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AI मुळे सॉफ्टवेअर क्षेत्रात होणारे आमूलाग्र बदल
Aug 14, 2023

AI मुळे सॉफ्टवेअर क्षेत्रात होणारे आमूलाग्र बदल

सॉफ्टवेअर सेवा उद्योगात AI म्हणजेच कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्तेला महत्त्व प्राप्त होत आहे. त्यामुळे भारतातील टेक कंपन्या याला कसे सामोरे जातात त्यावर या क्षेत्रातली रोजगार निर्�

Block fundings to terrorist outfits to break their backbone
Oct 27, 2014

Block fundings to terrorist outfits to break their backbone

Terrorism, like almost every other human activity that involves production and creation of goods and services, needs money. Described by experts like Raymond Baker as Gross Criminal Product, this included illegal capital flight, narcotics trade, smuggling of arms and other goods, human trafficking, counterfeiting and computer crimes.

Bridging the digital divide: Skills for the new age
Apr 05, 2017

Bridging the digital divide: Skills for the new age

The digital divide is a manifestation of exclusion, poverty and inequality and continues to be exacerbated due to the effects of unemployment, poorly functioning digital skilling programmes and socio-cultural norms in some economies, depriving women equal access to digital services. Digital skills provide the poor a catalyst to break out of the cycle of poverty and empower themselves. A three-pronged digital skills strategy is required for develo

Budget 2019 today needs forward-looking ideas
Feb 01, 2019

Budget 2019 today needs forward-looking ideas

The revenue from the Central Goods and Services Tax remains significantly below the target of Rs 6 trillion.

Building India’s Economy on the Backs of Women’s Unpaid Work: A Gendered Analysis of Time-Use Data
Oct 17, 2022

Building India’s Economy on the Backs of Women’s Unpaid Work: A Gendered Analysis of Time-Use Data

This paper undertakes an analysis of the gender-disaggregated data from the National Statistical Organisation’s Time-Use Survey 2019, and finds that Indian women spend eight times more hours on unpaid care work than men. The patterns are similar across educational qualification, and employment or marital status: women with higher education, or earn their own incomes, do not spend any less time on unpaid care work. Shifting mindsets and rebalanc

Catalysing Cultural Entrepreneurship in India
Aug 14, 2023

Catalysing Cultural Entrepreneurship in India

Cultural entrepreneurship promotes a country’s heritage, resources and creative talents through products, services, and experiences. It shapes the country’s cultural economy; enables economic growth, innovation, and sociocultural development; and, when exported, contributes towards building soft power. India, with a millennia-old heritage, indigenous knowledge systems, and practices, has the potential to become a leading cultural and

Challenges in Early Intervention for Maternal Health: Lessons from Madhya Pradesh
May 15, 2024

Challenges in Early Intervention for Maternal Health: Lessons from Madhya Pradesh

India has made progress in digital health, including in telemedicine and creating platforms such as Co-WIN for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. These initiatives demonstrate the benefits of technology in enhancing the availability and affordability of, and access to healthcare services. This report examines the challenges that continue to stall the reduction of maternal deaths in India. It uses the case of Madhya Pradesh, the sta

Changing Geographies of Work: India’s Online Gig Workers in a Digitalised Labour Market
Nov 18, 2021

Changing Geographies of Work: India’s Online Gig Workers in a Digitalised Labour Market

Digital labour platforms—or online marketplaces that connect work providers and work seekers—will undoubtedly help shape the future of work. This brief studies the platforms targeted at online gig workers (or freelancers), who use them to find digital work opportunities in their home market or elsewhere, and then produce and deliver their services remotely. The brief explains the underlying technological and economic drivers and how the Covid

Charting a Path to Controlled Growth for India’s ‘Sunrise’ Space Economy
May 30, 2025

Charting a Path to Controlled Growth for India’s ‘Sunrise’ Space Economy

Abstract India is aiming for an eightfold increase in its share of the global space economy by 2047. The Indian ‘sunrise’ commercial space sector is benefiting from the government’s reforms, though gaps remain. The exact size of India’s domestic space economy is unknown, and the export promotion strategy for the space sector is unclear. This brief outlines three recommendations in parallel with the articulation of India’s National Sp

China may have to outsource production
Oct 04, 2012

China may have to outsource production

The Chinese growth story, triggered and driven by its industrial growth, is truly amazing. But now that industrial growth is slowing down because of higher wages and higher standards of living, to remain competitive China would have to outsource its production to cheap labour countries or move to another growth area - services.

