Governance

According to the report, the gap in learning outcomes between wealthier and poorer students is widening – even as the nation slips in its global standings.

The Aswesuma scheme, introduced in 2023, aims to replace a decades-old programme with a new model that ostensibly uses multidimensional deprivation scores rather than just income thresholds.

The NCAER survey points to stagnation in India’s labour markets, reflecting the cautious stance of employers amid policy and trade uncertainty. Over 70 per cent of firms expect no change in their hiring plans for the next six months.

Provincial leaders in Nepal have accused the interim government of Prime Minister Sushila Karki of sidelining them with a “unilateral” budget freeze, crippling preparations for crucial March elections.

If the Maldivian government delivers as pledged, Olhuvelifushi could become a model island for infrastructure upgrade, climate adaptation and community uplift in the Indian Ocean region.

The two-day dialogue, hosted by Turkey and facilitated by Qatar, followed a period of heightened tension along the Durand Line

The strategy sets out a roadmap for channeling climate funds into key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, energy, water and nature-based solutions.