DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:09:10 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/science/bok-keeps-key-rate-unchanged-raises-s-koreas-2026-growth-forecast-662819.html Seoul Feb 26 South Koreas central bank kept its benchmark interest rate steady on Thursday citing strongerthanexpected growth momentum as it sought to safeguard financial stability amid a weak local currency and an unstable housing market In a widely expected decision the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea BOK held the key rate unchanged at 25 percent in its latest ratesetting meeting in Seoul reports Yonhap news agencyIt marked the sixth consecutive onhold decision even as the central bank remains in an easing cycleSince October 2024 the Bank of Korea has cut the benchmark interest rate by a cumulative 100 basis points from 35 percent in a bid to bolster economic growth while keeping the level unchanged since May 2025The BOK is apparently maintaining a waitandsee approach as the economy remains on a recovery path driven by robust exports amid a semiconductor upcycleThe central bank presented an upbeat outlook for the local economy on the day raising its 2026 growth forecast by 02 percentage point to 2 percentA key concern behind Thursdays decision was the unstable property market and rising household debtAccording to earlier data from the Korea Real Estate Board apartment sale prices in Seoul rose 898 percent onyear in 2025 marking the highest growth since 2013 when the board began compiling the relevant dataDespite the authorities strengthened regulations to cool the overheated housing market the average selling price of Seoul apartments has continued to climb rising 015 percent in the second week of February from a week earlierPresident Lee Jae Myung has reiterated his strong commitment to stabilising the real estate market and issued verbal warnings against multihome owners saying the root of all problems in this country lies in real estateThe South Korean central bank also raised to 2 per cent its growth forecast for the local economy this year citing strong exports and a recovery in private consumptionThe revision by the Bank of Korea BOK represents a 02 percentagepoint increase from its previous forecast of a 18 percent expansion issued in NovemberThe revised outlook aligns with the governments growth forecast while being slightly more optimistic than the 19 percent projections by the International Monetary Fund IMF and the Korea Development Institute KDIMeanwhile the BOK revised up its consumer price inflation forecast increasing this years estimate to 22 percent from 21 percent amid rising global oil prices driven by geopolitical risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bok-keeps-key-rate-unchanged-raises-s-koreas-2026-growth-forecast-662819.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-invites-israeli-firms-to-explore-investment-manufacturing-opportunities-in-india-662848.html Tel Aviv Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Israeli companies to explore opportunities in India to invest manufacture and build technology partnerships it was announced on Thursday PM Modi accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an exhibition showcasing pioneering Israeli innovations across several sectors here which featured Agritech Watertech Climatetech Healthbiotech Smart Mobility AI Cybersecurity and Quantum technologiesDuring his interaction with the innovators PM Modi noted that the cuttingedge technologies on display hold immense potential to scale up IndiaIsrael innovation startups and business partnerships especially in areas such as agriculture water management healthcare and digital servicesThe two countries are working together to build solutions to address modernday challenges through the IndiaIsrael Innovation Bridge initiative During the walkthrough Prime Minister interacted with scientists techentrepreneurs and CEOs of several companiesPrime Minister was briefed by Quantum Machines on the Israeli Quantum Computing Centre IQCC and by Classiq which is simplifying quantum software developmentAccording to an official statement AISAP a startup demonstrated its AIpowered pointofcare ultrasound which provides realtime diagnostic guidance The Horizon Scanning Division of the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology presented Tech Scout an AIdriven tool for strategic risk detection and trend analysisMobileye a techenterprise showcased its sensor and chip technology aimed at reducing road accidents Check Point Software Technologies highlighted its advanced threat prevention solutions and its collaborations in IndiaWaterGen demonstrated its technology to produce drinking water from air while NDrip showcased gravitypowered microirrigation systems Natural Offset Farming NOF presented infield postharvest solutions to reduce food loss without electricityAlso Remilk showcased precision fermentation for labproduced milk proteins and BarAlgae presented machinelearningintegrated microalgae cultivation Mynora Bio displayed plastic waste management using specialized bioconversion additives The Geophysical Institute GII demonstrated highresolution modelling for quantifying mineral resourcesNotably Israel Aerospace Industries presented its miniaturised communications satellites and integrated Synthetic Aperture Radar IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-invites-israeli-firms-to-explore-investment-manufacturing-opportunities-in-india-662848.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/social-media-platforms-must-share-revenue-fairly-with-content-creators-ashwini-vaishnaw-662878.html New Delhi Feb 26 Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that social media platforms must share revenue in a fair manner with those who create content including journalists conventional media houses influencers professors and researchers He said that people who are creating content whether they are news professionals creators sitting in farflung areas or academicians sharing their research deserve a fair share of the revenue generated on digital platformsAccording to him the principle of fair revenue sharing must now be set right across the ecosystemâSocial media platforms must also share revenue in a fair way with the people who are creating the content whether it is news persons the conventional media the creators sitting in farflung areas influencers the professors and researchers who are disseminating their work using the platformsâ Vaishnaw saidHe stressed that platforms benefit significantly from the content uploaded by individuals and organisations and therefore the creators should also get their rightful shareHe added that ensuring fairness in revenue distribution will help strengthen the digital content economy in IndiaHis remarks come at a time when the government is also tightening rules around digital platforms to ensure accountability and transparencyIn a separate move the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY last year proposed fresh amendments to the IT Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules 2021 aimed at tackling the growing threat of deepfakes and AIgenerated misinformationUnder the draft rules social media platforms will be required to clearly label âsynthetically generated contentâ and embed permanent metadata or identifiers in such materialMajor social media intermediaries SSMIs platforms with more than 5 million registered users in India such as Facebook YouTube and Snapchat will have to ensure that AIgenerated content is prominently markedThe proposed rules state that the identifier must cover at least 10 per cent of the visual display in case of videos or images or the first 10 per cent of the duration in case of audio contentThe metadata must not be alterable suppressed or removed If a platform knowingly allows unlabelled or falsely declared AIgenerated content it will be considered as failing to exercise due diligence under the IT Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/social-media-platforms-must-share-revenue-fairly-with-content-creators-ashwini-vaishnaw-662878.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-launches-galaxy-s26-series-in-india-starting-at-rs-87-999-662888.html Gurugram Feb 26 Samsung on Thursday announced that its flagship Galaxy S26 series is now available for preorder in India with prices starting at Rs 87999 for the base model and going up to Rs 189999 for the topend Galaxy S26 Ultra variant The Galaxy S26 lineup includes the Galaxy S26 Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra The company said the new series brings its most advanced âAgentic AIâ mobile experience yet designed to make everyday tasks simpler and more intuitiveThe phones aim to reduce the effort needed to manage schedules search for information capture content and edit photos or videosThe Galaxy S26 Ultra is priced at Rs 139999 for the 12GB256GB variant and Rs 159999 for the 12GB512GB model while the 16GB1TB version costs Rs 189999The Galaxy S26 starts at Rs 119999 for the 12GB256GB variant and Rs 139999 for the 12GB512GB modelThe Galaxy S26 comes at Rs 87999 for the 12GB256GB variant and Rs 107999 for the 12GB512GB versionPreorders for the Galaxy S26 series began on February 25 across leading online and offline retail storesConsumers can also preorder the devices through Samsung Live on the companyâs official websiteThe smartphones come in Cobalt Violet White Black and Sky Blue colour options along with Samsungcom exclusive shades Pink Gold and Silver ShadowThe Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces what Samsung claims is the industryâs first builtin Privacy Display on a mobile phone designed to protect user data by limiting sideangle visibilityThe device also features a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy processor delivering improvements in CPU GPU and NPU performance for smoother multitasking and stronger ondevice AI capabilitiesTo manage heat during heavy usage the Galaxy S26 Ultra comes with a redesigned vapor chamber and improved thermal materialsIt also supports SuperFast Charging 30 which the company says can charge the battery up to 75 per cent in about 30 minutesOn the camera front the Galaxy S26 series focuses heavily on AIpowered photography and videoThe Ultra variant offers wider camera apertures for better lowlight shots enhanced Nightography Video and improved Super Steady features for stable recording IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-launches-galaxy-s26-series-in-india-starting-at-rs-87-999-662888.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rs-349-crore-citizen-360-digital-platform-to-transform-public-services-in-chennai-662695.html Chennai Feb 25 In a major step towards techdriven urban governance the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC has approved a Rs 349crore project to build an integrated Citizen 360 Digital Engagement Platform aimed at fundamentally reshaping how residents interact with the civic body The decision was cleared at a recent council meeting marking one of the cityâs most ambitious digital transformation initiativesThe proposed platform will be developed by upgrading the existing Integrated Command and Control Centre ICCC into a unified engagement and analytics hubCivic officials said the system will use artificial intelligence to create a consolidated profile of each citizenâs interactions with the Corporation ranging from tax payments to grievance redressal enabling faster datadriven decisionmaking At present citizen services operate in departmental silos meaning each complaint or request is handled independently This fragmented structure makes it difficult for officials to identify recurring civic problems or patterns of complaints across neighbourhoodsUnder the new framework all service requests feedback and grievances will be brought onto a single dashboardOfficials said the AIpowered interface would securely store complaint data and generate analytics to detect persistent issues such as garbage accumulation repeated road damage drainage failures and floodingprone stretchesBy analysing trends over time administrators will be able to address root causes rather than merely resolving isolated complaintsThe Corporation has floated a Request for Proposal RFP for the design development integration and longterm maintenance of the platformThe selected system integrator will manage the project endtoend including cloud hosting cybersecurity disaster recovery and highavailability architecture The project will be executed in two phases The first phase scheduled for completion within eight weeks includes deployment of 50 to 150 user licences integration with ICCC and departmental systems and rollout of an AIdriven chatbot powered by a large language model The second phase will focus on operations and maintenance after golive including AI model refinement uptime assurance and deployment of dedicated technical staffImportantly the upgraded system will enable seamless communication across WhatsApp email web portals and mobile applications Beyond integrating data from 22 GCC departments the platform will also connect with agencies such as Metro Water Chennai Metro Rail Limited CMRL and the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation creating a unified civic data ecosystem designed to enhance transparency and improve service delivery across the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rs-349-crore-citizen-360-digital-platform-to-transform-public-services-in-chennai-662695.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/it-is-unacceptable-and-shocking-scindia-on-luxury-treatment-for-bsnl-director-662700.html New Delhi Feb 25 Calling the reported luxury treatment for a BSNL Director âimproperâ and a violation of established rules Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday that such conduct is unacceptable and shocking and confirmed that a show cause notice has been issued The controversy erupted after details emerged about elaborate arrangements made for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Director Vivek Bansal during his proposed visit to Prayagraj in Uttar PradeshReacting to media queries Scindia said he had made it very clear that the episode was a violation of established norms and traditionsâCertain questions were raised to me yesterday by the media and I have made it very clear that this is improper and a violation of established rules and traditions It is unacceptable to me It is shockingâ Scindia told reportersâA show cause notice has already been issued to the Director with a sevenday response period We will take appropriate actionâ he addedScindia further stressed that in todayâs times any kind of âroyal treatmentâ for officials is beyond imagination He made it clear that those found guilty in the matter will not be sparedAccording to an official order issued by a Deputy General Manager nearly 50 staff members were deployed over two days to manage 21 different tasks linked to the visitThe minutetominute plan reportedly included arrangements for boat rides temple visits holy dips at the Triveni Sangam and preparation of bathing kits containing towels oil comb and even undergarmentsOfficials were also assigned duties such as arranging suits clicking photographs organising transport and stocking vehicles with water bottles chocolates chips and other refreshmentsThe document which began circulating widely on social media triggered sharp criticism over the scale of arrangements and the use of public sector resources for what appeared to be a personal visitSoon after the controversy broke Bansalâs visit was cancelled BSNL which reported a loss of over Rs 1300 crore in the last quarter has not officially commented on how such an extensive plan was drafted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/it-is-unacceptable-and-shocking-scindia-on-luxury-treatment-for-bsnl-director-662700.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-can-become-leading-global-centre-for-electric-mobility-manufacturing-hd-kumaraswamy-662716.html New Delhi Feb 25 With clear policy direction and strong industry participation India can firmly establish itself as a leading global centre for electric mobility manufacturing and innovation Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the third FICCI National Conference on Electric Vehicles the minister stressed that whatever best way we can encourage the electric mobility adoption we are going to go for thatAs we move towards the vision of âViksit Bharat 2047â electric mobility must remain central to the Make in India agenda strengthening domestic manufacturing deepening localisation and positioning India as a global production hub for EVs batteries and critical components he addedOver the past decade Indias automotive component exports have nearly doubled rising from approximately 8 billion to 169 billionThis growth reflects Indiaâs deepening integration into global value chains and its growing credibility as a manufacturing hub Kumaraswamy told the gathering at the eventFormer NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said the global electric vehicles market is projected to reach trillions of dollars over the next decadeSupply chains are realigning and countries are rethinking trade localisation and strategic dependencies India must position itself as a trusted manufacturing hub for electric vehicles he said at the eventElectric mobility is not merely a climate imperative it is equally an economic industrial technological and strategic opportunity The transition to electric vehicles must be viewed as a central pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047 said the former G20 Sherpa FICCI Green Mobility Committee CoChair Vikram Handa said that from Green Mobility 10 to now 20 India has built an entire value chainThis spans from the processing of critical minerals to cell manufacturing battery pack assembly and the production of twowheelers threewheelers fourwheelers buses trucks and even charging infrastructure This comprehensive ecosystem signifies the direction in which the Indian industry is heading and reflects strong future potential he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-can-become-leading-global-centre-for-electric-mobility-manufacturing-hd-kumaraswamy-662716.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-power-to-supply-558-mw-high-quality-power-to-benefit-tamil-nadu-consumers-662463.html Ahmedabad Feb 24 Adani Power on Tuesday said that its subsidiary Moxie Power Generation Ltd MPGL has received a Letter of Award LoA from Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation TNPDCL for supply of 558 MW net power for a period of five years The power supply agreement is expected to benefit Tamil Nadu consumers by providing an additional 558 MW of reliable and highquality power enhance grid stability and support uninterrupted electricity supply to households businesses and industriesMoxie Power operates a 1200 MW 2X 600 MW power plant in Tuticorin Tamil NaduIt emerged as the lowest bidder in a tightly contested bid by offering a tariff of Rs 5910 per unit with supply starting April 1 2026 said Adani Power Indiaâs largest private power producer with a generation capacity of 1815 GWNow both units of the plant have power supply agreements and more than 95 per cent of Adani Powerâs total operating capacity is secured with medium to longterm contracts said the Adani Group companyâThis provides significant longterm revenue visibility and also derisks the company from shortterm market volatility The company aims to achieve almost 100 per cent PPA power purchase agreement tieup for all its operational and under commissioning plants over the coming yearsâ according to a company statementBy securing power at a competitive tariff consumers are expected to benefit from more affordable and dependable energy in the years aheadAdani Power has an installed thermal power capacity of 18110 MW spread across 12 power plants in Gujarat Maharashtra Karnataka Rajasthan Chhattisgarh Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu apart from a 40 MW solar power plant in Gujarat Adani Power reported a 53 per cent rise in its continuing profit before tax PBT for the third quarter Q3 of FY26 The companyâs PBT stood at Rs 2800 crore in Q3 FY26 compared to Rs 2659 crore in the same period last financial year supported mainly by lower finance costs and stable operating performance IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-power-to-supply-558-mw-high-quality-power-to-benefit-tamil-nadu-consumers-662463.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sri-lanka-must-jump-onto-indias-bandwagon-to-join-ai-race-report-662334.html New Delhi Feb 23 The only way for Sri Lanka to get into the AI race is to jump onto the bandwagon of a fast mover Since it is unlikely that Sri Lanka can do so with the two leaders in the AI race the US and China the choice available is its neighbour to the north India the rising star India has a high strategic edge with AI on many counts according to an article in the Colombo Telegraph âIndia is moving fast in AI development and most likely will become part of a threemember oligopoly along with the US and China that will dominate the world In this game Sri Lanka has no choice but to jump onto the Indian bandwagon to harness the best results for its citizensâ states the article written by Dr WA WijewardenaSri Lankaâs President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted at the AI Summit here last week that countries lagging in the AI race may face even greater vulnerabilities because the new trend will threaten shared aspirations for inclusive equitable and sustainable development the common goals of the worldâs nations todayHe also noted that Sri Lanka like many other emerging economies is yet to develop its AI infrastructure to harness its full potential as a driver of the economy What is needed according to him is decisive action by these nations to follow a principled confident and forwardlooking strategyThe article states that Sri Lanka is specifically vulnerable because it does not have the necessary infrastructure in place to join the AI race In this game India which is now branded as a ârising starâ is placed third globally in AI competitiveness and vibrancy by Stanford Universityâs AI Index 2025 while it is ranked midway in the IMFâs AI Preparedness Index and Oxford Universityâs Government AI Readiness Index for 2025 But its ability to effectively challenge the two rising leaders is questionableThe article points out that joining that India provides a way out for Sri Lanka Demographywise India has a young population of about a twothirds falling under 35 years That is a high potential humanware stock With respect to digital infrastructure it has an enviable recent catchupIts cloud storage capacity is about 100 petabytes or PBs and numerous data centres are equipped with more than 38000 Graphics Processing Units or GPUs This is a massive advancement since a single petabyte can store about 500 billion pages of standard text or over 200000 highdefinition movies GPUs originally designed for graphics are today used for heavy computation video editing and machine learningDue to their ability to handle intensive data tasks GPUs are critical for training large AI models On top of these India is now entrepreneurshipdriven with the proliferation of about 200000 startups It also has a large 5G subscriber base of more than 400 million users the article states IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sri-lanka-must-jump-onto-indias-bandwagon-to-join-ai-race-report-662334.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/make-in-india-helps-create-lakhs-of-jobs-women-biggest-beneficiaries-ashwini-vaishnaw-662363.html New Delhi Feb 23 Women have been the biggest beneficiaries under the âMake in Indiaâ initiative which created lakhs of direct and indirect jobs Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday IT Minister said that âMake in Indiaâ initiative has created jobs and provided skilling at an unprecedented scaleThe Apple ecosystem alone has created at least 250000 direct jobs with 70 per cent beneficiaries being women Moreover the ecosystem has generated at least 750000 indirect jobsâIndia is preparing a skilled workforce for the next phase of electronics manufacturing Robotics Drones EVs Smart Cars Precision components Advanced tooling and Smart glassesâ said Vaishnaw in an X postMeanwhile the productionlinked incentive PLI scheme has succeeded in attracting investments of over Rs 216 lakh crore in the manufacturing sector and created more than 1439 lakh direct and indirect jobs as on December 31 2025According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry cumulative sales of manufacturing units set up under the scheme exceeded Rs 2041 lakh crore while total exports crossed Rs 83 lakh croreThe government has disbursed as much as Rs 28748 crore as productionlinked incentives under the scheme the statement saidMobile phone imports have declined by nearly 77 per cent since FY 2020â21 while over 99 per cent of domestic demand is now met through local production Manufacturing has expanded beyond assembly to include printed circuit board assemblies batteries camera and display modules enclosures and other critical subassemblies enabling deeper integration with global value chainsDomestic manufacturing capacity for IT hardware has also expanded with progressive localisation of components reducing dependence on imports Govt hikes component manufacturing outlay to Rs 40000 crore announces India Semiconductor Mission 20In the Union Budget Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission ISM 20 while increasing the outlay for electronics component manufacturing to Rs 40000 crore to strengthen local production and innovation which will also create more direct and indirect jobs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/make-in-india-helps-create-lakhs-of-jobs-women-biggest-beneficiaries-ashwini-vaishnaw-662363.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mobile-ban-in-karnataka-schools-under-discussion-parents-also-exerting-pressure-deputy-cm-shivakumar-662365.html Bengaluru Feb 23 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said that the issue of banning mobile phones in schools is under discussion and that there is pressure from parents as well Many countries have implemented such measures The issue is also being discussed at the international levelâ he said in response to questions from the media near his residence hereAsked about restricting mobile phone usage by children in schools he said âIt is not appropriate to publicly disclose how mobile phones are being misused That is why discussions are being held on this issueOn the issue of banning mobile phones Home Minister G Parameshwara stated there has been discussion on imposing a mobile ban in schools and colleges Giving mobile phones to children below 16 years of age is affecting their education in different ways he said Many countries have conducted studies and imposed bans on mobile phones The Chief Minister has also deliberated on this issue A decision will be taken after studying its pros and cons he addedAsked about Minister Mahadevappa raising the issue of a Dalit Chief Minister Shivakumar said He is our national leader I offer him my greetings from hereResponding to a question about a report by the National Water Quality Standards Authority stating that Bengaluruâs lake water is not fit for drinking he said The government has never said that lake water in Bengaluru should be used for drinking or bathing These lakes exist to recharge groundwater Water from the Thippagondanahalli reservoir is treated by the BWSSB Bengaluruâs lake water is not meant for drinking or bathingOn the issue of protest by Congress against Viksit BharatâGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin Act he said the Central government has not issued any clarification or directiveEven wages for previous work have not been released The law has been rendered ineffective Atrocities are being committed against labourers and the poor We are organising a major protest against this A âNREGA Bachao Andolanâ protest has been organised in Chikkaballapurâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mobile-ban-in-karnataka-schools-under-discussion-parents-also-exerting-pressure-deputy-cm-shivakumar-662365.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtel-to-invest-rs-20-000-crore-to-expand-digital-lending-biz-via-nbfc-arm-662384.html Mumbai Feb 23 Bharti Airtel on Monday announced plans to invest Rs 20000 crore over the next few years to expand its digital lending business through its NonBanking Financial Company NBFC subsidiary Airtel Money Limited The telecom major said the fresh capital infusion will help strengthen its presence in Indiaâs fastgrowing financial services sector and narrow the countryâs credit gapOf the total Rs 20000 crore investment Airtel will contribute 70 per cent while the remaining 30 per cent will be brought in by the promoter group through Bharti Enterprises LimitedGopal Vittal Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel said the success of the companyâs lending platform demonstrates its ability to combine technology data and customer trust at scaleâOur NBFC expansion strengthens this foundation and reflects our ambition to build a differentiated futureready digital lending business one that stands for trust innovation and financial inclusionâ Vittal mentionedAirtel Money Limited recently received its NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India on February 13 2026The company said the move marks a strategic expansion aimed at deepening financial inclusion and offering simple secure and innovative digital financial services to customers across IndiaOver the past two years Airtel has built a digital lending platform that has already disbursed over Rs 9000 crore in loansThe company said its lending service provider LSP model has achieved strong growth supported by disciplined underwriting practices portfolio management and realtime risk monitoringIt added that its digital platform backed by a data and analytics engine powered by more than 500 data scientists has enabled it to scale up quickly while maintaining healthy loan performance metricsAs part of the regulatory requirements Airtel Money also clarified that while it has received a valid certificate of registration from the RBI under the RBI Act the central bank does not guarantee the financial soundness of the company or the repayment of its liabilities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtel-to-invest-rs-20-000-crore-to-expand-digital-lending-biz-via-nbfc-arm-662384.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-france-amending-protocol-to-boost-investment-economic-cooperation-662388.html New Delhi Feb 23 India and France have signed an amending protocol to boost investment and strengthen economic cooperation which aligns tax treaty with international standards it was announced on Monday The amending protocol provides full taxing rights in respect of capital gains arising from sale of shares of a company to the jurisdiction where such company is a residentIt also deletes the socalled MostFavouredNation MFN Clause from the Protocol to the IndiaFrance Double Taxation Avoidance Convention DTAC thereby bringing to rest all issues relating to it according to a Finance Ministry statementThe protocol also modifies the taxation of income from dividends by replacing a single rate of 10 per cent of tax with a split rate of 5 per cent for those holding at least 10 per cent of capital and 15 per cent of tax for all other casesâIt also modifies the definition of âFees for Technical Servicesâ by aligning it with the definition in India US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and expands the scope of âPermanent Establishmentâ by adding Service PEâ the ministry saidDuring the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India both the nations signed a protocol amending the IndiaFrance DTACThe Protocol also updates the provisions on Exchange of Information and introduces a new Article on Assistance in Collection of Taxes as per international standards said the ministryThis would enable and facilitate seamless exchange of information and strengthen mutual tax cooperation between India and FranceThe Protocol also incorporates within the DTAC the applicable provisions of BEPS Multilateral Instrument MLI that had already become applicable consequent to the signing and ratification of MLI by India and FranceâThe Amending Protocol will provide greater tax certainty to the taxpayers and boost flow of investment technology and personnel between India and France and thereby strengthen the economic relationship between the two countriesâ said the ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-france-amending-protocol-to-boost-investment-economic-cooperation-662388.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/maha-cm-highlights-ais-transformative-role-in-agriculture-at-india-ai-impact-summit-661963.html New Delhi Feb 20 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday emphasised the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence AI in agriculture while addressing the India AI Impact Summit 2026 Speaking at the event CM Fadnavis said âWe meet at a very defining moment Across the world food systems are under strain climate volatility is intensifying water tables are falling soil health is deteriorating supply chains are fragile and global markets are unpredictable For countries from the Global South agriculture is not merely an economic sector â it is livelihood social stability and national securityâCM Fadnavis highlighted Indiaâs commitment to using technology for inclusive development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi adding âThe India AI Mission is about using technology to deliver inclusion transparency and scale Today agriculture must sit at the heart of this mission Over half a billion Indians depend directly or indirectly on agriculture yet small landholders face fragmented information rising input costs climate uncertainty and limited access to credit and marketsâOutlining Maharashtraâs AIdriven initiatives in agriculture he said âTraditional extension systems however committed cannot match the scale and speed required AI changes this equation It can provide hyperlocal weather predictions early pest outbreak warnings precision irrigation and fertiliser guidance cropbased credit scoring transparent supply chains and realtime market advisories But AI is not magic As our PM said in his inaugural session âAI must be built on trusted data ethical governance and public accountability Without trust scale will not happenâThe Chief Minister described the stateâs AIpowered mobile platform which delivers multilingual personalised advisories market intelligence and access to government services acting as a âdigital friendâ to farmersâThis demonstrates one thing very clearly Farmers are ready for AI when AI is designed for themâ he addedHe also cited earlywarning systems for cotton growers through geospatial analytics and postsurveillance calling it âpredictive governance in actionâCM Fadnavis said Maharashtraâs model is being designed as a replicable public infrastructure for India and the Global SouthIn partnership with the India AI Mission the World Bank and the Wadhwani AI a global call for AI use cases in agriculture resulted in a compendium of successful realworld applications across Africa Asia Latin America and beyond released on February 17 in DelhiTaking a dig at political opponents Fadnavis quipped âI would just like to say that they need AI the most because at times when human intelligence becomes negligible AI can provide supportâHe added âThe AI Summit taking place is very important for our country It showcases Indiaâs progress in AI to the world Especially at a time when AI is rapidly advancing and revolutionising various sectors global leaders coming to India to witness the countryâs strength and engage in discussions on AI is highly significant Our session particularly focussed on AI in agriculture and Maharashtraâs achievements in this domainâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/maha-cm-highlights-ais-transformative-role-in-agriculture-at-india-ai-impact-summit-661963.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/un-chief-calls-for-global-interoperability-to-mitigate-ai-fragmentation-risks-661965.html New Delhi Feb 20 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres on Friday cited AI fragmentation risks calling for global interoperability standards for better outcomes at the âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â here Guterres said that today international cooperation is difficult âTechnological rivalry is growing Without a common baseline fragmentation wins with different regions and different countries operating under incompatible policies and technical standardsâ he warnedAddressing the Summit he said that when we agree on how to test systems and measure risk we create interoperability âSo a startup in New Delhi can scale globally with confidence because the benchmarks are shared and safety can travel with technologyâ he notedGuterres also called for scienceled AI guardrails to protect people and accelerate innovationâOnce we understand what AI systems can do and what they cannot we can move from rough measures to smarter riskbased guardrails Guardrails that protect people uphold human rights and preserve human agencyâ he told the gatheringAccording to the UN SecretaryGeneral AI guardrails must build confidence and give business clarity so innovation can move faster in the right direction âScienceled governance is not a brake on progress It is an accelerator for solutions It helps us identify where AI can do the most good and the fastest and it helps us anticipate early impacts from risks for children to labour markets to manipulation at scale so countries can prepare protect and invest in peopleâ he highlightedAI innovation is outpacing our collective ability to fully understand it let alone govern it If we want AI to serve humanity policy cannot be built on guesswork hype or disinformation We need facts we can trust and share across countries and sectors he stressedAccording to him AI must be accessible to everyoneâBut without investment many countries will be logged out of the AI age Thatâs why I am calling for a Global Fund on AI to build skills data affordable computing power and inclusive ecosystems everywhereâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/un-chief-calls-for-global-interoperability-to-mitigate-ai-fragmentation-risks-661965.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-can-empower-billion-entrepreneurs-through-responsible-ai-vishal-sikka-661912.html New Delhi Feb 19 India has the potential to lead a new human revolution powered by purposeful and responsible Artificial Intelligence Vishal Sikka founder and CEO of Vianai said on Thursday Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 here Sikka said AI presents a historic opportunity for the countryâIndia has previously transformed areas like connectivity and food security within a generation and now it has a chance to build the next era through AIâ he notedSikka who is also the former CEO of Infosys said AI can empower âa billion entrepreneursâ in IndiaâAI should not just help people earn a living but enable them to build meaningful lives for themselves and othersâ he toldHe stressed that India can move towards a true human revolution if AI is developed and used in a purposeful and responsible wayHe highlighted the massive productivity gains that AI can deliver when used properly Sikka shared examples of a colleague at Stanford who rebuilt a large service in just 14 days using generative AI a task that earlier took 15 engineers nine months to completeHe also spoke about a business leader who made a major strategic decision in a few days instead of taking a year thanks to AICalling AI an âincredible powerâ Sikka said it gives instant access to knowledge in any language and can summarise information in different formatsHowever he cautioned that AIâs benefits are not automatic To unlock real value users must understand both its strengths and its limitationsSikka who holds a PhD in AI said there is still a large gap between large language models and their practical use inside enterprisesâBridging this gap requires building systems that are correct trustworthy verifiable and reliable Only then can businesses truly benefit from AIâ he saidHe added that once this gap is closed AI can remove the complexity of legacy systems within companies and transform entire industriesâWith imagination and responsible implementation AI can simplify processes boost productivity and empower individuals across sectorsâ Sikka mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-can-empower-billion-entrepreneurs-through-responsible-ai-vishal-sikka-661912.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-successfully-conveys-importance-of-inclusive-ai-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-661918.html New Delhi Feb 19 Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on Thursday said that the âAI Impact Summit 2026â in India has successfully conveyed the importance of inclusive growth as well as inclusive AI Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Summit here she said it âhas been a great recognition of the importance of countries coming together private sector and the public sector and its really been a great testimony to the importance of India as wellâAt the âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â the government announced the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments a landmark outcome of the summit that brings together leading frontier AI companies and Indiaâs domestic innovators to advance inclusive and responsible artificial intelligenceâOne of the themes of the summit has been the importance of inclusive growth and inclusive AI and I think the fact that there are so many people here from around the worldâ shows the importance of the countryâ Sweet notedThe Summit witnessed a global meet of world leaders and Big Tech CEOs centred around the highlevel opening ceremony of the Summit at Bharat Mandapam inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe ceremony set the tone for the Summitâs focus on responsible innovation scientific advancement and international collaboration in shaping the future of Artificial IntelligenceAccording to an official statement the participation of global political leaders multilateral institutions and technology pioneers at the Summit inaugural session underscored the Summitâs stature as a defining platform for shaping the trajectory of Artificial Intelligence in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly evolving worldN Chandrasekaran Chairman of Tata Sons described AI as the next foundational infrastructure with transformative potential comparable to steam engines electricity and the internetHe highlighted Indiaâs digital public infrastructure achievements and positioned AI as a strategic national capability built across the full stack from chips and systems to energy and applications IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-successfully-conveys-importance-of-inclusive-ai-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-661918.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-aiming-to-infuse-ai-at-all-levels-in-india-sundar-pichai-661814.html New Delhi Feb 18 IANS Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday said Google is infusing artificial intelligence AI at all levels in India to improve healthcare support startups agriculture and morenbspnbspPichai earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed Indias growing work in artificial intelligence and how Google can collaborate with the countrys talented students and professionalsnbspGreat to meet with PM Modi this morning We discussed how Google is helping with his mission to infuse AI at all levels in India to improve health expand access to information in all languages support startups agriculture and so much more said Google CEO in an X postThank you Prime Minister for bringing us together for this incredible summit he addednbspPM Modi earlier said the conversation with Pichai focused on Indias rapid progress in AI and opportunities for deeper cooperation between the government and Google in the fieldnbspHe highlighted the importance of leveraging Indias skilled youth and technology professionals to further strengthen the countrys position in artificial intelligencenbspIt was a delight to meet Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in Delhi the Prime Minister Modi statedTalked about the work India is doing in AI and how Google can work with our talented students and professionals in this field PM Modi mentionednbspThe Prime Ministers Office PMO later shared highlights of the meeting on its official YouTube channel offering glimpses of the discussion between the two leadersnbspThe India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 16 to 20 The summit has brought together policymakers industry leaders academicians innovators and civil society representatives from across the worldnbspIt aims to provide a global platform for discussions on strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence More than 110 countries and 30 international organisations are participating in the summit Around 20 Heads of State or Government and nearly 45 ministers are attending the eventIANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-aiming-to-infuse-ai-at-all-levels-in-india-sundar-pichai-661814.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-must-be-designed-as-public-infrastructure-accessible-to-all-amitabh-kant-661777.html New Delhi Feb 17 Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday stressed that artificial intelligence AI must be designed and governed as public infrastructure just like Indiaâs digital public infrastructure so that its benefits reach every section of society Speaking at the âAI for the Next Billionâ session organised by CEEW India during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 here Kant said AI should be accessible affordable multilingual and accountableHe underlined that technology can only be considered meaningful if it works for lowincome users people in lowbandwidth areas nonEnglish speakers women farmers MSMEs and frontline workersKant said that if AI fails to serve these groups it is not fit for purposeâAI must be designed and governed as public infrastructure accessible affordable multilingual and accountable much like Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructureâ Kant saidâIf AI does not work for lowincome users low bandwidth environments nonEnglish speakers women farmers MSMEs and frontline workers then it is not fit for purposeâ he addedHe explained that Indiaâs experience with digital public infrastructure shows how technology when designed for scale and inclusion can transform lives and expand opportunitiesKant further said that when AI is treated as public infrastructure governed with trust and deployed at a population scale it has the potential to become one of the most powerful tools for inclusion in this generationâSuch an approach can help ensure that the AI revolution does not remain limited to a few but instead benefits millions across the countryâ Kant addedHe added that India has a unique opportunity to lead by example by building AI systems that are peoplecentric and inclusive setting a global benchmark for how emerging technologies should be developed and governedâIf designed as public infrastructure governed with trust and deployed at population scale AI can become the most powerful inclusion tool of our generationâ Kant mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-must-be-designed-as-public-infrastructure-accessible-to-all-amitabh-kant-661777.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-group-commits-100-billion-to-sovereign-ai-infrastructure-661740.html Ahmedabad Feb 17 The Adani Group on Tuesday announced one of the worldâs largest integrated energycompute commitments a direct investment of 100 billion to develop renewableenergypowered hyperscale AIready data centres by 2035 The initiative will establish a longterm sovereign energy and compute platform designed to position India as a global leader in the emerging Intelligence RevolutionThe investment is expected to catalyse by 2035 an additional 150 billion across server manufacturing advanced electrical infrastructure sovereign cloud platforms and supporting industriesTogether this is projected to create a 250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem in India over the decadeThe world is entering an Intelligence Revolution more profound than any previous Industrial Revolution said Gautam Adani Chairman of the Adani GroupNations that master the symmetry between energy and compute will shape the next decade India is uniquely positioned to leadâ the Adani Group Chairman saidHe added that at Adani we are building on our foundation in data centres and green energy to expand into the complete fivelayer AI stack focused on Indias technological sovereigntyThis roadmap builds on AdaniConnexs existing 2 GW national data centre expanding toward a 5 GW target that positions India at the epicentre of the global AI economyThis vision is anchored by landmark partnerships with Google to establish the nations largest gigawattscale AI data centre campus in Visakhapatnam alongside additional campuses in Noida and with Microsoft spanning Hyderabad and PuneThe Adani Group is also in discussion with other major players seeking to establish large scale campuses across India thereby further cementing its position as Indias premier AI infrastructure partnerIn line with this vision the Group will also deepen its data centre partnership with Flipkart advancing the collaboration toward the development of a second AI data centre purposebuilt to support Flipkarts nextgeneration digital commerce highperformance computing and largescale AI workloadsThe 5 GW deployment will create the worldâs largest integrated data centre platform combining renewable power generation transmission infrastructure and hyperscale AI compute within a single coordinated architectureThis longterm commitment by the Adani Group establishes one of the worldâs most ambitious integrated energy and AI infrastructure platforms ever undertaken at national scaleThe Adani Group invites global technology companies sovereign institutions and innovation partners to participate and collaborate in building Indiaâs nextgeneration AI infrastructure platform IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-group-commits-100-billion-to-sovereign-ai-infrastructure-661740.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/companies-csr-expenditure-crosses-rs-144-lakh-crore-384-crore-filings-done-via-mca21-661420.html New Delhi Feb 11 Annual filings by companies on development Corporate Social Responsibility CSR expenditure reached over Rs 144159 crore in five fiscals 201920 to 202324 according to the government All data related to CSR expenditure filed by companies in MCA21 registry including statewise yearwise companywise and projectwise is available in public domain said Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra in a written reply to a question in Rajya SabhaâCSR is a Boarddriven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan decide execute and monitor CSR activities of the companyâ said the ministerRule 8 of the Companies CSR Policy Rules 2014 provides that every company having average CSR obligation of Rs 10 crore or more in the three immediately preceding financial years will undertake impact assessment through an independent agency of their CSR projects having outlays of Rs one crore or more and which have been completed not less than one year before undertaking the impact studyThe minister also informed that the 20212025 period saw about 384 crore filings done via MCA21Of these 333 crore filings were approved through Straight Through Process 408 lakh filings were approved by the concerned Registrar of Companies and Regional Directors while 83 lakhs forms were rejected by the concerned officersâVersion3 of MCA21 MCA21 V3 has been launched to promote Ease of Doing Business strengthen compliance and enhance transparencyâ said the minister Through MCA21 V3 functionalities like Web filings LLP Module Company module eEnforcement eAdjudication eConsultation eBook Learning Management System have already been implementedMoreover a help desk mechanism to address grievances related to the MCA21 portal has been established During the FY 202526 up to January 31 2026 316877 help desk tickets were raised on the portal of which about 98 per cent were successfully resolvedThese tickets encompassed a range of issues including technical problems awareness issues processingrelated requests and stakeholder suggestions or feedback said the minister MCA21 is a transactionheavy system processing a large number of eforms every year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/companies-csr-expenditure-crosses-rs-144-lakh-crore-384-crore-filings-done-via-mca21-661420.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-jump-as-us-dollar-weakens-661253.html Mumbai Feb 9 Gold and silver prices surged sharply on Monday due to a weaker US dollar and persistent geopolitical uncertainties MCX gold February futures jumped 131 per cent to Rs 157484 per 10 grams around 1045 am on an intraday basis Meanwhile MCX silver March futures climbed 481 per cent to Rs 261900 per kgOn the MCX silver prices earlier in the day had jumped as much as 6 per cent to its days high of Rs 264885 per kg before a round of profit bookingThe US dollar touched its lowest level since February 4 making greenbackpriced metals cheaper for overseas buyersEven as Iranâs top diplomat called USâIran nuclear talks a âgood startâ on Friday Tehran has reiterated that the country would retain its right to enrich uranium Experts anticipate that geopolitical tensions may persist for longer continuing to drive investors to safehaven assetsMarket hopes of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve got stronger after San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly called for one or two more interest rate cuts to alleviate weakness in the labour market US Fed rate cut hopes remain another supporting factor for gold and silver prices analysts saidGold has support at Rs 154000 and Rs 1518000 zones while resistance at Rs 157700 and Rs 160000 Silver has support at Rs 236600 and Rs 244000 levels while resistance at Rs 255500 and Rs 262600 an analyst saidSilvers sharp surge from Rs 60000 to Rs 320000 could lead to a phase of consolidation at elevated levels or rebalancing by market participants becomes more likely according to a recent reportStructural supply deficits and steady industrial demand continue to underpin the bullish bias in silver Persistent safehaven demand steady centralbank accumulation and expectations of accommodative global monetary conditions continue to underpin prices of yellow metal it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-jump-as-us-dollar-weakens-661253.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-international-school-hosts-iris-national-fair-to-boost-indias-emerging-stem-talent-661266.html Ahmedabad Feb 9 Showcasing Indiaâs emerging science technology engineering and mathematics STEM talent Adani International School ADIS Shantigram hosted the IRIS National Fair 2025â26 from February 68 The threeday national programme Cohort 2 brought together 75 student innovators from 12 states and 24 cities alongside educators researchers and mentors positioning Ahmedabad as a national platform for schoollevel STEM research and innovationAddressing the valedictory ceremony Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja Minister of State for Education underscored the need to embed research and innovation early in the education journeyâResearch is no longer confined to laboratories of universities It begins in institutions like Adani International School When students start asking questions early and learn to test ideas and learn from failure they build the foundation of scientific temperament Schools must therefore become incubators of ideas and solutions not just centres of instructionâ she notedNamrata Adani Promoter ADIS and Director NonExecutive Adani Group said âAt Adani International School we believe curiosity must be nurtured early and learning must extend beyond textbooks Platforms like the IRIS National Fair allow students to question experiment and apply knowledge to realworld challengesâDesigned to move learning beyond classrooms and textbooks the fair combined student research exhibitions structured mentoring symposia and public engagement enabling participants to engage with realworld scientific inquiry and problemsolvingThe programme opened with a Principalsâ and Educatorsâ Conference that brought together school leaders from across Ahmedabad to deliberate on strengthening inquirybased STEM pedagogy and experiential classroom practices Students showcased original research through curated exhibitions supported by expert evaluation and mentoringThe valedictory ceremony was attended by senior leaders including Namrata Adani and Amit Singh Chief Executive Officer CEO International Energy Business Adani Group who spoke on behalf of the diversified conglomerateThe successful conclusion of IRIS National Fair 2025â26 highlighted the growing role of schools as catalysts for earlystage research collaboration and innovation strengthening the foundation for Indiaâs next generation of scientific thinkersAdani International School provides a global learning experience with futureready educational application It integrates an experiential teaching process with stateoftheart technology into its learning curriculum inspiring students to develop crucial life skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-international-school-hosts-iris-national-fair-to-boost-indias-emerging-stem-talent-661266.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dispatched-record-over-585-lakh-vehicles-via-rail-in-2025-maruti-suzuki-india-661268.html New Delhi Feb 9 Maruti Suzuki India Limited on Monday said it has set a new benchmark in green logistics by dispatching over 585 lakh vehicles through railways in 2025 a growth of 18 per cent over 2024 Maruti Suzukiâs share of rail mode in outbound logistics has grown exponentially rising from 51 per cent in 2016 to 26 per cent in 2025 significantly reducing carbon emissions countryâs oil imports and easing road congestion according to the automakerâThe year 2025 marks our highestever rail dispatch with over 585 lakh units During the year we strengthened our green logistic efforts through two landmark events â the inauguration of Indiaâs largest automobile inplant railway siding at our Manesar facility and second was we dispatched vehicles by rail to Kashmir valley through the worlds highest railway arch bridge over Chenab River a first by any automobile manufacturerâ said Hisashi Takeuchi MD and CEO Maruti Suzuki India LimitedâOur midterm goal is to increase railbased vehicle dispatches to 35 per cent by FY203031 contributing to Indiaâs netzero ambition by 2070â he addedSince FY 201415 Maruti Suzuki has transported over 28 lakh vehicles from 22 destinations servicing over 600 cities pan India through a hub and spoke model Currently Maruti Suzuki uses over 45 flexi deck rakes each with a capacity of carrying around 260 vehicles per tripIn 2025 rail dispatches from Maruti Suzukiâs inplant railway siding at Gujarat and Manesar facility accounted for 53 per cent of the companyâs total rail dispatchesMaruti Suzuki India Limited has adopted a comprehensive âCircular Mobilityâ approach to sustainability aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycleâfrom design and production to logistics and endoflife vehicle ELV managementIt has been at the forefront of promoting railways as a sustainable and efficient mode of vehicle transportationâMaruti Suzuki India Limited has adopted a comprehensive âCircular Mobilityâ approach to sustainability aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycleâfrom design and production to logistics and endoflife vehicle ELV managementâ said Takeuchi IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dispatched-record-over-585-lakh-vehicles-via-rail-in-2025-maruti-suzuki-india-661268.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/diis-solidify-their-dominance-on-indian-equities-reach-206-pc-ownership-661273.html Mumbai Feb 9 The domestic institutional investors DIIs have remained key bidders pumping 234 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 901 billion in full year 2025 â aided by steady SIP inflows into domestic MFs a report showed on Monday This strong participation has not only helped mitigate the effects of a spike in FII outflows which totalled 188 billion in 2025 but has also absorbed the continued surge in primary market issuances with IPOs and FPOs amounting to Rs 195 trillion for the year according to the report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services LtdThis structural shift in institutional ownership which has gained momentum since 2021 continues to strengthen as DII holdings reach new peaks touching 206 per cent while FII holdings remain stable at 184 per cent in Nifty 500 companies âWe believe a reversal in FII outflows could be a key triggerâ said the reportOver the past one year DII ownership rose 210 bp YoY 60bp QoQ to an alltime high of 206 per cent in December 2025 In contrast FII ownership dipped 50 bp YoY 10bp QoQ to 184 per cent compared to 189 per cent in December 2024âPromoter holdings which have historically remained rangebound continued to decline materially to an alltime low of 488 per cent 90bp YoY 50bp QoQ in December 2025 This sharp dip was driven by a recovery in the primary market over the last three quarters where high valuations and strong investor appetite have created an attractive opportunity for several promoters to liquidate their stakesâ said the reportOn a YoY basis DIIs raised their holdings in 22 out of 24 sectors The maximum increase in holdings was visible in EMS Technology Telecom Retail PSU Banks and Healthcare while Media and Logistics sectors experienced a reduction in holdings On a sequential basis DIIs recorded the maximum increase in holdings in the NBFC â NonLending Private Banks Capital Goods NBFCLending and Consumer sectors On a QoQ and YoY basis however FIIs raised their stakes in PSU Banks Telecom Oil amp Gas Chemicals NBFCLending Insurance and Metals said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/diis-solidify-their-dominance-on-indian-equities-reach-206-pc-ownership-661273.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/yotta-deploys-complete-bhashini-stack-to-enable-sovereign-ai-cloud-661274.html New Delhi Feb 9 Homegrown Yotta Data Services on Monday announced the successful deployment of BHASHINIâs endtoend sovereign AI cloud transformation on Yottaâs Government Community Cloud GCC and Shakti Cloud With this development BHASHINI now operates entirely on Indian cloud and GPU infrastructure ensuring that language datasets models and citizen interactions remain within Indiaâs jurisdictionThe deployment demonstrates how national digital public goods can be migrated from hyperscaler environments to indigenous cloud infrastructure while delivering up to 40 per cent performance improvement 20 to 30 per cent cost savings and sustained 9999 per cent uptimeThis was achieved with zero data loss across more than 200 TiB of data and over 35 billion filesThis was showcased at âThe India AI Sovereignty Dialoguesâ an official PreSummit Event of the AI Impact Summit 2026Abhishek Singh Additional Secretary MeitY and CEO of IndiaAI Mission said the successful migration of Bhashini to indigenous cloud and GPU platforms demonstrates that India can build scale and secure its sovereign AI systems for the public goodâIt underscores the IndiaAI Missionâs vision of developing sovereign compute capacity models and deploying AI applications that are responsive to Indiaâs unique requirements including the delivery of reliable realtime voicebased services at population scaleâ said SinghAccording to Amitabh Nag CEO Digital India BHASHINI Division the move to Yottaâs sovereign AI cloud gives BHASHINI greater control resilience and scalability as it continues to serve Indiaâs linguistic diversityâThis transformation strengthens our ability to deliver inclusive realtime multilingual services and marks a major step forward for Digital Public Infrastructure in AI It will also serve as a blueprint for future deployments as we transition to a fully sovereign stackâ Nag addedThe migration covered BHASHINIâs complete AI stack including multilingual datasets models APIs containerised services orchestration pipelines databases and storageâYottaâs successful deployment of BHASHINI on Shakti cloud marks a defining moment for Indiaâs data sovereignty journey This transition highlights that hyperscale missioncritical AI platforms can be built and operated entirely on sovereign infrastructure without compromiseâ said Sunil Gupta CoFounder Managing Director and CEO Yotta Data Services IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/yotta-deploys-complete-bhashini-stack-to-enable-sovereign-ai-cloud-661274.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-sarvam-ai-outperforms-global-peers-in-ocr-speech-models-661278.html Mumbai Feb 9 Bengaluruâbased startup Sarvam AI has claimed that its latest vision and speech models have outperformed larger global rivals Google Gemini and ChatGPT on key optical character recognition and textâtoâspeech benchmarks for Indian languages In a post on X Sarvam AIs coâfounder Pratyush Kumar said Sarvam Vision achieves stateoftheart accuracy of 843 per cent on the olmOCRBench English only subset outperforming frontier models like Gemini 3 Pro and recent OCR models like DeepSeek OCR 2On OmniDocBench v15 English only subset Sarvam Vision achieved 9328 per cent overall score excelling in complex formulas and layout parsing and being within touching distance of the current state of the art Kumar addedKumar also said the companyâs Bulbul V3 textâtoâspeech model supports 35 voices across all 22 scheduled Indian languages and can handle different quality scans and contentOn Indian languages Sarvam Vision is the best model by far while supporting all 22 scheduled Indian languages he claimedThe Vision series includes a 3âbillionâparameter stateâspace model capable of image captioning scene text recognition chart interpretation and complex table parsingSarvam AI said its focus is on making artificial intelligence widely accessible to everyone in India We want India to embrace the most important technological shift of our time with confidence and control Our ambition is to build foundational components and apply them to the countrys unique needs the AI company saidKumar cited several examples on social media where the platform accurately extracted technical jargon from complex tables with merged rows and columns Further it showed Sarvam AI extracting data out of a chart from the latest Economic SurveyBeyond documents his posts showed Sarvam Vision demonstrating general natural scene understanding where it understood a photo of beautiful scenery and accurately described itUnion IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a recent post on X that the startupâs work reflected the success of Indiaâs AI mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-sarvam-ai-outperforms-global-peers-in-ocr-speech-models-661278.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-post-strong-gains-amid-positive-cues-on-india-us-trade-deal-661295.html Mumbai Feb 9 The Indian equity markets posted strong gains on Monday for the second consecutive session buoyed by the announcement of an interim framework for the IndiaâUS trade deal At the closing bell the Sensex gained 485 points or 058 per cent to settle at 84065 The Nifty surged 173 points or 068 per cent to close at 25867The broader markets posted stronger gains than benchmark indices as Nifty Midcap 100 index added 158 per cent while the NSE Smallcap 100 surged 264 per centSupportive cues from broader Asian markets also helped sustain the positive momentum through the sessionBuying interest was visible in PSU banks consumer durables realty defence pharma and auto stocks while IT stocks showed mixed trends amid ongoing assessment of global technology developmentsAll sectoral indices traded with gains Nifty Media surged 437 per cent the biggest gainer while Nifty Consumer Durables climbed 360 per cent Nifty PSU Bank rose 334 per cent Nifty Realty gained 261 per cent and Nifty Metal added 156 per centAnalysts said participation remained selective after the strong initial uptick as investors refrained from aggressive positioning ahead of key global and domestic macro cuesOverall the market appears to be in a phase of gradual recovery and consolidation with the nearterm direction likely to be driven by global macro developments currency movements and the sustainability of riskon sentiment reflected in foreign fund flows they addedThe Indian rupee surged 012 per cent against the dollar to 9068 per dollar on MondayImmediate support lies at 25550â25600 followed by a stronger demand area near 25450â25500 market watchers saidBank Nifty is currently consolidating around the 60500â60700 zone reflecting healthy digestion of recent gains rather than distribution they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-post-strong-gains-amid-positive-cues-on-india-us-trade-deal-661295.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-leads-in-several-indicators-in-global-network-readiness-index-improves-its-position-661299.html New Delhi Feb 9 The government on Monday said India has improved its global âNetwork Readiness Index 2025â NRI 2025 position by four slots and is now placed at 45th rank leading in several indicators The report has been published by the Portulans Institute an independent nonprofit research and educational institute based in Washington DCâIndia has not only improved its ranking but has also improved its score from 5363 out of 100 in 2024 to 5443 out of 100 in 2025 It is noteworthy that India leads in several indicatorsâ said Ministry of CommunicationsThe report maps the networkbased readiness landscape of 127 economies based on their performance on four pillars Technology People Governance and Impact covering a total of 53 indicatorsAccording to the report India secured 1st rank in âAnnual investment in telecommunication servicesâ âAI scientific publicationsâ âICT services exportsâ and âEcommerce legislationâ 2nd rank in âFTTHBuilding Internet subscriptionsâ âMobile broadband internet traffic within the countryâ and âInternational Internet bandwidthâ and 3rd rank in âDomestic market scaleâ and âIncome InequalityâThe ministry said India now has greater network readiness than would be expected given its income level The country is ranked second in the group of lowermiddleincome countriesCommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said recently that India now has worldâs lowest data costs and highest data usage driven by robust digital infrastructure There are more than 120 crore mobile users in the country and the 4G network is expected to reach every village by June this yearBSNL has installed a total of 97068 4G sites and 93511 sites are âOnAirâ till October 31 2025 The staterun telecom operation aims to upgrade all 4G towers to 5G within the next few monthsMeanwhile the 5G services have been rolled out in all states and union territories UTs across the country and presently these are available in 999 per cent of the districtsTelecom service providers TSPs have installed 508 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations BTSs across rural and urban area of the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-leads-in-several-indicators-in-global-network-readiness-index-improves-its-position-661299.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-gdp-likely-to-grow-64-pc-in-fy27-fastest-among-g20-economies-report-661301.html New Delhi Feb 9 Indiaâs real gross domestic product GDP is likely to expand 64 per cent in fiscal 2026â27 the fastest among G20 economies driven by strong domestic consumption and policy measures a new report has said The report from Moodyâs Ratings said the countryâs banking system outlook remains broadly favourable amid sufficient reserves to absorb loan lossesThe operating environment for banks will remain strong in 2026 supported by robust macroeconomic conditions and structural reforms it saidThe rationalisation of the goods and services tax GST in September 2025 and an earlier increase in personal income tax thresholds will help improve affordability for consumers and support consumptionled growth the global brokerage mentionedIt expects the Reserve Bank of India RBI to ease policy further in 2026â27 only if there are clear signs of a slowdown in activity adding that inflation remaining under control would allow the central bank flexibilityThe report forecasts systemwide loan growth to reach 1113 per cent in FY27 from 106 per cent in FY26 yeartodate adding that corporate loan quality should stay healthy supported by stronger balance sheets and improved profitability among large firmsRecoveries will taper as banks have resolved stressed loans to large corporate the report saidThe estimates from ratings agency on FY27 growth is lower than the 68â72 per cent range projected in the Finance Ministryâs Economic Survey According to official estimates growth for the current fiscal is expected to touch 74 per centThe ratings agency had earlier said in a report that decrease in effective GST rates however could enhance private consumption and support Indias economic growthThe RBI Monetary Policy Committee MPC in its first policy review of 2026 kept the repo rate unchanged at 525 per centAnalysts said that RBIs decision to keep the policy rate unchanged reflected a favourable assessment of growth and inflation dynamicsThe RBI is expected to maintain an extended pause due to positive cyclical upswing and confidence from successful conclusion of multiple trade deals they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-gdp-likely-to-grow-64-pc-in-fy27-fastest-among-g20-economies-report-661301.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-services-led-growth-more-resilient-than-chinas-661303.html New Delhi Feb 9 India has emerged as the worldâs fastestgrowing major economy with robust growth projections indicating that it will outpace several peers in the coming decades a media report said Indiaâs servicesled model powered by technology finance digital infrastructure and professional services offers notable resilience compared to Chinaâs manufacturingheavy approach which faces cyclical vulnerabilities from global trade disruptions and domestic imbalances according to an article in One World OutlookThe article states that Chinaâs manufacturing sector drove much of the countryâs rise with its share in GDP hovering around 3640 per cent in earlier decades before a gradual decline to about 25 per cent in 2025 according to national statistics This reflects a deliberate shift toward highervalue activities and services now over 5057 per cent of GDP but manufacturing continues as the core engine of exports employment for over 100 million people and geopolitical leverageChinaâs exportoriented factories have weathered challenges like US tariffs through diversification to emerging markets yielding record trade surpluses in 2025 However this model exposes vulnerabilities overcapacity reliance on external demand property sector slumps and weak domestic consumption amplify cyclical risks Industrial output grew solidly in 2025 but investment in manufacturing slowed sharply in the latter half amid trade uncertainties the article pointed outIn contrast Indiaâs services sector has solidified as the dominant driver In 202425 services accounted for approximately 55 per cent of GVA up from around 51 per cent a decade earlier with subsectors like financial real estate and professional services contributing nearly 23 per cent and trade hotels transport and communications around 18 per centThis services tilt stems from Indiaâs early investments in human capital English proficiency enabling explosive growth in IT and business process outsourcingThe tech industry exemplifies Indiaâs edge Indiaâs ITBPM sector generated substantial export revenues with software services leading growth at around 1314 per cent annually in recent years Services exports surged doubling prepandemic growth rates to 14 per cent in FY23FY25 making India the worldâs seventhlargest services exporter share rising from 2 per cent in 2005 to 43 per cent in 2024 Professional consulting and management services grew even faster at nearly 26 per cent This export strength provides a stable foreign exchange inflow cushioning against merchandise trade deficits the article statedFinance and fintech further bolster this resilience Indiaâs digital infrastructure particularly the Unified Payments Interface UPI has revolutionised transactions UPI processes billions of transactions monthly often exceeding 20 billion with nearzero costs interoperability and widespread adoption over 500 million users This publicled open platform contrasts with Chinaâs closed ecosystems dominated by private giants like Alipay and WeChat Pay UPIâs growth has fueled fintech innovation financial inclusion and lowvolatility economic activity enabling seamless digital commerce and reducing informalityProfessional services including consulting legal and advisory add highvalue tradable components less susceptible to physical supply chain shocks Unlike manufacturing which requires massive capital and faces tariff barriers or geopolitical tensions these services scale via digital delivery leveraging Indiaâs skilled workforceChinaâs manufacturing model while powerful for scale and jobs carries risks vulnerability to protectionism eg US tariffs overreliance on investment leading to imbalances and slower adaptation to services transitions Indiaâs approach though employmentabsorptive challenges persist services create fewer mass jobs than manufacturing offers adaptability in a digital knowledgedriven eraLooking ahead Indiaâs services dominance positions it well for future growth amid AI digital transformation and global demand for techenabled solutions Sustained reforms could further amplify this edge while China navigates its rebalancing the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-services-led-growth-more-resilient-than-chinas-661303.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/thyroid-health-a-national-priority-time-to-push-awareness-and-research-partnerships-minister-661304.html Mumbai Feb 9 Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that thyroid disorders are a national concern linked to productivity demographics and nation building Dr Singh urged the Indian Thyroid Society and the wider medical fraternity to intensify awareness research collaboration and early detection according to an official statementThe minister told the endocrinologists at a conference of the Indian Thyroid Society that undiagnosed thyroid conditions particularly hypothyroidism reduce energy levels workforce efficiency and longterm output in a country where over 70 per cent of the population are aged under 40 yearsAs around 42 million Indians are living with thyroid disorders Singh said the scale of the challenge demands proportionate research attention and public health responseHe called for stronger multidisciplinary coordination across life sciences medical sciences and allied sectors to address thyroid disorders in a comprehensive manner adding that medical issues of this magnitude cannot be left to a single domain and require wider societal awareness and institutional collaborationHypothyroidism affects nearly 11 per cent of adults and many remain undiagnosed Undetected hypothyroidism in pregnancy causes congenital hypothyroidism and irreversible neurodevelopmental harm in childrenFurther the minister highlighted the Biopharma Shakti Mission Indiaâs biotech advances and the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and a Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation framework to strengthen research with private and philanthropic participationHe cited Indiaâs progress in biotechnology including the development of the countryâs first indigenouslydeveloped antibiotic effective against resistant infections successful gene therapy trials for haemophilia and the rollout of the DNA vaccine during the COVID19 pandemic IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/thyroid-health-a-national-priority-time-to-push-awareness-and-research-partnerships-minister-661304.