Decoded

US midterms 2026: What is at stake for Trump, Republicans and Democrats

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate are up for election; republicans currently control both chambers of Congress

Actor Imran Khan asked to leave India: What law says about OCI cardholders

Imran Khan, who is a US citizen, has been asked to leave India after attending a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner. Here is what the law says about foreign nationals

Why was IDBI Bank sold at ₹81 a share? Understanding the valuation

The government used an independent valuation benchmark of ₹75.99 per share after rejecting an earlier bid of ₹75 that fell short of the ₹94.42 reserve price

Explained: What preventive detention, arrest and detention mean under law

Three CJP leaders were detained during protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Here is what preventive detention, arrest and detention mean and how they differ

Explained: What is Account Aggregator framework, and how does it work?

From November 1, financial institutions will pay a standard fee to access customer data through the Account Aggregator network. Here's how the framework works and what the new pricing means for users

Nobel Economics Prize 2026: How Hall and Woodford changed policymaking

Robert E Hall and Michael Woodford's research helped explain how expectations shape spending, inflation and interest rates, transforming the way policymakers respond to economic shocks

Explained: What the law states about internet shutdown orders in India

Delhi's internet shutdown has brought the 2024 Telecom Rules into focus. The rules specify who can order a shutdown, what the order must contain and how long restrictions can remain in force

Explained: Why Starlink's India launch plans have raised security concerns

Starlink's proposed India launch has raised concerns over national security, data privacy, foreign influence and the use of unauthorised terminals

US green card suspension: What it means for Indian IT workers on H-1B visas

Trump administration halts green card processing for select tech firms: Impact on Indians decoded

Explained: What laws protect Indian seafarers working in conflict zones

Indian seafarers often work on foreign-flagged ships in conflict zones. Here is how Indian and international laws, flag states and government agencies assist them during emergencies

What's CFIUS, the US national security panel that can derail foreign deals?

Hindalco and AluChem jointly ended their acquisition deal last week, citing extended delays in closing the transaction that were 'beyond the control of either party'

Russia-Nato tensions: Why Kaliningrad matters and may become a flashpoint

Wedged between Poland and Lithuania, Kaliningrad hosts key Russian military infrastructure and is central to rising tensions between Moscow and Nato

Pakistan's solar boom is so widespread it is now part of wedding dowries

Rising grid tariffs, TikTok-driven popularisation and the affordability of Chinese solar systems have driven Pakistan's solar boom to such an extent that panels are now being used as wedding dowries

Organ donation in India: How the system works and what law says

From living and deceased donation to altruistic transplants, India's organ donation framework is governed by THOTA, which sets rules for approvals, organ removal and commercial dealings

ECINET, ERONET explained: How Election Commission's voter roll systems work

ECINET and ERONET help the Election Commission manage electoral rolls. Here's how the systems work, the role of EROs and why their functioning has come under scrutiny

Private capex outlook is rising, but what is driving project distress now?

India's private capex outlook is strengthening, but the reasons projects run into distress are changing, with market conditions and promoter interests now accounting for most distressed projects

India may get multiple TV ratings agencies: But which TRP will count?

Multiple TV ratings agencies could soon operate in India. But if each produces a different number for the same programme, which TRP will become the industry's currency? Experts explain

Centre launches livestock insurance portal to address gaps: What changes

The Centre has launched a new portal for livestock insurance to streamline enrolment, claims and monitoring. Here's what changes

Drug patents in India: How they work and when govt can override them

From 20-year patent protection to government use and compulsory licensing, here's how India regulates drug patents and what the law allows when access to medicines becomes a public concern

India's solar boom faces a new test as rising costs squeeze returns

Solar developers face higher costs from domestic cells, commodities and rupee depreciation, while competitive tariffs leave little room to absorb the increase, putting project economics under pressure

From anti-national to offensive content: What are CBFC's new film rules?

The CBFC has revised its film certification guidelines, setting out new rules on what films can show and how they will be classified for different age groups

India's Russian oil imports: From war-era discounts to Trump-era shifts

US lawmakers' push to name India in a Russia sanctions bill puts its Russian oil purchases back in focus. Here's how the trade has changed since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine

How an Indian-origin CEO with no gaming experience is 'fixing Xbox mess'

Seven months into the job, Asha Sharma is overseeing a series of changes across Xbox's gaming business, from a 3,200-job restructuring to changes in cloud gaming and new partnerships

Airtel, Jio accuse Vi of blocking mobile number porting: What do rules say?

Airtel and Jio have accused Vi of making it harder for customers to port out. The dispute recalls a 2021 row that led Trai to order telcos to enable port-out SMS on all plans

Explained: What is Article 371(K) and what could it mean for Ladakh?

The Centre and Ladakh representatives have made progress on a proposed new political framework, with key questions on powers, safeguards and the role of local bodies still under discussion

Food safety law: Can authorities suspend a restaurant licence immediately?

Food safety authorities can suspend a restaurant licence over violations, but the law lays down a process for rectification, appeals and cancellation

UPI Tap and Pay explained: How it works, key features, and its benefits

Digital payments are getting a new option. Here's what RBI's new UPI Tap and Pay feature is all about, how it works and what it could mean for users:

What is superalignment and why are AI researchers raising concerns?

Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon's warning about self-improving AI has raised concerns over superalignment. Here's what it means and why it matters

India joins US-led 6G initiative: How does it fit with Bharat 6G Mission?

India has joined a US-led 6G initiative even as it pursues its own Bharat 6G Mission. What does the new framework cover, and how does it fit with India's existing 6G plans?

Isro's private-sector push: How close is India's space model to Nasa's?

Isro is expanding private-sector participation while retaining core responsibilities. Is its emerging model similar to Nasa's approach?