SC seeks regulatory steps against 'vulgarity' online

The Supreme Court on Monday asked Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to suggest "regulatory measures" to rein in the use of "filthy language" and "vulgarity" which passes off as humour in programmes streamed online.

A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant said there was a clear divide between humour and perversity.

The court said the regulatory measures were in-tended to ensure that pro-grammes adhered to "well-known moral standards" of Indian society without sliding into a censorship of the fundamental right to free speech and expression. They were to work as a reasonable restriction on freedom of speech to ensure decency and morality.

Battle for growth

There was a significant uptick in India's economic trajectory, in the December quarter of this financial year (Q3FY25), registering a 6.2% real GDP growth rate, compared with a low revised estimate of 5.6% (5.4%) in the previous quarter. To be sure, this growth rate was the slowest since Q4FY23, except for the previous quarter's 5.6%. The 6.2% growth rate also suggests that the government's full-year growth target of 6.5% is virtually unattainable, given global headwinds of tariffs that could lead to imported inflation, amid tepid performance by the manufacturing and services sector domestically. The bulk of Q3FY25 growth has been bolstered by the primary sector, with a value-add of 5.2%, up from 1.8% in the same quarter last year. But growth in the secondary and tertiary sectors that make up manufacturing and services slowed to 4.8% and 7.4% respectively, compared with 12.4% and 8.3% last year. While Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran acknowledged that a growth rate of 7.6% in the current quarter is ambitious amid global economic uncertainties, his suggestion that this growth is attainable sounds rather optimistic, unless the Maha Kumbh propelled a consumption spike that was able to buttress the current quarter's growth numbers. India's manufacturing and services sectors remain vulnerable to global trade uncertainties, such as the U.S.'s 25% import tariff on steel, and an equal percentage proposed on pharmaceuticals. About a third (31%) of India's pharma exports totalling $8.7 billion were to the U.S. in FY24. News of the proposed tariffs has sent shock waves, with some firms suggesting a pivot to producing in the U.S., which could potentially lead to a trade revenue loss for India.

India's burden of rising obesity, the hefty cost to pay

In the last two decades in India, a major epidemiological transition has happened that has not captured sufficient public attention - the challenge of overweight and obesity. The National Family Health Survey round 5 (NFHS-5, 2019-21) suggests that nearly one in every four men or women is obese. The proportion of those who are overweight and obese ranges from 8% to 50% across States, in both men and women, and in rural and urban settings. The World Obesity Federation estimates that India's annual increase in childhood obesity is one of the world's steepest. Overweight and obesity in adults and children have doubled in the last 15 years and tripled in the last three decades. A nationwide study by the Indian Council of Medical Research in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology (2023) had estimated that amongst adults over 20 years of age in India, one in every third (35 crore) has abdominal obesity, one in every fourth person (25 crore) has generalised obesity and one in every fifth person (21 crore has high levels of blood cholesterol. 

War and peace

The dramatic showdown in the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in full view of television cameras, was unprecedented in the history of modern diplomacy. For Mr. Zelenskyy, who was to sign an agreement on minerals and discuss Mr. Trump's peace plan, the visit was both humiliating and disastrous. Humiliating because Mr. Zelenskyy's apparent questioning of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's push for diplomacy triggered a spiralling spat, prompting Mr. Trump to say that Ukraine was not winning the war and that Mr. Zelenskyy was being ungrateful to the U.S. It was disastrous because Mr. Trump asked Mr. Zelenskyy to take the deal he was negotiating with the Russians or "we are out". This was a threat that the U.S. would stop supplying weapons to Kyiv, which is struggling to slow down an advancing Russia. Mr. Trump's snub that Mr. Zelenskyy had "disrespected America in its cherished Oval Office" and that "he can come back when he is ready for peace", marked a breakdown in his relationship with the Ukrainians. This, unless reversed, could prove costly for Ukraine at a time when it needs the support of all its allies. 

Australia, the partner for India's growth trajectory

Australia believes in India. We believe that India has a bright future economically. We believe that it will be the third biggest economy in the world by 2030. And we believe that India warrants greater political influence as its economy grows - that is why we back India's claim for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

We also believe that Australia is a natural partner for India's growth because our economies are complementary (we produce the things India needs, and vice versa); because we are strategically aligned; and because we are neighbours just across the Indian Ocean. 

The way to protect orans

In December 2024, in T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India, the Supreme Court recognised the socio-ecological and cultural importance of orans (sacred forests) for local communities in Rajasthan, and passed protectionist orders for their conservation. The judgment aims to further the protection of orans and harness local communities' agency for doing so. It seeks to achieve these objectives by formalising the governance and management of orans – that is, by bringing them within the purview of biodiversity-related laws. While this is a well-intended move, formalisation may not produce the desired outcomes.

How is China's foreign policy structured?

