In Focus by The Hindu

It’s one of those conditions that has no symptoms during its early stages, meaning that by the time it is diagnosed, it could be very late: chronic kidney diseases, or CKD, has been in the news recently after a Parliamentary Standing Committee tabled a report on this condition in the Rajya Sabha earlier this month, and made a series of 66 recommendations. Significantly, the committee recommended diagnosis methodologies, called for a national CKD screening protocol and a registry, highlighted CKD of unknown etiology in certain States especially among agricultural workers and recommended greater use of peritoneal dialysis. So what is chronic kidney disease, why and how does it take place, what does it to the body, and who needs to be tested and when? Guest: Dr Rajan Ravichandran, Director, Nephrology, MIOT Hospital, Chennai and Chairman, Sapiens Health Foundation Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The biggest hurdle to police reforms comes from the bureaucracy itself – IAS officers who hold key positions at the Centre and in all departments of the governments and local bodies in the states,” writes Yashovardhan Azad in his new book, ‘Policing the Republic: An Inside View of How India Fights Corruption and Crime, and Protects Rights.’ Mr Azad, a former IPS officer who has served as special director at the Intelligence bureau and Central Information Commissioner, argues in his book that corruption and the breakdown of institutional credibility are two major challenges hobbling the India story. In this episode, we discuss, among other things, police reforms, the politics of corruption, and how tough life can be for a upright civil servant. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his 2026 Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government will roll out free online coaching for competitive exams using India’s digital public infrastructure. The announcement was made in a bid to reach out to the Gen-Z youth, especially following the widespread student protests against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak. The objective of the PM’s announcement was to save poor and middle-class families thousands of crores while also helping students prepare without leaving their homes. However, can govt. coaching classes break the private coaching industry? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Buddha Chandrasekhar, Chief Coordinating Officer of the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and CEO, Anuvadini AI run under the Ministry of Education; Anubhav Shrivastava, Co-founder of Theory of Physics Host: Maitri Porecha Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode of the In Focus podcast we have an excerpt from Global Faultlines, the Hindu's international affairs podcast. Yemen is no longer just the site of a devastating civil war. The Houthis have emerged as a powerful regional actor, capable of threatening Saudi Arabia, Israel and one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. In this episode, we examine how the Houthis transformed from a domestic insurgency into a regional military force, how the Gaza war expanded their role, and why Yemen has now become a new front in the Iran war. We look at the Houthis’ relationship with Iran, the strategic importance of the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, the renewed confrontation with Saudi Arabia, and what the escalation means for Yemen’s already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Can Yemen still find a political settlement, or has the rise of the Houthis permanently changed the balance of power in West Asia? Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it say about our cities when the Supreme Court has to remind governments that people have a fundamental right to walk? The Court’s recent judgment on footpaths has put a very basic question back on the table - who does the city actually make space for, the pedestrian or the vehicle? In cities like Bengaluru, the answer is visible on the street. Footpaths are taken over by parking, vendors, utility infrastructure and construction, while in several places there is barely a footpath to begin with. But is “encroachment” really the problem, or have we never planned our streets around pedestrians in the first place? So, what does the Supreme Court’s decision mean for metropolitan cities, and what would it take for Bengaluru and other metro cities to become a city where walking is treated as a right rather than an afterthought? Guest: Pawan M, Executive Director at the World Resources Institute, who has been advocating for safer, more accessible and people-centric street Hots: Rishita Khanna Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Ravichandran N Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kerala is known for its high literacy rate and strong public education system. Yet, several tribal communities in the State continue to face barriers in accessing and completing education. According to the 2011 Census, the Cholanaickan community in Kerala had a literacy rate of just 15.3%, pointing to the wide gaps that persist within the State.In this episode, we look at which tribal communities are most affected by school dropouts, the reasons behind children leaving school, and the stages at which they are most vulnerable. The conversation also examines whether existing government schemes have made a difference and where gaps remain.We also discuss the example of Serve India Adivasi LP School in Thariode, Wayanad, which has worked to prevent dropouts by adapting teaching