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/isro-fast-tracks-indias-space-station-plans-80-satellites-in-pipeline--661330.html Samastipur Bihar Feb 9 India is making rapid progress towards establishing its own space station while simultaneously advancing the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission ISRO Programme Director Imtiyaz Ahmed said on Monday Work is currently underway on nearly 80 satellites that will play a crucial role in scientific research innovation disaster management internal security navigation and relaying critical signals for the Gaganyaan mission back to Earth the senior ISRO official saidSpeaking to IANS in Samastipur on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Indiaâs first indigenously developed satellite Aryabhata Ahmed noted that such missions are central to strengthening Indiaâs spacebased capabilities and technological selfrelianceHe said ISRO is presently engaged in several major projects including Earth Observation missions Navigation with Indian Constellation NVS the Indian Data Relay Satellite System IDRSS Gaganyaan and the Venus Orbiter Mission Together these initiatives reflect Indiaâs expanding footprint in space science exploration and applied technologiesRecalling the historic launch of Aryabhata on April 19 1975 Ahmed said the satellite named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer represented a landmark moment in Indiaâs scientific journey Despite limited technological resources and infrastructure during the Cold War era the success of Aryabhata laid the foundation for future space missions and helped ISRO emerge as a globally respected space agency Its legacy he said continues to inspire generations of scientists and engineersTo mark the golden jubilee of Aryabhata the ISRO has launched a nationwide outreach programme for school students As part of this initiative the first programme in Bihar was held on Monday at Holy Mission High School in Samastipur with students from five different 102 schools participatingDuring the programme students were introduced to the ISROâs work and future opportunities in the space sector Scientists also shared their personal experiences noting that many of them studied in Hindimedium schools encouraging students to dream big and aspire to careers in space science and technology IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/isro-fast-tracks-indias-space-station-plans-80-satellites-in-pipeline--661330.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-energy-sourcing-decisions-guided-by-national-interest-centre-661331.html New Delhi Feb 9 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday that Indiaâs energy sourcing decisions are guided by national interest with an emphasis on diversification and competitive pricing These remarks responded to reports suggesting that India may reduce Russian oil imports after announcing an interim trade agreement with the United States In response to questions regarding Russian crude the Foreign Secretary emphasised that as a developing economy and significant net importer India must prioritise stable and affordable energy suppliesHe stated that protecting Indian consumers is âthe governmentâs foremost priorityâ and noted that India relies on imports for 80 to 85 per cent of its energy needs a dependence that can contribute to inflationHe explained that the government seeks to ensure that âconsumers receive adequate energy at the right price and through reliable and secure suppliesâ He further stated that the energy import policy is driven entirely by these objectivesMisri highlighted the global uncertainties present in energy markets and emphasised Indiaâs role in promoting price stability He noted âIndia is not just one of the largest consumers of energy but it also plays an important role as a stabilising factor in global energy marketsâThe Foreign Secretary stated âThe key drivers of our energy policy are adequate availability fair pricing and reliability of supplyâHe also explained that energy sourcing is managed by oil companies in both the public and private sectors and that these companies make decisions based on prevailing market conditionsMisri stated âWhat I can firmly and confidently say is that whether it is the government or our businesses national interests will guide our choicesâMinister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri informed the Rajya Sabha that Indiaâs strategic petroleum reserves are sufficient to last 74 days in the event of global supply disruptions The Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited ISPRL currently holds approximately 4094 million metric tonnes of crude representing about 77 per cent of total storage capacityPuri also noted that India is the worldâs thirdlargest consumer of crude oil and the fourthlargest refiner with refining capacity increasing from 260 to 320 million metric tonnes per annum IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-energy-sourcing-decisions-guided-by-national-interest-centre-661331.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/revised-inflation-data-details-on-us-trade-deal-key-triggers-for-markets-next-week-661191.html New Delhi Feb 8 The coming week features several important domestic and global triggers for the stock markets including inflation with revised base year of 2024 and more details on the IndiaUS trade deal In India investors will closely track retail inflation data due on February 12 with updated base year followed by WPI inflation and foreign exchange reserves data on February 13 for insights into price trends and external sector stability Further details regarding the IndiaUS interim trade deal framework will also remain in focus said analystsâThe earnings calendar stays active with key results expected which may drive stockspecific actionâ they notedGlobally participants will monitor a heavy US data calendar and the performance of the Nasdaq Composite following its recent decline Geopolitical developments will also remain in focus particularly the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran Any setback in the talks could heighten volatility across global financial and commodity markets as it may increase the risk of a US military intervention and a broader regional conflict in the Middle East said market watchersNotably movements in the Indian rupee â following its sharp recovery from a historic low after the announcement of the IndiaâUS trade agreement â and trends in foreign portfolio investor flows will remain key determinants of nearterm market direction serving as important gauges of risk appetite and liquidity conditions said Ponmudi R CEO Enrich Money a SEBIregistered online trading and wealth tech firm With the Union Budget 2026 and the RBIâs monetary policy decisions now largely digested Indian equity markets have entered a consolidation phase shifting investor focus toward implementation capex execution and the pace of actual spending he mentioned Overall sentiment remains cautiously optimistic with markets expected to stay eventdriven in the near term tracking global cues capital flows and geopolitical developments in the MiddleEast said analysts The Nifty index witnessed significant volatility last week The index recorded a weekly high of 26341 and a low of 24679 before settling at 2569370 registering a strong gain of 868 points On the weekly chart Nifty formed a strong bullish candlestick and closed decisively above the 20week EMA reflecting a positive shift in mediumterm trend structure and strengthening bullish sentimentâImmediate resistance is placed at 25800 followed by 26000 and 26200 levels On the downside support is seen at 25500 and 25200 A breakdown below 25100 could intensify downside pressure and accelerate corrective movesâ said Aakash Shah Technical Research Analyst Choice Broking IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/revised-inflation-data-details-on-us-trade-deal-key-triggers-for-markets-next-week-661191.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tns-udangudi-thermal-plant-enters-first-trial-phase-commissioning-expected-by-march-661193.html Chennai Feb 8 Trial operations have commenced at the first 660 MW unit of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Plant in Thoothukudi district marking a significant step toward strengthening Tamil Naduâs power generation capacity Officials indicated that the unit is progressing steadily and is likely to be commissioned by MarchThe Udangudi project executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited BHEL on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation TANGEDCO consists of two supercritical units of 660 MW eachThe project launched in 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs 13077 crore is designed to improve efficiency and ensure a reliable power supply across the stateTo support an uninterrupted coal supply TANGEDCO has also developed an offshore coal jetty around eight kilometres off the coast of Kallamozhi The dedicated jetty will streamline the transportation of imported coal directly to the plant through a conveyor system once it becomes fully operationalAt present the jetty is awaiting mandatory operational certificationsThe first unit is nearing completion with most major components installedDuring the trial phase engineers conducted operational tests to evaluate coordination among different departments involved in generationAs part of preparations the plant sought over 20000 tonnes of coal from the Thoothukudi Thermal Power StationMore than 10000 tonnes were transported by road to the Udangudi facilityâs coal crushing unit to support the initial run The boiler of Unit 1 was lighted up following regulatory approvals and the unit was successfully synchronised with the Southern Region power gridPower generation during the trial averaged around 120 MW and briefly peaked at 200 MWThe unit was later shut down temporarily after testing and is scheduled to resume further runs to finetune performance and address minor technical issues identified during the processWork on the second unit is also progressing though turbinerelated installations remain pendingConstruction of major structures such as boilers and cooling towers has been largely completedWith commissioning of the first unit expected by March and the second by May the Udangudi plant is poised to add 1320 MW of capacity significantly boosting Tamil Naduâs energy security and meeting growing industrial and domestic demand IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tns-udangudi-thermal-plant-enters-first-trial-phase-commissioning-expected-by-march-661193.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-seeks-inputs-on-proposed-income-tax-rules-and-forms-661197.html New Delhi Feb 8 The government is seeking inputs from various stakeholders on the rules and forms in the Incometax Act 2025 which will come into effect from April 1 2026 it was announced on Sunday Before the final notification of the Income Tax Rules and Forms to encourage wider stakeholder participation the proposed Income Tax Rules and Forms have been uploaded on the official website according to Finance Ministry on SundayâThe corresponding Incometax Rules and related Forms have been prepared after broadbased consultation to align with the provisions of the Incometax Act 2025 Stakeholders are encouraged to study the same and make suggestions which will be compiled and considered for review before final notificationâ said CBDT in its notificationAs part of a wider consultative process the Central Board of Direct Taxes CBDT invites inputs and suggestions from stakeholders in the following four categories Simplification of Language reduction of Litigation reduction of Compliance Burden and identification of RedundantObsolete Rules and FormsStakeholders can submit their inputs by entering their name and mobile number followed by an OTPbased validation process All suggestions should clearly specify the relevant provision of the proposed Incometax Rules or the proposed Form no including the specific rule subrule or form number to which the recommendation pertains under the aforementioned four categories informed the ministryFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Budget Day that the Income Tax Act 2025 will come into effect from April 1 2026 and the IT forms have been redesigned such that ordinary citizens can comply without difficulty ease of livingThe new measures include exemption on insurance interest awards nil deduction certificates for small taxpayers and extension of the ITR filing deadline for nonaudit cases to August 31âIn July 2024 I announced a comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act 1961 this was completed in a record time and the Income Tax Act 2025 will come into effect from 1 April 2026 The forms have been redesigned such that ordinary citizens can comply without difficulty ease of livingâ she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-seeks-inputs-on-proposed-income-tax-rules-and-forms-661197.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-trade-deal-a-booster-shot-for-indias-ai-hardware-ecosystem-661208.html New Delhi Feb 8 IANS The finalisation of the first tranche of the IndiaUS trade deal comes as a booster shot for the AI hardware particularly advanced computing components as it is expected to significantly lower costs and facilitate domestic capacity buildingFor the first time AI compute infrastructure has effectively been treated as a strategic asset within a bilateral trade arrangement between two major economies a move that could have longterm implications for Indias technology landscape according to an article in Khalsa Vox news portalnbspOne of the sectors biggest challenges so far has been the steep import duties on enterprisegrade GPU servers which currently range between 20 and 28 per cent These levies have pushed up the cost of GPUbased services in India making them substantially more expensive than in competing hubs such as Singapore or the UAEnbspIndustry estimates suggest that rationalising duties could reduce the cost of setting up GPUenabled data centres by around 14 per cent potentially unlocking largescale investments across the country the article explainsnbspThe timing is also seen as favourable While India generates close to onefifth of the worlds data it hosts only a small fraction of global data centre capacity and an even smaller share of installed enterprise GPUsnbspWith global cloud and hyperscale companies expected to invest more than 80 billion in India by the end of the decade the trade framework is being viewed as a catalyst that could help bridge this gap and position the country as a serious contender in global AI compute services the article statesnbspIt also highlights that industry experts have emphasised the need for safeguards They are of the view that easier access to advanced hardware must go hand in hand with policies that protect data sovereignty national security and domestic value creation Without such measures there is a risk that India could end up providing lowmargin compute services while the real economic and strategic benefits flow to other countries the article addednbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-trade-deal-a-booster-shot-for-indias-ai-hardware-ecosystem-661208.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-senatorscallfor-a-probeinto-elon-musk-ledspacex-for-potential-chinese-links-661161.html New Delhi Feb 7 Two US Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Andy Kim from New Jersey have reportedly urged the Department of Defense DOD to conduct a review of billionaire Elon Muskled SpaceX The senators alleged that Chinese investors have secretly acquired stakes in the aerospace maker The Hill Reported In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the legislators raised concerns about SpaceX a major contractor for the DOD They also cited recently unsealed court records and a ProPublica investigation from MarchâThese ties could pose a national security threat potentially jeopardising key military intelligence and civilian infrastructure and are at odds with the administrationâs policies on foreign investment from countries of concern in strategic industriesâ the senators wrote A SpaceX investor in testimony that was unsealed in October last year shared that the company had been aware of potential Chinese investment since 2015 As per the ProPublica report SpaceX allows Chinese investors to buy stakes in the company through offshore accounts The investigation also covered SpaceX executivesâ decision to cancel a 50 million investment in the companyâs stock from a Chinese firm after news of the deal broke The senators said the extent to which the DOD depends on SpaceX provides even greater reason for concern The company has billions of dollars in contracts with the department including a 59 billion launch service contract the report said âThe mere proposition that an adversary nation such as China could have leverage and influence over a company such as SpaceX one that underpins our national security apparatus is an unacceptable riskâ the senators wrote Both Warren and Kim also expressed specific concerns that the Chinese investors might use their influence to gain information about nonpublic company information to âundermine US national securityâ In addition the senators asked for Hegsethâs response by February 18 to several questions about Chinese influence at SpaceX They also sought a response to DODâs planned action to address potential security concerns related to these investments the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-senatorscallfor-a-probeinto-elon-musk-ledspacex-for-potential-chinese-links-661161.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/health-minister-nadda-urges-youth-to-work-responsibly-give-back-to-society-661173.html New Delhi Feb 7 Union Minister for Health amp Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday urged youth to work responsibly and to give back to society Addressing the convocation ceremony 202526 of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions MREI Nadda said it is not just the culmination of an academic journey but the beginning of a new phase of responsibility towards the nation and society He emphasised that the graduating cohort is privileged to be entering their professional lives during the second phase of Amrit Kaal leading up to 2047 when India aspires to become a fully developed nation âThis phase presents both immense opportunities and equally significant responsibilities the youth must contribute meaningfully to the national developmentâ Nadda said âAlways carry the sentiment that society has enabled their success and in return they must strive to give back by serving society selflessly and meaningfullyâ said Nadda He also urged the graduating students to move forward guided by strong values ethical conduct and a commitment to public service During the ceremony the Minister also highlighted the transformative progress achieved under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the last 11 yearsâ23 AIIMS have been established up from just six earlier creating a robust network of stateoftheart healthcare institutions across the countryâ Nadda said He further stated that India has made remarkable advances across healthcare indicators ranging from maternal and child health to communicable and noncommunicable diseases especially in tuberculosis and malaria cases and deaths The Minister also highlighted a significant drop in outofpocket healthcare expenditure with initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and largescale population screening programmes making healthcare more accessible and affordable A total of 2150 students from diverse disciplines including engineering management law education sciences and healthcare were awarded degrees during the convocationThis included 521 undergraduate students 58 postgraduate students and 11 doctoral scholars marking a significant academic milestone for the graduating cohort IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/health-minister-nadda-urges-youth-to-work-responsibly-give-back-to-society-661173.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/icmr-nivcelebrates74-years-ofscientificexcellencewith-school-students-in-pune-661007.html Pune Feb 5 The ICMRNational Institute of Virology NIV celebrated its 74th Foundation Day with a science outreach programme with school students to nurture scientific curiosity it said on Thursday On February 4 scientists from the ICMRNIV led a twophase outreach programme in coordination with Vijnana Bharati VIBHA and engaged with 1180 school students from classes 612 The experts engaged with 1130 students through visits to three schools across Pune and welcomed another 50 students along with their teachers for an interactive campus experience at ICMRâNIV Pune âStudents were introduced to key concepts of virology including different types of viruses insect and bird specimens and diagnostic kits Interactive videos posters and presentations showcased ICMRNIVâs contributions to public health while guided laboratory tours and demonstrations of diagnostic tools and PPE Personal Protective Equipment kits sparked scientific curiosity among young learnersâ said an official statement Dr Naveen Kumar Director ICMRNIV highlighted the instituteâs remarkable achievements upcoming research projects and future research vision The Director emphasised NIVâs mandate to focus on basic virology the development of medical countermeasures and pandemic preparedness He also noted that the upcoming zonal NIVs will concentrate on outbreak investigations within their respective zonesDr Rajiv Bahl Secretary Department of Health Research and Director General Indian Council of Medical Research in his keynote address spoke about âthe development of vaccines and new medical countermeasures against the diseases while underscoring the importance of institutional and industry collaborations in advancing Indiaâs vision of Viksit Bharatâ Appreciating ICMRNIVâs contributions to eliminating viral diseases Prof Shekar C Mande President Indian National Science Academy INSA emphasised the need for collective action for building a healthier and sustainable world for the next generation In August last year the Institute organised an Open School Day at two of its campuses in Pune to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators A total of 369 school students studying in standards IX to XII from 26 different schools in Pune attended the session They were accompanied by 36 teachers coming from the participating schools Key research themes showcased included vectorborne diseases respiratory infections and zoonotic threats IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/icmr-nivcelebrates74-years-ofscientificexcellencewith-school-students-in-pune-661007.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtels-net-profit-falls-55-pc-to-rs-6-6305-crore-in-q3-661008.html Mumbai Feb 5 Leading telecom company Bharti Airtel on Thursday reported 55 per cent drop in net profit at Rs 66305 crore after exceptional items for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 on yearonyear basis compared to Rs 147812 crore in the same period last fiscal The decline in profit is attributed to a high base effect from the previous year In the December quarter of FY24 Airtel had recorded an exceptional gain of Rs 75456 croreAdditionally the companys profit was impacted by an additional expense of Rs 2568 crore due to the new Labour CodesOn a quarterly basis the companys profit decreased by 23 per cent In the September quarter of FY26 the companys profit was Rs 67917 croreThe companys total revenue in the December quarter stood at Rs 546839 crore a 1992 per cent increase compared to Rs 45599 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal yearThe companys total expenses in the December quarter of the current fiscal year were Rs 231988 crore compared to Rs 205327 crore in the December quarter of FY25 This represents a 1298 per cent increase in expenses yearonyearâIndia revenue including passive infrastructure services increased by 14 per cent sequentially Africa delivered yet another quarter of exceptional performance with constant currency revenue growth of 58 per cent One of the reasons for our steppedup performance in Africa is the deployment of our homegrown digital stack that has sharpened our go to market excellence the secret sauce of Airtelâ said Gopal Vittal Executive Vice ChairmanBharti Airtel reported that its average revenue per user ARPU reached Rs 259 in the December quarter up from Rs 256 in September and Rs 245 in December 2024In the December quarter 26056 million GB of data was consumed on the companys network This represents a 66 per cent increase compared to the 24446 million GB of data in the September quarter and a 292 per cent increase compared to the 20174 million GB of data in the December quarter of the previous yearData consumption per user in the December quarter was 298 GB per month This is 5 per cent higher than the 283 GB per month in the September quarter and 215 per cent higher than the 245 GB in the December quarter of the previous yearAirtels employee count decreased on both quarterly and annual basis In the December quarter of FY26 the company had 24186 employees This figure is 205 less than in the September quarter of the current fiscal year and 340 less than in the December quarter of FY25 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtels-net-profit-falls-55-pc-to-rs-6-6305-crore-in-q3-661008.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/morgan-stanley-turns-bullish-on-adani-energy-solutions-with-16-pc-upside-661011.html Mumbai Feb 5 Shares of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL rose as much as 25 per cent to Rs 1013 apiece on Thursday despite weakness in broader markets after Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on the stock The foreign brokerage gave an âoverweightâ rating with a price target of Rs 1133 implying 16 per cent upside from yesterdayâs closing priceThe brokerage views AESL as a key beneficiary of Indiaâs longterm power grid expansion highlighting over Rs 10 trillion of expected transmission investment over the next decadeIn distribution it notes policy support for smart metering including subsidies and measures encouraging private participationThe global brokerage also highlights AESLâs strong execution track record citing timely and costefficient project delivery It notes the companyâs integrated presence across transmission distribution and smart metering positioning it as an endtoend grid infrastructure platformAdani Energy Solutions is described as a leading privatesector player in transmission and distribution with nearly 50 per cent share of privatesector transmission projects access to around 33 million consumers through the Mumbai and Mundra SEZ distribution areas and a meaningful presence in smart meteringThe report estimates a 21 per cent EBITDA CAGR between FY25 and FY30 with EBITDA expected to reach around Rs 2600 crore by FY30 Growth is expected to be driven by transmission project wins regulated distribution capex and execution of the smart metering order bookThe report identifies transmission as the strongest near to mediumterm growth driver supported by an inhand order book of about Rs 7800 crore as of Q3 FY26Morgan Stanley assumes AESL could win around 20 per cent of new TBCB projects representing a potential opportunity of Rs 20000 crore annuallyIn distribution the report points to opportunities arising from parallel licensing with AESL targeting a 20 per cent market shareThe regulated asset base is projected to grow at around 11 per cent CAGR supported by annual capex of roughly Rs 1600 croreIn smart metering AESL targets about 20 per cent market share Its 246 million meter order book is expected to be largely executed by FY27 with smart metering contributing around 9 per cent of FY28 EBITDA excluding nonIFRS adjustmentsThe market is increasingly viewing Adani stocks as value proposition Several Adani companies including Adani Power Adani Ports Adani Green Energy and Adani Enterprises have seen strong surge in their earnings over the past 23 years making these stocks an attractive proposition for longterm investorsMorgan Stanley has also covered Adani Ports amp SEZ as well as Adani Power citing both bullish reflecting confidence in the business models IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/morgan-stanley-turns-bullish-on-adani-energy-solutions-with-16-pc-upside-661011.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sebi-proposes-to-extend-standing-swp-stp-instructions-to-demat-held-mutual-funds-661084.html Mumbai Feb 6 The Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has proposed to allow investors to set up standing instructions for systematic withdrawal plans SWP and systematic transfer plans STP for mutual fund units held in demat accounts a facility currently available only for units held in the statementâofâaccount mode Under the proposal demat investors would be able to do one time registration of SWP or STP mandates with depositories or stock Exchanges which removes the need to submit separate instructions for each SWP or STP transaction according to a statementCurrently investors holding MF units in demat form are required to place separate instructions for redemption of units through Delivery Instruction Slip DIS for each withdrawal or transferInvestors also give such instructions by way of twofactor authentication by the DP or through authorisation given by the investor to the stockbroker through Power of Attorney PoA or Demat Debit and Pledge Instructions DDPI However in case of PoA this reduces the direct control of investors on their investments the market regulator said in a statementTherefore SEBI proposed to extend the facility of standing instruction for SWPSTP may for the MF units held by investors in demat form thereby facilitating EoDB to the various stakeholders of the MF industryThe regulator has outlined a twoâphase rollout In the first phase investors would register unitâbased SWP and STP mandates through depositories or stockâexchanges with transactions executed on order entry platform of stock exchanges the statement saidThe second phase would move processing to registrars and transfer agents and could introduce more flexible options such as amountâbased and other variants of SWPs and STPs like as appreciationâbased withdrawals and swingâSTPsSEBI has invited public comments on the proposal until February 26 after which the final framework may be notified Analysts said the change would remove a key operational difference between dematâheld mutual funds and traditional mutual fund accounts and improve ease of longterm investing IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sebi-proposes-to-extend-standing-swp-stp-instructions-to-demat-held-mutual-funds-661084.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/covid-vaccine-not-linked-to-decrease-in-fertility-study-661091.html New Delhi Feb 6 Amid several claims of vaccination and reduced fertility a study of nearly 60000 women showed that the Covid vaccine played no role in a decrease in childbirth Since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic unfounded rumours have circulated especially on social media alleging that vaccination impairs chances of becoming pregnant In the later stages of the pandemic there was a decrease in the number of children born in some countries including Sweden This raised the question of whether this could be due to the new vaccines Our conclusion is that its highly unlikely that the mRNA vaccine against Covid19 was behind the decrease in childbirth during the pandemic said Toomas Timpka professor of social medicine at LinkÃping University Sweden The study published in the journal Communications Medicine found no statistically significant difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated women in childbirths and miscarriages We see no difference in childbirth rates between those who have taken the vaccine and those who havent Weve also looked at all registered miscarriages among those who became pregnant and we see no difference between the groups there either Timpka said Their analysis is based on a study of almost 60000 women aged 18 to 45 years in Sweden Of these women 75 per cent were vaccinated once or more against Covid from 2021 to 2024 The researchers used data on childbirths vaccinations miscarriages and deaths from health care records The results are in line with several previous studies that have not found any association between the Covid vaccine and fertilityImportantly the study examined conception and pregnancy in the general population unlike most previous research which âfocused on couples undergoing fertility treatmentâThe researchers also adjusted their findings for factors other than Covid that could have affected conception rates such as age and underlying illnessSeveral studies have shown that Covid infection can be dangerous for pregnant women but vaccination can reduce that risk substantiallyâPresent scientific evidence is clear that the protection against severe disease a Covid19 shot provides clearly outweighs possible risksâ Timpka said âWomen who want to start a family and who are on the fence about whether to get a Covid19 shot should not hesitate about having the vaccineâ Timpka added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/covid-vaccine-not-linked-to-decrease-in-fertility-study-661091.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-slip-amid-profit-booking-dollar-gains-661092.html Mumbai Feb 6 Gold prices fell moderately while silver lost over 3 per cent on Friday due to a stronger dollar and a rout in global technology stocks MCX gold February futures fell 097 per cent to Rs 150590 per 10 grams around 1040 am on an intraday basis Meanwhile MCX silver March futures plunged 371 per cent to Rs 234775 per kgOn the MCX silver prices had declined as much as 6 per cent to their days low of Rs 229187 per kg earlier during the session before a strong reboundCommodities denominated in dollars became more expensive for holders of other currencies as the US dollar got poised for its strongest weekly performance since November hovering close to a twoweek highSilverâs sharp correction has reignited concerns over stretched valuations and heightened volatility even as analysts maintained that the white metals longerterm fundamentals remain constructiveInvestment banker JP Morgan warned that silvers rich valuations could trigger disproportionate downside during bouts of market stress adding that downside may be cushioned in the near term with prices stabilising for a recovery next yearAnalysts called the sharp drop in precious metals a technical correction due to longerterm drivers such as geopolitical uncertainty centralbank buying and macro uncertainty remaining intactThe broader uptrend in COMEX gold remains intact with the recent decline reflecting profit booking and healthy price digestion rather than trend reversal they saidMarket watchers advised investors to do staggered allocations rather than lumpsum investments to reduce entry riskStrong support is seen in the Rs 137000 to Rs 142000 zone for MCX gold futures while resistance is anchored around the Rs 165000 to Rs 175000 zone they saidRegarding COMEX silver they said that a sustained move beyond 85â92 could lead to an upside momentum up to 95â105 with the medium to longterm outlook remaining constructive on steady industrial demand and structural supply constraints IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-slip-amid-profit-booking-dollar-gains-661092.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/amid-falling-demographics-chinanow-pushing-women-toward-more-childbirth-report-661099.html New Delhi Feb 6 From the strict onechild policy to curb population China is now pushing women to bear more children to boost the dwindling demographics said a media report The Myanmarbased MeKong News reported that over the past four decades the state not women has been dictating the countryâs birth policies While the onechild policy introduced in 1979 was justified as an urgent brake on population growth the country is now forcing women towards more children as it stares at a demographic collapse As per official data released in January the number of births in 2025 fell 17 per cent yearonyear to 792 million the lowest recorded since population records began in 1949âBeijing still treats reproduction as a lever of economic planning not as a matter of personal freedomâ the report said With an aim âto accelerate development lift incomes and ease pressure on resourcesâ the onechild policy subjected scores of women to forced abortions involuntary sterilisation and intense pressure tactics including detention fines and harassment The state coercion became an enforcement mechanism embedded into local governance where compliance was treated as administrative performanceâ the report said adding that it resulted in not just demographic control but also the institutionalisation of reproductive surveillanceFurthermore the traditional preference for sons also skewed the countrys sex ratio âUnder a onechild restriction the stakes rose dramatically the wrong gender became for some families an economic and cultural catastropheâ the report said It highlighted that the human cost was borne by girls whose births were often treated as mistakes in a system built to limit choice China ended the onechild policy and moved to a twochild policy in 2016 and later expanded to a threechild policy as the birth rate continued to slide âThe confusion of Chinaâs policy shifts reveals a deeper problem rather than recognising individual rights the government recalibrated reproductive limits based on economic needsâ the report said While the state has begun encouraging childbirth many couples are facing mounting pressures due to rising living costs job insecurity housing burdens and gendered workplace penalties Notably with the skewed sex ratio China now also has a shrinking pool of women of childbearing age âEven as the state now calls for more childbirth women remain caught between policy demands and social realitiesâ the report said It said that the consequences of decades of social engineering may now not be reversible even with policy Uturns IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/amid-falling-demographics-chinanow-pushing-women-toward-more-childbirth-report-661099.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hyderabad-police-commissioner-flags-threat-posed-by-ai-agents-661100.html Hyderabad Feb 6 Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has voiced concern over the threat posed by âAgentic AIâ and called for appropriate security measures trust framework and governance to tackle it The Police Commissioner through a social media post on Friday highlighted how autonomous multiagentic Artificial Intelligence AI systems act independently across critical sectors According to him the risks arise from both malicious exploitation and unintended autonomous behaviourThe IPS officer explained that the journey of AI has taken a new turn Until recently limited to chatbots that merely answered our questions or wrote text this technology has now evolved to the level of Agentic AIâsystems capable of taking decisions on their own and executing tasksâAutonomous robot agents have entered highly critical sectors such as banks hospitals and power grids However with these digital agents performing tasks independently without human intervention there is widespread concern that we are at risk of losing control over themâ he wroteThe Police Commissioner stressed the need for the common man to understand what this Agentic AI actually is For instance if you ask a regular AI How is the weather outside it merely provides information But Agentic AI is different realizing the weather is bad it might close the windows itself and adjust the AC temperature This means it doesnt just think it puts thoughts into actionFreezing accounts if suspicious transactions occur in the financial sector altering medication dosages based on a patients BP and sugar levels in hospitals and controlling machine performance in industries â these agents are doing such things on their own Their specialty lies in discussing with other AI agents and working together to complete a task This autonomy has now become a major challengeâSajjanar stated that these agents which take thousands of decisions in minutes without human supervision can lead to massive danger if they make even a small mistake anywhereâFor example if an AI agent makes a wrong decision in the stock market losses worth crores could occur in mere seconds Similarly there is a threat of cybercriminals hijacking the behaviour of these agents and forcing them to commit wrongdoings There is also the risk of Unintended Behaviour where the agent misunderstands the task assigned by the owner and takes a wrong path to achieve the goal That is why experts clarify that the reins of these ultramodern agents must remain in human handsâ he saidThe top cop is of the view that every AI agent must have a precise Digital Identity âJust as a human has an ID card in an organisation these software agents must also have identification Which agent opened which file When did it make changes To whom did it send information Every such movement must be recorded LoggingBecause of this if an accident happens by mistake we can immediately identify which agent caused it and rectify the issue Ultimately there must be strict rules Governance regarding how much freedom these agents should be given and what data they are allowed to access Trust Frameworks must be designed to ensure human permission is sought before making crucial decisions While speeding up work through technology is important security is even more critical Tech experts warn that if we do not wisely control the speed of automation the losses it brings will be greater than the benefitsâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hyderabad-police-commissioner-flags-threat-posed-by-ai-agents-661100.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govts-net-borrowing-is-on-lower-side-rbi-governor-661105.html Mumbai Feb 6 RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Friday that the governmentâs borrowing programme is on the lower side which would enable it to raise the required resources at reasonable prices Addressing the postmonetary policy press conference the RBI Governor said there was a need to focus on the net borrowing figure rather than gross borrowingsâIt may not be right to look at the gross borrowing number alone There are much more redemptions in FY27 so gross borrowing is expected to be higher Net borrowings however are only at Rs 1173 lakh crore which is only about Rs 20000 crore more than last year Given the size of the Budget one would have expected a much bigger increaseâ Malhotra observedHe said the government will also raise funds through Treasury Bills this year which should help authorities manage the yield curve better and handle the borrowing programme more efficientlyThe issuance of treasury bills in the next financial year will help further manage the yield curve better The budgeted number for the small savings scheme is conservative The Centres borrowing programme is on the lower side and can raise funds at reasonable prices he saidMalhotra further stated that the RBI has made sure there is ample liquidity into the system to ensure transmission of previous repo rate cuts in the economy The central bank is not looking at making any changes in liquidity management he addedHe further stated that tax holidays for data centres should help attract fresh investment signalling confidence that policy incentives can pull longterm capital into digital infrastructureThe RBI Governor also said that the near and medium term outlook on Indias external account is favourable He highlighted the string of trade deals over the last one year that is expected to boost exports draw foreign investments and raise productivityâEven after accounting for deficits India has sufficient foreign exchange reserves to cover its requirements The reserves are more than twice our shortterm external borrowings On the external front the position remains very comfortable he saidBesides he pointed out that the opening up of the insurance sector to FDI and the investments in Indias private banking space shows confidence in the growth storyOn the macroeconomic picture the Governor said he is confident India can meet its external sector requirements adding that the country is at the âsame sweet point or maybe betterâ on inflation compared with the last policy Growth also looks stronger than the last time the monetary policy committee met he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govts-net-borrowing-is-on-lower-side-rbi-governor-661105.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/integrative-medicine-modelin-public-health-to-boost-universal-health-coverageanupriya-patel-660999.html New Delhi Feb 5 Integrating Ayush with modern medicine in public health can help boost Universal Health Coverage said Anupriya Patel Minister of State for Health amp Family Welfare on Thursday Speaking at the third day of the World Governments Summit held in Dubai UAE she highlighted the need to shift health systems towards prevention and longterm wellbeing Addressing the session âFrom Policy to Practice Investing in the Future of Integrative Medicineâ Patel noted that the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases mental health challenges and lifestyle disorders driven by urbanisation unhealthy diets physical inactivity and chronic stress requires moving beyond episodic curative care âThe convergence of AYUSH systems with modern medicine and public health frameworks as a strategic pathway to building a resilient preventive and peoplecentric health ecosystem This approach aligns closely with the goals of Universal Health Coverageâ the Minister said Patel also outlined Indiaâs policyled and systemsdriven approach to integrative healthcare She highlighted how India has pioneered the structured integration of its rich traditional medical systems with modern scientific medicine translating ancient knowledge into scalable evidencebased public health models with relevance for health systems worldwide According to the World Health Organisation 88 per cent of member states have traditional systems of medicine that are culturally accepted Earlier speaking in a media interview Patel shared that integrative healthcare has been institutionalised in India The National Health Policy NHP 2017 provides a powerful mandate for integrative healthcare in India Patel stated that the integrative healthcare model has been operationalised across primary secondary and tertiary healthcare systems in the country At the primary level Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country now deliver traditional medicine services including Ayush practices such as yoga and wellness Ayush blocks function at secondary healthcare facilities and national tertiary institutions are establishing dedicated integrative healthcare units the Minister said adding the inclusion of traditional medicine in medical education systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/integrative-medicine-modelin-public-health-to-boost-universal-health-coverageanupriya-patel-660999.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ayushman-arogya-mandirs-strengthening-fight-against-cancer-jp-nadda-660811.html New Delhi Feb 4 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs is strengthening the fight against cancer in India said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World Cancer Day on Wednesday World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer and the advancements in technology to fight itAs per ICMRâs National Cancer Registry estimates India recorded over 153 lakh new cancer cases in 2024 and around 8â87 lakh deaths against a global burden of 20 million new cases and 97 million deaths in 2022 Taking to the social media platform X the Health Minister stressed the importance of early detection and regular screening as well as the steps taken by India to combat the deadly disease He also mentioned the waiving of customs duty on 17 cancer drugs in the recent Union Budget making medicines more affordable âUnder the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi several initiatives have been introduced to strengthen cancer care in India The establishment of Cancer Day Care units in every district and the exemption of customs duties on important cancer medicines will provide major relief to patients Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are also strengthening our fight against cancer through largescale screenings enabling early detection and timely treatment across the countryâ Nadda said âOn World Cancer Day we come together to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection prevention and timely care It reminds us to support survivors and encourage regular screenings for a healthier future societyâ he added Welcoming the waiver on customs duty for cancer drugs experts also underscored the need to translate higher health investments into stronger cancer systemsâIndiaâs health sector is at a defining moment with the Union Health Budget crossing Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time and firmly positioning healthcare as a driver of economic growth social equity and the India2047 visionâ said Amit Kumar Ghosh Additional Chief Secretary Medical Health amp Family Welfare and Medical Education Uttar Pradesh âThrough initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat populationbased screening new cancer institutes and planned cancer daycare centres our focus is on early detection timely referral and affordable treatment Going forward stronger publicâprivate collaboration and patientâcentric policies will be key to reaching the last mileâ he added while speaking at the IHW Cancer Summit in the national capital Dr Shyam Aggarwal Chairman Medical Oncology at a Delhibased hospital noted that the future of cancer care lies with advanced technology âOn this World Cancer Day today my thoughts are on the evolution of technology tilting towards deep sequencing of DNA genes to decide cancer treatment Moving beyond imaging that is detecting tumours less than 5mmâ Aggarwal saidâIt is the future of oncology We will soon start asking patients Is your ctDNA negative We need to push our labs and researchers to adopt this technology as it is becoming routine in other countries he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ayushman-arogya-mandirs-strengthening-fight-against-cancer-jp-nadda-660811.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/brent-crude-to-be-range-bound-under-70-per-barrel-due-to-supply-demand-mismatch-660824.html New Delhi Feb 4 Global crude oil prices may see only a marginal uptick in the near term and will be curtailed to 68â70 per barrel in the long term despite geopolitical and supplyâside uncertainties a report said on Wednesday Emkay Wealth Management Limited the wealth management arm of Emkay Global Financial Services said in a report that any upward movement is likely to be gradual and capped as market fundamentals point to slower global growth and cautious consumption across major economiesBrent crude has traded in a subdued 60â65 range for over a year despite OPEC production curbs amid lack of price breakout due to persistent imbalance between demand growth and emerging supply the report highlightedThe report further noted that demand forecasts continue to lag incremental production additions and prolonged low prices have curtailed capital expenditure across the energy sector with major oil and gas companies deferring investments to preserve liquidity and balanceâsheet stabilityOutput from Venezuela and Iran has normalised recently with a larger portion of it flowing to Asian markets particularly ChinaHowever fresh political developments and evolving geopolitical dynamics have reintroduced uncertainty around the continuity of these suppliesâWhile geopolitical developments could support oil prices in the very short term the underlying fundamentals suggest that any rally will be limited said Dr Joseph Thomas Head of Research Emkay Wealth ManagementEnergy companies and market participants will need to navigate this phase with capital discipline and a focus on operational efficiency rather than relying on priceâled growth he suggestedThe reports cited forecasts by the US Energy Information Administration that global oil inventories are expected to keep rising through 2026 exerting downward pressure on prices in the coming months The agency has projected an average Brent crude price of around USD 55 per barrel in 2026 underscoring expectations of continued oversupply IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/brent-crude-to-be-range-bound-under-70-per-barrel-due-to-supply-demand-mismatch-660824.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/japanese-researcherstobegin-human-trial-for-nipah-vaccinein-april-660825.html New Delhi Feb 4 A team of researchers in Japan has announced a clinical trial to confirm a vaccines efficacy against the deadly Nipah virus in humans The vaccine candidate developed at the University of Tokyo is set to start clinical trials in Belgium in April Nikkei Asia a Japanbased Englishlanguage news magazine reported The new vaccine offers a potential breakthrough against a disease whose fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent Currently there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah virus infectionThe latest development comes even as India reported two confirmed cases of Nipah virus from West Bengal in January The new vaccine is reportedly being developed by inserting a portion of the Nipah viruss genetic information into the measles virusâWhen the vaccine is introduced in humans antigen proteins similar to those of the Nipah virus are produced The immune systems response is seen strengthening the bodys defenses helping to prevent the onset of symptomsâ the report said âThe modified measles virus widely used globally for measles vaccinesâ it added The team has already established the vaccines efficacy and safety in animal trials with hamsters To confirm the vaccines safety in humans the Phase 1 clinical trial will involve 60 subjects Separately a team from Oxford University began Phase 2 clinical trials with a Nipah vaccine candidate in Bangladesh in December About 300 people aged 18 to 55 are expected to participate Nipah virus infection has also been designated as a priority disease under the World Health Organizations WHO Research and Development BlueprintNipah is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted from bats to humans either directly or through contaminated food It can also spread from animals such as pigs to humans and in some cases between people through close and prolonged contact particularly in healthcare settings In humans Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis Globally the case fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent depending on early detection and quality of clinical care IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/japanese-researcherstobegin-human-trial-for-nipah-vaccinein-april-660825.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/undp-backed-digital-platforms-boosting-indias-immunisation-ecosystem-report-660844.html New Delhi Feb 4 Governmentled digital platforms supported by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP including the UWIN and eVIN have strengthened Indiaâs immunisation ecosystem said a report from the UN agency on Wednesday In its annual report 2025 launched at UN House at the Country Programme Management Board meeting the UN agency noted that UWIN helped track immunisation services for 32 million pregnant women and 97 million children The eVIN on the other hand enabled monitoring of vaccine stocks and coldchain temperatures across 30000 coldchain points covering over 650 million doses Further the immunisation platforms also expanded insurance coverage to 42 million farmers while supporting 63000 people with climateresilient livelihoods in the country The report also demonstrated UNDPâs role in progress in areas including SDG localisation acceleration and financing digital healthcare solutions childcare support crop insurance and climate action âIndiaâs development progress in 2025 reflects strong government leadership in delivering at scale through public systems These systems are delivered across health insurance care and climate action reaching women children farmers waste workers and lowincome householdsâ said Angela Lusigi Resident Representative UNDP India UNDP is proud to have supported these efforts by strengthening technical expertise helping public programmes function more effectively and respond faster when support was needed she addedFurther the report noted that the UNDP worked with national and state governments to strengthen how the Sustainable Development Goals move from policy to delivery The SDG Coordination and Acceleration approach is now institutionalised across key ministries supporting more aligned implementation At the subnational level SDG monitoring frameworks are operational in 33 of 36 States and Union Territories improving how data informs planning and budgeting Further economic security was reinforced through stronger social protection and risk mitigation Indiaâs crop insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PMFBY expanded coverage to 42 million farmers These measures helped farming households recover faster from climate and income shocks the report said Communitybased childcare models enabled women in lowincome urban areas to take up paid work while also creating jobs in the care economyIn 2025 UNDP supported India in designing its National Adaptation Plan and a genderresponsive Biodiversity Finance Plan Communityled restoration initiatives supported more than 63000 people with climateresilient livelihoods helping reduce vulnerability to environmental shocks while sustaining incomes the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/undp-backed-digital-platforms-boosting-indias-immunisation-ecosystem-report-660844.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/china-likely-to-send-delegation-to-indias-ai-summit-amid-improving-ties-660865.html New Delhi Feb 4 China is planning to send an official delegation to Indiaâs upcoming AI summit in the national capital in a fresh sign that relations between the two neighbours are gradually improving According to reports a vice minister from Chinaâs Ministry of Science and Technology likely to lead the delegationGeorge Chen partner and cochair of digital practice at consultancy The Asia Group said the Indian embassy in Beijing had reached out to arrange visas for the Chinese representativesThe Asia Group regularly engages with Chinese policymakers on artificial intelligence regulation as per reportsThis is the first public confirmation that China will attend the AI Impact Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi from February 16 to 20In late December Chinese state media had cited Indian reports saying that New Delhi had officially invited Beijing to participate in the eventHowever there is no official statement or confirmation from the Indian embassy and Chinaâs Ministry of Science and TechnologyThe planned participation of Chinese officials and businesses comes at a time when ties between the two countries appear to be stabilising after several years of tensionRelations had deteriorated sharply following a deadly border clash in 2020 After the incident India banned dozens of Chinese mobile applications including TikTok citing security concernsHowever tensions began easing last year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization SCO summit in Tianjin in AugustThe two leaders were also seen in a widely shared video along with Russian President Vladimir Putin signalling a thaw in diplomatic engagementSince then steps such as the resumption of direct flights and tourist visas have reflected improving tiesChina has increasingly used platforms such as the SCO to expand its influence in global AI developmentThe AI summit in India is also expected to draw several prominent global leaders including Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates and Anthropic CEO Dario AmodeiThe eventâs dates coincide with Chinaâs Lunar New Year holiday the countryâs biggest annual festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/china-likely-to-send-delegation-to-indias-ai-summit-amid-improving-ties-660865.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rajasthan-launches-semiconductor-policy-jodhpur-pali-marwar-kankani-to-be-priority-corridors-660884.html Jaipur Feb 4 In a major push towards hightech industrial growth and strategic selfreliance the Rajasthan government has announced the Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy aimed at positioning the state as a leading hub for semiconductor manufacturing and allied sectors With semiconductors emerging as the backbone of modern digital and automated technologies the new policy seeks to strengthen Rajasthanâs role in Indiaâs semiconductor ecosystem while supporting national goals of economic security and technological independenceUnder the policy the JodhpurPaliMarwar and Kankani industrial areas along with other suitable locations will be declared Priority Semiconductor Corridors These corridors will offer fasttrack land allotment coordinated utility support and singlewindow clearances to facilitate quick project execution and investor confidence The policy places special emphasis on attracting investments in Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test OSAT and Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging ATMP segments along with sensors and related electronics manufacturing It also aims to strengthen the fabless semiconductor design ecosystem in the state To support this vision the government plans to develop worldclass semiconductor parks and provide attractive incentives to projects approved under the India Semiconductor Mission Ensuring ease of doing business remains a key pillar of the policyThe state government will provide essential infrastructure such as uninterrupted water and power supply along with streamlined regulatory processes Investors will be required to apply through the RajNivesh portal for setting up semiconductor units in Rajasthan To ensure effective implementation two dedicated bodies the State Level Sanctioning Committee SLSC and the State Empowered Committee will be constituted The Department of Industries and Commerce will act as the nodal agency for policy execution and coordination The Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy aligns with the Centreâs broader semiconductor roadmapThe India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021 received a significant boost in the recent Union Budget with an allocation of Rs 40000 crore for Mission 20 Central initiatives such as Make in India Production Linked Incentive PLI schemes Semicon India Programme and Electronic Systems Design and Manufacturing ESDM have created a strong foundation for domestic semiconductor growth With this policy Rajasthan aims to attract highvalue investments generate skilled employment and emerge as a key player in Indiaâs rapidly expanding semiconductor landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rajasthan-launches-semiconductor-policy-jodhpur-pali-marwar-kankani-to-be-priority-corridors-660884.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-reits-and-invits-surpass-traditional-indices-in-giving-returns-in-2025-660945.html Mumbai Feb 5 Listed Real Estate Investment Trusts REITs and Infrastructure Investment Trusts InvITs in 2025 significantly outperformed traditional benchmarks delivering a strong 1955 per cent return on an equal weight basis a report showed on Thursday This was well ahead of the Nifty50 TRI total returns index at 1142 per cent and the G Sec Index at 681 per cent according to an ICRA Analytics reportData sourced from InfRE360 indicates that public trusts have emerged as one of the most resilient and rewarding asset classes during the yearAccording to the report REITs led the segment with an exceptional 2968 per cent return supported by robust leasing and stable yields while Power InvITs posted a healthy 2022 per cent Road InvITs trailed at 655 per cent reflecting asset specific and sectoral constraints December quarter distributions are yet to be accounted for which will further lift overall returns said the reportâREITs nearly doubled their returns rising from 1681 per cent in 2024 to 2968 per cent in 2025 reflecting sustained leasing momentum and consistent yield profilesâ said Madhubani Sengupta Head Knowledge Services ICRA AnalyticsPower InvITs advanced from 943 per cent to 2022 per cent reflecting operational resilience and market conditions whereas Road InvITs dipped from 949 per cent to 655 per cent highlighting mixed performance trends across infrastructure linked assets and the impact of new listings Sengupta addedAccording to the report the interest rate environment in 2025 tilted investor preference towards equity linked and yield oriented instruments which weighed GâSec performance In contrast trusts continued to attract strong interest supported by steady cash flows competitive yields and growing demand for infrastructure and real estate backed investment optionsPerformance figures for REITs InvITs and the broader trust category are based on an equal weight calculation across all listed entities rather than market cap weighting said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-reits-and-invits-surpass-traditional-indices-in-giving-returns-in-2025-660945.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/world-first-fingerstick-test-to-expand-hepatitis-b-diagnosis-access-660950.html New Delhi Feb 5 A worldfirst Australian trial has found that a simple fingerstick test for hepatitis B DNA is as accurate as standard lab testing paving the way for wider access in remote and resourcelimited settings Published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology the study showed that the pointofcare test can deliver results within an hour and be performed in decentralised clinics Xinhua news agency reported The fingerstick test can help overcome delays caused by laboratorybased testing according to a statement from the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales in Australia The results of our trial found that the fingerstick pointofcare test is highly accurate closely matching the accuracy of traditional tests said Professor Gail Matthews who led the research at the Kirby Institute The finding has the potential to expand access to testing and treatment globally especially where access to testing is limited Matthews said Hepatitis B a viral infection that attacks the liver affects an estimated 254 million people worldwide and causes over 1 million deaths annually as per global statistics Though preventable by vaccine only about 8 per cent of those living with chronic hepatitis B receive treatment according to the World Health Organization WHO Currently hepatitis B DNA testing for both diagnosis and monitoring requires collecting a venous blood sample to be processed in centralised laboratories meaning patients can need to travel long distances to take the test and then often wait days or weeks for results This delay and the multiple clinic visits involved can hinder timely treatment and care In comparison the new pointofcare test can be done in small health clinics using a finger stick blood sample which can be performed by a broader range of health care workers and provides a result within 60 minutes It is an effective alternative to laboratory testing for many infectious diseases including hepatitis C but until now its efficacy for hepatitis B DNA using finger stick blood has been unknown The new test could also support global efforts to meet the WHO target of eliminating hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030 the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/world-first-fingerstick-test-to-expand-hepatitis-b-diagnosis-access-660950.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-is-set-for-launch-today-660953.html Mumbai Feb 5 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday will launch Bharat Taxi Indias first rideâhailing service application based on a cooperative model The minister will unveil the application as a governmentâbacked alternative to established players such as Uber Ola and RapidoSupported by the Ministry of Cooperation and operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited Bharat Taxi is being promoted as a driverâowned mobility service that follows a zeroâcommission model in its initial phase with 100 percent of ride payments going directly to driversThe Ministry of Cooperation said the platform will free drivers referred to as Sarathis from exploitative aggregatorbased modelsThe minimum fare for up to 4 km is Rs 30 412 km at Rs 23 per km and rides beyond 12 km are priced at Rs 18 per kmSimilar to other aggregators Bharat Taxi also integrates with public transit services such as the Metro allowing users to plan and complete journeys involving multiple modes of transport through a single appIn the initial phase 100 per cent of ride payments will go directly to drivers At a later stage the cooperative may retain a fee of around 20 per cent which it says will be redistributed to drivers in the form of incentivesUnlike existing platforms Bharat Taxi plans to avoid surge pricing although dynamic pricing may be applied in specific situationsAccording to the Ministry of Cooperation over 150 women drivers have joined Bharat Taxi so far The app experiences a surge in registrations with around 40000 to 45000 new users signing up every day over the past two daysAccording to a post by the Ministry of Cooperation on the social media platform X in January Bharat Taxi has already crossed four lakh registered customersThe app available on both Android and iOS was ranked ninth on the Google Play Store and thirteenth on Appleâs App StoreSafety features also include options to alert emergency contacts reach a safety team and activate a siren from within the appThe signup process requires only basic details like a mobile number name and email addressSimilar to Ola and Uber Bharat Taxi plans dedicated pickup and drop zones at airports with expansion to other transport hubs in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-is-set-for-launch-today-660953.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-set-for-launch-today-660954.html Mumbai Feb 5 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday will launch Bharat Taxi Indias first rideâhailing service application based on a cooperative model The minister will unveil the application as a governmentâbacked alternative to established players such as Uber Ola and RapidoSupported by the Ministry of Cooperation and operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited Bharat Taxi is being promoted as a driverâowned mobility service that follows a zeroâcommission model in its initial phase with 100 percent of ride payments going directly to driversThe Ministry of Cooperation said the platform will free drivers referred to as Sarathis from exploitative aggregatorbased modelsThe minimum fare for up to 4 km is Rs 30 412 km at Rs 23 per km and rides beyond 12 km are priced at Rs 18 per kmSimilar to other aggregators Bharat Taxi also integrates with public transit services such as the Metro allowing users to plan and complete journeys involving multiple modes of transport through a single appIn the initial phase 100 per cent of ride payments will go directly to drivers At a later stage the cooperative may retain a fee of around 20 per cent which it says will be redistributed to drivers in the form of incentivesUnlike existing platforms Bharat Taxi plans to avoid surge pricing although dynamic pricing may be applied in specific situationsAccording to the Ministry of Cooperation over 150 women drivers have joined Bharat Taxi so farThe app experiences a surge in registrations with around 40000 to 45000 new users signing up every day over the past two daysAccording to a post by the Ministry of Cooperation on the social media platform X in January Bharat Taxi has already crossed four lakh registered customersThe app available on both Android and iOS was ranked ninth on the Google Play Store and thirteenth on Appleâs App StoreSafety features also include options to alert emergency contacts reach a safety team and activate a siren from within the appThe signup process requires only basic details like a mobile number name and email addressSimilar to Ola and Uber Bharat Taxi plans dedicated pickup and drop zones at airports with expansion to other transport hubs in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-set-for-launch-today-660954.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-energy-1st-indian-firm-to-deliver-1-crore-electricity-smart-meters-across-discoms-660956.html Ahmedabad Feb 5 In a significant development Adani Energy Solutions Limited AESL on Thursday became the first player in India and perhaps globally to have successfully delivered 1 crore electricity smart meters across discoms â with the next 1 crore projected to be delivered in the coming financial year FY27 As Indiaâs leading AMISP Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider AESL has a mandate to install 25 crore smart meters across five states At 25000 per day its pace of installation is highest in the industry said the companyâReaching an installed base of 1 crore smart meters is a testament to our benchmarked execution excellence and deep engagement with distribution utilities and consumersâ said Kandarp Patel Chief Executive Officer Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL âThese smart meters are not just devices â these are catalysts for empowering consumers with realtime usage data improving grid reliability reducing losses and enabling efficient energy management We remain committed to playing a pivotal role in Indiaâs digital energy transitionâ he mentionedThis milestone comes much ahead of the companyâs guidance of reaching the 1 crore mark by March 31 2026 and underscores AESLâs commitment to drive digital transformation in the muchneeded retail electricity distribution providing invaluable data on consumption and for grid modernisation thereby supporting Indiaâs nationwide smart metering rollout under the Government of Indiaâs Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme RDSS AESLâs smart meter network delivers realtime consumer insights enhances billing transparency and strengthens utility operationsThe Adani Group company has been able to achieve the highest daily installation rate by taking an integrated and ecosystem approach It has tied up with sister firms like Adani Esyasoft Smart Solutionsâ smart metering and IoT division AdaniConneX for local data hosting besides signing up with tier I meter brands to ensure delivery timelines and manage platform relevance during the contract period The company began its smart metering journey in 2024 and has accomplished this significant milestone in approximately 24 months making it the quickest installation pace in the countryUnder the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme RDSS initiative India aims to replace 25 crore conventional meters with advanced smart meters to modernise the power distribution landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-energy-1st-indian-firm-to-deliver-1-crore-electricity-smart-meters-across-discoms-660956.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-bombaydevelopsmethod-torecover-t-cells-for-cancer-therapies-660960.html New Delhi Feb 4 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay have developed a simpler and more efficient method to recover immune cells grown in the lab for Tcellâbased cancer therapies In immunotherapies such as CAR Tcell Tcells a type of immune cell are taken from a patientâs blood and modified in large numbers in the laboratory and infused back into the patientâs bloodstream to help fight cancerThese cells grown outside the body must be collected gently so that they remain alive and functional when returned to the patient Finding safe and efficient ways to grow Tcells and retrieve them is therefore an important part of making these therapies work âCell recovery sounds simple on paper but in practice it turns out to be one of the biggest challengesâ said Prof Prakriti Tayalia from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at the IIT Bombay âWithout enough healthy cells you cannot test them properly or use them for therapyâ she added To better mimic the bodyâs natural environment Tayaliaâs team worked with a specific type of scaffold made using a process called electrospinning These electrospun scaffolds look like thin mats made of very fine fibres similar to a dense fishing netThe team grew Jurkat Tcells a human cell line grown and used in the laboratory to study Tcell biology cancer and HIV inside electrospun scaffolds made from a material called polycaprolactone Under a microscope the researchers observed that the cells actively moved into the scaffold and became tightly lodged between the fibres Further the research showed that collecting the cells using trypsin an enzyme led to higher cell death In contrast cells recovered with accutase a milder enzyme survived in greater numbers and behaved more like healthy Tcells They formed clusters an essential step before Tcells divide and continued to grow well after recovery âHarsh treatments to cells using enzymes such as trypsin can damage key surface proteins needed for immune signalling and activation reducing the cellâs therapeutic usefulness Accutase appears mild enough to avoid this problemâ Tayalia said The studys findings published in the journal Biomaterials Science could help laboratories use such scaffolds when preparing cells for therapies such as CAR Tcell treatment âIf we want these advanced therapies to reach patients every step matters How we grow cells and how we retrieve them can make a real differenceâ Tayalia said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-bombaydevelopsmethod-torecover-t-cells-for-cancer-therapies-660960.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-likely-to-maintain-status-quo-in-upcoming-policy-rate-decision-660973.html New Delhi Feb 5 The Reserve Bank of India RBI is likely to maintain status quo in the upcoming policy decision on Friday as despite policy rate easing government bond yields have exhibited persistent hardening in recent periods among other reasons According to economists the choice of eligible securities itself may influence the effectiveness of OMO operations even when the aggregate quantum of liquidity injection is unchangedâWe believe that the choice of eligible securities itself may influence the effectiveness of OMO operations even when the aggregate quantum of liquidity injection is unchangedâ said an SBI Research reportâRBI is thus likely to maintain status quo in the upcoming policyâ it addedSince the last policy one of the major policy changes is the EUIndia and USIndia trade deal resulting in reduction in tariffs on India to 18 per cent from 50 per cent earlierClearly India has now one of the lowest tariffs among Asian countries which will help in improving our export competitiveness said SBI ResearchHowever global economy continues to remain uncertain Our GeoEconomics Stress Index reveals heightened uncertainty leads to economic stress with a lag of 34 months Elsewhere metal prices have recovered after witnessing a significant selloff last week said the SBI reportMoreover slack in labour market stagnant real disposable incomes alongside reduced inflationary impact might lead to US Fed rate cutsAgainst this backdrop Indian currency seesawed between 8992 per dollar for the past two month and has depreciated by 58 per cent against USD most amongst the major economies since April 2 2025 when US announced sweeping tariff hikes across economies though it appreciated significantly more than Re 1 after the IndiaUS trade deal reducing the tariffs to 18 per centOMOs net purchase worth Rs 616 lakh crore has already been done and given the current global uncertainties âwe believe RBI may have to go up to Rs 50000 crore further OMOs purchase in the remaining part of FY to support durable liquidity quest amidst credit growthâ said the SBI report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-likely-to-maintain-status-quo-in-upcoming-policy-rate-decision-660973.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ntpc-aims-for-30gw-nuclear-capacity-by-2047-shripad-naik-660979.html New Delhi Feb 5 Governmentowned power giant NTPC Ltd is planning to achieve 30 gigawatt GW nuclear capacity by 2047 Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Parliament on Thursday NTPC has formed a wholly owned nuclear subsidiary NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Limited NPUNL under the Companies Act after getting the requisite clearancesThe above target of 30GW is a part of the governmentâs decision of having 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 said the minister in a written reply to a question in the Lok SabhaNTPC is planning to set up nuclear power projects and Anu Shakti Vidyut Nigam Limited ASHVINI a joint venture of NTPC and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited NPCIL is in the process of establishing a 4X700 MW nuclear power project in Rajasthans Banswara districtThe plant is called Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project MBRAPP The current projections envisage initial testing of MBRAPPâs first 700 MW unit by FY 203233In order to explore various options and possible collaborations with international partners NTPC Ltd has issued an Expression of Interest EoI said the ministerMeanwhile NTPC last month announced a commercial capacity addition of 35958 MW through various solar projects of its subsidiaries in Gujarat and Rajasthan taking the groups total commercial capacity past the 855 GW markWith this the total installed commercial capacity of the NTPC group has reached 85541 MW 85541GW NTPC is contributing onefourth of Indiaâs power requirements and has an installed capacity of 85 GW with an additional capacity of 3090 GW under construction including 133 GW of renewable energy capacityThe company has set a target of 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032 strengthening Indiaâs Net Zero goalsAccording to the company with a diverse portfolio of thermal hydro solar and wind power plants the NTPC is focusing on delivering reliable affordable and sustainable electricity to the nationThe company is committed to adopting best practices fostering innovation and embracing clean energy technologies for a greener future the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ntpc-aims-for-30gw-nuclear-capacity-by-2047-shripad-naik-660979.