In Focus by The Hindu

The war on Iran may be over, but its consequences are only beginning to reshape the Persian Gulf. For decades, Gulf monarchies have balanced security partnerships with the United States, pragmatic engagement with Iran, and ambitious plans to transform themselves into global economic hubs. The conflict has put that strategy to its biggest test yet. In this episode of Global Faultlines, we examine how the war has changed the Gulf security order. From the GCC's historical ties with Iran and the impact of the conflict on Gulf states to the future of the U.S. security architecture and the region's evolving strategic partnerships, we explore what comes next for one of the world's most consequential geopolitical theatres. Has the war fundamentally altered the Gulf's approach to Iran? Is the U.S.-led security architecture entering a new phase? And what does the post-war security order in the Persian Gulf look like? Expert: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu  Research, Editing and Production: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian  Recorded by: Shivaraj S Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new book by Neeraj Kaushal, Professor of Social Policy at Columbia University, titled When Africa Comes to America: How the Next Wave of Immigrants Will Transform the United States', argues that “the future of the United States is in Black Africa”. One revealing datapoint from the book: four times more Black African immigrants arrived in the US between 1990 and 2020 than were brought as slaves during the entire 190-year history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. So, how will the increasing influx of black Africans into the US play out in the Trumpian era of xenophobic white nationalism? Neeraj also argues that Black Africans will soon displace Asians as the new ‘model minority' in the US. How would that alter the hierarchy of colour there? And what about India – our demographic dividend will soon be over. Should India also prepare for it by encouraging immigrants from Africa? Host: G. Sampath Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2016, The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the laws of the game, approved trials for video referees. This edition marks the third time that VAR has been used in World Cups starting with the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This World Cup has also seen numerous instances where lovers of the game have been up in arms regarding the interventions of VAR. Nevertheless, the Round of 16 match between Portugal and Croatia may be one of the best advocates for the usage of VAR in football. The decision to disallow Gvardiol's equaliser would have been impossible with the naked eye. In this episode of In Focus, we take a look at how the usage of VAR has impacted football and the reasons why everyone on and off the pitch have divided opinions regarding its use. The conversation also explores the various technologies that have been implemented in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup and as well as the controversies surrounding the same. Guest: Anirudh Velamuri, Principal Correspondent, The Hindu Host: Rohan Pillay A. Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are South Indians overlooked for the Padma Awards and national awards. The issue regained prominence following the death of legendary playback singer S. Janaki, who had declined the Padma Bhushan, arguing that the honour had come far too late in her career. She maintained that artists should be recognised when they are at the height of their creative powers rather than in old age or after their death. In explaining her decision, she also referred to the posthumous Padma award conferred on the celebrated singer P. Leela. A similar debate has long surrounded the Jnanpith Award, with critics arguing that several outstanding writers from South India have been overlooked despite their enduring contributions to Indian literature. Are these concerns justified? Is there a systemic imbalance in the way India's highest civilian and literary honours are conferred, or do the awards reflect the complexities of evaluating excellence across languages, regions and artistic traditions? Guest: Historian A.R. Venkatachalapathy, Sahitya Akademi Award-winning scholar, and T.M. Krishna, acclaimed Carnatic vocalist, public intellectual and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient Host: B. Kolappan Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The El Nino phenomenon is back this year, which means, a deficient monsoon in India. This, in turn, means a challenging time for Indian farmers. Less rainfall is bad news for India on multiple fronts -- it dampens agricultural output, dents rural demand, worsens heat stress, and affects hydropower generation, among other things, all of which together could have cascading effects on the economy. But which crops, and which regions in India, will be affected the most? More broadly, how is climate change affecting agriculture, and what can India do to manage the risks better? Guest: Professor Pramod Kumar Aggarwal from The Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Host: G Sampath Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since October 7, West Asia has witnessed a cascade of crises, from the war in Gaza, attacks on Red Sea shipping, to the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran. Together, these events have reshaped the region's geopolitical landscape. For India, the stakes are particularly high. New Delhi has spent years cultivating close ties with Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf states while pursuing a policy of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment. But as rivalries sharpen and instability becomes more persistent, can India continue to balance relationships with competing powers? Or does this new regional reality demand a rethink of its long-term strategy? Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu  Host: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allegations of abuse and mistreatment of children at a daycare facility run on the campus of a tech company in Bangalore have sent shockwaves across the country. Videos of children allegedly being forced into washing machines and locked in bathrooms have emerged sparking widespread outrage and concerns. The larger question here, is how safe are the hundreds of creches and daycare facilities being run by private operators across the country? What laws, regulations and standards are followed here? Why is India's investment into early childhood care so abysmal? And importantly, why is childcare still seen as a family issue rather than a public concern? Guest: Chirashree Ghosh, Executive Director, Policy and Partnership, Mobile Creches, an organisation working in the field of early childhood development. Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, democracy research institutes have been categorising India as a ‘partly free' democracy, with the V-Dem Institute of the University of Gothenburg classifying India as an “electoral autocracy” from as far back as 2019. For India's Opposition parties, will the business-as-usual electoral politics suffice in an ‘electoral autocracy', especially when they can go longer count on a level playing field? Political scientist, psephologist, activist, politician and columnist Yogendra Yadav has been arguing that the transition of Indian democracy from “competitive authoritarianism” to “electoral autocracy” requires the Opposition to reimagine politics, and to switch from a politics of electoral contestation to a “politics of resistance”. But what does this mean in practical terms, and are India's Opposition parties ready for it? Host: G Sampath Producer and editor: Jude Weston Recorded by : Jude Weston and Saif Ali Ekram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India and Pakistan have not been in a dialogue since 2016 when talks broke after the terror attacks at Pathankot and subsequently at Uri. The previous twelve years have witnessed major attacks at Pahalgam (2025) and Pulwama (2019) and that apart there were several smaller terror attacks. Earlier this month, a group of eminent citizens led by Gandhian O.P. Shah drafted a joint appeal to the leaders of India and Pakistan urging them to restart dialogue. This has restarted a public debate on whether it is the right time for both India and Pakistan to sit down for talks. Guest: Former MP Mani Shankar Aiyar, who is a signatory to the letter and Tara Kartha, former Director at the National Security Council Secretariat. Excerpts from the conversation. Host: Kallol Bhattacherjee Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump has declared the Iran ceasefire 'over', casting new doubt on the future of the June 17 agreement. With nuclear negotiations stalled, tensions rising across West Asia, and questions over sanctions, NATO divisions and the risk of renewed military action, what comes next? We examine the future of U.S.-Iran relations, Tehran's strategy, the prospects for diplomacy, and whether the region is heading toward another major conflict. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Indian state has been digitalising land records across the country for many years now, and more aggressively since 2016 as part of the Digital India Initiative. There is growing evidence, however, that rather than empowering vulnerable communities, digital governance has often had the effect of dispossessing them of their rights – seen most clearly in  the context of Aadhaar and KYC-related withholding of welfare benefits and MGNREGA wages - and it seems to be happening again with land records digitalisation. Ground reports from Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand by Sushmita, an independent journalist, indicate that digitalisation of land records has aided the dispossession of Dalit and Adivasi farmers by local elites operating in cahoots with corrupt officials.  We speak with Sushmita on the impact of land digitisation on vulnerable communities. Guest: Sushmita, Independent journalist Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Camera: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent case of assisted reproduction hit the headlines a couple of weeks ago, after a couple from Gurugram alleged publicly that their twin babies, born through IVF, were not genetically theirs. The case has created shockwaves, and subsequently, a Delhi court to file a case and probe the allegation. The case has once again put the spotlight on the assisted reproduction sector in India, a sector that has grown dramatically over the past couple of decades. After several years of no regulations, the Central government, in 2021, passed two legislations, the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, both