Cover Story | Infertility, Asthma, Lost Productivity: India's Cities Are Too Sick To Power Its Growth
Pollution is stealing the future of Indians, robbing them of their health, stunting educational growth and crippling the country’s economic dreams
THE LEAD
Column | There Is No Such Thing As A Green Cracker
By Ankit Mishra
The Supreme Court has allowed the sale of certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days this Diwali. But the label promises more than what science can prove or what the police can verify
India Women Name Squads For South Africa Tour: Smriti Mandhana To Lead; Jemimah Rodrigues Returns From Injury
Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur have returned from injury and been named in India’s squads for the South Africa tour next month, with Rodrigues back in all formats and Amanjot selected only for T20Is
NCP Merger Buzz: The Meetings, Statements And Denials Behind The Speculation
Hospital meetings, Parth Pawar’s visits and a key admission have revived reunion speculation—but both NCP factions deny fresh talks
Delhi Chokes After Diwali, Political Blame Game Flares Over Farm Fires And Missing Data
Delhi’s air quality worsened after Diwali, with eight monitoring locations recording AQI readings above 400. BJP leaders alleged a spike in Punjab stubble fires, while Congress and AAP questioned gaps in pollution-monitor data
Who Will Lead Punjab Kings If Hardik Pandya's Trade Goes Through? Shreyas Iyer's Captaincy Faces Big Question
By Deepak Joshi
Who will captain Punjab Kings if Hardik Pandya joins from Mumbai Indians? Explore Shreyas Iyer's leadership record, Hardik's credentials and the possible impact of the blockbuster trade
Editor’s Note | Slogans, Songs And Poisoned Air: When Politics Fails The Nation
Policymakers have been shockingly apathetic to India's pollution crisis. A country cannot aspire to become a global technology and innovation powerhouse while treating the conditions in which its workforce lives as an afterthought
Delhi Air Quality Stations Stop Reporting On Diwali Night As Pollution Levels Spike
Several air-quality monitoring stations across Delhi stopped reporting data on Diwali night as PM2.5 levels surged, raising concerns about gaps in the capital's pollution-monitoring network
Prashant Kishor Questions Bihar Brahmins Over Economic Distress, BJP Ties & Caste Politics
Addressing a gathering in Darbhanga, the Jan Suraaj founder urged Brahmins to reclaim their intellectual legacy, questioning their political choices and economic condition
NEWS
National
Dairy farmers and opposition parties marched to the district collectorate with cattle to oppose the ordinance, which would raise the ruling Mahayuti's strength from 12 to 16 in the 25-member board
International
Nvidia's board has launched an independent probe into whether its CEO was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation, following reports linking him to a Chinese businesswoman suspected of passing information to Beijing.
Other Sports
Teddy Riner, the French judo star and five-times Olympic gold medallist, has announced plans to run in next year’s presidential election, saying he wants to unite France ahead of the April-May ballot
International
In a telephone conversation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared his assessment of the latest developments in the conflict, while the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation
Cricket
Diwali 2026 saw several Indian cricket stars celebrate the festival of lights with their families, even as most members of the national team remained busy with the ongoing tour of New Zealand. With the Indian side involved in a five-match ODI series against the Black Caps, many players were away from home due to their international commitments. However, several former cricketers and other Indian stars made the most of the festive occasion, sharing glimpses of their celebrations on social media. From traditional ethnic outfits and beautifully decorated homes to family pujas and lighting diyas, the cricketers embraced the occasion with warmth and enthusiasm. Former India captain MS Dhoni celebrated with wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva, while Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar also shared festive moments with their loved ones. Take a look at their Diwali celebrations.
National
R K Puram and Nehru Nagar were among the most polluted areas until 9 pm, with readings showing a steep rise in particulate matter concentration before the data became unavailable
National
BJP leader mocked Beijing's alleged approach to technology acquisition after reports linked a Chinese national to an alleged intelligence operation targeting Nvidia chief Jensen Huang
MAGAZINE
The Unequal Frontier - 23 November 2026 Issue
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SubscribeEvery few years, the remote Himalayan ridge becomes a national headline. The script rarely changes—troops meet, officials explain, talks follow and attention moves on. A border issue both governments say they want settled remains unsettled. From Manmohan Singh to Modi, little has changed. Each time, the government has to huddle and act until the crisis temporarily fizzles out. Each crisis gives ammunition to the opposition camp to attack the government and question its foreign policy. China’s frequent military stand-offs have had a significant impact on India’s policymaking, pushing New Delhi to rethink its national security priorities, economic strategy, diplomacy and infrastructure development. China is no longer viewed merely as a neighbour with whom India has an unresolved boundary dispute, but as a long-term strategic challenge that influences decisions across several areas of governance. In a classic grey-zone fashion, Beijing is using these encounters to test India’s preparedness and gauge New Delhi’s response without a conventional war. China’s strategy is simple: advance strategic goals below the threshold of open conflict. India can no longer afford to be defensive, hesitant or overly cautious in dealing with China. It needs to be bold, assertive and strategically fearless in protecting its national interests. Beijing understands the language of power, not diplomatic niceties alone. India must be willing to impose economic and diplomatic costs whenever China violates its territorial integrity or undermines its interests. But being tough on China does not mean being reckless or rushing into conflict. It means building the economic muscle, military strength and political resolve to ensure that India is never bullied, never cornered and never forced to negotiate from a position of weakness. India must engage China when it serves Indian interests, confront it when necessary and never mistake restraint for weakness.
