Services exports cut India's trade deficit by 9.4% in Q1

Around 11% growth in services exports helps overall trade deficit contract to $20.3 billion; current export growth on track to beat last year's record figures of $825 billion, says Commerce Secretary.

The issue with criminalising all adolescent relationships

The Supreme Court of India's sentencing judgment in Re: Right to Privacy of Adolescents (May 2025) is a remarkable example of the Court revisiting its stance by prioritising the voice of the young person most impacted by the criminal case initiated for her protection.

More than symbolic

Legislative measures to curb unhealthy food intake are a must

In a welcome move, the Health Ministry has directed all government departments to display oil, sugar and transfat content in every-day Indian snacks such as samosas, jalebis, vada pavs and laddoos in a bid to highlight the health risks of their consumption on a regular basis.

Contesting the future of forest governance

Recently, the Chhattisgarh forest department issued a letter designating itself as the nodal agency for implementing community forest resource rights (CFRR) under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

More tourist beds, fewer homes: the cost of overtourism in the EU

Unregulated tourism in some European cities is reshaping housing markets by pricing out residents.

How is global shipping trying to decarbonise?

Shipping, however, is generally a conservative industry. New technology adoption is relatively slow.

The need to protect India's linguistic secularism

According to the 2011 Census, India has 121 languages and 270 mother tongues

While religion and language are the two most crucial aspects of any culture, these are also the predominant cross-cultural barriers.

Confined field trials of GM maize to begin at Punjab University

The field trials of two kinds of genetically modified (GM) maize are expected to begin this kharif (summer) season at the Punjab Agricultural University, weeks after the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, the country's top regulator for the sector, gave the nod for the trials after receiving consent from the Punjab government.

97% 'untouchability' cases pending in courts: govt. report

The number of criminal cases registered under the Protection of Civil Rights Act (PCR Act), 1955, for offences related to "untouchability" has seen a decline, with pendency in courts remaining above 97% and nearly all disposed cases resulting in acquittals, according to the Union government's 2022 annual report on the implementation of the law. The report was recently made public by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

'Good progress on EU FTA talks, less so on ASEAN pact review'

Commerce Ministry officials confirm team from India is in Washington to negotiate the U.S. deal, the third such visit in the last few months.