Rajiv Gandhi Institute For Contemporary Studies
April 7, 2025
The study presents a comprehensive examination of the state’s multifaceted challenges and proposes a strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development. Uttarakhand confronts a triple crisis encompassing environmental degradation, social disparities, and economic vulnerabilities. Environmental concerns include deforestation, water scarcity, soil erosion, and the adverse impacts of climate change, such as glacial retreat and increased […]
Read More »
March 7, 2025
The report titled “An Analysis of the Current Status of the Environment, Society, and Economy of Himachal Pradesh” provides a comprehensive examination of the state’s pressing challenges and proposes a strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development. Himachal Pradesh faces a triple crisis encompassing environmental degradation, social disparities, and economic vulnerabilities. Environmental concerns include deforestation, […]
Read More »
February 1, 2025
Overview of the Indian economy India experienced robust GDP growth in the mid-2000s, exceeding 8% annually, but faced a slowdown to 6% following the global financial crisis of 2007-08. By 2012-13, growth further declined to about 4.5%. Although there was a brief surge between 2014 and 2016, growth slowed again after demonetization in 2016 and […]
Read More »
January 31, 2025
Adverse international responses to smothering of democracy in India India’s image as a democracy has faced significant scrutiny and criticism over the past five years, with international organizations and media reports highlighting concerning trends that raise doubts about India’s commitment to democratic principles. Most recently, the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in March […]
Read More »
December 31, 2024
Dr Manmohan Singh was firmly rooted in the practical political economy which constrains theoretically pure choices. We will miss this scholar statesman not just for his wisdom but also his civility.
Read More »
December 24, 2024
Dr Manmohan Singh was firmly rooted in the practical political economy which constrains theoretically pure choices. We will miss this scholar statesman not just for his wisdom but also his civility. The three years after the banks had been told by the Narsimhan Committee to focus on asset quality and earnings, 1992 to 1994, had […]
Read More »
June 7, 2024
The report outlines a strategic roadmap to transform Uttar Pradesh’s economy and employment scenario by 2027. With the state’s goal of becoming a one trillion-dollar economy, the report emphasizes that growth must be inclusive, bridging regional and social disparities and ensuring widespread employment opportunities across all sections of society. Key challenges identified include low labor […]
Read More »
May 25, 2024
Overview of the Indian Economy India experienced robust GDP growth in the mid-2000s, exceeding 8% annually, but faced a slowdown to 6% following the global financial crisis of 2007-08. By 2012-13, growth further declined to about 4.5%. Although there was a brief surge between 2014 and 2016, growth slowed again after demonetization in 2016 and […]
Read More »
May 25, 2024
Adverse international responses to smothering of Democracy in India India’s image as a democracy has faced significant scrutiny and criticism over the past five years, with international organizations and media reports highlighting concerning trends that raise doubts about India’s commitment to democratic principles. Most recently, the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in March […]
Read More »
April 7, 2024
The report examines the complex relationship between India’s foreign trade, GDP growth, and employment generation. It highlights the critical role foreign trade plays in driving economic growth and creating jobs, stressing the importance of strategic policies to maximize these benefits. In the fiscal year 2021-22, foreign trade accounted for about 45.7% of India’s GDP, with […]
Read More »
March 7, 2024
The Rajasthan Employment Study (2024–2029) provides a detailed analysis of the state’s employment challenges and offers strategic solutions for job creation and wage enhancement. The report highlights persistent issues of unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youth and marginalized groups. Despite economic progress, many workers remain in informal, low-paying jobs that lack security and benefits. A […]
Read More »
March 7, 2024
The Madhya Pradesh Employment Study (2024–2029) provides a detailed examination of the state’s employment scenario, addressing key challenges and offering practical strategies for job creation and wage enhancement. The report reveals persistent unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youth and socially disadvantaged groups. Although the state has experienced economic growth, a large portion of the workforce […]
