You tap your metro card to enter the station and breeze through DigiYatra boarding at the airport. But at immigration, it’s still long lines and passport stamps. That’s about to change—India’s stepping into the future with e-passports.

An ePassport looks like a regular passport but houses a secure Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) chip storing your name, photo, fingerprints, and digital signature — all encrypted and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) compliant, which makes global operability easier, bringing India in line with over 140 countries which issue e-passports. It’s like giving your passport a secure brain.

This chip does something more subtle, too: it rewrites how personal data is shared. Your address and parents’ names are no longer printed but stored inside the chip—accessible only to authorized officials via secure scans. Think of your passport putting on noise-cancelling headphones: it only listens and speaks to the right people.

Under the government’s Passport Seva Programme 2.0, e-passports launched a pilot in April 2024 across 13 cities, with a nationwide rollout set for mid-2025. Sounds great, right?

However, India is fashionably late to this party. Major economies like the US, Germany, Japan, and the UK started issuing e-passports as far back as 2005–06. Even peer economies —Indonesia (2011), the Philippines (2009), Brazil (2010), and Mexico (2012) — beat India to it. Closer home, Bangladesh and Nepal began issuing e-passports in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

So why the delay?

It wasn’t a lack of digital muscle. India, after all, built Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker — some of the world’s most ambitious digital systems. The holdup was institutional: complex tenders, procedural reviews, and, of course, the COVID-19 disruption.

India’s e-passport journey technically began back in 2008 with a ceremonial issue to then-President Pratibha Patil. At the time, the use case was narrow, reserved for diplomats and senior officials with 20,000 e-passports issued. The broader push to enable e-passports for all citizens came in 2013, when the government invited bids for chip supply. That should have been the inflection point.

Instead, it triggered a decade-long slog. But something shifted after that. In 2022, the government earmarked a dedicated budgetary allocation for e-Passport rollout, and just two years later, in 2024, the pilot was up and running.

So, what exactly happened?

Over the past five years, international border security protocols have advanced significantly. Biometric authentication, chip-based identities, and ICAO-compliant travel documents have become standard in many countries. Between 2005 and 2021, around 90 countries adopted biometric passports. By 2024, the count soared past 140, with the adoption pace nearly tripling, signaling not evolution, but acceleration.

The world had moved fast, and India had to keep pace. Especially because India is the largest source of international emigrants. Nearly half live in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and a quarter in the United States. The remaining quarter is scattered across the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe — all jurisdictions that have already adopted biometric passports.

What makes this operational parity of e-passports more relevant is that in the global policy arena, e-passports aren’t just technical upgrades. They are trust signals. Their presence (or absence) shapes how other nations evaluate the authenticity of identity, assess security risks, and decide whom to let in and how easily. A chipped passport signals a country's seriousness about document security, border control, and global cooperation.

That seriousness matters because the physical passport has become increasingly vulnerable.

In 2024, in Delhi airport alone, police nabbed 108 agents for visa and passport fraud, double the 2023 count. Same year in Mumbai, two passengers were caught with tampered passports: one ripped out pages, the other doctored visa stamps — both betting on manual checks to miss it. And these are just the ones who got caught.

E-passports raise the bar. The chip is digitally signed, biometric data is encrypted, and any tampering attempt would require advanced cryptographic hacking, not just glue and scissors.

And when this security strengthens, trust increases, and doors open. Take UAE: in 2010, its passport ranked 62nd, offering visa-free access to about 60 countries. In 2011, the UAE rolled out e-passports, emphasizing that stronger security and global standards would boost mobility. By 2019, it jumped to 15th place with access to 172 destinations. Today, in 2025, it ranks 10th with access to 185 countries.

While diplomacy played a huge part in this jump, technical enhanced security, also played a vital role in enabling easier identity verification and fraud detection.

Even smaller nations reflect the same pattern. Jamaica, for example, introduced e-passports in March 2023. By early 2025, its global passport ranking jumped from 68th to 57th. Visa-free access rose from 85 to 108 destinations.

India, by comparison, currently ranks 83rd on the Henley Passport Index in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 62 destinations. That’s lower than Botswana (66) and Ghana (77).

India’s e-passport push, then, isn’t just a back-end tech upgrade. It’s a foreign policy signal. It’s a way of saying: “We’re credible. We’re secure. We’re ready.”

But it isn’t just the world that notices the change — citizens will feel it too. But how?

