December 16, 2025 – India Headlines

Story gist: The Delhi government directed schools to shift from hybrid to online mode for classes nursery to Class 5. The decision addresses pollution in New Delhi.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like NDTV frame the story around the policy shift to online classes for young students amid ‘severe pollution,’ emphasizing educational impacts. Center outlets like AP focus on the ‘toxic smog’ blanketing New Delhi, its disruptions to travel, and hazardous air quality. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential emphasis on government accountability or pollution causes.

Story gist: India’s NIA filed a chargesheet naming seven individuals, including a Pakistan-based handler leading a Lashkar offshoot, for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed tourists. Lashkar-e-Taiba was charged as a legal entity for the first time.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NDTV emphasizes the Pakistan ‘Terrorist’ mastermind heading a Lashkar offshoot, using dramatic language. Center Times of India focuses on factual details like seven named accused and the novel charging of Lashkar-e-Taiba as a legal entity. Right-leaning WION highlights India’s charges against ‘Pakistan-based terrorists’ over the ‘deadly’ attack, stressing national action.

Story gist: India’s central government proposes renaming MGNREGA to G RAM G with 125 days work guarantee. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the renaming unfortunate, sparking opposition criticism as an insult to Mahatma Gandhi.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Hindu frame the story as an ‘insult to Mahatma Gandhi,’ highlighting opposition attacks on the Centre. Center outlets like Times of India report neutrally, focusing on the renaming and increased 125 work days. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting pro-government defenses or emphasis on policy enhancements.

Story gist: India’s trade deficit narrowed in November to a five-month low. Electronics exports reached a decade high while gold and oil imports declined.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Deccan Herald emphasizes dip in gold and oil imports causing deficit low, omitting exports. Center Bloomberg frames electronics exports as shielding India from Trump’s trade policies, adding U.S. tension angle. Right-leaning Swarajyamag highlights exports hitting decade high and imports easing, stressing strong export performance with positive tone on India’s economy.

Story gist: A report states Australian intelligence investigated the Bondi Junction gunman for Islamic State links. A Pakistani man living in Australia was wrongly identified as the attacker.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Guardian emphasize the Pakistani man’s ‘nightmare’ of misidentification, focusing on his personal ordeal and potential prejudice. Center outlets like The Hindu report neutrally on the intelligence probe into IS links. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting emphasis on terrorism risks or security measures.