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The Supreme Court on January 30, 2025, permitted High Courts to appoint retired judges on an ad-hoc basis to address the mounting backlog of cases. However, these judges were authorised to hear only criminal appeals as part of a bench led by a sitting judge. Is appointing ad-hoc judges a viable means to reduce backlog? … Read more
A picture, of 2021, that shows the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Nyingchi, China | Photo Credit: AFP The planned construction by China, of a massive hydroelectric dam on the lower section of the upper stream of the Yarlung Zangbo river in Tibet, has become a matter of concern for India due to its potential … Read more
President Donald Trump has opened the door to negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin over ending the war in Ukraine, in equal measure spurring hopes for peace and fears that Moscow would use the opportunity to manipulate the situation to its advantage against a beleaguered Kyiv. While Mr. Trump wrote on social media that on … Read more
Strange things are going on worldwide in the area of medical education. On the one hand, there appears to be a shortage of medical doctors, while at the same time governments, and in many cases also medical doctors themselves, oppose increased access to the study of medicine. As a result, there has been an increase … Read more
During his visit to France this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India and France could be a force for “global transformation”. This statement carried significant geopolitical context for both him and his host, French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit took place just before Mr. Modi’s scheduled trip to Washington, where the Trump administration’s … Read more
A report unveiled by the NITI Aayog, highlighting the critical reform of the India’s State University system, has emphasized the need for increased autonomy for State Public Universities (SPUs). But at the same time, the suggestion, though presented as innovative, only echo long-standing debates on India’s higher education discourse. The NITI Aayog report, Expanding … Read more
In the summer of 2018, I hailed a cab from Midtown Manhattan to Harlem’s Upper West Side with a friend. As we settled in, Punjabi music filled the car. My Texas-born friend, assuming the driver was from South Asia, asked if I understood the lyrics. After a brief hesitation, I replied, “Yes, but not all … Read more
‘Financial institutions must recognise women’s diverse economic roles, particularly in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and employment’ | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Union Budget 2025-26 emphasises the government’s commitment to inclusive development, balanced growth and prioritising the well-being of four key population groups: the poor, youth, farmers, and women. In a welcome announcement, the Finance Minister set … Read more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s stance on the evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape at the AI Action Summit in Paris on February 11, stressing the need for “governance and standards that uphold our shared values, address risks, and build trust”. This perspective is also reflected in the joint statement signed by India and over … Read more
In the Union Budget speech on February 1, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the government’s intention to take up “amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act…” This announcement is likely to please Washington, where successive administrations have been unhappy that the law places some minimal responsibilities on … Read more