​A belated admission: on the undercount of India’s COVID-19 pandemic deaths

It has been four years since the delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus hit India. The country bore the brunt of the pandemic’s devastating impact, with harrowing scenes of overwhelmed health-care systems, oxygen-supply shortages and even bodies floating in the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. Reports based on data sourced from the Civil Registration System through … Read more

The women who remain largely invisible

Across India and South Asia, women have long been at the forefront of movements resisting unjust development, extractivism, and climate degradation. They have led protests against destructive mining, dams, and infrastructure projects. Yet, when it comes to decision-making, these women are largely invisible. From the forests of Odisha to the coastlines of Tamil Nadu, women … Read more

The twin challenges for the M.P. police

Prince Garg, a head constable of the Madhya Pradesh Police, died on Friday, nearly two weeks after a man shot him inside a police station in Satna. Garg is the second police personnel in the State to have allegedly been murdered in the last two months. In March, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramcharan Gautam was allegedly lynched … Read more

Corrections and Clarifications — May 12, 2025

The seventh paragraph of a report, “Pak. airbases struck, their troops seen moving to forward areas: govt.” (‘News’ page, May 11, 2025), should have read: Across the LoC, extensive and precise damage to military infrastructure and command control centres and logistic installations, in addition to military personnel, had led to a complete breakdown of its … Read more

​Fire and ceasefire: on Operation Sindoor and the understanding  

India and Pakistan on Saturday announced an understanding to stop military actions against each other after three days of intense and escalating fighting. It was United States President Donald Trump who first made the announcement of a “ceasefire” between the two countries, and in further statements, American officials have said U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance … Read more

Letters to The Editor — May 12, 2025

‘Understanding’ and after Whether it was due to the efforts of the United States or the sagacity of the leadership of India and Pakistan, the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan is welcome. No sane person on either side of the border would want a prolonged war between two nations that are nuclear … Read more

A fundamental reset to drive manufacturing growth

Global manufacturing and trade is shifting rapidly toward innovation-driven, medium-high- and high-tech products. It is driven by advanced research and development (R&D), technological sophistication, high skills and a complex network of supply chains. In addition, there are the current high tariffs introduced by the United States. It is likely to redefine the manufacturing sector. Irrespective … Read more

Why India must get the Caste Census right

The Narendra Modi government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the next Census is one that is bold, transformative and commendable. Counting caste is not capitulation to identity politics. It is a mirror to the lived realities of millions. It marks a vital step towards evidence-based policymaking to build a more just and inclusive India. … Read more