Work from Office > WFH? + The LAMP Fellowship!
Policy Post #161
Dear reader, Trust you're well! This week, we dive into surprising findings on mental health in India, where office workers report better wellbeing than remote workers. Despite the National Mental Health Programme, corporate wellbeing remains largely unstructured, highlighting the need for urgent reforms.
In the Policy Charcha section, we discuss India’s rising female labour-force participation, the impact of dedicated freight corridors, and the upcoming LAMP Fellowship for young policy enthusiasts. Our new Climate + Health Corner explores mental health challenges faced by trans women and abortion awareness across the country. Don’t miss this week’s video, where Yash Agarwal, Founder of Public Policy India, discusses the LAMP Fellowship with current and former fellows.
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 #161!
This Week’s Policy Focus 🔎
A global study by Sapiens Labs, covering over 54,000 employees across 65 countries, found that Indian office workers have better mental health than remote workers, unlike the global trend favouring hybrid work. Strong workplace relationships and a sense of purpose were key, while poor relationships in India had a significant negative impact. Despite India's National Mental Health Programme, corporate wellbeing remains unstructured, unlike Japan’s $6 billion investment in workplace mental health, highlighting the need for reforms to support India’s workforce.
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!
💡 Research Highlight:
India’s female labour-force participation rate (LFPR) has risen from 23.3% in 2018 to 41.7% in 2024, a significant improvement. While some attribute this to government initiatives and economic distress in rural areas, most women are entering self-employment rather than formal jobs, with stagnant earnings. Despite the rise, challenges remain for true economic empowerment.
📝 Article Highlight:
A study by the University of New South Wales highlights how India’s dedicated freight corridors, like the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), are reducing freight costs and boosting GDP, especially in economically weaker states. The corridors have cut freight costs by up to 0.5%, contributing 2.94% to Indian Railways' revenue growth, and are expected to promote more balanced economic growth nationwide.
🎓 Fellowship Highlight:
Applications for the Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament (LAMP) Fellowship open on the 1st of December! This exciting opportunity offers young Indians the chance to work directly with an MP, providing research support, drafting speeches, and assisting in law-making. Fellows also engage with policy experts and gain hands-on experience through field visits and workshops.
🔎 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
👉🏽 Mental Health Challenges faced by Trans Women in India
A study by The George Institute reveals that trans women in India face significant mental health issues, with high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The research highlights how societal rejection and healthcare discrimination contribute to these challenges, with an estimated 4.8 million transgender people in India. Researchers call for urgent interventions, including better support systems and gender-affirming policies, to address stigma and improve their well-being.
👉🏽 Only One in Three Indians Know Abortion is Legal
Despite abortion being legal in India for over 50 years, a survey by Ipas Development Foundation reveals that only 1 in 3 people are aware of its legality. The report highlights a lack of knowledge on abortion safety and availability, with 72% supporting abortion rights, but only 29% agreeing that women should have sole decision-making power. The findings suggest a need for better education, especially in rural areas, and the creation of accessible, credible platforms for information to reduce stigma and increase awareness.
▶️Video Highlight:
👉🏽 With applications for the LAMP Fellowship opening soon, here's an insightful video from the Policy Panchayat! In this session, Yash Agarwal, Founder of Public Policy India, interacts with both current and former LAMP Fellows to discuss the application process, fellowship requirements, and the exciting career opportunities that follow.
👥 Community Updates:
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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. :)
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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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