of lay down legislation for this sector. But how well are these acts being implemented on the ground? Why and how are cases of alleged embryo mix-ups occurring? Why are surrogacy scams continuing to occur in parts of the country? How does the law deal with parentage in such cases? Guest: Radhika Thapar Bahl, founder and advocate, Fertility Law Care  Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a high stakes, high pressure exam that can make or mar the careers and fortunes of entire families. At least 14-NEET-linked suicides were reported this year, and the Tamil Nadu government's official position is that NEET should be scrapped. In Part 1 of this series, we looked at whether NEET as a system is aligned with India's social goals. In the second episode, we unpacked NEET's real relationship with merit. And in Part 3, we drill down to the examination itself, and the paper leak that sparked a retest. Guest: Professor Rajeev Kumar, who has taught Computer Science at IIT, Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur, among other places, and has been a whistleblower against malpractices in our higher education system. Host: G Sampath Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to halt fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease the naval blockade, and reduce tensions in the Gulf. But within weeks, the agreement is facing conflicting interpretations, new security incidents, and growing uncertainty. Guest: Raja Karthikeya, Head of West Asia studies, Takshashila Institution Host: Smriti Sudesh Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a high stakes, high pressure exam that can make or mar the careers and fortunes of entire families. At least 14-NEET-linked suicides were reported this year, and the Tamil Nadu government's official position is that NEET should be scrapped. Is a highly centralised MCQ-format exam the best way to assess the merit of a medical education aspirant? In Part 1 of this series, we looked at whether NEET as a system is aligned with India's social goals. In the second episode, we unpack NEET's relationship with merit. Joining us today is Professor T Sundararaman, a public health expert based in Puducherry. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In January 2017, when FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams, starting with the 2026 edition, there were mixed feelings. Many welcomed the move, arguing that the flagship event of the planet's most popular sport should have more than just 32 outfits. But there was criticism too, for many felt that the increase would dilute the quality of football. What does evidence from the ongoing World Cup in North America say? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Pradhyum Reddy and Lallianzuala Chhangte Host: N. Sudarshan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a high stakes, high pressure exam that can make or mar the careers and fortunes of entire families. At least 14-NEET-linked suicides were reported this year, and the Tamil Nadu government's official position is that NEET should be scrapped. Much of the recent commentary on NEET has focussed on the paper leak. But larger questions remain: Is NEET, and India's medical education system, aligned with the nation's social and public health goals? In a country with one of the world's lowest doctor-patient ratios, shouldn't medical education be more accessible to the poor and marginalised? Should NEET be replaced with something more relevant to India's social realities? We explore these questions in a three-part series. Joining us in Part 1 is Professor T Sundararaman, a public health expert based in Puducherry. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every time a major industrial accident occurs, compensation is announced, inquiry committees are formed and investigations begin. Yet similar tragedies continue to recur across factories, warehouses, construction sites and industrial establishments.Recent weeks alone have seen the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant explosion, the collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata, septic tank deaths in Delhi and an ammonia leak in Tiruvallur. While each incident has its own immediate cause, they also point to deeper structural problems in occupational safety, regulation and enforcement.Adding to these concerns are significant gaps in accident reporting itself. Official datasets maintained by different government agencies often do not match, several States do not consistently report industrial accidents, inspection rates have declined and key regulatory bodies continue to face staff shortages.In this episode, we examine why industrial accidents continue to recur despite an extensive legal framework. We discuss the role of inspections, data collection, contractor safety, institutional coordination and the reforms needed to move from reacting to disasters to preventing them in the first place. Guest: Dr. V. Ramana Dhara, Occupational Medicine expert Host: Devyanshi Bihani Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we have a conversation with Neha Lodha, a a Senior Resident Fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, where she leads research and policy work on financial, economic, and corporate laws. We spoke about the future of social security in India, examining whether the country's pension framework is keeping pace with an ageing population. The