Explained Archive
Every Explained article we’ve published, in one place. Filter by category to revisit in-depth breakdowns of the policies, events, and ideas behind the headlines.
The Bay of Bengal Fulcrum: Explaining India's New Maritime Security Vision
The new SHANTI doctrine marks a shift from military presence to regional governance, with the Bay of Bengal as its first test case. An analysis of its principles, objectives, and implications for the Indo-Pacific.
Beyond Enrolment: Crafting a Universal Social Safety Net for India's Informal Workforce
The e-Shram portal has registered nearly 300 million unorganised workers, but the challenge now is to move from a digital identity to a system of portable, universal social security that protects them from life's biggest risks.
The Theatre of War: Explaining India's Push for Integrated Military Commands
A deep dive into the proposed restructuring of India's armed forces, the rationale behind it, the significant risks to operational readiness, and the path forward.
The Gig Economy's Precarious Pact: Why India Is Hesitant on Global Worker Rights
India's recent abstention on a new ILO treaty for platform workers highlights a deep-seated conflict between its domestic legislative approach and emerging global standards for the digital economy.
The Meghalaya Paradox: Why the Wettest Place on Earth is Thirsty
An analysis of the climatic, geological, and governance failures causing acute water shortages in a region of record-breaking rainfall.
The Buck Stops Where? Unpacking Ministerial Responsibility in Indian Democracy
Following a high-profile resignation, a look at the constitutional principle of ministerial accountability, its historical application, and its relevance in contemporary Indian governance.
Beyond the Reserve: India's New Frontier in Tiger Conservation
With nearly 40% of its tigers now living outside protected areas, India is launching a new initiative to manage human-wildlife coexistence in shared landscapes. What is the 'Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves' policy, and what does it mean for the future of the national animal?
Tehran's Tightrope: Decoding Iran's Strategic Calculus in Taliban-led Afghanistan
Five years after the fall of Kabul, Iran pursues a complex policy of pragmatic engagement with the Taliban while keeping ties with the opposition, a delicate balancing act with deep regional implications.
India's Fuel Efficiency Puzzle: Why Weak Norms Could Cost the Climate and Economy
A deep dive into the proposed CAFE III regulations, the 'flexibility mechanisms' that may dilute their impact, and the implications for India's energy security and industrial future.
AI and the Invisible Workforce: The Promise and Peril for India's Informal Women Workers
As India builds its national AI infrastructure, the design choices made today will determine whether the technology empowers or further marginalises the millions of women in the informal economy. A look at the opportunities, the governance challenges, and the path forward.