Retail inflation in India climbed to a four-month high in December 2023, accompanied by a decline in industrial production, as revealed by data from the National Statistical Office. We have analysed these figures to explain their impact on you.

A comprehensive report from the U.S.-based organisation Human Rights Watch underscores persistent human rights challenges in India. It asserts that the central government’s policies are discriminatory against religious minorities, Dalits and tribal groups, leading to a rise in communal violence and “state-sponsored” abuses.

New research has revealed that bottled water sold in stores may contain significantly higher levels of nanoplastics than previously known. These particles, 1,000 times smaller than the average width of a human hair, are so small they can migrate through tissues into the bloodstream, potentially distributing harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body.

The rapid urbanisation of India’s cities is leading to a significant environmental challenge: the loss of urban trees. In addition to environmental concerns, the reduction of green spaces also significantly affects public health, heritage and biodiversity, demanding immediate attention.

India’s strategic push to transform Lakshadweep into a major tourist destination, in response to the Maldives’ political posturing and derogatory comments against Indian leadership, has ignited a complex debate. This initiative, while showcasing India’s regional assertiveness, raises concerns about the local community’s cultural identity and environmental sustainability.

Bilkis Bano, who endured a gang rape while five months pregnant and witnessed the murder of 14 family members, including her 3-year-old daughter, in Gujarat in 2002, expresses relief, stating she can finally “breathe” again. This follows the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the premature release of the 11 convicts, a release previously sanctioned by the Gujarat government.

In a recent event in Guwahati, Assam, a journalist named Dipankar Medhi allegedly faced harsh treatment from officials while simply performing his duties. The incident is undeniably a matter of media freedom; however, it also highlights the misuse of power – power entrusted to officials for serving the public, not for oppressing them.

In a compelling speech delivered on Jan. 5, Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna addressed the pressing need for an increased presence of women in India’s judiciary. This change, she argued, is essential for fundamentally enhancing the delivery of justice within the country.

Two scholars from Germany’s Heidelberg University say their study has found that civil society organisations in India, particularly those championing the rights of minorities, Dalits and Adivasis, are facing intensified state scrutiny and regulatory constraints, a situation resulting in a marked narrowing of the civic space within the country.

The Supreme Court of India has put a hold on environmental clearances previously granted by the environment ministry to mining companies that had commenced operations without the requisite environmental clearance, casting a spotlight on the country’s environmental governance, which must strike a balance between industrial interests and the imperative of environmental protection.

As the general elections approach this year, it is anticipated that government debt will rise, a trend commonly observed as governments tend to increase spending during election periods to bolster their chances of retaining power. This practice, recurring in almost every election season and observed globally, has mistakenly been normalised, with its significant impact on us, the ordinary citizens, often being overlooked.

A new government report on the use of antibiotics in India, highlighting its potential to foster “antimicrobial resistance,” or AMR. This condition arises when bacteria evolve, developing resistance to antibiotics, presenting a substantial threat to human health.

Over 17.8 million “active” workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) can no longer look for work due to the central government’s mandate for the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) for wage payments. The government asserts that workers were given ample time for compliance; however, civil society groups contend that the system is unreliable.

In Tamil Nadu, a land dispute involving two elderly Dalit farmers and a local political leader has led to a controversial intervention by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a central government agency, raising eyebrows and causing public outcry, according to a media report.