methods without changing the syllabus, and whether such approaches can be replicated elsewhere in Kerala. Guest: Pradeep Kumar, anthropologist and researcher in tribal studies and development Host: Priya Baburaj Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, startling headlines hit the news. Three commonly prescribed medicines, hydrochlorothiazide, used to treat high blood pressure, voriconazole, an antifungal medicine and tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant were classified as carcinogenic, or cancer causing, to humans. The classification was made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer or IARC, which is the World Health Organization’s cancer research agency.According to the IARC, there is sufficient evidence that hydrochlorothiazide causes squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and cancer of the lip, as the drug makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Voriconazole, also has been linked to the same cancers. In the case of Tacrolimus since it suppresses the immune system to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, the reduced immune surveillance may allow abnormal cells to proliferate and it is linked with non-Hodgkin lymphoma with limited evidence for other cancers as well.These drugs are prescribed to millions of people worldwide. So what happens now? Guest: Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan convener, research cell, Kerala State IMA and honorary senior consultant gastroenterologist, Sunrise Hospital, Kochi. Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Karnataka Government has been championing a project to build a nearly 10,000 acre Live-Work-Play greenfield city on its outskirts in Bidadi, which has become a political flashpoint as farmers oppose land acquisition. All our mega cities seem to be saturated, overpopulated and congested. As a country we seem to be looking at ways of decongesting them. As Bengaluru seeks to embark on a similar trajectory as other mega cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad which have experimented building satellite towns, we ask whether building such greenfield towns on the peripheries of these cities, really the way ahead. To discuss this, urban planning, policy and governance expert Champaka Rajgopal, Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, Delhi, joins us on the In Focus podcast. She brings over 25 years of experience of having worked with national, state and local governments in India and abroad on urban policy, planning and governance. She has worked on a Master Plan for Bengaluru, Structural Plan for Bengaluru Metropolitan Region, Perspective Plan for Bengaluru - Mumbai Economic Corridor and the Earlier Draft Development Plan for Greater Mumbai - 2034. Host: Aditya Bharadwaj Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days after India’s youth-led protests forced the resignation of India’s Union Minister of Education, Members of Parliament found themselves speaking in the language of the protestors. For instance, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde accused the opposition of being “MIA” - missing in action - and feeling the “FOMO”, or the fear of missing out, before eventually becoming “delulu”. However, the Gen Z were in the limelight far before the protests caught steam. Tamil Nadu’s freshly elected Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), owes his victory, in part, to the Gen Z voters of the State. The debutante party involved its young following in electoral politics, one viral Instagram reel at a time. In response to this, the then-incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a decades-old party with deep footing in the State, posted reels and co-opted Gen Z slang as well, to no avail. Are traditional parties unable to understand the grammar of Gen Z politics? Here we discuss the question. Guests: N Sai Balaji, the political activist associated with CPI(ML) and the All India Students’ Association and Kunal Purohit, journalist and author of H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Popstars Host: Nitika Francis. Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mecca Defence Pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan marks a significant shift in West Asia’s security landscape. What does the agreement mean for India, and could it reshape the regional balance of power? In this episode of In Focus, we look at how India views the Mecca Pact, its implications for India-Pakistan tensions, Türkiye’s role, Saudi Arabia’s strategic calculations, and the possibility of a new security architecture in West Asia. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor at The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indians make around 24 billion UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions a month. The combined value of these payments is nearly Rs30 trillion. UPI is at the heart of India’s digital public infrastructure. The best thing about UPI payments: they are free. But now this could change. The government recently passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. This Bill, among other things, amends the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which had ensured that no charge can be levied on UPI transactions. But now, this is no longer the case. The government has claimed that this charge, known as the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), may only be applied on transactions above a certain threshold, that too only on merchants, and not on consumers. But analysts believe the costs will be