Department of Political Science

Abstract: Community healthcare workers (CHWs) play a critical role in providing vital healthcare services, particularly in the field of reproductive and sexual health, as well as maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition (RMNCHN) in India. Functioning at the intersection of healthcare system and local communities, CHWs not only facilitate access to care but also foster trust, acceptance and sustained engagement among beneficiaries. In this context, it becomes imperative to critically assess the motivational factors and the systemic conditions that shape the performance and aspirations of -Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Anganwadi Workers (AWW), and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM)-as these factors directly impact the efficacy and sustainability of health interventions. Objective: The study aims to investigate the intricacy of motivations, barriers and systemic challenges that may shape the performance of community health workers, specifically ASHAs, ANMs, and AWWs-working on the frontlines of healthcare services in the urban slums of Noida-Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. Methodology: This study employs a cross-sectional design with a qualitative methodology, drawing on in-depth personal interviews and focus group discussions to capture the complex, lived experiences of community health workers. The array of qualitative data was systematically coded and analysed using NVIVO software, yielding deep insights into the motivational landscapes and contextual determinants that impact performance dynamics on the ground. Conclusions: Lack of organisational support emerges as a critical constraint in the operational landscape of community health workers (CHWs) in India. This study underscores the dichotomy at the centre of grassroot healthcare delivery: CHWs remain indispensable to public health interventions among India’s marginalised and underserved communities, yet they continue to be overburdened, underpaid and structurally undervalued. Despite the scarcity of resources and institutional neglect, these frontline workers demonstrate a strikingly high degree of performance motivation. Intriguingly, their motivation is not primarily driven by material incentives but is deeply embedded in affective and symbolic realms—morality, religious and spiritual conviction, personal identity, and a sense of autonomy. Nonetheless, the absence of institutional recognition, limited financial compensation, insufficient infrastructural support, and inadequate appreciation from supervisory bodies significantly undermine their morale and long-term sustainability. The findings call for a reimagining of organisational frameworks that move beyond tokenism to genuinely support, recognise, and empower these vital agents of change.

This article examines how the India–Myanmar border in Mizoram is being reimagined and contested amid stateled securitization measures, with a focus on their impact on Zo communities whose familial, cultural, and religious ties span both sides. It asks how policy shifts, such as the 2024 suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and plans to fence the border, alter local notions of security, mobility, kinship, and belonging. Drawing on policy documents, media reports, and scholarly literature, the analysis situates these developments within a framework that views borders as socially produced and negotiated. The article defines core concepts of security (as territorial control and discourse), mobility (as everyday movement and exchange), kinship (as transborder family networks), and belonging (as identity and place in the borderland) and uses these to interpret how Mizoram's communities experience and respond to securitization. By examining state strategies and local responses, opposition by the Mizoram government and civil society, the study contributes to debates on postcolonial border governance, Indigenous rights, and federalism in South Asia. It argues that borders are experienced not only as imposed lines of separation but also as lived spaces of connection, where security imperatives collide with enduring kinship ties and local agency.

The demand for Article 371 in Meghalaya, a north eastern state in India, has emerged as a significant constitutional and political issue, with proponents arguing that it would enhance indigenous protections and autonomy beyond the Sixth Schedule. Led by the Voice of the People Party (VPP), the demand reflects concerns over central legislative interventions, resource control, and cultural preservation. However, drawing from the experiences of Nagaland (Article 371A) and Mizoram (Article 371G), this viewpoint evaluates whether Article 371 is a viable solution or a governance-unsettling and normatively dissonant proposal. The analysis finds that while Article 371 offers symbolic safeguards, its implementation risks jurisdictional conflicts, governance inefficiencies, and political resistance from the central government, particularly post-Article 370’s abrogation. Instead, strengthening the Sixth Schedule–through amendments prioritizing Autonomous District Councils autonomy, improved funding mechanisms, and governance reforms–provides a more practical and constitutionally coherent approach. This viewpoint argues that enhancing the existing framework aligns with Meghalaya’s governance needs without inviting constitutional uncertainty.

Over the past few decades, the rhetoric of smart and futuristic cities has defined the agenda of urbanisation in India. The underpinnings of these projects are heroic assumptions of modernity(ies) to achieve new goals and aspirations often assuming forms of urban utopia and taking a disruptive approach to urban planning. Our research, which focuses on the capital project of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, shows how the idea of Amaravati in its built and imagined form makes sense to various stakeholders. The research was conducted using qualitative field-based research methods in four villages (Neerukonda, Kuragallu, Ionolu and Nowluru) in the Amaravati capital region. Based on recent interventions in the studies of postcolonial urbanism we propose three key arguments. First, Amaravati in its built and imagined form confirms and negotiates the global discourse on world class city. The second, idea of Amaravati is conceived and progressed by presenting a futuristic vision rooted in the historical patterns of Telugu aspirations for a modern technocratic state. Third, Amaravati embodies the spirit of speculative urbanism, and the project is propelled by the grammar of speed. Lastly, the chapter shows how the idea of world-class in the Global South is imagined and formed by a complex network of inter-referencing and worlding practices.

This review article analyses the wide-ranging influence of Hindutva in Indian politics over the decade of Narendra Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister of India. The study analyses the survival, reproduction, and development of Hindutva in conflict with modernisation processes in India despite the country’s secular constitutional democracy. This is achieved by examining the developments in the Indian political landscape and policy administration through the prism of the symbiotic relationship between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), signalling the fusion of political power and Hindu religious principles. By contributing to the literature on religion and politics, through a comprehensive examination of political rhetoric, policy shifts, and societal attitudes, this review article examines the role of Hindutva in shaping the trajectory of governance and politics in India during Narendra Modi’s leadership.

India’s achievement in launching the Chandrayaan 3 lunar mission marks a turning point in its space exploration endeavours, with far-reaching implications that extend beyond technological success. This article discusses the strategic importance of Chandrayaan 3’s successful landing on the lunar surface, emphasizing its implications for India’s technological advancement, defense capabilities, education sector and economic growth. Furthermore, it delves into the challenges faced by the Indian space program, including limited budget allocations, technological dependencies, and market access. Drawing insights from global space initiatives, the article proposes strategic recommendations for realizing India’s full potential in the space domain, such as substantial investment, expertise in human spaceflight and private sector participation. Through a comprehensive analysis of Chandrayaan 3’s multidimensional impact, this article contributes to the scholarly discourse on space exploration and underscores India’s growing prominence in the global space community.

The current study examined the association of social support and background variables with resilience among young adults exposed to traumatic and stressful events of armed conflict in Kashmir, India. Data were collected from 693 participants using a multi-stage sampling method. Findings revealed that social support and gender were positively associated with resilience, whereas education, income, and maternal education were negatively associated with resilience. Moreover, feeling insecure and psychologically distressed as a result of conflict was negatively associated with resilience, whereas, perception that Kashmir conflict will be resolved was positively associated with resilience. The findings suggest fostering of resilience in this population.