Explainers

AAP has so far failed to mark in Haryana. However, the SC's observations while granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal could help the Opposition amplify its narrative against the BJP-led Centre.

INDIA

Mission Mausam: All you need to know about the Rs 2,000 crore project

The mission to make India 'weather-ready' and 'climate smart' will kick-start this month and will be chiefly led by the India Meteorological Department. .

INDIA

Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme for senior citizens: What is the eligibility criteria? How much will it cost?

All eligible senior citizens will be provided with a distinct card to access the scheme's benefits.

ELECTIONS

Darbar move: Back on poll agenda, why was the practice stopped in 2021?

While the National Conference (NC) has promised 'to enhance the unity of our state by reinstating the full Darbar Move', the Apni Party said it would 'reinstate' the practice.

WORLD

Kamala Harris blasts Trump over Roe v. Wade reversal: What was the landmark ruling?

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organisation, with a 6-3 decision.

INDIA

Sanjauli mosque row: Why are Hindu groups protesting in Shimla?

The five-storeyed mosque made its way into local and political discourse after a brawl erupted last month involving a group of men said to be its 'occupants'.

INDIA

‘Politician-real estate nexus’: Why an amended land law has become a flashpoint between BJP and Opposition in Goa

The changed law has evoked strong reactions from stakeholders and Opposition parties who allege that it will impact the state's fragile ecosystem.

INDIA

Engineer Rashid, man who defeated Omar Abdullah, faces 'double trouble' in J&K polls

Has the entry of Engineer Rashid's AIP in the poll fray in Jammu and Kashmir rattled established players in the Valley?

INDIA

‘Sabotage by influential leader': How AAP-Congress alliance talks came undone in Haryana

The first list of 20 candidates released by the Aam Aadmi Party for Haryana has 12 seats where the Congress had already fielded candidates.

INDIA

Jammu and Kashmir Elections: Can Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh repeat brother Engineer Rashid’s magic in Langate?

Khurshid's entry into politics mirrors that of his brother who quit his job as an engineer and contested elections as an Independent.

EXPLAINERS

What is bio-hydrogen and why is it important? MC explains

In an exchange filing on September 2, Gensol revealed that its consortium had been selected as the lowest bidder for an engineering, procurement and construction contract for a plant operated by “India’s leading power generation company".

INDIA

How Mumbai cops cracked IC 814 Kandahar hijack case: A riveting personal account

Hemant Karkare informed me that Research and Analysis Wing had procured a phone number which was in Mumbai and in constant touch with a phone number in Pakistan, says Sivanandhan

INDIA

Cracks widen in Congress: Rahul Gandhi’s AAP proposal revives old turf war in Haryana

The Congress leadership's willingness to join hands with its INDIA partner AAP in Haryana for polls has not gone down well with a section of party leaders in the state.

INDIA

BJP faces major revolt in Haryana: Who are the rebels and why are they sulking?

Ministers, MLAs, and the head of the party’s OBC Morcha are among the leaders who have openly revolted against the party.

TRENDS

Ghost Jobs: Why do they exist and how they impact job-seekers?

Ghost jobs refer to vacancies posted by companies that either don’t exist anymore or are left online long after being filled.

TECHNOLOGY

What India's National Blockchain Framework means for digital governance: Explained

India's new National Blockchain Framework aims to secure digital governance with blockchain technology, promising transparency and trust in public services.

INDIA

Himachal Pradesh mulls cannabis cultivation: How it may help cash-strapped state

According to the panel report, legal cannabis will increase the Himachal government’s annual revenues Rs 400 crore-500 crore in the initial years.

INDIA

Eyes on UCC, 'one nation, one election' as Centre constitutes 23rd Law Commission

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had indicated that 'one nation, one election' and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented if he returned to power for the third term.

INDIA

Bulldozer action: What is it, who started it & why SC frowned at the method

The practice has been criticised by some, with activists questioning how the action can be taken even before allegations against a person are proved.

INDIA

Operation Bhediya | Wolves are coming: How UP's Bahraich turned into a killing field for man-eaters

Bahraich wolf story: A pack of wolves has been frequently visiting the villages, preying on small children, often attacking them as they sleep alongside their mothers in their homes.

INDIA

All about Bengal’s Aparajita Bill that proposes death sentence for rape convicts

The Bill seeks to punish “persons committing an offence of rape and inflicting injury which causes death or causes the woman to be in a vegetative state” with the death penalty, as per official documents.

INDIA

'Easy to carry in their mouths': Why wolves are attacking children in UP's Bahraich

Since children under two years old are unable to walk or resist, they are the easiest prey. At night, wolves snatch children sleeping in the open and run away without being noticed, says expert.

INDIA

‘Film pe hi Emergency lag gayi hai’: Why Kangana Ranaut’s film landed in trouble

There is all the freedom for communists or leftists across the world for such anti-national expressions but as a nationalist no OTT platform allows us to make films that revolve around the integrity and unity of Bharat, says Ranaut.

INDIA

Lateral entry, UCC and more: Why JD(U) dropped KC Tyagi as party spokesperson

Some of KC Tyagi's remarks were seen as a departure from the JD(U)'s official stand on sensitive issues at a time when it has positioned itself as a trusted ally of the BJP at the Centre.

INDIA

Andhra floods turn Vijayawada into a lake: What's behind the heaviest rain in decades

Vijayawada flood twice as severe as 2005 disaster: What's behind the unprecedented rain and massive flooding in Andhra capital region?

INDIA

'Significant escalation': Why Manipur Police have termed Sunday's attack 'unprecedented'

While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation, Manipur police said in a statement.

