Shows / In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus by The Hindu
A podcast from The Hindu that delves deep into current developments with subject experts, and brings in context, history, perspective and analysis.
Episodes
- In Focus by The Hindu
How water stressed are Indian cities?
This year, residents in several Indian cities -from Mumbai to Bengaluru - have experienced a shortage in water supply. India's big cities are expanding in…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Chronic kidney disease: Why has a Parliamentary committee called for mandatory testing?
It’s one of those conditions that has no symptoms during its early stages, meaning that by the time it is diagnosed, it could be very late: chronic kidney…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Are IAS officers in key positions the biggest hurdle to police reforms?
“The biggest hurdle to police reforms comes from the bureaucracy itself – IAS officers who hold key positions at the Centre and in all departments of the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Can free public technology break the private coaching industry?
In his 2026 Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government will roll out free online coaching for competitive exams using…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Bonus episode: Yemen explained: How the Houthis shook the U.S.-Saudi axis
In this bonus episode of the In Focus podcast we have an excerpt from Global Faultlines, the Hindu's international affairs podcast. Yemen is no longer just the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Do metro cities have space for pedestrians?
What does it say about our cities when the Supreme Court has to remind governments that people have a fundamental right to walk? The Court’s recent judgment on…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why are tribal students still dropping out of school in Kerala?
Kerala is known for its high literacy rate and strong public education system. Yet, several tribal communities in the State continue to face barriers in…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Three common medicines have been declared carcinogenic. What does this mean for patients?
Last week, startling headlines hit the news. Three commonly prescribed medicines, hydrochlorothiazide, used to treat high blood pressure, voriconazole, an…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Are Satellite Towns the way ahead to decongest our megacities?
The Karnataka Government has been championing a project to build a nearly 10,000 acre Live-Work-Play greenfield city on its outskirts in Bidadi, which has…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Are traditional parties unable to understand the grammar of Gen Z politics?
Days after India’s youth-led protests forced the resignation of India’s Union Minister of Education, Members of Parliament found themselves speaking in the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
How does India view the Mecca pact?
The Mecca Defence Pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan marks a significant shift in West Asia’s security landscape. What does the agreement mean for…
- In Focus by The Hindu
MDR charges on UPI transactions: Necessity or revenue grab?
Indians make around 24 billion UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions a month. The combined value of these payments is nearly Rs30 trillion. UPI is at…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Girl's death in China: Does gene editing therapy need better regulation?
The scientific world was rocked last month, when the case of a six-year-old girl who died in China, surfaced. The child was believed to have Snijders…
- In Focus by The Hindu
The Ken-Betwa protest: Is there really surplus water to transfer?
The Ken-Betwa Link Project, India's first river-linking project, has once again come under the spotlight amid protests by villagers, many from tribal…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Should the Commonwealth Games be scrapped?
The recently concluded Commonwealth Games were unlike the usual multidisciplinary sporting extravaganzas that we are used to seeing. A late replacement to…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why has India's hockey jersey turned saffron?
For decades, blue has been synonymous with Indian sport. So why has Hockey India decided to replace it with saffron as the primary colour of the men's national…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Conversation with Neha Bora: Does NEP-2020 aid or destroy GenZ’s dreams?
Neha Bora has emerged as a charismatic student leader and one of the key faces of the Jantar Mantar protests. She is the national president of AISA, the All…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Article 370 abrogation: Seven years on, what has changed in Kashmir?
Exactly seven years ago on August 5th, 2019, the Union government abrogated Article 370, and subsequently, Jammu & Kashmir became a Union Territory, ruled…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Is India's consumption story powering growth or hiding risks?
What is the driving force of any economy? It is you and me! It’s the money we work so hard to earn and have fun spending. In fact, private consumption accounts…
- In Focus by The Hindu
When livelihoods melt away: Should heat stress be recognised as a human rights issue?
Through three harsh summer months this year, about 40 households across Delhi maintained a 'Garmi Khata' — a handwritten weekly log of what extreme heat did to…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Have fast-track courts delivered on the promise of speedy justice?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to set up fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases has once again brought these specialised courts into focus and…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Maharashtra Farm Bill: Does it really empower women farmers?
Maharashtra has become the first state in India to bring about a legislation for the empowerment of women farmers. The Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Right to peaceful protest: Is it being strangled by ‘permission raj’?
The right to assemble peacefully is a fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution of India. But more often that not, this right has…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why did Houthis join war?
