How is Rural India's Mental Health? + 1st PPI Meetup of 2025!
Policy Post #170
Dear Reader, Hope you're doing well! This week’s Policy Charcha brings attention to the need for urgent action in India's rural healthcare sector, shedding light on alarming findings from the latest report on healthcare access. We also discuss innovative climate adaptation strategies emerging in response to escalating heatwaves and water shortages across India, as well as a fellowship opportunity for young leaders aiming to shape global governance.
PPI is hosting its first in-person policy community meet-up and workshop of 2025 in Bangalore! Check out our ‘What are we at PPI up to?’ section for more details.
In our Climate + Health Corner, we dive into the potential impact of Budget 2025 on India’s healthcare sector and highlight a recent study on menstrual health in South Asia, revealing the significant impact on women’s daily lives.
Lastly, our video highlight features an insightful discussion from 1992 with Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, offering a glimpse into India's transformative economic reforms. As always, explore our curated resources, career opportunities, and thank you for being part of the Public Policy India community!
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 #170!
This Week’s Policy Focus 🔎
Transform Rural India & Development Intelligence Unit just released the State of Healthcare in Rural India 2024 report, and the findings are alarming. Half of rural households still don’t have health insurance, and most people skip routine checkups unless absolutely necessary. Women are doing most of the caregiving—without formal training—while mental health struggles are on the rise, with nearly half of rural residents reporting regular anxiety. The report urges urgent action—expanding health insurance, filling doctor shortages, strengthening home-based care, and scaling up telemedicine.
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!
💡 Article Highlight:
As India faces worsening heatwaves, floods, and water shortages, people are finding innovative ways to adapt—from grassroots early-warning systems in Kerala to large-scale water recycling in Bangalore. With millions at risk, the challenge is immense, but growing urgency is driving creative solutions across cities and farms.
🎓 Fellowship Highlight:
Applications are now open for the United Nations Foundation’s Next Generation Fellowship, offering exceptional young leaders the chance to shape global governance, influence SDG policies, and drive transformative change. Fellows will engage in high-impact initiatives, represent youth at global summits, and lead collaborative campaigns on key global challenges.
❓ What are we at PPI up to?
Public Policy India (PPI), in partnership with Kautilya School of Public Policy, is excited to host our first in-person policy community meet-up and workshop engagement of 2025 in Bangalore! Join us on Saturday, 8th February, between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM for an engaging discussion on policy-making, higher education in the field, and career opportunities in this space.
We will be joined by Dr. Rathin Roy, former Director and CEO of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) and Economic Adviser to the Thirteenth Finance Commission, to explore the evolving role of policy in India.
This event is open to all, and coffee is on us! To stay updated and join the conversation, simply follow Public Policy India’s Bangalore city chapter here: linktr.ee/ppicommunities.
We look forward to an exciting evening with you!
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 February 28th, 2025!
🔎 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!
Climate + Health Corner
In Partnership With Swasti, The Health Catalyst
👉🏽 What could the Budget 2025 mean for Healthcare?
The Union Budget 2025 is expected to bring significant changes to India's healthcare sector. With a focus on reducing the gap between urban and rural healthcare, the budget is likely to increase allocations aimed at achieving National Health Policy goals. Key measures, such as tax exemptions and enhanced insurance coverage, are anticipated to improve healthcare access for the 'missing middle class'.
👉🏽 One in Five Women in South Asia Miss Daily Activities During Their Period
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals that nearly 20% of women and girls in South Asia skip daily activities during their periods, with the most significant impact on those aged 15-19. Despite access to menstrual products, factors like household conditions and contraceptive use play a role in absenteeism. This research underscores the urgent need for policy changes to address menstrual health and improve the quality of life for women globally.
▶️Video Highlight:
👉🏽 In this captivating 1992 Budget discussion, moderated by Prannoy Roy, Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reveals bold economic reforms aimed at reshaping India's future. From reducing fiscal deficits to slashing taxes and interest rates, Singh stresses the importance of fiscal discipline and competitive markets to control inflation and spur industrial growth. He also shares his vision for India's economic restructuring, promising a more prosperous and stable future. The insightful conversation offers a glimpse into the transformative changes that would define India's economic journey.
👥 Community Updates:
Public Policy India (PPI), in partnership with Kautilya School of Public Policy, is excited to host our first in-person policy community meet-up and workshop engagement of 2025 in Bangalore! Join us on Saturday, 8th February, between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM for an engaging discussion on policy-making, higher education in the field, and career opportunities in this space.
We will be joined by Dr. Rathin Roy, former Director and CEO of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) and Economic Adviser to the Thirteenth Finance Commission, to explore the evolving role of policy in India.
This event is open to all, and coffee is on us! To stay updated and join the conversation, simply follow Public Policy India’s Bangalore city chapter here: linktr.ee/ppicommunities.
We look forward to an exciting evening with you!
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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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