passed on to the consumers. Why is MDR needed for UPI payments? Does it have anything to do with US pressure in the context of trade deal negotiations, as alleged by Opposition leaders? Is UPI really ‘free of charge’ even as it stands today? Guest: L Srikanth from Cashless Consumer, a consumer collective Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The scientific world was rocked last month, when the case of a six-year-old girl who died in China, surfaced. The child was believed to have Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation in the CHD3 gene. The condition affects intellectual development, but its severity varies widely. The girl’s parents sought an experimental treatment led by neuroscientist Zilong Qiu at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. What happened then was the child underwent base editing therapy, a specialised form of gene editing therapy. The therapy was directed at her brain to correct a genetic mutation in her brain cells. The parents are believed to have financed much of the therapy’s development. Within days of the therapy, the child developed a fever and kidney damage, and died a week later. The case has thrown up a number of issues: why was an experimental treatment such as this allowed to go forward even after animal testing had reportedly found dangerous side effects? How much treatment of this sort should be allowed when its effects are still not fully understood? Are there gaps in scientific regulatory mechanisms that need to be fixed? Should families of patients be financially supporting such treatments? And finally, what does this say about our treatment of persons with disabilities? Guest: Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ken-Betwa Link Project, India's first river-linking project, has once again come under the spotlight amid protests by villagers, many from tribal communities, who fear displacement and question the rehabilitation process. But beyond the immediate protests lies a larger debate over the science, hydrology and long-term viability of the project. In this episode, we unpack how the project is designed to work, what it means for the Ken and Betwa river basins, and whether the idea of a “surplus” river is scientifically sound. The conversation also explores the communities that stand to be affected, the links between environmental impacts and rehabilitation, the role of forests and river ecosystems in maintaining water security, and whether alternatives such as watershed development, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge could offer more sustainable solutions for Bundelkhand. Finally, we examine what the Ken-Betwa project could mean for the future of India's wider river-linking programme, with 30 such projects proposed under the National Perspective Plan. Guest: Himanshu Thakkar (Coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People)Host: Devyanshi Bihani Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recently concluded Commonwealth Games were unlike the usual multidisciplinary sporting extravaganzas that we are used to seeing. A late replacement to Victoria as host, the Glasgow Games were more akin to an abridged version with fewer events and fewer participants. India finished fourth on the medal table, a commendable performance given that most of the sports that over the years have formed the bulk of our medal haul had been removed. But questions of uncertainty have been whirling around the Games for a long time and the Glasgow edition has again reignited the same. Are the Commonwealth Games dying? We discuss. Tune in! Guests: Anju Bobby George and Dr. Heena Sidhu Host: Uthra Ganesan Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, blue has been synonymous with Indian sport. So why has Hockey India decided to replace it with saffron as the primary colour of the men's national team's jersey ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup? The move has sparked criticism from former players, administrators, fans and politicians, raising questions that go far beyond the design of a kit. In this episode of In Focus, we look at how the decision was made, whether the federation followed due process, if players and support staff were genuinely consulted, and whether Hockey India's technical explanation for the change stands up to scrutiny. Guest: Uthra Ganesan, The Hindu's hockey correspondent Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neha Bora has emerged as a charismatic student leader and one of the key faces of the Jantar Mantar protests. She is the national president of AISA, the All India Students Association, which is affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation. We speak with her about the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 on India’s higher education system, what it means to be a leftwing student leader in India, and the challenges in mobilising students and working class youth for social justice in a scenario of shrinking spaces for dissent and civil liberties. Host: G Sampath Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exactly seven years ago on August 5th, 2019, the Union government abrogated Article 370, and subsequently, Jammu & Kashmir became a Union Territory, ruled directly from New Delhi. Legislative assembly elections were held in September 2024 but the newly elected government did not have meaningful legislative or administrative powers. When it revoked Article 370, the government made two promises: one, that the move will usher in ‘normalcy’ to the Kashmir Valley, and two, that it would restore statehood soon. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is still awaiting statehood. And questions remain: Has normalcy returned? Has insurgency been stamped out? What’s the mood on the ground, and among the Kashmiri political classes? We speak with Praveen Donthi, Senior Analyst with the International Crisis Group, a non-profit that works on conflict-prevention and resolution. Produced, edited and shot by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the driving force of any economy? It is you and me! It’s the money we work so hard to earn and have fun spending. In fact, private consumption accounts for nearly 61.5% of India's GDP. Last year alone, consumer spending grew by 7.7%.  This makes households one of the biggest contributors to India’s growth story.  Meanwhile, household debt has climbed to 45.5% of GDP, with unsecured loans rising compared to home loans.  Indians are moving away from bank deposits and entering stock markets, either through mutual funds or in equities, like never before. With 93% of the growth in India's urban consumer class is expected from non-metros by 2040, how are Indians changing the way they save, borrow and spend?  Are these signs that India is becoming a mature consumption-driven economy, or a warning sign for policymakers?  (The views expressed are strictly personal) Guest: Prof. Smita Roy Trivedi, National Institute of Bank Management Host: Nivedita V Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through three harsh summer months this year, about 40 households across Delhi maintained a 'Garmi Khata' — a handwritten weekly log of what extreme heat did to their health, income and daily routines. That citizen documentation drive has now culminated in a formal submission to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in July.The submission asks the NHRC to admit the registries as evidence, formally recognise heat as a human rights concern, and fund dedicated Heat Action Plans, including national disaster status for heatwaves. This episode traces how the pilot project turned residents from subjects of a heat survey into authors of their own record, allowing them to build a case for their rights. Guests: Avinash Chanchal, Deputy Program Director (Campaigns), Greenpeace South Asia; Deepali Tonka, social work student and a person who maintained her own 'Garmi Khata'. Host: Vibha B. Madhava Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to set up fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases has once again brought these specialised courts into focus and revived the debate over whether they are the silver bullet to India's chronic judicial delays. Both the government and the judiciary have, over the years, relied on fast-track courts to expedite the trial of specific categories of high-priority cases. Following the announcement, the Delhi High Court has constituted a fast-track court at the Rouse Avenue Courts Complex to exclusively hear cases under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. However, stakeholders have cautioned that fast-track courts are struggling with mounting pendency and resource constraints, raising doubts about whether they can truly deliver speedy justice. Have fast-track courts delivered on the promise of speedy justice?  Guest: Bharat Chugh and Shruthi Naik Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maharashtra has become the first state in India to bring about a legislation for the empowerment of women farmers. The Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, has been passed by both the Houses. It gives a broader definition of women farmers and de-links agricultural identity from land ownership. But while the Bill claims to address decades of systemic economic exclusion of women, it leaves questions about why women's inclusion in land records was not incentivised through the legislation. Chennai-based MS Swaminathan Research Foundation played a pivotal role in shaping and advocating for this legislation. In this episode, we discuss what the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, means for women farmers, the changes it introduces, and the challenges that still remain. Guest: Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) Host: Vinaya Deshpande, Maharashtra Chief of Bureau, The Hindu Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The right to assemble peacefully is a fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution of India. But more often that not, this right has diminished into something that can only be exercised with permission from the police or the government The state can, and does, deny permission arbitrarily, and if the citizens go ahead anyway, it ends up giving a legal justification for repressive measures by the state. How did a fundamental right become conditional on permission from the state? What is the true legal and moral status of the right to peaceful dissent, and does it find reflection in the experience of Indians who wish to express their dissent? Guest: Pratik Patnaik, Delhi-based lawyer and policy commentator Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer and editor: Jude Weston Camera: Shiksha Jural and Saif Ali Ekram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did the Houthis enter the conflict now? This video explains the group's motivations, its ties with Iran, why it resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping, and how the escalation could reshape the Yemen war and regional security. We also examine the impact on global trade, oil markets, and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (or VB-G RAM G) has replaced the 21-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (or MGNREGA). The VB-G RAM G Act provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year to rural households whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work (up from 100 days under MGNREGA). However, under the new system, the States’ contributions to the scheme will increase by 300%. In this episode we discuss how this change reflects on Indian welfare policy, and more. Guest: Rajendran Narayanan, Associate Professor at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru Host: Nitika Francis Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“What if all the cockroaches come together?” That was the one-line tweet, put out by Boston-returned Abhijeet Dipke, on May 16, 2026. In less than two months, we are witness to the ‘cockroaches’ – India’s youth -- coming together to protest at Jantar Mantar, and in different parts of the country.  But this student protest against endemic exam paper leaks is not the first show of mass dissent against the Narendra Modi government. Before this, there has been a farmers’ movement, the anti-CAA protests, and several other protest mobilisations by workers, Dalits, and adivasi communities.  The government has weathered all of these protests comfortably. But the big question: is the students’ movement different? Is it a political challenge unlike any that the Modi government has faced during its 12 years in power?  Guest: Saroj Giri, Associate Professor of Political Science at Delhi University Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India has finally approved a vaccine for dengue. This is significant because India, in the last five years alone, has recorded over 1 million cases and at least 1,500 deaths due to dengue. Dengue is hyperendemic in India, which makes it a huge public health challenge. A vaccine, in this context, could make a big difference. Named QDENGA, the new vaccine has been developed by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals, a Japanese pharma company. It is expected to be sold in India in the first half of 2027. How was this vaccine developed, how safe is it, how effective will it be in India, and can it prevent the frequent outbreaks of dengue that we’ve seen in recent years? Guest: Dr Gagandeep Kang, Director-Enterics, Diagnostics, Genomics and Epidemiology, Global Health at the Gates Foundation, Seattle Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corruption has shaped elections, toppled governments and sparked some of the biggest public protests in independent India.  Digitalisation has transformed the way citizens interact with the government. The Right to Information Act promised greater transparency. But has corruption reduced? Or has it evolved into a different leviathan, one that is far more difficult to detect? This question is asked even as thousands of students are protesting the NEET paper leak in Delhi and around the country.
Their campaign has revived memories of the India Against Corruption movement that galvanised the country more than a decade ago. Guests: Shailesh Gandhi, former Central Information Commissioner; Anjali Bhardwaj, a transparency activist associated with Satark Nagrik Sangathan Host: Nivedita V Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spain are world champions once again after a dominant FIFA World Cup campaign, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. But beyond the result, the tournament has sparked fierce debate over contrasting footballing philosophies, refereeing decisions and the narratives that shaped the competition.In this episode of In Focus, we unpack Spain's rise under Luis de la Fuente, how their possession-based game has evolved since 2010, and why they emerged as the tournament's standout team. We also examine Argentina's gritty run to the final, the criticism of its physical approach, and whether allegations of favourable refereeing and FIFA bias stand up to scrutiny. Guest: Sandeep Menon, journalist and author Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The nationwide rollout of E20 petrol has become a political issue. As people complain of engine damage and lower mileage, the Opposition has accused the government of forcing E20 petrol on people. Citizens and consumers generally have two demands: one, do not force E20 on everyone but give people the option to buy pure petrol; and two, reduce the price of E20 petrol to reflect its lower calorific value and lower mileage. Are these fair demands? How have other countries managed the rollout of ethanol-blended petrol? How can India make this transition better? We speak with Vinay Piparsania, an engineer from IIT, Delhi and an independent automotive consultant who was with Ford Motor Company for over 20 years. Host: G Sampath Producer: Shiksha jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The war on Iran may be over, but its consequences are only beginning to reshape the Persian Gulf. For decades, Gulf monarchies have balanced security partnerships with the United States, pragmatic engagement with Iran, and ambitious plans to transform themselves into global economic hubs. The conflict has put that strategy to its biggest test yet. In this episode of Global Faultlines, we examine how the war has changed the Gulf security order. From the GCC’s historical ties with Iran and the impact of the conflict on Gulf states to the future of the U.S. security architecture and the region’s evolving strategic partnerships, we explore what comes next for one of the world’s most consequential geopolitical theatres. Has the war fundamentally altered the Gulf’s approach to Iran? Is the U.S.