business 
The Union Budget 2025-26 has been hailed for its increased allocation towards women-centric schemes, with the total gender budget rising to ₹4.49 lakh crore, marking a 37.25% increase from the previous fiscal year’s allocation of ₹3.27 lakh crore. The increased allocation is substantial even if one factors in an inflationary rate of approximately 3.61%. Despite … Read more
The Union government told the Supreme Court that new regulations will empower the UGC to de-recognize higher education institutions that discriminate, especially based on religion or caste. The court was hearing a petition by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who died by suicide. Photo from last year shows University of Hyderabad students … Read more
Marriage, a cornerstone of societal structure, is traditionally viewed as a fundamental institution, not only forming the bedrock of family life but also defining social roles and statuses. However, the phenomenon of desertion, the abandonment of a spouse without justifiable cause, starkly contradicts these ideals, leaving a trail of vulnerable women in its wake. A … Read more
A sati-stone at Veerabhadra temple in Andhra Pradesh In Europe, Christian clergy burnt alive women suspected of being Satan-worshipping witches. In Arabia, the ‘People of the Ditch’ were martyrs who chose death by fire rather than giving up Islam. The theatre of death in matters of faith is very much part of human culture. The … Read more
The Andhra Pradesh government presented a Budget of more than ₹3.22 lakh crore for FY2025-26. The fiscal trends, revenue and fiscal deficits, and amount of public debt show that the State’s finances are severely stressed. It looks like the government is staring at tough days ahead. Public debt, the total amount of money that a … Read more
Boats anchored at the Rameswaram fishing jetty. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Last week, the Leader of the House in the Sri Lankan Parliament, Bimal Rathnayake, called upon the Indian and Tamil Nadu governments to take “decisive action” against “ illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters”. Mr. Rathnayake, also the Transport and Highways Minister, is … Read more
‘For India, as for the entire developing world, true progress must mean more than GDP growth or higher HDI rankings’ | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto California was on fire once again. The recent wildfires were so catastrophic that some estimates placed the total economic damage at around $250 billion, which is an amount rivalling Greece’s … Read more
Ukraine’s decision to accept an ‘immediate, interim’ 30-day ceasefire with Russia, which can be extended upon mutual agreements, is an important first step towards shutting down the three-year-long war. The decision, announced in a joint statement issued by the U.S. and Ukraine, after senior-level talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, also shows that U.S. President Donald … Read more
National accounts data released on February 28, 2025 by the National Statistical Office (NSO) provide two sets of information pertaining to, first, revised annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP)/Gross Value Added (GVA) estimates for 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 and, second, Q3 2024-25 GDP/GVA estimates accompanied by the second advance estimates for 2024-25. Third quarter growth, sectoral … Read more
The initiative by the newly appointed commissioners of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to invite political party representatives and leaders for an interaction to “strengthen electoral processes” is a welcome move. The move was precipitated by the rising complaints and grievances raised by the Opposition relating to voter registration and turnout, and other matters … Read more