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sk-telecoms-2025-net-profit-plunges-73-pc-due-to-data-breach-660987.html Seoul Feb 5 SK Telecom South Korea leading mobile carrier said on Thursday its annual net profit plunged 73 per cent from a year earlier in 2025 due mainly to massive compensation costs following a data breach that affected its entire 25 millionuser base The company posted net profit of 3751 billion won 2556 million last year compared with a profit of 139 trillion won in 2024 the company said in a regulatory filing Its operating income fell 411 percent onyear to 107 trillion won and annual sales decreased 47 percent to 1709 trillion won reports Yonhap news agency For the fourth quarter of 2025 SK Telecoms net profit plummeted 754 percent onyear to 97 billion wonOperating profit fell 531 percent to 1191 billion won and revenue decreased 41 percent to 432 trillion wonSK Telecom said both its annual and quarterly earnings were weighed down by a compensation program and a decline in subscribers following a largescale data breach The company reported in April that a cyberattack on its main servers may have exposed the universal subscriber identity module USIM data of its entire user base It later offered to replace the USIM chips of all 25 million users along with a comprehensive compensation package and cybersecurity investment plan worth more than 1 trillion won while suspending new subscription services for two monthsLast month SK Telecom filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a record 135 billionwon 91 million fine handed down by the state data protection regulator over a massive data leak last year that affected its entire 23 million user baseSK Telecom filed the suit with the Seoul Administrative Court just a day ahead of the deadline given to the company to seek a revocation of the decision by the Personal Information Protection Commission PIPC made in August last year according to the sourcesThe PIPC had imposed the fine on SK Telecom about four months after the wireless carrier belatedly disclosed a major leak of universal subscriber identity module USIM data from its servers The disclosure prompted the company to offer free USIM replacements to all of its users and an investigation by the regulator IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sk-telecoms-2025-net-profit-plunges-73-pc-due-to-data-breach-660987.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nasscom-us-ceo-forumcharts-tech-led-economic-partnership-after-historic-tradedeal-660988.html New Delhi Feb 5 Nasscom US CEO Forum on Thursday held its first industry engagement after the trade deal announcement between India and America and discussed a techled economic partnership Convened at Capitol Hill in Washington DC on February 45 the Forumâs third meeting brought together leading Indian technology business leaders and senior US policymakers The leaders deliberated on enhancing innovation AI trusted supply chains workforce development and local job creation across the US âThe IndiaUS trade deal provides muchneeded macro predictability at a time when technology talent and trust are central to global competitiveness Indian technology companies are already delivering measurable outcomes for the US economy highquality jobs regional investment and innovation at scaleâ said Rajesh Nambiar President NasscomThe Nasscom US CEO Forum is focused on moving this partnership from collaboration to cocreation anchored in data accountability and longterm value creation he addedThe Forum discussions underscored the opportunity for deeper IndiaUS collaboration across the AI value chain aligned with the Pax Silica coalition led by the US As AI adoption accelerates globally Indian technology firms are wellpositioned to expand their role across key layers particularly enterprise and custom applications consulting and engineering services and emerging opportunities in silicon design and advanced platforms supporting trusted secure and scalable AI ecosystems This collaboration is expected to directly benefit most of the Fortune 500 companies while catalysing local job creation across multiple US states The industry has set its sights on supporting the joint target of 500 billion in IndiaUS trade Energy security also emerged as a strategic priority with the US scaling AIcritical energy capacity and India integrating green and nuclear energy to support nextgeneration data centres Indian technology companies are increasingly contributing to AIdriven energy optimisation grid analytics and digital infrastructure reinforcing the resilience of the US innovation ecosystem âIndia and the US have a generational opportunity to build a trusted technology alliance across AI semiconductors and digital infrastructure Indian tech companies are deeply embedded in the success of US enterprises supporting the majority of Fortune 500 firms while creating local jobs across US statesâ said Amit Chadha CEO amp MD â LampT Technology Services amp Vice Chair Nasscom US CEO Forum By supporting the joint USIndia target of a bilateral trade number of 500 billion we can help shape a more resilient innovationled future for both economies he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nasscom-us-ceo-forumcharts-tech-led-economic-partnership-after-historic-tradedeal-660988.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cyber-fraud-3943-lakh-mobile-connections-disconnected-227-lakh-handsets-blacklisted-660990.html New Delhi Feb 5 The government said on Thursday that 3943 lakh mobile connections have been disconnected 227 lakh mobile handsets have been blacklisted and 131 lakh SMS templates have been blacklisted in the country in a bid to prevent cybercrimes and financial frauds Department of Telecommunications DoT has established Digital Intelligence Platform DIP for prevention of misuse of telecom resources in cybercrimes and financial frauds said Minister of State for Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in the Rajya SabhaHe further added that the DoTâs Sanchar Saathi initiative is accessible through web portal and Mobile AppChakshu facility of Sanchar Saathi enables citizens to report suspected fraud communications under various categoriesThe âSanchar Saathiâ initiative empowers vigilant citizens to report suspected fraud communications where a fraud was attempted but not actually committedAccording to the minister cases involving actual financial loss due to frauds are handled by Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre I4C an organization under Ministry of Home Affairs MHA that has been mandated to handle cybercrime as per allocation of business rulesâAction is generally taken after giving opportunity for reverification to the mobile user The details of action taken based on such analysis are available on the dashboard of Sanchar Saathi portal Based on 77 lakh inputs provided by the citizens 3943 lakhs mobile connections have been disconnected 227 lakh mobile handsets have been blacklisted and 131 lakh SMS templates have been blacklistedâ said the ministerAccording to the minister based on the information shared on DIP stakeholders initiate necessary action as per their analysis on the associated accounts profiles in their respective domainAs reported by stakeholders total fraud amount prevented through FRI is more than Rs 1000 crore based on transaction decline and alertnotifications given to citizensâFurther WhatsApp has disengaged 28 lakh profilesaccounts associated with shared mobile numbersâ he informed IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cyber-fraud-3943-lakh-mobile-connections-disconnected-227-lakh-handsets-blacklisted-660990.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sail-records-highest-ever-sales-with-16-pc-growth-in-fy26-so-far-660683.html New Delhi Feb 3 Steel Authority of India Limited SAIL one of the countryâs largest steelmaking companies and a Maharatna public sector enterprise on Tuesday announced it has achieved its highestever cumulative sales during the April to January period of the current financial year The company recorded total sales of 166 million tonnes during this period in FY 2025â26 showing a strong growth of 16 per cent compared to 143 million tonnes in the same period last financial year according to the official statementThis marks the best sales performance in SAILâs history for these months SAIL also delivered its bestever sales figures for the month of JanuaryâThe company achieved record dispatches from plants expanded door delivery volumes and enhanced warehouse sales underscoring its strong focus on customercentricity and logistics efficiency while deepening market penetrationâ it addedIn January 2026 the company sold 184 million tonnes of steel which is more than 10 per cent higher than the 168 million tonnes sold in January last financial yearThe strong sales performance helped the company reduce its inventory by around 025 million tonnesIt also led to a significant reduction in borrowings improving the companyâs financial positionAccording to the company the record achievements were seen across several areas such as sales dispatches cash collections and customer deliveriesSAIL increased the volume of steel delivered directly to customersâ locations expanded warehousebased sales and improved dispatches from its plantsThese improvements reflect the companyâs focus on better logistics and customer serviceThe marketing team played a key role in driving these results by strengthening market reach and meeting business targetsWith consistent growth and strong operational performance SAIL continues to strengthen its role as a major contributor to Indiaâs infrastructure and industrial development IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sail-records-highest-ever-sales-with-16-pc-growth-in-fy26-so-far-660683.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dark-clouds-lifted-dea-secretary-hails-indiaus-trade-pact-660688.html New Delhi Feb 3 Senior government officials on Tuesday welcomed the IndiaUS trade deal saying it has reduced uncertainty in the global economic environment and brought relief to Indian industry Speaking at FICCIâs conference on Union Budget 2026â27 Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs Anuradha Thakur said a âgreat deal of uncertaintyâ was removed after the trade agreement was announced between India and the United StatesâDespite growing geopolitical challenges across the world the Indian economy has remained strong and stableâ she statedThakur explained that India is deeply connected with the global economy but continues to stand out as a country with strong macroeconomic fundamentalsShe credited the governmentâs careful fiscal policies and a stable financial system for supporting longterm growthâMaintaining consistency and credibility in economic management is important to attract investment and keep the growth momentum goingâ Thakur statedAt the same event Secretary of the Department of Financial Services M Nagaraju said that the global economic situation has become clearer after the trade dealHe described it as a major âdark cloudâ being lifted from the world economyNagaraju urged industry leaders to remain positive saying the government had already taken steps to reduce the impact of higher tariffs earlierHe said a credit guarantee scheme was introduced for exporters under which more than 4000 loan applications were approved and over Rs 1500 crore was disbursed to support affected industriesWith tariffs now reduced to 18 per cent he said businesses can finally feel a sense of relief and certaintyThe IndiaâUS trade deal was finalised on Monday after nearly a year of negotiations and several rounds of discussionsUnder the agreement tariffs on Indian goods exported to the US have been lowered from 25 per cent to 18 per centHowever many details of the deal are still unclear Key areas such as agriculture Indiaâs purchase of Russian oil and the services sector remain under discussionThis is especially important as the US has tightened immigration policies that could affect Indian professionals IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dark-clouds-lifted-dea-secretary-hails-indiaus-trade-pact-660688.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/geriatriccarea-nationalimperative-for-indiasageingpopulation-say-experts-660689.html New Delhi Feb 3 Amid a rapidly ageing population in India experts on Tuesday stressed the need for a homebased communityled and integrated elder care model to boost geriatric care in the country Speaking at an event held in the national capital the health experts also discussed the growing challenges confronting the countryâs elderly population and the urgent need for more responsive and inclusive approaches to geriatric care The experts highlighted that the challenges for geriatric care are multidimensional in nature These include rising disabilities and agerelated health conditions such as dementia and Alzheimerâs significant gaps in geriatric healthcare infrastructure coupled with a sharp urbanârural divide in access to medical services and mounting economic pressures driven by inadequate social security and rising healthcare costsâAgeing is not just about adding years to life but adding life to those years Geriatric care must be coordinated continuous communitybased and compassionate Mental and emotional wellbeing are as critical as physical health especially in an era of nuclear families and increasing social isolation Geriatric care is not a luxury it is a necessityâ said Dr Rajinder K Dhamija Director Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences IHBASAccording to government data Indias senior citizen population is projected to surge to around 230 million by 2036 making up about 15 per cent of the total population âGeriatric care cannot remain confined to a few tertiary hospitals or centres of excellence In a country as large and demographically diverse as India care must begin at home and be strengthened through districtlevel systems Many elderly health needs do not require hospitalisation but can be effectively managed through trained caregivers homebased services and coordinated community support The real challenge is scale integration and lastmile deliveryâ added Rajesh Bhushan Former Secretary Ministry of Health amp Family Welfare during the event organised by Illness to Wellness Bhushan also highlighted the need to repurpose and upskill general physicians integrate social care with medical services and draw lessons from countries such as Japan and South Korea to create unified onestop elder care models that combine healthcare rehabilitation and social support The experts also pointed to a widening digital divide with many seniors struggling to adopt technology due to limited access and lack of agefriendly training as well as physical infrastructure public spaces transport systems and emergency response mechanisms that remain largely illequipped to support the safety mobility and independence of older persons Prof Nirmal Kumar Ganguly Former Director General ICMR noted that ageing outcomes are deeply influenced by social engagement mental stimulation and timely management of chronic conditions âAge is truly just a number Mental engagement social interaction and proactive management of vision hearing balance and chronic diseases can dramatically improve quality of life While challenges such as dementia diabetes and hypertension are rising advances in technology and medical science offer real solutions provided they are made accessible and equitableâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/geriatriccarea-nationalimperative-for-indiasageingpopulation-say-experts-660689.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nasapostponesartemisiimoon-mission-to-march-overhydrogen-leak-during-fuelling-test-660695.html New Delhi Feb 3 NASA has postponed the ambitious Artemis II mission to the Moon to March after detecting a hydrogen leak during a key fuelling test The mission to launch a team of four astronauts on a journey around the Moon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida was initially targetted for February 6 It was later delayed to February 8 due to cold weather conditions with winds moving through Florida âWith the conclusion of the wet dress rehearsal today we are moving off the February launch window and targeting March for the earliest possible launch of Artemis IIâ NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared in a post on social media platform X âAs always safety remains our top priority for our astronauts our workforce our systems and the public We will only launch when we believe we are as ready to undertake this historic missionâ he added The twoday test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida which began on January 31 successfully loaded cryogenic propellants into the Space Launch System SLS rockets tanks But it ended early on Tuesday due to a liquid hydrogen leak at the interface of the tail service mast umbilical which had experienced high concentrations of liquid hydrogen earlier in the countdown as wellThe engineers spent several hours troubleshooting the leak but werent successfulâThe engineers conducted a first run at terminal countdown operations during the test counting down to approximately 5 minutes left in the countdown before the ground launch sequencer automatically stopped the countdown due to a spike in the liquid hydrogen leak rateâ NASA shared in a blog post In addition âa valve associated with Orion crew module hatch pressurisation which recently was replaced required retorquing and closeout operations took longer than plannedâ it said adding that despite several challenges many of the planned objectives were metA second wet dress rehearsal is expected in March ahead of the scheduled launch Meanwhile the Artemis II astronauts will now be released from quarantine which they entered in Houston on January 21 The crew will enter quarantine again about two weeks out from the next targeted launch opportunity NASA saidThe 10day mission will set the stage for Artemis III slated for launch in 2027 when humans will land on the lunar South Pole for the first time and set up a longterm presence there The Artemis II crew includes NASAâs commander Reid Wiseman pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agencyâs CSA Jeremy Hansen IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nasapostponesartemisiimoon-mission-to-march-overhydrogen-leak-during-fuelling-test-660695.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-surges-2-073-points-rupee-posts-best-single-day-gain-since-dec-2018-660696.html Mumbai Feb 3 Indian stock markets witnessed a strong rally on Tuesday as investors cheered the finalisation of the longawaited IndiaâUS trade deal Both benchmark indices the Sensex and the Nifty posted sharp gains reflecting positive sentiment across Dalal StreetBy the end of the trading session the Sensex jumped 207267 points or 254 per cent to close at 8373913Meanwhile the Nifty climbed 63915 points or 255 per cent to settle at 2572755âThe key support zone remains at 25500â25600 gap support while 25900â26000 acts as a major psychological and supply resistance areaâ an analyst statedThe surge came after US President Donald Trump announced that the agreement would lower reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per centThe move boosted confidence among market participants who expect improved trade ties to benefit Indian companies and the broader economySeveral heavyweight stocks led the rally on the Sensex Shares of Adani Ports Bajaj Finance IndiGo and PowerGrid recorded strong gains during the dayOn the other hand Tech Mahindra and Bharat Electronics Limited BEL were the only stocks to end in negative territoryMarket optimism was visible across all sectors as every sectoral index closed higher The Nifty Realty index was the top performer rising by more than 4 per centOther sectors such as chemicals pharmaceuticals and consumer durables also saw solid buying interest with their indices jumping over 3 per cent eachThe broader market also participated in the rally The Nifty MidCap 100 index advanced 284 per cent while the Nifty SmallCap 100 index gained 282 per centAnalysts said that the strong performance highlighted investor confidence driven by positive developments on the trade front and expectations of improved economic prospectsIndian equities experienced a significant rally today driven by the longâanticipated IndiaâUS trade deal and a strengthening rupee which boosted expectations of renewed FII inflowsâ an expert saidMeanwhile Rupee traded sharply stronger appreciating by Rs 128 or nearly 140 per cent following the USâIndia trade deal announcement to record its best singleday gain since December 2018 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-surges-2-073-points-rupee-posts-best-single-day-gain-since-dec-2018-660696.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-enterprises-logs-90x-growth-in-q3-net-profit-consolidated-ebitda-at-rs-11-985-crore-in-april-dec-660697.html Ahmedabad Feb 3 Adani Enterprises Ltd AEL the flagship company of the Adani Group on Tuesday registered an impressive 90 times growth in net profit at Rs 5627 crore for the OctoberDecember quarter Q3 FY26 yearonyear For the nine months this fiscal FY26 consolidated EBITDA reached Rs 11985 crore while revenue stood at Rs 69756 crore the Adani Group company said in a statementAEL has strengthened its track record of consistently delivering operational and execution excellence during the quarter with the commencement of operations at the greenfield Navi Mumbai airport in less than five years of acquisitionThe flagship company has also successfully delivered outcomes within timelines by completing two HAM road projects and the inauguration of the integrated new terminal building at Guwahati airportWith resilient execution and a clear strategic focus Adani Enterprises has delivered a robust operating performance in the first nine months of FY26 reflecting the strength of our incubator model and the depth of our diversified infrastructure portfolio Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani saidThe commencement of operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport represents a landmark achievement reinforcing our commitment to building nationally critical assets at scale and speed he addedOur continued progress across airports renewable manufacturing data centres and transport infrastructure alongside strong capital market support through our successful rights issue and NCD offerings positions us well to accelerate the next phase of growth Gautam Adani mentionedThe company successfully completed a rights issue raising Rs 24930 crore seeing oversubscription by 30 per cent from the market It also raised Rs 1000 crore through its third public issue of NCDs in January 2026Adani New Industries ANILGreen Hydrogen Ecosystem saw module sales continue to track over 1 GW per quarter as domestic solar module sales surged 40 per cent to 997 MW during the quarterAdani Solar ANIL is now the only Indian company in the top 10 global solar manufacturersWhile AEL water business received a letter of intent LoA to develop the Mithi river project ACX data centre operationalised 144 MW capacity and now has an operational capacity of 50MWAs India advances towards becoming a 5 trillion economy AEL remains steadfast in its mission to incubate globally competitive businesses that combine economic value creation with sustainability technological leadership and longterm national impact said Gautam Adani IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-enterprises-logs-90x-growth-in-q3-net-profit-consolidated-ebitda-at-rs-11-985-crore-in-april-dec-660697.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-reaffirms-commitment-to-inclusive-rights-based-social-development-at-un-meet-660702.html New Delhi Feb 3 India has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and rightsbased social development at the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development at UN Headquarters New York said the Ministry of Women and Child Development on Tuesday Leading the Indian delegation Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur highlighted Indiaâs rightsbased and wholeofsociety approach that leaves no one behind She emphasised that social justice and social protection in India are rooted in constitutional guarantees and aligned with the countryâs longterm vision of âViksit Bharat 2047â She highlighted the guiding principle of âSabka Saath Sabka Vikasâ reflecting a wholeofgovernment and wholeofsociety approach to ensure that no one is left behind Thakur also delivered a national statement on âadvancing social developments and social justice through coordinated equitable and inclusive policiesâ The MoS outlined key national initiatives demonstrating scale inclusion and lastmile delivery It includes parity in girlsâ and boysâ participation in education supported by improved school infrastructure and residential schooling in remote areas Other initiatives include largescale expansion of basic services including piped drinking water clean cooking energy and sanitation facilities with significant benefits for women and vulnerable communities Further Thakur stressed transformative financial inclusion through hundreds of millions of bank accounts with women emerging as leading beneficiaries of entrepreneurship and credit schemes nationwide protection and support mechanisms for women and children through dedicated helplines and integrated service centres Comprehensive maternal child health and nutrition programmes reaching over 100 million beneficiaries and expanded social security and targeted schemes for the elderly persons with disabilities unorganised workers and transgender persons were mentioned The Minister also highlighted the role of digital public infrastructure and Direct Benefit Transfers DBT in enhancing transparency efficiency and accountability in public service delivery Emphasising that global challenges require collective responses Thakur expressed support for strengthened multilateral cooperation capacity building and SouthSouth collaboration to accelerate progress on social development models IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-reaffirms-commitment-to-inclusive-rights-based-social-development-at-un-meet-660702.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ustradedealgame-changer-formedtech-pharma-sectors-industry-660714.html New Delhi Feb 3 The trade deal between India and the US is a gamechanger for the Indian MedTech and pharma sectors said industry experts on Tuesday In a historic move the US has announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian exports to 18 per cent from 50 per cent which is a constructive development for the IndiaUS trade relationsThe US is Indiaâs largest export destination accounting for about 20 per cent of total exportsThe Association of Indian Medical Devices AiMeD hailed the deal and noted that it can prove to be a âvital boost for our manufacturers enhancing global competitiveness spurring investments and creating jobsââThe US tariff slash from 50 per cent to 18 per cent is a gamechanger for Indian medical devices slashing export costs and unlocking billions in US market potential amid China1 shifts We urge sustained IndiaUS regulatory harmonisation to capitalise fully on this opportunity for âMake in Indiaâ MedTech successâ said Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator AiMeDFurther Nath noted that the US tariff cut to 18 per cent on Indian goods also provides Indian medical devices a competitive edge over Chinese counterparts which face higher Section 301 tariffs typically at 25 per cent plus additional hikes up to 5060 per cent on some items like respiratorsâPreviously India endured up to 50 per cent duties while China had around 30 per cent but the new deal aligns Indiaâs rate below Chinaâs base favouring India amid China1 diversificationâ he addedThe Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India Pharmexcil also highlighted the positive implications of the IndiaUS trade deal for the Indian pharma sectorâThe IndiaUS trade agreement represents a pivotal moment for the pharmaceutical sector with key highlights including the reduction of tariffs on Indian goods exportsâ said Namit Joshi Chairman â PharmexcilâThe reduction in reciprocal taxes is incrementally positive for Indian pharmaceutical companies particularly those with significant exposure to the US market which accounts for 3040 per cent of the sectors total revenueâ he addedJoshi noted that the deal also fosters greater market access for Indian generics and biosimilars strengthening Indiaâs position as the global leader in affordable medicinesâBy enhancing trade ties streamlining regulatory processes and ensuring supply chain resilience this agreement will drive growth in Indias pharmaceutical exports unlock new opportunities for innovation and reinforce the countryâs critical role in global healthcareâ the expert said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ustradedealgame-changer-formedtech-pharma-sectors-industry-660714.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/spacex-acquires-xai-to-launch-spacebased-ai-data-centres-elon-musk-660643.html Mumbai Feb 3 USbased entrepreneur Elon Musk said that his aerospace firm SpaceX has acquired his AI startup xAI and shared plans to scale AI compute in space by launching large constellations of satellites that act as orbital data centres Launching a million tonnes per year of satellites generating kilowatts kW of compute power per tonne would add 100 gigawatts of AI compute capacity annually with no ongoing operational or maintenance needs Ultimately there is a path to launching 1 TWyear from Earth said Elon Musk in a statementThe SpaceX founder said that spaceâbased AI is the only viable longâterm path to meet the vast power needs of advanced AI arguing that nearâconstant solar power in orbit can deliver compute at far lower cost than terrestrial data centresThe costefficiency alone will enable companies to advance training their AI models and processing data at unprecedented speeds and scales the tech leader saidTo harness even a millionth of our Sunâs energy would require over a million times more energy than our civilisation currently uses The only logical solution therefore is to transport these resourceintensive efforts to a location with vast power and space he saidCurrent advances in AI are dependent on large terrestrial data centers which require immense amounts of power and cooling he saidMusk warned that global electricity demand for AI cannot be met with terrestrial solutions even in the near term without imposing hardship on communities and the environmentSpaceXs Starship will begin delivering the much more powerful V3 Starlink satellites to orbit in 2026 with each launch adding more than 20 times the capacity to the constellation as the current Falcon launches of the V2 Starlink satellitesIt will enable launches âevery hour carrying 200 tons per flightâ and ultimately lifting millions of tons to orbit and beyond he shared his planStarship will also launch the next generation of directtomobile satellites which will deliver full cellular coverage everywhere on Earth he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/spacex-acquires-xai-to-launch-spacebased-ai-data-centres-elon-musk-660643.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-trade-deal-to-boost-global-competitiveness-of-indian-products-create-jobs-industry-chambers-660648.html New Delhi Feb 3 Leading industry chambers on Tuesday said the IndiaUS trade deal will enhance the global competitiveness of Indian products while catalysing manufacturing growth employment creation and the development of resilient supply chains The US has immediately reduced reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent while waiving off the other 25 per cent tariffs imposed on the country for purchasing Russian oilâThe expected reduction of USIndia tariffs to 18 per cent marks a significant step forward in the strategic economic partnership between India and USâ said Rajiv Memani President CIIThe IndiaUS trade deal underscores the shared commitment of both the countries to deepen trade technology and investment ties in an increasingly competitive global landscapeâThe CII looks forward to continued engagement with business stakeholders in both countries to translate this momentum into tangible outcomes for businesses and sustained economic growthâ Memani notedPHDCCI President Rajeev Juneja said that by lowering tariff duties the United States signals a renewed commitment to trade openness and economic efficiencyâReduced tariffs cut input costs for domestic industries strengthen supply chains and ease inflation by lowering prices for businesses and consumers They benefit key sectors â including manufacturing technology healthcare and renewable energy â by improving access to intermediate goods capital equipment and critical componentsâ he mentioned in a statementImportantly this approach aligns with the spirit of cooperation fostered by the strong personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump reinforcing trust and predictability in bilateral trade said JunejaDr A Sakthivel Chairman AEPC said that the breakthrough is a highly welcome and timely development for the Indian apparel industry which was stressed due to the high US tariff of 50 per centâThe United States is our single largest export market and improved trade terms will significantly enhance the competitiveness of Indian apparel products in the US market This development is expected to give a strong boost to apparel exports attract fresh investments across the value chain and reinforce Indiaâs position as a reliable global sourcing hubâ he said in a statementMost importantly the apparel sector being one of the largest employment generators this positive move will help secure existing jobs and create substantial new employment opportunities particularly for women and the workforce in laborintensive segments Sakthivel added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-trade-deal-to-boost-global-competitiveness-of-indian-products-create-jobs-industry-chambers-660648.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-takes-decisive-steps-toward-self-reliance-in-critical-materials-660659.html New Delhi Feb 3 With coordinated domestic and global initiatives India is positioning itself as a reliable and competitive player in advanced materials value chains taking decisive steps toward selfreliance in critical materials by establishing a domestic ecosystem for Rare Earth Permanent Magnets REPMs an official statement said on Tuesday The Rs 7280 crore REPM Manufacturing Scheme and the Union Budget 2026â27 announcement of Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors together create an integrated framework for mining processing research and manufacturing the statement saidThe Budget 2026â27 has announced the creation of Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to promote mining processing research and manufacturingAccording to the statement Rare Earth Permanent Magnets REPMs are among the strongest types of permanent magnets known for their high magnetic strength and stabilityTheir compact size and powerful performance make them indispensable for advanced engineering applications such as electric vehicle motors wind turbine generators consumer and industrial electronics aerospace systems defence equipment and precision sensorsThe country possesses a substantial reserve of rareearth minerals providing a strong foundation for downstream industries like REPM manufacturingIndia holds 1315 million tonnes of monazite containing an estimated 723 million tonnes of rareearth oxides REO These deposits occur across Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu West Bengal Gujarat Maharashtra and Jharkhand primarily in coastal beach sands terired sands and inland alluviumIn Gujarat and Rajasthan 129 million tonnes of insitu REO resources have been identified in hardrock areas The Geological Survey of India GSI has further augmented reserves identifying 4826 million tonnes of rareearth ore resources in 34 exploration projectsHowever although India has a strong rareearth resource base domestic production of permanent magnets is still at a developing stage with imports mainly from China meeting most of the demand nearly 60â80 per cent by value and 85â90 per cent by quantity between 2022â25With the consumption of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets expected to double by 2030 due to rapid growth in electric mobility renewable energy electronics and defence applications it is essential for India to expand domestic capability and invest in this sector to reduce import dependence and ensure longterm selfreliance said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-takes-decisive-steps-toward-self-reliance-in-critical-materials-660659.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over70pcindian-recruiters-turning-to-ai-to-find-hidden-talentreport-660664.html New Delhi Feb 3 Even as finding the right talent is getting harder 71 per cent of recruiters in India said that artificial intelligence AI has helped them uncover candidates with skills they would have previously missed according to a new report on Tuesday The report by professional networking website LinkedIn based on a survey of 6554 global HR professionals noted that recruiters are using AI to spot the right skills and hire fasterAbout 80 per cent of recruiters reported that AI makes gaining insight into a candidateâs skills easier More than threequarters 76 per cent believe AI is already speeding up hiringAround eight in 10 Indian recruiters said they plan to expand their use of AI to support hiring goals evaluate applicants and source top talentA majority also plan to increase AI use for prescreening interviews in 2026 believing it will lead to more valuable recruitercandidate conversations 83 per cent faster hiring experience 83 per cent and better candidate insights 82 per centWeâre seeing a structural shift in hiring from pedigree and past titles to demonstrate skills and capability This shift is hard to execute at scale without AI Used responsibly AI helps recruiters detect the right skills earlier reduce screening friction and create a more consistent and fair evaluation processâ said Ruchee Anand APAC VP LinkedIn Talent SolutionsThe research showed that 74 per cent of recruiters now struggle to find qualified candidates even as hiring activity runs 40 per cent above prepandemic levels in IndiaThis is because recruiters are facing a volumequality mismatch Among recruiters who say hiring has become more difficult over half point to a surge in AIgenerated applications 53 per cent while many cite continued shortages in indemand skills 47 per centFurther as AI becomes more embedded in hiring expectations from candidates are rising too Professionals increasingly want visibility into how hiring decisions are made signalling a clear demand for transparencyHalf of recruiters 50 per cent in India now say they are under pressure to explain how AI is being used in their processes and hiring flow particularly when it comes to screening and shortlisting candidatesâOur priority at LinkedIn is to build AI tools like Hiring Assistant that serve as a decisionsupport layer in hiring so recruiters can find the right talent more quickly and confidently without compromising on quality or candidate experienceâ Anand said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over70pcindian-recruiters-turning-to-ai-to-find-hidden-talentreport-660664.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/white-collar-hiring-sees-3-pc-growth-in-india-in-jan-non-it-sectors-lead-660587.html New Delhi Feb 2 Indias whitecollar hiring began 2026 on a steady footing with a 3 per cent rise yearonyear in January driven by nonIT sectors and fresher hiring a report showed on Monday NonIT sectors were the primary drivers of this growth with BPOITES surging more than 21 per cent hospitalitytravel climbing over 15 per cent insurance advancing more than 7 per cent and healthcare gaining more than 5 per cent as per the Naukri JobSpeak IndexBanking and financial services was one major nonIT sector to see a decline slipping 15 per cent onyear Meanwhile the IT sector remained flat for the month Within this landscape AIML roles sustained strong momentum with a more than 34 per cent riseOver the past three months BPOITES has consistently ranked among the top 5 sectors for doubledigit YoY growthIn January 2026 hiring in the sector rose 21 per cent YoY supported by broadbased demand across experience levels including a strong 39 per cent increase in fresher hiring and a 9 per cent rise among professionals with 1316 years of experience Nonmetro cities emerged as key drivers with Jaipur more than 66 per cent and Ahmedabad over 43 per cent posting standout contributionsForeign multinational corporations MNCs were a major force behind this surge contributing more than an 80 per cent increase in hiring activity said the reportâItâs encouraging to see sustained yearonyear growth in key sectors like BPOITES and Hospitality These areas have shown consistent momentum over recent months and have kicked off 2026 on a strong positive note Equally promising is the robust performance from Indian IT MNCs which bodes well for the overall job marketâ said Dr Pawan Goyal Chief Business Officer NaukriGeographically the uptick was spearheaded by Pune over 23 per cent Chennai 18 per cent Bengaluru 17 per cent and Ahmedabad 16 per cent reflecting strong contributions from both established southern hubs and fastemerging western markets the findings showed IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/white-collar-hiring-sees-3-pc-growth-in-india-in-jan-non-it-sectors-lead-660587.html Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-crashes-over-2-300-points-after-budget-nifty-down-over-600-points-660483.html Mumbai Feb 1 The Indian stock market saw a sharp intraday fall on Sunday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget The Sensex crashed more than 2300 points from the dayâs high while Nifty slipped over 600 points during intraday trading as investors turned cautiousThe fall came despite the Budget announcing measures to accelerate economic growth while maintaining fiscal prudenceMarkets had opened nearly flat with Sensex adding a few points and Nifty slightly lower amid Budgetrelated caution and a weak rupee hovering near 92 per dollarAt the opening bell sectoral indices largely traded in the red Nifty metal emerged as the biggest loser down over 3 per cent while auto private banks oil and gas and consumer durables managed modest gainsBharat Electronics was among the top gainers on the Nifty as investors awaited increased allocation to the defence sector in the BudgetMarket analysts said the fall reflected investor caution as no major income tax reliefs were expected in this Budget following the significant tax cuts announced in 2025Minor tweaks in the tax regime and measures to support longterm growth were seen as positive but not enough to prevent the initial selloffâDefencelinked stocks and manufacturing exports could attract attention with PSU bank mergers and disinvestment announcements also being closely watchedâ analysts saidThe market is expected to remain volatile throughout the day with sharp movements possible depending on announcements related to fiscal policy capital expenditure sectoral incentives and the fiscal deficit target which is expected to be around 43â44 per cent of GDP for FY27Trading on the stock exchanges will continue until 330 pm though shares bought on January 30 cannot be sold today due to the settlement holidayAnalysts said investors are closely watching debt metrics deficit outcomes and borrowings scheduled for the coming year to gauge the governmentâs strategic direction IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-crashes-over-2-300-points-after-budget-nifty-down-over-600-points-660483.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026centretopromoteastrophysics-andastronomy-boosttelescope-facilities-660497.html New Delhi Feb 1 The Union government on Sunday announced plans to promote astrophysics and astronomy as well as boost telescope facilities in the country Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said this while presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget in the ParliamentâFour telescope infrastructure facilities to be set up or upgraded to promote astrophysics and astronomyâ the Finance Minister saidâThe new investments aim to expand Indiaâs observational capabilities support cuttingedge research and inspire the next generation of scientistsâ Sitharaman added while presenting Budget 2026The four facilities identified under the Budget announcement include the National Large Solar Telescope NLST the National Large Optical Infrared Telescope NLOT the Himalayan Chandra Telescope and the COSMOS 2 PlanetariumThe upgradation of NLST is aimed at advancing space weather research and solar atmospheric studies The Centre focuses on highresolution observations of the Sun Situated in a highaltitude desert in the Himalayas the NLST site offers excellent atmospheric conditions for solar coronagraphyThe NLOT is a proposed 1012 metre class groundbased facility designed to be Indiaâs premier largeaperture optical and infrared observatoryLocated in the highaltitude Indian Astronomical Observatory Ladakhs Hanle is part of a broader push to upgrade Indias astronomical capabilities alongside NLST It will also strengthen Indiaâs ability to observe faint and distant celestial objects including exoplanets nebulae and galaxiesUpgrading the Himalayan Chandra Telescope located in Ladakh will improve its sensitivity and instrumentation allowing more precise observations under exceptional atmospheric conditionsThe COSMOS 2 Planetarium will be developed as a modern public outreach and education centre helping popularise astronomy and space science among studentsThe new project is expected to establish Indiaâs position as a global leader in space research IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026centretopromoteastrophysics-andastronomy-boosttelescope-facilities-660497.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-471-pc-660502.html Mumbai Feb 1 Indian automobile manufacturer Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd on Sunday said that its sales in the domestic and international market including that of electric vehicles EV stood at 71066 units in January 2026 marking a 471 per cent rise yearonyear The total sales including EVs were 48316 units in January 2025Passenger vehicle domestic sales including electric vehicles rose 461 per cent YoY to 70222 units in January 2026 from 48076 units a year earlier the release saidFurther the passenger vehicle international business sales were 844 units in January 2026 posting a 2517 per cent uptick from 240 units in January 2025Electric vehicle sales across international business and domestic markets reached 9052 units in January 2026 up 727 per cent YoY the release saidThe company shared a major milestone in December 2024 that over 25 lakh TATAev cars are running on Indian roads Tatas Nexonev also created history by becoming the first electric car in India to cross one lakh cumulative salesTata Motors said in December that it accounted for around 66 per cent of all electric passenger vehicles sold in India meaning nearly two out of every three EVs on the road come from the Tata stableIts EV portfolio includes the Tiagoev Punchev Nexonev Curvvev and HarrierevThe Ministry of Heavy Industries MHI accelerated Indiaâs transition towards greater adoption of electric vehicles during 2025 with record investments under its Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the auto sector and the successful implementation of the PM EDRIVE initiativeClaims to the tune of Rs 199994 crore were disbursed under the PLIAuto Scheme during 202425Till December 31 2025 incentives have been provided for over 1361 lakh electric vehicles which include more than 1042 lakh twowheelers over 238 lakh threewheelers 79540 electric cars and 1391 electric buses an official statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-471-pc-660502.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-by-471-pc-660503.html Mumbai Feb 1 Indian automobile manufacturer Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd on Sunday said that its sales in the domestic and international market including that of electric vehicles EV stood at 71066 units in January 2026 marking a 471 per cent rise yearonyear The total sales including EVs were 48316 units in January 2025Passenger vehicle domestic sales including electric vehicles rose 461 per cent YoY to 70222 units in January 2026 from 48076 units a year earlier the release saidFurther the passenger vehicle international business sales were 844 units in January 2026 posting a 2517 per cent uptick from 240 units in January 2025Electric vehicle sales across international business and domestic markets reached 9052 units in January 2026 up 727 per cent YoY the release saidThe company shared a major milestone in December 2024 that over 25 lakh TATAev cars are running on Indian roads Tatas Nexonev also created history by becoming the first electric car in India to cross one lakh cumulative salesTata Motors said in December that it accounted for around 66 per cent of all electric passenger vehicles sold in India meaning nearly two out of every three EVs on the road come from the Tata stableIts EV portfolio includes the Tiagoev Punchev Nexonev Curvvev and HarrierevThe Ministry of Heavy Industries MHI accelerated Indiaâs transition towards greater adoption of electric vehicles during 2025 with record investments under its Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the auto sector and the successful implementation of the PM EDRIVE initiativeClaims to the tune of Rs 199994 crore were disbursed under the PLIAuto Scheme during 202425Till December 31 2025 incentives have been provided for over 1361 lakh electric vehicles which include more than 1042 lakh twowheelers over 238 lakh threewheelers 79540 electric cars and 1391 electric buses an official statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-by-471-pc-660503.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-charts-rare-earth-corridors-to-break-chinas-grip-on-critical-minerals-660504.html New Delhi Feb 1 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday unveiled a significant initiative designed to reshape Indiaâs engagement with critical minerals FM Sitharaman declared that the government will extend support to the mineralrich states of Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in establishing specialised rare earth corridorsThese corridors are envisioned as comprehensive hubs that will encompass the entire value chain of rare earth developmentâspanning mining processing research and advanced manufacturingThis announcement builds upon the rare earth permanent magnet scheme introduced in November 2025 marking a deliberate step towards strengthening Indiaâs domestic capabilities in a sector long dominated by importsThe Cabinet approved the scheme in November to promote the manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets in the country with an investment of Rs 7280 croreThis firstofitskind initiative aims to establish 6000 metric tons per annum of integrated rare earth permanent magnet REPM manufacturing capacity in India thereby enhancing selfreliance and positioning India as a key player in the global market according to the Cabinet communiqueAt present India relies heavily on supplies from China a dependence that has raised strategic concerns given the importance of rare earths in electronics renewable energy electric vehicles defence technologies and frontier manufacturingBy fostering indigenous capacity the government aims to secure supply chains vital to national growth and securityThe choice of states is far from arbitrary Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu possess abundant deposits of monazite and other beach sand minerals particularly along their coastal beltsThese resources are rich in rare earth elements making them natural candidates for integrated developmentThe corridors will not merely focus on extraction but will extend to highvalue processing and the production of rare earth magnets thereby ensuring that India captures greater economic and technological value from its own reservesIndustry observers have welcomed the move interpreting it as a strategic response to global anxieties over Chinaâs nearmonopoly in rare earth production and exportsThe initiative dovetails neatly with the objectives of the National Critical Minerals Mission and complements recent reforms in the mining sector aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiencyIt signals Indiaâs determination to achieve selfreliance in critical minerals a cornerstone of its broader industrial and energy transition IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-charts-rare-earth-corridors-to-break-chinas-grip-on-critical-minerals-660504.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cii-lauds-budget-2026-27-for-fiscal-prudence-capex-push-660511.html New Delhi Feb 1 The Confederation of Indian Industry CII on Sunday said the Union Budget 202627 with its nextâgeneration reforms builds confidence and its thrust on public capital expenditure will enhance private investment CII welcomed the continued focus on fiscal prudence noting that the fiscal deficit target of 43 per cent of GDP for FY27 reinforces confidence in Indiaâs macroeconomic managementThere is broad recognition on fiscal discipline including adherence to the debttoGDP glide path to reach 50 per cent of GDP by FY31 balanced with flexible policy calibrated to economic realities the industry body saidThe increase in public capital expenditure to Rs 122 lakh crore with effective capital expenditure exceeding Rs 17 lakh crore will crowd in private investment strengthen infrastructure and improve productivity across sectors it addedAt a time of heightened global uncertainty the Budget sends a reassuring signal of continuity credibility confidence and longterm vision for Indiaâs development journey said Chandrajit Banerjee Director General CIIFurther the focus on highquality infrastructure through new freight corridors expansion of inland waterways highspeed rail networks and the proposed infrastructure risk guarantee framework will significantly enhance logistics efficiency and reduce the cost of doing businessCII also highlighted that the emphasis on sectors such as semiconductors biopharma chemicals capital goods textiles sports goods critical minerals and electronics is timely and aligned with Indiaâs ambition to emerge as a global manufacturing hubThe expansion of the India Semiconductor Mission support for critical minerals and rejuvenation of industrial clusters will help deepen domestic value chains strengthen selfreliance and enhance export competitivenessThe industry body also welcomed strong support for MSMEs including the Rs 10000 crore SME Growth Fund enhanced credit support through TReDS and simplified compliance mechanisms which will improve access to finance and formalisationFurther the CII lauded the emphasis on ease of doing business commending the riskbased customs clearance greater digitisation reduced compliance burden and enhanced regulatory certainty which will improve the investment climate and support faster execution of projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cii-lauds-budget-2026-27-for-fiscal-prudence-capex-push-660511.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nasas-perseverance-rover-completes-1st-ai-planneddriveon-mars-660459.html New Delhi Feb 1 The sixwheeled Perseverance rover has completed the first drives on Mars that were planned by artificial intelligence AI NASA said Conducted on December 8 and 10 2025 the demonstration used generative AI to create waypoints for Perseverance The complex decisionmaking task is typically performed manually by the missionâs human rover planners at the US space agencyâs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern CaliforniaâThis demonstration shows how far our capabilities have advanced and broadens how we will explore other worldsâ said NASA Administrator Jared IsaacmanâAutonomous technologies like this can help missions to operate more efficiently respond to challenging terrain and increase science return as distance from Earth grows Itâs a strong example of teams applying new technology carefully and responsibly in real operationsâ he addedThe rover about the size of a car and carrying seven scientific instruments has been exploring Mars studying its geology and atmosphere as well as collecting samples since 2021During the demonstration the team leveraged a type of generative AI called visionlanguage models to analyse existing data from the surface mission datasetThe AI used the same imagery and data that human planners rely on to generate waypoints fixed locations where the rover takes up a new set of instructions so that Perseverance could safely navigate the challenging Martian terrainThe initiative was led out of JPLâs Rover Operations Center ROC in collaboration with Anthropic using the companyâs Claude AI modelsThe team for the sixwheeled scientist used a visioncapable AI to create a safe route over the Red Planetâs surface without the input of human route plannersNASA noted that on December 8 with generative AI waypoints in its memory Perseverance drove 689 feet 210 metres Two days later it drove 807 feet 246 metres IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nasas-perseverance-rover-completes-1st-ai-planneddriveon-mars-660459.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-hikes-component-manufacturing-outlay-to-rs-40-000-crore-announces-india-semiconductor-mission-20-660470.html New Delhi Feb 1 Giving a thrust to âMake in Indiaâ and domestic manufacturing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission ISM 20 while increasing the outlay for electronics component manufacturing to Rs 40000 crore to strengthen local production and innovation Indiaâs Semiconductor Mission 10 expanded the countryâs semiconductor capabilities and building on this the government will launch ISM 20 to produce equipment and materials develop fullstack Indian IP and strengthen supply chains she said while presenting the Budget 202627We will also focus on industryled research and training centres to develop technology and a skilled workforce The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme launched in April 2025 with an outlay of Rs 22999 crore already has investment commitments at double the targets the Finance Minister told the HouseThe Union Budget 202627 also proposed to introduce a dedicated Rs 10000 crore SME growth fund to create future jobs incentivising enterprises based on select criteriaâFor the labourintensive textile sector the Finance Minister proposed an integrated programme with five key components The first is the National Fibre Scheme aimed at achieving selfreliance in natural fibres like silk wool and jute as well as manmade and new industrialage fibresThe second is the Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme which seeks to modernise traditional clusters by providing capital support for machinery technology upgrades and common testing and certification centresThe third component is the National Handloom and Handicraft Programme NHHP designed to integrate and strengthen existing schemes while ensuring targeted support for weavers and artisansA government scheme for rareearth permanent magnets was launched in November 2025We now propose to support the mineralrich states of Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to establish dedicated rare earth corridors announced FM Sitharaman during her Budget speech IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-hikes-component-manufacturing-outlay-to-rs-40-000-crore-announces-india-semiconductor-mission-20-660470.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-27-hikes-govt-capex-to-rs-122-lakh-crore-in-big-push-to-infra-660473.html New Delhi Feb 1 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a capital expenditure of Rs 122 lakh crore in the Budget for 202627 to boost bigticket infrastructure projects for growth and jobs in the economy Presenting the Budget the Finance Minister said that an Infrastructure Risk Development Fund would be set up to accelerate the development of big projectsShe said to push economic growth the Budget proposes to deliver a powerful push to infrastructure including highways ports railways and power projects scale up manufacturing in 7 strategic sectors and create champion MSMEsThe government has maintained fiscal prudence and monetary stability whilst maintaining a strong thrust on public investments she said stressing that India must deeply integrate with global markets exporting more and attracting foreign investment as wellThe Finance Minister said that the government has undertaken comprehensive reforms towards creating employment boosting productivity and accelerating growth Over 350 reforms have been rolled out and the Reforms Express is well on its way and India will continue to take confident steps towards Viksit Bharat balancing ambition with inclusion she saidSithamaraman said that the Union Budget prepared in Kartivya Bhavan is based on three karatavyas duties We are inspired by three kartavya accelerate and sustain economic growth fulfill aspirations of people and build capacity and the third is to ensure that every family community and region has access to resourcesThe first kartavya is to scale up manufacturing in seven strategic and frontier sectors she saidShe said that the first requirement is to sustain the moment of momentum of structural reforms continuous adaptive and forwardlookingCuttingedge technologies including AI can serve as growth multipliers she addedOver 350 reforms have been rolled out As a growing economy with expanding trade and capital needs India must also remain deeply integrated with global markets she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-27-hikes-govt-capex-to-rs-122-lakh-crore-in-big-push-to-infra-660473.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-converting-waste-to-clean-energy-at-scale-hardeep-puri-660263.html New Delhi Jan 30 Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday highlighted that the Biofuels Zone at India Energy Week 2026 showcases how waste is being transformed into clean energy at scale in the country With 133 CBG compressed biogas plants commissioned of 926 TPD tonnes per day capacity and availability at 410 retail outlets Indiaâs CBG ecosystem is expanding rapidly strengthening energy security and sustainability the minister saidAnother 83 CBG are under construction and will create an additional capacity of around 700 TPD The TPD represents the daily capacity of waste feedstock such as agricultural residue that a plant can process to generate compressed biogas and organic manureCBG plants convert organic waste such as agricultural residue cattle dung municipal solid waste and sugarcane press mud into purified compressed methane These plants promoted under the SATAT scheme to reduce pollution and import dependency produce a renewable fuel with over 9095 per cent methane content acting as a direct green alternative to CNG in vehicles and industriesOrganic waste undergoes anaerobic decomposition to produce biogas which is then purified to remove carbon dioxide hydrogen sulphide and water vapour at the CBG plants CBG is similar to CNG in calorific value making it suitable for automotive industrial and commercial use It reduces reliance on imported natural gas promotes wastetoenergy decreases carbon emissions and boosts rural incomes The production of CBG also helps reduce reliance on imported natural gas and crude oilBesides the CBG plants produce highquality organic manure fermented organic manure as a byproduct which can be used in farms to increase crop yieldsThe SATAT Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme was launched on October 1 2018 aiming to establish 5000 CBG plants nationwide The plants also play a key role in responsible waste management and the reduction of pollutionIndia Energy Week 2026 Indiaâs flagship energy exhibition and conference is being held in Goa from January 27 to 30 It has brought together over 75000 energy professionals more than 700 global exhibitors from 120 countries along with global ministers senior policymakers industry leaders innovators and investors IEW 2026 highlights Indiaâs role in balancing energy access with decarbonisation goals while supporting discussions on secure sustainable and affordable energy through strategic investments new technologies and global partnerships IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-converting-waste-to-clean-energy-at-scale-hardeep-puri-660263.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/strong-economic-growth-jobsand-positive2026outlookdrivingconsumer-confidence-in-india-660266.html New Delhi Jan 30 A strong economic growth coupled with increasing job prospects and a positive outlook for 2026 is driving consumer confidence in India according to a report Market research firm Ipsosâ report showed that consumer sentiment in India increased by 14 percentage points in January 2026 placing the country second among 30 markets with a national index score of 607The report showed that this month the GCCI rose 05 points to 499 After stagnating for much of 2025 the index has increased for the third consecutive month reflecting an improved global mood to start 2026 The GCCI is currently 13 points higher than the same time last yearâThe rise in consumer sentiment reflects confidence in Indiaâs economic fundamentals supported by sustained domestic demand improving employment expectations and a positive outlook for growthâ said Suresh Ramalingam CEO Ipsos IndiaâTogether these factors are shaping more optimistic consumer perceptions and reinforcing Indiaâs position among the strongerperforming markets globallyâ he addedThe report cited mixed trends across subindices The PCSI economic expectations subindex rose sharply by 66 points while the PCSI employment subindex increased by 63 points reflecting strong optimism about future economic activity and job opportunitiesMeanwhile the current personal financial conditions subindex edged down slightly by 06 points and the investment climate subindex fell 20 points signalling some caution around personal finances and investmentFurther the Global Consumer Confidence Index GCCI is based on a monthly survey of more than 21000 adults under the age of 75 from 30 countries conducted on Ipsosâ Global Advisor online platform GCCI is calculated as the average of all surveyed countriesâ overall or ânationalâ indicesAmong the 30 countries surveyed Indonesia 626 leads the National Index followed by India 607 Only these two markets surpassed the 60point mark this monthEleven additional countries scored above 50 including Malaysia Thailand Sweden Brazil Mexico Australia the US the Netherlands Singapore Colombia and PolandAt the lower end France 398 Hungary 361 and Türkiye 346 recorded National Index scores below 40 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/strong-economic-growth-jobsand-positive2026outlookdrivingconsumer-confidence-in-india-660266.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ambuja-cements-clocks-258-pc-net-profit-jump-in-q3-with-highest-ever-quarterly-volume-660270.html Ahmedabad Jan 30 Adani Groupâs Ambuja Cements on Friday posted strong results for the OctoberDecember quarter Q3 FY26 with net profit surging 258 per cent yearonyear at Rs 3781 crore with highestever quarterly volume at 189 million tonnes up 17 per cent onyear While revenue was up 20 per cent EBITDA rose 53 per cent at Rs 1353 crore in the quarterWith net worth at Rs 69854 crore up by Rs 361 crore the cement major remains debt free and continues to maintain highest rating Crisil and CARE AAA stableA1 with healthy cash flows to sustain the capex programmeThe December quarter has been transformative for Ambuja Cements Among the most defining steps is the announcement of the amalgamation of ACC Limited and Orient Cement Limited with Ambuja Cements Limited creating a unified âOne Cement Platformâ that will accelerate âour growth trajectory operational excellence capital efficiency strengthen our leadership position and longterm value creationâ said the company in a statementAligned to its growth blueprint the company commissioned the 24 MTPA Marwar Grinding Unit expanding its total cement capacity to 109 MTPAâWe achieved highest ever quarterly volumes higher tradepremium cement sales resulting into better realisation than industry peers and better base capacity volume growth This has helped us to improve our market leadershipâ said Vinod Bahety Whole Time Director and CEO Ambuja CementsâWe are now working to fix some of the specific issues on cost importantly power cost share of green power fuel efficiency improvement of WHRSAFR improvement of logistics cost which is part of the blueprint to achieve the targeted cost of Rs 3650 PMT by March 2028â he informedThe company commissioned 225 MW solar power in the quarter taking renewable energy capacity to 898 MW and remains on track for 1122 MW by FY27âThe cost leadership journey has resulted in a 2 per cent lower cost of sales in Q3 same for 9 months FY26 is 3 per cent YoY and enabled our existing assets to deliver EBITDA of Rs 850 PMT in Q3 Rs 1045 in 9M and an overall EBITDA of Rs 718 PMT in Q3 Rs 943 in 9M The One Cement Platform will help us to accelerate on our efforts on efficiency and growthâ said Bahety IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ambuja-cements-clocks-258-pc-net-profit-jump-in-q3-with-highest-ever-quarterly-volume-660270.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/china-based-manga-piracy-website-forced-to-shut-down-report-660278.html New Delhi Jan 30 A Chinabased manga piracy website has been forced to shut down after a criminal complaint was filed with Chinese authorities multiple reports said Japanâs antipiracy coalition Content Overseas Distribution Association CODA worked with cyber security experts to identify the operator of BatoToIt is believed to be one of the worlds biggest manga piracy sites and the illegally uploaded content included Japanese manga reports www3nhkorjpCODA says the site had 60 domains and was accessed up to 350 million times a monthReports said that Batotoâs operator has since been released on bail and is expected to be formally indicted Batoâs operator was reportedly making over 57000 a month in illicit advertising revenueAccording to the coalition the website âobtained illegally uploaded manga for scanning and translating comic books The site is said to have had content in about 50 languages The problem of copyright piracy is getting worse as translation has been made easier through the widespread use of artificial intelligenceGoto Takero CODA Representative Director was quoted as saying that his group will continue to tackle the problem in view of the global popularity of Japanese mangaCODA announced the arrest of an individual on suspicion of copyright infringement on November 19th who âhas admitted to operatingâ Batoto and approximately 60 related sites such as xbatocom and mangaparkioBatoto grew to become one of the most recognisable online platforms for âscanalationâIn this technique manga manhwa and other comics are scanned edited with translated text and then distributed by online user communities according to reportsAccording to reports the 60 shuttered sites recorded a combined 350 million visits in May 2025 alone with Batoto making more than 400000 yuan around 57000 in advertising revenue during peak months IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/china-based-manga-piracy-website-forced-to-shut-down-report-660278.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-girl-child-day-across-mumbai-schools-660279.html New Delhi Jan 30 Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity recently observed National Girl Child Day with students from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC schools in Mumbai The day was observed on January 24 as part of the flagship CSR initiative Project UtthanIn a collaborative effort to promote early empowerment and equality Project Utthan by Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity in collaboration with the BMC observed National Girl Child Day across BMC schoolsâ according to an official statementRecognising that a just society begins with the foundational years the programme focused on early empowerment safety and equality for students in Classes 1 to 4Moving beyond traditional celebrations the initiative utilised experiential learning such as roleplaying and problemsolving to position girls as confident decisionmakersBy involving boys as allies the programme successfully reinforced values of empathy and shared responsibilityAligned with NEP 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission this collaboration reaffirms a commitment to closing learning gaps and nurturing a generation of aware compassionate and empowered young citizens the statement saidIn Mumbai the Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity in collaboration with the BMC Education Department have extended Utthan to all 947 BMC primary schools reaching 148 lakh students across 25 wards and eight mediumsThe project places special emphasis on Priya Vidyarthis progressive learners offering focused academic guidance and joyful learning experiences that help them grow steadilyA team of over 300 trained women Utthan Sahayaks forms the core of the programmeDrawn from local communities they support classroom teaching help students overcome learning gaps engage regularly with parents document childrenâs progress and strengthen trust at the community level Their presence has brought structure warmth and continuity to daily learningAcross India Project Utthan operates in five states supporting 1200 government schools and reaching nearly 180 lakh studentsIts focus on equitable access personalised support and NEPaligned practices positions it as a strong model for strengthening government education systems and helping children build the skills and confidence they need to succeed IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-girl-child-day-across-mumbai-schools-660279.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/wavex-invites-applications-from-startups-for-india-ai-summit-next-month-660281.html New Delhi Jan 30 Governmentâs startup accelerator platform WaveX on Friday said it has invited applications from startups for participation in the âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â next month WaveX will facilitate a dedicated Startup Exhibition Programme enabling selected startups to showcase their AIdriven products and solutions to a diverse national and international audienceAccording to IT Ministry startups operating in the AVGCXR segment and working on AIdriven products will be provided with dedicated showcase and business networking opportunities at the MIB Pavilion during the AI Impact SummitâThe MIB Pavilion will serve as a central hub for showcasing cuttingedge and emerging AI technologies in the media and entertainment sector enabling innovators to engage with policymakers industry leaders investors and global stakeholders and fostering collaboration across the creative and technology ecosystemâ said the ministryThe Summit from February 1620 at Bharat Mandapam here will serve as a key national platform for showcasing innovative Artificial Intelligence AI solutions and fostering collaboration across Indiaâs rapidly growing AI ecosystemThe âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â is expected to play a significant role in strengthening Indiaâs AI innovation ecosystem by facilitating structured engagement between startups and key stakeholdersWaveX focuses on fostering innovation in the media entertainment and language technology ecosystem It serves as a bridge between innovators government institutions and industry leadersThe upcoming AI Impact Summit has been designed with a clear focus on three outcomes as India gradually emerges as trusted partner in the world thanks to sovereign Models safety frameworks and a strong semiconductor ecosystemThe first objective of the Summit is impact â how AI models applications and the overall AI ecosystem can be used to improve efficiency increase productivity and create a multiplier effect for the economy The second objective is accessibility particularly for India and the Global South The third objective of the AI Impact Summit is safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/wavex-invites-applications-from-startups-for-india-ai-summit-next-month-660281.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cash-crunch-to-cut-shortpakistans-polio-vaccinationcampaign-660288.html IslamabadNew Delhi Jan 30 Pakistan has cut short the antipolio campaign over cash crunch and a slash in workers payments according to a media report The Tribune Express reported that the duration of the antipolio drive has been reduced to just four days from the earlier scheduled seven daysMajor cuts have also been made to the compensation of male and female polio workers area incharges and union council medical officersWhile polio workers previously paid a lump sum of 13000 Pakistani Rupees per campaign will now be paid 7000 Pakistani Rupees area incharges who earlier received a total of 19000 Pakistani Rupees for the campaign period will now be paid 9216 Pakistani RupeesThe Union council medical officers also face a slash in salary from 25000 Pakistani Rupees per campaign they will now receive only 16000 Pakistani Rupees the report saidThe reduced compensation is due to a shortage of funds with the health department facing a severe financial and economic crisis it addedAmid concerns over the possibility of further reductions polio workers have also launched a protest demanding a rollback of the wage cuts and restoration of the full previous compensation They warned of intensifying protests if the demands are not metTerming the move unjust female polio workers urged the government to curb âits own extravagance instead of robbing poor dailywage workers of their compensationâ The Pakistani government meanwhile has decided to continue the wage cuts in phases the report saidShockingly the report noted that claims by the district administration about eliminating polio in Rawalpindi last year are fake with new sampling has found a large presence of the polio virus in the citys sewageOfficial records also cite a significant increase in refusal cases in Rawalpindi including in posh areas such as KhayabaneSir Syed and Satellite TownTo curb the spread the health authorities have called for monthly antipolio campaigns and targetting families refusing polio dropsThe next antipolio campaign in Rawalpindi district will begin on February 2 and will continue from Monday February 2 to Thursday February 5 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cash-crunch-to-cut-shortpakistans-polio-vaccinationcampaign-660288.