During his visit to China in January, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had separate meetings with the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Sun Weidong, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CPC (IDCPC). While in India, there is a clear distinction between the party and the state, in the Chinese system, party and state bodies are intermeshed, with the CPC holding ultimate authority over the government. 

The implications of treating Virtual Digital Assets as taxable properties

As digital economies expand and blockchain technology reshapes global finance, governments worldwide are grappling with the classification, + regulation and taxation of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs). India's Income Tax Bill, 2025 introduces a comprehensive legal framework for VDAs defined in Section 2(111), aligning the country's tax structure with global precedents. This move is crucial, considering how major economies like the U.K., the U.S., Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE have approached VDAS primarily as property or securities. 

Visually challenged persons suitable for

The Supreme Court, in a significant judgment on Monday, held that visually challenged candidates can-not be found unsuitable for judicial service.

"If there is one principle that forms part of the bedrock of the Constitution, it is 'inclusivity' on which also rests the doctrine of equality," a Bench of Justic-es J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan observed in a 122-page judgment.

The court said it was high time Parliament considered amending Article 15 of the Constitution to include 'disability' as a ground for non-discrimination. 

India launches multi-nation alliance for collaboration on sustainable development

India on Monday launched the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3), a multi-nation alliance for city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships for sustainable urban development.

This forum would provide a critical platform for policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and development partners to discuss and implement sustainable solutions for waste management and resource efficiency as economies in the Asia-Pacific region. 

External Affairs Minister to visit U.K., Ireland to strengthen bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit the Republic of Ireland and the U.K. this week to deepen ties with both countries. The visit comes days after the EU College of Commissioners visited New Delhi and after India and the U.K. relaunched trade negotiations on February 24. The visit comes at a challenging time for European countries which have been renegotiating their relationship with the United States, since U.S. President

Donald Trump’s return to the White House. 

Study finds 6,327 Gangetic dolphins across four States

The first estimate of Gangetic dolphins, the only riverine dolphins in India, has found 6,327 of them in the Ganga and its tributaries. Previous attempts at mapping the population have relied on vastly different methods, and so the latest number is not useful for insight on whether their numbers have changed over time, experts associated with the study told The Hindu. 

ISRO releases second set of scientific data from Aditya mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the second set of scientific data from the Aditya-L1 solar mission.

"The datasets comprise valuable scientific information about the Sun's photosphere, chromosphere and its outer atmosphere (corona) along with the in-situ particles and magnetic field measurements at first Earth-Sun Lagrange Point L1," the ISRO said. 

High-powered defence committee identifies key thrust areas for modernisation of IAF

The Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the Indian Air Force, headed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, identified key thrust areas and made recommendations for medium-and long-term measures in its report presented to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.

In the report, the IAF had listed priorities for addressing the shortfall in fighter jet numbers, an official source said. The recommendations will be looked at in a holistic manner and the government is open to take necessary measures, the source added. 

For 100% circularity in dairy sector, go beyond dung and process skin, bones: Amit Shah

Maintaining that developing the dairy sector is probably the only way to control the exodus of people from villages to cities, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said circularity in the sector should not be limited to processing dung, but should include using skin and bones of the cattle and making machinery used in the segment in the cooperative sector. 

Feb. manufacturing PMI slips on slowdown in sales growth

India's private sector manufacturing activity, as measured by the HSBC Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, slowed to 56.3 on sales growing the slowest in more than a year in February 2025, according to a statement from HSBC. 

Indie film Anora triumphs at Oscars with five victories

The tale of a sex worker whose marriage to the son of a Russian billionaire quickly unravels - was the big winner at the Oscars on Sunday, scooping five awards including best picture.

Director Sean Baker used one of his four acceptance speeches to urge support for independent movies. "I want to thank the Academy for recognising a truly independent film. This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists," he said.

Research team takes big step towards making a Bose metal

A metal is a material defined by specific properties, including conducting electricity well. Every metal has a finite conductivity - a measure of how well it conducts - in particular conditions. It changes when the metal is heated or cooled.

For example, at a pleasant 20° C, the electrical conductivity of zinc is roughly 16.9 million siemens per metre. But cool it to a frigid -272.3° C and its conductivity becomes infinite. This is because at this temperature zinc becomes a superconductor: able to conduct an electric current with zero resistance.

Scientists know of many metals that have a finite conductivity at room temperature and infinite conductivity at very low temperatures. This drastic change in behaviour is because of something that happens to the metals' electrons. At room temperature, the electrons in a grid of zinc atoms move freely throughout the material, transporting electricity if a voltage is applied. Each electron itself repels other electrons and is also acted on by other forces imposed by the 3D grid of atoms around it, including vibrations in the grid, impurities in the material, and attractive forces exerted by protons in the nuclei. When this grid is cooled to a low –