Achievements of the NHM + The Anant Fellowship in Sustainability and Built Environment!
Policy Post #178
Dear Reader,
Hope you're doing well! This week in Policy Charcha, we bring you a curated selection of the most insightful podcasts, essays, and career resources from the world of policy and governance.
In our Quick Read, we highlight key achievements of the National Health Mission (NHM) from 2021-24, showcasing its impact on strengthening healthcare systems, maternal and child health, and tackling diseases across India. Meanwhile, a fascinating visual from the UK National Nuclear Laboratory caught our eye—illustrating just how little nuclear fuel is needed to power an entire lifetime. Could nuclear energy be the future of sustainable power?
In our Fellowship Highlight, applications are open for the Anant Fellowship in Sustainability and Built Environment; a global, one-year on-campus programme equipping changemakers with interdisciplinary skills to create an equitable built environment.
For our Video Highlight, we take a look at India’s $3.7 billion INS Varsha, a top-secret underground nuclear submarine base designed to withstand attacks and strengthen India's naval capabilities. With space for 12 submarines, this hidden fortress is set to change India's defence strategy in the Indian Ocean.
In the Climate + Health Corner, we examine why India’s domestic workers urgently need their own labour law. Despite decades of exploitation, failed legislative attempts, and caste-based discrimination, a recent Supreme Court directive offers a glimmer of hope. Will this finally lead to concrete legal protections?
Do consider supporting PPI by buying us a coffee ☕ (or two!) if you’ve found our work to be valuable :)
With that, we bring to you: Policy Post #178!
Policy Charcha 💬
The best of Podcasts, Videos, Essays, Fellowships and other Career resources from the world of Policy and Governance from the week gone by!
💡 Quick Read:
This quick read highlights key achievements under the National Health Mission (NHM) from 2021-24, showcasing its impact on public health in India. Launched in 2013, NHM aims to strengthen healthcare systems, improve maternal and child health, and combat communicable and non-communicable diseases across the country.
🎓 Fellowship Highlight:
Applications are now open for the Anant Fellowship in Sustainability and Built Environment, a global one-year on-campus programme empowering changemakers to design, build, and preserve an equitable built environment. Open to candidates from all disciplines, the Fellowship offers a multidisciplinary curriculum leading to a Post-graduate Diploma or MSc. Need-based financial aid is available for deserving candidates. Apply now!
👀 Caught our eye:
The UK National Nuclear Laboratory showcased a striking comparison using a can labeled "If nuclear energy powered your entire life – the fuel would fit inside this." Simply put, this means that nuclear power is incredibly efficient, requiring only a small amount of fuel to generate a lifetime’s worth of energy for an individual.
🔎 Databases and Guides:
Discover your ultimate career resource sheets for everything related to public policy! Our comprehensive mega-lists include over 150 organisations that are always on the lookout for talent, 200+ scholarships for Indian students, and 150+ public policy courses. Dive in and unlock incredible opportunities!
▶️Video Highlight:
👉🏽 India's $3.7 billion INS Varsha is a secretive underground nuclear submarine base designed to withstand attacks and bolster India's naval power against China. With space for 12 submarines, it strengthens India's nuclear deterrence and secures the Indian Ocean. Watch to see how this hidden fortress reshapes naval strategy!
Climate + Health Corner
In Partnership With Swasti, The Health Catalyst
👉🏽 Why India’s Domestic Workers Need Their Own Labour Law
Photo Credit: Sewa Bharat
For decades, domestic workers—mostly women from Dalit, Adivasi, and other marginalised communities—have remained invisible in India’s labour laws. Despite multiple bills introduced since 1959, a mix of political apathy, caste biases, and resistance from lawmakers (many of whom employ domestic workers themselves) has blocked legal protections. Without written contracts, fair wages, or social security, they remain vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and even violence.
The Supreme Court’s recent directive to form a committee for a potential legal framework offers a rare window of opportunity. Worker collectives and labour activists argue that domestic work is unlike other forms of unorganised labour—it is performed in private homes, involves care work, and operates within deeply entrenched social hierarchies. A dedicated law could ensure enforceable rights, minimum wages, and grievance redressal mechanisms. But will policymakers finally take action, or will history repeat itself?
👥 Community Updates:
Our PPI Pune community, in partnership with Kautilya School of Public Policy, recently came together for an engaging evening! We were joined by Mr. Prateek Kanwal, Co-Founder of Kautilya School of Public Policy and a Harvard Kennedy School graduate. He has over 12 years of experience in education reform, policy, and advocacy. He shared his insights from his journey in policy and the changing landscape of public policy.
Admissions are now open for the Master's Program in Public Policy (MPP) at Kautilya School of Public Policy. This 2-year, full-time residential program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to expand your knowledge and skills, while engaging with the real challenges of India. Apply now—last date is April 30th, 2025!
PS: KSPP offers up to 100% scholarships, with over two-thirds of applicants receiving aid. The vast majority are awarded scholarships covering more than 50% of their fees.
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Careers Corner 💼
A curated list of some of the best jobs and internship opportunities this week from the world of public policy, the development sector, impact consulting and communications at large.
📩 Best bit - if you know of a job/internship opening that’s not listed here, kindly just add that as a comment on the sheet: giving 20,000+ people immediate access to it!
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