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aiims-research-day-fosters-discussion-on-innovation-ai-and-national-health-priorities-660293.html New Delhi Jan 30 The All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi on Friday observed AIIMS Research Day 2026 showcasing innovation artificial intelligence AI and national health priorities The scientific programme held at the Jawaharlal Auditorium brought together faculty members researchers clinicians and students from across disciplines who reaffirmed their commitment to innovation translational science and nationally relevant health researchâAIIMS Research Day provides an important institutional platform to recognise research excellence encourage young investigators and align our scientific efforts with national health priorities As Indiaâs premier public medical institution AIIMS remains committed to fostering innovation strengthening translational research and creating an enabling ecosystem that supports impactful patientcentred scienceâ said Prof M Srinivas Director All India Institute of Medical Sciences New DelhiThe Day served as a platform to celebrate research excellence encourage interdisciplinary dialogue and reaffirm the institutionâs role in advancing evidencebased healthcare innovation and policyrelevant research in IndiaProfessor Nikhil Tandon Dean Research informed that AIIMS Delhi currently anchors one of the countryâs most active publicsector research ecosystems with over 1000 funded biomedical research projects supported by investments exceeding Rs 300 croreFiftyseven scientists from AIIMS New Delhi are ranked among the worldâs top two per cent of researchersHe noted that AIIMS has also expanded its focus on research translation with its innovation and incubation programme having received over 140 innovation applications supported 30 startups and facilitated more than Rs 25 crore in external fundingFurther Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman Chief Executive Officer Anusandhan National Research Foundation spoke on AI for science and engineering and highlighted the transformative role of emerging technologiesâThe integration of AI with science and engineering offers unprecedented opportunities to accelerate research enhance problemsolving and address complex societal challenges Institutions such as AIIMS play a critical role in translating these technological advances into solutions that directly benefit public health and national developmentâ Dr KalyanaramanThe daylong event also featured platform and poster presentations by undergraduate and postgraduate medical students residents doctoral scholars and nursing students reflecting strong research engagement across the academic and career life courseThe sessions were complemented by discussions on emerging research challenges national health priorities and the future of interdisciplinary collaboration IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aiims-research-day-fosters-discussion-on-innovation-ai-and-national-health-priorities-660293.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-soon-sign-fta-with-chile-to-boost-access-to-critical-minerals-piyush-goyal-660298.html New Delhi Jan 30 India will soon conclude a free trade agreement FTA with Chile which will help the country secure access to critical minerals Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday Referring to the agreement with the EFTA countries he said it includes a commitment of 100 billion in foreign direct investment into India aimed at supporting infrastructure development innovation and precision manufacturingThis investment he said has the potential to generate nearly 50 lakh jobs He also highlighted New Zealandâs commitment to invest 20 billion in India over the next 15 years compared to its total investment of only 70 million over the past 25 yearsIndia has signed eight free trade agreements in the last four years reflecting a fundamental shift in the countryâs engagement with the global economy the minister informedThese agreements cover major economies across Europe and other regions including the 27nation European Union the fournation EFTA bloc comprising Switzerland Liechtenstein Norway and Iceland the United Kingdom Australia New Zealand the United Arab Emirates and OmanThe Minister noted that these agreements are opening up new and significant opportunities for Indian talent skills and young professionals while strengthening Indiaâs integration with global value chainsCiting the IndiaâEuropean Union FTA Goyal said it covers nearly onethird of humanity accounts for about 25 per cent of global GDP and represents a significant share of global trade while addressing the World Forum of Accountants organised by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI in Greater NoidaHe said it was for no small reason that the President of the European Commission had described the IndiaâEU FTA as the âmother of all dealsâGoyal said that the European Union alone imports goods worth nearly 7 trillion and services worth 3 trillion together representing a 10 trillion market He said that Indiaâs current exports are only a small fraction of this potential and emphasised that the opportunities before India are unprecedented and must be seized IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-soon-sign-fta-with-chile-to-boost-access-to-critical-minerals-piyush-goyal-660298.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/soaring-food-inflation-unemployment-ratesdeepenpakistans-socioeconomiccrisis-660299.html New Delhi Jan 30 Pakistanâs socioeconomic crisis is being worsened by rising food inflation and unemployment rates according to a media report Maldives Insight cited the World Bankâs data to show that about 45 per cent of the population in Pakistan is classified as living below the Poverty Line BPL The countryâs unemployment rate remains at a 21year low with investment at a 50year low and gross debttoGDP ratio at 713 per centâAll this deepens stagnation inequality fiscal strain and IMF dependency complicates reforms even as debt default risk increasesâ the report saidFurther the report cited increasing monthly household expenditure on food from 8679 in 201819 to 8807 in 202324The data from the latest Household Integrated Economic Survey also showed a decline in food consumption to 8147 kg from 8695 kg during the same periodâA major share of household income is spent on basic food items The second largest share of expenditure is on housing water electricity gas and other fuels reflecting the rising cost of housing and utilitiesâ reads the survey published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics PBSIn addition a declining foreign inflow increased Pakistanâs debttoGDP ratio It reached 714 per cent even though the statutory limit set by law is 60 per centAs a result the countrys investment ratio fell to just 131 per cent of GDP the lowest in 50 years instead of the target of 15 per cent forcing it to seek external loans to meet its development needs the report said It added that the ratio may further slip below 13 per centAlmost 560 per cent of Pakistanâs budget goes to debt servicing forcing international financial institutions to call Pakistanâs debt unsustainableâHow can any investor commit capital to a nation where deeprooted uncertainty is the norm a fact clearly mirrored in the steady decrease of foreign direct investmentâ said Aamir Aziz a textile manufacturer and exporter from PakistanAccording to Yousuf Nazar former head of Citigroupâs emerging markets investments Pakistanâs debt has emerged as the central limitation on both fiscal policy and economic growthâPakistanâs debt burden has already breached the threshold of sustainabilityâ he saidâThe choice now is stark summon the political will for reform or remain trapped in a cycle where yesterdayâs borrowing consumes each new budget Debt service has become not just a fiscal constraint but a social crisisâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/soaring-food-inflation-unemployment-ratesdeepenpakistans-socioeconomiccrisis-660299.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-finally-gets-sebi-nod-for-ipo-all-eyes-on-drhp-now-660306.html Mumbai Jan 30 The National Stock Exchange NSE on Friday announced it has received the SEBI approval for its longawaited initial public offering IPO NSEs IPO plans had been stalled for more than a decade as the markets regulator did not grant approval due to regulatory concerns related to governance lapses and the colocation caseWith SEBIâs nod in place NSE will now finalise the structure and timing of its IPO NSE is reportedly said to be planning to file its draft listing papers by the March end and is in discussions with investment bankers and law firms to finalise the IPO papersHowever the NSE IPO depends on the clearing of the draft red herring prospectus DRHPâWe are delighted to receive SEBI approval for our IPO â a significant milestone in our growth journey With SEBIâs approval we embark on a new chapter of value creation for all our stakeholdersâ said Srinivas Injeti Chairperson NSEâThis approval also reinforces confidence in NSE being an integral part of the Indian economy and a beacon of Indian capital marketsâ he said in a statementNSE has been trying to list its shares since 2016 However the plan was held up due to regulatory probes linked to its colocation facility and broader governance issuesAshishkumar Chauhan Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NSE this month visited Tirupati with his family and offered prayers at the temple of Lord Venkateshwara seeking blessings for the exchange its members shareholders and the country He said that prayers were offered for the wellbeing of NSE and for the broader growth of the nationEarlier SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated that NSE was expected to receive approval for its muchawaited IPO within this monthMarket participants were closely watching regulatory developments around NSEâs proposed IPO which is expected to be one of the most significant listings in Indiaâs capital markets NSE is the most widely held unlisted firm in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-finally-gets-sebi-nod-for-ipo-all-eyes-on-drhp-now-660306.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-sees-india-as-key-partner-in-pax-silica-ai-push-660320.html Washington Jan 30 The US is positioning India as a key future partner in a new economic security framework aimed at securing global supply chains for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said on Friday Speaking at the Hudson Institute Helberg said Washington is preparing to expand its Pax Silica initiative The effort is an economic security coalition focused on semiconductors critical minerals logistics and AI infrastructureHe said the US âlooks forward to welcoming India next monthâ as part of the partnership highlighting New Delhiâs growing role in technology and supply chain discussionsHelberg said the global technology landscape has changed sharply over the past decade He said longheld assumptions in Washington no longer holdâThe hardware of our modern life the silicon that powers everything from your kidsâ smartphones to our most advanced kinetic weapons has become the primary theatre of strategic competitionâ he said adding that supply chains are no longer neutral commercial systems but tools of geopolitical powerHelberg said the Trump administration views the AI race as a contest on three fronts innovation market diffusion and supply chain security He warned that shortages of chips minerals or infrastructure could slow progress across the technology stackâWinning the AI race means winning on three frontsâ he saidHelberg pointed to what he described as a resurgence of the US economy He cited growth of 54 per cent and said the worldâs ten largest companies by market capitalisation are all American most of them technology firmsHe credited that performance to President Donald Trumpâs economic agenda He said the administration is determined to ensure Americanled systems become the global default in emerging technologiesPax Silica Helberg said is meant to turn that ambition into coordinated action with trusted partners He described it as a coalition of technologically capable economies that together account for a dominant share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacityAlong with Indiaâs expected entry Helberg said recent partners include Qatar and the United Arab Emirates He said discussions are also underway with countries in Europe Asia and the Western HemisphereThe initiative will operate along three lines of effort membership policy and projects On policy Helberg said partners are working toward shared definitions of sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure He said discussions are also underway on antidumping practicesOn projects Helberg said the focus will be on industrial capacity and logistics Pilot efforts will be launched on a bilateral or âplurilateralâ basis rather than through a single multilateral modelHelberg said the private sector will remain âour biggest weaponâ He said governments should remove regulatory hurdles protect intellectual property and create incentives rather than run projects themselvesHe said securing supply chains will require more than policy coordination It will also require productdriven solutions including intelligent logistics systems that can anticipate disruptionsOn China Helberg said Pax Silica is ânot a China strategyâ but âan America strategyâ He said the focus is on ensuring reliable and competitive access to minerals manufacturing and logisticsHe said the US will take a âtrust but verifyâ approach with partners and avoid rigid âpurity testsâ that could weaken cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-sees-india-as-key-partner-in-pax-silica-ai-push-660320.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tests-underway-for-uncrewed-mission-gaganyaan-slated-for-2027-isro-chairman-660323.html New Delhi Jan 30 The ISRO is undertaking several tests for the launch of Gaganyaans first uncrewed mission G1 slated for March ahead of its human spaceflight in 2027 Chairman V Narayanan said on Friday Speaking to reporters Narayanan stated that the tests are focused on enhancing the safety of Gaganyatris Shubhanshu Shukla Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Ajit Krishnan and Angad PratapEvery system involved in the mission has to be qualified he saidGaganyaan programme is planned in 2027 Before that three uncrewed missions are planned We are working towards the first uncrewed mission the ISRO chief saidThere are a lot of tests that are happening The safety of the Gaganyaan mission is very important We have to be very careful and qualify every system In the rocket system we need to score a hundred out of a hundred he addedThe G1 mission is about 90 per cent complete with more than 8000 ground tests including structural qualifications successfully conducted This is paving the way for software simulations and environmental validations to meet the targeted scheduleThe G1 test along with the Vyommitra robot is being planned for March 2026 and will validate life support reentry and recovery systemsPreviously Narayanan also ruled out possible delays in the Gaganyaan mission due to the backtoback PSLV rocket launch failureWhile noting that an investigation into the failures is underway he stated that the programmes are independent of each otherThe Gaganyaan mission will carry astronauts to low Earth orbit for a 3day mission and bring them back safely to EarthThe astronauts will be launched into a 400 km orbit aboard the humanrated LVM3 rocketGaganyaans success will mark a major step for India in space exploration It will also pave the way for future missions and a space station by 2035 and a manned moon mission by 2040 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tests-underway-for-uncrewed-mission-gaganyaan-slated-for-2027-isro-chairman-660323.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-lng-powered-passenger-train-enters-service-in-ahmedabad-660327.html Ahmedabad Jan 30 Indian Railways has taken a major step towards cleaner rail transport with the arrival of the countryâs first passenger train powered by liquefied natural gas LNG in Ahmedabad The train has entered regular service after completing extensive trials officials confirmed on Friday and is capable of covering up to 2200 kilometres on a single tankThe LNGbased dual fuel train was reviewed at the Integrated Coaching Depot in Sabarmati by Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved PrakashAddressing the media he said the initiative marked a shift from conventional diesel operations towards more economical and environmentally responsible technologyâThis is the first time Indian Railways has operated a passenger service using LNG The system delivers almost three times the overall benefits of diesel in terms of efficiency cost and environmental impactâ he saidAs part of the project Diesel Electric Multiple Unit DEMU trains and their Driving Power Cars DPC which previously depended solely on diesel are being modified to operate on a combination of diesel and LNGTwo power cars each rated at around 1400 horsepower have already been converted under the programmeRailway officials said both units completed field trials exceeding 2000 kilometres and have since been inducted into normal passenger operations without disruptionOfficials highlighted that the use of LNG results in a marked reduction in exhaust emissions Levels of carbon dioxide nitrogen oxides and particulate matter are significantly lower compared to dieselonly operations leading to better air quality along railway routesVed Prakash said engine output and operational reliability remain unchanged under the dual fuel system which allows automatic switching between fuels based on availabilityFinancial savings form a key component of the initiativeAccording to railway estimates the conversion can generate annual savings of around Rs 119 lakh per DPC In the case of an eightcoach DEMU train fitted with two power cars the savings could rise to approximately Rs 239 lakh each year due to lower fuel costs and reduced refuelling requirementsEach modified power car is equipped with an LNG tank designed to support longdistance operationsOngoing trials are being conducted on the MahesanaâSabarmati section and officials said the technology is expected to be extended to eight to 10 additional trains after completion of mandatory tests and approvals by the Research Designs and Standards OrganisationRailway authorities said the introduction of LNGpowered passenger trains reflects Indian Railwaysâ broader efforts to lower emissions reduce operating costs and modernise its services through the adoption of cleaner energy solutions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-lng-powered-passenger-train-enters-service-in-ahmedabad-660327.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tariff-talks-between-s-korea-howard-lutnick-conclude-without-agreement-660359.html Washington Jan 31 South Koreas Industry Minister Kim Jungkwan said that his talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over renewed trade tensions ended without reaching a conclusion but their understanding of each others positions has deepened They met at the Commerce Department in Washington for the second straight day after US President Donald Trumps threatened on Monday to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent citing a delay in the Asian countrys legislative process supporting the implementation of a bilateral trade deal reports Yonhap news agencyOur understanding of each others positions has deepened There were discussions on how to find a middle ground Kim told reporters as he walked out of the Commerce DepartmentWe need more talks We have not yet reached a conclusion he addedAsked if there were discussions about when the US will actually raise the tariffs he refused to elaborate Negotiations are ongoing he saidKim and Lutnick plan to continue talks via video link after Kim returns home the minister saidDuring this weeks talks with Lutnick Kim was expected to underscore Seouls commitment to fulfilling its investment pledge under the trade deal with Washington that was first struck in late July and finalised months laterUnder the deal South Korea has committed to investing US350 billion in the United States among other pledges in return for the US lowering of reciprocal tariffs on South KoreaUS President Donald Trump earlier said that his administration will work something out with South Korea after he threatened earlier this week to raise reciprocal tariffs and other levies on the Asian allyWe will work something out with South Korea he said during a press availability at the White House responding to a question about whether he would increase tariffs on KoreaOn Monday Trump made the surprise announcement of a plan to increase reciprocal tariffs and auto lumber and pharmaceutical duties on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent taking issue with a delay in Seouls legislative procedures supporting the implementation of the trade deal IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tariff-talks-between-s-korea-howard-lutnick-conclude-without-agreement-660359.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cold-weather-delays-artemis-ii-mission-to-moon-to-february-8-nasa-660370.html New Delhi Jan 31 Amid cold weather conditions with winds moving through Florida NASA announced that it now targets to launch the Artemis II mission to the Moon on February 8 Earlier the mission set to launch a team of four astronauts on a journey around the Moon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida was planned for launch on February 6âDue to weather we now plan to fuel our Artemis II Moon rocket on Monday Feb 2 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida With this adjustment the earliest possible launch date is Sunday Feb 8 A launch date will be set after teams have reviewed the results of the wet dress rehearsalâ NASA shared in a post on social media platform XâOver the past several days engineers have been closely monitoring conditions as cold weather and winds move through Florida Managers have assessed hardware capabilities against the projected forecast given the rare arctic outbreak affecting the state and decided to change the timelineâ NASA addedThe US space agency stated that teams and preparations at the launch pad remain ready for the wet dress rehearsal However adjusting the timeline for the test will position NASA for success during the rehearsal as the expected weather this weekend would violate launch conditionsWhile the Artemis II crew remains in quarantine in Houston engineers have kept Orion powered and have configured its heaters for the colder temperatures NASA saidPurges used to maintain proper environmental conditions for elements of the spacecraft and rocket including the booster aft skirts are also configured for the weatherThe 10day mission will set the stage for Artemis III slated for launch in 2027 when humans will land on the lunar South Pole for the first time and set up a longterm presence thereIt comes after 50 years of the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972 when man first landed on the MoonThe Artemis II crew includes NASAâs commander Reid Wiseman pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agencyâs CSA Jeremy HansenWith Artemis II NASA will rigorously test its Orion spacecraft and deepspace exploration systems in real conditions The spacecraft however will not make a landing on the lunar surface IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cold-weather-delays-artemis-ii-mission-to-moon-to-february-8-nasa-660370.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-cracks-down-to-curb-diversion-misuse-of-fertilisers-in-crop-season-660371.html New Delhi Jan 31 The government has issued 14692 showcause notices suspended or cancelled 6373 licenses and registered 766 first information reports FIRs to curb the diversion and misuse of fertilisers during the Kharif and the ongoing Rabi season 2025â26 AprilâMid January 2026 to safeguard farmer interests and ensure the integrity of the national fertiliser supply chain an official statement said on Saturday In collaboration with state governments and districtlevel authorities extensive enforcement actions including inspections raids and legal proceedings were carried out during the crop season The Department of Fertilizers DoF in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Farmersâ Welfare DAampFW undertook a comprehensive enforcement driveâThese proactive and stringent measures ensure the timely availability of fertilisers strengthen market discipline and preserve the integrity of fertiliser distribution systems nationwideâ said the statementImbalanced fertilisation has farreaching consequences beyond soil degradation These processes further contribute to environmental contamination and pose potential health risksAccording to the statement the adverse effects also extend to the livestock sector as crops cultivated on nutrientdepleted soils often lack essential minerals required in feed and fodder resulting in compromised animal health and diminished productivityConsequently nutrient imbalance constitutes a significant constraint to the longterm sustainability and efficiency of integrated croplivestock production systemsThe government has been actively promoting balanced fertilisation as a core strategy to restore and sustain soil health thereby supporting sustainable agricultural productivityNotably the soil health card provides farmers with a comprehensive understanding of the nutrient status and physicochemical conditions of their soilsIt also offers cropspecific recommendations on the appropriate use of chemical fertilisers biofertilisers organic inputs and soil treatments to support informed decisionmaking and longterm soil health managementBy July 2025 the scheme had provided more than 93000 farmer training programmes approximately 68 lakh field demonstrations and thousands of awareness campaignsâAs of midNovember 2025 over 2555 crore soil health cards have been distributed across the country reflecting the scale and outreach of the scheme in promoting balanced nutrient managementâ said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-cracks-down-to-curb-diversion-misuse-of-fertilisers-in-crop-season-660371.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/blue-origin-to-pause-space-tourism-for-2-years-focus-onlunar-human-flight-programme-660381.html New Delhi Jan 31 Jeff Bezosâ Blue Origin has announced plans to pause space tourism and instead will focus on landing humans on the Moon In a blogpost Blue Origin shared that it will be retiring its New Shepard the first reusable spaceflight system to vertically land for at least two yearsThe company said it will shift resources to further accelerate development of the companys human lunar capabilitiesThe decision reflects Blue Origins commitment to the nations goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent sustained lunar presenceâ the post addedSince 2021 New Shepard has provided flight to suborbital space lasting 11 minutes above the Karman line the internationally recognised boundary of spaceThe USbased company has to date flown 38 times and carried 98 humans above the KÃrmÃn line The last flight took place a week agoThe suborbital vehicle has also launched more than 200 scientific and research payloads from students academia research organisations and NASAâThis consistent and reliable performance combined with an exceptional customer experience has resulted in a multiyear customer backlogâ the company saidMeanwhile Blue Origin holds a 34 billion contract with NASA to develop its Blue Moon lander designed to ferry NASA astronauts to and fro from the MoonBlue Moon is expected to launch the Artemis 5 mission targeted to launch in 2029The company also plans to launch a pathfinder version of Blue Moon designated as the Blue Moon Mark 1 MK1SN001 on a robotic demonstration mission to the lunar surface later this yearBlue Moon Mark 1 MK1 is a singlelaunch lunar cargo lander that remains on the surface and provides safe reliable and affordable access to the lunar environment MK1 will provide cargo transport leveraging the 7metre fairing of the New Glenn launch vehicle to deliver up to three metric tons anywhere on the lunar surfaceEarlier this month the company also announced plans to build a satellite communication network called TeraWave to deliver connectivity to data centers governments and businessesBlue Origin said it will begin deploying the network in the fourth quarter of 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/blue-origin-to-pause-space-tourism-for-2-years-focus-onlunar-human-flight-programme-660381.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-smartphone-purchase-pattern-changes-as-iphone-16-tops-sales-chart-660391.html Mumbai Jan 31 Indian consumersâ smartphone buying patterns showed a marked shift moving away from the traditional budgetâsegment dominance as Apple Incâs iPhone 16 base variant emerged as the topâselling smartphone model in 2025 a report has said Counterpoint Research report said that India recorded about 154 million smartphone shipments in 2025 of which the iPhone 16 base model accounted for roughly 616 million units representing about 4 per cent of the overall market by volumeThe iPhone 16 launched in September 2024 is priced at around Rs 71000 for the base variantAround 60 per cent of premium smartphones in India are now purchased on equated monthly instalment EMI plans Counterpoint Research foundThe deviceâs strong selling in India is due to Apples brand appeal and financing options such as EMIs that have broadened affordability further supported by exchange offersApple CEO Tim Cook recently has said that the Cupertinobased company set a quarterly revenue record during the OctoberDecember period in IndiaIndia has seen Apple production and exports touching new highs with each quarterFor the December quarter Apple set alltime revenue records in the Americas Europe Japan and the rest of Asia PacificâWe continued to gain momentum in emerging markets which includes India where we saw strong doubledigit revenue growthâ said Cook during the earnings call late on Thursday US time adding that the company has plans to open another store in Mumbai soonResponding to an analyst the Apple CEO said they did set a quarterly revenue record during the December quarter in IndiaâIndia is the secondlargest smartphone market in the world and the fourth largest PC marketâ he said adding that the company set quarterly revenue records on iPhone and Mac and iPad and an alltime revenue record on servicesKevan Parekh Appleâs CFO said iPhone revenue was 853 billion up 23 per cent yearoveryear driven by the iPhone 17 family IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-smartphone-purchase-pattern-changes-as-iphone-16-tops-sales-chart-660391.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/epstein-files-claim-bill-gates-caught-sexually-transmitted-infection-sought-antibiotics-for-melinda-660395.html New Delhi Jan 31 Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates contracted sexually transmitted disease STD after alleged sexual encounters with Russian girlsâ and asked for antibiotics for his thenwife Melinda French Gates according to the latest claim in the Epstein files The fresh allegations come as the US Justice Department released a large batch of files encompassing over three million pages of records 2000 videos and 180000 images related to its investigation into financier Jeffrey EpsteinEpstein likely made the claims in draft emails dated July 18 2013 on behalf of Gates longtime science adviser Boris NikolicIt claimed involvement in activities ranging from allegedly helping Gates obtain drugs to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girlsThe draft also describes Gates asking Epstein to delete correspondence related to the alleged incident and provide antibiotics for Melinda Gates secretlyIn a separate draft email addressed to Gates Epstein again writing as Nikolic accused the billionaire of attempting to stage a coverup to protect his public imageThe draft alleges Gates asked for antibiotics so they could be given to Melinda without her knowledge and urged the deletion of emails referring to an alleged STDThe draft stated You implore me to please delete the emails regarding your STD sic your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to MelindaMeanwhile a spokesperson for Gates strongly rejected the claims contained in the documents calling them absolutely absurd and completely falseThe only thing these documents demonstrate is Epsteins frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame the spokesperson saidThe latest document release also unveiled a list of highprofile individuals including US President Donald Trump Tesla chief Elon Musk former Prince Andrew MountbattenWindsor and acclaimed Indian American filmmaker Mira NairJeffrey Epstein a wealthy US financier died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sextrafficking charges involving underage girls His death was officially ruled a suicide IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/epstein-files-claim-bill-gates-caught-sexually-transmitted-infection-sought-antibiotics-for-melinda-660395.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ccrasconcludesinternshipprogramme-on-aiapplications-in-ayush-660406.html New Delhi Jan 31 The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS has successfully concluded its Internship Programme on Artificial Intelligence AI in Ayush systems the Ministry of Ayush said on Saturday The programme conducted from December 15 to strengthen the application of information technology and datadriven approaches in Ayush research concluded on January 30It also offered an interactive and interdisciplinary learning environment enabling interns to integrate traditional Ayush concepts with modern computational toolsProf Rabinarayan Acharya Director General DG CCRAS highlighted the strategic importance of AI in advancing the Ayush sector and outlined the ongoing initiatives of CCRAS in this areaâThe applications developed during the internship should be carried forward for validation and scaling through structured projectmode implementationâ he addedA total of 180 applications were received for the internship from which 33 students were selected following a structured screening process The participants worked on a wide range of AIenabled projects including applications in medicinal plant research bioinformatics Prakriti assessment medical imaging posture detection and optical character recognition OCR of manuscriptsThe projects were aligned with CCRASâs broader objectives of digital documentation evidence generation and technologyenabled validation of traditional knowledge systemsMentorship by domain experts encouraged innovation critical thinking and practical problemsolving among the participantsThey appreciated the efforts of the interns and emphasised the growing relevance of emerging technologies in strengthening evidencebased research across Ayush systemsâThe internship programme reflects CCRASâs continued commitment to capacity building innovation and institutional strengthening by engaging young talent and promoting the use of advanced technologies in Ayush research and developmentâ the Ministry saidâThe initiative is expected to contribute to the creation of a robust research ecosystem and support the longterm vision of mainstreaming Ayush through evidencebased and technologydriven approachesâ it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ccrasconcludesinternshipprogramme-on-aiapplications-in-ayush-660406.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sc-ruling-on-menstrual-hygienea-landmark-stepfor-womens-dignity-stigma-free-education-experts-660422.html New Delhi Jan 31 The Supreme Courtâs recognition of menstrual hygiene as a right to life is a landmark step for womenâs dignity and stigmafree education said public health experts on Saturday The apex court on Friday ruled that access to menstrual hygiene is an integral part of a girl childâs right to life dignity health and educationA Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan while observing that âa period should end a sentence not a girlâs educationâ stated that the government bears a positive obligation under Article 21 of the Constitution to protect the right to health particularly the menstrual health of girl childrenThe SC also issued a comprehensive set of mandatory directions to all states and UTs union territories to ensure free sanitary napkins functional gendersegregated toilets and menstrual health awareness in every school across the countryâMenstrual hygiene in schools has been a longstanding problem that requires assertive intervention By mandating these measures we are preventing infections promoting equality and removing stigma We are protecting the childâs mental health and also reducing absenteeism essentially ensuring that a natural biological process does not become a barrier to a childâs futureâ Rajeev Jayadevan ExPresident of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell Kerala told IANSThe 127page detailed judgment observed that lack of access to menstrual hygiene management MHM products forces girls to resort to unhygienic alternatives such as rags or cloth or use of menstrual absorbents for prolonged periods which have demonstrably adverse consequences for their healthâRecognising menstrual health as a fundamental right is a landmark step Free sanitary pads in schools can reduce absenteeism and health risks for girlsâ Poonam Muttreja Executive Director Population Foundation of India told IANSâBut dignity also requires sustainable product choices safe disposal mechanisms water and sanitation facilities and stigmafree education without these access alone cannot deliver lasting health or environmental outcomesâ she addedIssuing a slew of directions the Court ordered that all schools governmentrun as well as privately managed must have functional gendersegregated toilets with usable water connectivity handwashing facilities with soap and infrastructure catering to children with disabilitiesOn the availability of menstrual absorbents the top court directed states and UTs to ensure that every school provides oxobiodegradable sanitary napkins free of cost preferably through vending machines within toilet premisesâEach toilet unit shall be equipped with a covered waste bin for the collection of sanitary material and cleanliness and regular maintenance of such bins shall be ensured at all timesâ the apex court saidDr Ishwar Gilada a Mumbaibased Consultant in HIV STIs and Sexual Health told IANS that as ordered by the SC timebound implementation making menstrual health part of sexual health and making it a shared responsibility not only that of women is crucialâIt is not only important to provide free sanitary napkins but even their safe disposal is equally important The Ministry of Health need not wait for another followup order on disposal of sanitary pads A vending machine approach just like it was initiated for condoms is needed for the hourâ Gilada added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sc-ruling-on-menstrual-hygienea-landmark-stepfor-womens-dignity-stigma-free-education-experts-660422.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/industry-minister-says-unnecessary-misunderstandings-resolved-via-tariff-talks-with-us-660424.html Seoul Jan 31 South Koreas Industry Minister Kim Jungkwan said on Saturday that he thinks unnecessary misunderstandings were resolved through his talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington over renewed trade tensions this week Kim made the remark upon his return home at Incheon International Airport in Incheon west of Seoul after holding meetings at the Commerce Department on Thursday and Friday US time which ended without reaching a conclusion reports Yonhap news agencyOur mutual understanding has deepened significantly Kim said I believe some unnecessary misunderstandings have been resolvedKims trip came after US President Donald Trump threatened Monday to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent citing delays in the Asian countrys legislative process supporting the implementation of a bilateral trade dealLast year the two countries agreed on a trade deal under which South Korea would invest 350 billion in the United States in return for a cut in tariff ratesThe ruling Democratic Party submitted a bill to parliament in November to implement the bilateral trade and investment deal which has yet to be passedWe have sufficiently explained that the South Korean government has no intention at all not to implement the tariff agreement reached then nor delay it Kim saidThe industry minister noted that the special bill is expected to be processed quickly and explained the background of the delay to the US sideMeanwhile Jungkwan his talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over renewed trade tensions ended without reaching a conclusion but their understanding of each others positions has deepenedThey met at the Commerce Department in Washington for the second straight day after US President Donald Trumps threatened on Monday to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent citing a delay in the Asian countrys legislative process supporting the implementation of a bilateral trade dealOur understanding of each others positions has deepened There were discussions on how to find a middle ground Kim told reporters as he walked out of the Commerce DepartmentWe need more talks We have not yet reached a conclusion he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/industry-minister-says-unnecessary-misunderstandings-resolved-via-tariff-talks-with-us-660424.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscures-the-devastating-reality-report-660430.html New Delhi Jan 31 As the Pakistanâs government goes gaga over record remittances â 385 billion in FY25 â the narrative actually obscures the devastating reality that the country is haemorrhaging its future a new report has revealed The reality is that mass departure of doctors engineers and skilled professionals âshould not be called a point of pride but a shameful and profound policy failureâ reports The Express TribuneA nation cannot build its future on money wired from abroad while the talent needed to deploy it productively walks out the door the report argued adding that for a country the size of Pakistan it is actually a disaster in the makingAbout 5000 doctors 11000 engineers and 13000 accountants left Pakistan between 2024 and 2025 along with hundreds of thousands of other skilled and unskilled workersâThis exodus is hollowing out hospitals while stalling innovation and entrepreneurshipâ said the reportIT further argued that remittances may increase consumption and bolster foreign reserves but they are not a growth engineâRather than cheering the departure of our best and brightest there is a need to create a country where they want to stayâ it addedEmigration is a survival strategy borne of rational desperation for stability meritocracy and safetyâUnfortunately even where the state rewards merit such as subsidised medical education starting salaries in highly skilled professions are so low that people without familial wealth cannot even afford room and boardâ said the reportAnother report said that labour is now Pakistanâs biggest export above and beyond any single physical commodity and this is not about to changeâThe vast majority of Pakistanis abroad are engaged in lowskilled occupations often informal and precarious especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAEâ says the report in Dawn IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscures-the-devastating-reality-report-660430.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscure-the-devastating-reality-report-660432.html New Delhi Jan 31 As the Pakistanâs government goes gaga over record remittances â 385 billion in FY25 â the narrative actually obscures the devastating reality that the country is haemorrhaging its future a new report has revealed The reality is that mass departure of doctors engineers and skilled professionals âshould not be called a point of pride but a shameful and profound policy failureâ reports The Express TribuneA nation cannot build its future on money wired from abroad while the talent needed to deploy it productively walks out the door the report argued adding that for a country the size of Pakistan it is actually a disaster in the makingAbout 5000 doctors 11000 engineers and 13000 accountants left Pakistan between 2024 and 2025 along with hundreds of thousands of other skilled and unskilled workersâThis exodus is hollowing out hospitals while stalling innovation and entrepreneurshipâ said the reportIT further argued that remittances may increase consumption and bolster foreign reserves but they are not a growth engineâRather than cheering the departure of our best and brightest there is a need to create a country where they want to stayâ it addedEmigration is a survival strategy borne of rational desperation for stability meritocracy and safetyâUnfortunately even where the state rewards merit such as subsidised medical education starting salaries in highly skilled professions are so low that people without familial wealth cannot even afford room and boardâ said the reportAnother report said that labour is now Pakistanâs biggest export above and beyond any single physical commodity and this is not about to changeâThe vast majority of Pakistanis abroad are engaged in lowskilled occupations often informal and precarious especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAEâ says the report in Dawn IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscure-the-devastating-reality-report-660432.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/whomonitoring-nipah-cases-in-india-rules-out-travel-curbs-660233.html New Delhi Jan 30 The risk of transmission of Nipah virus remains low and there is no need for any travel or trade restrictions said the World Health Organisation noting that it is closely monitoring the deadly virus cases in India In its latest Epidemiological Bulletin the global health body reported two cases of Nipah virus in 25yearold nurses a woman and a man working at the same private hospital in West Bengalâs North 24 Parganas districtThe WHO informed that the healthcare workers developed initial symptoms in the last week of December 2025 which progressed rapidly to neurological complications The two were placed in isolation in early JanuaryFollowing confirmation an extensive public health response was activated A total of 196 individuals who had contact with the confirmed cases were identified traced monitored and tested All contacts have remained asymptomatic and have tested negative for Nipah virus infection the WHO saidNo additional Nipah cases have been detected so far The situation is being monitoredâ it said adding that âbased on current evidence WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictionsâAmid reports of several countries introducing Covidstyle checking at airports over fear of spread the UN health body stated that the risk of transmission remains lowâWHO assesses the risk at the subnational level in West Bengal as moderate given the presence of fruit bat reservoirs in the IndiaâBangladesh border areas and the possibility of sporadic zoonotic spillover However the national regional and global risk remains lowâ the WHO saidâThe cases are confined to the North 24 Parganas district with no reported travel while symptomatic All identified contacts have tested negative and surveillance and infection prevention measures have been intensified The likelihood of spread to other Indian states or internationally is considered lowâ it addedThis is the seventh documented Nipah outbreak in India and the third in West Bengal following outbreaks in Siliguri 2001 and Nadia 2007Nipah is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted from bats to humans either directly or through contaminated foodIt can also spread from animals such as pigs to humans and in some cases between people through close and prolonged contact particularly in healthcare settingsIn humans Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis Globally the case fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent depending on early detection and quality of clinical careCurrently there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah virus infectionThe WHO recommended reducing battohuman transmission by preventing bats from accessing date palm sap boiling freshly collected sap washing and peeling fruits thoroughly discarding fruits with signs of bat bites and avoiding areas where bats roost IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/whomonitoring-nipah-cases-in-india-rules-out-travel-curbs-660233.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-may-propose-banking-governance-bill-to-push-psu-banks-fund-big-projects-660235.html Mumbai Jan 30 The government may propose the introduction of the Banking Governance Bill on February 1 2026 in the Union Budget presentation a move aimed at enabling public sector banks PSBs finance large projects by themselves The draft legislation is expected to make PSUs more professional competitive and technologyâdriven as well as strengthen board composition and improve accountability NDTV Profit reported citing sourcesThe government may also separately consider raising the foreign direct investment FDI limit in public sector banks above the current 20 per cent cap and narrowing their pay and talent gaps with private banksThe Bill remains to be finalised and may take another three to four months before being tabled in the Parliament the report saidIts formal announcement in the Budget would signal the governmentâs intention to press ahead with one of the most significant structural reforms in the banking sector in recent yearsFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 15th Budget of the PM Modi government on February 1 This will also be the second full Budget since the National Democratic Alliance NDA came to power for a third consecutive term in 2024Another recent report said that investors are likely to be focused on the debt metrics deficit outcome and scheduled borrowings for the next years budget to align with strategic objectivesThere has been a significant improvement in the asset quality of scheduled commercial banks with a sharp decline in the percentage of bad loans and higher recoveries according to the Economic Survey 202526It points out that the gross nonperforming asset GNPA ratio and net NPA ratio have reached multidecadal lows while the capitaltoriskweightedasset ratio CRAR of banks remained strong at 172 per cent as of September 2025The recovery rate in NPAs in banks has approximately doubled from 132 per cent in FY18 to 262 per cent in FY25 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-may-propose-banking-governance-bill-to-push-psu-banks-fund-big-projects-660235.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hyundai-steels-net-profit-plunges-84-pc-in-2025-on-construction-downturn-protectionism-660241.html Seoul Jan 30 Hyundai Steel Co South Koreas secondlargest steelmaker said on Friday its net profit plunged 84 percent in 2025 from a year earlier due to a downturn in the construction sector and rising protectionism Net profit fell to 14 billion won 970000 last year from 88 billion won the previous year the company said in a press releaseA prolonged slump in the construction industry and growing protectionism including US import tariffs weighed on earnings a company spokesperson said reports Yonhap news agencyThe United States currently imposes tariffs of up to 50 percent on steel products imported from South KoreaOperating profit rose 37 percent to 2192 billion won from 1595 billion won during the same period Sales fell 21 percent to 2273 trillion won from 2322 trillion wonIncreased sales of highend products and government measures aimed at curbing an influx of lowpriced steel imports helped lift operating profit the company saidTo improve profitability Hyundai Steel said it plans to begin mass production of thirdgeneration advanced highstrength steel AHSS in the first quarter and expand supplies of thick steel plates for offshore wind power facilities and nuclear reactors this year said the reportHyundai Steel is also building a 27 milliontonperyear electric arc furnace EAF steel mill in Louisiana scheduled for completion by 2029 to supply automotive steel to US plants operated by its affiliates Hyundai Motor Co and Kia CorpThe company has said it aims to begin construction of the plant in the third quarter and start commercial production in the first quarter of 2029Hyundai Steel announced the 58 billion investment plan in March last year as part of Hyundai Motor Groups broader US investment strategy the report mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hyundai-steels-net-profit-plunges-84-pc-in-2025-on-construction-downturn-protectionism-660241.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-enabled-stethoscopesmay-boostdiagnosis-ofheart-diseases-study-660047.html New Delhi Jan 29 Amid growing influence of artificial intelligence AI in healthcare a new largescale clinical trial published in The Lancet on Thursday showed that an AIenabled stethoscope can boost early detection of various heart diseases A team of Spanish researchers found that an AIenabled stethoscope helped doctors in identifying early signs of serious heart conditions such as heart failure arrhythmias and valve disease in primary care clinicsThe study found that introducing the technology to doctors led to a substantially faster and more frequent detection nearly twice as many new heart failure cases and three times as many detections of irregular heart rhythms of these cardiovascular conditions indicating that the device performed wellâPrimary care faces a growing workload and limited resources making it the ideal recipient of the efficiencies promised by artificial intelligence AI The potential of AI to improve diagnostic accuracy through decision support systems or image analysis is clear However implementing these tools into primary care workflows remains challengingâ said corresponding author Sergio CinzaSanjurjo from Santiago de Compostela University SpainThe TRICORDER trial is the first cluster randomised controlled implementation trial RCIT of a clinical AI technology on a national scale involving 205 UK NHS general practices and more than 15 million registered patients in the UKThe AI stethoscope integrates three algorithms designed to detect heart failure irregular heart rhythms and valve disease during routine appointmentsOver the 12month study period doctors performed nearly 13000 AIassisted cardiac examinationsWhile the overall heart failure detection rates were similar between the groups 1342 new cases in the AI group versus 1984 in usual care subgroup analyses showed that patients examined with the AI stethoscope had significantly higher detection rates compared to patients who were not examined with the AI deviceThe trial suggests that AI tools such as smart stethoscopes could help physicians detect heart problems earlier in routine care but only if theyâre properly integrated into daytoday clinical operationsDespite strong algorithmic accuracy realworld benefit depended heavily on clinician engagement and workflow integrationMany practices reported declining use of the AI stethoscope over time citing extra steps in routine work and limited electronic health record integration as key barriers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-enabled-stethoscopesmay-boostdiagnosis-ofheart-diseases-study-660047.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/lifestyle-changes-intake-of-ultra-processed-foods-driving-obesity-at-alarming-rate-eco-survey-660067.html New Delhi Jan 29 Obesity is rising at an alarming rate and is today a major public health challenge in India said Economic Survey for 202526 on Thursday According to the Economic Survey tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the concerning trend was driven by unhealthy diets lifestyle changes including sedentary lifestyles increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods UPFs and environmental factorsâIt is affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of NCDs such as diabetes heart disease and hypertension impacting both urban and rural populationsâ the Survey saidCiting data from the 201921 National Family Health Survey NFHS the Survey said that 24 per cent of Indian women and 23 per cent of Indian men are overweight or obese Among women aged 1549 years 64 per cent are obese and among men 40 per cent are obese The prevalence of excess weight among children under five has risen from 21 per cent in 201516 to 34 per cent in 201921As per estimates more than 33 crore children in India were obese in 2020 and it is projected to reach 83 crore children by 2035The Economic Survey also flagged concern over the rising UPF market in the country which is displacing longestablished dietary patterns worsening diet quality and is associated with increased risk of multiple chronic diseasesâIndia is one of the fastestgrowing markets for UPF sales It grew by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023 Retail sales of UPFs in India surged from 09 billion in 2006 to nearly 38 billion in 2019 a 40fold rise It is during the same period that obesity has nearly doubled in both men and women This mirrors the global rise of obesity parallel to dietary shiftsâ it saidâThe rising use of UPFs imposes a substantial economic cost through higher healthcare spending lost productivity and longterm fiscal strainâ it addedThe Survey also cited comprehensive multipronged initiatives launched by the government to prevent manage and reduce obesity in the countryThe interventions include POSHAN Abhiyaan amp Poshan 20 Fit India Movement Khelo India Eat Right India Nationwide Awareness Campaign âAaj Se Thoda Kamâ and AAMs the School Health Programme and Yoga promotionThese aim to promote a holistic approach that integrates health nutrition physical activity food safety and lifestyle modifications and continue to advance the goal of a healthier stronger and obesityfree India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/lifestyle-changes-intake-of-ultra-processed-foods-driving-obesity-at-alarming-rate-eco-survey-660067.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govts-calibrated-fiscal-strategy-has-anchored-growth-with-stability-eco-survey-660071.html New Delhi Jan 29 The governmentâs calibrated fiscal strategy has anchored Indiaâs economic growth with stability amid global turbulence according to the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Thursday It highlights that rising tax collections and focus on capital expenditure has reduced the fiscal deficit and strengthened the countryâs macroeconomic fundamentalsThe Centreâs fiscal deficit is budgeted at 44 per cent of GDP in FY26 down from 48 per cent in the previous financial year Over the same period the revenue deficit as a proportion of GDP narrowed steadily reaching its lowest level of 08 per cent in FY26 since FY09 thereby leaving a greater allocation for capital expenditure and reflecting a sustained improvement in the quality of expenditure the survey statesThe Centreâs revenue receipts strengthened from an average of about 85 per cent of GDP in FY16âFY20 to 92 per cent of GDP in FY25 This improvement was driven by buoyant noncorporate tax collections which rose from about 24 per cent of GDP prepandemic to around 33 per cent postpandemic the survey observesThe direct tax base expanded steadily with income tax returns filed increasing from 69 crore in FY22 to 92 crore in FY25 Higher return filings reflect improved compliance greater use of technology in tax administration and a growing number of individuals entering the tax net as their incomes riseGross GST collections during AprilâDecember 2025 stood at Rs 174 lakh crore registering a yearonyear growth of 67 per cent GST revenue growth is broadly aligned with prevailing nominal GDP growth conditions In parallel highfrequency indicators suggest robust transaction volumes with cumulative eway bill volumes during AprilDecember 2025 growing by 21 per cent yearonyearThe Economic Survey also highlights that the effective capital expenditure of the Central government rose from an average of 27 per cent of GDP in the prepandemic period to about 39 per cent postpandemic and to a higher 4 per cent of GDP in FY25Through Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure the Centre has incentivised States to maintain capital spending at around 24 per cent of GDP in FY25Meanwhile the combined fiscal deficit of State Governments stayed broadly stable at around 28 per cent of GDP in the postpandemic period similar to prepandemic levels but has edged up in recent years to 32 per cent in FY25 reflecting emerging pressures on State financesIndia reduced its general government debttoGDP ratio by about 71 percentage points since 2020 even while maintaining high public investment IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govts-calibrated-fiscal-strategy-has-anchored-growth-with-stability-eco-survey-660071.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rising-public-health-spending-improved-access-to-preventive-curative-careeconomic-survey-660072.html New Delhi Jan 29 Increasing public health spending has improved access and affordability of preventive and curative care in the country according to the Economic Survey 202526 on Thursday The Economic Survey tabled in the Parliament by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman drew attention to the importance of enhancements in public health for strengthening human capital and economic productivityâThe country has made significant improvements in increasing access to healthcare by providing better and more affordable facilities through public investment in health including access to preventive and curative care nutrition and health insuranceâ it saidThe improvements can be seen in reduced infant and maternal mortality rates expanding immunisation coverage and increasing access to primary healthcare servicesInitiatives like the National Health Mission Ayushman Bharat and various disease control programmes have contributed to these advancementsThe Survey documented that since 1990 India has reduced its maternal mortality rate MMR by 86 per cent far exceeding the global average of 48 per centSimilarly a 78 per cent decline in the underfive mortality rate U5MR was achieved surpassing the global reduction of 61 per cent and a 70 per cent decline in the neonatal mortality rate NMR compared to 54 per cent globally during 19902023Notably the infant mortality rate IMR marked a drop of more than 37 per cent over the past decade declining from 40 deaths per thousand live births in 2013 to 25 in 2023 This marks improvement in the state of neonatal and maternal care as well as overall healthcare and socioeconomic conditionsThe Survey also pointed out the use of digital technologies and ICT innovations to build integrated healthcare and insurance systems that enhance transparency minimise fragmentation and expand accessâInitiatives such as the Hospital Management Information System Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission ABDM and eSanjeevani have enhanced citizens access to digital health services created digital employment opportunities enabled evidencebased policymaking and improved hospital managementâ it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rising-public-health-spending-improved-access-to-preventive-curative-careeconomic-survey-660072.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-rising-steadily-as-key-player-in-global-trade-says-eco-survey-660076.html New Delhi Jan 29 Indiaâs steady rise as a key player in global trade is evident in its increasing share of both global merchandise exports and commercial services exports said the Economic Survey 202526 released on Thursday According to the WTOâs World Trade Statistics between 2005 and 2024 Indiaâs share of global merchandise exports has nearly doubled rising from 1 per cent to 18 per centSimilarly its share in global commercial services exports has more than doubled rising from 2 per cent to 43 per centThe Survey states that Indiaâs external performance demonstrates resilience to global shocks and highlights the structural characteristics associated with a rapidly growing economy that is integrating more deeply into global marketsNotably Indiaâs total exports reached a record 8253 billion in FY25 registering a 61 per cent yearonyear growth driven primarily by robust growth in services exports which experienced a 136 per cent YoY increaseThis export momentum continued into FY26 with Q1 Q2 and Q3 recording the highestever exports for the respective quarters despite global uncertaintiesThe countryâs merchandise exports totalled 4377 billion in FY25 in which Nonpetroleum exports reached a historic high of 3743 billionElectronics pharmaceuticals electrical machinery and automobiles emerged as key export growth drivers reflecting rising competitiveness in highervalue manufacturing segments said the SurveyAgricultural exports increased from 345 billion in FY20 to 511 billion in FY25 registering a CAGR of 82 per centThe country has the potential to reach 100 billion of combined exports of agriculture marine products and food and beverage in the next four years the Survey highlightedThe recently concluded IndiaUK CETA and IndiaOman CEPA and ongoing engagements with the US Chile and Peru underpins Indiaâs diversified trade strategy and supports deeper integration into global value chains it addedMeanwhile services exports touched an alltime high of 3876 billion in FY25 growing by 136 per centThe Survey noted that this growth is also due to the countryâs success as a global hub for Global Capability Centres GCCs which grew at a 7 per cent CAGR from FY20 to FY25 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-rising-steadily-as-key-player-in-global-trade-says-eco-survey-660076.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-made-notable-gains-in-school-enrolment-higher-education-institutions-says-govt-660103.html New Delhi Jan 29 India has made notable gains in school enrolment and higher education institutions the government stated in the Economic Survey 202526 on Thursday The Survey tabled in the Parliament by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman credited the achievement to strengthened infrastructure and teacher capacity due to policies such as the Right to Education Act 2009 and the National Education Policy 2020 NEPOther measures include updated UGC guidelines regulations for academic collaboration and mutual recognition of qualifications and permissions for foreign branch campuses including those in GIFT CityâAchievements in the education space have been marked by enhanced literacy rates increasing enrolment in schools and higher education institutions provision of vocational education avenues etc The Right to Education Act 2009 and the National Education Policy 2020 NEP have played a crucial role in shaping the education landscape by expanding access to quality education universally promoting equity and driving innovation in teaching and learningâ the Survey saidIndia has made notable gains in school enrolment by strengthening infrastructure and teacher capacity with schemes like Poshan Shakti Nirman and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan promoting access and equityâ it addedThe Gross Enrolment Ratio GER stands at 909 at the primary stage Grades I to V 903 at the upper primary Grade VI to VIII 787 at the secondary stage Grade IX and X and 584 at the higher secondary stage Grade XI and XIIThe Survey also mentioned an increase in the number of higher education institutions HEIs from 51534 in 201415 to 70018 as of June 2025 an increase marked by substantial growth in universities and collegesThe number of premier higher education institutions HEIs has expanded significantly between 201415 and 202425 It now stands at 23 IITs 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS alongside the establishment of two international IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu DhabiThe AllIndia Survey on Higher Education AISHE 202223 Provisional reports an increase in student enrolment from 433 crore in 202122 to 446 crore in 202223âIndias education sectors require unwavering focus to unlock the nations true potential through integrated accountable and adaptive policy frameworks to build a futureready workforceâ it addedThe survey also suggested a holistic lifecycle approach so that the country âraises its Expected Years of Schooling EYS to 15 years set by NEPâs 5334 schooling structure for ages 318The approach encompassing early childhood education foundational literacy and numeracy FLN universal secondary schooling and the seamless integration of vocational and digital skills will help fully convert its vast human resource base into highquality human capital the Survey said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-made-notable-gains-in-school-enrolment-higher-education-institutions-says-govt-660103.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-own-ai-path-focused-on-development-not-dominance-eco-survey-660107.html New Delhi Jan 29 As government prepares for India AI Impact Summit 2026 the Economic Survey 2025â26 tabled in Parliament on Thursday presents artificial intelligence AI as a practical economic tool rather than a race for technological prestige The Survey explains how AI is reshaping the global economy and lays out a realistic and developmentfocused strategy for India in a time of fast technological change and global uncertaintyâAI adoption in India should be rooted in economic needs and social responsibilityâ it saidâInstead of relying on large centralised systems it supports a bottomup approach where different sectors develop AI solutions suited to their specific problemsâ as per the survey tabled by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala SitharamanThe Survey highlights the importance of open and interoperable systems that encourage collaboration and shared innovationâThis approach aligns well with Indiaâs strengths including its large pool of skilled workers diverse data and strong institutional networksâ it saidThe Survey notes that Indiaâs growing demand for AI is driven by realworld challenges rather than experimental or luxury technologiesIt points to practical uses of AI in healthcare agriculture education urban planning disaster management and public servicesExamples include early disease detection better water management improved access to markets for farmers classroom performance analysis and AI tools in regional languagesâThese solutions are designed to work on lowcost hardware and in limitedresource settings making them affordable and scalableâ according to the SurveyâSuch applicationfocused AI can lower costs and help overcome longstanding structural issuesâ it addedKeeping in mind Indiaâs realities such as limited capital energy constraints and varying institutional capacity the Survey emphasises that AI choices must support longterm growth and avoid creating new dependenciesIt also recognises that global AI development is uneven with some countries having greater access to computing power finance data and influence over global standardsRather than seeing this as a disadvantage the Survey uses it to shape a more realistic policy direction for India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-own-ai-path-focused-on-development-not-dominance-eco-survey-660107.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-internet-user-base-crosses-950-million-in-2025-660110.html New Delhi Jan 29 Indiaâs internet user base crossed the 950 million mark in 2025 driven mainly by rapid growth in rural connectivity rising consumption of short videos and increasing use of artificial intelligence according to a report released by the Internet and Mobile Association of India IAMAI on Thursday The âInternet in India Report 2025â prepared jointly by IAMAI and Kantar said India now has around 958 million active internet users reflecting a yearonyear growth of about 8 per centWith this India continues to remain one of the worldâs largest and fastestgrowing digital marketsThe report was released at the India Digital Summit in the presence of Manjula N Secretary to the Government Department of Electronics ITBT and Science amp Technology Government of KarnatakaA key highlight of the report is the strong role played by rural India in driving internet growth Rural regions now account for nearly 57 per cent of Indiaâs active internet users translating to around 548 million peopleThe report noted that internet adoption in rural India is growing almost four times faster than in urban areas pointing to a major shift in how and where digital usage is expanding in the countryThe study also showed that artificial intelligence has entered the mainstream in IndiaAround 44 per cent of internet users have used AIenabled features such as voice search imagebased search chatbots and AI filtersAI usage is particularly high among younger users with 57 per cent of those aged 15 to 24 years and 52 per cent of users in the 25 to 44 age group reporting use of AI features in the past yearShortvideo content has emerged as another major driver of internet usage In 2025 about 588 million internet users or 61 per cent of the total user base consumed short videosRural users slightly outnumbered urban users in shortvideo consumption with adoption strongest among younger audiences as per the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-internet-user-base-crosses-950-million-in-2025-660110.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bangladesh-makes-largest-budget-cuts-to-health-education-sectors-report-660115.html New Delhi Dhaka Jan 29 Bangladeshâs National Economic Council NEC has significantly downsized the health and education sector in the Annual Development Programme ADP according to a media report In the tradition of reviewing the performance of the Annual Development Programme ADP at the midpoint of each fiscal year the NEC downsized the ADP by about 125 per cent to 208935 crore taka 33 per cent of GDP from its original budget allocation of 230000 crore taka 37 per cent of GDP reported The Daily Star a Bangladeshi Englishlanguage dailyIt cited slow spending lower than expected revenue mobilisation slower external fund flow and a shortage of projects as major reasons for the ADP budget cutWhile the health sector saw a 74 per cent reduction from its original allocation of 18148 crore taka secondary and higher education was reduced by 55 per cent from the original allocation of 28557 crore takaâThe slow implementation rates of the two biggest social sectors over the first six months of the current financial year prompted the NEC to cut down their allocation in fear of underutilisation which may improve the overall ADP implementation rate at the end of the yearâ the report saidâWhile this makes immediate sense the underlying causes of historically low ADP implementation of these two sectors should be assessed properly and measures should be taken to ramp up the performance of the two prime social sectors in the country in the futureâ it addedThe substantially reduced allocations for health in the RADP could significantly affect the population with a delay in essential medical treatments for cancer kidney and heart conditions Further the Budget cuts in the education sector could push more children out of schoolThe Revised Annual Development Programme RADP consists of a total of 1330 projects including 1108 investment projects 35 feasibility studies and 121 technical assistance projects Another 66 projects are being implemented by autonomous bodies and corporations using their own funds the report saidNotably the local government division received the highest allocation of 37534 crore taka in the RADP This includes social safety net programmes and other communitybased interventions focusing on poverty alleviation infrastructure development and operation and maintenance in city corporations municipalities and unions the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bangladesh-makes-largest-budget-cuts-to-health-education-sectors-report-660115.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/there-should-be-no-compromise-on-ethical-use-of-ai-pm-modi-tells-ceos-660133.html New Delhi Jan 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told top CEOs and experts working in the field of Artificial Intelligence that there should be no compromise on the ethical use of AI The Prime Minister was interacting with the CEOs in a meeting held at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the runup to the IndiaAI Impact Summit in February The session was aimed at fostering strategic collaborations showcasing AI innovations and accelerating Indiaâs AI mission goalsPM Modi highlighted the importance of data security and the democratisation of technology He said that there should be no compromise on the ethical use of AI and emphasised the need to ensure an ecosystem which is transparent impartial and secure Indiaâs AI ecosystem should reflect the character and values of the nation he addedThe highlevel roundtable saw participation from CEOs of companies working in AI including Wipro TCS HCL Tech Zoho Corporation LTI Mindtree Jio Platforms Ltd AdaniConnex Nxtra Data and Netweb Technologies along with experts from IIIT Hyderabad IIT Madras and IIT Bombay Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada also participated in the interactionDuring the interaction the CEOs expressed strong support towards the goal of becoming selfsufficient in AI technology They also acknowledged the efforts and resources the government is putting to put India as a leader in AI on the global stageThe Prime Minister emphasised the need to embrace new technology in all spheres and use it to contribute to national growth He also urged the use of indigenous technology across key sectorsWhile speaking about the upcoming AI Impact Summit he highlighted that all individuals and companies should leverage the summit to explore new opportunities and leapfrog on the growth path He also stated that through Unified Payments Interface UPI India has demonstrated its technical prowess and this can be replicated in the field of AI as wellThe Prime Minister highlighted that India has a unique proposition of scale diversity and democracy due to which the world trusts Indiaâs digital infrastructure In line with his vision of âAI for Allâ he stated that we need to create an impact with our technology as well as inspire the world He also urged the CEOs and experts to make India a fertile destination for all global AI efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/there-should-be-no-compromise-on-ethical-use-of-ai-pm-modi-tells-ceos-660133.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/innovation-reforms-key-to-lifting-indias-productivity-imf-660159.html Washington Jan 29 Strengthening innovation and easing business barriers could sharply raise Indiaâs productivity growth and support its goal of becoming an advanced economy according to a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund Indiaâs productivity growth over the past two decades has been strong according to an IMF report authored by Harald Finger the IMFâs mission chief for India and Nujin Suphaphiphat a senior economist in the Fundâs Asia and Pacific DepartmentThe Fundâs 2025 Article IV analysis shows that better support for innovation including removing constraints that hold back firms could lift Indiaâs productivity growth rate by nearly 40 per cent The gain would be equivalent to adding the output of Karnataka the countryâs fourthlargest state by output to the economy every decadeProductivity trends vary widely across sectors Services have delivered substantial gains helped see the adoption of digital technology and closer integration with global value chains Manufacturing has seen only modest productivity growth Agriculture remains far less productive even though it still employs more than 40 per cent of the workforceThe gap between sectors is significant An additional worker in services produces more than four times the output of a worker in agriculture with the same level of education The IMF says this highlights the significant potential gains from shifting labour and activity to higherproductivity sectorsA key reason manufacturing lags is the dominance of tiny firms Nearly threequarters of factories employ fewer than five paid workers That is almost double the share in the United States The smallest enterprises produce less than 20 per cent of the output per worker of large firms compared with nearly 45 per cent in the United StatesMany of these firms remain small for decades Complex compliance rules rigid labour regulations and product market restrictions discourage growth Easing these constraints would help firms expand and lift productivity The IMF notes that Indiaâs recent announcement to implement new labour codes could help set the stage for further reformsLow business dynamism is another drag on productivity Rates of new firm creation as well as firm closures and exits are far lower than in economies such as Korea Chile or the United States Limited entry and exit weaken competition and slow the movement of capital and labour toward more productive firmsThe analysis also points to a sizable share of zombie firms These firms do not earn enough to cover borrowing costs but continue to absorb resources Firm entry and exit currently have only a small effect on productivity in India The IMF says this underscores the need for a more dynamic business environment where unproductive firms can wind down and innovative firms can growInnovation remains constrained India invests less in research and development than the average emerging market economy in the Group of Twenty Few firms engage in RampD and the adoption of foreign technology is limited Larger firms innovate more while smaller firms face barriers to scaling upThe IMF estimates that raising Indiaâs innovation indicators including business sophistication and creative outputs to the 90th percentile among emerging markets could boost productivity growth by nearly 06 percentage points That would amount to almost a 40 per cent increase relative to Indiaâs longterm average IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/innovation-reforms-key-to-lifting-indias-productivity-imf-660159.