LS passes nuclear energy Bill allowing privatisation

The SHANTI Bill repeals existing legislation on nuclear activity and opens up private participation in civil nuclear sector

The Bill enables private companies to run nuclear power plants and bring foreign investment into the sector

It places the responsibility of managing nuclear plants on the 'operator' of the facility

It limits operator liability to the capacity of the plants

Govt. to stay in control of nuclear waste management.

RS passes Bill for 100% FDI in insurance sector

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, which allows 100% Foreign Direct Investment in the insurance sector, amid demands for it to be sent to a select committee.

Change for the worse

The move to alter MGNREGS beyond recognition must be dropped

The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G Bill, tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), deserves to be rejected for more than one reason. What is sought to be changed is not only the no-menclature but also the fundamental character of the existing Scheme (MGNREGS).

The story of 'We, the moving people'

The Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, Census 2027 and delimitation will sharpen the migrant imprint on Indian politics.

The changing patterns of India's student migration

The rapid expansion of Indian student migration points to contradictions between aspiration and outcome, and opportunity and exploitation

Ironically, this wave of student migration has also created a new form of cheap labour for OECD countries, akin to Gulf labour migration except that it is now accompanied by reverse remittances often financed through savings and debt.

This rapid expansion of Indian student migration exposes deep systemic contradictions between aspiration and outcome, and between opportunity and exploitation, resulting in a phenomenon that can be described as brain waste. It calls for stronger regulation of education agents, pre-departure counselling, and bilateral frameworks to ensure institutional accountability abroad.

Record-high number of Indians deported from U.S. in 2025

In 2025, 3,258 Indian nationals were deported by the United States to India, the highest annual figure since at least 2009. Concurrently, more than half of surveyed Americans said that the U.S. was doing "too much" when it came to deporting illegal immigrants, according to the Pew Research Centre.

Why have Thailand-Cambodia border clashes flared up again?

On December 8, Thailand launched airstrikes into Cambodia after clashes erupted along their disputed border, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October.

The 11th century Hindu temple Preah Vihear has been central to the dispute, with both countries claiming historical ownership.

At the border level, de-escalation should build on measures attempted under the October agreement, including verifiable troop withdrawals, joint demining, and direct military communication.

Navy commissions second MH-60R copter squadron, the 'Ospreys', at INS Hansa

INAS 335, the Ospreys, the second Indian Naval Air Squadron to operate MH-60R helicopters, was commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa, on Wednesday.

ICG Ship Sarthak makes first port call at Iran's Chabahar

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Sarthak, an offshore patrol vessel, entered the Chabahar port in Iran on December 16 for a four-day visit till December 19. According to the Defence Ministry, the port call, marking the first-ever visit of an Indian Coast Guard ship to Chabahar, underscored India's growing maritime engagement in the region and its ability to support secure supply lines to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

India, Oman to sign free trade pact today: Goyal

Confirming India and Oman will be signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the FTA offers "immense opportunities" in a number of sectors, including textiles, footwear, automobiles, gems and jewellery, renewable energy, and auto components.