In The Magazine
A Piece of Paper - 09 November 2026 Issue
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SubscribeMillions of young Indians are stepping out of campus with degrees but no job offers. According to Niti Aayog, graduate unemployment stands at 13 per cent, higher than the national unemployment rate of 3.2 per cent. There is also the issue of mismatch between employment and degrees: only 8.25 per cent of graduates in India work in jobs that match their qualifications. Of the 3.4 crore students enrolled in undergraduate programmes, combined enrolment in B.A., B.Sc and B. Com exceeds two crore. However, degrees like these are not generating enough jobs. The problem is also systemic. Students have degrees, diplomas and certificates, but because of outdated curricula in many educational institutions, and higher and technical education failing to keep pace with changing industry requirements, they lack the required vocational skills and knowledge to keep pace with a demanding work culture. A large number of unemployable graduates in the country is likely to turn India’s demographic dividend into a liability.
An Outlook-Toluna Survey: India's Fertility Crisis - 26 October 2026 Issue
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SubscribeOutlook magazine's latest cover story is a package based on a survey that we conducted with market-research platform Toluna. The Outlook-Toluna Survey on Women and Family throws up some surprising facts and demolishes a number of myths. Some of the interesting findings are: Urban women want greater policy focus on human development-health and education rather than cash transfers or tax benefits to be mothers. Women want to be mothers not because cultural or societal pressures but because they want to start their own families. Then we discuss why working women are postponing motherhood and what they expect from employers. These and more stories in the latest Outlook issue.
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SPORTS
Joe Root To Lead England In South Africa Tests; Liam Patterson-White Gets Maiden Call-Up
England have named a 15-member squad for the South Africa Tests, with Joe Root to lead, Liam Patterson-White earning a maiden call-up, and Jacob Bethell returning from injury
Teddy Riner, the French judo star and five-times Olympic gold medallist, has announced plans to run in next year’s presidential election, saying he wants to unite France ahead of the April-May ballot
PT Usha suffered a setback in the Indian Olympic Association race after losing the women’s Sportspersons of Merit election. Saina Nehwal, Anju Bobby George, Dola Banerjee and Rani Rampal were elected, leaving Usha dependent on a nomination for the December 5 IOA elections
Mumbai Cricket Association has named a former Indian captain for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with Shardul Thakur returning and Mumbai set to open against Hyderabad in Kolkata on November 14
Dele Alli wore an Arsenal shirt after losing an EAFC 27 bet to iShowSpeed, then apologised to Tottenham fans on Instagram as he continues his comeback bid
BUSINESS
Infertility, Asthma, Lost Productivity: India's Cities are Too Sick to Power its Growth
By Parth Singh
Infertility, Asthma, Lost Productivity: India's Cities are Too Sick to Power its Growth
MONEY
Bhai Dooj 2026: How Siblings Can Plan Their Parents' Retirement and Healthcare Costs
By Sanchi Varma
Bhai Dooj 2026: How Siblings Can Plan Their Parents' Retirement and Healthcare Costs
TRAVELLER
From The Latest Issue: The Many Diwalis Of India
By Sadaf Hussain
From The Latest Issue: The Many Diwalis Of India
Planning A One-Day Trip To Ayodhya For Deepotsav? Here's Your Complete Travel Guide
Planning A One-Day Trip To Ayodhya For Deepotsav? Here's Your Complete Travel Guide
The Old Planter Bungalows That Have Found A New Life As Luxury Stays
The Old Planter Bungalows That Have Found A New Life As Luxury Stays
"Ramayana: Rise Of A Legend" And Six Real Places That Bring The Epic To Life
"Ramayana: Rise Of A Legend" And Six Real Places That Bring The Epic To Life
Chavni Lohagad: A Luxury Stay That Brings Maharashtra’s Maratha Heritage To Life
Chavni Lohagad: A Luxury Stay That Brings Maharashtra’s Maratha Heritage To Life
LUXE
Tatiana Bilbao: How A Family Of Architects Influenced Her Design Philosophy
By Aaron Jacob
Explore how a family of architects shaped Tatiana Bilbao’s design philosophy, from the Sea of Cortez Research Center in Mazatlán to Casa Ventura near Monterrey
Ireland’s Finest Luxury Hotels: 5 Exceptional Stays For Discerning Travellers
By Aaron Jacob
Historic castles, stately manor houses, magnificent landscapes and exquisite hospitality reveal the timeless appeal of five remarkable Irish retreats
Diwali 2026 Edit: Five Luxe Finds To Make Your Festive Evening Special
By Sonali Mukherjee
Diwali evenings call for thoughtful details that make celebrations memorable. Explore five finds that bring together design, entertaining and the spirit of festive celebrations ranging from statement home décor and elegant tableware to Penfolds festive wines, designer candle holders and luxurious home fragrances
A Luxury Guide To Alba: White Truffles, Fine Dining And The Best Of Piedmont
By Sonali Mukherjee
Discover Alba in Italy's Piedmont region during white truffle season. Explore the International Alba White Truffle Fair 2026, experience guided truffle hunts, savour fine dining and discover the celebrated vineyards and culinary traditions of the Langhe