-led security architecture entering a new phase? And what does the post-war security order in the Persian Gulf look like? Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu  Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian  Recorded by: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new book by Neeraj Kaushal, Professor of Social Policy at Columbia University, titled When Africa Comes to America: How the Next Wave of Immigrants Will Transform the United States’, argues that “the future of the United States is in Black Africa”. One revealing datapoint from the book: four times more Black African immigrants arrived in the US between 1990 and 2020 than were brought as slaves during the entire 190-year history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. So, how will the increasing influx of black Africans into the US play out in the Trumpian era of xenophobic white nationalism? Neeraj also argues that Black Africans will soon displace Asians as the new ‘model minority’ in the US. How would that alter the hierarchy of colour there? And what about India – our demographic dividend will soon be over. Should India also prepare for it by encouraging immigrants from Africa? Host: G. Sampath Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2016, The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the laws of the game, approved trials for video referees. This edition marks the third time that VAR has been used in World Cups starting with the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This World Cup has also seen numerous instances where lovers of the game have been up in arms regarding the interventions of VAR. Nevertheless, the Round of 16 match between Portugal and Croatia may be one of the best advocates for the usage of VAR in football. The decision to disallow Gvardiol's equaliser would have been impossible with the naked eye. In this episode of In Focus, we take a look at how the usage of VAR has impacted football and the reasons why everyone on and off the pitch have divided opinions regarding its use. The conversation also explores the various technologies that have been implemented in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup and as well as the controversies surrounding the same. Guest: Anirudh Velamuri, Principal Correspondent, The Hindu Host: Rohan Pillay A. Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are South Indians overlooked for the Padma Awards and national awards. The issue regained prominence following the death of legendary playback singer S. Janaki, who had declined the Padma Bhushan, arguing that the honour had come far too late in her career. She maintained that artists should be recognised when they are at the height of their creative powers rather than in old age or after their death. In explaining her decision, she also referred to the posthumous Padma award conferred on the celebrated singer P. Leela. A similar debate has long surrounded the Jnanpith Award, with critics arguing that several outstanding writers from South India have been overlooked despite their enduring contributions to Indian literature. Are these concerns justified? Is there a systemic imbalance in the way India's highest civilian and literary honours are conferred, or do the awards reflect the complexities of evaluating excellence across languages, regions and artistic traditions? Guest: Historian A.R. Venkatachalapathy, Sahitya Akademi Award-winning scholar, and T.M. Krishna, acclaimed Carnatic vocalist, public intellectual and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient Host: B. Kolappan Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The El Nino phenomenon is back this year, which means, a deficient monsoon in India. This, in turn, means a challenging time for Indian farmers. Less rainfall is bad news for India on multiple fronts -- it dampens agricultural output, dents rural demand, worsens heat stress, and affects hydropower generation, among other things, all of which together could have cascading effects on the economy. But which crops, and which regions in India, will be affected the most? More broadly, how is climate change affecting agriculture, and what can India do to manage the risks better? Guest: Professor Pramod Kumar Aggarwal from The Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Host: G Sampath Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since October 7, West Asia has witnessed a cascade of crises, from the war in Gaza, attacks on Red Sea shipping, to the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran. Together, these events have reshaped the region’s geopolitical landscape. For India, the stakes are particularly high. New Delhi has spent years cultivating close ties with Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf states while pursuing a policy of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment. But as rivalries sharpen and instability becomes more persistent, can India continue to balance relationships with competing powers? Or does this new regional reality demand a rethink of its long-term strategy? Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu  Host: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allegations of abuse and mistreatment of children at a daycare facility run on the campus of a tech company in Bangalore have sent shockwaves across the country. Videos of children allegedly being forced into washing machines and locked in bathrooms have emerged sparking widespread outrage and concerns. The larger question here, is how safe are the hundreds of creches and daycare facilities being run by private operators across the country? What laws, regulations and standards are followed here? Why is India’s investment into early childhood care so abysmal? And importantly, why is childcare still seen as a family issue rather than a public concern? Guest: Chirashree Ghosh, Executive Director, Policy and Partnership, Mobile Creches, an organisation working in the field of early childhood development. Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, democracy research institutes have been categorising India as a ‘partly free’ democracy, with the V-Dem Institute of the University of Gothenburg classifying India as an “electoral autocracy” from as far back as 2019. For India’s Opposition parties, will the business-as-usual electoral politics suffice in an ‘electoral autocracy’, especially when they can go longer count on a level playing field? Political scientist, psephologist, activist, politician and columnist Yogendra Yadav has been arguing that the transition of Indian democracy from “competitive authoritarianism” to “electoral autocracy” requires the Opposition to reimagine politics, and to switch from a politics of electoral contestation to a “politics of resistance”. But what does this mean in practical terms, and are India’s Opposition parties ready for it? Host: G Sampath Producer and editor: Jude Weston Recorded by : Jude Weston and Saif Ali Ekram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India and Pakistan have not been in a dialogue since 2016 when talks broke after the terror attacks at Pathankot and subsequently at Uri. The previous twelve years have witnessed major attacks at Pahalgam (2025) and Pulwama (2019) and that apart there were several smaller terror attacks. Earlier this month, a group of eminent citizens led by Gandhian O.P. Shah drafted a joint appeal to the leaders of India and Pakistan urging them to restart dialogue. This has restarted a public debate on whether it is the right time for both India and Pakistan to sit down for talks. Guest: Former MP Mani Shankar Aiyar, who is a signatory to the letter and Tara Kartha, former Director at the National Security Council Secretariat. Excerpts from the conversation. Host: Kallol Bhattacherjee Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump has declared the Iran ceasefire 'over', casting new doubt on the future of the June 17 agreement. With nuclear negotiations stalled, tensions rising across West Asia, and questions over sanctions, NATO divisions and the risk of renewed military action, what comes next? We examine the future of U.S.-Iran relations, Tehran's strategy, the prospects for diplomacy, and whether the region is heading toward another major conflict. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Indian state has been digitalising land records across the country for many years now, and more aggressively since 2016 as part of the Digital India Initiative. There is growing evidence, however, that rather than empowering vulnerable communities, digital governance has often had the effect of dispossessing them of their rights – seen most clearly in  the context of Aadhaar and KYC-related withholding of welfare benefits and MGNREGA wages - and it seems to be happening again with land records digitalisation. Ground reports from Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand by Sushmita, an independent journalist, indicate that digitalisation of land records has aided the dispossession of Dalit and Adivasi farmers by local elites operating in cahoots with corrupt officials.  We speak with Sushmita on the impact of land digitisation on vulnerable communities. Guest: Sushmita, Independent journalist Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent case of assisted reproduction hit the headlines a couple of weeks ago, after a couple from Gurugram alleged publicly that their twin babies, born through IVF, were not genetically theirs. The case has created shockwaves, and subsequently, a Delhi court to file a case and probe the allegation. The case has once again put the spotlight on the assisted reproduction sector in India, a sector that has grown dramatically over the past couple of decades. After several years of no regulations, the Central government, in 2021, passed two legislations, the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, both of lay down legislation for this sector. But how well are these acts being implemented on the ground? Why and how are cases of alleged embryo mix-ups occurring? Why are surrogacy scams continuing to occur in parts of the country? How does the law deal with parentage in such cases? Guest: Radhika Thapar Bahl, founder and advocate, Fertility Law Care  Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a high stakes, high pressure exam that can make or mar the careers and fortunes of entire families. At least 14-NEET-linked suicides were reported this year, and the Tamil Nadu government’s official position is that NEET should be scrapped. In Part 1 of this series, we looked at whether NEET as a system is aligned with India’s social goals. In the second episode, we unpacked NEET’s real relationship with merit. And in Part 3, we drill down to the examination itself, and the paper leak that sparked a retest. Guest: Professor Rajeev Kumar, who has taught Computer Science at IIT, Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur, among other places, and has been a whistleblower against malpractices in our higher education