Indian Public Policy Review

It has been eight years since India adopted the inflation targeting (IT) framework for its monetary policy. In this paper we present a comprehensive analysis of the IT regime, addressing several critical aspects. We evaluate the performance of inflation over this period, and review the conduct of monetary policy during and after the Covid- 19 pandemic. We also identify key challenges that persist particularly in context of the Impossible Trilemma and highlight issues that may require further examination in order to improve the effectiveness of the IT framework in the future.

This study assesses India’s climate finance requirement from 2022-2030 to decarbonise its four major carbon-emitting sectors—cement, steel, power, and road transport. Climate finance or additional capital expenditure (capex) for transitioning to a low-carbon economy, i.e., over and above the capex already planned in the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, has been estimated at US$467 billion for 2022-2030 or 1.3 per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) annually. This comprises  US$251 billion for the steel sector, followed by US$141 billion for cement,  US$57 billion for power and US$18 billion for road transport. The estimated investment in the four sectors will reduce the use of 291 million tonnes of coal and 72 billion litres of petrol and diesel, mitigating 6.9 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions (excluding road transport). The study also evaluated the macroeconomic consistency of India’s estimated climate finance requirement. Overall, capital and financial flows net of the projected current account deficit (CAD) for India are estimated at US$530 billion during 2023–2030 as against the projected expansion of US$474 billion in monetary base. Thus, India would need to skilfully manage both (i) capital flows in the BAU; and (ii) climate finance from external sources. India may have to strategically widen its CAD, subject to a maximum of 2.5 per cent of GDP. 

India has been grappling with a nutrition crisis for decades, and the governments over the years have introduced various public policy responses and schemes to address it. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), introduced in 1975, is one among them. The ICDS is India’s foremost nutritional and child development scheme, employing a multipronged approach to children’s holistic development and well-being by integrating health, education and nutritional interventions through a vast network of Anganwadi centres across the country. This paper critically examines the strengths, challenges, weaknesses, and opportunities of ICDS over the last fifty years. It also offers insights into strategies aimed at fortifying its future direction, through the lens of 2020 National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and early childhood care and education (ECCE). To enhance its rankings in global indices and to eradicate all forms of malnutrition, India must prioritize the strengthening of the ICDS-Anganwadi framework. Furthermore, the long-term success of India’s national development agenda (Viksit Bharat 2047), as well as its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, is inextricably linked to the health, nutrition, and well-being of its present and future generations. In this context, a robust and reimagined ICDS-Anganwadi paradigm emerges as a cornerstone for inclusive and sustainable development.

Efficient disposal of surplus, obsolete, and unserviceable assets is a critical, yet often overlooked, component of effective administration. In Indian government healthcare institutions, the accumulation of dysfunctional equipment and expired consumables poses significant financial, operational, and safety challenges. Unique challenges in healthcare condemnation include protecting the privacy of patient-related data, radiation hazards in certain equipment, PCPNDT Act 1994** norms for USG*** equipment, and disposal of e-waste. This narrative review provides a guide for administrators especially those who are working in healthcare to navigate the complex landscape of asset condemnation and disposal. It synthesizes the regulatory framework mandated by the Government of India's General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017, outlines best practices for establishing robust internal policies and committees, and conducts a detailed comparative analysis of the primary disposal platforms: the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), MSTC Ltd. e-auctions, and traditional offline methods. The review offers practical, step-by-step guidance for institutional registration on digital platforms and addresses special considerations for hazardous materials like e-waste. By integrating regulatory mandates with practical disposal strategies, this article aims to empower administrators to create a streamlined, compliant, and value-maximizing process, thereby enhancing financial prudence, operational efficiency, and patient safety within public healthcare facilities.

Frans-Paul van der Putten's China Resurrected traces nearly two centuries of Chinese history, from the Opium Wars to today's great-power rivalry. The book's central argument is that modern China's story is a continuous, long-term effort to reclaim sovereignty after the "century of humiliation." By linking seemingly disparate eras—from the Qing dynasty to the Communist regime—the narrative highlights a shared national goal of achieving a strong, independent China. While the book effectively connects historical defeats to present-day nationalism, the review notes that its "straight line" narrative can oversimplify complex events, sometimes presenting history as an inevitable march toward "resurrection" rather than a messy, uncertain process. This broad, readable approach makes it an excellent introduction for new readers, though it may lack the nuanced detail sought by academic specialists.