3 Things

An investigation by The Indian Express has found that funds meant to support athletes and build public sporting infrastructure were also used to develop high-end facilities inside civil services institutions and a residential colony for bureaucrats. In this episode, we speak to Mihir Vasavda, who undertook this investigation, about how the National Sports Development Fund was allegedly diverted, the records uncovered through RTI documents, and why the findings raise larger questions about accountability and the use of public money.

You can read the investigation here.

Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by the Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Hamza Khan about the investigation regarding the NEET 2026 paper leak. He shares what led to the initial doubt, how it was confirmed, the probe and how the government has reacted to the leak.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Akram M. about Karnataka: how the state government reversed the 2022 order that had effectively barred hijabs in schools and pre-university colleges and the reactions this decision has received. (10:40)

Lastly, we talk about the CBSE's decision regarding the implementation of the three-language rule for Class 9, starting 1st of July, this year. (18:12)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Liz Mathew about the Congress high command naming V D Satheesan as Kerala’s next Chief Minister, and what his elevation reveals about the party’s internal politics and future strategy.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express’ Aditi Raja about the new Sociology curriculum at MS University in Vadodara, which includes modules on Modi Tattva, RSS fieldwork, and Hindu sociology, and why it has sparked debate over politics in the classroom. (11:11)

And in the end, we look at the case of a British-Indian doctor who spent four months stranded in India after a Look Out Circular linked to a Facebook post prevented him from leaving the country. (25:05)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Flora Swain and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Udit Misra about PM Modi urging people to reduce the use of Petroleum products. While this is happening against the backdrop of the Iran war, the reason behind this is India's forex or foreign exchange reserves which have sharply depleted since the war began. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Parul Kulshrestha about cases of maternal deaths that have surfaced in Rajasthan's Kota. In these cases, women develop postpartum complications after a C-section which leads to their deaths. She shares the details of the cases and the probe in place. (16:09)

Lastly, we talk about BJP governments in West Bengal and Bihar saying that the people who have been deleted from the electoral rolls after the Special Intensive Revision cannot avail government schemes in their states. (25:57)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Sukalp Sharma about the mounting pressure on India’s state-owned oil marketing companies as global energy prices remain elevated amid the continuing West Asia conflict.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express’ Sweety Kumari about the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and why investigators now believe the killing may be part of a larger conspiracy. (10:35)

And in the end, we look at the partial collapse of Bihar’s Vikramshila bridge, after repeated warnings about its deteriorating condition allegedly went unaddressed for nearly two years. (22:05)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express