Why did the Houthis enter the conflict now? This video explains the group's motivations, its ties with Iran, why it resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea…
- In Focus by The Hindu
VB GRAM G vs MNREGA: Which burdens States more?
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (or VB-G RAM G) has replaced the 21-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Listening to Cockroaches: Why the ‘GenZ’ Jantar Mantar protest is different from any seen before
“What if all the cockroaches come together?” That was the one-line tweet, put out by Boston-returned Abhijeet Dipke, on May 16, 2026. In less than two months…
- In Focus by The Hindu
QDENGA: Can the new Japanese vaccine end the dengue menace in India?
India has finally approved a vaccine for dengue. This is significant because India, in the last five years alone, has recorded over 1 million cases and at…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Is corruption the biggest threat to India's future?
Corruption has shaped elections, toppled governments and sparked some of the biggest public protests in independent India. Digitalisation has transformed the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Spain wins the World Cup, but did FIFA favour Argentina?
Spain are world champions once again after a dominant FIFA World Cup campaign, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. But beyond the result, the tournament has…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Fuelling a pushback: Is India mismanaging the switch to E20 petrol?
The nationwide rollout of E20 petrol has become a political issue. As people complain of engine damage and lower mileage, the Opposition has accused the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Bonus episode | How the war on Iran changed the Gulf security order
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
When Africa Comes to America: How will rising Black Immigration transform US
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
How has the use of VAR impacted FIFA World Cup 2026?
In 2016, The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the laws of the game, approved trials for video referees. This edition marks the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Does national recognition come belatedly for south Indian artistes?
Are South Indians overlooked for the Padma Awards and national awards. The issue regained prominence following the death of legendary playback singer S…
- In Focus by The Hindu
El Nino again: How to climate-proof Indian agriculture?
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…
In Focus by The HinduBonus episode | Did India read the war on Iran wrong?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
B'lore abuse: Why is early childhood care an unregulated space in India?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
How does the Opposition's role change in an ‘electoral autocracy’? with Yogendra Yadav
In recent years, democracy research institutes have been categorising India as a ‘partly free’ democracy, with the V-Dem Institute of the University of…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Should India restart dialogue with Pakistan?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Are the U.S. and Iran returning to full-scale war?
President Donald Trump has declared the Iran ceasefire 'over', casting new doubt on the future of the June 17 agreement. With nuclear negotiations stalled…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Is digitalisation aiding land grab from Dalit and tribal farmers?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Who is accountable for mistakes in the IVF sector?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Should NEET be scrapped – Part 3: How does a paper leak happen?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
U.S.-Iran tensions return: is the MoU already failing?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Should NEET be scrapped – Part 2: Does NEET undermine merit?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Has the 48-team World Cup made the tournament better?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Should NEET be scrapped – Part 1: How does NEET align with India’s public health goals?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why do industrial accidents keep happening in India?
Every time a major industrial accident occurs, compensation is announced, inquiry committees are formed and investigations begin. Yet similar tragedies…
- In Focus by The Hindu
₹200 Pension in 2026? A look at India's old age pension schemes
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What does Starmer's resignation mean for Britain, Labour and India?
From a historic election victory to an early exit from Downing Street, Starmer's resignation highlights the growing challenges facing Britain's political…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Wimbledon 2026 preview: Is Sinner the overwhelming favourite yet again?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Should Indian seafarers stop serving on sanctioned ships?
While merchant ships across the world have been manned by Indian seafarers, officers, engineers and crew for years, recent conflicts have suddenly brought…
- In Focus by The Hindu
From Barcelona Messi to Argentina Messi: How has the football icon evolved?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Decoding India’s polycrisis: Ailing economy, broken education system, acute unemployment
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’…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Did Trump’s Iran deal sideline Israel?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Iran, visas and politics: How is FIFA handling U.S. excesses at the World Cup?
A discussion with Srinivasan Ramani on the controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino's response and what ‘sportswashing’…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Conversation with Romila Thapar: Is Hindutva compatible with democracy?
Romila Thapar, an extraordinary scholar known for shaping our understanding of ancient Indian history, and for instituting critical inquiry at the heart of…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Cough syrups no longer OTC: who needs to take them and how?
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…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Is India producing more graduates than what the economy can absorb?
India is witnessing an unprecedented expansion in higher education. Over the past decade, thousands of new colleges and universities have been established…
- In Focus by The Hindu
How does the recent Supreme Court judgement redefine voluntary sex work in India
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…