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The purpose of this paper is to provide a picture of the water situation of the states of India and to identify key areas in which intervention is necessary for sustainable development and poverty elevation.

To understand the trend and situation of water across the states, Water Poverty Index (WPI) has been constructed. WPI has been computed for the years 2012 and 2018 to get a picture of temporal change happening in the region. Further, descriptive statistics were used to show the required changes.

Jharkhand and Rajasthan continue to be the worst performer in both time periods. Water poverty was the least in the states of Goa and Chandigarh for both time periods. Although owing to improvement in access and capacity component, the water status of India as a whole improved from 2012 to 2018 but few states have witnessed a decline in their water situation mainly due to deterioration in the environment and resource components.

This paper adds to the relatively scarce literature on the water situation conducted for the states of India. The findings of the paper provide insights into the lacking areas responsible for the deterioration in water poverty status. The results can be utilized for framing proper policies to combat the water woes of the country.

This study aims to provide a framework aligning corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives with sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2030, applying the triple bottom line (TBL) approach. The research examines and evaluates the reach of Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises’ (CPSE) CSR spending towards sustainability and maps them with SDGs focusing on economic, social and environmental aspects. In addition, state-wise spending for CSR of all eligible Indian companies has been discussed.

The study used secondary data related to CSR spending and disclosure from the annual reports and sustainability reports accessible on the official websites of CPSE, Global Reporting Initiative standards, CSR Guidelines of Department of Public Enterprises and Securities Exchange Board of India, Government of India’s National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) (2018) research papers, financial dailies and websites. The study includes the CPSEs awarded with the status of Maharatna companies under the Guidelines of Maharatna Scheme for CPSEs.

The top CSR initiatives focused on by Maharatna companies were related to poverty, hunger, sanitation and well-being, promotion of education and contribution to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. These initiatives aligned with the top SDGs related to life on land, education and health care, which proved responsible business leadership (RBL) through TBL. The alignment indicates that India is moving towards sustainable development achievements systematically.

The practical consequences can be understood through the CSR spending of Maharatna Public Sector Undertakings towards economic, social and environmental aspects. The spending demonstrates their commitment, which other public and private sector organizations can adopt.

The Government of India’s NGRBC’s guidelines towards inclusive growth and equitable development, addressing environmental concerns, and being responsive to all its stakeholders is a thorough indication of driving the business towards being more responsible. This research has developed a framework aligning CSR and SDG through the TBL approach, which other developing countries can adopt as a model.

There is dearth of research among public sector company’s contribution towards attaining SDGs and demonstrating RBL. This research fulfils this gap. Mapping CSR activities to SDG’s also has not been clearly carried out in previous research, which is a contribution of this study.

Employment exchanges have been playing a significant role in the worldwide labor market for more than a hundred years now. In India, since 1946, millions of aspiring Indian youths have registered themselves with the government-run employment exchanges to find a job. About four million job seekers got registered at 1,000 employment exchanges in India, it is important to analyze the placement statistics of these exchanges. In recent years, new methods of job search have evolved. This study examines whether employment exchanges are effective in the changed scenario?

Using state-level employment exchange data for the period 2010–2011 to 2019–2020, this study analyzes the determinants of job placement at employment exchanges in India. A critical analysis of the functioning of employment exchanges along with recommendations to improve the job search ecosystem in India is also presented in the study.

This study found that increased share of service sector in the state economy negatively impacts placement at employment exchanges.

The absence of focus on the service sector requires policy intervention if Indian employment exchanges are to remain relavant.

The government administration should rethink that ignoring service sector employment potential is unaffordable for an emerging economy and employment exchanges should be aligned accordingly.

About 30 million people are unemployed in India. If employment exchanges are transformed, it can have far-reaching socio-economic advantages.

This study is the first sub-country level study on the institution of employment exchanges. This study comprehensively maps the landscape of career services in India. Empirically establishing the impact of sectoral structure of economy on efficacy of employment exchanges, and makes the case for policy intervention that is needed to keep the employment exchanges relevant in India.