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/industrial-output-growth-slows-to-5-year-low-in-s-korea-in-2025-660199.html Seoul Jan 30 South Koreas industrial output grew at the slowest pace in five years in 2025 despite strong growth in the semiconductor industry while retail sales and facility investment showed signs of improvement government data showed on Friday Industrial output gained 05 percent from a year earlier in 2025 slowing from a 15 percent increase the previous year according to the data from the Ministry of Statistics and Data reports Yonhap news agencyThe 2025 figure marks the weakest growth since 2020 when output contracted amid the fallout from the COVID19 pandemicThe output of the mining and manufacturing sector considered the backbone of the economy gained 16 percent in 2025 the ministry saidNotably chip output surged 132 percent onyear as global demand continued to rise amid the artificial intelligence AI boomSemiconductors strongly drove growth in 2025 Lee Doowon a ministry official told reporters We saw a virtuous cycle with expanded investment in semiconductor facilities and equipmentRetail sales a key indicator of private spending also rose 05 percent from a year earlier rebounding from a decline the previous yearAfter three consecutive years of shrinking consumption private spending turned positive for the first time in four yearsThe growth was particularly strong in the third quarter of 2025 fueled by the governments cash handouts known as consumption coupons the ministry saidThe rise was led by higher sales of durable goods such as passenger vehicles which jumped 45 percent onyear the data showedSales of semidurable goods such as clothing fell 22 percent while sales of nondurable goods including cosmetics slipped 03 percentFacility investment advanced 17 percent onyear in 2025 extending gains for a second straight year supported by strong demand for transportation equipment and chiprelated machinery according to the dataConstruction investment weakened with construction orders falling 162 percent from a year earlier the data showedIn December alone industrial output rose 15 percent from the previous month driven by strong demand for semiconductors and automobilesRetail sales increased 09 percent onmonth rebounding from a decline in November supported by higher sales of clothing food and beveragesIn contrast facility investment fell 36 percent largely due to a 161 percent decline in transport equipment including ships and aircraft IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/industrial-output-growth-slows-to-5-year-low-in-s-korea-in-2025-660199.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/s-korea-launches-nanosatellite-for-satellite-constellation-project-660219.html Seoul Jan 30 A South Korean nanosatellite was launched into orbit on Friday as part of the nations project to create a satellite constellation for Earth observation by 2027 according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA The NEONSAT1A an Earth observation satellite lifted off aboard the Electron rocket of US space company Rocket Lab from the firms Mahia Launch Complex in New Zealand Yonhap news agency reportedLIFTOFF Electron is on its way to orbit with the NEONSAT1A satellite Rocket Lab posted on social media platform XDeveloped by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology KAIST the satellite was the second among a total of 11 nanosatellites to form a satellite constellation aimed at monitoring and taking images of the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding regionsPreviously just one satellite in the program had reached low Earth orbit â NEONSAT1 which flew atop an Electron in April 2024NEONSAT1A is an advanced Earth observation satellite equipped with a highresolution optical camera It is however not a satellite constellation yetDesigned to capture nearrealtime natural disaster monitoring for the Korean peninsula KAISTâs NEONSAT constellation is a collaboration across multiple Korean academic industry and research institutions including SaTReC which is leading the programmeâs system design and engineering as per Rocket LabThe NEONSAT programme is funded by the Korean governmentâs Ministry of Science and ICT MSITThis was Rocket Labs second launch of 2026 and its 81st overall to dateThe company launched 21 missions last year setting a new record for Rocket LabMISSION SUCCESS Payload deployment is confirmed for the âBridging The Swarmâ mission for KAIST Rocket Lab posted on XThis is the second launch in eight days and the 81st launch in total with 100 per cent mission success in 2026 the USbased company added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/s-korea-launches-nanosatellite-for-satellite-constellation-project-660219.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/jcra-assigns-landmark-ratings-to-adani-ports-adani-green-and-adani-energy-solutions-660221.html Ahmedabad Jan 30 In a significant milestone for the Adani Groupâs global credit journey Japan Credit Rating Agency JCRA has initiated ratings of three Portfolio companies â Adani Ports and SEZ APSEZ Adani Green Energy Ltd AGEL and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL â assigning longterm foreign currency credit ratings with a âStableâ outlook to all three companies it was announced on Friday Japanâs leading rating agency assigned Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd APSEZ a A Stable rating representing a rare breach of the sovereign threshold by an Indian corporate by an international rating agencyMoreover Adani Green Energy Ltd AGEL and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL have each been rated BBB Stable These ratings are at par with Indiaâs sovereign rating of BBBâThese landmark ratings reflect the Adani Groupâs commitment to disciplined financial management strengthening balance sheet fundamentals and worldclass execution across our diversified infrastructure platformâ said Jugeshinder Singh Group CFO Adani GroupâThey reaffirm the depth and resilience of our business model and reflect the confidence global lenders institutional investors and capital markets place in our longterm strategy This endorsement further strengthens our position as a leading partner in Indiaâs infrastructure buildout and reinforces our commitment to delivering sustainable highquality growthâ Singh addedAdani Portsâ strong rating underlines its strong credit profile diversified asset base and resilient cashflow generation and places it among a select group of Indian infrastructure companies to achieve an abovesovereign rating from a leading international rating agencyThe ratings also mark one of the first instances of Indian infrastructure platforms being assessed by JCRA at these levels highlighting the Adani Groupâs growing engagement with global rating agencies and its increasing alignment with international credit benchmarksAPSEZâs creditworthiness is at par with its subsidiary group said the ratings agency citing its superior infrastructure capabilities consistently strong profitability stable longterm cash flows and prudent financial management â positioning the company above Indiaâs sovereign foreigncurrency rating though capped by the country ceilingIt continues to reinforce its leadership through a diversified portfolio of 15 domestic and 4 international ports handling nearly 30 per cent of Indiaâs cargo and 50 per cent of container volumes supported by a comprehensive foursegment integrated logistics platform spanning ports SEZs logistics and marine servicesAdani Ports delivered rapid EBITDA expansion â from Rs 7566 crore in FY20 to Rs 19025 crore in FY25 and Rs 11046 crore in H1 FY26 â while maintaining a conservative 18x netdebttoEBITDA longtenor funding structure and strong liquidity positionOn the other hand AESL continues to strengthen Indiaâs energy backbone through rapid expansion in transmission distribution smart metering and cooling solutions â backed by stable regulated cash flows and strong governance that support its consolidated credit profile said the ratings agencyâWith a fastgrowing network of 26705 ckm of transmission lines 97236 MVA capacity awardwinning distribution reliability and a rapidly expanding 737 millionmeter smart metering portfolio AESL is delivering far superior growth to the sector and redefining benchmarks in efficiency customer service and operational performanceâ it notedWith over 167 GW of operational capacity as of September 2025 and more than 90 per cent of EBITDA generated from renewables AGEL has rapidly expanded from just 25 GW in FY20 â supported by bestinclass development superior plant load factors cost efficiency and advanced ENOCdriven operationsâEBITDA growth from Rs 1855 crore FY20 to Rs 10532 crore FY25 and Rs 6324 crore in H1 FY26 coupled with improved equity levels diversified global funding access and extended 94year average debt maturity positions AGEL to sustain its ambitious growth pipeline while maintaining financial stabilityâ said JCRA IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/jcra-assigns-landmark-ratings-to-adani-ports-adani-green-and-adani-energy-solutions-660221.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/free-diagnosis-treatment-ensuringaleprosy-free-india-govt-660223.html New Delhi Jan 30 Free diagnosis and multidrug treatment at public health hospitals is ensuring that India remains leprosyfree said the government on Friday National Leprosy Day in India is observed annually on January 30 coinciding with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to honour his work with those affected by the diseaseâUnder the National Leprosy Eradication Programme NLEP India continues its efforts towards a LeprosyFree India ensuring free diagnosis treatment and care services at government health facilities nationwideâ the Health Ministry posted on social media platform XâLet us work together to eliminate stigma and ensure dignity and care for allâ it addedLeprosy also known as Hansen disease is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae The disease affects the skin the peripheral nerves the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyesApart from the physical deformity persons affected by leprosy also face stigmatisation and discrimination However leprosy is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disabilityIndia achieved the official elimination of leprosy as a public health problem less than 1 case per 10000 population nationally in December 2005As of March 2025 31 statesUTs and 638 districts have achieved this with a prevalence rate of 057 per 10000The NLEP now targets Zero Transmission Zero Leprosy by 2027 through early detection free multidrug therapy MDT and stigma reductionUnder the NLEP the government provides services such as free diagnosis and treatment MDT at all government health facilities microcellular rubber footwears for patients free assistive devices for leprosy patients selfcare kits for patients with ulcers and reconstructive surgery for Grade 2 deformities with a welfare allowance of Rs 12000All services under NLEP are available free of cost at all government health facilitiesIf left untreated leprosy may cause progressive and permanent disabilities The bacteria are transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated casesLeprosy is also a neglected tropical disease NTD which occurs in more than 120 countries with around 200000 new cases reported every year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/free-diagnosis-treatment-ensuringaleprosy-free-india-govt-660223.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/skoreas-science-ministry-unveils-road-map-for-quantum-industry-660045.html Seoul Jan 29 South Koreas science ministry on Thursday unveiled the road map to foster the quantum industry aiming to become the worlds top quantum chip producer by 2035 The Ministry of Science and ICT stated that the plan includes fostering 10000 experts in the field and nurturing 2000 businesses to secure homegrown quantum technologies that can deliver industrial breakthroughs by building advancements in the artificial intelligence AI sector Yonhap news agency reportedThe government will designate five locations by July to establish what it calls quantum clusters that will lead the countrys quantum transformation the ministry addedQuantum technology is a formidable innovation that will determine a nations competitiveness in the postAI era Science Minister Bae Kyunghoon said in a releaseThe government will mobilize all national capabilities across industry academia research institutions and the public sector to help South Korea emerge as a global hub for quantum technology and industry through the comprehensive plan and the cluster blueprint he addedThe science ministry also inked a memorandum of understanding with USbased quantum computing firm IonQ centered on the American company establishing a joint research center in South Korea and investing US15 million over the next three yearsMajor South Korean firms including Samsung Electronics LG Electronics and SK Telecom Co additionally launched a quantum technology consultative body to discuss cooperation the ministry saidEarlier this month the ministry said it will invest 56 billion on research and development in science and information and communications technology in 2026The budget up 254 per cent from a year earlier consists of 644 trillion won for science and technology and 168 trillion won for ICT according to the Ministry of Science and ICTThe ministry said the expanded spending is intended to promote innovationled growth amid global economic uncertainty and prolonged low growth while advancing South Koreas push to become one of the worlds top three artificial intelligence powersIn the science and technology sector the government will increase spending in future technologies such as biotechnology and quantum science while strengthening core technologies to secure a competitive edge in key industries including semiconductors and secondary batteries it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/skoreas-science-ministry-unveils-road-map-for-quantum-industry-660045.html Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-guwahati-develops-method-tomonitorglacial-hazardsin-eastern-himalayas-659886.html Guwahati Jan 27 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Guwahati have developed a predictive framework that has identified 492 locations where glacial lakes are likely to form in the Eastern Himalayan mountains The research conducted using highresolution Google Earth images and digital elevation models also provides crucial insights for hazard management and waterresource planning in highmountain regionsThe models helped capture complex landscape features and estimate uncertainty in the predictions making the forecasts more realistic and reliableWith the developed framework the research team identified 492 locations in the Eastern Himalaya where new glacial lakes are likely to form thereby indicating areas that require careful monitoring and preventive measuresâBy pinpointing highrisk areas the framework can guide earlywarning systems for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods GLOFs help plan safer locations for roads hydropower projects and settlements and support longterm waterresource management It offers a practical tool for reducing risks to communities and infrastructure in the Himalayasâ said Prof Ajay Dashora Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering IIT GuwahatiâBeyond hazard management the method can help understand how water systems may change as glaciers continue to retreat Importantly the framework is adaptable to other glaciated mountain regions around the world making it a valuable tool for climateresilient planning and disasterrisk reduction globallyâ Dashora addedThe findings published in Natureâs Scientific Reports journal confirm that the shape and structure of the land often overlooked in previous studies can play a central role in where and how a glacial lake may appearIn the development process the research team tested three predictive methods including Logistic Regression LR Artificial Neural Network ANN and Bayesian Neural Network BNNAmong these the research team found the Bayesian Neural Network BNN to be the most accurate and showed that certain earth features such as neighbouring lakes cirques gentle slopes and retreating glaciers are the strongest predictors of glacial lake formationThe team now plans to integrate moraine development histories automate data preparation and add fieldbased validation to the developed frameworkThese improvements will enhance the modelâs accuracy and broaden its use for largescale monitoring of glacial hazards IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-guwahati-develops-method-tomonitorglacial-hazardsin-eastern-himalayas-659886.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-expertscallfor-tax-funded-universal-health-care-enhancing-public-hospitals-659897.html New Delhi Jan 27 Health experts on Tuesday urged the government to introduce taxfunded Universal Health Care and boost resources at government hospitals in the upcoming Union Budget 2026 The experts also highlighted the lack of funds to in public health care institutions to deliver adequate services to a large number of patients and stressed the need to expand PMJAY to include outpatient careâWe advocate taxfunded Universal Health Care with a basic health package for all citizens and to increase public health allocation to 255 per cent of GDP strengthening government hospitals and human resourcesâ said Dr Vinay Aggarwal past National President Indian Medical AssociationâThe government should reform PMJAY to include outpatient care realistic package rates DBT copayments and timely reimbursementsâ he addedThe expert also urged the government âto provide GST exemption on lifesaving equipment consumables and all vaccinesA recent report by The Lancet Commission stressed that the public sector healthcare system is the backbone for achieving the universal health coverage goal An accompanying Comment paper examined Indiaâs progress towards universal health coverage and highlights structural weaknesses in the health systemIt particularly highlighted fragmented governance poor coordination across levels of care health services organised around institutions rather than citizens and persistent gaps in quality equity and continuity of care as major barriers to UHCThe paper suggested that Indiaâs path to universal health care requires multiple programmes and noted that operating in silos can weaken accountability and service continuityHealthcare delivery must remain facilitycentred rather than focused on patient journeys and longterm care needs It also mentioned that weak referral systems and poor integration between primary secondary and tertiary services limit efficiency and outcomesThe study stressed that policy intent alone is insufficient without institutional capacity to execute reformsâWhile over the last few years the government has increased the allocation for healthcare in its budget the continued prioritisation on capacity building has often left public healthcare facilities with insufficient funds to deliver adequate services to the large number of patients that they serveâ said Aditya Banerjee Member at Medical Technology Association of India MTaIâA deliberate shift in the public procurement criteria from the lowest upfront price to the best longâterm value for the overall healthcare system is essential for delivering better patient outcomes for every Rupee spentâ he added Banerjee said that it will help avoid the spiralling healthcare budgets that today is becoming unsustainable in many developed economies of the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-expertscallfor-tax-funded-universal-health-care-enhancing-public-hospitals-659897.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/unprecedented-preferential-access-for-indian-exports-in-eu-fta-a-game-changer-industry-659913.html New Delhi Jan 27 The unprecedented preferential access secured for over 99 per cent of Indian exports is a gamechanger for Indian industry the Confederation of Indian Industry CII said on Tuesday With the IndiaEU deal Rs 641 lakh crore 75 billion worth exports are poised for takeoff with 33 billion of exports in labourintensive sectors like textiles leather marine products gems and jewellery are set to gain immensely from preferential access under the FTAAccording to Chandrajit Banerjee Director General CII the landmark agreement represents a strategic breakthrough in Indiaâs global trade engagement and significantly deepens the partnership between two major democracies and economies that together account for nearly 25 per cent of global GDPâIt decisively improves competitiveness in the EUâs highvalue market anchors Indian manufacturers and service providers deeper into global value chains and accelerates investment technology inflows and scaleâ Banerjee saidâKey sectors of focus include textiles and apparel leather and footwear gems and jewellery marine products engineering goods automobiles agriculture and processed foods IT and ITenabled services and other business and professional servicesâ he addedBy delivering tangible gains for labourintensive sectors and MSMEs and by enabling a futureready mobility framework for Indian talent the agreement lays a foundation for sustained inclusive and globally competitive growth which is fully aligned with Indiaâs vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047 said CIIBalbir Singh Dhillon Brand Director Audi India welcomed the proposed FTA recognising its potential to deepen economic ties with one of the worldâs largest trading blocsâThis constructive approach to trade could support the broader automotive ecosystem including innovation supplychain efficiency and technology collaboration That said any implications for pricing and market can only be assessed once the final terms are available and carefully reviewed including the timeframe of implementation Until then it would be premature to draw conclusions on specific commercial or product strategiesâ he mentionedDhillon said the IndiaEU FTA will create a stable and predictable environment for European automakers to invest innovate and better serve Customers in IndiaThe FTA brings tariffs on European cars entering India to 10 per cent from the current high level of 110 per cent This lower duty will apply under an annual quota of 250000 vehicles At present India charges a 70 per cent duty on imported passenger cars priced below 40000 while vehicles costing more than 40000 attract an effective customs duty of 110 per centThe move opens up new opportunities for European carmakers in the Indian market which is currently the worldâs thirdlargest by sales IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/unprecedented-preferential-access-for-indian-exports-in-eu-fta-a-game-changer-industry-659913.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-eu-fta-now-opens-entire-european-market-for-indian-exporters-fieo-659915.html New Delhi Jan 27 The IndiaEU free trade agreement FTA together with the governmentâs recent FTAs with the UK and the European Free Trade Association EFTA effectively opens the entire European market for Indian exporters marking a strategic breakthrough in Indiaâs trade diplomacy the Federation of Indian Export Organisations FIEO said on Tuesday The EU agreement comprehensively covers trade in goods and services rules of origin customs facilitation trade remedies and emerging areas such as digital trade and MSMEsIt includes robust mechanisms to address nontariff barriers â an outcome of the Governmentâs proactive engagement with EU regulators â through enhanced regulatory cooperation transparent SPS measures and streamlined customs proceduresâThe calibrated and quotabased liberalisation in the automobile sector will allow EU manufacturers to introduce advanced models in India while creating future opportunities aligned with the Governmentâs âMake in Indiaâ and âAtmanirbhar Bharatâ initiativesâ said SC Ralhan President FIEOThe European Union is among Indiaâs largest trading partners In FY 2024â25 IndiaâEU bilateral trade in goods stood at Rs 115 lakh crore 13654 billion with exports of Rs 64 lakh crore 7585 billion and imports of Rs 51 lakh crore 6068 billion Trade in services reached Rs 72 lakh crore 8310 billionRalhan stated that the successful conclusion of the IndiaEU FTA will significantly enhance Indiaâs export competitiveness and provide a powerful thrust to Indiaâs engagement with global value chainsThis agreement opens unprecedented market access for Indian exporters across goods and services particularly empowering labourintensive sectors MSMEs women entrepreneurs artisans and youthâcore focus areas of the Governmentâs inclusive growth agendaWith tariff elimination of up to 10 per cent on nearly 33 billion worth of Indian exports the FTA will provide immediate and tangible gains to key sectors such as textiles apparel leather footwear gems and jewellery engineering goods marine products handicrafts and automobilesThese benefits will translate into higher exports largescale employment generation and stronger grassroots participation in global trade reinforcing the Governmentâs vision of exportled prosperityThe Indian consumers are expected to benefit from improved access to hightechnology products and increased competition Agriculture and processed food exports will receive a major boost with enhanced market access for tea coffee spices fruits vegetables and processed foods while the Government has prudently safeguarded sensitive sectors such as dairy and cereals ensuring farmer interests remain fully protected IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-eu-fta-now-opens-entire-european-market-for-indian-exporters-fieo-659915.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-energy-week-highlights-energy-addition-balanced-investment-across-verticals-659922.html New Delhi Jan 27 Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that the global energy transition is fundamentally about âenergy additionâ rather than replacement Addressing the India Energy Week in Goa Puri stressed the need for sustained investment across oil gas biofuels green hydrogen LNG and clean cooking fuels according to a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural GasGoa the host state of the summit showcased a longâterm roadmap to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050Puri outlined Indias reforms in the sector including opening large sedimentary basins for exploration successive Open Acreage Licensing Policy and Discovered Small Fields DSF bidding rounds to attract global investorsSultan Ahmed Al Jaber Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC stressed that underinvestment is the greatest risk to the global energy system and called for balanced investment across all energy forms to ensure security and affordability the statement saidAl Jaber underlined that global energy demand is entering a phase of transformation at scale which is driven by emerging markets digitalisation and the integration of diverse energy systemsThe minister noted that India Energy Week has rapidly evolved into a trusted global forum bringing together policymakers producers consumers technology providers and investors to navigate a period of unprecedented transition and volatility in the global energy systemIndia Energy Week is the countryâs flagship global energy platform bringing together government leaders industry executives and innovators to accelerate progress toward a secure sustainable and affordable energy futurePuri highlighted that Indiaâs rapid expansion of LPG coverage clean cooking access and diversified energy mix reflects the countryâs commitment to inclusive growth and equitable energy accessA highlevel Ministerial Panel at the event saw senior policymakers discuss the need for pragmatic policies sustained investment and stronger international partnerships to navigate global energy volatilityHighlighting Indiaâs ambition to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix Puri stressed the importance of global collaboration investment and realistic transition pathwaysCanadaâs Minister of Energy and Natural Resources HE Tim Hodgson expressed a strong interest in deepening cooperation with India particularly in the areas of LNG critical minerals oil supplies and longterm energy trade IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-energy-week-highlights-energy-addition-balanced-investment-across-verticals-659922.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-eu-fta-to-unlock-up-to-45-billion-export-potential-for-indias-rmg-sector-659925.html New Delhi Jan 27 India is expected to gradually increase its market share from 5 per cent to 89 per cent in the EUâs readymade garment RMG imports unlocking an incremental annual export opportunity of nearly 445 billion over the medium term a report showed on Tuesday The European Union EU is the worldâs largest RMG market with imports of nearly 84 billion excluding trade among EU countries in 2024 according to the report by CareEdge RatingsIndia currently exports 455 billion of RMG to the EU holding 5 per cent share of the EUâs RMG market Unlike India key competitors such as Bangladesh Turkey Vietnam Pakistan and Cambodia enjoy dutyfree accessâThe IndiaEU FTA is therefore critical to improve competitiveness of Indian RMG exporters The agreement is called the âMother of All Trade Dealsâ because it creates a level playing field for accessing the EUâs RMG market which is likely to reach 105 billion shortly already at 94 billion in 11 months of CY25â the report notedOnce fully implemented by 2027 India will gain a 12 per cent duty advantage over China which currently holds the largest market share of nearly 30 per cent in the EUâs RMG imports said the reportChina is expected to lose its share in the EUâs RMG market due to the âChina Plus Oneâ sourcing strategy adopted by global apparel brands and retailersâAdditionally sociopolitical uncertainties in Bangladesh may also lead apparel brands and retailers with a significant presence in the country to diversify their sourcing thereby benefiting India among othersâ the report mentionedTo fully capitalise on this potential Indian manufacturers must expand their capacities to meet the expected surge in demandIndiaâs increased competitiveness postduty removal and continued favourable policy regimes in India such as removal of Quality Control Order QCO on polyester yarn the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel PM MITRA park and the Production Linked Incentive PLI scheme is expected to aid the sector in becoming more cost competitive and thereby grab these additional export opportunities said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-eu-fta-to-unlock-up-to-45-billion-export-potential-for-indias-rmg-sector-659925.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chinese-scientistsidentifykey-ebola-virus-mutation-659849.html Beijing Jan 27 Chinese researchers have unveiled a crucial mutation in the Ebola virus that significantly enhanced its infectivity during a major outbreak providing new insights for epidemic surveillance and drug development The study published in the journal Cell focused on the Ebola virus disease EVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC from 2018 to 2020 the secondlargest in history which caused over 3000 infections and more than 2000 deaths Xinhua news agency reportedThe research tells us that during major emerging infectious disease outbreaks realtime genomic surveillance and evolutionary analysis of the pathogen are crucial said Professor Qian Jun from Sun Yatsen UniversityThis is not only able to warn of changes in transmission risk but also to prospectively assess the effectiveness of existing drugs and vaccines guiding us to preemptively adjust control strategies Jun addedA key question drove the research namely beyond the impact of local healthcare challenges did viral evolution itself contribute to the Ebola outbreaks prolonged durationWe have long been aware that key viral mutations often act as invisible drivers accelerating transmission during major outbreaks Having worked on Ebola for over a decade we had to investigate whether similar patterns of mutation existed for this virus said Jun explaining the teams motivationIn 2022 the team analysed 480 complete Ebola virus genomes and discovered that a variant carrying a specific mutation in the viral glycoprotein named GPV75A had emerged early in the DRC epidemicThis variant rapidly replaced the original strain and its rising prevalence closely mirrored the surge in case numbers suggesting it might confer a transmission advantage according to the research teamSubsequent experiments using various models confirmed the mutations biological impact It showed that GPV75A had significantly enhanced the viruss ability to infect multiple types of host cells and miceFurthermore this study revealed a potential clinical concern notably that the GPV75A mutation had diminished the antiviral effectiveness of some existing therapeutic antibodies and smallmolecule entry inhibitors indicating a possible risk of drug resistanceThese findings underscore the importance of continuous viral genome monitoring during outbreaks to anticipate evolutionary threats and inform the development of broadspectrum countermeasures the research team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chinese-scientistsidentifykey-ebola-virus-mutation-659849.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/embraer-adani-defence-amp-aerospace-to-develop-regional-transport-aircraft-ecosystem-in-india-659853.html New Delhi Jan 27 With an aim to collaborate on opportunities in aircraft manufacturing supply chain aftermarket services and pilot training global aerospace leader Embraer and Adani Defence amp Aerospace on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding MoU to develop an integrated regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India With this collaboration the companies aim to establish an assembly line followed by a phased increase in indigenisation to advance Indiaâs Regional Transport Aircraft RTA programme in alignment with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the UDAN regional connectivity visionâIndia is a pivotal market for Embraer and this partnership combines our aerospace expertise with Adaniâs strong industrial capabilities and commitment to indigenisationâ said Arjan Meijer President and CEO Embraer Commercial AviationTogether we will evaluate the most viable advanced and efficient solutions in support of Indiaâs RTA ambitions and their potential for implementation Meijer addedThe potential partnership will leverage Embraerâs deep engineering and aircraft manufacturing expertise alongside Adaniâs aviation valuechain footprint that includes airport infrastructure aerospace manufacturing MRO services and pilot trainingâRegional aviation is the backbone of economic expansion With initiatives like UDAN transforming air connectivity across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities the need for an indigenous regional aviation ecosystem has become criticalâ said Jeet Adani Director Adani Defence amp AerospaceâThis partnership will also strengthen strategic relations between India and Brazil bringing complementary capabilities togetherâ he mentionedEmbraer has a growing footprint and long history in India with nearly 50 Embraer aircraft and 11 aircraft types currently operating across commercial defence and business aviationThe proposed ecosystem is geared towards supporting domestic demand while generating significant direct and indirect employment across engineering manufacturing logistics and support servicesâWe are shaping Indiaâs regional transport aircraft ecosystem a bold stride toward Aatmanirbhar aviation that bridges urbanrural divides generates highskill employment and elevates Indiaâs position in the global aerospace industryâ said Ashish Rajvanshi President and CEO Adani Defence amp AerospaceAdani Defence amp Aerospace is Indiaâs largest integrated private defence and aerospace player building critical capabilities across domains and advancing indigenous aerospace and UAV manufacturing aligned with national security priorities and global requirementsWith the countryâs largest MRO ecosystem and a rapidly scaling pilot training platform Adani Defence is strengthening Indiaâs aviation value chain end to end Its diversified portfolio spans aircraft unmanned systems avionics weapons and sustainment anchored in longterm capability development and the pursuit of national selfreliance IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/embraer-adani-defence-amp-aerospace-to-develop-regional-transport-aircraft-ecosystem-in-india-659853.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/howrealmeis-shaping-future-of-comfortable-listening-withbuds-clip-659854.html New Delhi Jan 27 Wireless audio has become a constant companion in everyday life with earbuds now used across work calls entertainment fitness travel and casual listening As daily usage hours continue to rise the focus on personal audio is gradually expanding beyond sound quality alone to include comfort longterm wear and overall ear health and wellnessConsumers today are increasingly aware of how devices feel over extended periods especially since earbuds are worn continuously throughout the day rather than in short listening burstsEar health specialists and audio researchers often point out that the ear is a sensitive and naturally balanced environment Comfort during long listening sessions depends not just on fit but also on airflow pressure and how the ear interacts with a device over timeListening formats that reduce continuous contact inside the ear canal can feel more breathable and relaxed for some users particularly those who spend several hours a day on calls or music This has led to growing interest in openear and earclip style audio which offers a different way to experience sound without sitting inside the earEarclip earbuds approach this by resting along the outer ears rather than sitting inside the ear canal By keeping the ear open they allow natural airflow to continue while still delivering sound clearlyThis design can feel lighter during long sessions and supports a more breathable wearing experience particularly for users who prefer earbuds that feel unobtrusive throughout the day Because the ear remains open earclip designs can also suit situations where awareness of surroundings is important such as walking commuting or working in shared environmentsThis is where realme brings a thoughtful addition to its audio range with Buds Clip created to support different listening preferences and daily routines realme Buds Clip are shaped to follow the natural curves of the outer ear helping them stay in place comfortably without relying on pressure inside the ear The result is a natural wearing experience that remains comfortable even during extended use making them suitable for long workdays travel or continuous media consumptionThe lightweight 53g build plays an important role in longterm comfort Lighter earbuds place less strain on the ear which can help reduce tiredness over timeThe use of titaniumbased memory metal allows the structure to gently adapt to different ear shapes while remaining strong and reliable This flexibility helps the earbuds stay secure during movement while maintaining a soft pressurefree feel that supports allday wearSound performance has been tuned specifically for an openear listening experience realme Buds Clip feature a large dualdriver setup supported by AIbased sound tuning that balances bass vocals and claritySpatial audio adds depth and dimension creating an immersive experience while maintaining a natural and open feel This approach allows users to enjoy engaging sound without isolating the ear aligning well with longer listening sessions and everyday comfortrealme Buds Clip also reflects the brandâs broader philosophy of introducing meaningful innovation through thoughtful design Rather than replacing existing earbud styles the clipstyle format adds another option to realmeâs growing audio lineup catering to different listening preferences and evolving habitsThe minimalist easytowear form factor is designed to blend seamlessly into daily life from commuting and working to casual listening and leisureThe upcoming launch further reinforces realmeâs wider ecosystem vision as the brand continues to build a diverse range of smart connected audio and AIoT products tailored to young consumers and modern usage patternsAs audio consumption becomes increasingly woven into everyday routines realme Buds Clip represent an effort to offer users greater choice in how they experience soundWith the launch expected soon realme is set to bring clipstyle audio to a wider audience aligning comfort usability and everyday practicality with the way people listen today IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/howrealmeis-shaping-future-of-comfortable-listening-withbuds-clip-659854.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/plastics-emissionstodoublehealth-risks-worldwideby-2040-study-659858.html New Delhi Jan 27 Emissions from the global plastics system greenhouse gases airpolluting particles and toxic chemicals released particularly from plastics production processes could double health risks by 2040 if no meaningful action is taken to change current practices according to a study on Tuesday The research published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal identified health harms at every stage of the lifecycle of the plastics from the extraction of fossil fuels the feedstocks for more than 90 per cent of plastics and material production to their eventual disposal or release to the environmentThe modellingbased study compared the global human health impacts of several different future scenarios for plastics consumption and waste management between 2016 and 2040Under a âbusiness as usualâ scenario by 2040 the negative health impacts from plastics could double with greenhouse gas emissions and associated rising global temperatures accounting for 40 per cent of the health harmsAir pollution predominantly from plastics production processes would account for 32 per cent and the impact of toxic chemicals released to the environment across plastics life cycles would account for 27 per centThe remaining health harms less than 1 per cent relate to reduced availability of water impacts on the ozone layer and increased ionising radiation the researchers saidWe found that emissions throughout plastics lifecycles contributed to human health burdens of global warming air pollution toxicityrelated cancers and noncommunicable diseases with the greatest harms from primary plastics production and open burning Megan Deeney from the London SchoolThe model found that if the plastics system continues with no change to policy economics infrastructure materials or consumer behaviours annual health impacts could more than double from 21 million healthy years of life lost in 2016 to 45 million healthy years of life lost in 2040Overall the study estimates that the global plastics system could be responsible for cutting 83 million years of healthy population life between 2016 and 2040The study also predicted little impact from improving plastic waste collection and recycling alone But together with improvements to waste collection and recycling substituting or reusing materials health impacts linked to plastic emissions showed a reductionTo effectively reduce plastic emissions and their impact on health policymakers must better regulate and significantly reduce the production of new plastics for nonessential uses the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/plastics-emissionstodoublehealth-risks-worldwideby-2040-study-659858.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/union-ministers-take-firm-resolve-to-build-strong-and-inclusive-viksit-bharat-659715.html New Delhi Jan 26 Several Union Ministers on Monday took firm resolve to build a strong prosperous and developed India Viksit Bharat by 2047 as India celebrated its 77th Republic Day Union Minister Piyush Goyal shared heartfelt Republic Day wishes to all fellow citizens on XâThis glorious day reminds us of the strength of our Constitution the spirit of democracy and the essence of national unity Let us on this sacred occasion resolve to embrace constitutional values and commit to building a strong prosperous and developed Indiaâ the Minister postedUnion Minister Pralhad Joshi extended warm greetings to all fellow citizens on the 77th Republic DayâLet us continue to uphold the values of democracy unity and constitutional dutyâ Joshi saidâToday as Kartavya Path comes alive with colours of our rich culture and civilisational values and of our confident march into the future we proudly celebrate our unprecedented Vikas and Virasat under the decisive firm and visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modiâ said Union Minister Hardeep Singh PuriâWe come together to witness the strength of our formidable defence preparedness cutting edge innovations across sectors and our transformational journey into being Viksit Bharatâ he mentioned on XUnion Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that on this sacred occasion âlet us all pledge to safeguard our democratic values and contribute to realising the resolve of Prime Minister Modi for a Developed IndiaâUnion Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that this Republic Day âI had the honour of hoisting the National Flag at my residence a moment that always fills the heart with pride and responsibilityââAs the Tricolour rose it reaffirmed my faith in our Constitution and the timeless values of democracy unity and service that define our great nation The true strength of India lies in carrying these ideals into our everyday actions and working selflessly for the people May this Republic Day inspire us all to contribute towards a stronger more inclusive and progressive Indiaâ Naidu posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/union-ministers-take-firm-resolve-to-build-strong-and-inclusive-viksit-bharat-659715.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/97-pc-firms-in-india-upgrade-privacy-frameworks-to-support-responsible-ai-use-report-659793.html New Delhi Jan 26 As artificial intelligence rapidly becomes part of everyday business 97 per cent of companies have already expanded their privacy programmes a new report said on Monday Data compiled by Cisco showed that nearly 96 per cent organisations plan to invest even more underlining how critical data protection has become in the AI eraThe study which surveyed over 5200 IT technology and security professionals across 12 countries highlights that AI is the main force behind this transformationIn India nearly all organisations reported expanding their privacy programmes to keep up with the growing complexity of AI systemsGlobally too spending on privacy initiatives has increased sharply with many companies now investing millions of dollars annually to strengthen data protection frameworksThe report showed that businesses clearly see the link between strong privacy practices and successful AI useA large majority believe that robust privacy frameworks help them innovate faster and build trust in AIpowered servicesIn India every organization surveyed said they experienced at least one business benefit from their privacy efforts such as improved agility better innovation or stronger customer loyaltyMany also pointed out that being transparent about how data is collected and used plays a major role in gaining customer confidenceHowever while privacy investments are rising data governance is still evolving Many companies are struggling with managing and accessing highquality data needed to run AI systems effectivelyAround 70 per cent of organisations in India said they face challenges in efficiently using relevant and reliable dataAlthough several companies have set up AI governance bodies only a small number feel these structures are fully matureCisco leaders emphasised that AI requires a more holistic approach to managing all types of data not just personal informationThey noted that organizations must clearly understand and structure their data so that AIdriven decisions can be explained and trusted making governance a critical part of scaling AI responsiblyThe report also highlights growing concerns around crossborder data flows While there is increasing demand for data localisation in India many organisations feel these requirements add cost and complexity and make it harder to deliver seamless services across countriesA large number of companies support the idea of harmonised international data transfer rules to ensure secure and efficient global operations as per the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/97-pc-firms-in-india-upgrade-privacy-frameworks-to-support-responsible-ai-use-report-659793.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/big-boost-for-trade-as-india-eu-fta-negotiations-conclude-659806.html New Delhi Jan 26 Negotiations for the longawaited IndiaEuropean Union Free Trade Agreement FTA have been successfully concluded and the deal will be officially announced on Tuesday Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday Describing the agreement as balanced and forwardlooking Agrawal noted that it would strengthen economic integration between India and the EU and significantly boost trade and investment flowsThe FTA is expected to come into force sometime next year after the legal review of the text a process that could take around five to six months following which the formal signing will take placeOften referred to as the Mother of All Deals the IndiaEU FTA is being seen as a major step in expanding Indiaâs global trade footprintHe believe the agreement could help soften the impact of high US tariffs by opening up wider opportunities in the European market especially for Indian exports such as textiles and jewelleryOne of the most significant outcomes of the pact is the opening up of Indiaâs automobile sector to European car manufacturersImport duties on European vehicles are expected to be sharply reduced from the current 110 per cent to around 40 per cent making cars from companies like Volkswagen MercedesBenz and BMW more affordable in the Indian marketThe auto sector has traditionally been one of the most protected areas of the Indian economy and is largely dominated by Japanâs Suzuki Motor and Indian brands Mahindra and Tata which together control nearly twothirds of the marketAt present European companies hold only about 4 per cent of Indiaâs annual car market of 44 million unitsThe EU already plays a key role in Indiaâs trade landscape It accounts for around 17 per cent of Indiaâs total exports while exports to India make up about 9 per cent of the EUâs overseas shipmentsIn the financial year 2024â25 Indiaâs bilateral trade in goods with the EU stood at 13653 billion with exports worth 7585 billion and imports at 6068 billionThis made the EU Indiaâs largest trading partner in goods Trade in services between the two sides reached 8310 billion in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/big-boost-for-trade-as-india-eu-fta-negotiations-conclude-659806.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistans-senate-panel-flags-serious-cyber-security-lapses-warns-citizens-data-at-risk-659654.html New Delhi Jan 25 A recent hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has raised serious concerns about the poor state of cyber security in Pakistan especially within key government institutions such as NADRA and the Federal Board of Revenue FBR Lawmakers were told that repeated cyber breaches in these organisations have led to the leakage of sensitive personal data of citizens highlighting major failures in data protection according to a Business Recorder reportSenator Afnanullah Khan spoke strongly on the issue and warned that the frequent theft of data from official databases could even suggest the involvement or negligence of insidersHe said the situation reflects not just isolated lapses but deeprooted structural weaknesses in Pakistanâs overall cyber security systemAccording to him combined data taken from NADRA the FBR and even banks is openly available on the dark web showing how serious and widespread the problem has becomeThe threat is not limited to government departments alone Private sector entities including banks telecom companies and digital platforms are also vulnerable to hacking and data leaksMany of these organisations still rely on outdated security systems and lack strong mechanisms to respond quickly when breaches occurMeanwhile cybercriminals are using more advanced methods such as automated attacks social engineering and linking data from multiple sources to make money from stolen information on a large scaleDespite these risks cyber security is still not treated as a major governance or business priority in the countryExperts believe there is a clear lack of longterm investment strict enforcement and accountability which leaves both state institutions and private companies exposed in an increasingly hostile digital worldThis comes at a time when the government is actively promoting digitalisation The Digital Nation Pakistan Act passed last year aims to build a strong digital economy and governance system by expanding digital services and providing digital identities to citizensHowever critics warn that this rapid push towards digitalisation has not been matched with adequate safety measuresExpanding digital systems without strong safeguards creates large central data pools increases points of attack and makes the impact of breaches far more damagingObservers stress that any move towards digital platforms must go hand in hand with robust and continuously updated cyber security systemsIt is particularly worrying that Pakistan still does not have a comprehensive data protection law to safeguard personal and financial informationThere is also no legal requirement forcing organisations to invest in cyber security infrastructure or to prepare for threats such as hacking identity theft and online fraud In fact some recent government actions have made the situation worseSteps like slowing down internet speeds and trying to restrict the use of VPNs have drawn criticism for showing a poor understanding of digital securitySlower internet can delay important security updates while restricting VPNs weakens online privacy and exposes sensitive dataThis experts say makes both public and private systems more vulnerable to cyberattacks IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistans-senate-panel-flags-serious-cyber-security-lapses-warns-citizens-data-at-risk-659654.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aerospace-engineer-chandramouli-actors-murali-mohan-rajendra-prasad-among-padma-awardees-from-telugu-states-659680.html Hyderabad Jan 25 Chandramouli Gaddamanugu the aerospace engineer who directed the Akash Missile System from development to deployment in Operation Sindoor veteran actors Maganti Murali Mohan and Babu Rajendra Prasad and celebrated Kuchipudi dancer Deepika Reddy are among 11 personalities from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who have been conferred Padma Shri awards for outstanding contributions in their respective fields Seven individuals from Telangana and four from Andhra Pradesh have been selected by the Government of India for one of the highest civilian awardsChandramouli Gaddamanugu Telangana is a visionary aerospace engineer who directed the Akash Missile System from development to deployment in Operation Sindoor He advanced national security through pathbreaking researchMaganti Murali Mohan is one of the veteran actors of Tollywood Hailing from Andhra Pradesh he acted in or produced more than 350 films in 60 years He is also known for his extensive charitable contributions in health and educationRajendra Prasad who hails from Andhra Pradesh is a veteran actor of Telugu films In a career spanning five decades he has acted in over 240 filmsDeepika Reddy Telangana is a celebrated Kuchipudi dancer and global cultural ambassador with a fivedecade career She elevated Indian classical dance worldwideGarimella Balakrishna Prasad Andhra Pradesh has been conferred Padma Shri posthumously He was an illustrious classical vocalist composer and writer titled Asthana Vidhwan He set tunes to a large number of Annamacharya Sankeerthanas created new ragas and performed over 5000 concertsGuduru Venkat Rao Telangana has been awarded Padma Shri for his contributions in the field of medicine A prolific gastroenterologist he performed over 12000 surgeries and 16000 endoscopies He is the first to perform a Transoral Endoscopic Appendectomy He also contributed in development of a macroencapsulation device for diabetesKrishnamurty Balasubramanian Telangana is a prominent material scientist specialising in critical minerals He revolutionised Indias defence and space capabilities developed prosthetic implants and cryogenic engine materials He advanced electric mobility biomedical devices and metallurgical innovationKumarasamy Thangaraj of CSIRCentre for Cellular and Molecular Biology CCMB Hyderabad is a pathbreaking geneticist best known for his work on genetics and genomics His research work is foundational to Indian population science tracing genetic origins and migration patterns of Indian populations and providing an alternate hypothesis on ancient IndiaPalkonda Vijay Anand Reddy Telangana is a renowned oncologist He performed the first Perioperative Brain Interstitial Implant He also introduced Hypofractionated Radiotherapy and Shortcourse Radiation for cancer treatment He is the founder of the CURE FoundationPioneering social worker Rama Reddy Mamidi Telangana has been conferred the Padma Shri posthumously He established Womens Dairy Cooperative strengthened rural cooperatives empowered women and shaped national cooperative lawsVempaty Kutumba Sastry Andhra Pradesh is a prominent Sanskrit scholar and visionary administrator He devoted five decades to advancing the language on the global stage Sastry led multiple Sanskrit universities authored landmark books and papers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aerospace-engineer-chandramouli-actors-murali-mohan-rajendra-prasad-among-padma-awardees-from-telugu-states-659680.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hyderabad-police-to-deal-firmly-with-digital-blackmail-cyberstalking-659688.html Hyderabad Jan 25 Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar said on Sunday that harassment of women particularly digital blackmail and cyberstalking will be dealt with firmly and without compromise No offender should assume anonymity or technology will shield them from the law We will pursue every complaint with seriousness and ensure strict legal action the Commissioner saidSHE Teams of Hyderabad police resolved over 1100 complaints and apprehended over 3800 miscreants in a yearUsing a combination of undercover surveillance decoy operations and technical expertise the specialised wing of the city police apprehended 3826 individuals caught redhanded for various forms of harassment in 2025Sajjanar reiterated that womenâs safety remains a nonnegotiable priority for the Hyderabad policeUrging women not to suffer in silence he stated that fear of stigma or exposure should never deter victims from seeking helpYour identity and dignity will be protected Confidentiality is our responsibility and the police will stand with every woman who approaches us he added assuring a swift response and victimcentric handling of complaintsSajjanar said that an analysis of cases registered during the year pointed to a worrying rise in cyberrelated offences Blackmail emerged as the most common complaint with 366 victims seeking assistanceOffenders typically befriended women on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram gained their trust and later misused recorded video calls or private photographs to extort money or sexual favours In several cases former partners used old images to threaten victims often attempting to disrupt their future marriages or personal livesPolice also observed a rise in what they termed psychological voyeurism where offenders exploit the anonymity of digital platforms to harass women The SHE Teams resolved 121 cases of midnight harassment through internet calls and 82 cases involving fake profiles and the circulation of obscene content on WhatsAppAt least 50 women reported severe mental distress due to repeated abusive calls from untraceable numbers which were later identified using forensic analysis The teams further handled 98 cases of breach of promise to marry where men allegedly exploited women emotionally physically or financially under the pretext of marriage before abandoning themPsychological counselling was provided to the victims and criminal proceedings were initiated against the accusedApart from complaintbased action the SHE Teams maintained a strong preventive presence on the ground Fifteen teams operating in plain clothes conducted surveillance and decoy operations at bus stations colleges and other crowded public places Of the 3826 individuals apprehended most were counselled along with their family members while serious cases led to FIRs arrests and judicial custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hyderabad-police-to-deal-firmly-with-digital-blackmail-cyberstalking-659688.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kerala-bets-on-responsible-ai-to-power-its-next-growth-phase-659576.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 24 As Artificial Intelligence moves rapidly from buzzword to backbone Kerala is positioning itself to make AI a key driver of governance reform and economic strategy The Stateâs emerging approach reflects a deliberate shift from building digital infrastructure to generating measurable public and economic outcomes from advanced technologiesChief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said âArtificial Intelligence has the potential to transform governance and public service delivery but it must be developed and deployed in alignment with democratic values ethical principles and data protectionâKerala enters this phase with several structural advantages Initiatives such as KFON aimed at universal broadband access the Kerala Startup Mission and the Digital University have already created a strong base of connectivity talent and innovationThe challenge now lies in translating this readiness into scalable AI applications across governance healthcare education agriculture and digital public infrastructureThe Stateâs policy narrative is also closely aligned with national priorities under the India AI MissionWith the India AI Summit 2026 approaching Kerala is seeking to position itself as an implementation hub for AIdriven public systems while simultaneously attracting startups investors and global partnerships focused on digital services and platformsWhile the State has historically been cautious about large private capital inflows its strengths lie in skilled human capital credible public institutions and rising demand for AIled solutions in areas such as health technology governance platforms and cybersecurityThese segments offer scope for pilots that can be scaled into exportable service modelsConverting policy intent into outcomes will require agile procurement frameworks regulatory clarity and deeper collaboration between government academia and startupsThere is also the risk that excessive caution could slow innovation in a sector defined by speedEven so Keralaâs AI strategy is beginning to stand out not as a race to deploy technology but as an effort to define how AI can serve public interest while opening new economic pathwaysIf successful this approach could give the State a distinctive position in Indiaâs evolving AI economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kerala-bets-on-responsible-ai-to-power-its-next-growth-phase-659576.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-can-create-13-trillion-in-exports-through-deregulation-push-by-2035-report-659584.html New Delhi Jan 24 India is aiming to nearly triple its exports to 13 trillion by 2035 by pushing manufacturingled growth through structural reforms and deregulation rather than relying on heavy government spending according to reports The strategy marks Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs third major attempt to turn India into a global manufacturing hub and a key driver of world tradeThe government is focusing on 15 priority manufacturing sectors including highend semiconductors metals electronics and labourintensive industries such as leather as per the reportsOfficials believe that easing regulations simplifying compliance and improving the business environment will help companies scale up production attract investment and compete globallyThe renewed push comes at a time when India is being seen as a stable growth engine amid global uncertaintyWith supply chains under stress worldwide and geopolitical tensions rising India is positioning itself as a reliable alternative manufacturing destinationRecent data suggests that the manufacturing sector is already responding positively to policy support and reformsIndiaâs manufacturing performance touched a record high in the third quarter of FY26 with industry sentiment improving further according to a latest survey by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry FICCIAs per FICCIâs Quarterly Survey on Manufacturing 91 per cent of companies reported higher or stable production levels in Q3 FY26 up from 87 per cent in the previous quarterIndustrial confidence also strengthened with 86 per cent of respondents expecting higher or similar order levels compared to the previous quarter helped in part by recent GST rate cutsThe survey which covers manufacturing units with a combined annual turnover of over Rs 3 lakh crore showed that financial conditions remain supportiveThe average interest rate for manufacturers stood at 89 per cent while nearly 87 per cent of firms said they had sufficient access to bank funding for working capital and longterm needs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-can-create-13-trillion-in-exports-through-deregulation-push-by-2035-report-659584.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-upi-likely-to-land-in-japan-after-trials-with-ntt-data-report-659585.html New Delhi Jan 24 Indiaâs QRâcode payment network the Unified Payments Interface UPI is expanding beyond its borders with Japan among countries trialling the system to serve growing numbers of Indian tourists a report has said The report from Nikkei Asia said that Japanese IT services company NTT Data is partnering with National Payments Corporation of India NPCI to run a trial in Japan in FY26 that would let Indian tourists pay with UPI and have their Indian bank accounts debitedThe companies are considering ways to connect Japanese and Indian payment networks the report saidThe move aims to capture a surging number of Indian tourists as Japan received about 315 lakh visitors from India in 2025 up 35 per cent yearâonâyearMcKinsey has projected the number of outbound trips from India rising from 13 million in 2022 to 90 million in 2040 as growing middleclass incomes fuel an appetite for foreign trips the report saidUPI launched in 2016 as a governmentâled initiative has become part of everyday life and allows a single QR code to be used by major payment applicationsUPI transactions rose 42 per cent in fiscal 2024 to 1858 billion and an IMF report in June 2025 called it the âworldâs largest realâtime payment systemâNPCI and the Indian government have exported UPI to eight countries since 2021 including Bhutan Singapore France Sri Lanka and the UAE and are helping nations such as Peru and Namibia develop similar railsThe report noted UPIâs rapid domestic adoption was driven by its sharedâplatform design as well as banks and fintech companies developing their payment apps with UPI as a common standardUPI accounted for 58 per cent of instore payments in India in 2024 and set to rise to 76 per cent in 2030 when cash transactions could fall from 15 per cent to 7 per cent according to US payments company WorldpayNTT Data likely to promote UPI to Japanese merchants already offers payment terminals for businesses in India and Southeast Asia with around 6 million Indian stores including ecommerce businesses using its services IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-upi-likely-to-land-in-japan-after-trials-with-ntt-data-report-659585.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-white-goods-scheme-5-selected-firms-to-achieve-rs-8-337-crore-in-production-says-govt-659480.html New Delhi Jan 23 The government on Friday said that five companies selected in the fourth round under the PLI Scheme for White Goods are expected to achieve a total production of Rs 833724 crore and generate 1799 additional direct jobs by FY 2027â28 The evaluation of 13 applications received in the fourth round under the PLI Scheme for White Goods has resulted in the provisional selection of five applicants with a committed investment of Rs 863 crore all engaged in the manufacturing of air conditioner AC components said Ministry of Commerce and Industry in a statementAccording to the statement overall a total of 85 companies selected under the PLI Scheme for White Goods Air Conditioners and LED Lights are expected to make investments of Rs 11198 crore leading to cumulative production of Rs 190050 crore over the scheme periodEight applicants have been referred to the Committee of Experts CoE for detailed examination and recommendations The scheme offers incentives ranging from 6 per cent to 4 per cent on a reducing basis on incremental sales for a period of five years following the base year and a oneyear gestation period Domestic Value Addition is expected to increase from the current 20â25 per cent to 75â80 per centThe Cabinet approved the ProductionLinked Incentive PLI Scheme for White Goods Air Conditioners and LED Lights on April 7 2021 with a total outlay of Rs 6238 crore to be implemented from FY 2021â22 to FY 2028â29 Under the scheme manufacturers of air conditioners will produce components such as compressors copper tubes plain andor grooved control assemblies for IDUs and ODUs heat exchangers and BLDC motors among others Similarly for LED Lights components including LED chip packaging LED drivers LED engines LED light management systems and metallized films for capacitors among others will be manufactured in India according to the official statementThe scheme aims to create a robust domestic component ecosystem for the air conditioners and LED Lights industry and position India as an integral part of the global supply chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-white-goods-scheme-5-selected-firms-to-achieve-rs-8-337-crore-in-production-says-govt-659480.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/early-intervention-a-national-responsibility-to-secure-future-of-kids-with-special-needs-minister-659487.html New Delhi Jan 23 Early intervention is a national responsibility to secure the future of children with developmental delays and other special needs said Dr Virendra Kumar Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment on Friday Speaking at the inauguration of the Cross Disability Early Intervention Centre CDEIC at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities NIEPID in Noida he emphasised the governmentâs unwavering commitment to inclusive and early support systemsHe affirmed that the Ministry will continue to strengthen early intervention services so that children with developmental delays and disabilities can achieve their fullest potential and participate meaningfully in societyâEarly childhood intervention is not merely a service but a national responsibility to secure the future of every childâ Kumar saidâCentres like CDEIC represent the government of Indiaâs resolve to reach children at the earliest stage ensuring timely scientific and compassionate supportâ he addedHighlighting the transformative power of early intervention Kumar noted that the first six years of life are decisive for brain development and lifelong outcomes in health learning and social participationDirecting that the Noida centre evolve into a model of excellence the Minister stressed that quality must be reflected not only in infrastructure and aesthetics but also in advanced technology skilled professionals and evidencebased practicesHe further emphasised that families especially parents and caregivers are central to successful early intervention and instructed the centre to organise regular structured caregiver training programmes with proper certification to empower families as equal partners in the childâs developmental journeyâParents are the first and most powerful therapists in a childâs life and when empowered with the right knowledge and support no child with developmental delay will ever be left behindâ he addedThe Minister reiterated that with the combined efforts of professionals institutions and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities DEPwD CDEICs must become centres of hope trust and innovationThe CDEIC at Noida is designed to provide holistic multidisciplinary services for children with developmental delays and other special needs The centre will offer occupational therapy physiotherapy speech therapy medical consultation special education family counselling and schoolreadiness interventions enabling comprehensive care under one roofWith stateoftheart facilities the centre is expected to cater to a large population of children in the critical 06 years age group from Noida and surrounding regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/early-intervention-a-national-responsibility-to-secure-future-of-kids-with-special-needs-minister-659487.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/agreement-signed-to-provide-drone-based-healthcare-services-in-nagaland-659490.html Kohima Jan 23 In a significant step towards strengthening healthcare delivery in Nagaland a Memorandum of Agreement MoA has been signed to integrate drone technology into the stateâs healthcare service framework officials said here on Friday A senior Health and Family Welfare Department official said that the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre NGISRSC under the Planning and Transformation Department and the department signed the MoA in Kohima on Thursday to incorporate drone technology into the stateâs healthcare delivery system The official said that the collaboration aims to address critical challenges posed by Nagalandâs difficult terrain remoteness and limited accessibility by deploying drone technology for the delivery of emergency medical supplies as well as for response during disease outbreaks and natural calamities The drone technology will also provide aerial support for vector control operations and enable geospatial mapping to facilitate informed planning and decisionmaking he added Under the agreement the NGISRSC will undertake drone operations capacity building data analysis and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks while the Department of Health amp Family Welfare will provide the necessary logistical support coordination and deployment planning Senior Project Director NGISRSC Mhathung Kithan emphasised the importance of integrating emerging technologies into public health systems stating that the adoption of drone technology would significantly enhance the efficiency of healthcare service delivery across the mountainous state Principal Director Health amp Family Welfare Mereninla Senlem highlighted that the collaboration would strengthen the stateâs preparedness and response mechanisms during emergencies and disasters She noted that the initiative would play a crucial role in ensuring the timely delivery of essential medical supplies during emergency health operations and disaster situations The MoA marks an important milestone in Nagalandâs journey towards resilient technologyenabled healthcare and sets a model for interdepartmental collaboration in leveraging emerging technologies for public welfare the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/agreement-signed-to-provide-drone-based-healthcare-services-in-nagaland-659490.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/childhood-vaccinesdonotraiseriskof-epilepsy-study-659545.html New Delhi Jan 24 Routine childhood vaccinations are not associated with an increased risk of epilepsy in young children according to a new study led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The study published in The Journal of Pediatrics showed that the aluminum used as vaccine adjuvants also does not increase the risk of the neurological conditionâIncident epilepsy was not associated with uptodate vaccination status or cumulative vaccine aluminum exposure among children less than 4 years of ageâ said the team including those from the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute in Marshfield USThe study included 2089 children diagnosed as having epilepsy from age 1 year to less than 4 years These were compared with 20139 children without epilepsy based on age sex and health care siteThe majority of the kids were boys 54 per cent and between the ages of 1 year and 23 months 69 per cent No higher risk following the childhood vaccine schedule was observed stated the researchersTo assess vaccine exposure the team examined the schedule for routine childhood vaccines and their cumulative aluminum exposure from vaccine adjuvants measured in milligramsAluminum salts including formulations of aluminum hydroxide AH amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate aluminum phosphate AP combined AH and AP AHAP and aluminum potassium sulfate are commonly used as adjuvants in vaccines While this helps to enhance immune response it has been a focus of safety concernsHowever the team found that neither measure was associated with a higher risk of epilepsyâThe adjusted odds ratios for both measures did not exceed 10 Children with previously established risk factors for epilepsy including those born prematurely those with a history of epilepsy and those with underlying neurologic or medical conditions had substantially higher odds of developing the conditionâ the team saidA subgroup analysis suggested that very young infants 1 to 2 months old who received vaccines containing the adjuvant combination AHAP appeared to have about twice the odds of an epilepsy diagnosis compared with those who did not but the odds did not quite reach statistical significanceâOverall this study provides additional reassurance on the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule at a time when vaccination coverage has declined in some populations the researchers saidThese results may help providers communicate with parents concerned about potential risks of epilepsyâ they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/childhood-vaccinesdonotraiseriskof-epilepsy-study-659545.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-office-market-likely-to-outpace-asiapacific-peers-with-7-10-pc-rental-growth-659550.html New Delhi Jan 24 Indiaâs office market is set to outperform the AsiaâPacific region in 2026 with prime office rents forecast to grow 710 per cent a report has said The report from real estate services firm Knight Frank stated that India has emerged as the regionâs growth engine showing early signs of stabilisation after two years of rental declinesThe growth is supported by strong leasing momentum the expansion of Global Capability Centres GCC and rising demand for highquality and futureready office spaceIndiaâs three largest office markets Bengaluru Mumbai and DelhiNCR collectively recorded about 50 million sq ft of leasing in 2025 up 21 per cent yearâonâyear with the highest annual absorption on record across these markets the report saidBengaluru led regional performance with 138 per cent annual prime rental growth and a 74 per cent quarterâonâquarter rise in Q4 2025 with CY2025 marked as the cityâs most prolific year on record in terms of area leasedTotal leasing commitments across these three markets reached a record 50 million sq ft in 2025 driven by GCCs flex operators and IT outsourcing firms and rents rose 58 per cent YoY the report saidMumbai and DelhiâNCR also saw steady rental appreciation in prime microâmarkets and rising interest from financial services flex operators and global corporates consolidating into higherâquality locationsAcross AsiaâPacific over 100 million sq ft of new office space is expected in 2026 likely pushing regional vacancy and muting rental growth while Indiaâs fundamentals should absorb over 43 million sq ft of completions in 2026 without materially weakening rental momentum the firm forecastedShishir Baijal International Partner Chairman and Managing Director Knight Frank India said occupier demand is expected to remain strong in 2026 with higher supply volumes supporting market traction during the yearGlobal Capability Centres thirdparty IT businesses and financial services firms are not only expanding but also committing early to highquality developments said Baijal IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-office-market-likely-to-outpace-asiapacific-peers-with-7-10-pc-rental-growth-659550.