Day: May 5, 2025

NEET UG 2025: Tougher Questions, Tighter Competition, and the Growing Pressure on India’s Medical Aspirants

Manish Kumar

The Gateway to India’s Medical Dream The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET UG) is more than just an exam—it is a gateway to one of the most sought-after career paths in India: medicine. Conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET is the sole entrance examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and other allied health courses in both government and private institutions across India. With millions of students competing for a limited number of seats, NEET reflects both the aspirations of Indian youth and…

The Missed Signal: Why the Airtel–Tata DTH Merger Collapse Matters to India’s Broadcast Future

Manish Kumar

India’s DTH Market at a Crossroads India’s Direct-to-Home (DTH) television sector, once a booming growth engine in the country’s media and entertainment landscape, is today navigating stiff competition, changing consumer behavior, and rapid digital disruption. With over 67 million DTH subscribers, this industry remains crucial for India’s semi-urban and rural populations where satellite TV is often the only source of entertainment and news. In this context, the now-cancelled merger talks between Bharti Telemedia (Airtel DTH) and Tata Play had promised consolidation in a market that badly needs scale, efficiency, and innovation.…

India’s Hydro-Strategic Squeeze: Turning Off the Taps After Pahalgam

Manish Kumar

Blood in Pahalgam, Pressure on the Chenab The brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 25 Indian tourists and a local resident dead, marked a tipping point in the already brittle relationship between India and Pakistan. As evidence of Pakistani involvement in the attack began surfacing, India quickly shifted gears—not just diplomatically or militarily, but also hydrologically. In a calibrated and symbolically loaded response, India moved to restrict water flow through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River, and signaled similar plans for the Kishanganga project on the Jhelum.…

After Pahalgam: How India’s Air Defence Strategy Is Outpacing Pakistan’s Chinese Backbone

Manish Kumar

A Spark in Pahalgam, Tensions Across Borders The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of several Indian security personnel, has reignited simmering tensions between India and Pakistan. In the aftermath, the Line of Control (LoC) witnessed ten consecutive nights of small arms fire and military posturing. These events, set against a backdrop of an already strained bilateral relationship, have raised fears of a broader military confrontation between two nuclear-armed adversaries. While a full-scale war remains speculative, both nations have begun recalibrating their strategic doctrines. India, in…