conversation with Malik Moin Abbas about identity in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Moin delves into the historical narratives that were perpetuated and the many factors that led to a change. The 2024 protests in the region in particular, wer...
People’s Networks: How Community Media is Transforming Local Governance in India
Community networks that function as media platforms—such as community radio, grassroots journalism, and digital collectives—are empowering people to take control of the narratives that shape their lives. From Sangam Radio in Telangana to Khabar Lahariya’s fearless rural journalism, these community-d...
Women Leadership in Sports
In this episode of All Things Policy, Vaidehi Vaidya (Founder and MD - Women In Sports India) shares with Malathi Renati the toolkit her organization is developing to gather data-driven insights aimed at identifying and addressing barriers to women's leadership in sports. They also discuss the econo...
Curiosity in the Age of AI
In this episode of All Things Policy, Wini Fred Gurung and Sourav Mannaraprayil explore a critical question: Is AI quietly killing our curiosity and critical thinking or simply making us more efficient? As AI tools like ChatGPT become ubiquitous in education, work, and creative fields, the duo exami...
Rising Mercury: India's Heat Challenge
The Indian Meteorological Department recently issued heatwave alerts for districts in Karnataka and Kerala. In this episode, Swathi Kalyani and Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam, part of the Geospatial Programme at the Takshashila Institution, explore the definition of heatwaves, its impact across sectors and co...
Redefining Gender Policies in the Indian Subcontinent
While global gender frameworks set crucial benchmarks, they often fail to capture the localised realities of the Indian subcontinent, where identity, mobility, and political structures shape women’s experiences in ways Western models overlook. In this episode of All Things Policy, AIshwaria Sonavane...
Is a Rose by Any Other Name Still a Rose? How Do You Know?
In India, many plants serve both as food and medicine. Shambhavi Naik discusses with Megha (@meghaphd), Varun from TDU, and Bob Allkin from the Royal Botanic Gardens about the use and regulation of medicinal plants.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delv...
Australia-India Ties in the Trump Era
Donald Trump’s second term in the White House has resulted in allies and partners, like Australia and India, adjusting to new geopolitical realities. In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani speaks to Lisa Singh, the CEO of the Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne, about how Australia ...
Walking the Talk on Walkability
How walkable are India’s cities? Are our footpaths safe and accessible? In this episode, Kripa Koshy, Suman Joshi, and Sarthak Pradhan discuss the state of pedestrian infrastructure in Indian cities. They explore the key obstacles to walkability and reflect on potential solutions to make our cities ...
Megaphone vs Muffled Diplomacy: Does shouting across borders work?
In this episode, Vanshika Saraf sits down with Rushali Saha to unpack the shifting dynamics between Delhi and Dhaka. More than six months after Sheikh Hasina’s exit and a new interim leadership in Bangladesh, bilateral relations are at a crossroads. Can India recalibrate its strategy and move beyond...
Do Populists Make Populist Foreign Policy?
In this episode of All Things Policy, Wini Fred Gurung and Rishabh Yadav discuss Rishabh’s paper “Do populists make populist foreign policy: Pakistan's foreign policy under Imran khan,” which looks at the linkages between Populism and foreign policy where civilian supremacy is lacking.The PGP is a c...
India-Turkey-Pakistan: Geopolitical Triad
Join Aishwaria Sonavane and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we explore one of the most consequential yet understudied strategic relationships in Eurasia. The Turkey-Pakistan alliance has evolved from cultural kinship to a comprehensive strategic partnership with profound ...
The Most Dangerous Place on Earth
Cross-Strait relations between China and Taiwan have seldom been without tensions. Developments from the past few days, however, have ignited military and political skirmishes between the two sides once again. In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena discuss the takeaway...
Bengaluru’s Metro Fare Hike: Necessary Move or Commuter Nightmare?