India’s new ICAO-compliant e-passports will seamlessly work with e-gates—the automated border controls used widely in Europe, Singapore, and the UAE—so immigration queues might finally keep pace with your boarding pass.

At e-gates, travelers scan their passports, flash a fingerprint or face, and breeze through—no lines, no human delays. It’s the FASTag moment for passport control: from full stop to nonstop.

Check the numbers: NAIA Terminal in the Philippines, slashed check times from 45 to 8 seconds. Fiumicino Airport, Rome, cut time in half, from 40 to 20 seconds. Naples went from 1–2 minutes to just 20 seconds. Save 20–30 seconds per passenger, and airports move like clockwork.

Delhi’s IGI handles 22 million international passengers annually—about 2,500 hourly, more at peak. Manual checks take 1–2 minutes each. Trim 30 seconds per check, and you’re talking hundreds more passengers processed every hour, or fewer officers needed.

These time savings do more than speed up queues—they reshape airports. Fewer manual counters mean smaller immigration halls, fewer queue systems, and less staff behind desks. That frees up space for revenue-generating lounges and shops, or bigger boarding zones. Plus, with less grunt work, immigration officers can shift to higher-impact roles, like secondary screening or intelligence profiling, boosting both efficiency and security.

Of course, tech is only as good as the system behind it.

Take Bangladesh: though half the population has e-passports, only 5% of travelers at Dhaka airport use the 26 e-gates, as most sit idle due to poor maintenance and backend gaps. Even the UK isn’t immune. In May 2024, a glitch shut down most e-gates nationwide for hours, causing long queues and chaos. Indonesia’s 2024 e-visa glitch exposed travelers’ passport data via visa QR codes—proof that, without strong cybersecurity and data protocols, digital systems can backfire. Back in 2005–07, early adopters like the U.S. and Australia faced their own e-passport headaches: scanners struggled with chip reading, signature verification flopped, and ICAO had to step in through international discussions.

India should take note. Without strong backend integration, routine upkeep, and ground-level readiness, even the smartest passport risks becoming a bottleneck. The global rollout offers a clear word of caution: without follow-through, a fancy passport might just turn into a fancier bottleneck.

There’s reason for optimism. India’s success with DigiYatra—the facial recognition–based, paperless boarding system—has already shown that tech-led mobility can work at scale. Delhi and Bengaluru airports now routinely board passengers with just a face scan, proving that when execution meets ambition, systems can hum.

But this chip could do far more than speed up airport lines. Integrated with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure—DigiLocker, Aadhaar, UPI, ABHA—e-passports could evolve into a unified, secure identity layer for citizens. Imagine a future where your passport isn’t just a travel document, but a portable proof of identity, instantly verifiable for everything from immigration to public services.

In that vision, the e-passport becomes more than a travel tool—it becomes a key enabler of “One Nation, One Identity.” It bridges borders, yes, but also connects systems, services, and citizens into a seamless, secure ecosystem.

In a world where documents move faster than people, this tiny chip might just become your most powerful travel companion—and your smartest, most trusted ID, too.

Book Mandala

In this section, we suggest a book to be read/listened to each week, for the inner policy enthusiast in you :)

Book: Tarmac to Towers: The India Infrastructure Story

Author: Pratap Padode

About the Book:

Tarmac to Towers: The India Infrastructure Story by Pratap Padode offers a sweeping, data-rich examination of India’s infrastructure journey over the past 25 years. Padode — a veteran financial journalist and founder of the FIRST Construction Council — traces the country’s path from the ambitious Golden Quadrilateral project launched in 1998 to today’s dynamic landscape of expressways, airports, smart cities, and renewable energy grids. This isn’t just a catalog of projects; it’s a deep dive into the policy shifts, governance hurdles, financing innovations, and socio-economic impacts that have shaped how India builds. With sharp analysis and clear-eyed realism, Padode helps readers understand the vital interplay between infrastructure and India’s broader economic ambitions.

Our Take:

What makes Tarmac to Towers particularly insightful is its focus on how “smart infrastructure” isn’t just about physical assets — it’s about the systems and trust that connect them. Padode convincingly argues that the next leap for India won’t come from just building faster highways or taller towers, but from ensuring that these infrastructures are seamlessly integrated, secure, and globally benchmarked.

