The paper studies the implication of AI-driven automation on the Indian job market. It examines the complex relationship between automation and human labor.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a global blueprint for addressing critical socio-economic and environmental challenges. In India, SDG localization has become a key strategy to ensure effective implementation at the state and district levels. This paper intends to present an analysis of the progress on SDG localization in the selected comparative cases, i.e., Delhi (North-West), Telangana (Hyderabad), Uttar Pradesh (Greater Noida), and West Bengal (Kolkata). It aims to quantitatively track and qualitatively assess the profiles of the district’s adaptation, customization, budgeting, and performance made so far on the local development plans and strategies in sync with the SDGs.
Intersectionality in Indian Politics: Beyond Age and Gender Anmol Yadav, Nandini Singh & Divyasri S N 1.Introduction By Anmol Yadav A crucial perspective for comprehending how caste, class, age, gender, and other characteristics interacting to influence political inclusion in India is intersectionality. This chapter compares the advantages enjoyed by others with the exacerbated obstacles encountered by marginalized groups, such as young women from underprivileged castes or rural areas. It draws attention to the systemic difficulties and achievements of people negotiating these intersections through case studies and historical research. The chapter examines present policies, highlighting their inadequacies in dealing with the complexities of crossing identities, and advocates for a more integrated approach to policy making. Intersectionality-based quotas, capacity-building efforts, and increased data collecting are among the recommendations for promoting inclusive government. Moving beyond isolated issues of youth and gender, this chapter advocates for a comprehensive framework that promotes equal representation and guarantees that India’s political system reflects its population’s variety. 2.Defining Intersectionality By Anmol Yadav The term “intersectionality” coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw describes how overlapping social identities result in distinct experiences of privilege or disadvantage. Intersectionality is very important in India, as caste, religion, gender, class, and geography all influence society. Just as young tribal men face different hurdles than urban youth, Dalit women face different political obstacles than upper-caste women. By providing insights into systemic disparities, intersectionality aids in the dissection of these overlapping inequalities. It finds chances for alliances and group efforts in addition to examining marginalization. By incorporating intersectionality into Indian politics, officials may promote inclusive representation and address the underlying causes of inequality. 3.Understanding Intersectionality in Indian Politics By Anmol Yadav 3.1 Historical Perspective Since the independence movement brought disparate groups together, intersectional identities have developed in Indian politics. While individuals like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi promoted an inclusive worldview, leaders like B.R. Ambedkar tackled caste-based inequality in addition to colonial tyranny. Women, Dalits, Muslims, and tribal people made substantial contributions while being marginalized in popular narratives; figures such as Sarojini Naidu, Begum Rokeya, and Ambedkar brought attention to the interaction of caste, class, gender, and religion. Demands for linguistic and cultural recognition led to the linguistic restructuring of states in 1956, which was a turning point in identity politics. Caste and class dynamics interacted with regionalism, as seen by statehood movements in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Crucial events highlighted the links between caste and class, such as the Mandal Commission’s recommendations for OBC reservations in the 1980s. Similarly, the 1985 Shah Bano case brought attention to the linkages of religion and gender in political discourse. These instances show how caste, gender, and religion have a significant impact on Indian politics. 3.2 Theoretical Framework Kimberlé Crenshaw’s introduction of the idea of intersectionality offers a useful prism through which to examine the overlapping and interconnected systems of privilege and discrimination. Ambedkar’s views on gender and caste in India are highly relevant to intersectional research. Caste, according to Ambedkar, was a system of gradated inequality that afflicted women and Dalits in diverse ways. Additionally, intersectionality is consistent with feminist ideas that challenge gender-based inequalities and Marxist theories that tackle class injustice. Scholars such as Gopal Guru, Kancha Ilaiah, and Uma Chakravarti have developed similar frameworks in India, looking at the ways that gender, caste, and class interact to influence the lived experiences of marginalized groups. Guru’s idea of “Dalit women’s standpoint” draws attention to the unique difficulties that Dalit women encounter as a result of being marginalized in both patriarchal and caste systems. The ability of intersectionality to examine the interactions between many identities within the socio-political environment makes it applicable to comprehending Indian political systems. REFERENCES Intersectionality and Political Mobilization: Exploring How Gender Intersects with Other Identities, such as Ethnicity, Religion, and Economics Psychology of Intersectionality of Gender as Well as Other Forms of Identity: Obstacles and Dilemmas Confronting Women’s Participation in Policy Making-Vandana Singh Electing Women in Ethnically Divided Societies: Candidates, Campaigns, and Intersectionality in Bihar, India Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color- Kimberle Crenshaw “Intersectionality in Practice: Reflecting on India’s Affirmative Action Policies” by Surinder Jodhka in Economic and Political Weekly (EPW). 