Op-Eds

Fifty years ago, in 1974, the landmark ‘Towards Equality’ report for the first time critically analysed the status of women in India. The report laid out the systemic barriers that confined Indian women to the margins of education, employment and politics. As we mark its golden jubilee, it is imperative to examine the progress made,...   Read More

The disparity between the coverage rates and actual reimbursements highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the design and implementation of health insurance schemes at both the Central and State levels. While a growing number of households are being covered by health insurance schemes, the real test lies in how well those schemes support...   Read More

What is the impact of rapid technological advancements on employment in the Indian economy? In this post, Kathuria and Dev analyse ‘Consumer Pyramids Household Survey’ data to explore this question. They note a consistent decline in the share of low-skilled workers across sectors, along with reduced employment prospects, particularly in the post-Covid-19 era. They advocate...   Read More

The global economic and financial order stands at the precipice of a seismic shift. Within just 24 hours of the new U.S. administration taking office, the early outlines of its vision are already signaling profound changes in how the United States engages with the world. Warnings about currency manipulation, coupled with proposals to create a...   Read More

What the year means for India’s ascent. The historical resonance of 2025 cannot be overstated. It marks the halfway point to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting progress and challenges in poverty alleviation, gender equality and climate action. It is an especially pivotal year in advancing regional commitments, such as the Addis Ababa...   Read More

Why India’s job crunch is on a longer spell By comparing data from two periods from the NSSO’s Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2020-21 and 2023-24, the shifting unemployment patterns can be better understood. These changes provide us with a clearer picture of labour force participation, economic recovery, and the specific obstacles different demographic groups...   Read More

The question of whether immigrants from countries with low levels of political trust bring those attitudes with them to their host societies has long been debated. This column leverages survey data from 38 countries, and exploits variation across countries, cohorts, and survey rounds, to show that immigrants exposed to institutional corruption during early adulthood (ages...   Read More

The article focuses on different types of crimes against women in Assam. The objective is to prospectively analyse the factors leading to major crimes in different districts of the state. The recent report on Crime in India Report, 2021 the National Crime Records Bureau highlights that Assam has reported the highest rate of crimes against...   Read More

While digitalisation has revolutionised the accessibility and administration of pension schemes in India, AI-driven predictive models can allow pension fund managers to make more informed decisions about investment strategies, risk management, and asset allocation. India’s pension sector has historically been limited in scope, with coverage predominantly available to government employees and a small fraction of...   Read More