I Jyoti Agarwal n 2022, on an August day, in a small hall in Mumbai, Ratan Tata, aged eighty-four years old found himself among other elderly people and recent graduates. No inspiring speeches, celebrities, or grand philanthropic ventures took place at the event. Instead, it signified the beginning of a new venture, called Goodfellows, which…
For much of the development sector’s history, progress has been understood through the expansion of access. The construction of schools and health facilities, expansion of electricity and water supply, increased enrolment, greater financial inclusion and wider coverage of social protection programmes have all been important markers of development. These achievements matter because exclusion from basic…
In Paikmal block of Odisha’s Bargarh district, a quiet renovation is underway. Anganwadi centres — the community childcare that anchor India’s early childhood system — are being repainted with alphabet murals, fitted with interactive number walls, and stocked with teaching-learning materials, NITI Aayog said in a July 18 update on the initiative. The upgrade sits…
India’s GDP ranking decline in 2026 is mainly due to rupee depreciation and data revisions, even though real economic growth remains strong. However, the real concern is that despite this growth, there has not been significant improvement in nutrition, employment, and overall social development. The Ranking and the Reaction The IMF’s April 2026 World Economic…
India’s Aspirational Blocks Programme has achieved a major milestone, with 150+ blocks reaching 100% saturation in key welfare indicators, marking a shift from intent to measurable outcomes.The data-driven model, backed by strong governance and partnerships, is now emerging as a scalable blueprint for nationwide development. India’s flagship grassroots governance initiative is producing its most concrete…
CSR reporting is shifting from narrative-driven claims to data-backed, verified impact audits, where companies must prove real-world outcomes. With stricter ESG regulations and third-party verification, accountability and measurable impact are becoming mandatory, replacing traditional “feel-good” CSR reports. Corporate social responsibility reporting is undergoing its most significant shift in decades. For years, companies filed long, narrative-heavy…
The United Nations Commission for Social Development adopted new resolutions to strengthen poverty eradication and inclusive policies, emphasizing coordinated global action and social justice. Leaders highlighted the need for stronger national policies, social protection systems, and inclusive development to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Commission for Social Development has adopted a…
In India, water is more than a resource Water Budgeting in Aspirational Blocks is a report released by the NITI Aayog on 19 November 2025, anchoring water planning at the most local level: namely, the block. The report represents a shift from broad planning to community-based action and seeks to translate national ambitions into real…
India and Sri Lanka have agreed to extend their High Impact Community Development Projects framework for five more years, in a renewed push for neighborhood development cooperation. An official statement was issued in this regard by the High Commission of India in Colombo in early November 2025. The extension keeps one of India’s most long-running…
Thiruvananthapuram, October 29, 2025 – On November 1, the southern Indian state of Kerala will officially announce that it has eradicated “extreme poverty,” based on its own definition of the term, possibly becoming the first Indian state to achieve this status. The announcement will take place on Kerala Day (Kerala Piravi) under the auspices of…
