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/indias-foreign-policy As India celebrates 80 years of independence, its foreign policy has undergone a fundamental transformation — from Nehruvian idealism to pragmatic multi-alignment, balancing the US, China, Russia, and the Global South. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/indias-foreign-policy politics 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/india-china-border-tensions Despite 20 rounds of military talks, India and China remain locked in the most intense border confrontation in five decades — with 60,000 troops deployed on each side and a broader strategic rivalry reshaping Asia. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/india-china-border-tensions politics 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/income-inequality-india India's income inequality has reached levels not seen since the colonial era — the top 1% holds 40% of national wealth while the bottom 50% holds just 13%. An examination of the structural drivers behind India's Gini coefficient trajectory. Sun, 26 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/income-inequality-india economy 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/indian-education-crisis While near-universal enrolment has been achieved at the primary level, India's education system faces a crisis of quality — half of Class 5 students cannot read a Class 2 textbook. An investigation into the systemic failures behind the learning poverty trap. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/indian-education-crisis policy 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/us-iran-relations As the 2026 US-Iran nuclear talks enter a decisive phase, The Breakdown examines the decades-long trajectory of confrontation, diplomacy, and the geopolitical stakes for the Middle East and India. Sat, 18 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/us-iran-relations politics https://thebreakdown.in/story/electoral-bonds-investigation From 2018 to 2024, India's electoral bonds scheme enabled ₹12,155 crore in anonymous political donations — 97% from corporations. When the Supreme Court struck down the scheme and ordered data disclosure, the revealed donor lists exposed a web of corporate-political relationships, shell companies, and contributions by firms under investigation. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/electoral-bonds-investigation policy 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/bjp-mission-360 After the shock defeat of the delimitation-cum-women's reservation bill on April 17, 2026, the BJP launched a high-stakes strategy to secure 360+ Lok Sabha seats — enough for a two-thirds majority — by engineering defections, targeting regional parties, and leveraging its historic Bengal win. The outcome will determine whether the government can reshape India's electoral map through constitutional reform. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://thebreakdown.in/story/bjp-mission-360 politics