system. Host: G Sampath Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to halt fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease the naval blockade, and reduce tensions in the Gulf. But within weeks, the agreement is facing conflicting interpretations, new security incidents, and growing uncertainty. Guest: Raja Karthikeya, Head of West Asia studies, Takshashila Institution Host: Smriti Sudesh Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a high stakes, high pressure exam that can make or mar the careers and fortunes of entire families. At least 14-NEET-linked suicides were reported this year, and the Tamil Nadu government’s official position is that NEET should be scrapped. Is a highly centralised MCQ-format exam the best way to assess the merit of a medical education aspirant? In Part 1 of this series, we looked at whether NEET as a system is aligned with India’s social goals. In the second episode, we unpack NEET’s relationship with merit. Joining us today is Professor T Sundararaman, a public health expert based in Puducherry. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In January 2017, when FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams, starting with the 2026 edition, there were mixed feelings. Many welcomed the move, arguing that the flagship event of the planet’s most popular sport should have more than just 32 outfits. But there was criticism too, for many felt that the increase would dilute the quality of football. What does evidence from the ongoing World Cup in North America say? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Pradhyum Reddy and Lallianzuala Chhangte Host: N. Sudarshan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a high stakes, high pressure exam that can make or mar the careers and fortunes of entire families. At least 14-NEET-linked suicides were reported this year, and the Tamil Nadu government’s official position is that NEET should be scrapped. Much of the recent commentary on NEET has focussed on the paper leak. But larger questions remain: Is NEET, and India’s medical education system, aligned with the nation’s social and public health goals? In a country with one of the world’s lowest doctor-patient ratios, shouldn’t medical education be more accessible to the poor and marginalised? Should NEET be replaced with something more relevant to India’s social realities? We explore these questions in a three-part series. Joining us in Part 1 is Professor T Sundararaman, a public health expert based in Puducherry. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every time a major industrial accident occurs, compensation is announced, inquiry committees are formed and investigations begin. Yet similar tragedies continue to recur across factories, warehouses, construction sites and industrial establishments.Recent weeks alone have seen the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant explosion, the collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata, septic tank deaths in Delhi and an ammonia leak in Tiruvallur. While each incident has its own immediate cause, they also point to deeper structural problems in occupational safety, regulation and enforcement.Adding to these concerns are significant gaps in accident reporting itself. Official datasets maintained by different government agencies often do not match, several States do not consistently report industrial accidents, inspection rates have declined and key regulatory bodies continue to face staff shortages.In this episode, we examine why industrial accidents continue to recur despite an extensive legal framework. We discuss the role of inspections, data collection, contractor safety, institutional coordination and the reforms needed to move from reacting to disasters to preventing them in the first place. Guest: Dr. V. Ramana Dhara, Occupational Medicine expert Host: Devyanshi Bihani Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we have a conversation with Neha Lodha, a a Senior Resident Fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, where she leads research and policy work on financial, economic, and corporate laws. We spoke about the future of social security in India, examining whether the country's pension framework is keeping pace with an ageing population. The conversation explores the constitutional obligations of the State, the shrinking value of the Centre's ₹200 pension, and whether millions of elderly Indians are being excluded from welfare through outdated eligibility rules. Guest: Neha Lodha, a Senior Resident Fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy Host: Nitika Francis Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a historic election victory to an early exit from Downing Street, Starmer's resignation highlights the growing challenges facing Britain's political system. In this video we discuss Labour's future, the race for new leadership, economic pressures, public services, and the implications for India-U.K. relations. Guest: Sriram Lakshman, Foreign Correspondent, The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh Edited and produced by Jude Weston and Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Wimbledon 2026 set to start this Monday, there have been three hot topics of discussion: who will make the most of Carlos Alcaraz’s absence, can Jannik Sinner withstand the hot conditions, and Serena Williams’ return to the singles draw through a wild card. We speak with former professional player and coach of India’s Davis Cup team, Nandan Bal. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices