The Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 is a revision of DPM 2009, which instates the rule for revenue procurement (spares, repairs, MRO, ICT, services). The DPM 2025 came into force on 1st November 2025. This roughly governs Rs. One Lakh Crore of annual revenue procurement by the three Services and MoD Organisations. Cover by The Geostrata DPM 2025 is divided into two volumes: Volume I- This highlights the principles, procurement methods, delegated authorities, contract ru

Investment is a small but highly volatile component of a nation’s gross domestic product. As domestic belief in the future of a country’s growth feeds more into investments than corporate necessity, most fluctuations in terms of investment, particularly business fixed investment, or private capital expenditure, can be traced back to demand-side catalysts.  Illustration by The Geostrata THE THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS   Investment is not merely an autonomous activity, but is under

Shubanshu Shukla, an Indian astronaut, travelled to the International Space Station in 2025. This is a significant moment that goes beyond simple patriotism. India’s missions like Mangalayaan and Chandrayaan are praised for their low cost and efficiency all over the world. Nevertheless, despite this achievement, India continues to be marginalised in the global space economy, which is expected to reach a value of $1 trillion this decade. Illustration by The Geostrata This arti

Underneath the dust stirred by the crossfires between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir lies the untold story of developmental disparities between regions separated by misconceived boundaries of baseless claims. Illustration by The Geostrata Boundaries that, by their very nature, separate the two by a margin that is only negligible compared to that separating the economic, social and medical realities of Jammu and Kashmir and the part of it that remains under unlawful P

The relationship between India and ASEAN goes way far, beyond trade and strategy, rooted in centuries of cultural exchanges and shared heritage. India and ASEAN both recognise and underscore the importance of people-to-people diplomacy, and how it is becoming an important element of state-led initiatives as both regions continue to negotiate a multipolar world. India-ASEAN relations are often narrated through a simplified filter: India is seen as a counterbalance to U.S. inte

A democracy is ultimately judged not only by the laws it enacts but by how swiftly and fairly those laws are enforced. In India, this test is now being failed in slow motion. The National Judicial Data Grid reports over 5.1 crore cases pending across all courts as of December 2025, with district courts alone holding 4.69 crore. That turns the constitutional promise of speedy justice into a distant ideal for millions. Illustration by The Geostrata Every statistic hides a human

India's trade policy since independence has been rooted in self-sufficiency and protectionism, which makes India's trade remarkably different. The first three and a half decades after independence were governed by very high tariffs, tight import restrictions, and a complex 'licence raj'   system to encourage young Indian industries, while protecting many sectors. Illustration by The Geostrata This self-sufficiency encouraged domestic manufacturing, but at the same time, it ha

India’s multi‑vector foreign policy in 2025  reflects a refined combination of adaptability and strategic depth in an increasingly complex world. In this new order, India carefully balances among the United States, China, and Russia while maintaining its strong influence within its South Asian neighbourhood. Illustration by The Geostrata The identified strategy, based on the belief in strategic autonomy, allows New Delhi to maneuver in unforeseen crises and take opportunities

Today, power is not simply quantified in terms of military or economic power, but it increasingly resides in the ability to shape knowledge and guide societal perceptions toward an understanding of reality. At every point on our planet, states and networks are using advanced tactics to drive public perception, well beyond the raw propaganda of yesteryear. Illustration by The Geostrata But rather than trying to prove one argument, these operations seek to push the larger conv

As the world has been becoming increasingly influenced by digital infrastructure, a rising trust gap is developing around global tech ecosystems. Countries are becoming increasingly cautious about the excessive use of Western or Chinese platforms  due to data colonisation, spying, and economic blackmail. Illustration by The Geostrata The concept of digital non-alignment has gained popularity: as geopolitical fault lines become more pronounced, the concept of developing sovere

Poppy cultivation in Pakistan has been a long-standing issue, intensely for decades. Yet, its involvement in the modern international drug trade began only in the 1970s. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 transformed Pakistan into a critical processor and transit corridor for narcotics. Cover by The Geostrata Although narcotics did not initiate the conflict in Afghanistan, the drug trade has both sustained and been sustained by the ongoing violence. This trade has str

The pattern is all too familiar. A jihadi group operating from Pakistani soil, with state backing, carries out a terror attack on India. If the assault is particularly atrocious, India suspends diplomatic engagement while mulling more punitive responses, including strikes on terror safe havens inside Pakistan and adopting more proactive security doctrines aiming to inflict high costs on state-sponsors of terrorism.  Illustration by The Geostrata Pakistan, fearing its deterren

The democratic journey of India has never been static. From the first general elections of 1951–52 , when the votes for both the Union and state governments were cast simultaneously, to today’s multi-layered electoral calendar, the country has continuously adapted its democratic mechanisms to changing political and social realities. The proposal for One Nation One Election (ONOE) must be viewed within the broader context of democratic evolution. Illustration by The Geostrata

Trade conversations between the United States and India often focus on tariffs and technicalities, but the two giant trading partners share a much larger concern . This is especially true in agriculture. Illustration by The Geostrata The US relies on large, export-oriented farms, whereas India’s agricultural sector is composed of millions of small farmers who require steady prices to survive. What looks like a policy conversation on paper becomes an argument about defending t

The governments of India and the United Kingdom announced a landmark Free Trade Agreement with symmetry on 6 May 2025 and formally signed this agreement on 24 July 2025. Throughout this process, India’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) played a critical and often informal role in providing strategic coordination, direction, and oversight to the international significance of this event. Illustration by The Geostrata By illuminating the PMO’s role, we gain insight into how the hig

Strategic deterrence in the modern era has advanced well beyond single-warhead missiles. Today, nations rely on technologies that ensure credible retaliation, increase survivability, and complicate interception. The Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology is particularly important among these developments. One missile with MIRV capability can launch multiple warheads, each directed toward a distinct target. Illustration by The Geostrata A "bus" or

As the EU implements strict anti-deforestation regulations, exporters worldwide now have to prove the sustainability of their supply chains. With the majority of India’s coffee sector relying on EU exports, it must find ways to comply with regulations while protecting the livelihoods of small growers and holding onto market share, as well as aligning with international environmental standards. Illustration by The Geostrata UNDERSTANDING THE EU DEFORESTATION REGULATION (EUDR)

The world is heading into a future where the demand for energy is climbing faster than ever. By 2040, the global population is expected to exceed 9 billion, and fuel consumption could rise by more than half. Growing dependence on conventional energy sources has raised real concerns about sustainability and the risk of a deepening energy crisis. Illustration by The Geostrata In the midst of unstable markets, changing tariffs, and uncertain supply chains, India, the world’s mos

In an ever-evolving, unpredictable world order, a moderate, realistic and flexible country has several opportunities to shape and influence it. It has been observed that opportunities in the international system do not wait for long. There is no true democracy in the global arena. Illustration by The Geostrata A middle-income country like India, which does not hold commanding formal positions at the high tables of bodies like the UN, must try to take the initiative in fields

With the advancement of technology, the global retail sector has undergone a profound shift in the last two decades, defined by the rise of e-commerce. Once seen as a rival threatening the survival of retail businesses, e-commerce has now become a catalyst for transformation. On the one hand, e-commerce has changed consumer behaviour by making it more convenient. Illustration by The Geostrata On the other hand, it has compelled retailers to restructure their strategies to sus