The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1994 to systematically assess and accredit the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in India, with the objective of quality assurance and improvement in the quality of education. Over the years, the NAAC rating has acquired a lot … Read more
Bharath Reddy (left), captain of Chemplast, and T.E. Srinivasan, captain, India Pistons, joint winners, receiving the trophy from Kelappan Thampuran during the 34th Annual Pooja Knock-Out Cricket Tournament at Thrippunithura, Kerala. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives As a schoolboy, when I visited grandparents in Kerala, there was a running joke provoked by my love … Read more
After conducting a comprehensive survey to assess the socio, economic, educational, employment, political, and caste status of the people of Telangana, the Congress government is faced with the challenging task of consolidating its base among backward classes in the local body elections. The survey spanning close to two months shows that the population of backward … Read more
AI has become an indispensable part of our lives, transforming how we work, live, and do business. Broadly defined, AI encompasses technologies that simulate human thinking and decision-making. While basic forms of AI have existed since the 1950s, the field has advanced rapidly in recent years, driven by improvements in computing power and the exponential … Read more
“Every year, countless young Indians attempt what is called ‘irregular migration’” | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The planeloads of Indians being deported to India from the United States are lucky to be back alive. Shackled, handcuffed, humiliated and in dire straits, they have flown back heartbroken and in shame. But there is also the case … Read more
Recent human fatalities due to wild animal attacks, deep inside forests, in forest-fringed human habitations, and even within villages, have highlighted growing human-wildlife conflict in Kerala, where nearly 29% of the land is forested. With a dry spell and an unusually hot summer expected, urgent measures are needed to prevent further escalation of this conflict, … Read more
Irony died a thousand deaths in the Munich Security Conference in Germany, that was held recently, and the United Nations General Assembly vote on Ukraine. A few days ago, in Saudi Arabia, the United States and Russia, led by their respective Foreign Ministers, had held bilateral discussions on the Ukraine war. The Ukrainians and Europeans … Read more
The number of Internet shutdowns in India was slightly lower in 2024 than in 2023, according to the Software Freedom Law Center (SLFC), India’s annual report. A separate report by the web rights advocacy, Access Now, shows that India continues to lead globally in the number of government-ordered Internet shutdowns. The Union government has maintained … Read more
The political environment The resurgence of right-wing populism is threatening the very basis of western liberalism. What explains citizens’ support for parties such as the AfD in Germany or leaders such as Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni? Is it simply a reaction against liberal values? Or are there more profound socio-economic causes at work? It … Read more
‘There is still a dearth of more nuanced AI-specific legislation to govern this evolving sphere’ | Photo Credit: Getty Images The allocation of ₹2,000 crore to the IndiaAI mission in the Union Budget 2025-26 demonstrates India’s commitment to developing its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. But this also calls for more robust AI regulations. India has … Read more