The article discusses improvements in foundational learning in Indian schools, largely driven by government efforts under the National Education Policy 2020. However, challenges in teacher training and implementation persist, highlighting the need for better support and adaptation strategies.

The article discusses India's upcoming delimitation exercise and its implications on political representation and financial devolution, highlighting concerns over regional representation disparities and the need to consider demographic characteristics beyond mere population counts.

Physicists in the U.S. have developed a technique using carbon-dioxide lasers to remotely detect radioactive materials by leveraging avalanche breakdown, significantly enhancing detection range and sensitivity. This innovation has key applications in national defense.

India faces a job deficit despite a growing working-age population, with formal jobs lagging behind. Rising capital-intensive production and technological shifts stress the need for skills development. Policies like PLI and ELI aim to boost job creation and skill alignment but face challenges.

The article discusses the escalating tensions between the US and Iran following the assassination of Iran's military leader Qasem Soleimani, which stalled talks on the Iran nuclear deal. Recent threats from President Trump and Iran's missile alert heighten risks of regional conflict, emphasizing the need for renewed negotiations to prevent instability and a potential nuclear arms race in West Asia.

Nainital's Naini Lake faces a five-year low water level at 4.7 feet, raising concerns about future water scarcity. Factors include reduced snowfall/rainfall, population pressure, construction, and climate impacts. Calls for ecosystem-based rejuvenation rise.

The article discusses the regulatory challenges in appointing managing directors in India's financial sector, highlighting instances of curtailed tenures and approval hurdles faced by private banks like IndusInd Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. It critiques the extensive regulatory involvement and its unintended consequences, advocating for a balanced approach to foster sound governance and stability in the financial sector.

The US has approved Holtec International to transfer small modular reactor technology to India, advancing the stalled Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement. This opens private sector nuclear collaboration and could expedite India's goal of 100 Gw nuclear energy by 2047.

The article discusses the potential global economic impact of US President Trump's tariffs, particularly focusing on India's manufacturing sector challenges. Despite initiatives like "Make in India," India's manufacturing remains uncompetitive, hindered by government inefficiencies and lack of global ambition.

The "India Bioeconomy Report 2025" highlights significant growth in India's bioeconomy, expanding 16-fold to $165.7 billion in 2024 with potential to reach $300 billion. The sector is driven by biotech innovations and faces challenges like scaling biomanufacturing and skill shortages.

India's defense technology base remains outdated due to a heavy reliance on imports and a lack of integration between civil and defense industries. The article advocates for industrial convergence to foster technological innovation and reduce import dependency.

India plans to amend nuclear laws to allow private sector involvement, following past failures due to stringent liability clauses. This move, influenced by improved US-India nuclear ties, aims to rejuvenate India's nuclear sector and address strategic goals.

India's efforts to combat air pollution are hampered by inadequate fund utilization and poor governance. A parliamentary panel noted that less than 1% of allocated funds for pollution control schemes were used, highlighting a broader issue of ineffective policies amid rising urban pollution.

India, with its vibrant startup ecosystem and young demographic, is poised to leverage AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors for growth. To achieve this, India needs to boost R&D, address IP commercialization challenges, and attract top global talent.

Trade between India and the UAE rose 14.76% to $83.64 billion in 2023-24 due to the CEPA agreement. India's exports grew 27.03%, and UAE's exports increased by 7.09%. Key focuses include food security, tech, and logistics investments.