This is where the book connects most powerfully to today’s digital governance landscape. Whether we’re talking about the movement of people, identity, or data, the backbone is the same: reliable infrastructure designed for resilience, speed, and trust. Padode’s vision aligns with the idea that national systems — from transport corridors to digital identity frameworks — must work in harmony to deliver frictionless, future-ready services.

For policymakers and young professionals alike, this book reads like a call to action: it’s not enough to lay down concrete and fiber; we must build the institutional muscle to make them work together, securely and at scale.

Co-authored by Somya Kanwar and Aswathi Prakash

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In Rajkot, a teenage girl is sitting on her terrace, gazing at the deep blue night sky, tinkering with a small sensor in her hands. She dreams of building a satellite one day. The year is 2025.

Ten years ago, that would’ve sounded absurd. Today, it’s within reach.

India is now home to over 200 space-tech startups and a growing $8.4 billion space economy. The dream of space is no longer limited to rocket scientists or global tech giants. It belongs to everyone—from shopkeepers in Surat to farmers in Assam.

And we’re just getting started. India’s space economy is projected to grow to $44 billion by 2033. That translates to faster weather forecasts for a fisherman, smarter agriculture for a farmer, seamless mobile connectivity for a shopkeeper in the Himalayas, and real-time services for entrepreneurs delivered from satellites orbiting above.

No surprise then, that states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are entering the fray—with space policies of their own. While India’s national space policy was launched in 2023, these states are now building their own launchpads—literally and economically.

Let’s zoom in.

On April 17, Gujarat became the first Indian state to launch a dedicated SpaceTech Policy. The goal? Simple: attract private players. The state is planning a Space Manufacturing Park, a Centre of Excellence for research, and a suite of incentives to help startups build satellite components, develop communication systems, and innovate across the value chain.

Tamil Nadu followed quickly. On April 18, it launched its Space Industrial Policy 2025. The pitch is similar—support space-centric industries. But the approach is distinct. Tamil Nadu is setting up Space Bays in Madurai, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Virudhunagar, offering land, single-window clearances, and targeted subsidies. Think SEZs, but for space.

So what’s driving this momentum?

A big shift happened in 2020. India opened up the space sector to private participation. IN-SPACe—the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre—was created as the nodal body. FDI norms were liberalized, from earlier 0% to now ranging from 49% to 100% in various sectors.

This means foreign companies and Indian startups can now build, launch, and operate space systems from India—with access to ISRO’s infrastructure and fewer regulatory hurdles.

Suddenly, Indian startups could do what was once reserved only for ISRO!

And the numbers reflect it. From just 54 private firms in 2020, India now has over 200 in 2024.

This brings us back to Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

Can these policies create new space-tech hubs beyond Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai?

Bengaluru, of course, leads—with major space agencies like ISRO HQ, URSC, ISTRAC, and startups like Pixxel and Bellatrix. Hyderabad and Chennai follow close behind, home to players like Dhruva Space and Agnikul Cosmos.

Gujarat has a steeper climb. But Tamil Nadu has some tailwinds: proximity to ISRO’s Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, the upcoming launchpad at Kulasekarapattinam, and an established industrial base with giants like L&T and LMW.

Execution will be key. Fortunately, both states are amongst the top five in ease of doing business rankings. With strong institutional networks, manufacturing ecosystems, and startup infrastructure, they are well placed to build momentum.

But let’s be clear: India has miles to go. The US has over 5,000 operational satellites. India? Around 60.

To close that gap, the government has launched a ₹1,000 crore space startup fund and backed it with execution muscle. IN-SPACe now runs a ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund—covering up to 60% of mission costs for startups, and providing grants of up to ₹25 crore along with technical mentoring.

The focus is sharp. India isn’t trying to do everything. It’s playing to its strengths:

• Small satellite launches

• Small satellite manufacturing

• Ground stations

• Data services

This isn’t just about rockets. It’s about climate resilience, precision farming, disaster response, and rural connectivity. Space-tech is no longer a curiosity. It’s becoming core infrastructure.

If Gujarat and Tamil Nadu succeed, they’ll not only create jobs. They’ll create belief.

Belief that space isn’t just for Silicon Valley or South Block. It’s for every young Indian with a soldering iron and a dream.

So the real question is: are we building space infrastructure—or are we building space imagination?

Can this girl from Rajkot be the next Elon or Somnath?

Only time will tell. But the countdown has begun.