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/national-girl-child-day-india-advancing-towardsan-equitablesociety-says-govt-659563.html New Delhi Jan 24 India is advancing towards an equitable society with no gender discrimination and equal opportunities for girls said the government Initiated in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development MWCD the day serves as a platform to raise awareness about gender discrimination promote equal opportunities and foster an environment where girls can thrive as empowered citizensThe day also aligns effectively with Indias vision of womenled development and Viksit Bharat by 2047The government has through different initiatives supported by community participation NGOs schools and Anganwadis made measurable gains in girls survival education and empowermentâNational Girl Child Day 2026 serves as a reminder of the importance of empowering girls and fostering an environment of equality and opportunity Through multisectoral awareness campaigns policy enforcement and community engagement India continues to build momentum towards gender equity and societal attitudesâ said an official statementâWith the ongoing commitment from government civil society and communities India is advancing towards an equitable society where every girl child is valued protected and empowered to realise her full potentialâ it addedThe government has addressed persistent inequalities faced by girls including gender biases female foeticide challenges related to the child sex ratio child marriage and barriers to education and healthImportantly the day emphasises changing societal attitudes to value and respect girls as equals thereby promoting their holistic developmentSignificant progress has been made through sustained efforts particularly under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao BBBP scheme with the Sex Ratio at Birth SRB rising from around 918 in 201415 to 930 in 202324 at the national level the government saidIn addition to this the Gross Enrolment Ratio GER for girls at the secondary level Classes 910 in India has shown improvement rising from 7551 per cent in 201415 to 78 per cent in 202324Furthermore the Gross Enrolment Ratio GER for girls at the secondary level reached 802 per cent in 202425The government has implemented a range of targeted schemes to protect educate and empower the girl child many integrated under the umbrella Mission Shakti which includes Samagra Shiksha Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya KGBV and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao BBBPOther initiatives include the Vigyan Jyoti Scheme scholarships for girl child Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act Prohibition of Child Marriage Act Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat POSHAN Abhiyaan and Mission VatsalyaTo promote longterm economic security and independence for girls the government has also introduced dedicated savings and investment schemes that encourage families to plan for their daughtersâ education marriage and future needs with the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana SSY IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/national-girl-child-day-india-advancing-towardsan-equitablesociety-says-govt-659563.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-life-sciences-leaders-scaling-ai-digital-transformation-report-659456.html New Delhi Jan 22 Life sciences leaders in India are scaling artificial intelligence AI and digital transformation said a report on Friday The report by KPMG which surveyed 110 global Life Sciences leaders noted that life sciences CEOs in India are also investing in enhancing workforce skills and the country is on track for sustainable growth in the sectorâIndiaâs life sciences sector is moving from aspiration to execution CEOs are scaling AI and digital transformation pursuing MampA with strategic clarity and investing in workforce skillsâ said Vijay Chawla Partner and Head â Life Sciences KPMG in IndiaâBy combining innovation with efficiency and leveraging Indiaâs talent base the industry is positioning itself for sustainable growth and global leadership in a rapidly evolving healthcare and Life Sciences ecosystemâ he addedGlobally over 80 pc global life sciences CEOs believe AI is crucial for growth reducing emissions and improving energy efficiencyThe report showed that leaders are decisively shifting from experimentation to execution focusing on integrating AI strategically transforming their businesses through MampA and reshaping their workforce to unlock a new era of innovation and efficiencyWhile 86 per cent of CEOs reported a moderatetohigh appetite for MampA over the next three years signaling a continued drive for transformation 80 per cent noted adjusting their growth strategies to navigate interrelated market challengesNotably 73 per cent of global leaders reported plans to allocate between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of their technology budgets specifically to AI initiatives 65 per cent of CEOs anticipate measurable returns on these investments within the next three yearsHowever as AI adoption accelerates cybersecurity remains a critical concern for 84 per cent of CEOsFurther the report said CEOs are making talent development a central focus acknowledging that 85 per cent believe workforce readiness for AI is crucial to achieving their goalsFor life sciences CEOs executing ESG initiatives also ranks as the secondmost important operational focus over the next three yearsAbout 80 per cent of CEOs believe that AI will play a significant role in reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency As a result sustainability objectives are increasingly translating into tangible operational improvements and financial gains signaling a promising path forward for the industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-life-sciences-leaders-scaling-ai-digital-transformation-report-659456.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-2nd-country-globally-to-integrate-mobile-stroke-units-with-emergency-medical-services-icmr-659278.html New Delhi Jan 22 India is the second country globally to integrate Mobile Stroke Units with emergency medical services to boost treatment in rural areas said Dr Rajiv Bahl Secretary Department of Health Research and Director General ICMR Bahl stated this as the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR handed over two Mobile Stroke Units MSUs to the Assam government marking a major shift from stroke patients in remote areas having to travel to hospitals to hospitals reaching patientsThe initiative is part of an ICMRfunded initiative to study âStroke Care Pathwaysâ in the region After the pilot phase ended the ICMR donated the units to ensure that people of Assam continue to receive rapid treatment for cerebrovascular emergenciesâMobile Stroke Units were first developed in Germany and later evaluated in major global cities India has evaluated such units in rural remote and difficult terrain in Northeast India We are also the second country globally to report successful integration of an MSU with emergency medical services for treating rural acute ischemic stroke patientsâ Bahl saidStroke is one of the leading causes of death and longterm disability in India and requires timely care within the golden hourâThe handover strengthens Assamâs emergency response system and ensures continuity of this lifesaving service under state ownershipâ said P Ashok Babu Secretary amp Commissioner Health AssamHe noted that the collaboration with ICMR has enabled faster treatment better coordination and improved outcomes for stroke patients and provides a strong foundation for expansionThe MSU is a mobile hospital on wheels equipped with a CT scanner teleconsultation with specialists pointofcare laboratory and clotbusting drugs enabling early diagnosis and treatment of stroke at or near the patientâs homeThe Northeast has a disproportionately high burden of stroke Difficult terrain long distances and limited access to specialised care have historically made timely stroke treatment challengingTo address this the ICMR established a neurologistled stroke unit at Assam Medical College amp Hospital Dibrugarh and physicianled stroke units at Tezpur Medical College Hospital and Baptist Christian Hospital TezpurThe Mobile Stroke Units were embedded into this prehospital stroke care pathwayThe model reduced treatment time from nearly 24 hours to about 2 hours reduced deaths by onethird and reduced disability by eight times the Ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-2nd-country-globally-to-integrate-mobile-stroke-units-with-emergency-medical-services-icmr-659278.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-ai-adoption-to-generate-17-trillion-in-economic-value-by-2035-report-659281.html New Delhi Jan 22 As Indiaâs semiconductor industry scales up its adoption of artificial intelligence AI is projected to generate 17 trillion in economic value by 2035 and reshape industries across the economy a new report has said A KPMG report launched at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos said that Indiaâs responsible AI scaling gained support from robust data governance frameworks sectoral adoption in healthcare agriculture education and defence and the creation of the IndiaAI Safety InstituteâIndiaâs emergence as a pivotal force in global trade technology and sustainability is underpinned by bold investments in semiconductor manufacturing and rapid adoption of artificial intelligence AIâ the report saidThe business advisory firm highlighted Indias achievement in the sector such as approval of six semiconductor fabrication plants with an outlay of 13 billion and allocation of 22 billion for deepâtech research and developmentGovernmentsupported flagship initiatives such as the India Semiconductor Mission and Semicon India are accelerating chipâmaking infrastructure testing and advanced packaging the report saidThe report highlighted over 38000 GPUs deployed under the IndiaAI Mission over 6 million people employed in the technology and AI ecosystem and that 89 per cent of new startups in 2024 leveraged AI the report saidâIndiaâs transformation is remarkable What weâre seeing is more than economic growth itâs about building trust and shaping the future of global collaboration From advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure to clean energy and AI India is building an ecosystem that drives resilience and innovation at scaleâ said Bill Thomas Global Chairman and CEO KPMG InternationalâThe countryâs ability to turn ambition into action is what stands out delivering real progress that opens new opportunities for businesses worldwideâ Thomas addedIndiaâs leadership in digital infrastructure sustainability and advanced technologies like semiconductors and AI sets new benchmarks according to Yezdi Nagporewalla Chief Executive Officer KPMG in IndiaThe PLI schemes have attracted 222 billion generating 2079 billion in incremental production and creating 126 million jobs and India reached a 50 per cent nonâfossil fuel share in installed capacity by June 2025 the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-ai-adoption-to-generate-17-trillion-in-economic-value-by-2035-report-659281.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/wef-2026-accessibility-affordability-andpersonalisation-key-to-boost-womens-health-sayexperts-659294.html New Delhi Jan 22 Improving accessibility affordability and tailoring treatment and diagnostics to womens needs are some of the crucial measures to closing the health gap for the fairer sex by 2030 said experts at the ongoing World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos Women spend 25 per cent more of their lives in poorer health than men due to delayed diagnoses and limited access to appropriate careAt a session titled Breakthroughs in womens health the experts highlighted how insufficient investment in sexspecific research and innovation for women results in preventable mortality morbidity and loss of economic potential estimated to be 1 trillion globallyThe panel unanimously pointed out that the focus needs to be on the human side of implementationâThe greatest innovations are the ones that will end up being accessible affordable and used by women around the worldâ said Gargee Ghosh Chasin President Global Policy and Advocacy Gates FoundationâWhile invention is critical access and use are equally critical And thats what makes the difference between product and impactâ she added while mentioning incredible innovations specific to womenâs health such as the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer an AIbased ultrasound that will bring early diagnosis of highrisk pregnancy and a microarray patch for contraceptionSania Nishtar Chief Executive Officer GaviThe Vaccine Alliance stated that more than just innovation it is important to translate science and evidence into policy and then policy into pilots and then pilots into scalable deliveryâInnovation has to be matched with delivery capability And the challenge is that if you do not have that delivery capability if you do not have sustainable financing youre unable to use innovations for the impact that theyre intended to haveâ she addedNadia CalviÃo President European Investment Bank stressed the importance of primary health and the distribution of the preventative treatments to womenâPrimary health is the starting point for a healthy society Of course womens health is the basis for a healthy society a stable society So I really think we have to put a lot of focus on that the family doctors the way that we can get these medicines and these preventative treatments to every woman around the worldâ CalviÃo saidOrazio Schillaci Minister of Health Ministry of Health of Italy called for increasing the number of clinical trials tailored for women and personalising treatment for women Schillaci also mentioned the potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing the health sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/wef-2026-accessibility-affordability-andpersonalisation-key-to-boost-womens-health-sayexperts-659294.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/80-pc-of-industry-confident-in-indias-growth-prospects-ficci-pre-budget-survey-659300.html New Delhi Jan 22 A FICCI preBudget survey on Thursday reflected strong optimism across industry with nearly 80 per cent of respondents expressing confidence in Indiaâs growth prospects Nearly half of the participants expect GDP growth to remain in the 7â8 per cent range in FY 2026â27 reaffirming faith in Indiaâs mediumterm fundamentals despite persistent global uncertaintiesAccording to the FICCI survey industry also underscored the importance of fiscal prudence with around 42 per cent of respondents expecting the fiscal deficit target of 44 per cent of GDP to be achieved in FY 2025â26 reinforcing confidence in the Governmentâs fiscal consolidation roadmapâThree macroeconomic priorities clearly emerge for the Union Budget 2026â27 job creation a sustained thrust on infrastructure and stronger support to exports Among the sectors expected to be in focus respondents identified infrastructure manufacturing defence and MSMEs among othersâ the findings showedAccording to the report government must continue to lay thrust on manufacturing and capexâSetting up of a mega electronics industrial cluster to colocate OEMs EMS firms and component suppliers will be important to give a further push to this strategic sector Equally important is to lay thrust on defence manufacturingâ it suggestedIt further stated that the government must also enhance the capital outlay share in defence allocations to 30 per cent to modernise frontline assets UAVs counterUAV systems EW systems and AIenabled capabilitiesAdditionally enhancing Drone PLI outlay to Rs 1000 crore and establishing a Rs 1000 crore Drone RampD Fund will give a boost to this emerging sectorâGiven the rising global trade frictions uncertainty on global tariffs and nontariff barriers such as CBAM and deforestationrelated regulations the expectations of support to exports in the Union Budget is clearly evidentâ said the surveyTo strengthen Indiaâs export performance and integration into global value chains respondents emphasised the need for streamlining trade facilitation and customs processes reducing logistics and portrelated bottlenecks and strengthening export incentive and refund mechanismsIt is recommended that the Union budget enhances allocations under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products RoDTEP to improve export competitiveness Industry also looks forward to announcements related to reforms in SEZ policy and further rationalisation of customs tariffs in the budgetThe customs tariffs can be further rationalised by converging rate slabs to three levels This would significantly simplify the system bring certainty and reduce compliance costs said the FICCI surveyOn the direct tax front key expectations of respondents included simplifying compliance through digitisation providing tax certainty and improving dispute resolution and litigation management IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/80-pc-of-industry-confident-in-indias-growth-prospects-ficci-pre-budget-survey-659300.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-chinese-applooks-to-tackle-global-loneliness-crisis-659335.html New Delhi Jan 22 Amid falling marriages and birth rates and many living an isolated life in China a new app is seeking to fight loneliness according to a media report The Are You Dead app developed by a company called Moonscape Technologies enables individuals living alone or single to be in touch with a designated emergency contact the Guardian reportedThe company which describes it as âa lightweight safety tool crafted for solo dwellersâ allows users to check in once a day by clicking a large green button If the user misses two consecutive days of checkins the app will send an automated alert to a designated emergency contactThe app comes as more people in their 20s and 30s are living alone in China The report noted that in 2024 a record low of 61 million couples got married in the country while 26 million couples filed for divorceIn addition the country is witnessing a significant decline in birthrate creating demographic challenges as the population shrinks each year By 2030 there could be as many as 200 million singleperson households according to Chinese state mediaIn such a scenario the Are You Dead app has tapped into peopleâs anxiety of dying alone with no one even to bury themâThis app makes people feel alive It is an interesting phenomenon that reflects and combats the loneliness of young people todayâ the report quoted a user on RedNote a social media platform that is predominantly used by women as sayingAccording to Ian Lü one of the cofounders of Moonscape Technologies the idea for Are You Dead came to him while browsing on Chinese social mediaâIn recent years there has been wide and heated discussion about a hypothetical âare you deadâ appâ Lü said âFor example something with features like if you donât check in for 48 hours someone will come and collect your bodyâThe report also cited Chinaâs notorious â996â work culture meaning workers toil from 9 am to 9 pm six days a week as a major factor for stress and social isolationThe new app thus is becoming a tool to combat feelings of isolation which also builds up anxiety stress and a sense of helplessness the report said with mental health experts also vouching for the app that will help connect to other peopleâThis new âliving aloneâ group is a global phenomenon I hope the whole world can pay attention to the safety issues of people living aloneâ Lü said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-chinese-applooks-to-tackle-global-loneliness-crisis-659335.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indigos-net-profit-nosedives-about-78-pc-in-q3-over-flight-disruptions-new-labour-codes-659338.html New Delhi Jan 22 InterGlobe Aviation the parent company of IndiGo on Thursday registered a consolidated net profit of Rs 5498 crore for the OctoberDecember period Q3 â a sharp about 78 per cent drop from the Rs 24488 net profit reported in the same period of the previous fiscal The lowcost airline said in its exchange filing that net profit was impacted by significant operational disruption in early December as well as new Labour CodesâExceptional items for the quarter ended December 2025 were Rs 15465 million include estimated provision towards implementation of new labour laws of Rs 9693 million costs related to operational disruptions of Rs 5550 million and penalty of Rs 222 million as per the DGCA orderâ the company informedIndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said that this quarter the company faced major operational disruptions that resulted in significant flight cancellations and delays from December 35âWe deeply regret the inconvenience faced by our customers and express our heartfelt gratitude for their patience and trustâ he saidAviation regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA imposed a penalty of Rs 2220 crore on airline IndiGo for largescale flight disruptions witnessed in December 2025 According to the regulator IndiGo cancelled 2507 flights and delayed 1852 flights between December 3 and 5 leaving more than three lakh passengers stranded at airports across the countryThe disruptions caused widespread inconvenience and raised serious concerns about the airlineâs operational preparednessDespite these operational disruptions IndiGo delivered âa topline of around Rs 245 billion in the December quarter reflecting a growth of around 7 per cent with a reported profit of around Rs 5 billion and an underlying profit excluding exceptional items and forex of Rs 31 billionâ said Elbers adding that the longterm fundamentals remain strongFor the quarter the passenger ticket revenues were Rs 204640 million an increase of 62 per cent and ancillary revenues were Rs 24462 million an increase of 136 per cent compared to the same period last yearTotal expenses for the quarter ended December 2025 were Rs 224319 million an increase of 96 per cent over the same quarter last year according to the filing IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indigos-net-profit-nosedives-about-78-pc-in-q3-over-flight-disruptions-new-labour-codes-659338.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-digital-payments-boom-bhim-app-records-over-300-pc-growth-in-monthly-transactions-in-2025-659343.html New Delhi Jan 22 The BHIM Payments App has witnessed a sharp surge in usage in calendar year 2025 reflecting Indiaâs growing shift towards UPIbased digital payments Monthly transactions on the app rose more than four times during the year highlighting increased trust ease of use and expanding payment options for users across the countryData released by NPCI BHIM Services Limited shows that monthly transactions on the BHIM app grew from 3897 million in January 2025 to 1651 million in December 2025This marks a growth of over 300 per cent in transaction volumes with the platform recording an average monthonmonth growth of around 14 per cent throughout the yearAlong with higher volumes the value of transactions also saw a strong jump In December 2025 transaction value crossed Rs 20854 croreCompared to the same period last year volumes increased by nearly 390 per cent while transaction value rose by more than 120 per centThis indicates that users are increasingly using BHIM not only for small daily payments but also for highvalue transactionsDelhi emerged as one of the leading markets for the BHIM Payments App in 2025 The growth in the national capital was mainly driven by smallticket highfrequency transactionsPeertopeer payments accounted for 28 per cent of total transactions followed by grocery purchases at 18 per centFastfood outlets contributed 7 per cent eating places 6 per cent telecom services 4 per cent service stations 3 per cent and online marketplaces 2 per centThe app also gained popularity for IPO mandate authentications and other highvalue transactions underlining its reliability for critical payment and authentication needsCommenting on the performance Lalitha Nataraj Managing Director and CEO of NPCI BHIM Services Limited said the BHIM Payments App has been designed to offer safe convenient and inclusive digital payments even in areas with low internet connectivity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-digital-payments-boom-bhim-app-records-over-300-pc-growth-in-monthly-transactions-in-2025-659343.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/female-representation-in-stem-highest-in-india-workforce-participation-lags-report-659350.html New Delhi Jan 22 Even though India has outpaced many developed countries in terms of gender equality in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics STEM education the lesser participation of women in the workforce remains a concern according to a report The report by EY India highlighted progressive policies and industry interventions that led to the advancement of women in STEM fieldsHowever it also highlighted systemic challenges that continue to affect higher numbers in the workforce especially in leadership positions It called for multifaceted efforts to bridge the gender gapCiting education as the cornerstone for womenâs rise in STEM education the report mentioned the vital role of government initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Vigyan Jyoti and the Pragati Scholarship in increasing female enrollment in STEM educationâIndiaâs National Education Policy NEP 2020 has further emphasised skillbased learning and inclusivity laying the groundwork for a more diverse and competitive workforce Several corporates have also supported female enrollment in STEM courses through earmarked scholarships under their CSR programmes to encourage more women to pursue STEM coursesâ Aashish Kasad National Leader Chemicals and Agriculture sector EY IndiaâAs a result India now exceeds global averages in female STEM graduates However there remains a stark gap between education and employment with many women not transitioning into STEM careersâ she addedKasad attributed the STEM gap to âunconscious bias and workplace culture where women in STEM face unequal pay and limited leadership opportunities worklife balance pressures lack of mentorship and networking and restricted access to crucial career progression supportâThe report cited the 2024 LinkedIn dataset where women represented 412 per cent of the overall workforce with sectors such as retailecommerce healthcare pharma and IT leading the way in hiring STEMqualified women It pointed to a positive momentum toward bridging gender disparities in these industriesThe report noted that many corporateled initiatives are now providing resources offering career support and mentorship programmes helping women navigate challenges in STEM careers and achieve professional goalsâAddressing gender diversity in STEM can unlock immense potential for innovation and economic growth for the countryâ said KasadShe added that fostering an inclusive environment encouraging mentorship and challenging societal stereotypes can be crucial to boost the share of women in STEM careers in IndiaKasad called for âcontinued efforts in policymaking corporate leadership and societal transformationâ to help shape the future of STEM careers for women IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/female-representation-in-stem-highest-in-india-workforce-participation-lags-report-659350.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-bombays-new-smart-platform-tohelp-researchers-decode-brain-diseases-659352.html New Delhi Jan 22 A team of bioengineers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay has developed new smart platforms BrainProt and DrugProtAI that unify data on scattered brain diseases to help researchers find markers explore treatments and pinpoint druggable targets BrainProt v30 is a database that combines various types of biological data from genes to proteins into a single platform to enable systematic insights into human brain function in both healthy and diseased statesIt is the first system to integrate multidisease data from genomics transcriptomics proteomics and biomarker research and multidatabase information into one portalâBrainProt also includes resources to identify and understand protein expression differences between the left and right hemispheres of the human brain across 20 neuroanatomical regions This is the first resource of its kindâ said Prof Sanjeeva Srivastava from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering IIT BombayBrainProt includes data on 56 human brain diseases and 52 multiomics datasets derived from more than 1800 patient samples These datasets include transcriptomic data for 11 diseases and proteomic data for six diseasesFor each disease users can examine genes and proteins frequently associated with the disease assess how strongly these genes and proteins are already supported by existing medical and scientific databases and how their activity levels change in patient samplesDrugProtAI was developed to understand whether a protein can be druggable has the biological and physical characteristics needed to be a useful drug target before doing costly experimentsThis is crucial because only about 10 per cent of human proteins currently have an FDAapproved drug with another 34 per cent under investigationâBefore investing years of work in a protein target DrugProtAI predicts whether the protein is druggable by looking beyond the proteinâs sequence such as cellular location structural attributes and other unique characteristics it hasâ said Dr Ankit Halder coauthor of the studyThe tool generates a âdruggability indexâ a probability score indicating how likely a protein is to be druggable A higher score suggests that the protein shares many properties with proteins that already have approved drugs while a lower score indicates that drug development would be more challengingâBy integrating DrugProtAI directly into BrainProt we created a pipeline where researchers can move from identifying a disease marker to examining its expression patterns to evaluating its druggability and exploring existing compounds or clinical trials all within an hourâ Halder said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-bombays-new-smart-platform-tohelp-researchers-decode-brain-diseases-659352.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-total-gas-posts-11-pc-jump-in-q3-profit-revenue-up-17-pc-659354.html Ahmedabad Jan 22 Adani Total Gas ATGL on Thursday reported an 11 per cent yearonyear rise in its consolidated net profit for the third quarter ended December Q3 FY26 The companyâs net profit for Q3 stood at Rs 159 crore compared with Rs 14238 crore recorded in the same quarter last financial year Q3 FY25 according to its stock exchange filingRevenue from operations showed strong growth during the quarter Adani Total Gas posted revenue of Rs 163922 crore in Q3 FY26 marking a 17 per cent increase over Rs 140088 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial yearâTeam ATGL has delivered yet another strong quarter with doubleâdigit growth in volumes revenue and EBITDAâ said Suresh P Manglani CEO and ED ATGLâDespite continued lower availability of APM gas and higher Henry Hublinked RLNG prices our diversified sourcing strategy enabled us to manage the gas basket efficiently and ensure uninterrupted supplies of PNG and CNG to all our customersâ Manglani addedFor Q3 FY26 ATGLâs standalone combined volume of CNG and PNG reached 289 million standard cubic meters MMSCM a 12 per cent increase compared to the same period last financial yearThe company added 18 new CNG stations taking its total network to 680 while PNG household connections rose to 105 lakh with more than 34000 new homes added during the quarterIndustrial and commercial connections also grew with 148 new customers taking the total to 9751 the company said in the statementATGLâs operational footprint with its joint venture IOAGPL showed even stronger growthCombined volumes reached 460 MMSCM up 15 per cent yearonyear The CNG network expanded to 1120 stations with 41 new additions while PNG household connections crossed 125 lakh serving over 4 million people dailyIndustrial and commercial connections grew to 11106 adding 222 new customers The company has also completed 27011 inchkilometers of steel pipeline network across IndiaFinancially ATGLâs EBITDA for Q3 FY26 rose to Rs 314 crore while for the nine months it reached Rs 919 croreThe company managed supply challenges caused by a lower CNG APM allocation of 41 per cent and higher costs from alternative sources like New Well Gas HPHT and RLNG ensuring uninterrupted service to all consumers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-total-gas-posts-11-pc-jump-in-q3-profit-revenue-up-17-pc-659354.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-emerging-as-global-power-hub-with-huge-growth-potential-industry-leaders-at-davos-659366.html Davos Jan 22 India is fast emerging as a strong global power hub driven by its large and young population expanding economy and growing innovation ecosystem global industry leaders said on Thursday Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum here business leaders highlighted Indiaâs rising importance in global economic development and its ability to attract longterm international investmentSharing a global perspective Tu Chang Founder of the Forum for Business Taiwan said Indiaâs demographic advantage makes it one of the most important economic forces in the world todayâIndia is emerging as a strong global power hub With its large and young population India offers immense potential for growth and innovationâ Chang statedTu Chang said India is already being seen as one of the key powerhouses of global economic growth and will continue to play this role in the coming yearsHe added that the World Economic Forum is addressing a wide range of issues this year including sustainable development capital flows investments and political challenges all of which are closely linked to economic progressâThe countryâs demographic advantage and expanding economy are key factors that will attract more global investmentâ he explainedHe also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs leadership saying that the Indian government is making strong efforts to improve economic performanceâIndiaâs young workforce is a major strength and under Prime Minister Modiâs leadership the country is wellpositioned to perform even better in the years aheadâ Tu Chang saidMilind Pimprikar Founder of Caneus International said discussions at the World Economic Forum this year are focused on scaling up technologies in a responsible mannerHe said Caneus is working with the Government of Maharashtra and the Government of India to create a new framework that helps startups and deeptech innovations move from development to largescale commercializationToday at the World Economic Forum the theme is how to scale up technologies responsiblyâ he saidâThrough our partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and India we are proposing to create a socalled midtechnology readiness level to scale up these technologies and startups to the next levelâ Pimprikar told IANSPimprikar said the partnership aims to introduce a âmidtechnology readiness levelâ that will help promising technologies and startups reach the next stage of growthHe added that an agreement was signed with the Maharashtra Chief Minister to establish an institute dedicated to the commercialization of deep technologies which will support innovationled growth in IndiaIndiaâs strong economic momentum expanding infrastructure and mature business ecosystem make it an attractive destination for global investors Frank Meehan co founder frontier one Australia said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-emerging-as-global-power-hub-with-huge-growth-potential-industry-leaders-at-davos-659366.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 02:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-noninvasive-imaging-tech-to-scan-skin-signal-risk-of-heart-disease-659412.html New Delhi Jan 23 A team of German researchers has developed a new imaging technology that can noninvasively scan your skin and also reveal early signs of cardiovascular risk FastRSOM skin scan can detect tiny changes in blood vessels oxygen levels and tissue composition that are invisible to traditional imagingIt can capture detailed images of the smallest blood vessels directly through the skin and detect tiny changes in their ability to expand and contract known as microvascular endothelial dysfunction MiVEDUntil now doctors had no precise and noninvasive way to see or measure these early changes in humansAccording to the team from the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres by revealing early signs of heart disease risk the technology could help doctors intervene sooner guide personalised therapies and improve longterm heart healthWith fastRSOM we can for the first time noninvasively assess endothelial dysfunction at singlecapillary and skinlayer resolution in humans said Dr Hailong He researcher at the Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging at Helmholtz MunichOur novel approach offers an unprecedented view of how cardiovascular disease manifests at the microvascular level added Dr Angelos Karlas cofirst author vascular surgeon and senior research scientist at Technical University of Munich TUM University HospitalThe study is published in the journal Light Science amp ApplicationsFastRSOM provides highresolution dynamic MiVED biomarkers describing subtle impairments in blood vessel function that are generally present before clinical symptoms or measurable macroscopic disease features appearThese early changes are often linked to risk factors such as smoking high blood pressure or obesity However in contrast to computing risk based on descriptive conditions fastRSOM can quantitatively capture the actual changes that these conditions have imposed on the microvascular system long before major complications developBy capturing these early warning signs fastRSOM opens up new possibilities for early detection prevention and more precise monitoring of cardiovascular health The technology could help identify individuals at higher risk of developing cardiovascular events with higher precision and monitor lifestyle or therapeutic interventions the team saidThe RSOM Raster Scan Optoacoustic Mesoscopy is a noninvasive imaging technology that uses pulses of light to generate ultrasound signals producing highly detailed 3D images of structures beneath the skin IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-noninvasive-imaging-tech-to-scan-skin-signal-risk-of-heart-disease-659412.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/76-pc-indian-recruiters-to-create-new-jobs-in-h1-2026-healthcare-manufacturing-to-lead-report-659426.html New Delhi Jan 23 About 76 per cent recruiters in India are focussed on job creation across various sectors in the first half of 2026 according to a report Naukri Indiaâs biannual survey based on insights of over 1250 recruiters showed that the healthcare sector is set to lead with 88 per cent new jobsThe manufacturing sector is set to follow with 79 per cent new roles in H1 2026The BFSI sector is likely to show a relatively conservative yet strong hiring outlook 70 per cent and IT sector 76 per cent will create jobsâWith 76 of recruiters focused on new job creation the H1 2026 Hiring Outlook reflects sustained confidence in Indiaâs job market said Dr Pawan Goyal Chief Business Officer at NaukricomAt an overall level IT and Business Development roles are expected to witness the highest hiring activity during H1 2026 with 45 per cent recruiters in each sector anticipating the same up from 37 per cent amp 20 per cent recruiters respectively in H2 2025Further despite widespread concerns about AIdriven job losses 87 per cent of recruiters believe AI will not have a significant impact on overall employmentIn fact compared to the previous Hiring Outlook survey where 13 per cent of recruiters predicted AIled job creation 18 per cent of recruiters now expect AI to create new roles mainly across IT analytics and marketingImportantly AI is emerging as a catalyst for new role creation especially in technology analytics and marketing functions This evolution highlights the importance of continuous upskilling as organisations prepare for the next phase of workforce transformationâ Goyal saidMeanwhile hiring demand is expected to continue favouring entryto midlevel professionals with IT and manufacturing leading midlevel hiring and healthcare driving entrylevel rolesNotably 69 per cent of IT recruiters expect the highest demand for midlevel professionals 47 yrs of experience while 65 per cent of healthcare recruiters plan to hire from the 03 years experience band emphasising a push toward fresh talent in the sector the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/76-pc-indian-recruiters-to-create-new-jobs-in-h1-2026-healthcare-manufacturing-to-lead-report-659426.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cert-in-handled-over-2944-lakh-cyber-incidents-in-2025-gains-global-recognition-659430.html New Delhi Jan 23 The Computer Emergency Response Team CERTIn at the centre of Indias cybersecurity architecture handled over 2944 lakh cyber incidents in 2025 issued 1530 alerts and 390 vulnerability notes the government said on Friday CERTIn empanelled 231 certified cybersecurity audit organisations strengthening audit and vulnerability assessment capacity across critical information and communication technology infrastructure according to an official statementCyber Swachhta Kendra CSK established by CERTIn covers 98 per cent of Indiaâs digital population sending largescale notifications on botnet and malware infectionsIt has onboarded 1427 organisations and recorded 8955 lakh downloads of its free botnetâremoval tools which helped detect and remediate malware the statement saidThe centre tracks networks of internetconnected devices such as computers mobile phones IoT devices and home routers that are infected with malwareIt provides free tools and guidance to help users clean infected devices and works closely with industry academia and internet service providers to identify compromised systems and alert usersThe government highlighted capacity building and preparedness exercises of CERTIn as it conducted 32 specialised technical training programmes 95 awareness sessions reaching 91065 participants and trained 20799 officers and cybersecurity professionalsCERTInâs functions include promoting awareness facilitating information sharing through its automated cyber threat exchange platform sharing nearârealâtime threat information and conducting regular training and exercisesCERTIN conducted 122 cybersecurity drills and exercises including tabletop exercises for 1570 organisations across public and private sectors for personnel in defence paramilitary forces space atomic energy telecommunications finance power oil and natural gas industries etcCERTIn identified and published 29 common vulnerabilities and exposures and has been recognised by international platforms including the World Economic Forum the University of Oxford and Franceâs ANSSI for AIâdriven threat detection and realâtime threat intelligence sharing the statement saidIndiaâs internet connections reached 10029 crore in 2025 compared to 2515 crore in March 2014 The countryâs average monthly data use per user rose to 2401 GB among the highest globally from 6166 MB in 2014 the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cert-in-handled-over-2944-lakh-cyber-incidents-in-2025-gains-global-recognition-659430.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-japan-bolster-strategic-and-economic-ties-659432.html New Delhi Jan 23 The IndiaJapan Foreign Ministersâ dialogue in New Delhi this month reflects the strengthening of the âSpecial Strategic and Global Partnershipâ between two IndoPacific heavyweights navigating geopolitical flux External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi reaffirmed the JapanIndia Joint Vision for the Next Decade unveiled during Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs August 2025 visit to JapanThis timely parley coincides with the 10th anniversary of Japanâs Free and Open IndoPacific FOIP strategy positioning India as its indispensable ally while laying groundwork for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 according to an article in India NarrativeThe ministers greenlit the âJapanIndia PrivateSector Dialogue on Economic Securityâ for launch in the first quarter of 2026 zeroing in on five priority domains semiconductors critical minerals information and communication technology ICT clean energy and pharmaceuticals These steps aim to derisk global dependencies ensuring stable flows of rare earths for batteries and chips essential to both economies the article points outIn artificial intelligence the JapanIndia AI Cooperation Initiative JAI received fresh impetus with the establishment of a dedicated âJapanIndia AI Strategic Dialogueâ to hammer out tangible collaborationsRegionally the two countries recommitted to Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Quad mechanisms â encompassing Japan India Australia and the United States â to uphold FOIP principles while pledging closer coordination on North Koreaâs nuclear and missile provocations They also resolved to invigorate the JapanIndia Act East Forum for enhanced connectivity in Indiaâs Northeast institute a novel policy dialogue framework on South Asia and align on global governance reforms at the World Trade Organization WTO and United Nations Security Council UNSCBy reaffirming Quad cooperation the ministers underscored shared priorities in maritime domain awareness secure sea lines of communication and resilient infrastructure ensuring an inclusive regional architecture that invites rather than excludes partners like ASEAN nations the article addedEconomic security initiatives directly buttress FOIPâs prosperity pillar promoting transparent supply chains and innovation ecosystems that counteract opaque financing models The Act East Forumâs revival promises Japanese technical and financial assistance for rail digital and energy links in Indiaâs Northeast fostering crossborder connectivity with Southeast Asia and diluting adversarial influences via MyanmarCollectively these measures project a vision of openness where freedom of navigation fair trade and ethical technology standards prevail over zerosum dominance the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-japan-bolster-strategic-and-economic-ties-659432.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/how-realme-is-rethinking-power-for-everyday-smartphone-use-659436.html New Delhi Jan 23 In Indiaâs fastevolving smartphone market battery performance has moved from a background specification to a core daily need As screens grow brighter and apps more demanding users now expect their phones to last through long workdays travel entertainment and latenight scrolling without interruption This shift has made endurance one of the most fiercely contested spaces in the categoryAddressing this everyday battery anxiety headon is Indiaâs first and biggest 10001mAh battery smartphone built on siliconcarbon anode technology that delivers higher energy density without added bulkDespite housing a massive battery it stands out as the worldâs thinnest and lightest 10001mAh smartphone at just 219gBacked by a fivelayer battery safety architecture it is also the worldâs first 10000mAh smartphone to pass militarygrade shock tests offering dependable performance in realworld conditionsDesigned for longevity the device meets an eightyear battery health standard is the worldâs first and only 10000mAh phone battery with TÃV Rheinlandâs 5star rating and ensures safe stable usage across extreme temperatures ranging from 30 degrees Celsius to 56 degrees CelsiusIn a world where this quiet worry shapes how people use their phones endurance is no longer a feature it is a necessity And it is this shift that has begun to redefine how smartphones are being builtrealme has been at the centre of this shift Over the past few years the brand has steadily pushed the boundaries of smartphone power from bringing 240W and even 320W ultrafast charging to global markets to showcasing ambitious 10000mAh and 15000mAh concept devices that reimagined what longlasting phones could look likeThese werenât just experiments in capacity but signals of where everyday smartphones were headedThe centre of the upcoming realme device is a 10001mAh battery a capacity that feels less like a numerical milestone and more like a shift in how smartphones fit into daily lifeAs the first smartphone in the industry to bring a battery of this scale into a commercially available device it signals a move away from incremental upgrades toward a more fundamental rethinking of endurance Rather than structuring routines around charging points power banks or spare cables the phone is designed to support extended use without interruptionWhether itâs longdistance travel extended gaming sessions backtoback meetings or days spent navigating unfamiliar cities the battery is built to remain dependable in the backgroundFor a generation that lives on its smartphone battery health is no longer a background specification It shapes how freely people move travel and work through their day influencing decisions both big and smallAnd the upcoming realme P4 Power addresses this precisely not by changing how people use their phones but by quietly removing the need to think about usage at allThe noteworthy approach here is not just the size of the battery but how it has been integrated Traditionally larger batteries have meant heavier bulkier phones devices that solve one problem by creating anotherThe P4 Power takes a different route relying on advances in materials science rather than sheer physical expansion By using a siliconcarbon anode structure with industryleading silicon content the Titan Battery is able to store significantly more power within the same physical footprint enabling high capacity without sacrificing the feel of the device in handInternally structural redesigns play an equally important role Spacesaving battery architecture removes traditional connectors and inefficient layouts freeing up valuable internal volumeThe result is a phone that carries a massive battery within a slim 908mm profile and a lightweight 219g body making it one of the thinnest and lightest smartphones ever built in the 10000mAh category Days of standby extended talk time long hours of navigation and sustained gaming sessions become normal rather than exceptionalLongevity also plays a defining role in how this device has been shaped Battery anxiety isnât only about daily usage itâs also about how phones ageOver time shrinking battery health often becomes the first reason people feel forced to upgradeWith its Titan LongLife algorithm thousands of charging cycles and a fouryear battery health guarantee backed by eightyear performance standards the P4 Power is designed to retain over 80 per cent health even after years of use making endurance something users can rely on longtermMultilayer protection systems intelligent powerdisconnect mechanisms and reinforced internal materials ensure that the focus on capacity does not come at the cost of safety The Titan Battery has earned TÃV Rheinlandâs 5Star battery certification and militarygrade durability ratings allowing the phone to operate reliably across extreme temperatures from subzero cold to intense heat another nod to the unpredictability of everyday lifeSeen in a broader context the P4 Power reflects a philosophy that realme has been steadily developing pushing beyond accepted limits without turning innovation into a distractionThe choice of a 10001mAh battery instead of a round number quietly reinforces that mindset an insistence on going just a little further even when the difference seems symbolic and it builds on a history of redefining what users can expect from charging speeds battery size and overall power performanceAs the device prepares for its launch on January 29 in India the P4 Power enters a market where battery performance is no longer a luxury feature but a baseline expectationWhat sets it apart is not loud claims but a clear understanding of how people actually live with their phones By addressing battery anxiety at its root through capacity longevity safety and thoughtful design the phone positions itself less as a technological statement and more as a practical companionWith this realme continues to shape its presence in the largebattery space The P4 Power doesnât ask users to change their habitsIt simply gives them the freedom to keep going long after the battery icon would normally start demanding attentionThe realme P4 Power 5G will be available on realmecom amp Flipkart IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/how-realme-is-rethinking-power-for-everyday-smartphone-use-659436.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/wef-2026-ai-wont-replace-human-jobs-but-augment-human-employees-at-scale-say-experts-659270.html New Delhi Jan 22 Artificial intelligence would not replace human jobs but can only reshape work by automating tasks said leading business executives of tech companies at the ongoing World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos Kian Katanforoosh Founder and Chief Executive Officer Workera said language matters when describing AIâPersonally Iâm not a fan of calling AI agents or coâworkersâ he told a WEF session arguing that AI excels at tasks but cant outperform humans at âentire jobsâHumans by contrast perform â100s of tasks at timesâ âPredictions that AI would wholesale replace jobs have so far been wrongâ he addedMunjal Shah coâfounder and CEO of Hippocratic AI agreed that AI will augment human employees at a massive scale rather than replace themHe forecasted a future of â8 billion people and 80 billion AIsâ saying most systems will enable new use cases rather than replacing existing human rolesHe points to an AI system that called thousands of people during a heatwave guiding them to cooler locations and offering health advice Getting it right required rigorous testing âWe have models that check models that check modelsâ he saidKate Kallot Founder and CEO of Amini said AI firmly remains a âtoolâ that cannot make valueâbased decisionsIt âcanât choose the best outcomesâ because it doesnât yet have the right inputs Kallot saidChristoph Schweizer CEO of BCG said the experience of working with AI can feel like collaborating with a coâworkerâYou are now in a reality where it feels like a coworker whether you call it that or notâ he saidSchweizer argued that success depends on how companies change their organizations not just their tools âThey will succeed if they really change how their people workâ he saidHe urged AI to be treated as âa CEO problemâ that cannot be delegatedEnrique Lores President and Chief Executive Officer HP urged balance in AI usage with restraint on being more demanding with the AI coworkers than with human employeesIn HPâs call centres AI sometimes gives the wrong answer yet overall accuracy is higher than before and customer satisfaction has improved he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/wef-2026-ai-wont-replace-human-jobs-but-augment-human-employees-at-scale-say-experts-659270.html Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/human-heart-regrows-muscle-cells-after-heart-attack-study-659135.html New Delhi Jan 20 In a worldfirst discovery scientists in Australia have found that the human heart can regrow muscle cells after a heart attack raising hopes for future regenerative treatments for heart failure The study published in Circulation Research revealed that while parts of the heart remain scarred after a heart attack new muscle cells are also produced a phenomenon previously seen only in mice and now demonstrated in humans for the first time Xinhua news agency reportedUntil now weve thought that because heart cells die after a heart attack those areas of the heart were irreparably damaged leaving the heart less able to pump blood to the bodys organs said Robert Hume research fellow at the University of Sydney and first author of the studyIn time we hope to develop therapies that can amplify the hearts natural ability to produce new cells and regenerate the heart after an attack said Hume also lead of translational research at Australias Baird Institute for Applied Heart and Lung ResearchThough increased mitosis a process in which cells divide and reproduce after a heart attack has been observed in the heart muscles of mice this is the first time the phenomenon has been demonstrated in humansThe team made the breakthrough using living heart tissue samples collected from patients undergoing bypass surgery at Australias Royal Prince Alfred HospitalUltimately the goal is to use this discovery to make new heart cells that can reverse heart failure said Professor Sean Lal the studys senior author and heart failure cardiologist at the Royal Prince Alfred HospitalCardiovascular disease remains the worlds leading cause of death and heart attacks can eliminate a third of the cells in the human heart researchers said adding that the discovery offers promising groundwork for novel regenerative medicine IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/human-heart-regrows-muscle-cells-after-heart-attack-study-659135.html Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/local-leadership-key-to-improving-infant-maternal-health-iim-lucknow-study-659143.html New Delhi Jan 20 Affirmative action in local government leadership can significantly help improve health outcomes particularly infant survival and maternal prenatal care in India according to a study led by researchers at the Indian Institute of Management IIM Lucknow on Tuesday The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences PNAS journal offers important insights into how structural interventions can address longestablished social and health inequitiesThe findings showed that village clusters with affirmative action in local leadership recorded significantly better health outcomesInfant mortality rates were significantly lower in villages led by local representativesMaternal health indicators also improved including higher odds of receiving at least two prenatal visits tetanus vaccinations and prenatal supplements by the second trimesterâOur study found that local leaders from historically disadvantaged groups made decisions on health and education spending that appear to address some structural inequalities in local communitiesâ said Prof K G Sahadevan from the varsityBy using a quasiexperimental design the research team focussed on the impact of leadership reservation for Scheduled Castes SC in Indiaâs local governments the smallest units of governance responsible for delivering essential public services such as health and educationThe study compared 60 village clusters with SCreserved leadership to 60 village clusters without such reservations in 2021The team used a rich mix of data sources including administrative health records primary data collected in schools and indepth interviews with local leadersWhile the study recorded an increase in health outcomes in villages with affirmative action in local leadership no corresponding improvement was recorded in the education sectorThe research team did not find any statistically significant difference in the test scores between the two groupsFurther it showed that Scheduled Caste leaders experienced difficulties in working with teachers implying that persistent social inequalities may limit the effectiveness of improved education outcomes It also discouraged potential SC leaders from stepping forwardThe research provides notable insights for policymakers in low and middleincome countries seeking to advance human development outcomes IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/local-leadership-key-to-improving-infant-maternal-health-iim-lucknow-study-659143.html Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sk-bioscience-launches-new-global-rampdcentrein-south-korea-659034.html Seoul Jan 19 SK Bioscience Co the biotech arm of South Koreas SK Group on Monday launched its new global research and development RampD centre west of Seoul to enhance the efficiency of its vaccine research the company said SK Bioscience officially began operations of its Global Research amp Process Development RampPD Centre in Songdo an international business district in the western port city of Incheon The 2557 million facility also serves as the companys new headquarters Yonhap news agency reportedThe new building is the countrys singlelargest facility dedicated solely to vaccine development the company said noting it plans to conduct stable and efficient research across a wide range of vaccine solutionsThe research centre will enable SK Bioscience to conduct an entire development cycle from earlystage research to technical validation within a single site allowing the company to improve both speed and quality in the development process it addedThe move into the Songdo Global RampPD Centre is meaningful not merely as a relocation but as the acquisition of critical infrastructure that enables the tangible execution of SK Biosciences mid to longterm growth strategy Ahn Jaeyoung chief executive officer of the companyMeanwhile SK Bioscience Co reported its thirdquarter net profit of 148 million in November 2025 swinging from a loss of 223 billion won a year earlierThe company said in a regulatory filing that it continued to post an operating loss of 194 billion won for the JulySeptember period compared with a loss of 396 billion won a year earlier Revenue rose 1446 per cent to 1508 billion wonIts President Lee Jae Myung also met with Bill Gates the chair of the Gates Foundation and discussed ways to expand cooperation in global health initiatives Yonhap reportedGates said he expects South Korea to play an important role in global health initiatives through innovative products in vaccines and diagnostic equipment as well as other contributionsHe also introduced the achievements of the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Global Fund in curbing such diseases as HIV malaria and tuberculosis expressing hope for South Koreas increased contribution to global health initiatives IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sk-bioscience-launches-new-global-rampdcentrein-south-korea-659034.html Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hyaluronic-acid-may-help-improve-gynaecological-cancer-treatment-study-659038.html New Delhi Jan 19 In the firstever study Australian researchers have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of using stabilised hyaluronic acid sHA gel during radiation treatment for gynaecological cancers The gel is already approved by Australias Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in prostate cancer radiation treatmentThe team led by experts from Monash University investigated hyaluronic acid gel for the first time in women as a means to gently create more space between the tumour and the rectum during MRIguided brachytherapy a type of internal radiation treatmentBy creating this space clinicians aimed to reduce radiation exposure to the rectum allowing a higher dose of radiation to reach the tumour with more effective targeting reducing damage to healthy tissue and potentially improving treatment resultsThis study is a worldfirst in exploring stabilised hyaluronic acid sHA gels potential to improve outcomes for patients undergoing brachytherapy for gynaecological cancers Our findings show the procedure is safe feasible and offers promising technical advantagesâ said Dr Carminia Lapuz from Monash UniversityBy increasing the distance between the tumour and the rectum we hope to pave the way for safer more effective treatments and greater equity in cancer care Lapuz added The study is published in the Journal of Medical Radiation SciencesIn the small study on 12 patients doctors found the gel easy to use and clearly visible on MRI scans making it simple to check its position throughout treatment and importantly the patients felt no discomfort with the spacer No complications were reported related to the gelThe gel increased the distance between the tumour and the rectum for all 12 patients and safely stayed in place during the course of brachytherapyThe gel dissolves safely in the body over time as shown through its existing use in prostate cancer treatmentWhile this study did not look at longterm side effects or changes in radiation dose to the rectum it shows that using sHA gel as a spacer is safe and feasible for people with gynaecological cancerBy reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue and enabling better targeting of tumours this approach has the potential to improve quality of life minimise longterm side effects and deliver more effective cancer care for women worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hyaluronic-acid-may-help-improve-gynaecological-cancer-treatment-study-659038.html Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/realmep4-power-brings-for-gen-z-by-gen-z-design-philosophy-with-pearl-academy-659071.html New Delhi Jan 19 Gen Z is redefining what a smartphone means in everyday life For this generation a phone is no longer just a gadget but a reflection of identity creativity and how they live From bold looks to thoughtful details Gen Z values design that feels real expressive and comfortable to use placing as much importance on style and feel as on performance It is this shift in mindset that has influenced how brands think about design realme has been responding to this change across its product portfolioWithin this evolving landscape the realme P Series has built a reputation for youthful and functional design made specifically for Indian usersEarlier P Series smartphones focused on clean surfaces bold colour choices and practical finishes that balanced everyday durability with visual appeal Over time the series has evolved alongside young users adapting to changing style preferences and usage habits while remaining accessible and relatableBuilding on this foundation the upcoming realme P4 Power represents a more deliberate step forward in youthdriven design Created with a clear focus on Gen Z the smartphone follows a âFor Gen Z By Gen Zâ philosophy where technology is not only expected to perform well but also to feel personal and expressive in everyday useAt the centre of this approach is the TransView Design which rethinks how technology is presented on a smartphone Instead of hiding technical elements the design brings inspiration from them to the surfaceTransparency clarity and authenticity guide this visual language aligning closely with how Gen Z prefers technology to feel open honest and expressiveThis philosophy takes form through the upper crystal style panel which features circuitinspired patterns fine technical detailing and visible screw elements These details give the device a bold technologyfocused character and highlight the beauty of how smartphones are engineered By celebrating exposed technology the design turns internal inspiration into an external identityBalancing this technical expression is the lower matte panel finished in bold and fashionforward colours Designed for both comfort and individuality the matte surface offers a confident grip while allowing users to express their personal styleTogether the two panels create a balanced design where strength meets comfort and performance meets personalityThe overall look of the realme P4 Power reflects Gen Zâs instinctive ability to embrace contrast an idea rooted in realmeâs Power of Paradox design philosophyDesigned at the intersection of opposites the transview design brings boldness and balance together where playfulness aligns with purpose and advanced technology blends seamlessly with selfexpression Instead of choosing one direction the design proves that contrasts donât compete they complement coming together in a single cohesive visual identityThis youthfirst design language was further strengthened through a workshop between realme and Pearl Academy one of Indiaâs leading design institutions As part of the initiative students worked closely with realme design and product teams contributing directly to the look and feel of the realme P4 PowerThrough handson workshops and collaborative design sessions students were involved from early ideas and sketches to refined conceptsFor the first time student inputs directly influenced the design of a mass market smartphone Among the participating students a design concept by Sankalp Panchal was shortlisted and taken forward for integration into the final productBeyond design contribution the collaboration offered students realworld exposure to how products are developed at scale It helped them understand practical considerations such as timelines feasibility and consumer expectations while showing how creative ideas are refined before becoming part of a finished consumer deviceWith the realme P4 Power realme continues to strengthen its position as a youthfocused brand that listens and evolves with its audienceBy placing Gen Z creators at the centre of the design process the brand reinforces its commitment to building smartphones that are not just made for young users but genuinely shaped by them IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/realmep4-power-brings-for-gen-z-by-gen-z-design-philosophy-with-pearl-academy-659071.html Mon, 19 Jan 2026 18:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/physical-activity-in-adolescence-may-ward-off-breast-cancer-risk-later-study-658814.html New Delhi Jan 17 Adolescent girls who actively partake in recreational physical activity can have significant protection against risks of breast cancer according to a study Researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in the US showed that recreational physical activity may be associated with breast tissue composition and biomarkers of stress in adolescent girlsIn the study girls who reported engaging in at least two hours of recreational physical activity in the prior week compared with none had lower percent water content in breast tissue an indicator of lower breast density and lower concentrations of urinary biomarkers linked to stressThe findings published in the journal Breast Cancer Research shed new light on how physical activity during adolescence a critical period of breast development may influence biological pathways related to future breast cancer riskâThe importance and urgency of this research are underscored by the rising incidence of breast cancer in young women and the alarmingly low levels of recreational physical activity observed both in this study and among adolescents globallyâ said Rebecca Kehm Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School of Public HealthâOur findings suggest that recreational physical activity is associated with breast tissue composition and stress biomarker changes in adolescent girls independent of body fat which could have important implications for breast cancer riskâ Kehm addedThe study aligns with previous research in adult women showing that higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower mammographic breast density a key predictor of breast cancer riskDuring adolescence participants selfreported pastweek engagement in recreational physical activity including both organised and unorganised activities and completed clinic visits that included blood and urine collection as well as breast tissue assessmentsThe average age of girls in the study was 16 years More than half 51 per cent reported no recreational physical activity in the past week Seventythree per cent reported no participation in organised activities and 66 per cent reported no participation in unorganised activitiesThe team noted that additional longitudinal studies are needed to determine how these adolescent biomarkers may translate into breast cancer risk later in life IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/physical-activity-in-adolescence-may-ward-off-breast-cancer-risk-later-study-658814.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ranks-second-globally-in-use-of-claudeai-largely-for-software-development-658827.html New Delhi Jan 17 India accounted for the secondâhighest global use of US AI firm Anthropics Claudeai with most activity concentrated in technical and software development work a report has said The report from Anthropic said that five of the top 10 use cases in India fall within software development and that 452 per cent of use cases revolve around computer and mathematical workThe report highlighted that Indian users are two times overrepresented in the survey conducted on Claudes usage in CSS HTML and UI styling tasks and 17 times overrepresented in building and debugging web applicationsOther distinct Indian use cases include developing AI systems such as chatbots and workflow automation at 15 times representation and that users also employ Claude for job searching professional development academic STEM work and business planning the report saidIt noted Indiaâs Anthropic AI Usage Index at 022 a measure of whether Claude is overâ or underârepresented relative to the workingâage populationAn AUI above 1 indicates that a country uses Claude more intensively than its population alone would predict while an AUI below 1 indicates lowerthanexpected usageGlobally Claude usage remains concentrated among certain tasks most of which are related to coding it said adding that the US India Japan the UK and South Korea lead in overall Claudeai useâSome professionals may see some of their skills elevated such as radiologists and therapists as AI takes on some of their timeintensive tasks potentially offering more time to engage with patients and clientsâ the report noted on evolving AI trendsOthers may see their roles simplified or see a deskilling effect as AI can take on large portions of their roles such as data entry workers IT specialists and travel agentsOpenAI CEO Sam Altman had earlier said that India is the AI firms secondlargest market in the world and it may become our largestDue to Indiaâs young techâsavvy population the country holds a significant advantage in adapting to emerging technologies especially artificial intelligence AIIndian youth are rapidly integrating advanced tech tools making India a global hub for innovation and digital skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ranks-second-globally-in-use-of-claudeai-largely-for-software-development-658827.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chinese-surveillance-cameras-monitoring-tibetan-refugees-in-nepal-a-bigger-threat-report-658829.html New Delhi Jan 17 Driven by Belt and Road Initiative BRI investments and deepening bilateral security cooperation the Nepali governmentâs increasing adoption of Chinese surveillance infrastructure has created conditions in which Tibetan refugees in the country now face unprecedented levels of monitoring and control a report has warned Researcher Tenzin Dalha writes in online magazine Bitterwinterorg that the âsurveillance cameras monitoring Tibetan communities in Kathmandu do not merely endanger one vulnerable population they signal a broader transnational threat illustrating how technology can be weaponized to erode freedom dignity and sovereignty beyond national bordersâMultiple reports indicate that Chineseâmanufactured surveillance cameras have been installed in areas with high concentrations of Tibetan residents particularly around monasteries cultural centres and refugee settlementsIt enables realâtime monitoring of Tibetan gatherings religious ceremonies and political activities with credible concerns that this âdata flows back to Chinese security agencies either directly or through informationâsharing agreements between the two governmentsâDalha argues that the implications extend far beyond the immediate surveillance of Tibetan populationsâThe same cameras and facialârecognition systems installed ostensibly for public security can be â and increasingly are â deployed to monitor political dissent track the movements of activists and journalists and create comprehensive databases of citizensâ daily activitiesâ he writesMoreover the lack of robust dataâprotection frameworks transparency requirements and independent oversight mechanisms in Nepal means that âthis surveillance infrastructure operates with minimal accountability or legal constraintâThe truth is that Chinese firms operating in the technology sector lack the independence from state control that characterises companies in democratic systemsThe global response to Chinese surveillanceâtechnology exports has been inconsistent and inadequateâWhile the United States has imposed restrictions on companies like Huawei and encouraged allies including Australia Great Britain New Zealand and Canada to adopt similar measures many developing nations continue to embrace Chinese technology due to its affordability and the infrastructure financing provided through Belt and Road Initiative projectsâ the author states IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chinese-surveillance-cameras-monitoring-tibetan-refugees-in-nepal-a-bigger-threat-report-658829.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/alcohol-ban-in-bihar-led-to-better-proteins-fat-intake-decline-in-processed-foods-iit-kanpur-658836.html New Delhi Jan 17 The prohibition on alcohol in Bihar in 2016 has led to higher intake of calories protein and healthy fats from nutritious food sources according to a study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Kanpur on Saturday The study finds that alcohol prohibition enacted under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act by the Nitish Kumarled government significantly increased caloric protein and fat intake from healthy food sources such as pulses dairy products and nutbased oilsImportantly the move led to a decline in consumption of packaged and processed foods which are often complementary to alcohol useâThe ban did not just free up household resources it also triggered positive behavioural spilloversâ said Vinayak Krishnatri from Department of Economic Sciences at IIT KanpurâReduced alcohol use was associated with lower marital conflict improved household stability and a greater prioritization of spending on nutritious foodâ Krishnatri addedIn the paper published in the journal Agricultural Economics the team drew analysis based on householdlevel data from two rounds 201112 and 202223 of the nationally representative Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office NSSOTo account for broader time trends and regional economic changes the researchers compared Bihar with neighbouring states Uttar Pradesh Jharkhand and West BengalTo ensure the validity of the findings the researchers employed multiple statistical matching techniques and conducted extensive robustness checksThe study showed that alcohol prohibition freed up household resources which were subsequently redirected towards healthier food consumption rather than unhealthy alternatives Stronger gains were seen in urban areas where enforcement of the ban is relatively more effectiveContrary to concerns households did not reallocate these savings towards unhealthy food consumptionA particularly policyrelevant finding is the increase in protein intake in a state where diets are traditionally cerealdominated The study also found a shift away from cheap unhealthy fats towards betterquality cooking oils improving overall dietary qualityAlcohol prohibition in Bihar was primarily aimed at reducing domestic violence and alcoholrelated social harms The study also reveals that it generated unintended nutritional and health benefitsâWe show that the ban led to meaningful improvements in diet quality by shifting household spending from alcohol to foodâ said Prof Sukumar Vellakkal coauthor and Associate Professor Department of Economic Sciences IIT Kanpur IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/alcohol-ban-in-bihar-led-to-better-proteins-fat-intake-decline-in-processed-foods-iit-kanpur-658836.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over-1-lakh-enrolled-in-chip-design-training-67-000-trained-so-far-govt-658855.html New Delhi Jan 17 Over one lakh individuals have enrolled in Indiaâs chip design training programmes with around 67000 already trained the government said on Saturday The initiative driven by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY aims to make India selfreliant in chip design a sector crucial for modern electronics green energy defence and emerging technologiesâOver 1 lakh individuals have enrolled in chip design training with approximately 67000 trained so farâ the government saidThe Chips to Startup C2S Programme launched in 2022 with a total outlay of Rs 250 crore is at the centre of this driveThe programme covers nearly 400 organisations including 305 academic institutions and 95 startups and seeks to train thousands of students researchers and engineers across IndiaSo far students and institutions have filed over 75 patents and are developing more than 500 IP cores Application Specific Integrated Circuits ASICs and SystemonChip SoC designs for various sectors including telecom automotive defence and consumer electronicsThe C2S Programme also supports the incubation of startups technology transfers and research publications aiming to produce industryready professionals across BTech MTech and PhD levelsIt has trained BTech students through VLSIoriented coursework and engaged PhD scholars in advanced research in chip design while enabling MTech graduates to specialise in VLSI embedded systems and related domainsAccording to MeitY this largescale programme not only builds Indiaâs human capital in semiconductors but also strengthens domestic technological capabilities and supports the countryâs goal of global competitiveness in chip designBy integrating academic institutions startups research organisations and industry partners the government is creating a robust ecosystem where innovation practical learning and research go hand in handThis initiative comes at a critical time when global demand for semiconductors is surging and India aims to reduce dependence on imports particularly for hightech and defence applications IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over-1-lakh-enrolled-in-chip-design-training-67-000-trained-so-far-govt-658855.