Local APIGA India 2025 + the DigiNiti Conference @ FLAME University!
Policy Post #168
Dear Reader, Hope you're doing well! This week, we bring you a powerful edition of Policy Charcha, where we dive into India's growing education gap and the systemic barriers hindering women's participation in the labour force. You'll also find a spotlight on two exciting opportunities: DigiNiti, FLAME University’s tech policy conference, and APIGA’s debut in India, offering you a gateway to the world of Internet governance. Don’t miss your chance to engage with leading experts and showcase your work!
In our Climate + Health Corner, we look at why India’s temperature rise remains below the global average despite climate risks, and examine how India’s ageing population is being overlooked by current policies.
We also have a video highlight on the threat posed by massive budget deficits and the "bailout culture," as economist Ruchir Sharma shares insights on the sustainability of current fiscal strategies.
As always, explore our curated resources and career opportunities, and thank you for being part of our 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 #168!
This Week’s Policy Focus 🔎
Over the last decade, education among Indian women has soared, with over half of women aged 20-29 completing Class 12 by 2024, up from just 27% in 2012. Yet, wage labour participation has slipped, held back by systemic barriers and a lack of opportunities. Interestingly, more women are taking part in MGNREGA than men, highlighting their readiness to work even in physically demanding jobs. With 80% of women willing to work and having family support, challenges like unequal access to formal jobs and stagnant labour markets are still holding back India’s gender dividend.
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:
Explore how stable growth in advanced economies contrasts with India’s episodic bursts of progress. What drives these growth phases, and can India navigate global and domestic challenges to spark the next economic leap?
📢 Conference Highlight:
Applications are open for DigiNiti, FLAME University's flagship technology policy conference. Focused on the intersection of technological innovation, policymaking, and implementation, DigiNiti offers a platform for students, scholars, and industry experts to engage, collaborate, and showcase cutting-edge research. Apply now to present your work to a distinguished panel and connect with leaders shaping the future of tech policy!
🎓Opportunity Highlight:
For the first time, APIGA is coming to India! Dive into Internet governance with expert panels, interactive workshops, and a Model ICANN simulation tailored to India’s digital landscape. Top 2 participants will get the chance to attend the regional APIGA in South Korea. Hosted by O.P. Jindal Global University, this is your gateway to the world of tech policy and Internet governance. Apply now at apigaindia.in—seats are limited!
📚Database Highlight:
Explore our freshly updated list of 200+ fellowships in the policy and social impact space! Covering areas like education, climate, health, tech, and journalism, there’s something for everyone.
🔎 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
👉🏽 Why India's Warming is Lower Than the Global Average
In 2024, India saw a 1.2°C temperature rise, lower than the global average of 1.6°C, due to aerosols and its tropical location. However, climate risks remain high, especially with regional vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for improved monitoring and assessments.
👉🏽 India's Ageing Population: Policy Gaps and Future Challenges
India’s older population is growing faster than its youth, with those over 60 expected to increase by 41% between 2021 and 2031. However, current policies and schemes remain inadequate in addressing their needs, highlighting the urgent need for better policy responses.
▶️Video Highlight:
👉🏽 Nicolai Tangen sits down with economist Ruchir Sharma to explore how massive budget deficits and the "bailout culture" are threatening capitalism. Sharma argues that running 6-7% deficits during full employment is unsustainable and shares bold solutions to get capitalism back on track.
👥 Community Updates:
All our communities are free to join, open to everyone and are continuously growing and evolving to maximise the opportunities and awareness about policy and careers in this broader space that we can create in cities across India’s 20 most vibrant cities.
The aim is to organise regular in-person meet-ups, workshops, and career activities throughout the year to support your growth and learning. Most knowledge in public policy and social impact resides with individuals, not institutions, and knowledge transfer happens most effectively when we meet and exchange ideas. Join us and help spread the word so we can grow this space together in your city and across India. :)
Join our absolutely free pan-India communities on WhatsApp and be a part of the next in-person meet-up!
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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