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Dear Reader,
The incidence of mental disorders in India has become a significant public health issue. In 2021, at the height of COVID-19, the National Mental Health Survey estimated that 14.8% of India's population experienced mental disorders. India's adolescent population, aged 13 to 17—the largest in the world—is particularly vulnerable to mental disorders. The Survey found that 8 to 11 million adolescents require mental healthcare at any given time in the country, and mental disorders are now one of the leading causes of health loss in the age group of 10 to 19.
The India Forum points out that adverse experiences such as leaving school early, entering the labour force, early marriage and parenthood impact adolescents' mental health, especially that of girls. Promoting adolescent mental health requires actions beyond the health sector to ensure they live, study, work, and socialise in supportive, healthy environments.
Despite the rising female workforce participation in corporate India growing from 23.9% in 2016 to 26.8% in 2024—women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. A 2024 report by LinkedIn and The Quantum Hub, a Delhi-based Consulting firm, finds that women hold only 18.3% of senior leadership positions, though they comprise 28.7% of entry-level jobs.
This disparity, termed the "leaky pipeline," reflects systemic biases. Women face hurdles such as judgment on appearance, marital status, and difficulties returning from maternity leave, which limit their progression in the corporate hierarchy. Article 14 finds that laws promoting gender inclusivity often remain unenforced. It is imperative that mentoring and gender sensitisation are not only emphasised but also made mandatory.
Since the late 1970s, Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have significantly contributed to the reputation of the Supreme Court of India as the "final arbiter and ultimate protector of legal rights." PILs were conceived to allow citizens to seek justice for those unable to access the justice system themselves. As part of a series on 'The People's Court at 75', the Supreme Court Observer delves into PILs' history of half a century and laments that the "original promise and purpose have soured."
Migrants in India's cities and towns lead multifaceted lives searching for a livelihood. In their pursuit, they create spaces that become a home away from home, surrounded by familiar faces from their families and villages back home. The Migration Story explores Delhi's 'momo capital,' Chirag Dilli, a hub primarily shaped by migrants from the Northeast, who have not only built businesses but also a community within the nation's capital.
For more such stories from the grantees this week, please read on.
Warmly,
Sunil Rajshekhar
IPSMF
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