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 01:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hpv-vaccination-dnabased-screening-key-to-fight-cervical-cancer-in-india-govt-658860.html New Delhi Jan 17 Vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus HPV as well as improving access to DNAbased screening is crucial to eliminate cervical cancer in India said officials from the Health Ministry on Saturday The experts were speaking at Indiaâs first national summit organised by AIIMS to accelerate the cervical cancer elimination agendaAradhana Patnaik Additional Secretary and Managing Director National Health Mission NHM Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reaffirmed the governments unwavering commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problemâCervical cancer elimination is an achievable goal for India and we are fully committed to accelerating action across prevention screening and treatmentâ said PatnaikâOur focus is on rapidly expanding HPV vaccination strengthening screening at all levels particularly through highperformance methods such as HPV DNA testing to ensure timely access to diagnosis and treatment for every woman With stronger systems clear operational protocols and sustained partnerships across states and stakeholders we can make cervical cancer elimination a reality and safeguard the health of millions of women across the countryâ she addedProf Dr VK Paul Member Health NITI Aayog stated that India has a historic opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer but it requires speed scale and systemwide alignmentHe highlighted the need for evidencebased implementation modelsWe must initiate pilot projects that demonstrate how HPV DNAbased screening and selfsampling can be implemented on scale particularly across primary healthcare platforms These insights will help India build a national model that ensures women everywhere benefit from timely screening accurate diagnostics and seamless followupâ Paul addedOrganised by the Departments of Radiation Oncology Surgical Oncology and OncoAnaesthesia amp Palliative Medicine DRBRAIRCH at AIIMS the Summit focused on the three key pillarsStarting with scaling HPV vaccination to strengthening screening through highperformance HPV DNA testing the event focused on boosting selfsampling methods and closing the loop with effective cancer careThe summit also delved into establishing uniform national SOPs enabling hubandspoke care models and streamlining treatment and followup pathways to ensure equitable highquality care nationwideâCervical cancer can no longer be addressed in silos Convening government clinicians innovators and patient advocates is key to creating the momentum and accountability needed to accelerate prevention early detection and effective treatment said Dr Abhishek Shankar Assistant Professor Department of Radiation Oncology DRBRAIRCH at AIIMSThrough this initiative we aim to define clear actionable recommendations that will shape Indiaâs roadmap to cervical cancer eliminationâ he addedThe Summit brought together over 500 participants including representatives from AIIMS campuses nationwide state health departments cancer institutes WHO UNICEF ICMR civil society organisations and industry partners and concluded with a National Call to Action outlining priority steps to accelerate Indiaâs cervical cancer elimination roadmap IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hpv-vaccination-dnabased-screening-key-to-fight-cervical-cancer-in-india-govt-658860.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 01:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/employment-rate-among-s-korean-youths-falls-for-1st-time-in-5-years-in-2025-658882.html Seoul Jan 18 The employment rate for people in their 20s fell in 2025 for the first time in five years as a shrinking population and a weak job market weighed on hiring data showed on Sunday The employment rate for people in their 20s stood at 602 percent last year down 08 percentage point from a year earlier according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics It was the first onyear decline since 2020 when hiring slumped amid the COVID19 pandemic reports Yonhap news agencyThe number of employed people in their 20s totalled 344 million last year down 170000 from a year earlier The decline has continued for three straight years and has been accelerating widening from a drop of 82000 in 2023 to 124000 in 2024The population decline has been cited as a key factor as the number of people in this age group has fallen for five consecutive years since 2021But employment in the age bracket declined at a steeper pace than the population decrease suggesting broader weakness in the labor marketIn the past many people found jobs in their 20s but there is now a growing tendency for people to wait until their 30s in search of better opportunities said Yang Junseok a professor of economics at the Catholic University of KoreaSeparate data by the ministry showed that jobs at large conglomerates totaled 443 million in 2024 up 17000 from a year earlierBut the share of jobs being held by the same workers rose 08 percentage point to 844 per cent pointing to limited job mobilityMeanwhile President Lee Jae Myung said that increasing polarisation in the countrys economic growth is disproportionately affecting the youth threatening the future of the nationLee made the remark during an economic growth strategy meeting at Cheong Wa Dae saying the countrys Kshaped economy an uneven recovery where parts of the economy grow fast while others decline is presenting a grave challengeJudging from the surface and indices our economy will definitely improve from last year but the majority of the people will most likely not feel the change he saidAbove all the shadow of our Kshaped growth is concentrated on our young generations who carry our future he continued This goes beyond a youth issue and threatens the future growth engines of South Koreas economyLee said more than 400000 young people have been pushed out of the labor market with no one taking responsibility for the lack of entrylevel jobs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/employment-rate-among-s-korean-youths-falls-for-1st-time-in-5-years-in-2025-658882.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-flight-makes-emergency-landing-in-lucknow-after-bomb-threat-658912.html New Delhi Jan 18 An IndiGo Airlines flight carrying 238 people was forced to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport on Sunday after a bomb threat was reported midair The aircraft identified as flight 6E6650 was travelling from Delhiâs Indira Gandhi International IGI Airport to Bagdogra when the threat came to lightnbspFollowing the alert the plane was diverted to Lucknow as a precautionary measure âA security threat was noticed onboard IndiGo flight 6E 6650 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra on Sunday due to which the aircraft was diverted to Lucknowâ the airline statedFollowing the established protocol we informed the relevant authorities immediately and are fully cooperating with them in carrying out the necessary security checksâ IndiGo spokesperson added The airline stated that they are making all efforts to minimise inconvenience to our customers including offering them refreshments and sharing regular updatesnbspâAs always safety and security of our customers crew and aircraft are our topmost prioritiesâ IndiGo spokesperson addedAccording to Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP Rajneesh Verma the bomb threat was detected after a handwritten note was found on a tissue paper inside the aircraftâs toilet Soon after the flight landed safely at Lucknow airport at around 917 am it was moved to an isolation bay for security checksnbspAll passengers were immediately evacuated from the aircraft and scanned to ensure their safetynbspThe Air Traffic Control ATC received information about the bomb threat at around 846 am on January 18 after which standard safety protocols were activatedSecurity agencies including the bomb disposal squad and CISF teams began a thorough search of the aircraft and the surrounding areaA comprehensive investigation is currently underway to rule out any potential dangernbspThe flight was carrying 230 passengers including 222 adults and eight infants along with two pilots and five crew members Officials said all passengers and crew members are safe https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-flight-makes-emergency-landing-in-lucknow-after-bomb-threat-658912.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/7-in-10-professionals-expect-job-roles-to-change-due-to-ai-report-658923.html New Delhi Jan 18 Artificial Intelligence AI is being adopted at workplaces much faster than companies are training their employees with many professionals expecting major changes in their job roles in the coming years according to a new report The study conducted by Genius HRTech in association with Digipoll found that 71 per cent of professionals believe their roles and responsibilities will change significantly over the next two to three years as AI tools and new workflows become commonThe report is based on an online survey of 1704 professionals from different sectors carried out in November 2025 It highlights a clear gap between the fast pace of AI adoption and the lack of proper training provided by organisationsnbspAccording to the findings 61 per cent of respondents said their companies have not given them adequate guidance on how to use AI effectively Only 37 per cent said they had received proper training This lack of structured support is shaping how employees view AI adoption in their workplacesThe report said 55 per cent of professionals feel AI is being adopted out of necessity while 37 per cent believe it is driven more by trends than actual business needsnbspThis suggests that many organisations are pushing AI tools without fully preparing their workforcenbspDespite these concerns AI use is already widespread About 67 per cent of respondents said they have started using AI tools to simplify or automate their daily tasks showing how quickly the technology is becoming part of routine workThe experience however has been mixed While 69 per cent said AI has made their work processes easier 25 per cent felt it has added complexitynbspThis indicates that although AI reduces repetitive work it can also create new challenges for some employeesnbspTrust in AI remains another major issue Only 49 per cent of professionals said they trust AIgenerated insights without manually checking themnbspAround 36 per cent said they do not trust such insights at all while 15 per cent said their level of trust depends on the task the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/7-in-10-professionals-expect-job-roles-to-change-due-to-ai-report-658923.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/south-korea-reports-1st-african-swine-fever-case-in-2-months-658720.html Seoul Jan 17 South Korea on Saturday confirmed its first case of African swine fever ASF in about two months prompting authorities to cull thousands of pigs and issue a standstill order to prevent the virus from spreading According to the provincial government the outbreak was detected at a farm in Gangneung about 170 kilometres east of Seoul in Gangwon Province Yonhap news agency reportedAuthorities said 29 of 32 pigs that died at the facility on Friday tested positive for the virus which is fatal to pigs but harmless to humansPrime Minister Kim Minseok has ordered emergency containment measures including restricting access to the site and culling operations after receiving a report on the new caseKim also stressed the need for a thorough epidemiological investigation to determine the cause of the outbreakIt is the first confirmed case in the country since November when an outbreak was reported in Dangjin South Chungcheong ProvinceTo prevent the spread officials culled 20000 pigs at the affected farm and issued a 48hour standstill order for pig farms in six adjacent cities and countiesIn November last year the country confirmed its sixth ASF case of the yearThe case was reported at a pig farm in the city of Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province which raises 463 pigs Yonhap reported It has the largest swine farming capacity in the country making the situation far more serious and raising the risk of a nationwide spreadThe government culled 1423 pigs from the affected farm and other nearby farms operated by the same owner and issued a 48hour standstill order for pig farms and related facilities nationwide the officials saidAll of the previous five cases of 2025 were reported in the northern part of Gyeonggi Province IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/south-korea-reports-1st-african-swine-fever-case-in-2-months-658720.html Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/combining-two-medicinesmay-help-treatchildhood-brain-cancer-study-658724.html New Delhi Jan 17 A team of Australian researchers has tested a new way of treating childhood brain cancer by combining two medicines in lab studies The study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine found that using the two treatments together may work better than using either on its ownThe team from the Childrens Cancer Institute and University of New South Wales tested a combined therapy approach on a group of difficulttotreat brain tumours diffuse midline gliomas DMG in the labThis group includes diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma DIPG a rare but fatal childhood brain cancer and a type of DMG Children diagnosed with DIPG usually survive for about 12 monthsWe recognise that no single drug treatment is able to eradicate the most aggressive of brain cancers on its own said Conjoint Associate Professor Maria Tsoli from UNSWShe said this is what led the researchers to see if combining treatments could work betterUNSW Conjoint Professor David Ziegler said one of the biggest challenges with these tumours is that thousands of genes are switched on at the same time driving the cancers growthIt has proven extremely difficult to find a way to switch them all off he saidThe researchers said that DMG cells grow out of control because of changes that disrupt normal gene activityThe study discovered a promising combination of drugs that successfully shuts down the transcription process effectively switching off thousands of genes at once they explainedThe team focused on two important proteins involved in transcription FACT and BET found at high levels in cancer cells Drugs that block these proteins already exist but when used on their own they only slow the cancer slightlyBut when used together the cancer cells died in laboratory experimentsExperiments in mice showed that it slowed tumour growth and helped the mice live longerThe researchers also found the treatment activated signals linked to the immune system This means the cancer cells may become easier for the bodys immune system to recognise and targetBecause of this the researchers think that adding an immunebased treatment such as CAR Tcell therapy could work even better in the futureThe researchers said both types of drugs are already being developed for use in patients as they are now in clinical trials IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/combining-two-medicinesmay-help-treatchildhood-brain-cancer-study-658724.html Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-likely-to-roll-out-collateralfree-loans-for-gig-workers-domestic-helpers-soon-658730.html New Delhi Jan 17 The government reportedly plans to launch a microcredit programme in April 2026 offering collateralâfree loans of up to Rs 10000 per annum to gig workers domestic helpers and other vulnerable groups The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is apparently designing the scheme on the lines of the PM Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi PMâSVANidhi which provides street vendors with small workingâcapital loans according to reportsUnder PMâSVANidhi vendors receive initial loans starting at Rs 10000 and on timely repayment they become eligible for subsequent tranches of Rs 20000 and Rs 50000 along with a 7 per cent interest subsidy and additional incentives for adopting digital paymentsThe new scheme aims to help gig and platform workers many of whom lack formal credit histories to buy twoâwheelers and other assets needed for their workEligibility is expected to mirror PMâSVANidhiâs verification approach where beneficiaries will include workers registered on the governmentâs eâShram portal who hold governmentâissued identity cards and a Universal Account NumberPMSVANidhi needs vendors to hold a licence and be included in urban local body surveysAs of November 2025 more than 3138 million unorganised workers and over 509 lakh gig and platform workers were registered on the eShram and those verified on the portal will be first in line for the new loans the reports saidUnder the restructured Prime Minister Street Vendorâs Atma Nirbhar Nidhi PM SVANidhi Scheme which aims to benefit 115 crore beneficiaries including 50 lakh new beneficiaries the government had informed earlierThe lending period has now been extended until March 31 2030 The total outlay for the scheme is Rs 7332 crore the statement addedThe key features of the restructured scheme include enhanced loan amounts across the first and second tranches provision of a UPIlinked RuPay Credit Card for beneficiaries who have timely repaid the second loanThe schemeâs coverage is being expanded beyond statutory towns to census towns periurban areas etc in a graded manner IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-likely-to-roll-out-collateralfree-loans-for-gig-workers-domestic-helpers-soon-658730.html Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aiia-to-continue-fostering-entrepreneurship-innovation-in-ayurveda-ayush-ministry-658741.html New Delhi Jan 17 The All India Institute of Ayurveda AIIA has reiterated its dedication to foster entrepreneurship innovation in Ayurveda through its startup incubation centre Incubation Centre for Ayurveda Innovation and Entrepreneurship AIIAiCAINE the Ministry of Ayush said on Saturday Through AIIAiCAINE the Institute supports newage ventures that contribute to evidencebased sustainable and inclusive health solutionsâAIIAiCAINE continues to empower innovators by providing a structured platform to transform ideas into impactful enterprisesâ the Ministry saidThe Institute also successfully organised an awareness programme on MSME opportunities for Ayurvedabased startups on the occasion of National Startup Day 2026 on FridayThe programme was conducted in collaboration with the MSMEâDevelopment and Facilitation Office in the national capitalâThe event reaffirmed AIIAiCAINEâs commitment to nurturing a robust innovationdriven startup ecosystem rooted in Ayurveda aligned with national priorities for entrepreneurship MSME growth and sustainable healthcare solutionsâ the Ministry saidIt brought together policymakers academic leaders startup enablers and aspiring entrepreneurs to deliberate on strengthening the MSME and startup ecosystem with a special focus on Ayurveda and integrative health innovationsâThe sessions highlighted government support schemes institutional mechanisms for innovation intellectual property protection certification and standardisation requirements and financial mechanisms essential for earlystage startupsâ the Ministry saidDuring the event Dr Arun Kumar spoke about innovationdriven entrepreneurship in Ayurveda while Sunil Kumar Deputy Director MSME provided an overview of MSME initiatives and government schemes relevant to Ayurvedabased enterprisesProf Manjusha Rajagopala shared the academic and institutional perspective on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within Ayurveda institutionsDr R K Bharti Joint Director MSME emphasised the need for a strong policysupported ecosystem to promote startups and MSMEs particularly in the traditional medicine and wellness sectorsThe technical sessions featured expert talks by Sangeeta Nagar former Senior Scientist DPIIT on Intellectual Property Rights IPR and their importance for startups and Jyoti Neeraj Senior Manager SIDBI who elaborated on financial support mechanisms and funding opportunities available for startups and MSMEs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aiia-to-continue-fostering-entrepreneurship-innovation-in-ayurveda-ayush-ministry-658741.html Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-worlds-lowest-data-costs-highest-data-usage-scindia-658743.html New Delhi Jan 17 Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday said that India now has worldâs lowest data costs and highest data usage driven by robust digital infrastructure There are more than 120 crore mobile users in the country and the 4G network is expected to reach every village by June this yearâWorldâs lowest data costs worldâs leading data usage Indiaâs digital revolution led by PM Narendra Modi is truly built for its peopleâ the minister posted on X social media platformBSNL has installed a total of 97068 4G sites and 93511 sites are âOnAirâ till October 31 2025 The staterun telecom operation aims to upgrade all 4G towers to 5G within the next few monthsMeanwhile the 5G services have been rolled out in all states and union territories UTs across the country and presently these are available in 999 per cent of the districts As on October 31 telecom service providers TSPs have installed 508 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations BTSs across rural and urban area of the countryMore than 31 lakh Base Transceiver Stations BTSs have been installed across the country To reduce call drops and improve internet connectivity in underserved areas the government has taken several initiatives like BharatNet project for providing broadband connectivity in Gram Panchayats GPs and villages scheme for providing mobile services in Left Wing Extremism LWE affected areas and in Aspirational Districts 4G Saturation scheme to provide 4G mobile coverage in all uncovered villages and launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW Right of Way RulesMeanwhile the telecom infrastructure is being deployed by private TSPs as well as stateled service providersAccording to Scindia technology spectrum devices applications and sustainability verticals must align seamlessly for innovations to mature and scale The minister recently said that spectrum policy will be central to Indiaâs 6G strategy and noted that India has already undertaken significant spectrum refarming with more planned ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-worlds-lowest-data-costs-highest-data-usage-scindia-658743.html Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-launches-market-access-programme-to-help-indian-startups-scale-globally-658435.html New Delhi Jan 15 Google on Thursday announced the launch of the Google Market Access Programme a firstofitskind initiative aimed at helping Indian startups strengthen their gotomarket strategies and move faster from local pilots to global scale The announcement was made at the âGoogle AI Startups Conclaveâ here where the company reaffirmed its longterm commitment to Indiaâs rapidly growing AI startup ecosystemThe new programme is designed for AIfirst startups that have crossed the prototype stage but face challenges in converting successful pilots into longterm enterprise contractsThrough structured learning global exposure and direct access to senior business leaders Google aims to help founders bridge what it calls the âcommercial last mileâ of innovationUnder the Market Access Program selected startups will receive training on enterprise selling global pricing models and international buyer behaviourThey will also gain facilitated access to Googleâs global network of CIOs and CXOs along with immersion opportunities in key international markets in partnership with ecosystem organisations such as TiE Silicon Valley and AlteusSpeaking at the event Preeti Lobana Country Manager for India at Google said Indian startups are building deep technology and solving problems at population scaleâIndia has become strong in turning ideas into prototypes many startups struggle during the scaling phaseâ Lobana addedAlongside the programme Google announced new additions to its open Gemma model family to support advanced AI applicationsThe company introduced MedGemma 15 an open medical AI model that enables startups to work with complex medical imaging such as CT scans MRI scans histopathology slides and medical reportsThe model is expected to support nextgeneration healthcare diagnostics and researchGoogle also launched FunctionGemma a lightweight model optimised for function calling and ondevice AI agentsIt allows applications to convert natural language instructions into real actions on devices enabling fast private and lowlatency AI solutions even without constant internet connectivity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-launches-market-access-programme-to-help-indian-startups-scale-globally-658435.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-industry-calls-for-stronger-push-to-domestic-manufacturing-infra-development-658436.html New Delhi Jan 15 Industry stakeholders have called for stronger push to domestic manufacturing and the âMake in Indiaâ initiative among the top priorities for the Union Budget 202627 a preBudget survey conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India Assocham said on Thursday The survey conducted among professionals across manufacturing services infrastructure ITITeS startups and allied sectors found that 55 per cent of respondents remain optimistic about the business outlook over the next 12 months while 32 per cent maintain a neutral stance and only 13 per cent expressed a pessimistic outlookBoosting domestic manufacturing emerged as the single most important Budget priority to advance the vision of an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat followed by strengthening MSMEs and simplifying tax and compliance systemsAccording to the apex industry chamber infrastructure and logistics development skills and job creation and accelerated digital and AIled growth also featured prominently among industry expectations from the BudgetTo accelerate manufacturing growth industry participants said the budget should focus on providing cheaper longterm capital enhancing credit availability and offering targeted tax incentives for technology upgradation automation and artificial intelligence adoptionExpansion of PLI schemes to more sectors tax incentives linked to Industry 40 rationalisation of customs duties on critical raw materials and faster clearances at industrial parks SEZs and industrial clusters were also highlightedThe survey further underscored the close link between manufacturing growth and MSME health with 55 per cent of respondents being MSMEs themselvesâDelayed payments and working capital shortages were identified as the most critical pain points for MSMEs reinforcing the demand for cashflowbased lending greenchannel credit linked to GST and einvoice data and incentives for timely paymentsâ the findings showedThe survey report highlighted that the Union Budget 202627 should prioritise executionoriented reforms rationalise compliance frameworks and deploy targeted fiscal incentives to unlock private investment strengthen MSMEs and enable manufacturing scaleupOn the taxation front respondents pointed to persistent compliance challenges with a majority agreeing that complex TDS and TCS provisions create a significant cashflow and administrative burden More than half of the respondents felt that the new Income Tax Act 2025 would only partially meet its stated objectives of simplification and certainty IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/budget-2026-industry-calls-for-stronger-push-to-domestic-manufacturing-infra-development-658436.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistans-food-insecurity-crisis-poses-public-health-economic-risks-658440.html New Delhi Jan 15 Pakistanâs food insecurity challenge is not only a social sector concern but a growing public health and economic risk When nearly one in four Pakistanis faces moderate or severe food insecurity the implications will surface in higher healthcare costs reduced labour productivity and deeper intergenerational poverty according to an editorial published in the Karachibased publication Business Recorder It highlights that the Food Insecurity Experience Scale findings from HIES 2024â25 present a reality far more troubling than the language used to describe them While the report refers to âsignificant progress yet persistent challengesâ in ensuring equitable food access the data itself points to a clear and sustained deteriorationModerate or severe food insecurity at the national level has risen sharply from 1592 per cent in 2018â19 to 2435 per cent in 2024â25 In population terms this means roughly 61 million Pakistanis now live in households where access to food is uncertainSevere food insecurity has more than doubled from 237 per cent to 504 per cent implying that about 126 million people are facing the most extreme form of deprivation These are not indicators of progress but of deepening vulnerabilityAccording to the FAO moderate food insecurity reflects a situation in which households cannot reliably access sufficient food and are forced to compromise on quality variety or regularity of meals Severe food insecurity represents a far graver condition where households run out of food altogether and may go a day or more without eatingWhen viewed through this lens the HIES findings signal not just rising discomfort but a growing number of Pakistanis experiencing sustained nutritional stress and outright hunger the editorial points outThe consequences extend well beyond empty stomachs FAO evidence shows that moderate food insecurity is closely linked to poor diet quality micronutrient deficiencies and rising obesity due to reliance on highly processed foods Severe food insecurity carries even heavier costs increasing risks of physical illness mental stress and longterm health damageFor children repeated exposure to food insecurity raises the likelihood of stunting wasting impaired cognitive development and weaker educational outcomes effects that permanently undermine human capital and future productivity the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistans-food-insecurity-crisis-poses-public-health-economic-risks-658440.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-ai-spending-projected-to-reach-25-trillion-in-2026-658443.html New Delhi Jan 15 The global spending on AI is forecast to total 252 trillion in 2026 a 44 per cent increase yearoveryear according to a report released on Thursday AI adoption is fundamentally shaped by the readiness of both human capital and organisational processes not merely by financial investment said JohnDavid Lovelock Distinguished VP Analyst at GartnerOrganisations with greater experiential maturity and selfawareness are increasingly prioritising proven outcomes over speculative potential he addedBuilding AI foundations alone will drive a 49 per cent increase in spending on AIoptimised servers representing 17 per cent of total AI spendingAI infrastructure will also add 401 billion in spending as result of technology providers building out AI foundations said the reportâBecause AI is in the Trough of Disillusionment throughout 2026 it will most often be sold to enterprises by their incumbent software provider rather than bought as part of a new moonshot projectâ said LovelockâThe improved predictability of ROI must occur before AI can truly be scaled up by the enterpriseâ he addedA recent report said that at least 2 trillion in annual revenue is needed to fund computing power needed to meet anticipated AI demand globally by 2030 However even with AIrelated savings the world is still 800 billion short to keep pace with demand according to new research by Bain amp CompanyBy 2030 global incremental AI compute requirements could reach 200 gigawatts with the US accounting for half of the powerWhile computational demand increases leading companies have moved from piloting AI capabilities to profiting from AI as organisations scale the technology across core workflows delivering 10 per cent to 25 per cent earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization EBITDA gains over the last two years said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-ai-spending-projected-to-reach-25-trillion-in-2026-658443.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-startup-ecosystem-flourished-under-stable-policies-startup-founders-658447.html New Delhi Jan 15 Indiaâs leading startup founders on Thursday said that the countryâs startup ecosystem has seen unprecedented growth over the past decade driven by stable policymaking a supportive government and a strong entrepreneurial culture As the Startup India initiative completes ten years on January 16 entrepreneurs believe that India has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for global investors and that the future of entrepreneurship in the country looks brightZerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamath said that the last decade has been a great period for startups in India especially when compared with other global regionsâPolicy stability and consistency have given India an edge over competing marketsâ he addedKamath noted that global investors while being cautious about Europe China and even the US remain optimistic about IndiaâIndiaâs startup story has been narrated well abroad which has increased investor appetiteâ he statedâEntrepreneurship has now become socially acceptable and even cool among young Indiansâ Kamath notedOYO founder and CEO Ritesh Aggarwal shared his personal experience of engaging with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as a âstartup Prime MinisterââThe Prime Minister has the rare ability to think big while also focusing deeply on execution at the ground levelâ Aggarwal saidHe credited initiatives like Startup India for changing social attitudes towards entrepreneurship even within familiesâMy own mother began to see entrepreneurship as a respectable career choice only after the government strongly backed startups at the national levelâ Aggarwal statedMapmyIndia CEO and Executive Director Rohan Verma said the Prime Ministerâs longterm vision for Digital India and Startup India has been inspiring for young innovatorsâSuch leadership sends a powerful message to the next generation and will have a lasting impact on Indiaâs innovation ecosystem over the next two decadesâ Verma saidMeesho cofounder Sanjeev Barnwal said Indiaâs startup ecosystem has thrived since 2014 due to initiatives like Startup India and Aatmanirbhar BharatPolicybazaar CEO and cofounder Yashish Dahiya said the governmentâs focus on âless government more governanceâ created a strong foundation for startupsâStartup India helped build a nationwide entrepreneurial movement reaching districts and states across the countryâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-startup-ecosystem-flourished-under-stable-policies-startup-founders-658447.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-must-quickly-transition-from-uranium-to-thoriumto-become-energy-independent-anilkakodkar-658459.html New Delhi Jan 15 India must essentially become energy independent and turning focus to thorium found in abundance in the country from uranium is important said Anil Kakodkar former chairman Atomic Energy Commission and its current member on Thursday Speaking to IANS Kakodkar spoke on the importance of thorium in Indias nuclear energy programmeâEarlier it was the problem of the supply of uranium which was necessary to kick off which happened But we cannot be permanently dependent We have to become energy independent For that we will have to depend on energy sources of our own soilâ said the Secretary to the Government of IndiaâNow as far as nuclear is concerned we have abundant thorium So we should very quickly transition from uranium to thorium And that is the keyâ he addedKakodkar a nuclear physicist and mechanical engineer also spoke about how India developed all the technology in a selfreliant mannerWhile the country now has the best reactor system and it is performing extremely well the main challenge however has been fuelAll the reactors depend on uranium and the availability of uranium of the right quality within the country is limited Although more uranium resources have been discovered they are still insufficientEntering into Civil Nuclear Cooperation paved the way for uranium imports which were not possible earlier said KakodkarIndia made agreements with countries like the US Canada Kazakhstan and Australia to gain crucial uranium fuel for Indiaâs growing civilian nuclear power programmeWith access to imported uranium âour reactors are now running at full capacity and overall capacity is steadily increasing New reactors are being set up and the government has planned a nuclear energy mission targeting 100 gigawattsâ the expert saidHowever global demand for uranium is increasing and its total availability in the world is finite Thus countries can only secure limited suppliesâYou cant get all of it for yourself For that matter even if you take a somewhat higher proportion there will be restrictions there will be problems there will be price issues So I think going forward we have to address this challengeâ Kakodkar saidâWhile the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement helped us to come this far we must now focus on thorium We must focus on thorium nowâ he told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-must-quickly-transition-from-uranium-to-thoriumto-become-energy-independent-anilkakodkar-658459.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/niti-aayog-unveils-blueprint-to-empower-msmes-by-boosting-scheme-implementation-service-delivery-658463.html New Delhi Jan 15 NITI Aayog on Thursday released a detailed blueprint to improve outcomes for the micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs by streamlining scheme implementation strengthening interministerial coordination and enhancing the delivery of financial skill marketing and innovation support The report titled âAchieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemesâ outlines a strategic roadmap to strengthen the effectiveness of government support for MSMEs in the countryAmong other suggestions the report proposes an AIpowered centralised digital platform integrating MSME schemes compliance finance and market intelligenceâDrawing on global best practices the portal would feature information process compliance and market research modules supported by AI chatbots dashboards and mobile access for realtime support to MSMEsâ NITI Aayog said in a statementFurther the report evaluates existing government schemes and programmes for the MSME sector assesses the current level of convergence among them and identifies best practices from central state and international experiences offering actionable recommendations to unlock convergence opportunities and undertake corrective measures to improve efficiency outreach and impact of MSME schemesThere are 18 schemes spanning critical support areas such as credit assistance skill development marketing support innovation and RampD technology and quality upgradation and infrastructure developmentThe report recommends a twopronged approach to convergence comprising information convergence and process convergenceâInformation convergence focuses on integrating governmentgenerated data at the central and state levels to improve coordination enable informed decisionmaking and strengthen governance outcomesâ it highlightedTwo process convergence aims at aligning and unifying schemes to reduce redundancies streamline operations and improve service deliveryThis includes merging similar schemes combining common components and fostering collaboration across ministries and states to create a cohesive MSME support ecosystemThe report proposes integration of the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries SFURTI with the Micro and Small Enterprises â Cluster Development Programme MSECDPAlso the report proposes rationalising of skill initiatives into a threetier structure covering entrepreneurship and business skills MSME technical skills and training for rural and women artisansIt also highlights the importance of safeguarding targeted initiatives such as the National SCST Hub and the Promotion of MSMEs in the North Eastern Region NER IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/niti-aayog-unveils-blueprint-to-empower-msmes-by-boosting-scheme-implementation-service-delivery-658463.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/spacex-brings-back-4-nasa-astronauts-to-earth-in-first-ever-medical-evacuation-from-iss-658474.html New Delhi Jan 15 Elon Muskled SpaceX on Thursday successfully brought back four NASA astronauts to Earth in the firstever medical evacuation from the International Space Station ISS NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov returned to Earth at 1241 am PST 211 pm IST aboard SpaceXâs Dragon capsuleâWelcome home Crew11 At 341 am ET 0841 UTC the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft splashed down off the coast of San Diego Californiaâ NASA said in a post on social media platform XâDragon and NASAâs Crew11 return to Earth splashing down off the coast of Californiaâ added SpaceXThe astronauts concluded a more than fivemonth mission aboard the ISS and their early departure leaves just three NASAs Chris Williams cosmonauts Sergey KudSverchkov and Sergei Mikaev on the space station Another crew of four should arrive next monthâAll four crew members will be transported to a local hospital for additional evaluation taking advantage of medical resources on Earth to provide the best care possibleâ NASA said on XOn January 8 the US space agency postponed its first scheduled spacewalk of 2026 with Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman over âmedical concernâ with an astronautThe space agency however has not provided details about the medical issue or the name of the astronaut involvedâDue to medical privacy it is not appropriate for NASA to share more details about the crew member The situation is stableâ NASA had shared in a blogpostMeanwhile NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman noted that Crew11s return reflects the strength and capability of the US space programme in safely bringing astronauts back He also praised the Crew11 teams for their achievementsâCrew11 completed more than 140 science experiments that advance human exploration Missions like Crew11 demonstrate the capability inherent in Americaâs space programme our ability to bring astronauts home as needed launch new crews quickly and continue pushing forward on human spaceflight as we prepare for our historic Artemis II mission from low Earth orbit to the Moon and ultimately Marsâ Isaacman saidDuring their 167day mission the four crew members traveled nearly 71 million miles and completed more than 2670 orbits around EarthThe Crew11 mission was Finckeâs fourth spaceflight Yuiâs second and the first for Cardman and Platonov Fincke has logged 549 days in space ranking him fourth among all NASA astronauts for cumulative days in space IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/spacex-brings-back-4-nasa-astronauts-to-earth-in-first-ever-medical-evacuation-from-iss-658474.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-healthcare-sector-to-sustain-strong-growth-in-fy26-report-658477.html New Delhi Jan 16 Indiaâs healthcare sector which has delivered a resilient performance in Q2FY26 is expected to sustain the momentum over the remainder of FY26 said a report on Thursday The report by EYParthenon the sector remained strong in Q2FY26 with rising demand for highend clinical specialties steady capacity expansion by hospital chains and strong consolidation in diagnosticsThe sector will sustain the momentum with rising healthcare utilisation capacity additions coming on stream and continued investor interestWhile nearterm margin pressures may persist for newly commissioned assets mediumterm fundamentals remain strong underpinned by favourable demographics expanding insurance coverage and increasing demand for specialised care the report saidMergers and acquisitions activity remained robust during the last quarterIn Q2FY26 the healthcare sector saw more than Rs 10000 crore worth of announced transactions across hospitals diagnostics and specialty care This included buyouts minority investments and crossborder acquisitionsHealthcare assets continue to command premium multiples particularly in diagnostics and highgrowth specialty segmentsNotably the average revenue per occupied bed ARPOB across leading hospital networks rose by 1016 per cent yearonyear Large hospital chains also continued to expand aggressivelyâQ2FY26 underscores the structural strength of Indiaâs healthcare sector What stands out is the sustained shift toward highacuity specialties such as oncology cardiology and neurology reflected in rising occupancy levels and doubledigit ARPOB growth across leading hospital chainsâ said Kaivaan Movdawalla National Healthcare Leader EY Parthenon IndiaâAt the same time diagnostics players are moving decisively up the value chain with accelerated investments in genomics oncology and AIled testing platforms This combination of clinical depth asset expansion and technology adoption positions the sector well for durable longterm growthâ Movdawalla addedWhile leading hospital chains plan to add over 18000 beds over the next three to five years diagnostic companies reported 1022 per cent yearonyear revenue growth in Q2FY26Growth was driven by rising volumes in Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities with rapid expansion of B2C channels and increased demand for highcomplexity testingSeveral diagnostics players also reported EBITDA margins in the range of 2535 per cent supported by operating leverage and network optimisation the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-healthcare-sector-to-sustain-strong-growth-in-fy26-report-658477.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-total-exports-clock-433-pc-growth-at-63426-billion-in-april-dec-658478.html New Delhi Jan 15 Indiaâs total exports during the nine months this fiscal AprilDecember is estimated at 63426 billion registering a positive growth of 433 per cent compared to 60793 billion in AprilDecember 2024 despite US tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties the government data showed on Thursday Indiaâs total exports merchandise and services combined for December is estimated at 7401 billion Merchandise exports during December were 3851 billion as compared to 3780 billion in December 2024 according to Ministry of Commerce and Industry dataAs per the official data the cumulative value of merchandise exports during AprilDecember 2025 was 33029 billion as compared to 32241 billion during AprilDecember 2024 registering a positive growth of 244 per centMeanwhile the estimated value of service exports during AprilDecember 2025 is 30397 billion as compared to 28553 billion in AprilDecember 2024 The estimated value of service imports during AprilDecember 2025 is 15223 billion as compared to 15001 billion in AprilDecember 2024Also the cumulative nonpetroleum exports in AprilDecember 2025 was valued at 28816 billion registering an increase of 551 per cent as compared to 27312 billion in the AprilDecember 2024 periodMajor drivers of merchandise exports growth in December 2025 include electronic goods meat dairy and poultry products drugs and pharmaceuticals engineering goods and marine productsWhile electronic goods exports increased by 1678 per cent from 357 billion in December 2024 to 417 billion in December 2025 meat dairy and poultry products exports increased by 3016 per cent from 051 billion in December 2024 to 066 billion in December 2025Engineering goods exports increased by 128 per cent from 1084 billion in December 2024 to 1098 billion in December 2025 Marine Products exports increased by 1173 per cent from 072 billion in December 2024 to 081 billion in December 2025 as per the data IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-total-exports-clock-433-pc-growth-at-63426-billion-in-april-dec-658478.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-total-exports-clock-433-pc-growth-at-63426-billion-in-april-dec-658479.html New Delhi Jan 15 Indiaâs total exports during the nine months this fiscal AprilDecember is estimated at 63426 billion registering a positive growth of 433 per cent compared to 60793 billion in AprilDecember 2024 despite US tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties the government data showed on Thursday Indiaâs total exports merchandise and services combined for December is estimated at 7401 billion Merchandise exports during December were 3851 billion as compared to 3780 billion in December 2024 according to Ministry of Commerce and Industry dataAs per the official data the cumulative value of merchandise exports during AprilDecember 2025 was 33029 billion as compared to 32241 billion during AprilDecember 2024 registering a positive growth of 244 per centMeanwhile the estimated value of service exports during AprilDecember 2025 is 30397 billion as compared to 28553 billion in AprilDecember 2024 The estimated value of service imports during AprilDecember 2025 is 15223 billion as compared to 15001 billion in AprilDecember 2024Also the cumulative nonpetroleum exports in AprilDecember 2025 was valued at 28816 billion registering an increase of 551 per cent as compared to 27312 billion in the AprilDecember 2024 periodMajor drivers of merchandise exports growth in December 2025 include electronic goods meat dairy and poultry products drugs and pharmaceuticals engineering goods and marine productsWhile electronic goods exports increased by 1678 per cent from 357 billion in December 2024 to 417 billion in December 2025 meat dairy and poultry products exports increased by 3016 per cent from 051 billion in December 2024 to 066 billion in December 2025Engineering goods exports increased by 128 per cent from 1084 billion in December 2024 to 1098 billion in December 2025 Marine Products exports increased by 1173 per cent from 072 billion in December 2024 to 081 billion in December 2025 as per the data IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-total-exports-clock-433-pc-growth-at-63426-billion-in-april-dec-658479.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gujarat-to-build-1st-bsl-4-lab-to-fight-against-deadly-viruses-658496.html Ahmedabad Jan 15 Gujarat is set to significantly strengthen its biosecurity infrastructure with the construction of its first Biosafety Level4 BSL4 laboratory a highsecurity facility designed to handle the worlds most dangerous and highly infectious pathogens The advanced biocontainment complex will aid in the development of vaccines rapid diagnostics and critical research against lifethreatening viruses for which no cure or treatment currently existsThe move comes in the wake of repeated outbreaks of animaltohuman diseases in recent years most notably the Covid19 pandemic During the pandemic India relied solely on the countrys only BSL4 lab in Pune for sample testing and pathogen analysis Gujarat has also witnessed cases of Chandipura virus in humans and Lumpy Skin Disease in animals both requiring BSL3 or higher facilities With the rising threat of viruses such as CrimeanCongo Hemorrhagic Fever CCHF Nipah Chandipura and Lumpy Skin Disease the need for another highlevel containment laboratory has become urgentThe upcoming BSL4 and Animal BSL4 ABSL4 laboratory is being developed by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre GBRC in Gandhinagar adjacent to the Animal Vaccine Institute in Sector28 Spread across 1421 acres the facility will include a 27190 square metre BSL4 and ABSL4 unit BSL3 and BSL3 ISO7 laboratories ABSL3 units BSL2 labs and specialised systems for effluent decontamination and waste managementThe BSL4 laboratory will be equipped with multiple protective layers including a fully airtight environment HEPAfiltered air systems positivepressure space suits for scientists chemical decontamination showers and effluent treatment systems that sterilise all liquid and solid waste before disposal These safeguards ensure no pathogen escapes into the environment under any circumstances Once operational the facility will enable pathogen isolation sequencing advanced testing and vaccine research dramatically reducing Gujarats dependency on national laboratories and enabling faster response during outbreaks It will also support the monitoring of zoonotic diseases those transmitted from animals to humansWith this development Gujarat will become home to Indias second BSL4 lab and position itself as an emerging global hub for biomedical research The facility will not only enhance the states preparedness for future pandemics but also bolster national security by improving Indias ability to counter biothreats and bioterrorism risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gujarat-to-build-1st-bsl-4-lab-to-fight-against-deadly-viruses-658496.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-enters-an-era-of-energy-abundance-resilient-electricity-future-minister-658525.html New Delhi Jan 16 India is entering an era of energy abundance and today we are talking about managing surplus ensuring resilience and delivering universal excellence according to the government Towards this the âBharat Electricity Summit 2026â a global conferencecumexhibition for the power and electricity sector will be held in the national capital from March 1922According to Power Minister Manohar Lal the summit will not just display what we have achieved it will be a launchpad for what we will achieve together by bringing on one platform technology providers infrastructure developers innovators and decisionmakersâThe Summit offers a unique environment where local capabilities connect with global vision to shape a sustainable and resilient electricity futureâ he saidThe theme of the fourday summit is âElectrifying Growth Empowering Sustainability Connecting GloballyâIt will showcase Indias leadership in the global energy transition while addressing challenges and opportunities in the power sectorAccording to Power Ministry the summit will bring together domestic and international stakeholders from government industry academia and civil society to deliberate on the future of electricity and sustainable energy systems facilitate crosssector dialogue and for strengthening global cooperation fostering strategic partnershipsIt will feature more than 50 highlevel conference sessions a series of expertled panel discussions thematic pavilions and technology showcases representing the full spectrum of the electricity and clean energy value chainThe event will host over 500 exhibitors welcome 25000 attendees and attract 1000 delegates and 300 speakers from India and around the world said the ministryâOne of the features of the Summit would be a âBuyer Seller Meetâ that would seek to accelerate partnerships and unlock new business opportunities across the global power supply chain Thus the Summit shall be a forum for fostering crossborder collaborations and mobilising investments to accelerate clean electricity deploymentâ according to an official statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-enters-an-era-of-energy-abundance-resilient-electricity-future-minister-658525.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-extends-export-incentives-to-postal-shipments-to-boost-msme-sector-658531.html New Delhi Jan 16 In a bid to strengthen Indiaâs ecommerce and MSME sectors the government on Friday said it has extended export incentives to postal shipments with effect from January 15 The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs CBIC said it has extended exportrelated benefits under the Duty Drawback Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products RoDTEP and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies RoSCTL schemes to exports made through the postal mode in electronic form with effect from January 15The incentives ate expected to significantly enhance competitiveness of MSME exporters especially from smaller towns and remote areas and give a major fillip to postal exports Finance Ministry said in a statementâThis landmark measure aims to provide a level playing field for exporters using the postal channel and to create a conducive and inclusive ecosystem for the growth of crossborder ecommerce The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of MSME exporters especially those located in smaller towns and remote areas and give a major fillip to postal exportsâ the statement addedIndia currently has 28 Foreign Post Offices FPOs notified under Section 7 of the Customs Act 1962In the past the CBIC has undertaken several measures to strengthen cross border trade through the postal and courier modesThe Postal Export Electronic Declaration and Processing Regulations 2022 enabled endtoend electronic processing of export declarations for postal exportsFurther the Postal Import Regulations 2025 were notified to facilitate electronic processing of postal imports Automation of IGST refunds for postal exports was successfully implemented in September 2024To further promote ecommerce exports CBIC in collaboration with the Department of Posts launched an innovative âHub and Spokeâ model in December 2022 leveraging India Postâs vast nationwide networkUnder this model over 1000 Dak Niryat Kendras DNKs have been designated across the country to facilitate booking aggregation and processing of export parcels particularly benefiting MSMEs and small exporters informed the ministryTo boost the MSME sector the government has undertaken a slew of policy initiatives digital reforms and regulatory measures to transform Indiaâs ecommerce export ecosystem IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-extends-export-incentives-to-postal-shipments-to-boost-msme-sector-658531.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rising-gas-prices-leave-chinese-villagers-vulnerable-in-dangerously-cold-weather-report-658541.html New Delhi Jan 16 China which banned the burning of coal for residential heating around Beijing to tackle the problem of air pollution in winter has left many villagers âvulnerable in dangerously cold weatherâ a new report has revealed According to The New York Times at first local governments eased the transition by heavily subsidising natural gas which is cleaner but more expensiveHowever demand for gas overwhelmed supply and some subsidies were slow to arrive as âofficials descended upon villagersâ homes to confiscate their coal furnaces and fined or detained violatorsâThe relatively high cost of gas heating has led some residents to avoid turning on their heaters even during dangerously cold timesâBeyond the rising costs poorer villagers often seem to end up paying more than city residents to heat their homesâ the report notedThe NYT report from the ground further stated that reports of villagers huddling under multiple blankets or secretly burning firewood for warmth firewood is banned too had circulated widely on Chinese social media platformsâThey spurred calls including in major staterun news outlets to relax the coal ban or restore subsidies But Chinaâs gains in air quality have been a political priority for the government and many of the reports were quickly censoredâ it addedOver the long term the answer is likely to lie less in natural gas and more in renewable energyChina is already the worldâs leading producer of solar and wind power and as electricity becomes cheaper electric devices like heat pumps can replace gas boilers and coal furnaces according to the report citing local expertsBut installing a heat pump requires a large upfront payment one that many village households cannot afford they acknowledged Installation cost more than 2800 and the government did not offer any subsidies the experts added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rising-gas-prices-leave-chinese-villagers-vulnerable-in-dangerously-cold-weather-report-658541.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/your-mouth-bacteria-can-predict-risk-of-chronic-liver-disease-says-study-658544.html New Delhi Jan 16 Your mouth bacteria can significantly affect your gut health and predict the risk of chronic liver disease finds a study Each year more than two million people die from advanced chronic liver disease ACLDIn the study published in the journal Nature Microbiology the researchers analysed bacterial populations in saliva and stool samples from 86 patientsThe team from the Technical University of Munich in Germany found that both the gut and oral microbiome undergo significant changes as liver disease worsens where changes to the oral microbiome were already detectable at earlier disease stagesIn healthy individuals bacterial communities differ substantially between body sitesBut in patients with liver disease oral and gut microbiomes became increasingly similar as the disease progressed and nearly identical bacterial strains were recovered from the mouths and guts of patientsThese strains are typically found in the mouth and are rarely present in the healthy gut However we observed increases in the absolute abundances of these oral bacteria in patients with advanced chronic liver disease said Melanie Schirmer Professor of Translational Microbiome Data Integration at TUMThis strongly suggests that these bacteria translocate from the mouth and colonise the gut Schirmer addedFurther the team identified several oral bacterial species that colonised patients gutsThey also found evidence that higher levels of these bacteria in stool samples were associated with damage to the intestinal barrierGene analysis showed that these bacteria carry genes encoding collagendegradation enzymesThe team confirmed these enzymes were active by testing isolated bacteria from stool samples and synthesizing the enzymeCollagen breakdown can compromise the gut barrier potentially allowing bacteria and bacterial products to reach other organs such as the liver We believe this may worsen the disease explained Aurelie Cenier a doctoral researcher and cofirst authorOur findings open potential new therapeutic strategies for people with advanced chronic liver disease Protecting or restoring the gut barrier could help slow disease progression Targeting the oral microbiome offers a way to positively influence the course of the disease and prevent clinical complications added Dr Vishal Patel from Kings College London IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/your-mouth-bacteria-can-predict-risk-of-chronic-liver-disease-says-study-658544.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/world-bankapproves286mnloanto-boosthealthcareaccessin-bengal-658552.html New Delhi Jan 16 The World Bank on Friday approved a loan of 286 million for a new programme to enhance access to healthcare for over 90 million people in West Bengal The West Bengal Health System Reform Programme Operation will support delivery of personalised healthcare services across the state for people over 30 years through digital tracking measures for noncommunicable diseases NCDs such as hypertension and diabetesIt will also bring a patientcentric care approach to the stateâs health systems improve measurement of health outcomes and boost the resilience of healthcare facilities to extreme weather eventsThe 286 million loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development IBRD has a final maturity of 165 years including a grace period of three years the World Bank said in a statementâThis programme will help West Bengal deliver more equitable and higherquality health services with measurable results for women adolescents and people living with noncommunicable diseasesâ said Paul Procee the World Bankâs Acting Country Director for IndiaâBy linking financing to verified outcomes and strengthening governance and climate resilience the operation addresses both service gaps and systemic constraints that have held back health gains for vulnerable communities This will have a direct impact on the ability to seek good jobsâ he addedWest Bengal has made sustained health gains in the past two decades with infant mortality rates declining from 32 deaths per 1000 live births in 20102012 to 19 in 2018â2020The total fertility rate is at 164 births per woman as of 2019 which is among the lowest in the country As a result life expectancy in West Bengal is 72 years which is higher than the national averageHowever in spite of these gains and high literacy rates among adolescent girls at 89 per cent West Bengal has the secondhighest rate of adolescent pregnancies in India at 16 per cent which also drives the maternal mortality ratio at 103 deaths per 100000 live births in 20182020The districts of Purulia Birbhum Murshidabad Maldah and Uttar Dinajpur face critical challenges in reproductive maternal and adolescent careEarlier this week the Washingtonbased multilateral funding agency also approved 680 million loans for three projects in Assam to help the state increase resilience to extreme weather events improve governance and service delivery and provide more than four million students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/world-bankapproves286mnloanto-boosthealthcareaccessin-bengal-658552.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-stack-widening-financial-and-digital-inclusion-report-658563.html New Delhi Jan 16 Indiaâs digital public infrastructure and tech push laid the groundwork on which agentic AI can thrive on trusted data and integrated workflows a report said on Friday The report from the World Economic Forum said the countrys India Stack is creating digital rails that have widened financial and digital inclusionIndia Stack includes the Aadhaar digital identity the Unified Payments Interface that processes over 18 billion transactions a month DigiLocker and the Account Aggregator frameworkWith a 4 trillion economy a young techsavvy population and policies that prioritize openness India is positioned to shape the age through models that combine scale sustainability and equity the report saidThe government is bolstering that foundation with investments in nextâgeneration computing and artificial intelligence including the National Quantum Missionâs aim to develop 1000âqubit quantum computers by 2031 and the expansion of AI compute capacity supported by 18693 GPUsEquitable progress depends not on the tools themselves including how we deploy agentic AI but on how we reimagine the systems skills and values that govern their use the think tank saidIt lauded Indias work in this area as India Stack ambitiously reimagining technology as a public good and deploys models that combine scale sustainability and equityThe report also forecasted that AI agents could handle about 45 per cent of routine enterprise tasks by 2029 but cautioned that more than 80 per cent of generative AI pilots fail to deliver measurable earnings gains and only one in three employees say approved AI tools meet their needsHowever early adopters reported productivity gains of 4060 per centScaling this demands new architecture and bold leadership as agentic AI fast becomes the backbone of enterprise operations the report notedAnalysts estimated that AI and related technologies will create 170 million new roles by 2030 while displacing 92 million jobs and urged businesses to invest in skills design ethical systems and focus on inclusivity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-stack-widening-financial-and-digital-inclusion-report-658563.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-ai-company-anthropic-hires-irina-ghose-as-india-managing-director-658603.html New Delhi Jan 16 USbased AI safety and research company Anthropic on Friday announced to hire Irina Ghose as Managing Director for India market as it prepares to open its first office in the country Ghose who most recently served as Managing Director Microsoft India brings more than three decades of experience in scaling technology businessesâIndia has a real opportunity to shape how AI is built and deployed at scaleâ she saidIndian organisations are moving beyond experimentation toward applied AI where trust safety and longterm impact matter as much as innovationâAnthropicâs mission resonates with my belief that technology should empower people expand access and create lasting value across Indiaâs diverse languages and communitiesâ Ghosh addedAt Microsoft she led enterprise AI adoption across major Indian industries including banking and financial services healthcare manufacturing and governmentShe led highimpact teams built ecosystem partnerships and championed futureready capabilities across Indiaâs technology landscape with a consistent focus on using technology to drive meaningful business and societal impactIrinas expertise in scaling technology businesses and driving enterprise transformation makes her the ideal leader as we expand said Chris Ciauri Managing Director of International AnthropicIndia ranks as the secondlargest market globally for Claudeai an Anthropic productAs we grow our teams and deepen engagement across Indiaâs public and private sectors Irina will ensure our approach is grounded in local insight and aligned with our mission Ciauri mentionedAccording to the AI company the India team will work closely with policymakers and academic institutions strengthen developer engagement and build partnerships with enterprises and organizations using AI to address local challengesIndia ranks as the secondlargest market globally for ClaudeaiAnthropics fourth Economic Index showed that Indian users have a striking focus on technical applications with nearly half of all Claudeai usage concentrated in computer and mathematical tasks IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-ai-company-anthropic-hires-irina-ghose-as-india-managing-director-658603.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/startup-indiaindianyouth-focused-on-solving-real-problems-sayspm-modi-658605.html New Delhi Jan 16 The Indian youth is focused on solving real problems said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while celebrating the milestone of 10 years of the Startup India mission on Saturday Speaking at Bharat Mandapam New Delhi PM Modi lauded the countryâs startup founders and innovators who chartered a path for themselves and boosted the countryâs image globallyâIndias youth are focused on solving real problems Driven by innovation and enterprise Indiaâs Startups are shaping a selfreliant and resilient economyâ PM saidâIn just 10 years the Startup India Mission has become a revolution Today India is the worlds thirdlargest startup ecosystemâ he addedHe noted that a decade ago there were fewer than 500 startups in the countryâToday that number has soared to over 200000 In 2014 India was home to just four unicorns but now it boasts more than 125 active unicorns This remarkable growth has captured the worldâs attentionâ the Prime Minister saidThese startups work in over 50 areas including deep tech space tech drone tech quantum tech agritech and AIML among othersHe said the startups are now becoming Unicorns and the existing Unicorns are now launching IPO and creating several jobs in the countryâI see before me the future of a new and emerging Indiaâ he said while appreciating those who showed the courage to dreamRecalling the situation a decade ago he said there was no scope for individual effort and innovation at allâWe challenged those circumstances we launched Startup India and we gave the youth an open sky and today the result is in front of us This 10year journey is not just the story of a government initiatives success it is the journey of thousands and lakhs of dreams like yours It is the journey of countless dreams coming to lifeâ PM Modi saidHe stated that earlier startups were often perceived as a path to failure and were limited to children belonging to the rich classBut the Startup India programme enabled youth in tier2 and 3 cities as well as in villages to dream It led to inclusive growthâWomen are major contributors to the Startup India mission In about 45 per cent of recognised startups there is one woman director or partner India now has the secondlargest global ecosystem for womenled startup fundingâ the Prime Minister saidâOver the past decades we have done quite remarkable work in digital startups and the service sector Now is the time for our startups to focus even more on manufacturing We will have to create new products We will have to create products of the worlds best qualityIn technology too we will have to take the lead by working on unique ideas The future belongs to this I assure you the government stands with you in every effort of yours PM Modi said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/startup-indiaindianyouth-focused-on-solving-real-problems-sayspm-modi-658605.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-close-week-with-gains-over-positive-cues-658622.html Mumbai Jan 16 The Indian equity markets ended marginally higher on Friday before surrendering most of their intraday gains in the afternoon session At the closing bell the Sensex added 187 points or 023 per cent to settle at 83570 The Nifty advanced 28 points or 011 per cent to close at 25694The broader markets performed in line with the benchmark indices as Nifty Midcap 100 index lost 007 per cent while the NSE Smallcap 100 declined 034 per centThe benchmark Nifty opened on a muted note at 25696 advanced to an intraday high of 25873 driven by a rally in IT stocks amid strongerthanexpected December quarter results Nifty however failed to sustain higher levels and eventually slipped to an intraday low of 25662 reflecting profittaking at elevated levelsOn the sectoral front IT realty and banking stocks outperformed Nifty IT was the top gainer up 334 per cent Nifty Pharma and consumer durables slipped 130 per cent and 115 per cent respectivelyThe Nifty Bank index also surged around 084 per cent inching up to 60082 closer to setting a new record high markAnalysts said the IT sector outperformed supported by an upward revision in revenue growth projections from a leading industry bellwether coupled with expectations of increased technology spendingMeanwhile investor focus also shifted to banking counters as early results reflected notable improvements in asset quality and margin profiles further strengthening sentiment in the sectorIn the derivatives segment market breadth remained marginally positive with 131 stocks advancing against 82 declinesAnalysts predict that betterthanexpected results in Q3 FY26 could trigger stockspecific action but foreign institutional selling is expected to continue in the near term IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-close-week-with-gains-over-positive-cues-658622.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/wipros-net-profit-falls-to-rs-3-119-crore-in-q3-it-major-declares-rs-6-dividend-per-share-658625.html New Delhi Jan 16 IT major Wipro on Friday reported a consolidated net profit at Rs 3119 crore for the OctoberDecember quarter Q3 down almost 4 per cent onquarter and nearly 7 per cent onyear the companyâs quarterly results showed The companyâs board declared an interim dividend of Rs 6 per shareWiproâs gross revenue grew to Rs 23560 crore an increase of 12 per cent onquarterThe operating margin for the quarter was 176 per cent registering an expansion of 09 per cent QoQOn a sequential basis IT services revenue rose 33 per cent from Rs 22640 crore reflecting modest QoQ growthThe company expects revenue from IT Services business segment to be in the range of 2635 million to 2688 million according to its filingâIn Q3 we delivered broadbased growth in line with our expectations As AI becomes a strategic imperative Wipro Intelligence is emerging as a differentiator and contributed to several wins this quarterâ said Srini Pallia CEO and Managing DirectorâWe saw greater adoption of our AIenabled platforms and solutions scaled AIled delivery through WINGS and WEGA and expanded our innovation network across global locationsâ he addedAparna Iyer Chief Financial Officer said âOur IT services operating margins at 176 per cent expanded both sequentially and on yearonyear basisâThis is our best margin performance in last few years Our continued focus on execution rigour also reflects in our strong operating cash flow of 135 per cent of net income in Q3 We are also pleased to share that the Board has declared an interim dividend of Rs 6 per share which will take the total payout for the year to 13 billionâ Iyer addedVoluntary attrition at the company was at 142 per cent on a trailing 12month basis said the company IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/wipros-net-profit-falls-to-rs-3-119-crore-in-q3-it-major-declares-rs-6-dividend-per-share-658625.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chinas-overstated-official-gdp-figures-raise-doubts-about-financial-health-report-658633.html Mumbai Jan 16 Chinaâs real GDP growth in 2025 is expected to be at about 253 per cent far below the governmentâs stated target of around 5 per cent raising critical questions about the true health of the worldâs secondlargest economy the reliability of official statistics a report has said The report from Mizzima News said that the gap is driven mainly by a sharp decline in fixed assets and property investment persistent producerâprice deflation and enduring weakness in domestic demand which could slow growth further in 2026It cited estimates of the USbased Rhodium Groupâs analysis and said Beijings data for the first three quarters showed 52 per cent yearâonâyear expansion which also stands in sharp contrast to the independent estimateThe Rhodium Group predicted Chinas growth to slip to between 125 per cent well below international projections such as those from the International Monetary Fund IMF which estimates around 45 percent growth next yearThe report highlighted that fixedâasset investment turned negative by midâ2025 and a collapse in property sector investment dragged down broader capital formationProducer prices have been in decline for more than three years and consumer spending posted only marginal gains late in 2025 which indicated weak domestic demand the report saidWhile headline inflation in China showed a modest rise toward the end of the year broader price data reflect enduring weakness in domestic demand and continued deflationary pressure at the producer level the Myanmarbased media house saidCombined with shrinking investment these trends suggest that households and firms are increasingly cautious an indicator of broader malaise beneath the surface the report saidThe report said that stark divergence between independent estimates and official figures has amplified calls for transparency and robust statistical methodologiesCritics argued that the official narrative may overlook these gaps particularly during periods when leaders are under pressure to maintain confidence and project economic stabilityâWhile foreign trade has helped sustain the headline numbers reliance on external demand exposes domestic vulnerabilities and raises questions about the sustainability of growthâ it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chinas-overstated-official-gdp-figures-raise-doubts-about-financial-health-report-658633.