policies

Sports Ministry has reaffirmed its policy of a blanket ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, with no Indian teams participating in Pakistan and vice-versa. However, exemptions remain for multi-nation events like the Olympics and Asian Games. The ministry also aims to simplify visa processes to position India as a preferred international sports hosting destination.

The US department of education has opened an investigation into Smith College over its admission policy allowing transgender women to enrol. The inquiry will examine compliance with Title IX rules on sex-based discrimination and single-sex education. The case follows a complaint and comes amid wider debate on admission policies in women’s colleges in the United States.

India is significantly boosting defence spending and prioritizing domestic production, aiming for self-reliance and export growth. New policies like 'Make in India' and DAP 2020 are reshaping procurement, encouraging local manufacturing and foreign collaboration. Despite global supply chain challenges, indigenous production and exports are rising, signaling a strategic shift towards greater defence capability and autonomy.

A US federal trade court ruled against President Trump's 10% global tariffs, deeming them invalid and unauthorized by law. The court found the administration's justification under a 1974 trade law insufficient, a setback for a key trade policy. This decision offers stability to businesses reliant on global supply chains.

In its latest study on emerging-market sovereigns, the agency notes that India has ranked among the more resilient economies since 2020, based on multiple indicators such as sovereign bond spreads, domestic yield movements, and exchange-rate stability.

The Trump administration is expanding hunting and fishing access on federal lands, including national parks and wildlife refuges, by removing existing restrictions. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the policy is to open lands unless specific exceptions apply. This move aims to boost conservation and rural economies, despite concerns about visitor safety and science-based management.

The Ministry of Education is set to launch the School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026 on May 6, a move designed to bolster grassroots school governance. These revised guidelines, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, emphasize participatory and community-driven approaches, strengthening the role of parents and local communities in school functioning.

Delhi High Court will appoint senior lawyers as amicus curiae to argue the case for Arvind Kejriwal and two other AAP functionaries who have chosen to boycott hearings in the liquor policy case. This comes after the individuals alleged bias and conflict of interest against the presiding judge.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Ministry of Education, CBSE and all states over complaints that private schools are prescribing expensive books from private publishers. The commission has sought reports on compliance with RTE norms and asked authorities to review textbook practices and school bag policies.