In Focus by The Hindu

What is going on with health insurance claims? According to recent data from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the volume of claims filed rose 21.8% in the financial year 2025, but the total amount settled by insurers increased by only 12.88 %. This stark mismatch has spilled over social media – where stories of claims going unsettled, settled for lower amounts of being endlessly delayed, are rife. Adding to this issue is the steep rise in health insurance premiums. Earlier this year, the IRDAI, had directed that premiums for senior citizens not be revised by over 10% a year – this came after senior citizen premiums were going up by 50 or 60% in many cases. Why is there a growing mismatch between claims filed and settled? How much of an effect does the rising cost of medical services play in this? Do both the insurance sector and private hospitals need better, more stringent regulation? Guest: Prof. Indranil M., professor and health economist, at OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat Host: Zubeda hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

D. Sivanandhan, a retired IPS officer and former Mumbai Police Commissioner, dives into the gritty history of Mumbai’s underworld. He shares gripping stories from the gangster era, including the rise of notorious figures like Dawood Ibrahim. Sivanandhan discusses the critical legal tool MCOCA, which revolutionized police tactics, and sheds light on the challenges of policing organized crime. He even reveals the links between the mafia and terrorism, along with Bollywood's vulnerable ties to gangsters. His insights unveil a complex battle for control in the city.

Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha, a pediatrician and past National Convener of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Immunization, discusses the alarming rise in mumps cases across India. He explains how the absence of the mumps vaccine from the universal immunization program contributes to these outbreaks. Dr. Vashishtha highlights the viral illness's symptoms, potential complications, and the argument for adding the MMR vaccine to routine immunizations. He also emphasizes the need for booster shots and improved vaccine strategies to combat this public health challenge.

Zerin Osho, Director of the India Programme at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, dives into the outcomes of COP30. He discusses the concerning omission of 'fossil fuels' from the final text and criticizes the weak financial commitments. Despite this, he highlights some hopeful voluntary plans to transition away from fossil fuels and combat deforestation. Zerin also critiques India's diplomatic strategy while celebrating its renewable energy progress, emphasizing the complexities of adaptation finance versus mitigation.

Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress, advocates for workers' rights, while R. Mukundan, CEO of Tata Chemicals, represents industry interests. They engage in a heated debate about the newly implemented labour codes, discussing their implications for social security and workers' rights. Kaur argues that the codes threaten union power, while Mukundan contends they modernize laws for a competitive economy. Both emphasize the need for better dialogue between employers and unions to address significant grievances.

In this discussion, legal correspondent Krishnadas Rajagopal delves into the Supreme Court's recent advisory opinion on the Presidential Reference concerning the powers of Governors and the President. He breaks down the impact of the ruling, which has no fixed timelines for action on state bills, potentially allowing prolonged inaction. Rajagopal also explores its contradiction with a previous judgement and raises pressing questions about federalism and the risk of politically motivated delays in legislative processes.

Kerala has declared that it has “eradicated extreme poverty,” identifying over one lakh people as the final few remaining in this category in the State. But what does “extreme poverty” actually mean, and is it possible for a State to eradicate it? This episode unpacks the definitions, the methodology used by the State, the gap between Kerala’s estimates and the Central government’s Antyodaya Anna Yojana’s numbers, and the wider questions this raises about poverty measurement and verification. The conversation also looks at whether States should set their own criteria, what an ideal poverty tracking system should look like, and how journalists can independently assess such claims. Guest: Prof. R. Ramakumar, Former Dean of the School of Development Studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and a non-ministerial member of the Kerala government’s State Planning Board Host: Devyanshi Bihani Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining the discussion is Amitabha Das Sharma, a veteran sports journalist with deep insights into Indian football governance. They delve into Ryan Williams' choice to sacrifice his Australian passport for Indian citizenship, igniting debate on sourcing talent from foreign-born players. Amitabha highlights the challenges of India's grassroots development and the potential benefits of recruiting OCIs. The conversation also navigates the impact on youth systems, governance issues, and how the stalled ISL season is affecting clubs and players.

Featuring Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion, and Dr. Kenneth Regan, an expert in cheat detection, the discussion dives into the changes online chess has undergone since the pandemic. Anand highlights how online platforms have revolutionized the game, while Regan explains the statistical methods for spotting cheating. Young player Krish Rastogi shares his personal struggles with addiction to fast-paced formats and offers insights on overcoming compulsive habits. Together, they explore the tension, suspicion, and the evolving landscape of chess in the digital age.

Amol Karhadkar, a sports reporter for The Hindu, dives into the exciting world of IPL trades and team strategies before the 2026 auction. He highlights major roster shifts, including the sensational Samson-Jadeja-Curran swap, and discusses the emotional versus cutthroat decisions franchises faced this season. Amol examines RCB's cautious approach to auction strategies while praising Mumbai's trade success. He also names key players to watch in the upcoming auction, teasing potential bidding wars for stars like Andre Russell.