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-economic-cooperation-2026-to-boost-infra-financing-resilience-of-supply-chains-658642.html Mumbai Jan 16 India is set to host the Global Economic Cooperation 2026 GEC to examine how economic diplomacy cooperation and capital alignment must evolve in an increasingly multipolar world the Future Economic Cooperation Council FECC said on Friday Senior policymakers global CEOs investors and leaders of multilateral institutions from India and abroad are expected to attend the event set to convene in Mumbai from February 17With structured engagement across infrastructure financing advanced manufacturing technology systems energy transitions and resilient supply chains the event will underscore cooperation beyond tradeHighlevel plenaries and closeddoor dialogues will focus on economic corridors investment partnerships digital connectivity ESG frameworks and the governance of emerging technologies which are areas now central to economic sovereignty and global stabilityFuture Economic Cooperation Council FECC a nonprofit platform will convene the meeting in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Maharashtra a statement saidâThe global economy is entering a decisive decade where economies need to protect themselves against the threats of fragmentation protectionism and uncertainty said Priyam GandhiMody Director Future Economic Cooperation CouncilThrough Global Economic Cooperation 2026 India is stepping forward to convene governments investors and industry leaders to shape practical pathways for cooperation across capital infrastructure technology and energy that reflect the realities of a multipolar world and our shared responsibility for global prosperity said GandhiModyOn the third day of the summit GEC 2026 will also see the launch of the Emerging Leaders Circle a dedicated platform engaging young business minds and future business leaders through curated panels and discussions on global economic change and innovationThe Emerging Leaders Circle will be convened in collaboration with leading academic institutions including the Indian Institutes of Management IIMs and Columbia UniversityEnvisaged as an annual convening the forum will bring together ministerial leadership sovereign and institutional investors and CEOs from critical sectors including infrastructure logistics ports clean energy AI fintech and advanced manufacturing the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-economic-cooperation-2026-to-boost-infra-financing-resilience-of-supply-chains-658642.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-forex-rises-by-392-million-to-687-billion-rbi-658643.html New Delhi Jan 16 Indias foreign exchange reserves increased by 392 million to 687 billion in the week ending January 9 the Reserve Bank of India RBI announced on Friday The Central Bank said the value of gold reserves a key component of the foreign exchange reserves also increased by 156 billion to 11283 billion in the week ending January 9A key reason for the increase in gold reserves is the sharp rise in gold prices The price of gold in international markets has increased by approximately 25 per cent in the last week and by about 55 per cent in the last monthThe value of Foreign Currency Assets FCA the largest component of the foreign exchange reserves decreased by 112 billion to 55086 billion FCA includes the dollar along with other major world currencies such as the yen euro and pound whose values ââare expressed in dollarsAccording to the RBI the value of Special Drawing Rights SDRs decreased by 39 million to 1873 billion in the week ending January 9 The value of the reserve position in the IMF decreased by 13 million to 4758 billionForeign exchange reserves are very important for any country and reflect its economic condition They also play a significant role in stabilising the exchange rateFor example if the rupee comes under pressure against the dollar and its value falls the Central Bank can use its foreign exchange reserves to prevent the rupee from depreciating further against the dollar and maintain exchange rate stabilityRising foreign exchange reserves also indicate a large inflow of dollars into the country which strengthens the economy Furthermore an increase in reserves makes it easier for the country to conduct international trade IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-forex-rises-by-392-million-to-687-billion-rbi-658643.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-exchanges-to-remain-open-on-sunday-for-union-budget-2026-658650.html Mumbai Jan 16 Indian stock exchanges BSE and NSE on Friday announced that markets will be open for trading on February 1 Sunday on account of the Union Budget 20262027 The preopen market would open from 9 am till 908 am while normal trading will run from 915 am till 330 pmâOn account of the presentation of the Union Budget members are requested to note that Exchange shall be conducting live trading session on February 01 2026 as per the standard market timings 915 am330 pm said NSE in a circularBesides the equity segment FampO and commodity derivatives would also be open on the Budget DayBSE said in a separate circular that Trading Members may note that trading in T0 Settlement Session and Auction Session for settlement default will not be conducted on Sunday February 012026âThe Union Budget will be presented at 11 am on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala SitharamanIt is for the first time since 2000 that the Union Budget would be presented in the Parliament on a Sunday Earlier in 2025 Sitharaman had presented Budget on a Saturday and Budget 2015 under late Arun Jaitley was also presented on Saturday on February 28 2015Earlier Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that Finance Minister Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 202627 on February 1Finance Minister will begin the presentation of the Budget at 11 am in the lower house on February 1 the Speaker said in response to a question at a press conferenceThe Budget Session of the Parliament will commence on January 28 and will continue till April 2Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the first phase of the Budget Session which will begin on January 28 will conclude on February 13 The Parliament will reassemble for the second phase on March 9 and will continue till April 2The Minister said that on the recommendation of the Central government President Droupadi Murmu has approved the summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session 2026The Parliament will not sit on January 29 due to the Beating Retreat ceremony while both Houses are scheduled to meet on January 30 when the Economic Survey is expected to be tabled IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-exchanges-to-remain-open-on-sunday-for-union-budget-2026-658650.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nipah-casesrise-to-5in-bengal-experts-warn-againstintruding-animalhabitats-658652.html New Delhi Jan 16 The ongoing Nipah outbreak in West Bengal with cases rising to five in just a week acts as a warning against intruding into animal habitats said health experts on Friday The first two patients a male nurse from Purba Medinipur district and a female nurse from Mongolkot in Purba Bardhaman district who worked at a private hospital in Barasat in North 24 Parganas district continue to remain in the ICU All three new cases a doctor a nurse and a health staff member have been admitted to the infectious diseases hospital in BeleghataThe West Bengal government has also sent around 100 people into home quarantine since the first confirmed cases on Monday Of these around 30 are being closely monitoredHuman intrusion into animal habitats primarily through deforestation and intensive farming has been a key driver of Nipah virus NiV emergence This disruption forces the natural reservoir hosts fruit bats flying foxes into closer contact with human settlements and domestic animals leading to the virus spilling over to new populationsAccording to experts the exact mechanism by which the virus jumps to humans is not fully known although consumption of batcontaminated fruit and drinking raw date palm sap have been proposed as possible routesâNipah virus is known to circulate in certain species of bats Human infection is rare and is the result of an accidental spillover at the humanbat interface also called a zoonosis This is more likely in rural and forestadjacent areas where agricultural practices increase contact between humans and fruit bats searching for foodâ Rajeev Jayadevan ExPresident of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell Kerala told IANSHumananimal interphase intruding their domains consuming raw datepalm rack toddy or tadi that is contaminated by bats eating halfeaten raw fruits that are leaked by batsâ are potential reasons behind the recent outbreak added Dr Ishwar Gilada Secretary General of Peopleâs Health Organisation PHOBut can the disease potentially turn into a pandemicThe experts noted that although persontoperson transmission can occur on a limited scale the prevailing version of the Nipah virus does not have the characteristics of a pandemic virusNipah is essentially a zoonotic infection from animals to humans and then from human to human Nipah virus spreads through saliva urine and other body fluids of an infected personAirborne transmission through droplets among close contacts of an infected person especially if the patient develops a cough or vomiting is also likely The risks can be reduced by following universal precautions such as wearing masks and gloves while caring for patientsâTheoretically any zoonotic infections that spread from human to human have the potential of causing an epidemic or pandemic But from its first outbreak in Malaysia in 1998 till date it has not happenedâ Gilada told IANSAs there are no proven antiviral therapies or human vaccine against the Nipah virus early detection is crucial to control an outbreakâBecause Nipah carries a high mortality rate it is important to arrest the spread of infection as early as possible This requires systematic contact tracing where all close contacts of the patient are identified monitored for symptoms and kept in isolation according to protocolâ Jayadevan saidIf the initial diagnosis is delayed the disease may spread further making containment more difficultImportantly the expert stressed the need for increasing public awareness especially to avoid contact with batsâMisguided attempts by wellmeaning individuals to trap handle or drive bats away can be counterproductive and may actually increase the risk of spillover Besides bats can fly dozens of kilometres each day so driving a few bats away from one property will not keep them away permanentlyâ Jayadevan told IANSGilada also urged people to not intrude on the habitats and domains of animals birds and the environmentâNot consuming bats raw fruits especially halfeaten ones not consuming ToddyTadi strict infection control precautions SMSsanitiser mask and social distancing from infected persons etcâ he saidâHealthcare systems must stay alert for early warning signs which unfortunately can resemble other viral infectionsâ added JayadevanâPatients presenting with features of viral encephalitis and pneumonia in Nipahprone areas must also be evaluated for this infection This is especially important for patients who develop seizures confusion or comaâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nipah-casesrise-to-5in-bengal-experts-warn-againstintruding-animalhabitats-658652.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistancontinues-toimpose40-pc-tax-onmenstrual-padsreport-658660.html New Delhi Jan 16 In Pakistan menstrual pads are a luxury item and the government continues to impose a 40 per cent tax on period products according to a media report While menstrual health has gained significant attention and many countries including Malawi and Ethiopia have worked in the last five years to remove different types of taxes and import duties Pakistan continues to see menstrual pads as a luxury good the NPRorg reportedâPakistan imposes a luxury tax on period products Theyre not taxed as normal sales items and theyre not given the exemption of essential itemsâ the report saidAs per a 2025 UNICEF report there is âno national policy plan or strategy for menstrual health and hygieneâ in PakistanBushra Mahnoor executive director at Mahwari Justice a nonprofit in Pakistan advocating for menstrual health told NPR that the countryâs Constitution âgives an exemption to a lot of products that are considered essential items like medical supplies and for the cattle industry cattle semen is considered essential and period products are not Instead theres almost 40 per cent of tax on padsâIn 2025 Mahnoorâs team got over 10000 signatures for a petition to remove the luxury tax on menstrual products In September a lawsuit was also filed in the country to reclassify menstrual products from luxury products to essential goods But due to the unstable political and judicial nature of the country the petitioners are yet to receive a date for the court hearing the report saidMeanwhile India abolished the menstrual tax in July 2018 making it 100 per cent taxexempt to improve affordability and access for better menstrual hygiene especially for girls educationThe decision removed a 12 per cent tax treating menstrual hygiene items as essential goods rather than luxuries IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistancontinues-toimpose40-pc-tax-onmenstrual-padsreport-658660.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-indigo-reroute-flights-due-to-iran-airspace-closure-amid-us-tensions-658364.html New Delhi Jan15 Major Indian airlines Air India IndiGo and SpiceJet on Thursday informed of rerouting some of their international flights as Iran shut down its airspace Iran which is facing widespread protests against its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid growing tensions with the US had ordered the closure of its airspace to commercial aircraft without any explanationAs a result Air India had to cancel its early morning flights such as DelhiNew York JFK AI 101 DelhiNewark AI 105 and MumbaiJFK AI 119 The return flights were also cancelledIndiGoâs BakuDelhi flight slated for early morning had to return to the Azerbaijan capital within an hour as it was to overfly Iran after crossing the Caspian SeaâDue to the emerging situation in Iran the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers Air India flights overflying the region are now using an alternative routing which may lead to delaysâ Air India shared in a post on the social media platform XThe company noted that it is cancelling flights where currently rerouting is not possibleDue to the sudden airspace closure by Iran some of our international flights are impacted Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and support affected customers by offering the best possible alternativesâ added IndiGoSpiceJet also shared a similar travel update and attributed the impact on flights to airspace closure in IranThe airlines noted that âsafety of passengers and crew remains top priorityâ and requested passengers to check the status of their flights on the companyâs websiteOther international airlines such as Lufthansa have also been impacted and their flights are also being cancelledâDue to the current situation in the Middle East the Lufthansa Group has decided after careful evaluation to operate flights to and from Tel Aviv and Amman as day flights from Thursday January 15 up to and including Monday January 19 2026 according to a Lufthansa spokespersonIn some cases there may also be flight cancellations In addition Iranian and Iraqi airspace will be circumnavigated by all Lufthansa Group airlines until further noticeâ it addedMeanwhile India on Wednesday asked all its nationals currently residing in Iran to leave by available means as the security situation in the country deteriorated further in view of massive antigovernment protests and a crackdown on the demonstratorsIn view of the ongoing developments in Iran Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice the Ministry of External Affairs said in an advisory IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-indigo-reroute-flights-due-to-iran-airspace-closure-amid-us-tensions-658364.html Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-backlash-forces-elon-musk-ledx-to-disablegroks-objectionable-image-generation-feature-658392.html New Delhi Jan 15 After facing significant global backlash the Elon Muskled X social media platform on Thursday disabled Groks objectionable image generation feature The artificial intelligenceenabled chatbot Grok will no longer be able to generate objectionable images of women regardless of whether the user has a premium accountâWe have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis This restriction applies to all users including paid subscribersâ the platformâs safety account said in a post on XxAI faced heat from several countries over Groks Spicy Mode feature which allowed users to create sexualised deepfakes of women and children using simple text prompts such as put her in a bikini or remove her clothes Multiple countries either blocked access to the chatbot or launched their own probesThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY sought an actiontaken report from xAI and the Attorney General from the US state of California launched an investigation into the developer of GrokFurther a coalition of 28 civil society groups on Wednesday submitted open letters to the CEOs of Apple and Google urging them to ban Grok and X from their app stores amid the surge in sexualised imagesNow X has also restricted the ability to generate and edit images to paid users Earlier Grok had limited the generation of such images only to paid usersâImage creation and the ability to edit images via the Grok account on the X platform are now only available to paid subscribersâ X said stating that it âadds an extra layer of protection by helping to ensure that individuals who attempt to abuse the Grok account to violate the law or our policies can be held accountableâThe platform also noted that it will take action to remove highpriority violative content including Child Sexual Abuse Material CSAM and nonconsensual nudity Appropriate action will be taken against accounts that violate the rulesIn December the IT ministry had asked X to âremove or disable access without delay to all content already generated or disseminated in violation of applicable lawsThe ministry had also directed X to enforce its terms of service and AI usage restrictions and take âstrong deterrent measuresâ including suspending or terminating accounts that used Grok to create sexually explicit images of women and childrenX reportedly removed nearly 3500 pieces of obscene content and sexually explicit images generated using Grokâs image generation capabilities in India The platform also identified and barred about 600 users who had misused the AI chatbot to generate sexually explicit images IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-backlash-forces-elon-musk-ledx-to-disablegroks-objectionable-image-generation-feature-658392.html Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/extra-5-minutes-of-sleep-2-minutes-of-brisk-walkingcan-add1yearto-your-life-study-658317.html New Delhi Jan 14 Just five more minutes of sleep and two minutes of moderate exercise like brisk walking or climbing stairs can add a year to your life according to a study on Wednesday Adding half a serving of vegetables per day more could also lead to an extra year of life for people with the worst existing sleep physical activity and dietary habits revealed the study that followed 60000 people for eight long yearsThe study published in The Lancet journal eClinicalMedicine suggested that seven to eight hours of sleep per day more than 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day and a healthy diet were associated with over nine years of additional lifespan and years spent in good healthâThe combined relationship of sleep physical activity and diet is larger than the sum of the individual behaviours For example for people with the unhealthiest sleep physical activity and dietary habits to achieve one additional year of lifespan through sleep alone would require five times the amount of additional sleep per day 25 minutes than if physical activity and diet also improved a small amountâ said the international group of researchers from the UK Australia Chile and BrazilIn a separate study published in the journal The Lancet researchers from Norway Spain and Australia showed that adding just 5 minutes of extra walking to the daily routine can cut down the risk of death in the majority of adults by 10 per centIt will also help the least active adults to reduce their risk of death by around 6 per centFurther the study based on data from more than 135000 adults found that reducing sedentary time by 30 minutes per day was associated with an estimatedâ7 per cent reduction in all deathsâif adopted by the majority of adults who spend 10 hours being sedentary per dayAround 3 per cent of all deathsâcan be reduced if adopted by the most sedentary adults who spend 12 hours being sedentary per day on averageâThese estimates provide important evidence on the wide range of public health impacts associated with even small positive changes in physical activity and inactivityâ said corresponding author Prof Ulf Ekelund from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences OsloThe researchers cautioned that the findings should not be used as personalised advice rather they highlighted the potential benefits for the population as a whole IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/extra-5-minutes-of-sleep-2-minutes-of-brisk-walkingcan-add1yearto-your-life-study-658317.html Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govtlowers-neet-pg-2025cut-offfor-counselling-to-0-percentilefor-reserved-categories-658324.html New Delhi Jan 14 The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences NBEMS an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has lowered the minimum qualifying percentiles for NEETPG 2025 counselling according to official sources from the Ministry It has been slashed to zero percentile for reserved categoriesThe move addresses the large number of vacant postgraduate medical seats over 18000 PG seats after the completion of Round2 counselling in government and private medical colleges across the countryThe previous percentile thresholds had restricted the pool of eligible candidates despite the availability of seatsThe Indian Medical Association IMA had formally requested a revision of the qualifying cutoff on January 12 citing the urgent need to prevent seat wastage and strengthen healthcare servicesâThe revision aims to ensure optimal utilisation of available seats which are vital for expanding Indiaâs pool of trained medical specialists Leaving such seats vacant undermines national efforts to improve healthcare delivery and results in the loss of valuable educational resourcesâ the sources saidNEETPG serves as a ranking mechanism to facilitate a transparent meritbased allocation of seats through centralised counsellingWhile the qualifying cutoff has been lowered NEETPG 2025 ranks will remain unchanged as published earlier as per the NBEMSâEligibility is provisional and will be verified through MBBSFMGE aggregate marks Face ID or biometric checks at the time of admissionâ the board said in its official noticeIt also warned that incorrect or false information provided in the application especially if used in tiebreaking will lead to cancellation of candidatureWith the revision allotments will be made only through authorised counselling mechanisms no direct or discretionary admissions are permitted improving transparency of the processInterse merit and choicebased allocation will continue to guide seat distributionFurther there will be no dilution of academic standards The revised percentile merely expands eligibility among alreadyqualified MBBS doctors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govtlowers-neet-pg-2025cut-offfor-counselling-to-0-percentilefor-reserved-categories-658324.html Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/elon-musk-calls-applegoogle-ai-tieup-unreasonable-concentration-of-power-658202.html New Delhi Jan 13 Tesla CEO and founder of AI firm xAI Elon Musk on Tuesday sharply criticised Appleâs decision to adopt Googleâs Gemini models for nextâgeneration Siri and Apple Foundation Models calling it âan unreasonable concentration of powerâ for Google Musk posted his criticism on the social media platform X after Google confirmed the multiâyear deal would supply Gemini models and cloud infrastructure to power Apple Intelligence featuresâThis seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google given that they also have Android and Chromeâ Musk wroteThe dispute comes at a time when Apple seeks to close its generative AI gap and Google faces ongoing antitrust scrutiny in the US and overseas over its dominance in search advertising and browsersFurther Muskâs AI firm xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI over an earlier integration of ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence as an optional addon Musk alleged that Apples app Store practices disadvantage rivals such as Grok and the lawsuit has survived initial dismissal and is set to proceed according to multiple reportsThe row also followed international backlash for Grok which has been blocked in countries including Indonesia and Malaysia after allegations it generated nonâconsensual sexualised images including content involving minorsIndias Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY also cracked down on X Corp for failing to prevent the generation and circulation of obscene nude and indecent content on its platformGoogle recently announced the introduction of new Geminipowered experiences including AI Inbox for more helpful and personalised insights for its usersThe new capabilities have started rolling out in the US to Gmail users as well as Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers said the companyEarlier this month xAI announced completion of a 20 billion funding round from investors including Nvidia Corp Valor Equity Partners and the Qatar Investment AuthorityThe firm which had already raised about 10 billion of corporate equity and debt in 2025 has been burning through about 1 billion per month Musk had earlier confirmed that xAI is expanding dataâcentre capacity in Memphis toward almost 2 gigawatts IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/elon-musk-calls-applegoogle-ai-tieup-unreasonable-concentration-of-power-658202.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/women-and-elderly-more-likely-to-bevaccine-hesitant-says-study-658205.html New Delhi Jan 13 Women and the elderly are more likely to be vaccinehesitant according to a study on Tuesday which analysed data from more than 11 million people The study published in The Lancet analysed hesitancy based on Covid19 vaccine uptake and found that hesitancy against vaccines was rooted in concerns about their efficacy While it reduced over time it persists in some peopleThe researchers from Imperial College London UK found that the likelihood of remaining unvaccinated was higher for older people women people who were unemployed or living in deprived areas those with a history of Covid and people with a lower level of educationThey identified eight categories of vaccine hesitancy including concerns about effectiveness and side effects perception of low risk from Covid and mistrust of vaccine developers and fear of vaccines and reactionsMen were more likely than women to report not feeling Covid was a personal risk 18 per cent vs 10 per cent Women were also more likely to be worried about fertilityrelated consequences 21 per cent vs 8 per cent while those aged 74 years or older were more likely to be against vaccines in general compared with 18â24yearolds 12 per cent vs 25 per centMore than 40 per cent also reported concerns around longterm health effects 39 per cent that they wanted to wait to see whether the vaccine worked and 37 per cent that they had concerns about side effectsWe show that certain types of vaccine hesitancy are more readily addressed than others for example concerns relating to pregnancy or breastfeedingâ said coauthor Professor Helen Ward from Imperial CollegeOur study suggests that as the vaccine was rolled out public confidence increased and the original vaccine scepticism was largely overcome Ward addedThe study followed more than 11 million people in England between January 2021 and March 2022 during the Covid pandemicOverall 33 per cent of participants reported some degree of Covid vaccine hesitancy Hesitancy rates declined over time from an initial high of 8 per cent of those surveyed in January 2021 to a low of 11 per cent at the start of 2022There was a small uptick in hesitancy to over 22 per cent in February and March 2022 during the Omicron wave IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/women-and-elderly-more-likely-to-bevaccine-hesitant-says-study-658205.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hiring-surges-across-india-as-ai-linked-jobs-rise-exponentially-658207.html Bengaluru Jan 13 Artificial Intelligence AI emerged as the defining hiring force in 2025 in India with 290256 AIlinked roles posted last year a report showed on Tuesday This momentum is set to accelerate further with AI hiring projected to grow 32 per cent yearonyear in 2026 to nearly 38 lakh roles said the report by foundit formerly Monster APAC amp MEIndiaâs job market closed 2025 with renewed confidence clocking sustained hiring growth across sectors roles and citiesHiring activity rose 5 per cent monthonmonth and 15 per cent onyear signalling a clear shift from cautious recovery to measured expansion2025 was both a year of expansion and discipline in hiring said Tarun Sharma Chief Product and Technology officer founditAI is no longer experimental it is central to workforce planning In 2026 hiring will be increasingly skillsled midcareerfocused and spread across both Tier 1 and emerging Tier 2 talent hubs he mentionedThis convergence of core industries and AI adoption will continue to position India as a global talent powerhouseITSoftware and Services held the largest share of AI jobs at 37 per cent followed by BFSI 158 per cent and Manufacturing 6 per centâBFSI recorded 41 per cent YoY growth while Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals 38 per cent Retail 31 per cent Logistics 30 per cent and Telecom 29 per cent posted strong gains said the reportGenerative AI and LLM skills showed the fastest growth with demand rising nearly 60 per cent YoY driven by copilots chatbots and enterprise GenAI platformsBengaluru retained leadership with a 26 per cent share of AI jobs Hyderabad recorded the fastest Tier 1 growth while Jaipur Indore and Mysuru led Tier 2 gainsThe general job market in 2025 showed the strongest growth in the midlevel and senior midtier brackets indicating employer focus on professionals with proven execution experience â but not at the highest leadership level said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hiring-surges-across-india-as-ai-linked-jobs-rise-exponentially-658207.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/five-specialties-account-for-over-50-pc-fy25-revenue-in-ncrs-private-hospitals-report-658217.html New Delhi Jan 13 Cardiology oncology neurology gastroenterology and orthopaedics contributed over 50 per cent of revenue in FY25 in private hospitals in the National Capital region NCR according to a report The report by BNP Paribas Research focuses extensively on private hospitals in the NCR Gurgaon Delhi and Noida to understand the positioning of private hospital chains across micromarkets patient mobility to the NCR and other factors that determine a hospitalâs successIt showed that the specialties spiked revenue at 833 per cent CAGR between FY22 and FY25âWe believe the success of private hospitals in NCR is determined by revenue contribution from CONGO mix cardiology oncology neurology gastroenterology and orthopaedics which contributed over 50 per cent of revenue in FY25 for listed hospitalsâ the report saidâWe believe the contribution from NCR from these specialties would be higher than in other regions Over FY2225 revenue from these specialties grew at 833 per cent CAGR vs 1520 per cent overall revenue CAGR over the same period which highlights companiesâ focus on scaling these segmentsâ it addedThe report found that NCR is considered the home market for most listed hospitals in India It is due to the significant number of beds in the region and high revenue exposureBased on the announced expansion c43 per cent of the upcoming bed capacity for the largest 13 listed hospitals is in North India mostly NCRGovernment institutional setup availability of critical treatment and patientsâ mobility also determined the market dynamics in Delhi Gurgaon and NoidaâEach market has a different market leader We expect some disruption in Gurgaon as new players are expected to enter Noida holds great longterm potential for a substantial patient pool from Uttar Pradeshâ the report saidYet Delhi emerged as the most important healthcare market as itâs a preferred destination for patients in North IndiaIt is because Delhi caters to a large volume of patients from nearby states of Uttar Pradesh Haryana Rajasthan and other parts of IndiaWithin Delhi City South Delhi emerged as the most developed micromarket with the presence of several institutions the report saidNorth Delhi although a larger micromarket compared to South Delhi due to large patient inflow from northern districts of Haryana has been relatively underpenetratedNotably the boundaries of the NCR healthcare market have been expanding with new hospitals in Faridabad a district in Haryana and part of the NCR and Manesar a town in Gurgaon and part of the NCR the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/five-specialties-account-for-over-50-pc-fy25-revenue-in-ncrs-private-hospitals-report-658217.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/phonepe-and-hdfc-co-branded-credit-card-rewards-that-fit-your-everyday-spending-658233.html New Delhi Jan 13 PhonePe launched its cobranded Credit Card in June last year marking its foray into the cobranded card segment Todayâs credit card users are looking beyond occasional bigticket rewards and focusing on value from everyday transactions and the recently launched PhonePe HDFC Ultimo Credit Card is built to deliver exactly that The idea behind the card is simple Instead of needing complex strategies to earn rewards the PhonePe HDFC Ultimo card focuses on everyday spends such as recharges utility bill payments online shopping and moreCardholders get 10 per cent cashback on essential PhonePe categories this includes recharges DTH subscriptions utility bills and other everyday bill payments Every topup electricity bill and broadband payment now delivers substantial rewardsBeyond bills HDFC Ultimoâs 1 per cent cashback on all âScan n Payâ transactions have made local shopping more rewarding From neighbourhood kirana stores to street food vendors every QR code scan now contributes to your cashback balance With UPI deeply embedded in Indian consumer behaviour this feature ensures even the smallest purchases work towards rewardsRewards on Online Shopping HDFC Ultimo also offers 5 per cent cashback on select online shopping brands across categories like fashion electronics and more Combined with complimentary domestic airport lounge access the HDFC Ultimo balances everyday utility with travel and online shopping perks enhancing the overall experienceWhatâs Driving Adoption The adoption of PhonePe HDFC Ultimo is being driven by a clear focus on rewarding everyday spending Instead of requiring high spend thresholds the card keeps it simple users earning cashbacks on regular expenses local purchases and online shoppingPositioned as a practical option within its segment this cobranded Credit Card offers value that aligns with how consumers typically spendFor those evaluating different reward structures the PhonePe HDFC Ultimo reflects a move toward simpler more accessible benefits that fit naturally into daily spending patterns IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/phonepe-and-hdfc-co-branded-credit-card-rewards-that-fit-your-everyday-spending-658233.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/myntra-cares-launches-mobility-led-livelihood-initiative-education-programmes-for-underserved-communities-658241.html Bengaluru Jan 13 Myntra one of Indiaâs leading fashion beauty and lifestyle platforms on Tuesday announced the launch of four initiatives under its CSR and Sustainability arm Myntra Cares covering two core focus areas including mobilityenabled livelihoods and education under MynVidya One of the initiatives Livelihoods on Wheels focuses on enabling employment and independence for persons with disabilities through mobility support other programmes under the MynVidya umbrella are aimed at contributing to Myntra Caresâ commitment towards strengthening education pathways at different stagesLivelihoods on Wheels in partnership with Alamba Charitable Trust aims to enable sustainable livelihoods for 20 mobilityimpaired individuals Under the programme each beneficiary will be provided with NeoMotion mobility equipment valued at Rs 110000 enabling independent mobility Beneficiaries identified and onboarded by the Trust will be recruited as delivery agents creating access to stable income opportunities Through this support participants are expected to earn Rs 25000â30000 per monthSpeaking about the initiative Rita Antony FounderPresident Alamba Charitable Trust said âMobility should never be a barrier to opportunity With Myntra Cares we are providing tools training and sustainable livelihood options to differentlyabled individuals enabling them to earn independently while regaining confidence and dignity This is a step toward truly inclusive empowermentâMyntra Cares continues to drive educationfocused programmes that support learners at different stages of their academic journeyMyntra has partnered with Links Educational and Charitable Trust to provide primary education to 90 children from migrant worker families who have been historically excluded from formal schooling The programme operates from a dedicated learning centre near Myntraâs Bengaluru headquarters and supports students through the National Open School System covering Levels 1 2 and 3 equivalent to Grades 3 5 and 7Myntra Cares is undertaking a school infrastructure transformation initiative at BKMS School a governmentaided institution near Commercial Street Bangalore in partnership with CommuniTree The phased renovation scheduled between October 2025 and March 2026 includes classroom upgrades sanitation facilities lighting wiring and digital learning infrastructureTo support access to higher education Myntra Cares has partnered with Buddy4Study to provide scholarships to 175 students including 75 from traditional artisan families and 100 from lowincome garment worker families Eligible students will receive Rs 20000 on a reimbursement basis and will be supported for three years of graduation in STEAM disciplinesSpeaking on the initiatives Govindraj MK Chief Human Resources Officer Myntra said âThrough Myntra Cares we are addressing the distinct needs of the community We are enabling livelihoods through mobility while continuing to invest in education under MynVidya Together these initiatives reflect our commitment to structured longterm community engagementâSpeaking about the school transformation initiative Hafiz Khan Founder CommuniTree said âThe BKMS school transformation project is about more than infrastructure itâs about creating a nurturing environment where children from underserved backgrounds can learn grow and aspire We are excited to work with Myntra to give this heritage building a new life and a brighter future for its studentsâSpeaking on the collaboration Urvi Jariwala FounderTrustee Links Educational and Charitable Trust mentioned âAt Links Trust we believe every child regardless of where they come from deserves a fair chance at a brighter future Children of migrant labourers often bear the weight of displacement and economic hardship but with this collaboration with Myntra Cares we are turning hope into opportunity Together weâre enabling 90 children to access quality education giving them not just books and classrooms but a pathway to dream learn and grow with dignityâSpeaking on the scholarship initiative Ashutosh Burnwal Founder Buddy4Study Foundation said âThrough our collaboration with Myntra were able to reach deserving students from families of artisans and garment workers who often lack access to financial support for higher education By combining our operational platform with Myntraâs strong community networks we aim to empower the next generation with the education and skills they need to thriveâThese initiatives mark the expansion of Myntraâs voluntary CSR efforts reflecting a holistic approach to community development By bringing together dedicated partners and focusing on measurable impact Myntra aims to foster longterm change that creates pathways to education skills and sustainable livelihoods IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/myntra-cares-launches-mobility-led-livelihood-initiative-education-programmes-for-underserved-communities-658241.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-asks-online-delivery-platforms-to-drop-10-minute-commitments-to-protect-gig-workers-safety-658244.html New Delhi Jan 13 Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday asked major food delivery and quickcommerce platforms to do away with rigid 10minute delivery time commitments stressing that the safety of delivery partners must come before speed Mandaviya held discussions with officials of Blinkit Zepto Swiggy and Zomato here during which he advised them to remove strict delivery deadlines from their platforms and promotional material in the interest of delivery workersâ safetyFollowing the intervention Blinkit has apparently removed its â10minute deliveryâ claim from all its brand platformsAll the companies assured the government that they would remove deliverytime commitments from their brand advertisements and social media platformsThe move is being seen as a significant step towards improving working conditions for delivery partners who often face pressure to meet tight deadlines on congested roadsThe issue of gig workersâ safety and rights has been drawing growing attention in recent weeksAam Aadmi Party AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has been actively highlighting the challenges faced by delivery partnersOn Monday Chadha shared a video on social media showing him spending a day as a delivery partner on the roads of the national capital to express solidarity with gig workersWearing a quickcommerce company jacket and riding pillion on a twowheeler Chadha was seen navigating Delhiâs traffic and delivering parcels to customersSharing the video he wrote that he wanted to experience the life of gig workers at the grassroots level away from boardrooms and policy discussionsEarlier this month Chadha had welcomed the release of draft social security rules for gig workers calling them a first step towards recognition protection and dignity for their workHe has also extended support to delivery partners who observed a nationwide symbolic strike on New Yearâs Eve demanding fair wages better working conditions and social securityThe strike called by gig worker unions saw thousands of delivery partners across several states logging off apps or reducing work leading to delays and cancellations on one of the busiest days of the yearChadha described the workersâ demands as legitimate and said gig workers form a crucial part of Indiaâs urban workforce and economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-asks-online-delivery-platforms-to-drop-10-minute-commitments-to-protect-gig-workers-safety-658244.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/97-pc-hr-leaders-in-india-expect-humans-to-work-alongside-ai-by-2027-report-658246.html Mumbai Jan 13 Around 97 per cent of HR leaders in the tech sector in India feel that work by 2027 will be done by humans working alongside AI rather than engaging with it intermittently a report said on Tuesday The report from Nasscom and Indeed based on a poll of over 120 HR leaders in the tech sector in the country found that 2040 per cent of work in technology firms is already AIâdrivenAround 45 per cent of respondents reported that over 40 per cent of software development is now handled by AI it saidâAs AI adoption deepens skilling and capability building will be central to ensuring that talent continues to move up the value chain and delivers meaningful outcomes for businessesâ said Ketaki Karnik Head of Research NasscomThe report highlighted a shift from AI as a supplementary tool to becoming an integral part of everyday roles workflows and decisionmaking processes with strong participation in intelligent automation 39 per cent and business process management 37 per centMeanwhile over half of respondents cited lowâquality or incomplete AI outputs underscoring the need for human oversightMost effective humanAI partnerships are emerging across higherorder activities such as scope definition system architecture and data model designMore routine and repeatable tasks including boilerplate code generation and unit test creation are expected to be increasingly automated by AI over the next two to three years the report saidHiring is evolving toward skillsâbased assessment with 85 per cent of managers prioritising skillsbased hiring over credentials and 98 per cent highlighting the need for hybrid and multidisciplinary skillsAround 83 per cent of HR leaders redesigned work by adding AIspecific rolesWith respect to AI adoption 79 per cent prioritised internal reskilling as a dominant strategyAround 80 per cent of organisations followed a hybrid approach with most employees working from the office three or more days a week the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/97-pc-hr-leaders-in-india-expect-humans-to-work-alongside-ai-by-2027-report-658246.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-ev-sales-hit-23-million-in-2025-market-share-rises-to-8-pc-658095.html New Delhi Jan 12 Indiaâs electric vehicle market accounted for 8 per cent of all new vehicle registrations in 2025 with total EV sales reaching 23 million units according to Vahan Portal data A report from India Energy Storage Alliance IESA said that electric twoâwheelers led the EV growth with sales of 128 million units touching 57 per cent of EV sales while electric threeâwheelers L3 and L5 accounted for 08 million units or 35 per cent of EV salesElectric fourâwheelers sales were at 175000 units with notable momentum in small and light commercial electric goods carriers the report saidIndias broader automobile market posted 282 million vehicle registrations in 2025 with twowheelers accounting for 72 per cent of total salesPassenger fourwheelers crossed 44 million units while tractors and agricultural vehicles surpassed 106 million unitsRegionally Uttar Pradesh emerged as the largest EV market with over 4 lakh units or 18 per cent of national EV sales followed by Maharashtra with 266 lakh units or 12 per cent and Karnataka with 2 lakh units or 9 per cent the report saidThe industry alliance highlighted that several smaller states posted high EVâtoâICE internal combustion engine ratios including Delhi at 14 per cent and Kerala at 12 per centTripura 18 per cent and Assam 14 per cent also recorded robust EVtoICE ratios in 2025A recent report had noted that Indiaâs EV sector raised over 14 billion in 2025 up around 27 per cent from 2024 figuresElectric vehicle manufacturers dominated funding securing 12 billion of the total with Delhi leading the city rankings with 11 billion raisedThe report forecasted electric car volumes in the PV segment at around 175 lakh units for FY26 EV sales grew by 83 per cent in FY24Another report highlighted a 100 billion export opportunity in auto components as EV sales rose from about 50000 in 2016 to over 2 million in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-ev-sales-hit-23-million-in-2025-market-share-rises-to-8-pc-658095.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tcs-q3-net-profit-falls-14-pc-annually-declines-over-115-pc-sequentially-658099.html Mumbai Jan 12 Indiaâs largest IT services company Tata Consultancy Services TCS on Monday reported a 139 per cent yearonyear YoY fall in its consolidated profit for the third quarter of the current financial year Q3 FY26 The IT firmâs consolidated net profit declined to Rs 10720 crore compared to Rs 12444 crore in the same quarter last financial year Q3 FY25 according to an exchange filingOn a quarteronquarter basis profit dropped 116 per cent from Rs 12131 crore in the September quarter of FY26âThe growth momentum we witnessed in Q2 FY26 continued in Q3 FY26 We remain steadfast in our ambition to become the worldâs largest AIled technology services company guided by a comprehensive fivepillar strategyâ K Krithivasan Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director saidâOur AI services now generate 18 billion in annualised revenue reflecting the significant value we provide to clients through targeted investments across the entire AI stack from Infrastructure to Intelligenceâ Krithivasan addedDespite the profit decline TCS recorded a nearly 5 per cent rise in revenue which increased to Rs 67087 crore from Rs 63973 crore a year agoSequentially revenue grew by about 2 per cent In constant currency terms revenue growth stood at 08 per centThe company said its profit was impacted mainly due to exceptional items booked during the quarterThese included provisions related to the new labour codes legal claims and restructuring expensesTCS provided Rs 2128 crore towards the statutory impact of the new labour codes This included Rs 1816 crore for gratuity and Rs 312 crore for longterm compensated absencesThe company said these provisions arose mainly due to changes in the wage definition under the new labour rulesIn addition TCS set aside Rs 1010 crore for a legal claim filed by Computer Sciences Corporation CSC in 2019The case filed in a US court in Texas alleges that TCS misappropriated trade secrets and confidential information belonging to CSCBecause of these onetime charges TCSâs bottom line came under pressure during the quarter even as its business continued to show stable revenue growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tcs-q3-net-profit-falls-14-pc-annually-declines-over-115-pc-sequentially-658099.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chinas-staged-illusions-rather-than-genuine-tech-breakthroughs-create-trust-deficit-report-658100.html New Delhi Jan 12 Chinaâs eagerness to project technological dominance often relies on staged illusions rather than genuine breakthroughs a report has said adding that while such spectacles may impress domestic audiences the global community increasingly views them as hollow âEach exposure of fakery or malfunction damages Chinaâs credibility reinforcing doubts about its actual progress in robotics and AIâ according to the report in KhabarhubThe report further said that this credibility crisis has broader implicationsâChinaâs efforts to project dominance in robotics and artificial intelligence have repeatedly unravelled with staged spectacles malfunctioning machines and even human actors disguised as robots undermining its credibilityâ it claimedIn April 2024 China hosted the worldâs first half marathon featuring humanoid robots alongside human runnersâThe event was intended to showcase endurance and technical sophistication Instead it became a spectacle of failure Out of 20 robot participants most stumbled fell or froze at the starting line Some even lost their heads midrace requiring human handlers to prop them upâ said the reportIt further said that Chinaâs repeated failures in robotics and AI highlight the dangers of prioritising propaganda over progressIn August last year a video of armed Chinese robots marching in formation went viralInitially hailed by nationalistic audiences as proof of Chinaâs military robotics capabilities the footage was later exposed as AIgenerated Factcheckers confirmed that no such prototypes existed and the video was a digital fabrication the report saidThis credibility crisis has broader implications In the global tech race trust is as important as innovationNotably the reliance on propaganda undermines genuine researchers within China who are striving for real progress but find their work overshadowed by exaggerated spectacles said the reportHowever China continues to promote breakthroughs in AI Chinaâs opensource large language model LLM DeepSeek has been touted as a âdark horseâ in the global tech race IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chinas-staged-illusions-rather-than-genuine-tech-breakthroughs-create-trust-deficit-report-658100.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bis-committed-to-enhancing-quality-safety-in-ayurveda-throughrobuststandardisation-658102.html New Delhi Jan 12 The Bureau of Indian Standards BIS under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing quality and safety in Ayurveda through robust standardisation The BIS successfully organised a nationallevel workshop in collaboration with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education MAHE through its Division of Ayurveda Centre for Integrative Medicine and ResearchThe event exclusively designed for faculty members researchers startups and industry representatives engaged in the Ayurveda sector witnessed the participation of nearly 180 delegates from across the country It marked a significant milestone in the collective journey towards strengthening quality safety and global acceptance of AyurvedaâBIS is committed to strengthening quality and safety in Ayurveda through robust and inclusive standardisation mechanismsâ said Shrishti Dixit Head of the AYUSH Department BIS She highlighted that standards form the foundation of trust which is essential for the international recognition and wider adoption of AyurvedaThe workshop theme inspired by BISâs guiding motto âManakah Patha Pradarshakaâ highlighted the critical role of standards in harmonising classical Ayurvedic wisdom with modern scientific and regulatory frameworksâThe workshop represents an important step toward bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary requirements through structured and meaningful standardisationâ said Jayant Deopujari Chairperson of the Ayurveda Sectional Committee BISHe underscored the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to position Ayurveda as a globally trusted healthcare systemDr Sharath K Rao Pro ViceChancellor Health Sciences MAHE Manipal stressed the urgent need for standardisation in traditional systems such as Ayurveda He assured full institutional support from MAHE and its various divisions in advancing this national initiative of the governmentThe discussions focused on multidisciplinary collaboration the role of standards in nurturing Ayurveda startups and the responsibility of the industry in driving quality and compliance Participants actively engaged in open discussions sharing innovative ideas and practical insights on advancing standardization in AyurvedaRaghavendra Naik ScientistC BIS emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary research strong academiaindustry partnerships He also called for targeted capacitybuilding initiatives to create a sustainable and collaborative ecosystem involving academia industry and policymakers for Ayurveda standardisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bis-committed-to-enhancing-quality-safety-in-ayurveda-throughrobuststandardisation-658102.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hcl-tech-clocks-111-drop-in-q3-net-profit-to-rs-4-082-crore-658106.html Mumbai Jan 12 HCL Technologies the countryâs thirdlargest IT services company on Monday reported 1114 per cent decline yearonyear YoY decline in its financial results for the quarter ended December Q3 FY26 aftermarket hours According to the stock exchange filing the net profit for the 3rd quarter stood at Rs 4082 crore down from Rs 4594 crore in the same quarter previous financial year Q3 FY25The drop was mainly due to a onetime cost of Rs 956 crore linked to new labour code provisions that came into effect during the quarterThe companyâs revenue for the December quarter rose to Rs 33872 crore marking a 6 per cent increase compared to the previous quarter and a 133 per cent rise from a year agoIn constant currency terms revenue grew 42 per cent quarteronquarter and 48 per cent yearonyearTotal income of the company in Q3 was Rs 34257 crore up by 128 per cent from Rs 30367 crore in yearago period the IT firm said in its filingService revenue also showed steady growth increasing 18 per cent sequentially and 5 per cent annually in constant currency termsA key highlight of the quarter was strong growth in advanced technologies Revenue from Advanced AI jumped nearly 20 per cent quarteronquarter in constant currency terms to 146 millionOn the operational side the company reported earnings before interest and tax EBIT of Rs 6285 crore which was 8 per cent higher compared to the same period last financial yearOperating margins also improved with EBIT margin expanding to 186 per cent from 172 per cent in the September quarterâWe are well positioned to address evolving AI demand of our clients across industries and service linesâ C Vijayakumar CEO amp Managing Director HCLTech stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hcl-tech-clocks-111-drop-in-q3-net-profit-to-rs-4-082-crore-658106.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/maersk-explores-ethanol-fuel-to-cut-emissions-and-reduce-reliance-on-china-658119.html New Delhi Jan 12 Maersk is considering increasing its use of ethanol as a fuel as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions and reduce dependence on China for green fuels In an interview with the Financial Times Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc said the company is exploring ethanol as an alternative fuel because production is more evenly spread across countriesHe pointed out that while China dominates the market for fuels such as green methanol the United States and Brazil are the worldâs largest producers of ethanolClerc said a more balanced supply of green fuels could help build wider global support for the energy transitionHe noted that if the benefits of green fuels are concentrated in one country others may resist the shiftHowever if more countries see economic opportunities they are more likely to support decarbonisation effortsThe global shipping industry faces major challenges in reducing emissions as it requires expensive upgrades to existing ships or the construction of new vessels capable of running on alternative fuels such as efuels derived from renewable energyThese changes involve high costs and longterm investments Maersk has been among the leaders in pushing for cleaner shipping solutionsThe Danish company has already invested heavily in methanolpowered vessels as part of its goal to achieve netzero emissions by 2040It is also expanding beyond traditional container shipping into endtoend logistics including ports warehousing trucking and air freightMeanwhile other shipping companies are also taking steps to cut emissions Late last year HapagLloyd and North Sea Container Line won a tender to use lowemission fuels made from hydrogen on container ships starting from 2027 for at least three yearsThe move aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from shipping operations IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/maersk-explores-ethanol-fuel-to-cut-emissions-and-reduce-reliance-on-china-658119.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/isros-pslv-c62-makes-1st-launch-of-2026-with-eos-n1-satellite-658007.html New Delhi Jan 12 The Indian Space Research Organisations ISRO on Monday made the first launch of 2026 with the EOSN1 Earth observation satellite aboard its PSLVC62 rocket The EOSN1 also called the Anwesha took off on the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV at 1017 am IST from the First Launch Pad FLP at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SriharikotaLiftoff PSLVC62 launches the EOSN1 Mission from SDSCSHAR Sriharikota ISRO shared in a post on the social media platform XThe launch aims to enhance Indiaâs remote sensing capabilities across agriculture urban mapping and environmental monitoringThe mission which carries 15 copassenger satellites is planned for injection into Sun Synchronous OrbitThe PSLVC62 mission will also demonstrate KID or Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator from a Spanish startup which is a smallscale prototype of a reentry vehicle being developed by the startupâ the Indian space agency shared before launchThe KID capsule is planned for a reentry trajectory according to ISROThe KID will be the last copassenger to be injected after which it is slated to reenter the Earthâs atmosphere towards splashdown in the South Pacific OceanThe PSLVC62 EOSN1 Mission is the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited NSIL the commercial arm of ISROThe launch is the fifth to use the PSLVDL variant with two solid strapon motorsPSLV has completed 63 flights including notable missions like Chandrayaan1 Mars Orbiter Mission AdityaL1 and Astrosat Mission In 2017 PSLV set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single missionISRO undertook the 101st launch endeavour with PSLVC61 mission in May to deploy the 1696 kg EOS09 Earth Observation Satellite into a 505 km SunSynchronous Polar OrbitWhile the initial stages of the flight performed as expected a technical anomaly in the rockets third stage prevented the mission from reaching its intended orbit IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/isros-pslv-c62-makes-1st-launch-of-2026-with-eos-n1-satellite-658007.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-hit-fresh-highs-amid-global-uncertainties-658008.html Mumbai Jan 12 Gold and silver prices touched record highs on Monday as markets reacted to the US Justice Departments escalation of tensions with the Federal Reserve and intensifying protests in Iran that heightened geopolitical risks MCX gold February futures surged 146 per cent to Rs 140838 per 10 grams while MCX silver March futures rose 366 per cent to Rs 261977 per kgSpot gold price surged 145 per cent at 457582 an ounce after hitting a fresh record high of 460117 level Silver prices gained 485 per cent to touch 8319 after hitting a record high of 8388Fed Chair Jerome Powell disclosed that the central bank had received grand jury subpoenas from the Justice Department tied to his June congressional testimony on renovations at the Fedâs headquarters The development signalled sharp intensification of US President Donald Trumpâs confrontation with the Fed and renewed concerns about the central bankâs independenceThe surge to fresh record highs was supported by rising geopolitical risks increasing political pressure on the US Federal Reserve and weakerthanexpected US employment data which strengthened safehaven demand said Rahul Kalantri VP Commodities Mehta Equities LtdMeanwhile deadly demonstrations in Iran amplified safeâhaven flows with markets weighing the chances of political upheaval and its implications for oil supplies Trump had on Sunday indicated considering options on Iran comments that added to uncertainty alongside other geopolitical flashpointsLast weekâs US jobs report showed weakerâthanâexpected payroll gains reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver further interestârate cuts this yearGold has support at Rs 134550132310 while resistance at Rs 141350143670 Silver has support at Rs 248810 to 244170 zone while resistance at Rs255810 to 259470 zone said analystsGold gained over 4 per cent last week while silver rallied more than 7 per cent Russias war in Ukraine the US capture of Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro and Washingtons renewed signals over taking control of Greenland also act as tailwinds for rally of precious metals IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-hit-fresh-highs-amid-global-uncertainties-658008.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pslv-c62-mission-faces-anomaly-at-third-stage-analysis-in-progress-isrochairman-658023.html New Delhi Jan 12 The PSLVC62 mission which took off early this morning has faced an anomaly at the third stage of rocket separation said ISRO Chairman V Narayanan adding that the space agency has launched a probe The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV rocket which was intended to deploy the EOSN1 Earth observation satellite and 15 copassenger satellites into sunsynchronous orbit launched at 1017 am IST from theFirst Launch Pad FLP at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SriharikotaSpeaking to reporters after the launch Narayanan stated that the mission faced a setback after a deviation was observed at the end of the third stageHe added that the vehicle performed perfectly until the third stage and the team is currently analysing ground data to understand the issue before providing further updatesâWe attempted the PSLVC62 EOSN1 mission The PSLV is a fourstage vehicle the first stage is a solid motor with two strapons the second stage is liquid the third stage is solid and the fourth stage is liquid The performance of the vehicle close to the third stage was as expected and as predictedâ Narayanan saidâHowever near the end of the third stage we observed some disturbance in the vehicle and there was a deviation in its flight path As a result the mission could not proceed as expected We are now analysing the data from all ground stations and once the analysis is complete we will come back to youâ he addedThe PSLVC61 mission launched in May 2025 also faced a technical anomaly in the rockets third stage which prevented the mission from reaching its intended orbitThe mission aimed to deploy the 1696 kg EOS09 Earth Observation Satellite into a 505 km SunSynchronous Polar OrbitMeanwhile the PSLVC62 mission which marked the first launch of 2026 took off on the 64th flight of the PSLVThe EOSN1 also called the Anwesha aimed to enhance Indiaâs remote sensing capabilities across agriculture urban mapping and environmental monitoringâThe PSLVC62 mission will also demonstrate KID or Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator from a Spanish startup which is a smallscale prototype of a reentry vehicle being developed by the startupâ according to ISROThe PSLVC62 EOSN1 Mission marked the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited NSIL the commercial arm of ISROThe launch was the fifth to use the PSLVDL variant with two solid strapon motorsPSLV has completed 63 flights including notable missions like Chandrayaan1 Mars Orbiter Mission AdityaL1 and Astrosat Mission In 2017 PSLV set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pslv-c62-mission-faces-anomaly-at-third-stage-analysis-in-progress-isrochairman-658023.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/youth-hiring-in-india-to-grow-by11pcby-2026-toaddnearly-128crore-new-jobs-report-658044.html New Delhi Jan 12 Youth hiring in India is projected to grow by 11 per cent by 2026 generating approximately 128 crore new jobs according to a report on Monday The report by NLB Services showed that IT services will account for around 3040 per cent manufacturing around 12 per cent healthcare around 13 per cent fintech around 20 per cent logistics around 107 per cent and green energy around 4 per cent of these rolesâAs we mark Youth Day on the lines of âIgnite the Self Impact the Worldâ India stands at a pivotal inflection point where its demographic dividend can translate into sustained economic acceleration if matched with the right skilling investmentsâ said Sachin Alug CEO NLB ServicesâWith over 65 per cent of Indiaâs population below the age of 35 and an estimated 12 million youth set to enter the workforce by 2026 the urgency to build futureready capabilities has never been higherâ he addedThe report noted that demand for highimpact roles such as AIML engineers data scientists cybersecurity specialists cloud architects digital product managers and sustainability professionals is expected to outpace supplyIt also flagged a significant opportunity gap in AIskilling programmes even as workplaces increasingly prioritise AI fluency and advanced digital competenciesAlug said that structured upskilling skillaligned recruitment and outcomebased talent models will be central to ensuring Indiaâs youth not only participate in but actively power the countryâs next phase of economic transformationâThe next phase of growth will be driven by skills across AI and machine learning data science and analytics cybersecurity cloud and platform engineering digital product management automation and green technology rolesâ Alug saidCurrently only 45 per cent of youth are considered jobready for highgrowth tech and digital rolesThis gap presents a clear opportunity targeted upskilling at scale could unlock productivity gains of around 21 per cent across knowledgeintensive sectors with the potential to contribute up to 8 per cent to Indiaâs GDP by 2026 Alug notedThe report suggested that inclusive participation remains an important factor in Indiaâs workforce outcomes Women currently account for 417 per cent of the formal workforce and youth employability levels in tier2 and tier3 cities trail metro citiesFurther expanding access to quality training infrastructure increasing female workforce participation to 55 per cent by 2030 and integrating underrepresented groups could add an estimated 93 million skilled workers to the economy over the next 5 years it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/youth-hiring-in-india-to-grow-by11pcby-2026-toaddnearly-128crore-new-jobs-report-658044.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-study-showsschool-programmes-can-cut-junk-food-intake-by-1-000-calories-daily-658047.html New Delhi Jan 12 Even as India is seeing a rapid rise in childhood obesity diabetes and heartdisease risk a new study showed how schoolbased behavioural interventions can help reduce consumption of ultraprocessed foods UPFs that are rich in salt and sugar among adolescents The scientific study led by researchers from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research PGIMER Chandigarh found that simple schoolbased behaviour programmes can dramatically reduce junk food consumption by over 1000 calories per dayHigher intake of UPFs including fast foods and sugary drinks is a known factor for increasing health issues such as diabetes hypertension obesity and cancers in adolescents and teenagersâThis study demonstrates the potential of schoolbased behavioural interventions to reduce ultraprocessed food UPF consumption among Indian adolescents addressing a critical gap in public health research and practice in lowand middleincome countries LMICsâ said the researchers including those from Imperial College London UK and Public Health Foundation of India in the paper published in the international journal BMJ Global HealthIn the study the team tested a structured nutrition and behaviourchange programme in schools using a controlled scientific trial designA clusterrandomised controlled trial was conducted across 12 public schools in Chandigarh targeting Grade 8 adolescents and their parents About 11 sessions were held for adolescents over six monthsIn addition a single educational session was conducted for parents to enhance their awareness of reducing UPF consumption and encouraging healthier dietary behaviours Dietary intake data were collected at baseline and endline using two nonconsecutive 24hour dietary recallsâStudents who participated consumed more than 1000 fewer calories per day from UPF such as packaged snacks sugary drinks and fast food Intake of other processed foods dropped by about 270 calories per day showing a consistent move away from unhealthy dietsâ the researchers saidWhile junk food fell the study showed that students did not significantly increase fruit or homecooked food intake indicating that cutting unhealthy food is easier than building healthy habitsEven with family involvement parentsâ eating patterns showed little change underlining the unique influence of schools on teenage behaviourThe study suggests that schools could become frontline institutions for preventing future lifestyle diseases using lowcost education and behaviour strategies the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-study-showsschool-programmes-can-cut-junk-food-intake-by-1-000-calories-daily-658047.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/apedas-new-office-in-raipur-to-strengthen-agri-exports-empower-farmers-658050.html New Delhi Jan 12 The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority APEDA on Monday said it has inaugurated a regional office in Raipur to boost agri and processed food exports from Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh offers significant export potential across a wide range of products including premium nonbasmati rice varieties and Geographical Indication GItagged products such as Jeeraphool Rice and Nagri Dubraj RiceAccording to Commerce Ministry the state also produces a variety of fruits and vegetables including guava banana dragon fruit jackfruit custard apple tomato and cucumber along with important minor forest produce such as mahua tamarind herbal and medicinal plants providing strong opportunities to expand its presence in global marketsAccording to an official statement this is a significant step towards positioning Chhattisgarh as a major hub for agricultural and processed food exportsChief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the opening of the APEDA Regional Office in Raipur is a mission to integrate Chhattisgarhâs farmers with the global economyHe highlighted the potential of the stateâs farmers exporters and entrepreneurs in global agrimarkets adding that Chhattisgarh would emerge as a leader in highvalue and sustainable agricultural exportsCM Sai thanked Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for sanctioning the APEDA office in Chhattisgarh based on the request of the state government and assured full support to APEDA and the Department of Commerce in expanding exports of agricultural and organic products from the stateThe APEDA Regional Office was inaugurated during the second edition of the India International Rice Summit organised by the Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh in collaboration with APEDA and other organisationsAccording to a Commerce Ministry statement the establishment of the APEDA Regional Office in Raipur marks an important milestone for Chhattisgarhâs agrarian economyThe new office will facilitate farmers producer groups cooperatives and exporters by providing services such as export registration advisory support market intelligence certification assistance export facilitation infrastructure development and market linkage support said the ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/apedas-new-office-in-raipur-to-strengthen-agri-exports-empower-farmers-658050.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aiims-raipurcrosses-100roboticsurgeries-infourmonths-658054.html Raipur Jan 12 AIIMS Raipur has completed 100 roboticassisted surgeries within four months of launching its robotic programme marking an important milestone for advanced surgical care in Central India the institute said on Monday The centre has performed a range of procedures including nephrectomy cystectomy hemicolectomy prostatectomy pyeloplasty hernia repairs gastrectomy hysterectomy reflecting both rapid adoption and growing clinical capabilityâCompleting 100 robotic surgeries in a short time reflects the teamâs disciplined approach to training and our focus on delivering consistent highquality care Our priority is to ensure patients benefit meaningfully from this technology and we are seeing that in practice smaller incisions less pain reduced blood loss shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveryâ said Dr Ashok Jindal Executive Director AIIMS Raipur in a statementâThese improvements make the overall care experience smoother for patients and reaffirm the importance of building a strong wellsupported ecosystem for safe and effective adoption of the technologyâ he addedAIIMS Raipur launched a roboticassisted surgery programme in August 2025 becoming the first government hospital in Central India to offer this technologyThe programme aims to make minimally invasive care more accessible for patients in Chhattisgarh and neighboring states while also creating a structured pathway for surgeon training and academic developmentâThis achievement reflects AIIMS Raipurâs growing strength in roboticassisted surgery Improved operating efficiency is enabling us to manage more cases each day reduce patient waiting times especially for general surgeries and expand access to advanced robotic care across Chhattisgarh and neighbouring statesâ said Dr Debajyoti Mohanty Professor and Head of General Surgery at AIIMS RaipurThis combination has enabled surgeons like Dr Amit Sharma Additional Professor of Urology amp Renal Transplant at AIIMS Raipur to achieve operating times of 154 to 170 minutes for prostate surgeries well below the global average of about 200 minutes the Institute said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aiims-raipurcrosses-100roboticsurgeries-infourmonths-658054.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/time-of-day-may-determine-heart-surgery-outcomes-study-657791.html New Delhi Jan 10 Heart surgery that begins late in the morning may raise the risk of cardiovascular deaths when compared to other times of the day according to a study Researchers at The University of Manchester UK suggested that integrating body clock biology into the planning of heart surgery could support a more personalised precision medicine approach as some peopleâs body clock makes them early birds and others make them night owlsThe data based on the analysis of national datasets comprising over 24000 patients in England Wales and Northern Ireland showed latemorning surgery was linked to an 18 per cent higher risk of death almost one fifth from heartrelated causes compared with earlymorning surgeryAnd the most common surgical start time was 0700 am to 0959 am accounting for 47 per cent of all surgeriesThough complication rates and readmissions were unaffected by the time of day the findings still pose questions about the best time to schedule heart surgeryThe study published in the journal Anaesthesia also gives an important insight into the potential influence of the body clock a set of 24hour biological cycles present in our cells and organs on surgery as a wholeâThis research shows that a slightly higher risk of heartrelated mortality is likely to occur when heart surgery starts in the late morning Even small improvements in timingrelated outcomes could have significant benefits to patientsâ said lead author Dr Gareth Kitchen Clinical Senior Lecturer at The University of ManchesterâHowever though the risk is statistically significant it is relatively modest and patients can be reassured that most people will almost certainly be unaffected It is though our duty as clinicians to ensure the best possible outcomes and moderating timings is a potentially inexpensive method to achieve thatâ Kitchen addedâWith more understanding of how body clock biology varies between individuals precision and personalised scheduling of cardiac surgery may one day allow us to achieve better patient outcomesâ the researcher said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/time-of-day-may-determine-heart-surgery-outcomes-study-657791.html Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-sustain-rally-in-2026-amid-renewed-safe-haven-demand-657793.html New Delhi Jan 10 Gold and silver continued their structural bull run into the start of 2026 on the back of enhanced safe haven demand and industrial demand analysts said on Saturday Gold futures with February expiry gained significantly during the week touching Rs 138875 per 10 grams up from Rs 135752 at last weeks close The price of 10 grams of 24carat gold closed the week at Rs 137122 up from Rs 134782 of the prior week according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJAMCX Silver contracts for March expiry showed significant surge during the week surging to Rs 252002 per kg confirming a decisive breakout from its recent consolidation range and reentering a strong bullish channelCOMEX gold remained firm near 4500 per ounce gaining over 1 per cent and consolidating just below record highs after its strong multiweek rally said Ponmudi R CEO of Enrich MoneyMeanwhile COMEX silver futures jumped over 6 per cent to around 7979 per ounce rebounding from 75 as industrial demand revived alongside renewed safehaven buying he addedInvestor sentiment in silver remains firmly constructive supported by persistent supply deficits record central bank buying as well as rising greenenergy demand linked to solar EVs and AI infrastructureLooking ahead nearterm volatility cannot be ruled out driven by profittaking dollar movements and highfrequency macro data from US and other major economies analysts saidRecent pullbacks in precious metals were largely seen as healthy profittaking rather than signs of trend fatigue and the speed of subsequent rebounds has reinforced confidence in the longerterm uptrendGold surged nearly 66 per cent in CY25 surpassing 4500 per ounce while silver outperformed with a 171 per cent riseAnalysts said that the ongoing surge in gold and silver is being driven by structural demand rather than shortterm speculative activity Sustained centralbank gold purchases elevated geopolitical uncertainty and expectations of global monetary easing continue to reinforce goldâs role as a core portfolio hedge IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-sustain-rally-in-2026-amid-renewed-safe-haven-demand-657793.html Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:04:00 +0530