Features

Special IDR features and series, including editorial collaborations.

an elderly man standing in a field and holding up a light in his right hand--pench tiger reserve

Crop loss, wild animals, and a solar device: Lessons from Pench Tiger Reserve
In six villages bordering Pench Tiger Reserve, solar lights are helping some farmers protect their crops. Others are still waiting.
by Kunal Nakshane | 4 min read

IDR Explains

A comprehensive introduction to a development topic, concept, or approach that captures expert views as well as the latest secondary research on the topic.

The image features three women working in a field. One women holds a stack of leaves in her hand and there are rows of bound and stacked leaves laid out on the ground._Community resources

IDR Explains | Commons
In just 10 minutes, learn how India’s commons power its people, ecology, and economy—through examples, their history, and challenges.
A group of people stand in a forest holding signs. - Forest Rights Act

IDR Explains | Forest Rights Act (FRA)
In just four questions, learn what FRA is, why it was enacted, how it aims to benefit India’s forest-dwelling communities, and what are the barriers in doing so.
A circular strip_circular economy

IDR Explains | Circular Economy
In just five questions, explore the circular economy—what it is, why it’s crucial for sustainability in India, and the challenges of adopting it.

Photo Essays

Photo-driven stories that depict ground realities, explore pressing issues, and outline innovative solutions.

an elderly man standing in a field and holding up a light in his right hand--pench tiger reserve

Crop loss, wild animals, and a solar device: Lessons from Pench Tiger Reserve
In six villages bordering Pench Tiger Reserve, solar lights are helping some farmers protect their crops. Others are still waiting.
The image shows two men sitting on a footpath. They are selling flowers of different colours which are bundled together in plastic buckets and arranged in heaps on the ground.--floriculture

The fragile livelihoods of Lucknow’s flower farmers
While flower prices soar during festive seasons, these periodic profits offer little security to marginal farmers. Changing weather, inadequate transport and storage facilities, and unstable markets continue to impact livelihoods.
a woman drives an auto rickshaw as a man looks at her--women auto drivers

Women auto drivers navigate a profession built for men
Two women auto drivers from Chennai write about the barriers that keep women out of this profession, and the union they built to combat it.

Bite-sized stories from the people closest to the action.

IDR Interviews

Conversations with visionaries on their life’s work, and their efforts to challenge the status quo in our country.

A day in the life of

Frontline workers and first responders share their insights from working at the grassroots.

The image is set inside a home. A young women is sitting at the edge of a bed with her back turned to the camera. She is holding the hand of a person who is lying down on the bed, out of the frame.--palliative care

What does it mean to care for someone with a serious illness?
A day in the life of a counsellor and nurse in Mumbai as they provide home-based palliative care, helping patients and families face illness, loss, and uncertainty with dignity.
The image features the authors, Shakeela Banu and Nageena Banu. They are standing outdoors smiling warmly at each other while holding hands. Shakeela is wearing a bright red headscarf with a black inner layer, and Nageena is wearing a light-colored and patterned suit and dupatta . The background shows greenery and a blurred building--Beedi industry

‘One day, one day, the women will go out to protest…’
A day in the life of two union leaders fighting for fair working conditions in Karnataka’s beedi industry and for the rights of their community.
two women sitting on the floor in a classroom, with numbers and the kannada alphabet painted on the walls behind them--community organiser

The girl who refused to drop out
A day in the life of a young field coordinator in Raichur, Karnataka, reflecting her journey of almost dropping out of school to supporting herself, her family, and her community.

Failure Files

Social change leaders chronicle their failures and lessons learnt.

Silhouetted birds perched on bare tree_leadership failure

Building team culture isn’t optional
A nonprofit co-founder reflects on how scaling rapidly unintentionally alienated employees, which led to cracks in organisational culture.
Aerial shot of women protestors sitting_well-being

Preparing for a marathon, not a sprint 
Dalit civil rights activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan on why failure is an opportunity to build power, how systems of oppression affect well-being, and what healing looks like for individuals and communities.
Barbed wire_nonprofits

Why don’t nonprofits talk about their failures?
A number of risks, both real and perceived, stop nonprofits from talking about failure. Here's how various stakeholders can work together to overcome them.

Perspectives

Op-eds and commentary that hold a mirror up to civil society, reflect upon its evolution, and unpack key trends.

activist Rajagopal PV addressing large crowd--systems change

Systems change needs politicians
Working within broken systems won't help fix them. Real change depends on political will, and civil society must engage with politics to unlock it.
a flat screen monitor showing colour bars and text and numbers--systems change

The myth of systems change
The growing preoccupation with systems change risks distorting priorities and undermining meaningful work on the ground.
two female healthcare workers in a pharmacy, with one writing in a register while the other looks on--public health India

Reforming public health in India
Improving public health in India is not merely about spending more money. It hinges on systems that build trust, reward effort and pool risk.