4. Contemporary Relevance of Intersectionality in Politics By Nandini Singh 4.1. Case Studies of Political Leaders Several political leaders in India embody the principles of intersectionality, challenging multiple axes of marginalization. Mayawati, a Dalit woman leader, redefined political power structures as the four-time Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Chandrashekhar Azad, the leader of the Bhim Army, has emerged as a voice for Dalit rights while aligning with broader issues of constitutional democracy and social justice. Grace Banu, a Dalit transgender activist, challenges systemic exclusion through advocacy for transgender rights. Her political engagement highlights how caste and gender identity compound discrimination, reinforcing the need for inclusive policy making. 4.2. Discussion (Palanithurai, 2005) Studies have shown that female political representatives are more concerned with social issues such as health, poverty alleviation, community development, and family welfare. Gender equality is an essential element for the sustainable progress of any nation. The goal of all- round development of the nation can be achieved only by ensuring the equal participation of both genders in various fields. In India, women are worshiped as goddesses and on the other hand, they are discriminated against. If seen, the root cause of gender inequality in Indian society lies in the patriarchal system. Eminent sociologist Sylvia Walby studied the patriarchal system prevalent in Indian society, stating that “Patriarchalism in the process and system of social structure in which man dominates, oppresses and exploits women”. The exploitation of women due to gender differences is an age-old cultural phenomenon of Indian society. The patriarchal system in the society has gained its legitimacy and acceptance from our religious beliefs, be it Hindu, Muslim or any other religion. Gender-based discrimination is widespread in India. Here, from birth to death, from education to employment, from family to political level,
The article, “Redefining Algorithmic Governance: AI for People, Policy, and Progress,” explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in shaping public policy in India. It examines how AI is being integrated into governance, from predicting drought patterns to streamlining welfare distribution; while highlighting the challenges of algorithmic opacity, data privacy, and systemic bias. The piece raises critical questions about power dynamics in AI-driven decision-making, questioning whether true authority lies with the coder designing the algorithm, the policymaker implementing it, or the AI system itself. It draws comparisons with global AI governance models, such as the EU’s risk-based regulations, China’s state-driven approach, and the US’s corporate-influenced strategies to position India’s path forward.
Going beyond mere critique, the article presents concrete policy recommendations. It calls for the creation of an Independent AI Ethics Authority (AIEA) to oversee AI deployment, the adoption of Algorithmic Impact Assessments (AIA) to evaluate AI’s social and economic consequences, and the promotion of inclusive AI design to safeguard marginalized communities. Ultimately, the article argues that AI is not just a technological tool but a political force, capable of either reinforcing inequalities or driving inclusive progress. It emphasizes the need for transparent, accountable, and people-centric AI governance to ensure that technological advancements serve democratic values and the public good.
Incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial services can significantly improve financial inclusion in developing countries, especially in India, where a large segment of the population is either unbanked or inadequately served. Nonetheless, the application of AI in this area presents ethical dilemmas, such as bias, insufficient transparency, concerns regarding data privacy, and the possibility of marginalizing disadvantaged groups. This research paper aims to tackle these issues by creating a context-specific ethical AI framework designed for the Indian financial sector, focusing on principles of fairness, inclusivity, and accountability.
This paper examines the economic, social, and legal vulnerabilities of platform-based gig workers in India.
Women’s entrepreneurship drives economic growth and promotes gender equality in India. Despite this, many women face financial and digital hurdles that hinder their involvement. Initiatives from the government, such as Stand-Up India and Mahila e-Haat, aim to provide financial support and access to digital marketplaces, helping women entrepreneurs thrive. This study uses various cases to illustrate these programs’ positive effects while addressing ongoing challenges like financial illiteracy and bureaucratic barriers. To overcome these challenges steps like financial inclusion, digital literacy, and mentorship opportunities, can be taken to empower women-led businesses and create a more inclusive economy.
This study explores the impact of India’s 2020 farm laws on farmers, examining the reforms, resistance sparked, and their broader implications for agricultural sustainability. These laws aim to modernize the sector by increasing market freedom and reducing government control. Supporters believed it would empower farmers by providing more selling options, while critics feared it would favor big corporations and undermine Minimum Support Price (MSP) protection. Massive protests led to the laws being repealed in 2021, highlighting farmer concerns.
