Can Vijay break DMK–AIADMK hold? | Bennix–Jayaraj case: Why verdict stands out | South Central

More from South Central All episodes →

1. 

   15 May 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

   Is it time to do away with NEET?

   In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the NEET exam paper leak and the subsequent developments. They are joined by educationist and the founder of Career 360, Maheshwer Peri and TNM Associate Editor Nandini Chandrashekar. In the second part of the discussions, the hosts discuss the austerity measures announced by PM Modi, including a ban on exports and judicious use of oil and gas. They are joined by journalist and founder of India’s first data journalism initiative IndiaSpend, Govindraj Ethiraj. Audio timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction…

2. 

   8 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

   Vijay, the Governor and future of INDIA alliance

   In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the political developments in Tamil Nadu and the national implications of the fallout between DMK and Congress. They are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief, Shabbir Ahmed, journalist and political analyst Rasheed Kidwai, and K Venkataramanan, a senior journalist who was previously with The Hindu. Support South Central Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions, and…

3. 

   1 May 2026 · 1 hr 23 min

   TN and Kerala exit polls: Believable or not?

   In the first part of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the Kerala and Tamil Nadu exit polls and the recent political developments in both states. They are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief Shabbir Ahmed, Kerala bureau chief Haritha John, and senior reporter Azeefa Fathima. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the World Press Freedom Index 2026, in which India has slipped down to 157. They are joined by senior journalist Laxmi Murthy, who is also the founder and co-editor of the Free Speech Collective. Audio timecodes: 00:00:00…

4. 

   S1 · E74 · 24 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

   The delimitation question & Telangana caste survey | South Central Podcast

   In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss delimitation and what states should now be discussing with the Union government. They are joined by former IAS officer Rangarajan Ramakrishnan. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the Telangana government’s Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey 2024, its main findings, how poverty intermingles with caste to create marginalisations, and more. They are joined by academician and commentator Professor PL Visweshwar Rao, and TNM’s Executive Editor…

5. 

   S1 · E71 · 17 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

   Tamil Nadu elections: Delimitation row, alliances & what will decide the vote | South Central 71

   In this episode of South Central, Pooja Prasanna and Azeefa Fathima discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, focusing on the delimitation row, alliances, welfare politics, and what may ultimately decide the vote. They are joined by Frontline’s Senior Associate Editor R K Radhakrishnan, The Hindu’s Chief of Bureau Ramya Kannan, and academic and activist Dr C Lakshmanan. The panel examines whether the election is being framed as Tamil Nadu vs Delhi, the role of the BJP in the state, the limits of the Vijay factor, and how voters are responding on the ground. The 2026 reset: Assam to…

6. 

   S1 · E69 · 3 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 24 min

   New IT rules and how it will impact what you post| Kerala Election | South Central 69

   In this week’s South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Anisha Sheth, and cartoonist Rachita Taneja discuss the Union government’s proposed amendments to the IT law and what they mean for online speech. Why is the government bringing in these changes, and how will they impact people sharing news and opinions online? In the second part, guests from Kerala discuss the upcoming Assembly elections. Environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan says that none of the major parties are prioritising environmental concerns, pointing to a decade of aggressive infrastructure development that ignores the state’s…

7. 

   S1 · E68 · 27 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

   Does LDF or UDF have an edge in Kerala? | Transbill Horror | South Central 68

   This week South Central looks at Kerala’s elections and the transgender amendment law. Hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by MG Radhakrishnan, Sreejan Balakrishnan, and TNM’s Haritha John to unpack why the UDF may have a slight edge but no clear wave against Pinarayi Vijayan. In the second segment, Azeefa Fatima and Lakshmi Priya discuss the trans bill’s fallout, with reports of fear, threats, and uncertainty within the community. The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFT Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the…

8. 

   S1 · E67 · 20 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 21 min

   Bill 2026: BJP’s war on self-identification & KD The Devil song: Why does misogyny still get a free pass? | South Central 67

   In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026, which has triggered protests across the country. They are joined by advocate Arvind Narrain of the Alternative Law Forum, who was part of the panel of lawyers who fought for IPC 377 to be struck down. Joining in is also Rumi Harish, a musician and a queer, trans, masculine and social justice activist. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the controversy over the lyrics of the new song from the movie KD: The Devil, and the problematic gaze of ‘item…

9. 

   S1 · E66 · 13 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

   LPG Crisis Fears & Why Opposition Wants Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar | South Central 66

   In the first segment of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the LPG crisis and what that could mean for India going forward. They are joined by energy journalist and policy expert Shreya Jai, and climate journalist and researcher Aruna Chandrasekhar. In the second segment, the hosts discuss the recent no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the one anticipated against Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They are joined by journalist Sravasti Dasgupta, senior political correspondent at The Wire. Once a month, we will invite one TNM…

10. 

    6 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 22 min

    The doctor who went to court to donate kidney and Iran-Israel war | South Central 65

    In the first segment of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna speak to senior gynaecologist Dr Thankam Subramonian, who recently approached the Karnataka HC to altruistically donate a kidney after being denied permission by a medical committee. In the second segment, the hosts delve into the ongoing military conflict between Iran, Israel and the USA. They are joined by Aditya Ramanathan, a Research Fellow with the Takshashila Institution, where he heads the Advanced Military Technologies Programme, and Nirmal Abraham, a journalist who specialises in…