Book Mandala

In this section, we suggest a book to be read/listened to each week, for the inner policy enthusiast in you :)

Book: Freakonomics

Author: Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

About the Book:

Freakonomics isn’t your typical economics book. Written by economist Steven Levitt and journalist Stephen Dubner, it takes big economic questions and applies them to everyday life—with surprising results. Why do sumo wrestlers cheat? Do real estate agents really act in your best interest? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?

Told through six sharp, essay-style chapters, the book explores everything from crime and parenting to baby names and abortion policies. Originally published in 2013, Freakonomics shows that beneath the surface of daily life, there are hidden incentives, surprising truths, and unexpected patterns waiting to be uncovered.

Our Take:

What makes Freakonomics so compelling is not just its quirky questions, but the way it reorients your lens on the world. Levitt and Dubner show us that economics isn’t about money—it’s about how people respond to incentives. The book’s genius lies in its simplicity. There’s no jargon. No dense theory. Just sharp storytelling built on data and counterintuitive questions. Each answer reveals a hidden structure—an incentive that makes people do things that don’t seem logical at first glance.

At the same time, the book isn't perfect. It can sometimes oversimplify or risk causation where there’s only correlation. But its larger message holds: question your assumptions, follow the incentives, and trust the evidence over the anecdote.

If you’re interested in policy, governance, or social change, Freakonomics won’t give you answers. It’ll give you better questions.

Co-authored by Mrinal Rai and Aswathi Prakash.

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Analysis Mandala: Deepening Policy Understanding

Below, we discuss one recent policy update from the past week(s), and analyze them for you: Let’s go!

Have you ever taken a pill and felt like it didn’t quite work as expected?

Who’s to blame? Is it the medicine? The manufacturers? Or something else? Well, the answer might surprise you—it could be your own body, to be precise—your genes.

Here’s the thing: the exact same medicine can have vastly different effects on different people because of variations in genetic makeup. Most medicines are developed and tested on populations in Europe and the U.S., where genetic structures differ significantly from ours. So, a drug that works perfectly for someone in London or New York might not work as effectively for us.

Take the simple example of a drug named warfarin, a blood-thinner. It works well for most Western patients, but for many Indians, it can cause dangerous bleeding if not dosed carefully. You see the wider point: Our genes handle medications differently, whether it’s for cancer, heart disease, or diabetes—and ignoring this is like trying to fix a car with the wrong manual.

But things are about to change—enter the Genome India Project!

Before we get to what the Project is, let’s quickly clarify what gene, genome and genomic sequencing is, because you are going to see them frequently throughout the article. So, ready for some biology lessons, in Policy Mandala style? Let’s go.

In simple terms, genes are like tiny instruction manuals. Just like how a recipe in a cookbook tells you how to make a dish, genes give your body the instructions on how to make everything it needs to function properly.

If genes are like individual recipes, then the genome is the entire cookbook! The genome is the complete set of genetic information in your body – basically all the instructions that make you, you! It includes everything from the color of your hair to how tall you might grow to how your body responds to certain foods or medicines.

Genomic Sequencing then, is the process of reading and translating the cookbook to a language the scientists can understand, and act upon.

Why does all this matter? Well, once we understand a person’s genome, doctors can make much better decisions about their health. For example, they can give you medications that work best for your body’s genetic makeup, saving you from trial-and-error approaches that rely on treatments meant for someone else. It could even lead to more effective prevention strategies, so we catch diseases early when they’re easier to treat.

Now let’s come to the Genome India Project (GIP).

India’s genetic diversity is a big deal. We’ve got people from different ethnic groups, languages, and regions – so, unsurprisingly, our genes are pretty diverse too. But here’s the problem: Global genomic research has mostly focused on populations in Europe and the U.S. For a long time, India’s genetic profile has been underrepresented in this research.

Did you know the gap in this representation? Well, it’s almost 100 times underrepresented: While India makes up 20% of the world’s population, the genome sequences of Indians account for just 0.2% of global genetic databases. Surprised, right? So are we!

And it’s a big deal. This is what the GIP wants to remedy. The GIP is like India’s very own genetic research lab. The goal? To create a genomic database that reflects India’s huge genetic diversity.

In short, it’s about making healthcare smarter, more accurate, and, well, more Indian.

