G20 meeting echoed importance of digital public infrastructure but there are four challenges
The promise of SP-ODEs is compelling but it is worth reiterating that deploying them would not automatically translate into better welfare delivery.
How govt surveys can be updated to better understand the financial lives of Indian households
There is a need for updated dataset on households’ consumption patterns, increased frequency of surveys on households’ balance sheet, and to collect data on financial well-being.
Why endowment plan, a traditional life insurance scheme, is part of most household finances
Unlike term plans that provide life risk cover or unit-linked schemes, where returns are market-linked, endowment plans offer maturity benefits upon survival & minimum guaranteed return.
How important is a ‘key facts statement’ and what it does (or doesn’t) tell you about your loan
Unlike terms & condition document, key facts statement is a simple, page-long snapshot of key information about a loan. However, depth of information it offers can be shallow.
Suitable or unsuitable? Understanding the role of credit in finances of low-income households
Low-income households seek loans often, but credit is suitable if it helps sustain or improve financial well-being. This is what must be ensured by lenders, regulators & policymakers.
Why financial service providers, policy makers must evolve to better serve low-income households
Low-income households work with irregular income inflows, resulting in shrinking financial planning horizon and necessitating frequent decisions in response to frequent changes.
What is the ‘Jan Dhan Account-Aadhaar-Mobile’ trinity & has it aided India’s war on poverty?
‘JAM’ trinity facilitates direct benefit transfers of welfare subsidies into bank accounts of poor, but teething issues have kept the programme from realising its true potential.
Protecting the users — what the primary aim of a personal data protection legislation should be
The latest iteration of India’s data protection legislation calls for a reminder of why the country needs a Personal Data Protection Bill and what would make it a good one.
Inclusive, efficient, accountable — how to make digital welfare platforms more citizen-centric
Any digital system built to deliver social protection to citizens must accentuate the benefits of digitisation for citizens while suppressing any harm to them.
From digitisation to platformisation — how social protection schemes can be made more accessible
Social Protection Open Digital Ecosystems (SP-ODEs) can provide beneficiaries, government and service providers a unified, digital platform to better access welfare schemes.