INDIA

How Justin Trudeau is 'shattering' Indian students' Canadian dream: What has changed and what hasn't

With the recent slowdown in the processing of new study permits, many are left wondering how will this impact the dreams of young Indians hoping to study in Canadian universities. Let's dive into that.

EXPLAINERS

Explained: Why Himachal Pradesh is reeling under a financial crisis

The chief minister said the austerity initiative will be pivotal in beginning a culture of financial prudence in the state.

INDIA

‘Giant Killer’: How Engineer Rashid’s entry could impact Jammu and Kashmir elections

With its foray into the Assembly elections, Rashid's party is trying to leverage its Lok Sabha performance to cement its position as a political force to reckon with in the Valley.

INDIA

Gujarat floods: What's behind heavy August downpour and erratic rain patterns

Deep depressions formed over land masses (and not the sea waters) rarely get enough moisture to bring heavy rains of this scale. Here's a study of what could have led to the unsual intense rains in the region:

INDIA

India-US defence pacts: What’s SOSA and RDP Agreement?

The two nations agreed to advance priority co-production projects under the 2023 US-India Roadmap for Defence Industrial Cooperation during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent visit to the USA.

INDIA

Maharashtra assembly polls: How Maratha quota activist Jarange Patil is keeping political bigwigs on the edge

Jarange Patil has been demanding the implementation of the state government's 'sage soyare' (blood relatives) notification to grant Marathas reservation under the OBC category.

INDIA

Bharat Bandh today: Why has the bandh been called and how it leaves BJP on sticky wicket  

Spearheaded by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, the bandh call has received the backing of several political parties and SC/ST groups.

INDIA

What is polygraph test that CBI will conduct on Kolkata murder-rape accused Sanjoy Roy?

A polygraph test popularly known as a lie detector test is conducted by using a machine that measures a person’s physiological responses when they respond to questions

INDIA

What is lateral entry and why has it become flashpoint between Congress, BJP

The first vacancies for lateral entrants were advertised in 2018, but only for Joint Secretary level positions. Posts of the rank of Director and Deputy Secretary were opened later.

INDIA

Explained: Why Karnataka govt has cut ties with SBI, PNB

The decision stems from alleged funds misappropriation involving the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

EXPLAINERS

What is Dynamic Reference Rate? India and Russia’s strategy to streamline trade, bypass US sanctions

This new system could be modelled after the existing framework between India and the UAE, where transactions are settled in local currencies (INR or dirham) with central bank support.

WORLD

St Martin's in Bangladesh: Did this island lead to Sheikh Hasina's downfall?

Reports claim that Hasina, in her undelivered speech, mentions that the US was behind her ouster from power because she did not hand over St Martin’s Island to it.

INDIA

Centre to table bill in Lok Sabha to curb Waqf board powers: All you need to know

With 40 amendments, the Bill has proposed to revoke several clauses in the existing Waqf Act including the introduction of the 'district collector'

INDIA

New anti-conversion law: UP passes 'stricter' legislation against 'love jihad' - all you need to know

The Bill is aimed to protect certain groups of people, including minors, people with disabilities, women, and persons belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

INDIA

From ID card display to halal products: Why the upcoming Kanwar Yatra in UP has become political?

Uttarkhand police have also released a set of directives for food establishments situated along the paths of the Kanwar Yatra. According to senior police functionaries, these businesses are required to prominently display specific information about their owners.

WORLD

Bangladesh job quota protests: Why are students up against Sheikh Hasina govt

The protests erupted in the wake of a June 5 ruling by the Bangladesh High Court. The ruling reinstated the 30% quota for posts for the descendants of those who participated in the country’s 1971 liberation movement.

BUSINESS

MC Explainer | All you need to know about the new asset class proposed by Sebi

Sebi has sought feedback from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) and individual asset management companies regarding the structure and asset allocation of this new category. Suggestions and feedback can be submitted till August 6.

INDIA

How will Karnataka local reservation bill help Kannadigas in state

According to the bill, speaking Kannada does not make one a Kannadiga. To qualify as a local candidate, a person must have been domiciled in the state for 15 years and pass a nodal agency’s test.

INDIA

BJP’s strength in Rajya Sabha dips to 86: Will it hinder passage of key bills?

With its current strength, the Centre must rely on non-NDA parties, including its former ally AIADMK and Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party, to pass bills.

WORLD

What a dodged bullet means for Trump & US politics?

The incident could garner the Republicans 10-15 more points than the Democrats. This lead would be difficult to compete with the Biden and Democrats bickering over the former’s mental and physical health, says experts.

INDIA

Maharashtra MLC election: Voting underway; how numbers stack up

Every MLC candidate needs 23 first-preference votes to get elected. Both MVA and Mahayuti are short of the required numbers to win the 11th seat.

INDIA

Behind Chandrababu Naidu's eagerness to revive TDP in Telangana

Political commentators feel that Naidu is emboldened by resounding comeback in Andhra Pradesh, and playing a decisive role in the continuance of the National Democratic government at the Centre.

INDIA

Why Congress no longer plans to ally with AAP for Haryana, Delhi elections

There does not appear to be much scope (for alliance) in Delhi and Haryana, Where state Congress leaders and the respective alliance parties agree, there will be an alliance, says Jairam Ramesh.

INDIA

Keir Starmer is new UK PM: What Labour Party's win means for India

Starmer has been stressing on the importance of cultivating a proper relationship with India. His manifesto included a commitment to pursue a 'new strategic' partnership with India and indicated a free trade agreement.