Explained

Plain-English explainers

The concepts and laws that shape the debates, defined clearly, set in their Indian history, and compared with how other countries handle them.

11 pages

01Indian Federalism, ExplainedIndia is often called 'quasi-federal', a union with a strong centre. Here is how power is actually split between the Union and the states, and why it is contested.

02Reservation Policy in India, ExplainedHow India's reservation system actually works, who it covers, the 50% cap, the creamy layer, and the EWS quota, explained without the polemics.

03Article 370, ExplainedWhat Article 370 was, the autonomy it gave Jammu and Kashmir, how it was abrogated in 2019, and what the Supreme Court ruled, explained in plain terms.

04Electoral Bonds, ExplainedElectoral bonds let donors fund parties anonymously through banks. Here is how the scheme worked, why the Supreme Court struck it down in 2024, and what the debate is about.

05GST in India, ExplainedThe Goods and Services Tax replaced a patchwork of indirect taxes with one system run jointly by the centre and states. Here is how GST works and why it remains contested.

06UAPA, ExplainedThe Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is India's main anti-terror law. Here is what it does, how it has expanded, and why its bail provisions are so contested.

07MGNREGA, ExplainedMGNREGA guarantees 100 days of paid work to rural households. Here is how it works, what the evidence says, and why it remains politically contested.

08India's Sedition Law, ExplainedIndia's sedition law, now Section 152 of the BNS, punishes acts that endanger sovereignty or 'excite disaffection' against the state. Here is its history, use, and controversy.

09Special Category States, ExplainedSpecial Category Status gives certain states preferential treatment in central funding and tax breaks. What it means, who gets it, and why Andhra Pradesh's demand has become a political flashpoint.

10The Governor's Role in Indian States, ExplainedIndia's Governors are constitutional heads of states appointed by the President. But their powers to delay bills and dismiss governments have made them flashpoints in federal politics.

11The Delimitation Commission, ExplainedThe Delimitation Commission redraws parliamentary and assembly constituencies after each census. Here is how it works, its history, and why the next exercise is so politically charged.