
All Things Policy
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.
Latest episodes

Aug 13, 2024 • 29min
Student bus concession in Kerala
Kerala had a policy intervention to incentivise education in the state way back in 1963, with over 75% subsidy in ticket pricing for students travelling via buses, and it continues to this day in 2024. Can a policy with such a noble intention go wrong? Listen in as Anisree Suresh and Shreya Ramakrishnan discuss this lesser-known policy from Anisree's research on the topic with the Center for Public Policy Research. Read her report here - https://tinyurl.com/4nreet57
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Aug 12, 2024 • 21min
From IPC & CrPC to BNS & BNSS: Navigating India’s New Criminal Justice Landscape
In this episode of All Things Policy, Mariam Azeemuddin and Rohan Pai discuss the transition from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that marks a pivotal shift in India's criminal justice system. This transformation aims to modernize the legal framework, making it more relevant to contemporary societal needs and challenges. The speakers explore the key changes, their implications, and how they shape the future of justice in India. Join us as we navigate this new legal landscape and what it means for the country.
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Aug 9, 2024 • 35min
The Much-Anticipated 'Third Plenum' Leaves Questions Unanswered
Between 15 and 18 July, 2024, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China conducted its much-anticipated Third Plenum meeting, and produced the 'Decisions' document for the meeting on July 21. The document has addressed few questions pertaining to comprehensive deepening of reforms in the Chinese society, economy, and military, leaving many unanswered. In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Anushka Saxena quizzes Manoj Kewalramani on the learnings from the Third Plenum Decisions, and what's in store for Chinese-style modernisation moving forward.
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Aug 8, 2024 • 39min
Public Transport in Indian Cities - To Monopolise or not to Monopolise?
Should the state have a monopoly on the transport system, or should we have private players? And how does one regulate such private players? Should state monopolies even be profitable? Tune into this conversation with Ananya Desai, Anupam Manur and Suman Joshi to know more, as they explore a whole host of such questions.
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Aug 7, 2024 • 28min
India's Whey Protein Market: Demand and Supply Conundrum
In this episode of All Things Policy, Anisree Suresh and Rohan Pai delve into the imbalances between demand and supply in India's whey protein market. This discussion examines the competitive advantage of India's dairy sector, the role of private players, and the factors that hinder whey protein production in India, as well as strategies for enhancing India's competitiveness in this market. To know more, check out Takshashila's discussion doc: https://takshashila.org.in/research/indiaswheyproteinmarketdemandandsupplyconundrum
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Aug 6, 2024 • 33min
Reading India's Employment Outlook
How does the employment scenario look in India? What is the quality of jobs being created? What are the aspirations of India's youth, and is the Indian economy able to meet them? Sarthak Pradhan and Suman Joshi discuss these questions based on the findings of the ILO's India Employment Report 2024.
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Aug 5, 2024 • 59min
How the Survey of India is Shaping Digital Transformation in India?
In this episode, Dr. Y Nithiyanandam, Professor and Head of Geospatial Research at the Takshashila Institution, engages in a stimulating conversation with Maj Gen (Dr) Shivakumar, a luminary in the field of geospatial technology in India. Maj Gen (Dr) Shivakumar, who currently serves as Director of IIT Tirupati: Navavishkar – I HUB Foundation and Director/Director Emeritus at the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) USA, has held numerous leadership roles, including Additional Surveyor General at the Survey of India. Their discussion delves into the history, technological advancements, key contributions, challenges, and limitations in geospatial technology. They also explore the present role of the Survey of India as a leading geospatial organization in the country and its efforts towards the successful implementation of the visionary National Geospatial Policy 2022. In addition, Dr. Shivakumar shares his experience heading the Geospatial division in the Department of Science and Technology, GOI, providing valuable insights! Stay tuned for an intriguing conversation packed with information you won't find anywhere else about India's premier geospatial institutions!
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Aug 3, 2024 • 29min
The Olympics & India’s Sporting Culture
In this engaging discussion, sports journalist Sharda Ugra shares her insights on India’s journey toward the Paris 2024 Olympics. She delves into the necessity of government support and the role of corporate social responsibility in enhancing grassroots sports. Ugra highlights Haryana's unique standing in women's sports participation and the broader implications of societal norms. Additionally, she discusses challenges in sports training and the need for investment beyond elite athletes to build a more inclusive sporting culture across the nation.

Aug 1, 2024 • 35min
Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama
In the episode of All Things Policy, Rakshith explores the complexities surrounding the reincarnation process of the Dalai Lama and China's attempts to influence it. Tenzing Dhamdul, a Tibetan refugee and research associate at the Foundation for Non-Violent Alternatives in Delhi, explains the traditional steps involved in identifying a Dalai Lama, which includes interpreting signs, conducting tests, and ultimately recognizing the reincarnated individual. Dhamdul also discusses how China seeks to control this process to ensure the next Dalai Lama aligns with its political interests. He also provides insights into the US's Tibet Resolve Act and China's Order No. 5.
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Jul 31, 2024 • 23min
Jobs Beku, Reservations Beda!
The Karnataka government was set to table the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, which sought to reserve private-sector jobs for locals. Notwithstanding the fact that the bill has been put on hold for now, the rhetoric of reservations for locals has been on the menu of policy options for policymakers across the country. In this podcast, we argue that such policies are detrimental to both the economy and society.
The argument for reservations for locals in managerial and non-managerial jobs in the private sector is an emotive one. The policy's intention, ostensibly, is to help locals get jobs and, in turn, preserve the region's demography. However, our analysis shows there are better ways to achieve these outcomes, and this policy will do more harm to locals and the state at large.
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/
Take our 'China Challenge' survey here: https://shorturl.at/XMUW7
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in