So far, the Genome India Project has collected samples from 19,000 individuals, successfully sequencing the genomes of over 10,000 individuals across 99 ethnic groups, making it one of the world’s most comprehensive databases. The second phase seeks to expand the database to cover 10 lakh sequences, which will include more ethnic and linguistic groups in the country. Over 4,635 distinct population groups have already been identified to be covered in the database.

But the beauty of the Genome India Project goes beyond the benefits for India alone. As the project progresses, India has the potential to become a leader in genomic research, especially in regions with genetic similarity and similar genetic diversity. South Asian and Middle Eastern countries, for example, could benefit immensely from India’s expertise and the possibilities for global collaboration are endless.

Countries like China and the U.S. have already made huge strides in genomics. China, for example, launched the world's largest human genome research project in 2017 with the aim of documenting the genetic makeup of one lakh people. The U.S. has the All of Us Initiative, aiming to gather genetic data from diverse populations. So, while India might be a bit late to the game, it’s catching up fast.

And mind you, the GIP is no small feat. Sequencing genomes require advanced technology, expertise, collaboration and, of course, money. So, who’s funding this mega-project?

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is leading the initiative with support of various scientific organizations and universities. Headed by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of Science and Technology and a medical doctor himself, the project is expected to receive a substantial budget allocation, crucial for its long-term success.

It is also important to read it along with the gene editing research happening in full swing in the country, particularly for cure of diseases like sickle cell disease prevalent in the scheduled tribes in the country. India has had impressive growth in bio-economy, which has surged from 1000 crore in 2014 to over 13,000 crore in 2024 and with projections to hit 30,000 crore by 2030, which Dr. Singh highlighted. The rapid rise of biotech startups—from just 50 in 2014 to over 8,500 in 2023—also demonstrates India’s growing leadership in biotechnology.

So is it all about health then? Nope. India’s genomic journey goes far beyond hospitals and labs. The GIP opens a fascinating window into India’s rich genetic diversity, which holds stories of migration, adaptation, and evolution spanning thousands of years. This means we’re not just looking at the future of medicine but also uncovering the secrets of ancient human history—how cool is that? Here’s an early study on it, if that’s something of your interest.

It gets even more interesting. Genomic research could revolutionize agriculture. By analyzing genetic data, we can breed crops that are tougher against pests, diseases, and climate change. That’s right—this research could mean more resilient crops and a more secure food supply for the future.

In a nutshell, the Genome India Project is like a treasure chest of possibilities—better health, fascinating insights into human history, and smarter solutions for the challenges ahead.

But while appreciating its immense potential, let’s not forget that no policy really comes without its fair share of challenges: Privacy and Access to data.

Genomic data is deeply personal – it’s essentially a genetic fingerprint of who we are. And there’s always a worry that this data could be misused. Imagine if your genetic information were sold to insurance companies or the pharma guys – doesn’t sound okay, right? So, ensuring data privacy and security should be a top priority.

The DBT has made it clear that there will be regulated access to the genomic data and has launched Framework for Exchange of Data (FeED) Protocols under the Biotech-PRIDE (Promotion of Research and Innovation through Data Exchange) Guidelines. But not only is the guideline silent on what happens in terms of breach, it is also legally non-binding. It is simply “an enabling mechanism to share and exchange information and knowledge generated as per the existing laws, rules, regulations and guidelines of the country”.

As of now, India does not have any comprehensive legal framework for the process of genomic data transfer. India’s much-awaited Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2003 does not specify anything with regards to this other than restrictions on sensitive data, which it has left undefined (we discussed the DPDP in Policy Mandala #16). As we progress in genomic data research, ensuring the data is not misused is critical.

There are also ethical concerns around informed consent. People need to understand what their data will be used for, and they must have a say in how it’s shared. After all, it’s your gene we’re talking about, and you should know who’s looking at it.

Well, to conclude it’s is important to realize that the Genome India Project is much more than just a scientific endeavor; it’s about shaping the future of healthcare in India. From personalized medicine to identifying genetic risks early on, this project holds the promise of better healthcare for millions of Indians. Of course, there are challenges to overcome, but the potential benefits could outweigh the risks.

India is not just playing catch-up in the field of genomics – it’s gearing up to lead the way. And if India gets this right, it could set a powerful example for other developing countries, particularly in South Asia and Africa, where genomic research is still in its early stages.

What do you think? Can we pull this off? Well, that only time will. But we are surely in for an exciting future ahead!

