3 Things

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Ravi Dutta Mishra about India and US finally cracking a trade deal. After months of negotiations, meetings and phone calls, Indian and US have formulated a trade deal. Ravi shares all the considerations, the discussions and what all was included in the deal. 
Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra about an AI enabled project that is helping save the lives of elephants. He explains how over the years elephant deaths due to collisions with trains had become very common, hence the new Intrusion Detection System was introduced. (9:34)

Lastly, we talk about Rahul Gandhi's recent allegations against PM Modi. (19:32)

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

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, The Indian Express’ Vineet Bhalla talks about a landmark Supreme Court judgment that declares access to menstrual hygiene a fundamental right, grounded in dignity, education, and constitutional equality. 


Next, we turn to TISS Mumbai, where student elections are back after a year, but under a new framework. The Indian Express' Pallavi Smart explains the shift, why it has triggered pushback, and what it means for student representation going forward. (13:30)

And in the end, we look at the uproar in Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi cited an unpublished memoir by General M.M. Naravane, sparking debate over what MPs are allowed to quote from on the floor of the House. (20:55)

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

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Yesterday in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget, covering the period from April 2026 to March 2027. This budget comes at a time when questions are being raised about India’s actual economic growth, concerns over US tariffs are looming large, and the government continues to shoulder the responsibility of stimulating the economy.

To understand how the budget addresses these challenges and what it reveals about the government’s broader plans, we speak to The Indian Express’ Udit Misra in this episode.

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Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we discuss the new set of UGC anti-discrimination rules for Indian universities now paused by the Supreme Court. We speak to The Indian Express’ Vidheesha Kuntamalla about what these rules aimed to change, why they’ve sparked backlash, and what happens next.

Next, we discuss a less-talked-about economic risk, public health. The Indian Express' Udit Misra tells us why economists are warning that failing health metrics could derail India’s economic ambitions. (11:50)

And in the end, we look at the latest updates in the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering probe into the Anil Ambani group, with fresh assets worth ₹1,885 crore attached. (25:50)

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

First, The Indian Express’ Ravi Dutta Misra explains the significance of the free trade agreement between India and the EU, and what India will need to do to actually benefit from it.

Next, The Indian Express’ Nikhila Henry reports on the spate of stray dog killings in Telangana and what her ground reporting reveals about one such mass killing in the village of Yacharam (16:20).

And finally, The Indian Express’ Shubhangi Khapre looks at the vacuum left in the NCP after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash yesterday (24:58).

Hosted by Shashank Bhargava
Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express