China-UK: A strategic partnership
Oct 27, 2015

China-UK: A strategic partnership

Xi's visit to the United Kingdom was not about trade and investment only. It has an important strategic component, viz, shaping China as a truly global power. Recall that the end station of both the land and maritime components of the Belt Road Initiative is Europe. As China shifts its economy towards high-end manufacturing and services, it is targeting the European market, where its two largest partners are Germany and UK.

China’s Military Modernisation: Recent Trends - 2024
Sep 24, 2024

China’s Military Modernisation: Recent Trends - 2024

Since Xi Jinping became general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2013, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has witnessed an accelerated modernisation drive. Following the 2015-16 organisational reforms, the CPC further standardised its services-level force structure and upgraded its military doctrine, combat capabilities, and weapons systems. This report analyses recent improvements in the structure, including the creation of t

China’s Military Parade 2025: Enhanced Capabilities, Strategic Intent
Sep 23, 2025

China’s Military Parade 2025: Enhanced Capabilities, Strategic Intent

On 3 September 2025, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) held a grand parade in Beijing, showcasing ballistic and cruise missiles, nuclear triad components, unmanned platforms with countermeasures, and conventional systems from across its services. The event marked the 80th anniversary of China’s ‘War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression’, which Beijing interprets as culminating in Japan’s surrender to the Allied Powers in September

Clear danger to India from CBR terrorism: ORF-RUSI Study
Jun 14, 2012

Clear danger to India from CBR terrorism: ORF-RUSI Study

A research study by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has found that there is a clear danger to India from CBR (Chemical, Biological and Radiological Materials) terrorism due to the known intentions of terrorist groups active within India's borders.

Collective regional action needed for environmental security in south Asia
Mar 22, 2013

Collective regional action needed for environmental security in south Asia

A two-day deliberations by 20 experts from India, China and U.K, have underlined the need for a collective regional action to ensure environmental security in South Asia. The meeting was organised by Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with Royal United Services Institute, London and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing.

Community Driven Development in Developing Countries
May 24, 2013

Community Driven Development in Developing Countries

This paper highlights the increasing importance of Community Driven Development (CDD) in the delivery of public services to the poorest sections and enhancing access, voice and accountability in developing countries. Community participation in the delivery of ‘public services’ to the poorest sections of the population in developing countries has often been regarded as an effective mechanism to enhance access, voice and accountability.

Copyright policy in India: Reconstructing the narrative
Dec 22, 2017

Copyright policy in India: Reconstructing the narrative

Independent India’s copyright law has mostly centred around facilitating “access”. This is because India is a large country with a predominantly poor population, limited research facilities and budgets, and constrained access to knowledge-driven products and services. The politics of standard-setting in international copyright frameworks, however, has prevented government from realising a completely accessbased copyright regime. It has had

Cyber Security & Internet Governance
Jul 16, 2013

Cyber Security & Internet Governance

With both the goods FTA and services FTA in place, India is well set on the path of a comprehensive economic partnership with ASEAN. India, whose services sector contributes about 55% to the country's GDP, has been keen to sign the services FTA with ASEAN as it will help the Indian companies tap the ASEAN markets easily.

Defence is important, but the economy must come first
Jun 11, 2014

Defence is important, but the economy must come first

There is need to re-prioritise the expensive items in the services' wish list in a manner that will not strain the economy, without necessarily increasing the vulnerability of the country.

Defence sector needs drastic reforms
Jul 27, 2015

Defence sector needs drastic reforms

Resources are constraining the modernisation drives of India's three services. The government has not been able to check the growth of manpower in the Army and paramilitary forces. This has a direct repercussion on the modernisation plans of the military.

Devas v. Antrix: Lessons for India in Navigating Bilateral Investment Treaty Disputes
Aug 14, 2023

Devas v. Antrix: Lessons for India in Navigating Bilateral Investment Treaty Disputes

In Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd v. Antrix Corporation Ltd, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order winding up Devas Multimedia Ltd on the grounds of fraud. Antrix is the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Devas is a multimedia services company. The decision comes at a crucial time, as foreign investors of Devas are endeavouring to attach Indian assets

E-commerce and the digital economy: How the G20 can help Africa overcome its digital divide
Jun 21, 2017

E-commerce and the digital economy: How the G20 can help Africa overcome its digital divide

Africa is facing a digital divide. Access to the internet and related digital services is low, and in most countries, the supporting regulatory framework is not in place; nor are the necessary data and logistics infrastructure. At the same time, there are various examples of e-commerce success stories across the continent; and the wide use of mobile phone technology has created many new opportunities for African entrepreneurs and consumers alike.

Economy volatile and unpredictable: Former PM Advisor
Jan 15, 2019

Economy volatile and unpredictable: Former PM Advisor

The state of the Indian economy is intricately intertwined with the rest of the world.

