All Things Policy
Takshashila Institution
Ever wondered how automation will change the world? Maybe you puzzle over what India could do to ease traffic congestion, or how China's aircraft carriers will transform Indian Ocean geopolitics? All Things Policy, a daily podcast brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, brings you all the answers. Every weekday, our researchers break down complex economic and geopolitical ideas through the lens of current events. For everyone from the busy executive to the curious student, All Things Policy is all you'll need to understand the world (and appreciate your breakfast) better.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 19, 2025 • 35min
Rebuilding the First Responders
In this episode of All Things Policy, Astha Rastogi talks to forensic science researcher and trainer Devina Sikdar about what really happens at crime scenes in India—and why it matters more than most people realise. With a new national mandate demanding better forensic response, the two discuss the gaps, the urgency, and the solutions that could reshape how India investigates crime.All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 18, 2025 • 20min
Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Non-communicable diseases (or NCDs) account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s total mortality and morbidity, led by ischaemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes, according to the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report. Globally in 2021, 18 million people died from an NCD before age 70 years. From the period 2021-23, NCDs were responsible for about 56.7 percent of all deaths in India. To help unpack some of the economic impacts of NCDs, particularly the high out-of-pocket expenditures it incurs, Kripa Koshy (Staff Programme Manager, Takshashila) is joined by Merlyn Paul, a PGP graduate and co-founder of Samaagrith, a consulting organisation that aims to make the social impact journey easier.All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 17, 2025 • 31min
Clean Tech in China's Decarbonisation Journey
China recently released its 2035 NDC targets and the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. These documents are key to understanding the future direction of renewable energy deployment in China. In this episode of All Things Policy, Bhumika Sevkani, Research Analyst at the Takshashila Institution, is joined by Belinda Schäpe, China Policy Analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Drawing from China’s policy announcements, the conversation explores which clean energy technologies are likely to see accelerated deployment, while also examining the role of renewable energy trade in China’s economic development and climate diplomacy.All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 16, 2025 • 40min
Balochistan: History, Insurgency, and Politics
In this episode of All Things Policy, host Aishwaria Sonavane explores Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, where history, insurgency, and great-power politics intersect. Joined by Prashant Singh, the conversation traces Baloch grievances from the accession of Kalat to the present-day insurgency, examines the impact of CPEC and external strategic interests, and assesses how regional geopolitics and porous borders are reshaping the conflict. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 15, 2025 • 29min
The New Labour Codes: What Really Changes Now?
In this episode of All Things Policy, Sowmya Prabhakar and Anisree Suresh sit down to unpack the new Labour Codes. In this conversation, they explore the new provisions, the challenges and reforms with the implementation of the new labour codes. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 12, 2025 • 37min
Pakistan's Crypto Adoption & Implications for India
Pakistan is making a big bet on Crypto - announcing its plans to hold it as a strategic reserve and potentially make it legal tender. Shobhankita Reddy and Anupam Manur sit down to discuss what the implications of this move may be for India. They conclude that this is a net negative for Pakistan's economy and India's national security if implemented beyond mere announcements and experiments. Read their research document in full here. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 11, 2025 • 31min
Cybersecurity's Surveillance Trap
India has had a chaotic two-week telecom cybersecurity sprint with DoT's now-retracted Sanchar Saathi app mandate, SIM binding rules forcing platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to verify active SIMs, and telcos pushing for always-on phone geolocation tracking. In this episode of All Things Policy, Anwesha Sen and Anushka Saxena discuss regulatory overreach of such moves, privacy implications, and broader impacts on the market. But most importantly, they delve into whether such regulations would be able to solve cyber fraud, or are there better solutions to be considered.All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 10, 2025 • 40min
Measuring Government’s Performance
Accountability strengthens governance. Citizen feedback helps build accountability mechanisms. In this episode of All Things Policy, Sarthak Pradhan talks to A Krishna Prasanth, who explains how CIVIC's (Citizens' Voluntary Initiative for the City) annual citizen report cards serve as a tool to build data-driven political accountability. They also discuss the report card's findings on the performance of the Karnataka government.All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 9, 2025 • 30min
Why India and Russia Stick Together
Why do India and Russia stay close despite opposing global pressure? Join Amit Kumar and Ashwin Prasad as they chat about the strategic utility of this partnership in this episode of All Things Policy. They also look ahead, asking the question: What must Moscow change to sustain this relationship amidst the complications of the war in Ukraine?Link to Amit Kumar's Op-ed on the topic. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
Dec 8, 2025 • 45min
Unpacking China's 15th Five-Year Plan
In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Amit Kumar, Staff Research Analyst with Takshashila's Indo-Pacific Studies Programme, to discuss China's 15th Five-Year Plan - why it is important, its salient features, and what the document reveals about Chinese thinking on major domestic priorities and international challenges.All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
