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
Will the 'No Kings' protest be a defining moment in Trump's second term?
On March 28, millions of people took to the streets across the U.S. under one banner — “No Kings” — marking one of the largest protest mobilisations in recent…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Should privacy be a tradable right?
India is a poor country, but it is ‘data-rich’. The dominant consensus today holds that data – including personal data -- should be exploited for economic…
- In Focus by The Hindu
West Bengal elections: How will SIR voter deletions and anti-incumbency shape outcomes?
West Bengal is gearing up for assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee will face her toughest challenge, given the anti-incumbency factor of three terms. The BJP…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Is cinema a positive influence in Tamil Nadu politics?
With elections in Tamil Nadu gearing up, one development drawing sharp attention is the entry of Vijay, whose political debut is expected to command a…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why has the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026 sparked such outrage?
The government introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 on March 25. The Bill aims to amend the FCRA Act, 2010. The main thrust of…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Assembly elections: Can the Left overcome anti-incumbency in Kerala?
The Left Front has been in power in Kerala since 2016. It is looking for a historic third consecutive term in power. But can it overcome the anti-incumbency…
- In Focus by The Hindu
The Tamil Nadu way: How to reverse India's creeping centralisation
Ashok Vardhan Shetty is one of the three members of the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee, appointed by the DMK government headed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Has gold lost its safe haven status?
Gold usually rises during geopolitical crises, but this time, it’s falling. Why? In this episode of In Focus, we unpack what’s driving the recent drop in gold…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Does India have enough health professionals to care for its rising senior population?
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the growing importance of the care economy – a rising demand for caregivers globally and an opportunity to…
- In Focus by The Hindu
How do you make a living will?
The Supreme Court’s recent verdict in the case of Harish Rana, allowing for the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, as the 32-year-old had been in a…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Should men get paternity leave in India?
Last week, in a ruling on maternity leave for adoptive and surrogate mothers, the Supreme Court called on the Union government to examine the need for a formal…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What happens to the FIFA World Cup if Iran were to withdraw?
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, an escalating war in West Asia has put FIFA in an unprecedented bind. With co-host United States directly…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Is trump making a u-turn on Iran war?
Donald Trump’s five-day pause on striking Iran’s energy infrastructure does appear like a tactical U-turn—but not a full reversal. Just days after issuing a…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Is the U.S. running out of missiles in the Iran-Israel war?
As the Iran–Israel conflict intensifies, a deeper question emerges: can the United States and its allies sustain this war? In this episode, The Hindu’s data…
- In Focus by The Hindu
West Asia conflict: Under what conditions would Iran agree to a ceasefire?
The war in West Asia has now entered its fourth week. US and Israel have continued their aerial bombings of Iran, and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel and…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why was the National Transgender Council kept in the dark about the 2026 Amendment Bill?
The Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026 has sparked nationwide protests and a constitutional debate. In this exclusive interview, Kalki Subramaniam…
- In Focus by The Hindu
How far should governments go in using AI?
As governments begin deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in public administration, national security and policymaking, questions about its safe usage…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Assam Assembly elections: Is Himanta all set for a second term as CM?
The BJP has been in power in Assam for ten years. As the state goes to the polls, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is looking for a second term…
- In Focus by The Hindu
LPG crisis: Is the Strait of Hormuz blockade India's biggest energy security test yet?
The rapidly escalating crisis in West Asia has sent shockwaves through the world's energy supply. Iran has effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow…
- In Focus by The Hindu
US-Israeli war on Iran: Will Trump escalate or exit?
As the war between the United States, Israel and Iran enters its third week, the conflict is widening with rising casualties and growing regional risks. With…
- In Focus by The Hindu
When a godman takes over your life: In Conversation with Priyamvada Mehra
Indians by and large are a highly religious people. But there are many other cultures that are as religious, if not more. What makes India unique in this…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why are farmers protesting against an India-US trade deal?
Last month, thousands of farmers across the country burnt symbolic copies of the India-US trade deal. They were protesting against the interim framework for a…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?
A major war has erupted in West Asia, with Israel, the U.S., and Iran locked in direct conflict. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel just before…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Trump's tariffs fail in the Supreme Court: How can India recalibrate its trade strategy?
A week after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Was the Ahmedabad pitch worthy of a World Cup final?
India clinched a historic third T20 World Cup title with a commanding win over New Zealand in Ahmedabad. Standout performances underlined India’s dominance…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Was the SC's move to 'ban' the NCERT textbook an instance of judicial censorship?
Days after a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant threatened that “heads must roll” for the “reckless, irresponsible, motivated…
- In Focus by The Hindu
From protests to power: Is Nepal entering a new political era?
Nepal’s latest general election appears to mark one of the most significant political shifts in the country’s recent history. For decades, Nepal’s politics has…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Strait of Hormuz Crisis: How the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran impacts global oil supply
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical energy chokepoint. Every day, over 20 million barrels of oil which is roughly one-fifth of global supply pass…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Has the Supreme Court been effective in curbing hate speech?
Last month, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition seeking criminal prosecution of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over divisive and…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Does too much ultra-processed food affect mental health?
We all know by now that ultraprocessed food is bad for our health. Consumption of a lot of it, has been linked to a number of health issues including…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Ayatollah Ali Khameini: His legacy, and the fallout of his assassination
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed last week in an attack by the US and Israel. Iran has declared 40 days of mourning. Muslims around the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Israel–U.S.–Iran war: Where is the West Asia conflict headed?
The conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has entered its third day, marked by intense aerial exchanges and escalating regional involvement. With Supreme…
- In Focus by The Hindu
West Bengal polls explained: Can the BJP halt the TMC’s fourth-term bid?
In this episode, we take a closer look at the issues shaping the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, which are expected to be announced soon by the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Have AI products begun disrupting India’s IT services sector?
Artificial intelligence has moved from experimentation to enterprise adoption in under two years, with industry estimates projecting AI services revenues of…
- In Focus by The Hindu
‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ case: Can Supreme Court’s observations help reverse the declining protection for free speech in India?
Recently, the producers of a Netflix movie titled ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ were taken to court. A PIL had been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking a ban on the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Can Mumbai lead India’s clean energy transition while battling climate risks?
As Mumbai hosted its first Climate Week, the spotlight is on how India’s fast-growing cities will navigate the accelerating energy transition. Renewable power…
- In Focus by The Hindu
India’s Rare Earth strategy: Digging beneath the Budget announcements
Rare earth elements (REEs), a group of 17 minerals, have become central to global industry and geopolitics. They power electric vehicle motors, wind turbines…
- In Focus by The Hindu
After the Hockey Pro League setback, how ready is India for this year's World Cup and Asian Games?
The Indian men’s hockey team has begun 2026 — a year of major stakes — on a worrying note. Four matches in the Rourkela leg of the FIH Pro League ended in four…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What does social media do to young brains?
This week a landmark trial is underway in the United States, where Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is being accused of deliberately getting…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Rubio’s Munich speech: A call for unapologetic Western domination?
In his speech at the Munich Security Conference last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared the MAGA vision of American foreign policy -- which has…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Does football suffer because of cricket?
Last weekend, the Indian Super League (ISL), the highest league in Indian football, kicked off after months of uncertainty. The disruption, which compelled…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Japan’s strategic shift: What Takaichi’s return means
Japan’s strategic posture is undergoing one of its most consequential transformations since the end of the Second World War. Long defined by its pacifist…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Accountability on ICE: How are Trump’s military-style anti-immigrant raids impacting America?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents killed two American citizens in Minnesota in January 2026. At least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025. The…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Is nuclear stability at risk after New START’s collapse?
The expiration of the New START treaty, the last active nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, marks a significant shift in the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What a ‘post-nation’ future might look like? with Rana Dasgupta
More than 99% of humanity lives in nation states. But nations are less than 200 years old, and today many countries are sliding into xenophobia, debt and a…
- In Focus by The Hindu
ISL 2025-26 season: A rescue mission or a reckoning for Indian football?
After months of administrative paralysis, the Indian Super League 2025-26 season finally kicks off in February 2026, but this is no ordinary season.With the…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Is a double-engine government crucial for growth?
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala and Tamil Nadu, scheduled to have Assembly elections soon, and stressed the need for a double-engine…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What does the SC's judgement on menstrual health mean for gender equity in India?
The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement recognising the right to menstrual health and hygiene as a fundamental right grabbed headlines all of last week. Why was…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Bangladesh elections 2026: Decoding the big themes and trends
Bangladesh will have its general elections on February 12. Nearly 2,000 candidates will contest on 300 seats of the Jatiya Sangsad. Alongside the parliamentary…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What is driving the latest surge of violence in Balochistan?
In late January and early February this year, coordinated attacks across multiple districts in Pakistan’s Balochistan province marked one of the most intense…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Maharashtra after Ajit Pawar: Will the two NCPs unite? with P. Sainath
On January 28, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) National President Ajit Pawar died in a tragic air crash, leaving behind…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Should the Governor's address be scrapped?
Last month, during the joint session of the Karnataka legislature, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot walked out of the House after reading only a few lines of his…
- In Focus by The Hindu
India-US ‘trade deal’: What does India gain from it?
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced on social media that India and the US have agreed on a historic trade deal, or at least the broad framework…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What’s driving the protests against UGC’s new campus equity rules?
On January 13, the University Grants Commission (UGC) notified new regulations to promote equity and protect from discrimination students from SC/ST/OBC…
- In Focus by The Hindu
The Greenland gamble: who won, who lost, and who gambles?
Last week proved to be a whirlwind for Americans and Europeans and for those observing events around the world. The week began with Trump’s tariff threat…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Why is violence the male response to a woman's rejection in India?
Just 10 days after the New Year, news hit the headlines of a software engineer found dead in her home in Bengaluru. The police initially suspected her death…
- In Focus by The Hindu
Reading between the lines of Economic Survey 2025–26
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has tabled the Economic Survey 2025–26, offering the first official snapshot of where India’s economy stands—and…
- In Focus by The Hindu
What would India's markets and small businesses expect from Union Budget 2026?
With less than 48 hours to go before India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, tables the Union Budget in Parliament for the 2026–27 fiscal. Kunal Shankar…
- In Focus by The Hindu
In Focus-Parley | Will removing curbs on Chinese FDI help India?
India's Ministry of Finance is set to scrap curbs on Chinese firms bidding for government contracts, which were introduced in 2020, following a deadly clash…
- In Focus by The Hindu
ICC T20 World Cup: Why was Bangladesh replaced by Scotland?
Bangladesh is out of the ICC T20 World Cup starting next month. It will be replaced by Scotland. Cricketing observers have slammed the sport’s governing…