Intellectual property rights in the Digital age Srijan Vishwakarma, Rishita Golait, Aryan Bhardwaj, Prashant Pippal Abstract This study investigates the evolution and challenges of intellectual property rights (IPR) in the digital era. It explores how digital technologies have reshaped the landscape of intellectual property protection, focusing on copyright, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. The paper examines the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital rights management systems on IPR enforcement. It also addresses the global issues of IP protection in an interconnected digital world and proposes viable solutions for effective IP management. These solutions, if implemented, have the potential to significantly improve the management and protection of intellectual property rights in the digital age. Keywords: Intellectual Property Rights, Digital Age, Copyright Protection, Patent Law, Trademark Infringement, Artificial Intelligence, Open Source Software Introduction Intellectual property rights have undergone significant evolution since the first documented patent in Florence, Italy, in 1421. However, the digital revolution, a monumental milestone in this evolution, has fundamentally altered how intellectual property is generated, safeguarded, and enforced. The transition from manual to digital patent filing systems has streamlined verification procedures while introducing new challenges. Modern IPR frameworks now encompass emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, biotechnology, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology. The digital era has brought forth new challenges in content reproduction, distribution, and protection, necessitating stronger enforcement measures. The ease of data transfer and storage has led to a surge in piracy, trade secret theft, and geographical indicator misrepresentation. Recent cases, such as Anil Kapoor’s complaint against Simply Life India (CS(COMM) 652/2023), underscore the pressing need to address the new issues of preserving individual rights in an AI-powered future. The evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. The first ever recorded patent is from Florence, Italy, in 1421, which granted exclusive rights for 3 years exclusive right for his invention of a ship transportation machine to Filippo Brunelleschi; this tells us that IPR had existed for a very long time and had changing and evolving with the time. The primary change that occurred over this time is that, before, the patent had to be done manually in paperwork and submitted personally, making it a time-consuming process. Also, it was hard to verify the originality of the invention because it was challenging to match the patent with the existing one. However, in modern times, when patents are recorded digitally, it is easy to verify the originality of patents in records. Only products, machines, inventions and improvement methods were considered for patents before, but now AI, blockchain, biotechnology, genetic engineering & nanotechnology are also eligible for patents. The evolving landscape of IPR has improved and made it harder to plagiarize content, making it safer for copyright holders. Trademarks are now globally recognized and cannot be misused by local businessmen to misrepresent their products. However, the current IPR provides for stricter penalties for stealing trade secrets, as it is now more likely that a trade secret could be stolen with the use of technology. The impact of digital technology on IP In the current age of the world where technology has advanced so much, it has been happening often now that infringing on IPR has become an issue for copyright holders. In this digital world, it is easy to transfer and store data from one place to another, causing widespread piracy, stealing trade secrets & misrepresentation of geographical indicators. Scams like these are happening all around the world. Also, with the introduction of AI, which uses collected data from publically available data and user-generated data, Personality rights are under threat; for instance, in the case of Anil Kapoor’s lawsuit against Simply Life India (CS(COMM) 652/2023). In this case, Anil Kapoor’s face was morphed into another person by using AI deepfake for advertisement purposes, violating his Personality rights and IPR (Intellectual Property Right). Challenges of Copyright Protection in the Digital Age: A Detailed Analysis The digital era has dramatically challenged copyright protection, changing how creative works are reproduced, disseminated, and consumed. This section rephrases and reframes the most critical subjects and cites and references for each argument, highlighting the digital era’s impact on copyright protection.1. Product reproduction and distribution have become effortless in the digital age, revolutionizing the speed of copying and distributing intellectual property. Digital books, music, and movies can now be replicated and shared globally in a matter of seconds. This rapid distribution has significantly complicated the control of copyrighted content, underscoring the urgent need to address this issue.2. Mis-Measurement of utilization: Online publication of works has led to their unrestricted download, sharing, and redistribution availability. This extensive distribution makes it challenging to monitor and regulate the use of content, thereby complicating copyright enforcement.3. Complex Ownership Issues: The digital revolution has clouded and complicated intellectual information ownership. With the ease of copying and dissemination, identifying a work’s creator or legal owner is harder. This dilemma gets significantly more complicated when many parties claim ownership, highlighting digital ownership issues4. The expensive expense of law enforcement: Copyright enforcement in the digital age is costly and time-consuming. Due to the abundance of internet material, infringement is hard to spot. Additionally, prosecuting lawbreakers demands financial and administrative resources.5. International distribution: Digital material may be sent worldwide. However, due to national copyright laws, worldwide infringement is difficult to manage, and the international reach hampers enforcement. Impact Of Open Source Software On Intellectual Property This case study examines creating an IP portfolio to commercialize with a technology. Trade secrets, patents, and copyrights are key IP rights. OSS affects each of these rights, especially licensing constraints and IP protection.1. Trading Secrets: However, a changed ingredient selection code based on OSS with a restrictive license may need to be disclosed openly. This could potentially reveal the recipe’s trade secret, eroding its protection and posing a significant risk2. Patents: If the mixer control code uses OSS modules with restrictive licensing, control algorithm patent rights may be significantly limited. A restricted OSS license may mandate that software modifications—and perhaps the copyrighted invention—be made freely accessible.
The MoSPI’s 2022 publication “Guidance on Monitoring Framework on SDGs at the sub-national Level” inter alia includes the guidelines for the development of SDG-based National Indicator Framework (NIF) and State Indicator Framework (SIF), which facilitates localization and assists State Governments in the development and refinement of the sub-national level monitoring framework by providing comprehensive guidance. In consonance with the MOSPI’s NIF and SIF, NITI Aayog has released four reports titled ‘SDG India Index,’ covering indices for 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2023-24 based on the globally accepted Sustainable Development Solution Network (SSDN) methodology. These reports illustrate the challenges respective States/UTs face in monitoring SDGs at the sub-national level, along with the best practices being followed in the States/UTs for SDG monitoring. This mechanism of monitoring through indigenized dashboards has facilitated Evidence-Based Policy Making (EBPM) in Indian policy circles. These tools evaluate the performance of the states and union territories aligned with the NIF, providing both goal-wise scores, ranking, and a composite score (0-100) that reflects overall progress collated from the raw data. (PIB, 2024). Thus, the following article undertakes four case studies (i.e., Delhi, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal) to assess and delineate the attempts of SDG localization on the ground.