conversation explores the constitutional obligations of the State, the shrinking value of the Centre's ₹200 pension, and whether millions of elderly Indians are being excluded from welfare through outdated eligibility rules. Guest: Neha Lodha, a Senior Resident Fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy Host: Nitika Francis Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a historic election victory to an early exit from Downing Street, Starmer's resignation highlights the growing challenges facing Britain's political system. In this video we discuss Labour's future, the race for new leadership, economic pressures, public services, and the implications for India-U.K. relations. Guest: Sriram Lakshman, Foreign Correspondent, The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh Edited and produced by Jude Weston and Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Wimbledon 2026 set to start this Monday, there have been three hot topics of discussion: who will make the most of Carlos Alcaraz's absence, can Jannik Sinner withstand the hot conditions, and Serena Williams' return to the singles draw through a wild card. We speak with former professional player and coach of India's Davis Cup team, Nandan Bal. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While merchant ships across the world have been manned by Indian seafarers, officers, engineers and crew for years, recent conflicts have suddenly brought Indian seafarers into focus. A recent flashpoint was when the U.S. attacked three ships allegedly carrying Iranian cargo, on the grounds that they were sanctioned vessels. Three Indian seafarers were killed in those attacks. More recently, when the British detained a Russian-linked vessel that was supposedly under Western sanctions in the English Channel, the Indian captain was arrested. This raises an important question: should Indian seafarers continue serving on these so-called sanctioned ships? Guests: Ajith SukumaranRetd. Additional Director General of Shipping; Biswanath GuptaAssociate Professor, Jindal Global Law School Host: M. Kalyanaraman Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Pradhyum Reddy shares insights on Lionel Messi's late-career exploits at the FIFA World Cup, and how players like him and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to break records at their age Lionel Messi has spent nearly two decades rewriting football's record books. Yet, four years after finally lifting the World Cup with Argentina, the 39-year-old is once again captivating fans on football's biggest stage and adding new milestones to his extraordinary career. In this episode of In Focus, we look at Messi's evolution from the Barcelona superstar who dominated European football to the Argentina icon who conquered the international game. We also discuss his latest World Cup record, what has changed in his game and leadership over the years, and how he has continued to perform at the highest level alongside Cristiano Ronaldo well into his late 30s. The conversation also explores what young footballers in India can learn from Messi's journey and reflects on the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. Guest: Pradhyum Reddy, football coach and commentator Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The term ‘polycrisis' denotes a scenario where multiple crises occur at the same time. A new book titled ‘India Out of Work: Rethinking India's Growth Story', written by two economists, Santosh Mehrotra and Jajati Parida, argues that India is facing a polycrisis -- a structural economic crisis, an employment crisis, and the education system crisis, and looming overall of all of these, a potential demographic crisis. How did India land up in a polycrisis and what is the way out? Guest: Santosh Mehrotra, a professor of economics who has worked with the Planning Commission and the United Nations Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first round of direct US-Iran talks has concluded in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, marking a major diplomatic development in the West Asia. Mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, the negotiations come as U.S. President Donald Trump pursues a dual-track strategy: engaging Tehran through diplomacy while keeping the threat of military action firmly on the table. But the talks have raised difficult questions in Israel. In this podcast episode, we examine Israel's growing strategic dilemma and more. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A discussion with Srinivasan Ramani on the controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino's response and what ‘sportswashing' looks like in this edition. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered dramatic matches, surprise results and compelling storylines. But beyond the football, the tournament has also become a flashpoint for debates about geopolitics, immigration and access. Iran's participation has been overshadowed by the fallout of a wider regional conflict, while visa denials and travel restrictions have raised questions about who gets to be part of football's biggest global event. As the United States hosts the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, critics have accused FIFA of failing to uphold its own message that football "unites the world". Has the Iranian contingent been treated fairly? Is this World Cup one of the least accessible for global fans in the tournament's history? What will the legacy of this edition be for the game? And has FIFA done enough to push back against the terms dictated by a host nation? Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu Host: Reuben Joe Joseph  Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Romila Thapar, an extraordinary scholar known for shaping our understanding of ancient Indian history, and for instituting critical inquiry at the heart of Indian historiography, has come out with an expansive memoir, titled ‘Just Being'. In this special edition of InFocus-Weekend, she speaks about her new book, the past, the present, and traces the role and impact of Hindutva in India's present back to its roots in discredited colonial theories. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cough syrup is in the news again. Earlier this week, the Central government notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules of 1945. Under this amendment, the sale of cough syrups is only permitted at licensed pharmacies. Earlier, the sale of certain cough syrups was permitted over the counter in retail outlets in villages with small populations of less than 1,000 people, where licensed pharmacies may not have existed. This has now been changed to strengthen regulatory oversight. This means that cough syrups everywhere can be sold only at licensed pharmacies and with a doctor's prescription, not over the counter. This comes just months after the tragic deaths of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh, who died after consuming cough syrup adulterated with diethylene glycol. The question however is how far this will go to solve the problem of cough syrups in India. Are the vast majority of cough syrups available rational medications and how and when should they be used? Should the other end of the system – granting of permissions to manufacture cough syrups and mechanisms to ensure they are completely safe not also be strengthened? Is there a need for health education when it comes to over the counter medicines? Guest: Dr. Anant Phadke who is with the All India Drug Action Network, a national network that advocates for rational and affordable drug policies in India Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India is witnessing an unprecedented expansion in higher education. Over the past decade, thousands of new colleges and universities have been established, producing millions of graduates every year. Yet unemployment of the educated remains a growing concern. Nearly one in three graduates are unemployed.  Is India producing more graduates than what the economy can absorb? Here, we discuss the question. Guests: Rajan Wadhera, Former President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra; O. R. S. Rao, Vice-Chancellor, ICFAI University, Sikkim Host: M. Kalyanaraman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When someone says ‘sex work' in India, what do you assume? That it is illegal and that everyone involved in it is probably a victim of trafficking? The reality however, is far more nuanced. An adult engaging in voluntary sex work is not a crime in India. Running a brothel, public solicitation, other activities connected to sex work and human trafficking, however, are crimes. About two weeks ago, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement hinged on this distinction spelling out clearly that a voluntary sex worker could not be treated in the same manner as a trafficked victim. It said that a raid cannot now sweep up all women found in red light area and confines them in protection homes – it must determine if she is a victim of trafficking or a voluntary worker and that the woman's consent must be the primary consideration when it comes to rehabilitation. What does this judgement mean for sex work in India? Do our laws on sex work need to change? Why does rescue and rehabilitation in India invariably mean confinement in a home and how do other countries navigate this? Guest: Prof. Prabha Kotiswaran, Professor of Law and Social Justice at King's College, London Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, confidentially filed for an initial public offering in the United States. With a valuation of more than $850 billion, it could become one of the largest tech listings ever.  The move marks a significant milestone for a company that began in 2015 as a not for profit research lab. In 2022, ChatGPT was launched, and the company changed its structure and attached a for-profit entity. That change did not please everyone. Elon Musk, who helped fund OpenAI in its early years before falling out with the company's leadership, filed a lawsuit in 2024 questioning the change. He argued that OpenAI moved away from its original mission. He accused founder Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman of manipulating him into donating to a not-for-profit organisation and then attaching a for-profit subsidiary and accepting billions from Microsoft.  In May, a jury ruled against Musk on procedural grounds, though he has said he will appeal. He is also pursuing a separate antitrust case against OpenAI and Microsoft. Guest: Rahul Singh, Associate Professor of Law, National Law School of India University Host: Nivedita V Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 100 days of conflict, the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war. But can the deal hold? We unpack the reported 14-point framework, ceasefire provisions, sanctions relief, nuclear commitments, the role of Pakistan and Qatar in mediation, Israel's response, and the challenges that could derail the agreement during the crucial 60-day negotiation period ahead. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: Smriti Sudesh Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist and author Sandeep Menon explores the tactics, form and what to expect from the top contenders and underdogs to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off, the debate over who will lift football's biggest prize is intensifying. Are France truly the team to beat? Can challengers such as Spain, Argentina and Portugal dethrone them? Which dark horses and underdogs could spring a surprise in the tournament's new 48-team format? We discuss all these and also explore what it really takes to win a World Cup. Guest: Sandeep Menon, sports journalist and author Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bangladesh is at a critical political turning point under a BNP-led government. In this episode, we explore what the return of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party under Tarique Rahman means for political stability, governance, and institutions. We also examine India–Bangladesh relations, regional dynamics, and key economic challenges including inflation, reserves, and growth pressures. Guest: Avinash Paliwal, Author Host: Smriti Sudesh Edited and published by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, Indian policymakers have encouraged population control, with the familiar slogan of ‘Hum Do, Humare Do' (We two, our two). However, the recent drop in India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) — the average number of children a woman would have in her lifetime — has now dropped to 1.9, below the replacement rate of 2.1, with southern States seeing their TFR drop to 1.3. Last month, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced cash incentives of ₹30,000 and ₹40,000 to women having their third and fourth child respectively, in a bid to reverse that trend. Several other southern States have indicated that they also see the benefits of boosting population growth, though not through a cash payout. Should India incentivise bigger families? Guest: Aparajita Chattopadhyay and Neelanjan Sarkar Host: Priscilla Jebaraj Producer: Sharmada Venkatasubramian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign portfolio investors have taken out more than ₹2.6 lakh crore from Indian equities since January 2026. Aggregate foreign ownership in Indian stocks has fallen to 14.7% -- which is a 14-year low. But domestic investors have pumped in around ₹4.5 lakh crore in the same period – the main reason why the markets haven't collapsed due to the FPI withdrawals. What is driving the record foreign portfolio outflows? What does it mean for domestic investors – should they be worried? What should a domestic investor do in the light of this trend? Guest: Ashish Gupta, investment analyst, formerly Chief Investment Officer at Axis Mutual Fund. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer and editor: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India is going through a demographic transition. The proportion of its working age population is increasing, which means India has a great window of opportunity to boost economic growth – which is also known as the demographic dividend. But without good governance and the right policies, India could miss this narrowing window. In this episode, we unpack one question that could well determine India's economic future: Can we make our demographic dividend count, or will we, as a nation, grow old before we grow rich? Joining us today is well-known demographer Dr Apoorva Jadhav, who is a Non-resident Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Senior Fellow at the Population Reference Bureau, Washington, DC. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

R. Praggnanandhaa scripted one of the finest victories of his young career by becoming the first Indian to win Norway Chess, one of the world's most prestigious classical tournaments. The 20-year-old fought back from near the bottom of the standings midway through the event, won four games in a row, and beat Magnus Carlsen twice on his way to the title in the Norwegian great's own backyard. What makes Norway Chess different from other elite tournaments? How significant is this triumph for Praggnanandhaa? And how should we view Carlsen's poor showing in light of his recent performances? In this episode of In Focus, we also discuss the unique Armageddon format, the tournament's famous confessional booth, and the atmosphere surrounding one of the most innovative events on the global chess calendar. Guest: C. Shyam Sundar, Senior Assistant Editor, Sports Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, 21 people were killed in a massive fire at a south Delhi hotel. And the next day, five people perished in another fire in the ICU of a hospital in Bihar. Such incidents are becoming too frequent in India. The Delhi fire, in particular, has exposed huge gaps in the enforcement of basic fire safety and building norms. The Delhi government has now ordered all such commercial establishments in the area to be sealed, and it is reworking the law that governs Bed and Breakfast establishments. But is this too little too late? Is it enough to prevent such tragedies in the future? This accident raises many troubling questions, and joining us today are two reporters who were on the ground covering this tragedy for The Hindu, Shrimansi Kaushik and Suruchi Kumari. