IISPPR

Category: Public Policies

Public Policies
Ankit Pandey

Waste Management in India: An Analysis of Government Policies and Outcomes

Recommendations 

To tackle the chronic gaps in solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), a multi-pronged approach is the need of the hour. Community involvement has to be given top priority through behavior change campaigns focusing on segregation of waste at source, utilizing local institutions like schools and Panchayats for outreach targeting (Kumari, 2024). Incentivizing families through reward programs and incorporating multimedia aids in awareness campaigns can correct misunderstanding regarding waste disposal while emphasizing its health and environmental consequences (Patil, 2025). At the same time, decentralized infrastructure, such as biogas plants and compost pits, must be ramped up with strict controls on capacity levels to avoid overloading plants, while PPPs can improve maintenance and operational effectiveness of existing vermicomposting units (Ghosh et al., 2025). Strengthening liquid waste management by investing in drainage systems and leachate treatment technologies is also crucial (CPCB, 2022).

  Institutional capacity building and policy integration are essential to prevent ODF targets from overshadowing SLWM. A specific SLWM framework under SBM with distinct budgets and monitoring mechanisms would guarantee responsibility (Kumari, 2024). Educating municipal workers in waste management procedures and policy harmonization with circular economy values, e.g., encouraging recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives, can embed sustainable practices (ADB, 2021). Technological advancement should also be given high priority, e.g., Research and Development in affordable automated segregation technologies, biodegradable products for agricultural residues, and digital solutions such as waste-tracking apps to enhance transparency (Anand & Devi, 2023). Scaling pilot projects on managing menstrual waste would further ensure recycling and safe disposal of sanitary products.

In order to improve the enforcement of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, a few major recommendations arise. First, enforcement measures need to be strengthened by setting up strong monitoring systems at macro and micro levels to monitor compliance and performance of ULBs (CPCB, 2021). Real-time data collection and transparency will facilitate targeted interventions and accountability. Second, 100% segregation at the source should be pursued nationwide aggressively through publicity campaigns and incentivization, as fewer states have laws for 100% segregation (CPCB, 2021). Third, waste treatment facilities need scaling on a priority basis, specifically scientific landfill management with adequate buffer zones in order to avoid environmental pollution, considering the low reclamation rate and widespread dumpsites (CPCB, 2021). All these measures together can fill the gaps that exist and guarantee sustainable urban waste management.

Read More »
Public Policies
Madhuleena Das

A Comparative Analysis of Previous Trump-Era and Biden-Era Immigration Policies: Shifts in Enforcement, Humanitarian Approach, and Legal Pathways in the United States.

Conclusion
The comparison of immigration policies under the Trump and Biden administrations highlights a stark contrast in ideology, execution, and humanitarian priorities. While the Trump era was marked by stringent enforcement, deterrence strategies, and significant rollbacks of asylum protections, the Biden administration has attempted to adopt a more humane and inclusive approach. Implementation of legal pathways requires consideration of the rights of asylum seekers, a broad range of civil society actors, and compliance with international and domestic law, but legal pathways moulded in the US for the sake of personal belief of political parties exploit the rights of immigrants, making them dependent on leadership rather than pure essence of Law and Policy. Economic nativism views immigration as a threat to native citizens’ economic well-being, but recent CBO findings highlight immigration’s positive impacts on labour shortage, creation of business, and employment creation.
Ultimately, the analysis reveals that while leadership change can influence the direction of immigration policy, long-term transformation requires legislative action, administrative consistency, and public support. As the U.S. continues to grapple with global migration challenges, future policies must strike a balance between border security and the protection of human rights—reaffirming the country’s commitment to both law enforcement and humanitarian leadership.

Read More »
Public Policies
Chhavi Thakur

AI and Blockchain for Transparent Carbon Markets: Policy and Technology Gaps

AI and blockchain could transform carbon markets, yet policies lag behind. This research identifies governance gaps in algorithmic verification, fraud prevention, and equitable access. Through case studies and policy analysis, we recommend standards for trustworthy, scalable, tech-driven climate finance—critical for achieving Paris Agreement goals.

Read More »
Public Policies
Chhavi Thakur

Harnessing Business Analytics for Tax Policy Optimization in India: A Data-Driven Approach to Fiscal Management

India’s tax system is a foundation of fiscal policy, but issues such as tax evasion and a large informal economy have so far constrained revenue potential. While business analytics is revolutionizing governance around the world, its role in Indian tax policy is relatively subdued. Our research examines how insights can be gleaned via data to improve tax compliance, reduce the cost of tax collections, and maximize policies.

Read More »
Blog
Srijan Vishwakarma

Intellectual property rights in the Digital age

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly transformed the landscape of intellectual property rights (IPR), presenting both new opportunities and unprecedented challenges. This study delves into the evolution of IPR in the digital age, focusing on key domains such as copyright, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. It examines how digital innovations have altered traditional IP protection mechanisms and enforcement strategies. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, and digital rights management (DRM) systems has introduced both sophisticated protection mechanisms and new threats, including large-scale digital piracy, unauthorized content distribution, and the complexities of AI-generated intellectual assets. The paper addresses the global implications of IPR enforcement in an interconnected digital economy, highlighting jurisdictional conflicts, cross-border infringement issues, and the role of international regulatory frameworks.

Read More »
Public Policies
Aahna Srivastava

Employment Generation: India’s Specific

Authored by: Aahna Srivastava, Anjali, Divya Atalkar, Khushi Shah and Sakshi Sharma

ABSTRACT
India has witnessed significant employment growth recently, but job creation is still a major concern. Through various survey reports presented by the International Labour Organization and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, this paper studies the current scenario of India’s employment growth and government strategies, which aim to boost employment in the country but are not equivalent to its promises. Additionally, the paper frames suggestions for India alongside successful international employment models to overcome challenges faced during job creation and provide better options for its population.

Read More »
Public Policies
MUSKAN JAISWAL

TRACKING SDG LOCALIZATION: AN EVALUATION OF SELECTED DISTRICT PROFILES

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. 

Read More »
Public Policies
Nandini Singh

Intersectionality in Indian Politics: Beyond Age and Gender

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,

Read More »
Public Policies
Piyush Chaudhary

Redefining Algorithmic governance: AI for People, Policy and Progress

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.

Read More »