India, U.S. inch closer to limited trade agreement

An India-U.S. trade deal, including a potential initial "mini-deal" of limited con-cessions, will likely be firmed up by the original deadline of the fall season - between September and November in the U.S., according to sources aware of the progress of the negotiations.

Earlier, officials on both sides had expressed confidence of finalising an initial deal before July 9. 

IRCTC Tatkal ticket booking will require Aadhaar from July 1

To ensure equitable access to Tatkal tickets and curb misuse, the Indian Rail-ways on Wednesday announced a series of modifications to the Tatkal ticket booking system.

Recounting Velpur's story in ending child labour

Every year, June 12 is observed as World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO). In an attempt to draw the attention of the world on the issue of child labour, the day brings together governments, employers and workers' organisations as well as civil society to work towards ending child labour. Though Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 calls on the global community to take effective measures to end child labour in all its forms by 2025, we are far from achieving this.

Child labour is prevalent all over the world, robbing many children of their basic right to live with dignity, enjoy their childhood and attain their full development potential. Across the world, 160 million children are estimated to be involved in child labour which is almost one among 10 children. The Africa, Asia and the Pacific regions together account for almost nine out of every 10 children being in child labour. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation for many underprivileged children, when their schools closed, and their parents lost their jobs/wages. Many children who dropped out of school, and who were forced to work to supplement their family income, have not returned to school. 

It is profit first, life and safety second

The tragic deaths in a stampede in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, of 11 people who were part of a huge crowd that had gathered near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate the victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after RCB's first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025, is a stark reminder of three issues. They are our national sense of disproportionate enthusiasm for victory; of government missionaries' lack of preparedness to contain crowd movement, and of people's sense of immortality. Despite knowing full well that such gatherings end as physically unsafe situations, we see people rush madly, throwing caution to the winds. Social media in particular and 24X7 visual media houses play a great role in adding much hype to these events. It is almost as if missing such an opportunity is akin to foregoing the most important part in one's life.

A needless controversy over 'Bharat Mata

Recently, an unexpected and unwarranted controversy erupted in Kerala in connection with World Environment Day, which is observed annually on June 5. Unfortunately, it was triggered by Raj Bhavan.

In Kerala, World Environment Day is widely observed every year. There is massive participation from the people, who plant thousands of saplings across the State. The day has become an occasion for the people to enrich their understanding of the environment and commitment to the cause of it. 

Violent crimes by juveniles have increased in India

Adolescence, a British miniseries released a few months ago, tells the chilling story of a 13-year-old boy, Jamie, who murders his classmate, Katie. It was critically acclaimed for its single-take format, powerful performances, seamless direction, and excellent storytelling.

More importantly, the series sparked conversations not just in the U.K. but worldwide about issues such as cyberbullying, involuntary celibate (incel) subculture, casual online misogyny, the behavioural shifts in adolescence, and the increasingly complex world that boys find themselves navigating today. 

A different approach to the caste census

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, has decided to conduct caste enumeration in the upcoming Census. As per Article 246 of the Constitution, the Census is a Union subject listed in the 7th schedule. The caste census must be viewed beyond binaries of "for or against" to envision a more transformative idea - as a foundational tool for what might be called a social management approach to governance. 

Why was Malta's ‘golden passports' scheme scrapped?

In late April, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) struck down Malta's 'golden passports' scheme – a 2020 -scheme which authorises the naturalisation of foreigners in the country, and consequently the European Union, in return for hefty financial investments in the country. Brussels had launched infringement proceedings against Malta, as it persisted with its own scheme, blocking access only to Russians and Belarusians consequent to Russia's war against Ukraine. 

Why C. Sankaran Nair's legacy cannot be compartmentalized

Recruiting historical figures particularly stalwarts of the Indian National Movement into contemporary political narratives has become a recurring strategy employed by Indian politicians. -

After deftly appropriating icons like Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the BJP has recently "discovered" a long-forgotten hero of the freedom struggle: Sir C. Sankaran Nair, the only stalwart from Kerala to have presided over the Indian National Congress. Not to be outdone, the Congress has scrambled to reclaim its former president - a man it had buried in to oblivion for nearly a century. The recent film Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, which portrays Sir C. Sankaran Nair as an unsung hero, has now brought him into the limelight.

Constitution does not avert its gaze from caste, poverty, injustice: CJI

Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai has hailed the Indian Constitution as an unpretentious social document that does not avert its gaze from the brutal truths of caste, poverty, exclusion and injustice in the country.

Preparing the electoral rolls is one of world's most transparent exercises: CEC

Preparation of the electoral rolls in India is among the world's most "rigorous and transparent" exercises and elections are held under the close watch of political parties, candidates, voters, the police and the media, who act as "concurrent auditors", Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has said. 

Axiom space mission postponed to repair rocket's oxygen leak

SpaceX has said that it is standing down from Falcon 9's launch of Axiom Space Ax-4 mission which will carry Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). 

Centre to revise AC temperature range for more efficiency

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is engaged in preparing a framework to standardise default temperatures of air conditioners, including those in automobiles, in the range of 20-28 degrees Celsius to improve energy efficiency in the country. 

India unlikely to ratify 'High Seas Treaty' at U.N. Ocean Conference

India is unlikely to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement also known informally as the 'High Seas Treaty' - at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, sources indicated to The Hindu.