Bengaluru Metro’s recent fare hike has sparked plenty of frustration—while BMRCL insists it’s necessary to stay afloat, commuters are feeling the pinch. With rising transport costs, is public transport losing its edge as an affordable alternative?In this episode of All Things Policy, host Sourav Man...
Out With The Old, In With The New - India's Industrial Policies
One of the key objectives of any economy’s industrial policy is to boost domestic manufacturing. India’s manufacturing sector, however, has remained stagnant. In addition, India's industrial policies have sometimes violated WTO norms and resulted in a number of trade disputes. Is India creating norm...
Takeaways from the Paris AI Action Summit
In this episode of All Things Policy, Rohan Pai and Shobhankita Reddy discuss the recently concluded Paris AI Action Summit that was co-chaired by France and India. What are the outcomes of the summit and why did the US and the UK decline to sign the summit's final statement? What are the implicatio...
GOA(T): The Greatest of Agri Tourism?
In this episode of All Things Policy, Aparna Rajesh and Maya Patra discuss the Goa State Amrit Kaal Agriculture Policy 2025 and its emphasis on agri-tourism. The policy aims to integrate agriculture with tourism, providing farmers with additional income streams through farm stays, experiential visit...
Howdy Modi 2.0?
India's PM Narendra Modi became one of the first state leaders to pay a visit to the US as Trump 2.0 completes a month in office. Join Anushka Saxena and Amit Kumar in this episode of ATP where they discuss whether Modi's visit succeeded in assuaging the anxieties surrounding the Indo-US ties.The P...
Metropolis Matters: India’s Urban Challenges & Fixes
Have you found yourself frustrated with some of the issues you face every day in your city? Be it real estate prices or public transport systems? In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer Karandikar unpacks some of the problems that plague India's cities today and outlines some measures that can ...
'Loiter'-ally Speaking: Gender Responsive Urban Design in India
How can cities be designed to be more inclusive and accessible for women? In this episode of All Things Policy, Maya and Aparna explore gender-responsive urban design in India—examining how public transport, street lighting, and city planning impact women's mobility and safety. They discuss global b...
Landmarks and Legends: How Maps Led the Way
Throughout history, Humans have crossed forests and the sea using their navigation skills. Europeans leveraged maps for conquering foreign lands and improving their administration. As we rely so much on technology for our movements in the present, how did people of the past navigate unfamiliar lands...
Decoding R&D in the Union Budget 2025-26
A budget reflects the government's priorities. The union finance minister presented the budget a few days back. Given the role of research and development (R&D) in fostering innovation and driving economic growth, it is worth exploring the union budget provisions to facilitate R&D in India - What do...
Innovation Policy, AI and Economic Growth
Join Abhishek Nagaraj and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we discuss innovation policy, private sector R&D and AI. In today's world of techno-nationalism, where technological supremacy is considered to be an indicator of a country's prowess, and in the ever-evolving lands...
Breaking Down India’s Defence Budget 2025-26
In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria and Anushka unpack India’s defence budget for FY 2025-26, exploring spending priorities, capital allocation, and strategic implications. They examine how India is balancing military modernisation, operational readiness, and rising pension costs, while ...
Futureproofing AI: America's Play in Global Tech Control
In this episode, Vanshika Saraf sits with Ashwin Prasad to understand the strategic nuances of the U.S. AI diffusion framework, exploring how it aims to position America for technological leadership in a future dominated by advanced AI. They discuss the motivations behind these regulations, their ge...
China’s Yarlung Tsangpo Mega Dam: Power or Peril?
China has approved the construction of a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, yet key details about its impact assessment remain undisclosed. The recent earthquakes in Tibet and their associated damage highlight the potential risks of such large-scale initiatives. The latest edition of...
South Asia's battle with Locust
In today's episode of All Things Policy, Shree Keerthi and Swathi Kalyani discuss the world of locusts, exploring their origins, evolution, and swarming behaviour. Locust infestations pose significant challenges for both the government and farmers. Swarms threaten crops, but GIS technology and remot...
Making Sense of the DeepSeek News Story
The big news story in artificial intelligence is the R1 model from DeepSeek, a chinese AI lab. Shobhankita and Rijesh from the Takshashila Institution's High-Tech Geopolitics programme explore why this is newsworthy and what this means for the AI community in India as well as globally.The PGP is a c...
The Joy of Play: Nurturing Active Citizens (Pt.2)
This is the second of a 2-part series. Childhood is precious! How can we guarantee that India's youth receive a well-rounded and enriching education where play is seamlessly integrated into learning?
Malathi Renati hosts the authors of Get Kids to Play—Saumil Majmudar (CEO and Co-founder of SportzVi...
The Joy of Play: Nurturing Active Citizens (Pt.1)
Childhood is precious! How do we ensure India’s youth experience a fulfilling and holistic education, where play is part and parcel of learning?
Malathi Renati hosts the authors of “Get Kids to Play”, Saumil Majmudar (CEO and Co-founder SportzVillage) and Vijay Krishnamurthy (Sports Researcher and E...
India's Leap into Hypersonic: Scramjet Technology
In this episode of All Things Policy podcast, Ashwin Prasad and Avinash Shet discuss the scramjet engine technology. Motivated by the ground test of the scramjet engine by DRDL, a DRDO lab, we discuss the importance of this successful test. We unravel the technology behind the scramjet engine and ex...
Solving Mumbai's Urban Congestion
In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer Karandikar and Anisree Suresh explore the latest proposed policy by the Maharashtra government to mandate individuals to own or secure a parking space to buy a car in Mumbai. They examine the intricacies of the proposed policy and suggest how congestion p...
The Future of Work for Domestic Workers in India
How can conditions be created where domestic workers can flourish through their engagements and employment? Why domestic workers, though - They cook, clean, and care for our homes, yet their own working conditions remain precarious and invisible. With estimates ranging from 4 million to over 50 mill...
India's Challenges in the Air
There are numerous challenges facing India in the aerial domain. Lack of pace of modernisation, China’s rapid pace of acquisition and technological advances including a new 6th gen fighter. Air Marshal TD Joseph (Retd.) and Yusuf Unjhawala discuss how India can defend itself in this situation.
All ...
Reflections on the AI Guidelines Report
An Advisory Group, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, has been formed to develop an India-Specific AI Regulatory Framework. A subcommittee within this group has released a guidelines report that is currently open for consultation. Rijesh Panicker and Bharath Reddy unpack and discuss the re...
Seoul-o? Policy Interventions to Tackle Loneliness in South Korea
In 2024, the City of Seoul announced that it would spend $325 million over the next five years to “create a city where no-one is lonely”. The initiative proposed a series of interventions ranging from a 24/7 counselling helpline to more green spaces and nutritional meal plans. But is there a role fo...
The Dealmaker Returns to Negotiate a New World Order
With his return to the Oval Office for a second term, US President Donald Trump has promised a 'Golden Age' for America. But questions loom large as to his stance on the US's precious alliances, his approach to deal with the war in Ukraine and the intensifying contestation with China, and his commit...
Bus or Bus(t): Karnataka's Shakti Policy
The Shakti program offers free bus travel for women and transgender individuals in Karnataka, boosting workforce participation and financial freedom for marginalized communities. While it has increased ridership and saved money for millions, challenges like overcrowding, harassment, and insufficient...
A New Approach to the De-Risking Debate
In the latest episode of 'All Things Policy', Anushka Saxena quizzes Amit Kumar on his approach and framework to determine sectors of vulnerability in the burgeoning and asymmetric India-China Trade Relationship. Amit also sheds light on why electronic and electrical components, machinery and machin...
China's Clean Technologies and Climate Commitments
In this episode, Rakshith hosts Lauri Myllyvirta, a co-founder and lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) as well as a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's China Climate Hub. Lauri has spent the past decade as an energy analyst focusing on climate, ene...