Book Mandala

In this section, we suggest a book to be read/listened to each week, for the inner policy enthusiast in you :)

Book: Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
Author: Caroline Criado Perez

About the Book:
Invisible Women reveals how the gender data gap marginalizes and disadvantages women across all areas of life, from healthcare and education to the workplace and public policy. It presents powerful evidence highlighting the critical need to acknowledge and address this widespread bias.

Our take:
This essential read delves into the glaring gender data gap and how, by neglecting to address it, we perpetuate it. The author highlights how the world operates on a male default, leading to male-biased designs that exclude women. From handset designs to public policies, the widespread failure to account for women’s needs is illustrated with concrete examples.

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Below, we discuss three recent policy updates from the past week(s) and analyze them for you. Let’s go!

Analysis #1: New Mission for the ‘Domestic’ Oil Challenge!

Did you know every Indian household spends 6-7% of their food budget on edible oils? 

Unfortunately, nearly 60% of this demand is met through imports. With domestic oilseed production barely growing (<2% over the last decade), India remains heavily reliant on imports.

Enter the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)!

Kicking off in 2024-25, this 7-year mission aims to boost domestic oilseed production by 75% and meet 72% of our projected needs.

With a budget of ₹10,103 crore, the mission focuses on enhancing seed quality with genome editing, developing seed linkages, and creating over 60 seed hubs. Plus, it plans to establish 600 value chain clusters to provide training on efficient farming practices. In addition, a 20% import duty on edible oils is now in place to promote domestic cultivation.

While the scheme sets the stage for input subsidies with seeds, there is little action/suggestion on the demand side of oilseeds. Historically, India has struggled to bring in a behaviour change in farmers to shift cropping patterns. From the dominance of wheat and rice irrespective of climatic zones, to the anti-climatic focus on sugarcane or cash crops in some geographies, inertia to change crops has always been high amongst farmers. If history is a benchmark for policy changes leading to behaviour changes, it can only be done if there is an enabling and promising market for oilseeds, which would mean government-incentivized MSP or subsidized processing centers. This scheme hasn’t announced major changes in either of the two.

Are we set to achieve self-reliance in edible oils, or will this be another paper scheme given the complexity of operations involved in farmer-centric schemes? 

Only time will tell! Let’s hope for the best.

Analysis #2: New Entrants to the Classical Language Club

Foreigners often find India's linguistic diversity confusing. In their Euro-centric world order, where languages define national borders, the natural linguistic diversity amazes and awes them. But even Indians get puzzled by the diversity: not of the languages but by the multiple categories!

• Mother Tongue (Census 2011): 19,500+ listed languages

• Official Languages (8th Schedule): 22 Languages

• Official Government Transaction Languages: 2 (Hindi and English)

Adding to the mix, we now have 11 'Classical' Languages!

Last week, the Cabinet approved the status for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, joining Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odiya. The Sahitya Academy oversees this process, requiring a minimum recorded history of 1500-2000 years, rich ancient literature, and cultural heritage, all well documented to be presented to the committee.

However, some languages like Maithili and Manipuri were not selected for the classical language status, given the long and rigorous process of documentation needed for the same. This has also created a political debate, leading to a negotiating pointer between state and central governments, where the acceptance of a language in a list has become a trophy for state governments to highlight the pride in the culture.

While some see this as mindless categorization, culture, and linguistic enthusiasts are thrilled. This recognition paves the way for deeper research, centers of excellence, international awards, and UGC support for academic chairs.

Which languages do you think deserve the classical tag next? And what role should the government play in promoting languages?

While we wonder at the ‘wonder’ of languages, let's dive into the next section of today’s Policy Mandala!

Analysis #3: India invests in ‘Space’: Are we ready to fly?

Remember the joy of Chandrayaan-3’s successful moon landing? And the heartbreak of Chandrayaan-2’s crash?

Indians hold ISRO, our national space agency in high regard, often boasting about our efficient and effective space program. Now, the government is leveraging ISRO’s success to push the space industry to newer heights.

Last week, the government launched a ₹1,000 crore venture fund to fuel innovation and boost private sector participation in the space sector. While this might seem like pocket change for a capital-intensive sector, it’s a giant leap toward encouraging private investments.

Combine this venture fund announcement with the setup of space collaboration platforms like New Space India Limited (NSIL) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (InSPACe), and we can see a strategic ecosystem in the making!