Exploring Ways to Fill Delhi’s Unmet Water Needs
Apr 18, 2024

Exploring Ways to Fill Delhi’s Unmet Water Needs

Delhi—a city and union territory of India containing the country’s capital, New Delhi—continues to grow in population, posing challenges to civic agencies in the provision of citizens’ essential needs. This brief examines the experience of Delhi’s water agency in obtaining raw water, amid the growing gap in supply and demand that is only being exacerbated by climate change. The brief finds multiple reasons for the inadequacy of raw wate

Financial Inclusion of Women: Current Evidence from India
Aug 17, 2023

Financial Inclusion of Women: Current Evidence from India

Financial inclusion is critical to achieving the economic empowerment of women—one of the targets under the fifth Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality. In India, one in every five women lack access to a bank account. Although the country’s programmes promoting financial inclusion have increased the percentage of women having access to a bank account, wide gaps remain in account use, and access to savings and credit. Women c

Finding Solutions to Water Scarcity: The Potential of Virtual Water Trade in Agricultural Products
Feb 01, 2021

Finding Solutions to Water Scarcity: The Potential of Virtual Water Trade in Agricultural Products

This paper analyses the patterns of virtual water trade (VWT) in agricultural products across the globe—VWT is the flow of water embedded in goods and services when they are traded—and the implications for alleviating water scarcity. Virtual water trade has been crucial in ameliorating water scarcity in virtual water-importing nations. At the same time, it has led to per capita water availability declining at a more rapid rate among the net v

Fixing Cyber Vulnerabilities: An Agenda for the Quad
Feb 16, 2024

Fixing Cyber Vulnerabilities: An Agenda for the Quad

The COVID-19 pandemic sparked rapid digitalisation worldwide, with work-from-home interactions, online payments, and online consultations for various services becoming acceptable practices. While this shift in the manner and nature of work brought enormous benefits, crucially in terms of access, it has also increased the kind of cyber security threats that countries face, with vulnerabilities felt particularly in the health and financial sectors.

Global Health Diplomacy: Navigating Politics and Security
Jun 06, 2025

Global Health Diplomacy: Navigating Politics and Security

Health policy is classically associated with the allocation of resources for healthcare services and the affordability and effectiveness of interventions, and is thereby confined to national strategies. Over the last couple of decades, however, there has been growing awareness about the interlinkages of health policy with key aspects of international relations, including diplomacy, trade, and foreign policy. Similarly, health features as a promin

Global urbanisation experiences
Nov 08, 2011

Global urbanisation experiences

Growing urbanisation and its resultant problems and issues have drawn the attention of international organisations, national governments and the civil society. The United Nations (2012) has reported that while "unprecedented increase in urban population will provide new opportunities to improve education and public services in Africa and Asia,...

Greening the GDP: Valuing natural capital in India
Mar 12, 2019

Greening the GDP: Valuing natural capital in India

It is important to differentiate between physical capital as produced means of production in contrast to natural capital which is naturally endowed. The latter facilitates a host of ecosystem services[i] that flow through human processes, both societal and economic. Unlike physical capital, natural capital cannot be substituted easily. Therefore, this stock of natural capital processing into the flow of ecosystem functions need to be valued and

How the Covid pandemic is souring India’s $5 trillion dream
Aug 03, 2020

How the Covid pandemic is souring India’s $5 trillion dream

Rather than having an ambition of $5 trillion economy that seems almost unattainable by 2024, it is now important that the next three years focus on the creation of better provisions of public goods and services like health.

IAS Recruitment should be through Armed Forces
Sep 02, 2004

IAS Recruitment should be through Armed Forces

The central government is considering a proposal to select aspiring IAS and allied services candidates after the 12th standard with a view to catching them young for a career in the bureaucracy. Presumably, a new academy will be established for this purpose because the Mussoorie academy has a different charter.

Improving PPP Strategies for Municipal Infrastructure and Service Delivery
Aug 09, 2024

Improving PPP Strategies for Municipal Infrastructure and Service Delivery

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have had a long history globally and in India. While the Indian government supports this partnership model, PPPs have experienced little success in delivering municipal infrastructure and services. This is despite the demands of a rapidly growing urban population for local services, which the municipal bodies are often unequipped to deliver. Indeed, in many cities across the world, there is an emerging push for

Incubation space for terror groups in Bangladesh a worry for the world
Aug 16, 2014

Incubation space for terror groups in Bangladesh a worry for the world

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, which is threatened by the formation of the Narendra Modi government in Delhi, have been reactivating networks of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kashmir since May/June 2013.