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Recorded by: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of In Focus, we speak with former diplomat Gurjit Singh about the evolution of India–Africa relations, China's expanding footprint across the continent, India's development partnership model, the role of the Indian diaspora in East Africa, and whether New Delhi has done enough to keep pace with Africa's growing geopolitical and economic importance. A wide-ranging conversation on diplomacy, strategy, and the future of the Global South. Why was the 4th India–Africa Forum Summit postponed, and what does the decade-long gap since the last summit reveal about India's engagement with Africa? Guest: Gurjit Singh, Former Ambassador of India to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia & the African Union Host: Aniket Singh Chauhan Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If it's not one infectious disease, then it's another. This month, the world was rocked with reports of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. On May 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a ‘public health emergency of international concern' (PHEIC). So far, there have been 344 confirmed Ebola cases including 60 deaths in DRC, and 15 confirmed cases including one death in neighbouring Uganda. This time around, the outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. What is Ebola and why is there a high degree of concern about it? Do we have vaccines to treat Ebola? How concerned should India be, and what do we need to know as individuals? Guest: Dr. George M. Varghese, professor, infectious diseases, Christian Medical College, Vellore Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of this two-part interview, Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor with The Hindu, discusses with V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher, the campaign strategies used by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the dominance of social media and campaign planners and the tendency to ridicule the supporters of Vijay as illiterates. She also talks about the implications of TVK's victory for the future of Tamil Nadu's politics, the "Dravidian consensus" and the unaddressed concerns of the Dalits in Tamil Nadu. Host: Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor, The Hindu Guest: V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of this two-part interview, Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor with The Hindu, asks V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher, about her reading of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's victory in the 2026 Assembly election that stunned many. She shares her thoughts on how Vijay's win represents a "contingent moment", the shortcomings of the DMK and the AIADMK, the shrewdness of the TVK's campaign and other factors that played a role in this electoral outcome. Host: Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor, The Hindu Guest: V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2026 Indian Premier League season ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru becoming only the third team in tournament history to successfully defend their title, with a dominant victory over Gujarat Titans in the final.But beyond RCB's emergence as the league's newest powerhouse, the season also sparked debates about the balance between bat and ball, the diminishing impact of spin on increasingly flat pitches, and the growing challenge of keeping contests competitive in a high-scoring era. At the same time, teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerged as the breakout star of the tournament, while veterans Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar showed their enduring value on the biggest stage. In this episode of In Focus, we discuss the biggest talking points of the 2026 IPL season. Guest: Amol Karhadkar, deputy editor, sports Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have frequent panic attacks? Are there behaviour patterns that you know you need to change but you can't? Is your day to day life ruled by fear? Then it's possible – though not a certainty – that you're displaying symptoms of trauma. According to govt estimates, more than 15 crore live with a mental health condition, and four out of five receive no treatment. Trauma, in particular, is a silent epidemic in India. What is trauma? How does it impact life and relationships? And what are the pathways to healing? A new book, titled ‘Trauma Nation: Fighting India's Silent Epidemic' explores all these questions. It also includes detailed – and inspiring -- case studies of trauma survivors. We speak with the author of ‘Trauma Nation', Nishtha Lamba, Associate Professor of Psychology at Middlesex University, Dubai. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Prisoners do not cease to be bearers of constitutional rights upon incarceration." — The Supreme Court, in a February 2026 order, was pointed in its language as it directed States and UTs to develop a time-bound protocol for filling vacancies in Open Correctional Institutions (OCIs). The Delhi government has since been tasked to start work on an implementation strategy to restructure the open prison model in the national capital. The apex court's mandate came on a PIL addressing prison overcrowding, but in doing so, it opened a larger question about what punishment itself means in a constitutional democracy. If India were to finally scale up and reform its open prison model, could it meaningfully dent the overcrowding crisis? Or is the more urgent question whether OCIs need to be seen as far more deliberate spaces where the metrics go beyond just occupancy? Guest: Medha Deo, Director, Fair Trail Programme (Square Circle Clinic)  Host: Vibha B. Madhava Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On May 17, the President promulgated an ordinance increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges. The ordinance is expected to be tabled during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The move came just days after the Union Cabinet approved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, stating that the addition of four judges would enable the apex court to function more efficiently and facilitate “speedy justice”. According to data from the National Judicial Data Grid, pendency before the apex court currently stands at a staggering 93,966 cases. Is increasing the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength an effective way to reduce pendency? Guest: Prashant Reddy T. and Swapnil Tripathi discuss the question in a conversation Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meta has ended support for end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram, effective May 8, 2026. The policy reversal, citing low adoption, comes against a backdrop of mounting regulatory pressure worldwide to crack down on illegal content — terrorism, piracy, child abuse material — exchanged through encrypted channels. The implications stretch well beyond one platform or a rarely-used feature. When private messages are plaintext, the questions of who can access them and under what circumstances become critical. This episode also unpacks what it means for ordinary users, beyond the privacy-versus-safety framing. Guest: Mishi Choudhary, technology lawyer and founder of Software Freedom Law Centre (sflc.in) Host: Vibha B. Madhava Producer: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The CBSE has been facing flak for its re-evaluation process for Class 12 Board exams this year. Parents and students have complained of a dysfunctional website, blurred answer sheets, and missing pages. At the heart of the controversy is the newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM), with thousands of complaints of unfair evaluation and faulty marking. The education minister has announced that the CBSE will engage IIT experts to address the technical challenges. But are technical glitches the only problem? We get to the bottom of the controversy in this episode, and joining us today are two special guests – a CBSE evaluator, and a parent.  Guests: Kavita Sharma (name changed), is a teacher in a government CBSE school who worked as an evaluator this year using On-Screen marking. On Kavita's request, to protect her identity, we have not used her real name or her video in this episode.  Mohit Tomar, parent of a Class 12 student, has spent much of last week trying to get his son's exam papers re-evaluated. Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to a global heat map that recently went viral, almost 95 of the world's 100 hottest places were in India. This summer, Indian cities are recording higher temperatures than even the deserts of West Asia and Africa. How come?  Climate change is certainly a factor. But it doesn't exhaust the explanation for why India is so much hotter in April – even before the start of peak summer.  Though there is global warming, there is evidence that a lot of the warming is specific to India, and to the way India does development – through reckless tree-felling and deforestation, unchecked ecocide, and stacking up tree-scarce cities with cement, concrete, asphalt and glass to produce ‘urban heat islands'.  What exactly is the relationship between poor planning and heat stress in India? And what does it mean to incorporate heat resilience into urban planning?  Guest: Environmental expert Karthik Ganesan, Fellow at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Delhi Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India has 30-35 million people with disabilities. It's now ten years since the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Yet, accessibility remains a challenge – not only in the real world, but even in the digital one. Most government websites have accessibility issues – meaning people with disabilities can't fully use them. As India digitalises across public services, finance, education, and employment, inclusion cannot be an afterthought. Yet, inaccessible platforms and non-inclusive systems continue to limit equitable participation of persons with disabilities. On the eve of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 21), we discuss what digital inclusion really means in today's AI-led digital landscape. What are the gaps that the disabled face in India, and what will it take to build inclusion into systems from the get go? Guest: Diwakar Menon, Member of the Board at the Association of People with Disability, Bengaluru. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices