Dear Reader,
Hope you're doing well! This week in Policy Charcha, we bring you a fresh mix of powerful stories, data tools, career resources, and field updates from the world of policy and governance.
In our Article Highlight, we take a closer look at the fading footprint of the Maoist movement in India. Once dubbed the country’s greatest internal security threat, Naxalism is now at its weakest, with major surrenders and leadership losses. But what remains of the movement? This gripping ground report captures the voices of those who lived through it.
For our Database Highlight, we’ve expanded our jobs and opportunities list to include 500+ organisations across 10 policy and social impact fields. If you're on the lookout for your next big step, this is the resource you need.
Our Video Highlight takes you to Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront. A story of urban vision, ecological trade-offs, and political will. If you’re into city design and sustainability, you won’t want to miss it.
Meanwhile, at PPI, we're headed to Kolkata! In partnership with Kautilya School of Public Policy, we’re hosting an in-person meet-up and workshop on April 19th. With guest speaker Prateek Kanwal (Harvard Kennedy School alum and Co-Founder of Kautilya), expect deep dives into policymaking, education, and careers in the field. Join the PPI Kolkata Chapter to be part of it!
For our Climate + Health Corner, in partnership with Swasti, we spotlight the Women and Men in India 2024 report. It paints a promising picture of growing gender parity in areas like education, employment, and entrepreneurship; while also flagging persistent gaps in leadership and rural inclusion.
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 #180!
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:
The Maoist movement, once India’s biggest internal security threat, is facing its sharpest decline yet—marked by mass surrenders, key leader deaths, and a shrinking leadership. As the Centre declares a 2026 deadline to end Naxalism, this ground report dives into what’s left of the Red bastion, featuring voices of ex-cadres, intelligence officials, and forces on the frontline.
📚 Database Highlight:
Check out our freshly updated list of jobs and opportunities in the policy and social impact space! With 500+ organisations regularly looking for suitable candidates across 10 fields, find your next big career move here!
🔎 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:
👉🏽 From a decades-old dream to a striking reality, the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad is a bold urban transformation story. This video takes you through its ambitious vision, ecological challenges, slum rehabilitation, and how design and politics came together to reshape a city. A must-watch for anyone interested in urban planning and sustainable development.
Climate + Health Corner
In Partnership With Swasti, The Health Catalyst
👉🏽 Women and Men in India Report 2024
Released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the Women and Men in India 2024 report offers a detailed snapshot of gender trends across sectors. From rising female labour force participation and startup leadership to improved education parity and digital inclusion, the data signals progress. However, challenges like occupational segregation, rural-urban divides, and leadership gaps persist.
👥 Community Updates:
Public Policy India (PPI), in partnership with Kautilya School of Public Policy, is excited to host our in-person policy community meet-up and workshop engagement in Kolkata! Join us on Saturday, 19th April, for an engaging discussion on policy-making, higher education in the field, and career opportunities in this space.
We will be 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.
How to join? Simply join the PPI Kolkata City Chapter. More details on the same will be shared on the City Chapter!
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.
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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