India and global trade governance: Redefining its ‘national’ interest
Dec 24, 2017

India and global trade governance: Redefining its ‘national’ interest

This paper considers and explains the shifts and consistencies in India’s engagement with structures of global trade governance beginning from the Uruguay round of trade negotiations in late 1980s. It makes three major arguments. First, that although India has participated actively in global trade negotiations since the establishment of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) it was only under the present-day trade governance institut

India must attain e-SWARAJ
May 24, 2023

India must attain e-SWARAJ

India is a sovereign nation; is it digitally sovereign, too? This paper examines the degree to which India is self-reliant in electronic hardware. After all, for a country to be self-reliant in the information age, it has to either attain indigenous capability in electronic manufacturing and services or be equipped to protect data and mitigate the threats associated with supply chain vulnerabilities. This paper refers to self-reliance in electron

India needs to increase public spending
Feb 04, 2014

India needs to increase public spending

India, which has experienced a 4.6 per cent growth rate in 2013-14, requires higher public spending on infrastructure. More public services and goods are needed to bring relief to the lower income groups, especially health services, otherwise they are likely to slip into poverty.

India's geoeconomic playbook for Trump 2.0: Navigating trade shifts in 2025
Jan 23, 2025

India's geoeconomic playbook for Trump 2.0: Navigating trade shifts in 2025

With trade wars and financial realignments looming, India's success in this evolving landscape will depend on its ability to balance collaboration with autonomy

India's remote sensing programme makes new advances
Mar 28, 2013

India's remote sensing programme makes new advances

If India were able to sustain the launches of remote sensing satellites as per the plans, it would significantly beef up its ability to deliver services, products and other inputs in the field of climate, cartography and agriculture.

India-Africa partnership for food security: Beyond strategic concerns
Apr 24, 2020

India-Africa partnership for food security: Beyond strategic concerns

India and Africa’s complementary sectoral priorities and similar roles in the evolving global food markets present numerous opportunities for collaboration in the agricultural sector. This paper analyses the potential for India-Africa cooperation towards food security and capacity building. It makes an assessment of Indian partnership with African countries in the areas of agriculture and food security, outlines current initiatives in both regi

Indian armed forces joint doctrine: Elusive quest for integration
May 26, 2017

Indian armed forces joint doctrine: Elusive quest for integration

The doctrine’s ambitious purpose, in principle, is to help provide a framework for an integrated approach to warfare by all the three branches of the Indian armed forces. However, the JDIAF makes little substantive progress toward force integration among the three services.

India’s economic footprint in the developing world
Sep 13, 2023

India’s economic footprint in the developing world

The world is witnessing a paradigm shift: India is becoming a more active player not only in contributing goods, services and training, but also in shaping the global development agenda itself. This Brief is a map of India's growing economic footprint in the developing world.

India’s joint doctrine: A lost opportunity
Jan 03, 2018

India’s joint doctrine: A lost opportunity

The Integrated Defence Staff released the first-ever public joint doctrine for the Indian armed forces (JDIAF-2017) in April 2017. Absent a publicly articulated national security strategy, the joint doctrine presents important clues about what that strategy might be. This paper examines JDIAF-2017 in conjunction with other Indian military doctrines, public writings of leading Indian strategists, as well as foreign military doctrines and strategie

Inflation is back: The number of poor in India may rise
Jun 30, 2011

Inflation is back: The number of poor in India may rise

India is experiencing the fastest increase in prices among the big emerging market countries. The Reserve Bank raised interest rates 10 times since March 2010 to control inflation, and its adverse impact on the demand for goods and services, investment and corporate profits is already visible.

International  Jihadi Terrorism: An Indian Perspective
May 21, 2005

International Jihadi Terrorism: An Indian Perspective

No Indian terrorist group is co-operating with the international jihadi terrorist movement headed by Al Qaeda.However, certain Pakistani jihadi terrorist organisations, which are members of bin Laden's International Islamic Front (IIF), are being used by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for organising terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir (J) and other parts of India.

Is India losing its shine?
Apr 17, 2012

Is India losing its shine?

India will never lose its allure in some ways because of its unique culture and warmth. But on other fronts, India is slipping especially if it does not care about giving an equal opportunity to all its citizens for a better life -- like good rural roads, affordable housing, clean drinking water, food, sanitation, education and health services.

Issues in Captive Coal Block Development in India
Mar 05, 2009

Issues in Captive Coal Block Development in India

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) organised a brainstorming session on 'Issues in Captive Coal Block Development in India' on March 5, 2009 in partnership with CRISIL Infrastructure Advisory Services

IT solutions can transform India's poor PDS delivery mechanism
Oct 05, 2012

IT solutions can transform India's poor PDS delivery mechanism

For the first time in India's history, a common technological platform is available to provide governance services to all Indians through one single smart card.