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 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
Dec 5, 2025 • 36min
Coexistence: People, Pachyderms & Policy
In this episode of All Things Policy, Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar & Malathi Renati dive into what it really takes to handle human–wildlife encounters with sensitivity, empathy, and real-world understanding. They chat about policies, mindful wildlife tourism, and how each of us can be responsible citizens who care for the animals and forests that are our constitutional duty to protect. A thoughtful dialogue on coexistence, governance, and the future of conservation.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 4, 2025 • 27min
Revisiting Quality Control Orders
In this episode of All Things Policy, Anisree Suresh and Bhumika Sevkani decode India’s Quality Control Orders (QCO) against the backdrop of the government’s recent decision to revoke several QCOs. They critically examine the objectives behind these regulations, unpack their unintended consequences, and discuss how QCOs are reshaping Indian industries and the country’s trade prospects.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 3, 2025 • 22min
The India Pivot
The geopolitical climate has become increasingly volatile. New Delhi confronts mounting tensions with the US while managing border disputes and economic challenges from Beijing. As deglobalisation accelerates after decades of integration, India must recalibrate its strategic approach. What priorities should guide India's response?In this episode of All Things Policy, Wini Fred Gurung, Communications Manager at the Takshashila Institution, discusses this with Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, Former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India.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 2, 2025 • 25min
Architecting India-Canada-Australia Partnership
Anwesha Sen, a tech policy researcher, and William Pitts, an Indo-Pacific commentator, dive into the significance of the India-Canada-Australia partnership against a backdrop of global geopolitical challenges. They discuss the goals of this trilateral alliance, including tech cooperation, green energy initiatives, and enhancing supply chain resilience. The duo highlights Australia's critical minerals capabilities and the strategic need for diversification from China, along with advocating for collaborative R&D and open-source technology to bolster cybersecurity and maritime awareness.
Dec 1, 2025 • 43min
Deciphering the Grey Zone
Colonel Vikrant Shinde, a Research Fellow at the Takshashila Institution and former military officer, delves into the murky world of grey zone conflicts. He discusses how nations engage in subtle coercion and information warfare, blurring lines between peace and war. Vikrant presents a four-quadrant framework to analyze these tactics, contrasting India's challenges with Pakistan and China. He emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies, including AI and cross-sector collaboration, to combat these evolving threats effectively.
