Indian scholars love theory, policymakers want quick fixes. Both forget who they’re serving

The article highlights the deep divide between academia and public policy in India, where academics prioritise abstract theory while policymakers favour quick, technocratic solutions. Both approaches, shaped by institutional and funding incentives, often fail to address complex social realities meaningfully. The authors criticise the tendency to frame issues like climate change in simplistic, “war-like” terms and argue that incremental fixes cannot bridge this systemic gap. Instead, they call for a fundamental shift toward democratising research by centring the voices of affected communities rather than institutions or experts. Ultimately, effective collaboration requires mutual respect, humility, and a shared focus on public welfare, moving beyond the current culture of distrust and disconnect between the two worlds.

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