Contemporary Studies
RGICS undertakes research on India’s major developmental challenges by examining constitutional values, governance, economic growth, sustainability and global engagement. This work connects field experience with policy analysis, producing evidence-based insights that inform public debate and strengthen democratic decision-making. RGICS focused its studies and discourse on five themes. Each theme is explored through focused subthemes that reflect current national priorities and long-term developmental needs.
Constitutional Values and Democratic Institutions
This theme analyses how constitutional principles—justice, equality, liberty and fraternity—shape India’s social and political landscape.
The sub-themes under this theme are:
- Trade-offs between economic growth and social equity
- The progress of and push-back on efforts towards social justice
- Understanding the causes for social tensions – a socio-psychological approach
Governance and Development
This theme studies the functioning of public systems, institutional accountability and the effectiveness of local governance structures in advancing development.
In this theme, we focus on how institutions of the state in India can work better to promote development. Our sub-themes under this theme are:
- District and Municipal local self-government
- Public systems – efficiency, accountability, transparency
- Legislative processes and the court system
Growth and Employment
The reforms of 1985 and 1991 placed India on a high-growth trajectory. However, India is still one of the poorest countries on earth. To ensure better lives for our citizens, we need to sustain a consistently high growth rate for several decades.
In this theme, the focus is on how public policy can enable widespread growth, especially in those sectors that can create employment at scale. There are three sub-themes under this theme:
- Agricultural transformation – a farmer-led value chain perspective;
- Small manufacturing and services in small towns; and
- Urban informal services sector – skills, secure jobs and self-employment.
Environment, Natural Resources & Sustainability
This theme focuses on contemporary issues related to climate change, sustainability and natural resources especially water, forest and land. Our work on these issues attempts to analyze policies and their implementation from people’s perspective, their experiences and learning. Under this thematic area we focus especially on following three sub themes.
- Water, Forests and Land (Jal, Jangal, Jameen)
- The Trade-off between economic growth and sustainability
- Climate change and India’s response
India’s Place in the World
In an increasingly connected world, the nation-state is less sovereign today that it was ever before. Some of the most consequential issues today – climate change, terrorism, international trade, or global violations of human rights – cannot be dealt by any country in isolation. Under this theme, we work on how India can engage deeply with the rest of the world to protect its interests and to promote global peace and security. We focus especially on these three sub-themes:
- China, particularly on trade and investment
- International organisations – the UN & its organs, the WTO and the UNFCC & GCF
- Indian diaspora and soft-power