Op-Eds

Unlike in most economies, employment doesn't translate into protection from intimate partner violence for women in India. Perversely, they suffer a higher risk especially if they earn more. The immense potential of India’s large population, particularly women, remains largely underutilised in its rapidly growing economy. Female labour force participation remains nearly 20 percentage points lower...   Read More

Will machines that think also forget?  Artificial intelligence is now irreversibly out of Pandora’s box, as Martin Wolf of the Financial Times observed, and we must learn to live with machines that can think. The real concern, however, is not just the intelligence of these machines but what they might choose to forget. For centuries,...   Read More

Waste management is the responsibility of municipal bodies in urban India. But these local bodies have inadequate waste-disposal facilities and poor resources. The excess dumping of waste at the Dhapa ground has been a cause of concern for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The civic body is looking for an alternative dumping ground as Dhapa is...   Read More

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