https://thebreakdown.in Independent, data-driven journalism on Indian policy, politics, and society. en-in https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-russia-relations India's oldest strategic partnership is navigating the Ukraine war, a dramatic surge in oil imports, Western sanctions pressure, and Russia's deepening embrace of China — all while defence dependency keeps the relationship anchored. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-russia-relations geopolitics https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-uk-relations The India-UK relationship has reinvented itself through a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, FTA negotiations, and robust diaspora links — but difficult conversations on historical reparations, migration, and trade-offs persist. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-uk-relations geopolitics https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-europe-relations As the EU seeks to diversify away from China and India looks West for technology and investment, the India-EU strategic partnership is gaining momentum — but trade negotiations, carbon policy, and differing worldviews on Russia remain obstacles. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-europe-relations geopolitics https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-china-relations From the Galwan Valley clash to a widening trade deficit and competition across the Indian Ocean, the India-China relationship has reached its most volatile point since the 1962 war. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-china-relations geopolitics https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-indonesia-relations India and Indonesia share 2,000 years of civilisational links and are now deepening a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership focused on maritime security, trade, and countering Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-indonesia-relations geopolitics https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-us-relations The India-US strategic partnership has deepened across defence, technology, trade, and people-to-people ties over the past two decades, driven by shared concerns about China's rise and converging geopolitical interests. Sat, 15 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-us-relations geopolitics https://thebreakdown.in/story/ews-quota-upsc-investigation An investigation into all 104 candidates selected under the 10% EWS quota in Civil Services 2025 finds IIT graduates, private school alumni, and business family children — raising fundamental questions about targeting and due diligence. Sat, 08 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/ews-quota-upsc-investigation policy https://thebreakdown.in/story/ethanol-backlash India achieved 20% ethanol blending five years ahead of schedule, but motorists report mileage drops of up to 12%, the food-versus-fuel debate resurfaces, and a Supreme Court PIL challenges the rollout. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/ethanol-backlash environment https://thebreakdown.in/story/supply-chain-shift As global companies diversify away from China, India has attracted $85 billion in FDI since 2023 — but infrastructure gaps and policy inconsistency threaten to squander the moment. Sat, 01 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/supply-chain-shift economy https://thebreakdown.in/story/anganwadi-icds India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) runs 14 lakh anganwadi centres serving 10 crore beneficiaries, but frontline workers face wage delays, infrastructure gaps, and mounting workloads. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/anganwadi-icds health https://thebreakdown.in/story/ration-digitization Aadhaar seeding and ePoS deployment have reduced leakage in India's Public Distribution System from 40% to under 10%, but coverage gaps persist. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/ration-digitization economy https://thebreakdown.in/story/groundwater-depletion Groundwater depletion threatens India's food and water security as 62% of districts face critical or over-exploited groundwater levels, driven primarily by agricultural irrigation. Sat, 18 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/groundwater-depletion environment https://thebreakdown.in/story/education-budget India's education budget has grown 40% in five years, but learning outcomes continue to decline — raising fundamental questions about expenditure efficiency. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/education-budget policy https://thebreakdown.in/story/climate-finance As India pursues its net zero 2070 target, a massive climate finance gap threatens to slow the renewable energy transition and adaptation efforts. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/climate-finance environment https://thebreakdown.in/story/rbi-repo-rate With the repo rate at 6.50% after 250 bps of cumulative hikes, India's monetary policy faces the challenge of balancing inflation control with growth support. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/rbi-repo-rate economy https://thebreakdown.in/story/satluj-ban Diljit Dosanjh's biopic of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra survived 127 CBFC cuts, three title changes, and a pulled TIFF premiere — only to be taken down by ZEE5 within 48 hours of release. An investigation into India's censorship machinery and the story it tried to bury. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/satluj-ban policy https://thebreakdown.in/story/dpdp-bill From the landmark right to privacy judgment to the 2026 amendments, India's journey toward comprehensive data protection legislation has been long and contentious. Sun, 05 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/dpdp-bill policy https://thebreakdown.in/story/semiconductor-pli India's expanded semiconductor PLI scheme promises to cover the full value chain, but the Vedanta-Foxconn JV collapse and a growing talent gap raise questions about execution readiness. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/semiconductor-pli technology https://thebreakdown.in/story/mgnrega-reform Two decades of India's flagship rural employment guarantee scheme — what the data reveals about wage trends, participation, and economic impact across states. Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/mgnrega-reform economy https://thebreakdown.in/story/digital-payments-boom How UPI transformed rural financial inclusion, with transaction volumes growing 400% in three years. Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/digital-payments-boom technology