These platforms are aimed to allow space startups and private players to collaborate with ISRO as suppliers or by leveraging ISRO’s technology and infrastructure. Just a few months ago, the government permitted 100% FDI in the space sector, and over 55  regulatory reforms have been undertaken by the Government since 2016 to enhance the ease of doing business. Thanks to these changes, in the past four years, space tech has become a hotbed for startups, with over 200 active ones in India.

The goal?

To increase India’s share of the global space economy from a modest 2% in 2021 to an ambitious 8% by 2030, and a stellar 15% by 2047.

These moves are part of India's larger diplomatic strategy, offering space manufacturing and launch capabilities to smaller countries. Building a vibrant space startup ecosystem is no walk in the park, but these initiatives showcase the government's intent and direction. The ball is now in the court of young entrepreneurs to tune in to the ‘cosmic’ opportunities awaiting them!

Which space technology product are you waiting for?

Book Mandala

In this section, we suggest a book to be read/listened each week, for the inner policy enthusiast in you :)

Book: Transforming Systems: Why the World Needs a New Ethical Toolkit

Author: Arun Maira

About the book: Offers a compelling look at how outdated ethical frameworks are inadequate for today’s global crises. Through real-world examples like the 2008 financial crisis and climate disasters such as the 2020 Australian bushfires, the book highlights the moral failures embedded in our current systems. It argues that we need new ethical tools—ones that focus on sustainability, empathy, and systemic foresight. By examining the rise of AI and its societal impact, the author challenges readers to rethink ethics for a more just, interconnected future. A must-read for navigating today’s complex world.

Our Take:  This book is a compelling call to view social change through a systemic lens. It emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and offers actionable insights and a structured approach for driving meaningful change. The book encourages readers to adopt a broader perspective on development, highlighting the interconnectedness of societal issues. Arun Maira Ji's work is both a caution and an inspiration, urging us to be mindful of the complexities of social transformation. A must-read for those seeking to understand and contribute to sustainable development.

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Below, we discuss three recent policy updates from the past week(s), and present them for you: From a pension program for minors to the new AI-driven trademark search technology to covering some global geo-political developments! Let’s start.

News #1: Your ‘Saarthi’ for Trademarks is here.
And it’s AI-powered!

Last week the government launched Saarthi, an AI-powered search bot for trademarks, improving the process's transparency, efficiency, and accuracy.

This is an addition to the series of continuing of the streamlining processes for the IP process by the government since 2016, including:

• Increasing IP registration manpower: Increasing yearly patent grants fourfold (2016-21).

• Simplifying the e-filing process has increased their percentage from 30% to >95% in the last 8 years.

• Streamlining the process, thus consolidating the application from 74 to 8 forms.

• Reducing patent fees for startups, MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, individuals, and academic institutions by 80%.

Innovation is the backbone of a developing nation’s journey, and this focused commitment to building an efficient, transparent, and user-friendly IP ecosystem will bear long-term consequences for India’s development.

News #2: Sri Lanka’s Left Turn: Should India Be Concerned?

Sri Lanka recently elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) as President in an election fought on issues of economic development. AKD is the leader of the left-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and has pledged economic reforms, anti-corruption measures, and continued work with the IMF. 

While the JVP has a history of anti-India sentiments, AKD's campaign emphasized stronger ties with India, acknowledging New Delhi’s support during the recent Sri Lanka's 2022 Economic crisis. India's response to the new leader has been warm and positive, with PM Modi extending a hand of friendship to the new leader. However, concerns remain as China’s influence persists, with high debt and the Hambantota port lease, posing a security risk to India.

While we wait for the new leader’s policy to emerge, the real question is: what will win: Goodwill Friendship with India? Chinese Debt Diplomacy? Ideological Alignment? Or Realpolitik Balancing of Interests?

Only time will tell.

Analysis Mandala: Deepening Policy Understanding

Below, we discuss two recent policy updates from the past week(s), and analyze them for you: From the recently launched Pension Scheme for kids (Yes, you read it right!) to a ‘New’ program for tribal development that isn’t new! 

Let’s go!

Analysis #1: Making kids retirement ready. Government launches NPS Vatsalya

What’s the right age to plan for retirement?
How much is enough for retiring?

Is your answer: 20, 30, 40 or 50 years of age?

Well, the government thinks it’s never too early to start—so much so that they want you to start planning for your kids’ retirement when they’re still in diapers!

