India Today is the leading news magazine and most widely read publication in India. The magazine’s leadership is unquestioned, so much so that India Today is what Indian journalism is judged by, for its integrity and ability to bring unbiased and incisive perspective to arguably the most dynamic, yet perplexing, region in the world. Breaking news and shaping opinion, it is now a household name and the flagship brand of India’s leading multidimensional media group. Additionally, the weekly brings with it a range supplements like Women, Home, Aspire, Spice and Simply which focus on style, health, education, fashion, etc. and Indian cities.
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SO FAR, SO GOOD • India’s GDP growth beats forecasts in the first quarter of FY27, showing surprising resilience despite geopolitical headwinds. But some experts question the high numbers
UPFRONT
INDIA'S NEW TANK KILLER • India has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the US on August 28 for the purchase of Javelin anti-tank missile systems under the government's emergency procurement programme. The acquisition adds to the army's anti-armour arsenal. The state-of-the-art Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) might also be co-produced in India in the future, for which an MoU was signed between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the Javelin Joint Venture, comprising US defence firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, on August 30. It explores an Indian facility for final assembly, along with production of components
MILES TO GO • Modi’s expected meeting with Xi at BRICS can’t mend the reverses of 2020, unless the border issue is adequately addressed
From awareness to action
STATE SCAN
2047, A CAPITAL MAKEOVER • The Master Plan for Delhi-2047 envisages shifting all density to a new arc of urbanity—an Outer, Outer Ring Road on the west called UER-II
WHY INDIA IS AT RISK • THE NEPAL TRAGEDY EXPOSES INDIA'S VULNERABILITY TO SUCH CATASTROPHES IN ITS FRAGILE HIMALAYAN STATES. HOW WE CAN MINIMISE THE IMPACT
THE BITTER TRUTH • FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE, INDIA IS IMPORTING SUGAR AS PRICES SPIKE AHEAD OF THE FESTIVE SEASON, EVEN AS CONCERNS GROW OVER STOCK MISCALCULATIONS, ETHANOL DIVERSION AND HOARDING
THE RESUSCITATION OF AMARAVATI • Chandrababu Naidu’s dream capital is racing towards a 2028 deadline, amid rising costs, construction challenges and Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rival plan
CASHLESS BUT NOT SPOTLESS • THE 'SWASTHYA SATHI' HEALTH COVER SCHEME HAD BEEN MAMATA BANERJEE'S ANSWER TO THE CENTRE'S AYUSHMAN BHARAT ROLLOUT. A CAG REPORT NOW 'EXPOSES' ITS INEFFICIENCIES
RISING COST OF MOTHERHOOD • Pregnancy care is now more institutionalised and monetised in India than ever before, leading to ill-advised C-sections, non-essential tests that hog hospital resources and luxury maternity services for the affluent and anxious
LEISURE
PASSION FOR CINEMA • Anuparna Roy is taking her new film, Lovers in the Blue Night, to the Venice International Film Festival
ROYAL REVIVAL • Kirti Mandir, the cenotaph of the Gaekwad dynasty that ruled Baroda for close to three centuries, sees its first major restoration
Talking to Her Own Image • Through the life of Bengal's last great female impersonator, Sandip Roy offers a poignant, layered portrait of jatra, gender and queerness
Art of the Matter • Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee embarks on a multi-year collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York