What If Your Biggest Launch Customer Is Yourself? | Space Launch 4

More from All Things Policy

1. 

   S1 · E1960 · 23 Sep 2026 · 46 min

   Senior Citizen Policies: The Kerala Model

   Kerala's 60-plus population has grown from 12.6% in 2011 to 18.7% today. The state's own projections put it near 30% by 2051. India as a whole won't reach that share for decades. In the first episode of a series on active ageing, Malathi Renati speaks with Dr Praveen Pai, gerontologist and the WHO Global Network's Focal Point for age-friendly Kochi, about what it actually takes to govern for a population living longer rather than simply growing older. The conversation moves through three layers of government: what the Union has built since 1999, what Kerala has added on top, including a…

2. 

   S1 · E1959 · 22 Sep 2026 · 47 min

   India's Electricity Woes & Solutions

   Over the last decade, India's power sector has done few things correctly. Almost every household is connected, and we're adding solar and wind faster than most countries. But if you talk to someone who runs a distribution company, a solar park or a factory, you hear a different story. DISCOMs struggle to pay their bills. Solar gets switched off in the afternoon while another state scrambles for expensive power at night. And a unit of electricity costs the same at noon as it does at 8 pm, even though it's worth very different things at those two times. Today Arindam Goswami is talking to…

3. 

   S1 · E1958 · 21 Sep 2026 · 37 min

   The Real Economics of Innovation Hubs

   State governments love lobbying for premier institutes, hoping they'll magically turn into the next Silicon Valley. But without the right ecosystem, top talent just takes the first flight out. In this episode of All Things Policy, host Kavya and guest Arindam unpack the real blueprint for building a tech hub. From state-backed venture capital and regulatory sandboxes to the live-test of India's Semiconductor Mission, discover the foundational policy levers required to turn a shiny campus into a thriving innovation economy. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you…

4. 

   S1 · E1956 · 17 Sep 2026 · 27 min

   Brahmaputra: The Risk of a River Changing Slowly

   China’s mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo has raised concerns about downstream risks for India. Beyond the prospect of sudden floods, how could gradual changes in river flows and sediment reshape the Brahmaputra and the lives that depend on it? In this episode of All Things Policy, Kavya Rai speaks with Dr Y. Nithiyanandam about Himalayan hazards, climate change and the implications of upstream development for downstream states in India. They also discuss the role of geospatial monitoring, data sharing and scientific cooperation in strengthening India’s preparedness. The original op-ed about…

5. 

   S1 · E1955 · 16 Sep 2026 · 30 min

   What Happens After a Rocket Fails? | Space Launch 3

   Failure is an unavoidable part of developing launch vehicles, but not every launch company survives it. Lokendra Sharma and Ashwin Prasad Rao discuss why states sometimes continue supporting launch firms after expensive failures and sometimes allow them to disappear. Drawing on cases from the United States, China and elsewhere, they ask what India’s first serious private-launch failure will reveal about the state’s willingness to preserve domestic launch capability. The discussion draws on this newsletter: https://orrery.ashwinprasadrao.com/p/still-on-the-umbilical All Things Policy is a…

6. 

   S1 · E1954 · 15 Sep 2026 · 40 min

   Laughs and SCO-ffs At Bishkek

   In this episode of All Things Policy, Anisree Suresh sits with Manoj Kewalramani and Anushka Saxena to unpack the 26th SCO Summit. They analyse the key takeaways from the Summit and its Bishkek Declaration, the utility of the Organisation itself from an Indian perspective, and its wider impact on regional security and cooperation. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution,…

7. 

   S1 · E1971 · 9 Oct 2026 · 35 minNew

   How China Makes Policy

   China is often seen as a highly centralised system where policy is decided at the top and simply implemented by the bureaucracy. But is Chinese policymaking really that straightforward? In this episode, Shreya Ramakrishnan speaks with Shobhankita Reddy about how policymaking actually works in China. They explore the iterative nature of the policymaking process, the different stakeholders who shape it, and how these dynamics are reflected in China’s approach to AI. The conversation then looks at the broader domestic economic trends shaping China’s technology ecosystem, and what these could…

8. 

   S1 · E1970 · 8 Oct 2026 · 31 minNew

   A New Congress, A New Challenge for India-US Ties?

   In this episode of All Things Policy, Aditi Palo speaks with Abhishek Kadiyala about the impacts of an altered US Congress composition on India-US ties. In the past, the US Congress has proven to be a relatively consistent element in India-US ties and a reliable institution in times of political uncertainty. But early trends in the midterm elections indicate a shift towards a more ideologically divided composition of Congress, which could potentially erode this very reliability. Aditi and Abhishek unpack the uncertainties a fragmented Congress would bring in, and delve into the measures…

9. 

   S1 · E1969 · 7 Oct 2026 · 35 min

   America Votes | Why should India care?

   In this inaugural episode of 'America Votes', All Things Policy's series covering the US mid-terms, Brigadier Anil Raman and Abhishek Kadiyala cover the early trends in November elections. They discuss the process, the politics and its relevance for India. It frames the midterms as a contest for Congress, whose powers over war, tariffs and aid outlast any executive action. Tracing the President's record-low approval and Republican fears, the episode shows how American domestic politics now sets the cost and tone of ties with India. It argues that India remains strategically essential but…

10. 

    S1 · E1968 · 6 Oct 2026 · 28 min

    The Limits of US-China Cooperation on AI Safety

    Can the US and China cooperate on AI safety while competing to lead the technology’s development? Bharath Reddy and Shobhankita Reddy examine what the Trump–Xi summit revealed, why calls to slow the AI race face resistance and what areas they might possibly cooperate on going forward. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution,…

Every episode of All Things Policy →