Explained

Explained: How the West Asia war wiped ₹70,000cr off LIC’s portfolio | Share market news

The escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict is shaking global markets and India is feeling the impact. India’s largest institutional investor,

RBI's reassurance on HDFC Bank: What are systemically important banks?

RBI reassures on HDFC Bank after board exit, highlighting its D-SIB status and strong governance while explaining why systemically important banks are key to financial stability

Explained: What South Pars-North Field is and why it matters to Iran, Qatar

Israel's strike on South Pars has put focus on the world's largest gas field shared by Iran and Qatar, a key source of energy that powers both economies and influences global gas supply

Explained: What are Iran’s 3 conditions for peace? | US-Iran war | West Asia conflict | Crude oil

As the US–Israel war with Iran intensifies, Tehran has laid down three clear conditions for a ceasefire: recognition of its rights, payment of reparations, and guarantees against future attacks.

Induction cooktops explained: Why they work only with certain utensils | LPG crisis | West Asia war

Rising tensions in West Asia are triggering fears of LPG supply disruptions in India. As concerns grow over the Strait of Hormuz shipping route, many households are buying induction

What are ethanol cookstoves and can they serve as an LPG alternative?

As LPG supply concerns grow due to the West Asia crisis, ethanol producers have proposed ethanol cookstoves; here's what they are, how they work and whether they can replace LPG in homes

What is Essential Commodities Act invoked by govt amid LPG shortage?

The Centre has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise natural gas and LPG supply for domestic, industrial, and vehicular use amid global energy disruptions

What is force majeure and why are global energy firms invoking it now

As tensions in West Asia disrupt oil and LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz, Indian energy firms are invoking force majeure clauses to suspend contractual obligations amid rising maritime risks

Explained: What is the Strait of Hormuz and why it is vital for oil trade

Tensions in West Asia have put the Strait of Hormuz in focus; here's what this narrow sea route is, why it is crucial for global oil and gas supplies and how any disruption can affect prices worldwide

E20 petrol with RON 95 mandatory from April 1: What it means for your car

From April 1, all petrol pumps will sell E20 fuel with minimum RON 95; the government has kept the option open to grant temporary exemptions

Supreme Court imposes blanket ban on NCERT Class 8 textbook: Here's why

The Supreme Court banned a Class 8 textbook over "objectionable" content on the judiciary. The chapter cites corruption, case backlogs and shortage of judges as challenges facing the judicial system

Donald Trump raises global tariffs to 15%: What Sections 122, 232, 301 mean

US President Donald Trump has raised the global baseline tariff to 15 per cent after a court setback, using older trade laws. Here's what Sections 122, 232 and 301 mean and how they allow tariffs

Explained: What is Project Vault, Trump's $12 bn critical minerals plan?

The US government has rolled out Project Vault, a $12 billion scheme to stockpile rare earths and critical minerals, aiming to shield American companies from global supply disruptions

Explained: What is Trump's Gaza Peace Board and who are its members

The US-led Gaza Peace Board, proposed by President Donald Trump, will oversee ceasefire, governance and rebuilding in Gaza, with India among the countries invited to join

Ukraine open to troop withdrawal if Russia agrees to demilitarised zone

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could withdraw troops from eastern regions if Russia does the same and the area is turned into a demilitarised zone under international monitoring

How China's 'Manhattan Project' aims to break Western control of AI chips

China has secretly built a prototype machine to make advanced AI chips, aiming to end Western dominance, with working chips expected by 2028-2030

Explained: Why govt wants to replace MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G after 20 years

The draft VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 seeks to replace MNREGA to offer 125 days of rural work, focus on durable assets, improve transparency, and align employment schemes with rural economy and needs

Explained: How India handles pollution and what WHO air guidelines say

The government says India sets its own air quality standards and does not follow WHO guidelines; cities are ranked under NCAP, with top performers rewarded annually

Explained: What's the Central Excise Bill, 2025 moved by govt in Lok Sabha?

The Bill was tabled earlier amid the Opposition's protest demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls

What is xLight, the chip startup that has won Trump admin's support?

The Trump administration has agreed to invest up to $150 million in xLight, a startup building new chipmaking lasers, marking its first Chips Act award this term