

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

Jan 2, 2025 • 43min
The Accessibility Puzzle
In this episode, Sowmya Prabhakar, COO of Takshashila Institution, is in conversation with Bhumika Modh from The Association of People with Disability (APD, India). They talk about the recent developments in the accessibility space. Using the framework of society, markets & government - they dwell on what it takes to make accessibility a reality for PwDs in India.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 31, 2024 • 48min
One Nation One Subscription: Yet another stratagem?
It is a season for one nation, one ‘fill in the blank’. The Government of India, on 25 November 2024, approved One Nation One Subscription — or ONOS for short — as a Central Sector Scheme. Lokendra sits down with Shambhavi — head of research at Takshashila, to unpack the ONOS and discuss its upsides and downsides.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 30, 2024 • 34min
Bridging Borders: India's Drive for Regional Connectivity and the Data Behind It
In this episode of All Things Policy, Vanshika Saraf discusses India’s regional connectivity efforts with Riya Sinha, who has extensively worked on the CSEP Sambandh Database. From the inspiration behind the project to the challenges faced in compiling and maintaining the database, the conversation explores how India has stepped up its integration efforts with the neighbourhood by intensifying infrastructure development and diplomatic initiatives.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 27, 2024 • 39min
Examining the Political Apology
While it may feel strategic, could a political apology be a necessary feature of a healthy democracy? You've seen many a political leader take to a public apology whether it be to address historical injustices or government failures, but what's the value of a political apology anyway? And what are some of the features of a "good" political apology? Join Kripa Koshy and Shreya Ramakrishnan as they unpack a few examples of political apologies in the Indian and global context and tackle these broader questions in this episode of All Things Policy.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 26, 2024 • 33min
What is brewing at the Bioweapons Convention?
Aditya R and Shambhavi Naik discuss the ongoing plans for updating the biological weapons convention, a key UN treaty that prevents the development and use of bioweapons.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 24, 2024 • 27min
Climate Resilience in UN Peacekeeping
Join Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam in a thought-provoking conversation with Ms Ingvild Brodtkorb, guest speaker at the United Service Institution (USI) recent annual conference on UN Peacekeeping Missions. This engaging discussion explores how climate change is reshaping the challenges faced by modern peacekeeping operations. Key topics include strategies for adapting peacekeeping efforts, integrating climate resilience into mandates, and forging partnerships to strengthen conflict prevention. A must-listen for anyone interested in the nexus of climate action and global security.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 23, 2024 • 27min
The Teesta River dispute
India and Bangladesh have had cordial relations in various geopolitical frontiers. While a successful Ganges water treaty came into existence in 1996, the Teesta River dispute remains unsolved today. but not so much when it comes to the transboundary river, Teesta. While there was a successful Ganges water treaty that came into existence in 1996, Teesta river dispute remains unsolved till today. In today's episode of All Things Policy, Yusuf Unjhawala sits with Dr Nithiyanandam and Swathi Kalyani to discuss this issue, its implications on the bilateral relations of India and Bangladesh and the importance of Geospatial technology in planning a solution for the same.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 20, 2024 • 29min
India and the Forgotten Planet
After years of delays, India's ambitious Venus Orbiter Mission is set to launch in 2028. Space writer Jatan Mehta joins Ashwin Prasad and Aditya Ramanathan to discuss the incredible challenges of mapping Venus' hellscape. He also provides a fascinating description of subsequent missions planned by the European Space Agency and NASA.
Check out Jatan's blogs:Indian Space Progress Moon Monday
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics.
Please take this 5-minute survey at the following link: https://bit.ly/technopolitik_survey
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 19, 2024 • 21min
A lot hinges on India's Next Generation Launch Vehicle
Ashwin Prasad, a space technology researcher at the Takshashila Institution, shares insights into India’s Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). He discusses its potential to transform India’s space endeavors, particularly highlighting innovations in reusability and enhanced launch capabilities. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for global space advancements and the necessity for strategic collaboration. As India aspires to enhance its presence in space exploration, Prasad outlines the vital role that this new vehicle will play.

Dec 18, 2024 • 31min
Accelerating private sector R&D in India
Sarthak Pradhan, a colleague of Suman Joshi and co-author focusing on India's private sector R&D, dives into the pressing issue of underinvestment in innovation. With only 36.4% of R&D funded by private players, he discusses the major hurdles like high taxation and regulatory risks facing Indian firms. The duo proposes solutions to enhance collaboration between academia and industry. They emphasize the need for policy reforms to position Indian businesses more competitively in global markets, ultimately unlocking the nation’s innovation potential.