Last week, the government launched NPS Vatsalya, a unique pension scheme for minors. You can now start saving for your little ones with as little as ₹1000 per annum (no upper cap), which will seamlessly transition into their own NPS accounts when they turn 18. Plus, it allows for partial withdrawals for education and medical needs. Talk about a head start!

Unlike traditional financial products for children like bank FDs, PPFs, or Mutual Funds, NPS Vatsalya offers market-linked returns with a customizable portfolio between debt and equity. Sounds attractive, doesn’t it?

Here’s why this policy is a game-changer and futuristic:

1. Demographic Shift: India’s senior citizens (60+) will more than double in the next three decades. These are the same kids who are in diapers and playing with toys now!

2. Medical Advancements: Longer lifespans for your kids mean longer retirements as well.

3. Gig Economy: The younger generation’s shift to gig work makes self-driven retirement planning essential.

Okay. So the future needs more economic security, and hence a pension in retirement makes sense. But, isn’t pension planning for minors a bit too early?

Well, in investment terms, the earlier, the better. Let’s look at two scenarios:

1. Person A’s parents start an NPS Vatsalya for their child at age 5 with a monthly SIP of ₹5000, totaling ₹33 Lakhs by age 60.

2. Person B starts investing at age 20 with a monthly SIP of ₹10,000, totaling ₹48 Lakhs by age 60.

At 60, Person A will have around ₹12 Crores, while Person B will have ₹5 Crores, assuming 9.6% returns in both cases (same as average NPS returns). All thanks to Person A’s forward-thinking parents. That’s the magic of compounding!

In essence, NPS Vatsalya leverages the existing infrastructure of NPS to meet changing demographic needs while also promoting responsible saving habits from a young age.

What do you think? Are Indian parents ready to plan retirement for their kids?

Analysis #2: Government launches ‘new’ scheme for Tribal Development. Or is it?

Ask any policy enthusiast: What’s the bigger issue—policy design or implementation? Most would point to implementation.

Bureaucratic delays and missing coordination often turn great policy ideas into mere pipe dreams. This is why despite more than 7 decades of independence, our tribal areas still lag economically in India’s development journey.

To tackle this, about 10 months ago, the central government launched the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PMJANMAN) aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

After a successful 10-month pilot, the government recently announced an extended version: the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA).

So, what’s new? PMJUGA expands the PMJANMAN model from 11 interventions to 25, and 9 ministries to 17, and aims for saturation coverage of some critical social development schemes in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts.

Wait, did I say existing? Is it new or existing?

Here’s the twist: PMJUGA isn’t a new scheme but rather an umbrella program.

It brings key ministries together to focus on specific geographies, promote convergence, and ensure holistic development of over 63,000 villages across 549 districts, with a budget outlay of around ₹80,000 crores. This is the ‘Whole of Government’ approach, where ministries don’t work in silos, but synergize efforts in outreach, and actions, for shared developmental outcomes.

The program aims to achieve four goals for tribal development:

1. Infrastructure development for individuals (like housing etc) and villages (like roads etc).

2. Economic empowerment through skilling, marketing, agriculture, tourism, etc.

3. Educational access by setting up tribal hostels.

4. Healthy living via Mobile Medical Units, Ayushman Cards, and Poshan Abhiyaan.

The government aims to improve governance by synchronizing efforts across ministries, similar to successful schemes like PM Gati Shakti and the Aspirational Districts Program. 

Fingers crossed for this synergized approach to development!

What do you think will this work, or become another example of failed execution?

Book Mandala

In this section, we suggest a book to be read/listened each week, for the inner policy enthusiast in you :)

Book: In service of the Republic

Author: Vijay Kelkar and Ajay Shah

Service of the Republic offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and strategies involved in shaping effective economic policy in India. Drawing on key reforms like the 1991 liberalization, Goods and Services Tax (GST) the book illustrates insights into how strong institutions and state capacity are crucial for policy success. The authors emphasize the dynamic nature of policymaking and advocate for inclusive growth. Through practical examples, the author highlights the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and innovation in overcoming bureaucratic challenges to drive impactful change in economic governance.

Our Take: What should the government do, and what should the government don’t do? This book takes us on an adventure ride into various ways of decision-making of government.

If you are young policymakers, looking for a framework to understand the reform process, here’s a book offering the liberal lens to look at the world.

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