Read More »
February 7, 2024
The report presents an in-depth analysis of Karnataka’s employment scenario, highlighting key challenges and suggesting actionable solutions for the period 2024–2029. Despite economic growth, the state faces persistent issues of unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youth and marginalized communities. A major concern is the growing disconnect between educational attainment and actual employment opportunities, resulting in […]
Read More »
January 7, 2024
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the employment scenario in Telangana, highlighting critical challenges and proposing targeted strategies for improvement. The state faces a severe unemployment crisis, with millions of youth out of work. This widespread joblessness has led to social distress, particularly among marginalized groups like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward […]
Read More »
December 7, 2023
The Chhattisgarh Employment Study (2024–2029) presents a detailed analysis of the employment challenges facing the state and outlines strategic approaches for sustainable job creation and wage enhancement. Unemployment and underemployment remain persistent, particularly among the youth and marginalized communities. Even with economic development, a large share of the population is engaged in low-paying, informal jobs, […]
Read More »
April 26, 2023
Groundwater is a crucial resource for Madhya Pradesh, supporting both agriculture and daily water needs. However, excessive extraction, lack of regulation, and fluoride contamination are creating a growing crisis. With 80% of the state’s land covered by hard rock formations, groundwater availability varies widely. While government policies exist, enforcement is weak, and unregulated use continues. […]
Read More »
January 24, 2023
Gujarat’s groundwater situation is at a crossroads. While it remains a lifeline for agriculture and daily needs, over-extraction, dropping water tables, and increasing salinity are causing serious concerns. The lack of strong regulations and sustainable management practices has led to growing water stress. However, hope lies in innovative, community-led initiatives that are successfully replenishing groundwater […]
Read More »
December 18, 2022
Uttar Pradesh relies heavily on groundwater, with over 75% of its agriculture and 80% of drinking water needs depending on it. However, unregulated extraction is pushing the state towards a crisis, with nearly 138 regions classified as overexploited or critical. The gap between water demand and availability is widening, especially in rainfed regions like Bundelkhand […]
Read More »
November 21, 2022
Assam’s groundwater is under growing pressure, even though it remains within safe limits for now. Agriculture is the biggest consumer, and with rainfall patterns shifting, more farmers are turning to groundwater for irrigation. While the state has plenty of surface water, inefficient recharge methods, lack of strong policies, and pollution issues are raising concerns. The […]
Read More »
October 23, 2022
Maharashtra is heading toward a serious groundwater crisis. Though it remains the primary source of water for farming and drinking, the state is withdrawing more than it can replenish. Groundwater meets over 70% of irrigation needs and 85% of rural drinking water demand, but increasing over-extraction, weak enforcement of policies, and erratic rainfall are pushing […]
Read More »
September 21, 2022
West Bengal’s groundwater situation is complex and increasingly under stress. The Sundarbans are facing rising salinity, making fresh water scarce. In the Himalayan foothills, springs that once provided steady water flow are now drying up, impacting both drinking water and farming. The Red Lateritic Zone in western West Bengal struggles with low groundwater availability and […]
Read More »
August 22, 2022
Rajasthan is facing a serious water crisis. With low rainfall, extreme heat, and heavy groundwater extraction, many areas are running out of water. More than 62% of the state’s groundwater blocks are classified as over-exploited or critical, meaning they are using more water than can be naturally replenished. In many regions, groundwater is not just […]
Read More »
August 4, 2022
Tamil Nadu is facing a serious groundwater crisis due to over-extraction, climate change, and poor water management. The state uses 82.9% of its available groundwater annually, putting it among the most water-stressed states in India. Irrigation alone consumes 92% of the total groundwater, causing water tables to drop drastically in many areas, especially in northern […]
Read More »
June 23, 2021
