Introduction In 2026, India assumed the BRICS presidency and hosted the first BRICS Sherpa meeting of the year — a key diplomatic event that set the agenda for the grouping’s engagements in the coming months. BRICS is a strategic coalition of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The Sherpa meeting…
Introduction Urban India is standing at a decisive crossroads. Rapid population growth, expanding economic activity, and rising aspirations are putting unprecedented pressure on city infrastructure. Roads are congested, drainage systems struggle during monsoons, housing shortages persist, and public transport networks remain inadequate in many regions. At the same time, cities generate nearly two-thirds of India’s…
Introduction International trade agreements are not merely economic documents; they reflect diplomatic priorities, political sensitivities, and strategic calculations. Recently, the United States revised the wording of its official communication related to an interim trade framework with India. This change — often described as “dilution of trade deal language” — may appear technical on the surface,…
Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) has accelerated the creation of synthetic media — content produced or manipulated by algorithms that can convincingly mimic reality. From realistic deepfakes to AI-generated voices, images, videos and text, the potential of synthetic media is vast. It offers creative, educational and commercial possibilities, yet it also poses serious risks to reputation,…
Introduction In a parliamentary democracy, the Speaker occupies a uniquely powerful yet impartial position. The Speaker is expected to rise above party politics and act as the guardian of legislative propriety. However, when members of the House believe that this neutrality has been compromised, they may attempt to challenge the Speaker’s authority through a formal…
Introduction In recent years, India has steadily expanded its scientific infrastructure to match global standards in space and astronomical research. One of the most significant developments in this direction is the expansion of telescope facilities in Ladakh — a region uniquely suited for high-precision observations of the universe. The Ladakh telescope expansion represents a strategic…
Introduction Inflation measurement plays a central role in shaping monetary policy, welfare schemes, wage negotiations, and economic planning. In India, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has emerged as the primary indicator of retail inflation, directly influencing policy decisions taken by Reserve Bank of India and welfare targeting by the government. Recognizing rapid changes in consumption…
Introduction Courts do more than interpret laws — they shape social attitudes, define justice, and influence how dignity and equality are experienced by ordinary citizens. In recent years, India’s higher judiciary has increasingly acknowledged that unconscious bias and gender stereotypes can quietly enter judicial reasoning, especially in cases involving sexual violence, domestic abuse, and gender…
Introduction The Industrial Relations Code (IRC), 2020 was India’s effort to consolidate and modernise fragmented labour laws governing industrial peace, worker rights, trade unions, and dispute resolution. However, within a few years of its implementation, challenges in interpretation, implementation, and socio‑economic impact prompted policymakers to revisit the law. In 2026, the government introduced the Industrial…
Introduction Relations between India and Bangladesh have historically been shaped by geography, shared culture, economic interdependence, and strategic concerns. Over the last decade, bilateral ties strengthened significantly due to close cooperation on connectivity, security, energy, and people-to-people exchanges. However, a political transition in Bangladesh following the electoral victory of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) introduces a…