The progress of a country can be directly related to the education level of its countrymen. Over a time period, the internet has become a game changer for the world of disseminating education. From 2000 onwards, the scale of online courses has increased manyfold. The main reason for this growth in online learning can be attributed to the flexibility in course delivery and scheduling. Through this study, the authors analyzed the challenges in adopting Online degree programs in higher education in management in India. The authors used Focus Group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and in-depth interviews to collect the data from the various stakeholders. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the responses. Considering the challenges and constraints in India, the authors proposed a sustainable model for implementation. Based on the viewpoints of the different stakeholders, the authors find that online degrees can be instrumental in bringing inclusivity in higher education. There are obvious constraints like a lack of IT infrastructure, the inexperience of faculty in online pedagogy, and the need for more expertise in the administration of online programs by existing universities. However, using SWAYAM as a platform can overcome most of these constraints, as it reduces the burden on individual universities. Hence, the authors proposed models where SWAYAM (technology platform) and Universities (academic partners) can come together to provide a sustainable education model.

Smart electric meters play a pivotal role in making energy systems decarbonized and automating the energy system. Smart electric meters denote huge business opportunities for both public and private companies. Utility players can manage the electricity demand more efficiently whereas customers can monitor and control the electricity bill through the adoption of smart electric meters. The study examines the factors affecting the adoption intention of smart electric meters in Indian households. This study draws a roadmap that how utility providers and customers can improve the smart electric meters adoption. The study has five independent variables (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, environmentalism, and hedonic motivation) and one dependent variable (adoption intention). The sample size for the study is four hundred and sixty-two respondents from Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results of this study have confirmed that performance expectancy, environmentalism, and social influence have a significant impact on the intention of adopting smart electric meters. Therefore, utility providers can improve their strategies to attract more customers to adopt smart electric meters by focusing more on the performance of smart electric meters and by making them environmentally friendly. This research offers meaningful insights to both customers and utility providers to make energy systems decarbonized and control energy consumption.

Background: India’s rich educational heritage dates to ancient times, with popular institutions like Nalanda, Takshashila, and Banarasi-Kasi flourishing as early as the 6th century BC, which offered diverse courses spanning medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and more. Invasions by the Mughals and British during the 12th to 18th centuries disrupted India’s traditional education systems. Post-independence, India faced the challenge of transitioning from ancient to modern education. Remarkably, the country managed to preserve its popular traditional education through a strategic change management approach by the educational institutions. The Government of India has introduced in the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) in July 2020, to bring transformational reforms in school and higher education systems. In this manuscript, we have summarized the salient features of the NEP 2020 and the preparedness steps to its effective implementation in Indian educational institutions. Method: We have utilised standard databases like PubMed, Science Direct, or Google Scholar, and/or public domains and the NEP 2020 document for this literature survey. Value addition: NEP 2020 aims to ensure access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability with more flexible curricular structure, and holistic approaches. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, dynamic planning, and collaboration among public and private institutions, and industries supported the effective implementation of NEP 2020. Notably, the change management approach, which has been a constant throughout India’s educational journey, played a pivotal role in keeping pace with technological advancements and fostering growth in the higher education system in India.

This paper tries to understand economic, social and legal implications of the introduction and usage of MediSearch (AI search engine) in the Indian healthcare context. Discussing the economic ramifications, the paper highlights the potential for cost savings, the influence on healthcare accessibility, and the shifts in traditional medical paradigms. On the social side, the study explains ability of AI based platforms to bridge healthcare disparities, with a potential for enhancing general health literacy among the general population. From a legal standpoint, study highlights the concerns related to data privacy, regulatory issues, and possible malpractice implications. With the integration of these perspectives, the study also explains opportunities, challenges and future of MediSearch from the Indian health perspective.

Access to affordable and quality medicines plays a vital role for achieving Universal Health Coverage and in reducing out-of-pocket expenditures (OOPE) for households especially in developing nations such as India. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), a Government of India initiative, aims to make low-cost and quality generic drugs and surgical equipment accessible to all segments of the population through its dedicated store outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK). In this study, a pilot survey comprising 20 stores/PMBJKs and 150 citizens was undertaken in the Bengaluru Urban District, India to understand various aspects of the PMBJKs including availability of drugs, stock-outs, accessibility to stores, perception and awareness levels along with challenges faced by store owners and citizens/beneficiaries. Based on the survey results, we capture the availability of drugs for 35 medicines and consumables belonging to 12 therapeutic categories across 20 store outlets. We also provide valuable insights and interdisciplinary recommendations on several facets including adopting technology-based measures for day-to-day functioning of stores, need for in-depth supply chain analysis for ensuring availability of drugs, encouraging prescription of generic medicines, increasing awareness levels in addition to promoting grassroot-level research, surveys and feedback mechanisms. These suggestions are expected to find their utility in policy-making, strengthen the implementation of the PMBJP scheme across Bengaluru and India as well as contribute towards achieving related Sustainable Development Goals.