उत्तराखंड की वन पंचायत प्रणाली लंबे समय से स्थानीय समुदायों द्वारा जंगलों के संरक्षण और प्रबंधन का एक सफल मॉडल रही है। लेकिन वन अधिकार अधिनियम (FRA), 2006 लागू होने के बावजूद, सामुदायिक वन अधिकार (CFR) और व्यक्तिगत वन अधिकार (IFR) पूरी तरह से मान्यता प्राप्त नहीं कर सके हैं। वन विभाग का बढ़ता नियंत्रण […]
Read More »
May 29, 2021
Public services in India have long been plagued by delays, inefficiency, and red tape. The Right to Public Services (RTPS) Acts, passed by various states, aim to change that by ensuring timely and accountable service delivery. These laws set deadlines for issuing documents like birth certificates, ration cards, and driving licenses while imposing penalties on […]
Read More »
May 9, 2021
This study reveals just how crucial Common Property Resources (CPRs) like forests, ponds, grazing lands, and canals are for rural communities across India, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing degradation of these resources is a significant driver of distress migration, pushing people to leave their villages and seek work in cities. Regenerating […]
Read More »
February 1, 2021
Uttarakhand, with its rich forests and biodiversity, has faced an ongoing battle between development and conservation. While compensatory afforestation under CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) was meant to offset deforestation caused by infrastructure projects, challenges like mismanagement of funds, lack of land for afforestation, and slow implementation have limited its impact. Major […]
Read More »
October 11, 2020
The document explores how Chhattisgarh can become a high-tech power electronics manufacturing hub, focusing on Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology as a game-changer for India’s electronics and semiconductor industry. Currently, India relies heavily on imports for key semiconductor components, especially from China. With rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs), solar energy, and data centers, building a […]
Read More »
September 11, 2020
Despite various shortcomings of Bhudan and Gramdan, the core idea of these movements—shared land, shared responsibility—remains powerful. In today’s world, where land inequality is still a pressing issue, modern cooperatives, community farming, and sustainable land policies could revive this spirit. The movements may not have fully succeeded, but their message of kindness, fairness, and shared […]
Read More »
October 14, 2019
The case study of Kambur Panchayat in Tamil Nadu highlights the power of grassroots mobilisation in strengthening local governance. Youth-led initiatives have significantly increased participation in Gram Sabha meetings, making them a platform for real change. Using tools like the Right to Information (RTI) Act and PRIASoft, these young leaders exposed financial irregularities and demanded […]
Read More »
May 31, 2019
India’s development is uneven, with some districts thriving while others struggle with poverty, poor infrastructure, and weak governance. The Samarth Zilla Framework argues that the key to solving these issues lies at the district level. Instead of relying on top-down policies that often fail to address local challenges, the framework proposes a more localized, people-centered […]
Read More »
May 8, 2019
Rajasthan’s economy is growing, but jobs aren’t keeping up. Over the next five years, 21 lakh new jobs are needed, but under the current trajectory, only 14 lakh will be created, leaving 7 lakh people unemployed. Agriculture still employs 41% of the workforce, but its contribution to the economy is shrinking, meaning many farmers are […]
Read More »
April 1, 2019
Chhattisgarh’s economy is growing, but jobs aren’t keeping up. The state needs 15 lakh new jobs over the next five years, but current growth patterns won’t create more than 5 lakh- leaving a massive employment gap. Agriculture still employs most people (74.5%) but contributes just 17% to the economy, meaning many workers are stuck in […]
Read More »
November 5, 2018
India has seen impressive economic growth over the past decade, but this hasn’t translated into enough jobs. Between 2019 and 2024, the country needs to create 7 crore new jobs to keep up with a growing workforce and reduce unemployment. Achieving this requires high growth that actually generates employment, ensuring people don’t just have jobs […]
Read More »Stay updated with the latest analyses, delivered to your inbox
RGICS is the division of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation engaged in the study of contemporary issues. The views represented in the various papers/articles/videos on the RGICS website are those of the respective authors /speakers and do not represent the views of the Trustees of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
