DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:01:28 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/science/lg-electronics-indias-q2-profit-falls-27-pc-to-rs-389-crore-648456.html New Delhi Nov 13 LG Electronics India on Thursday reported a 273 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in its profit after tax PAT to Rs 389 crore for the second quarter of the current fiscal Q2 FY26 The company had posted a PAT of Rs 536 crore in the same period last yearRevenue from operations jumped marginally 1 per cent to Rs 6174 crore in Q2FY26 compared to Rs 61138 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous yearHowever the companyâs operating performance came under pressure with EBITDA falling 28 per cent YoY to Rs 547 crore while margins contracted by 350 basis points to 89 per centSegmentwise revenue from the home appliances and air solutions division slipped slightly to Rs 3948 crore whereas the home entertainment division registered an improvement to Rs 2226 crore during the quarterIndustrywide electronics and consumer goods companies in India faced softer demand through most of the quarter as buyers postponed purchases until late September when the GST rate reduction on several categories â including electronic products â came into effectManaging Director LG Electronics India Limited Hong Ju Jeon said H1 of 2026 presented some macroeconomic headwinds including a cool summer geopolitical challenges tariffs and forex fluctuations Despite this our team in India demonstrated resilient sales growth gaining market share and maintaining stable profitabilityThis performance underscores the strength of our operational execution and the deep trust consumers place in our brand This is a reflection of our strong fundamentals and reinforces our continued commitment to our India growth story he addedIt was LG Electronics Indiaâs first quarterly results since its blockbuster stock market debut on October 14 2025The companyâs shares had listed at a 50 per cent premium on the National Stock Exchange NSE at Rs 1710 per share against the IPO price of Rs 1140 and closed the day 48 per cent higher at Rs 16828The companyâs IPO which was open for subscription between October 7 and 9 this year had received an overwhelming response with a 5402 times oversubscription IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/lg-electronics-indias-q2-profit-falls-27-pc-to-rs-389-crore-648456.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cpi-inflation-drops-to-record-low-as-gst-rationalisation-takes-full-effect-economists-648265.html New Delhi Nov 12 Economists on Wednesday said the further softening of the CPI inflation for the month of October is owing to the governments prudent GST reforms which are showing a favourable impact on the economy The yearonyear inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price Index CPI for the month of October stood at 025 per cent provisionalâThe recordlow food inflation of the current CPI series at 502 per cent provisional is the major contributor to lowest headline inflation of the current CPI seriesâ said Rajeev Juneja President PHDCCITo further bolster the impact of this period of low inflation thrust should be laid on building infrastructure and logistics projects strengthening agriculture supply chains to avoid food price spikes and prioritizing technologydriven productivity gains in manufacturing and services he addedAccording to Dr Ranjeet Mehta CEO and Secretary General PHDCCI over the next two quarters âwe anticipate that Indias inflation will stay within a manageable range on the back of sufficient food supply reasonable energy prices and Reserve Bank of Indias strategic monetary managementâAccording to Rajani Sinha Chief Economist CareEdge Ratings the CPI inflation continued to stay on a downward trajectory easing to 03 per cent in October which is in line with our expectationsâThe positive impact of the GST rationalisation and deflation in the food and beverages category supported the lower inflation print Deflation in the food basket deepened further to 37 per cent in October from 14 per cent last monthâ said SinhaOverall economists expect food inflation to stay at moderate levels on the back of healthy agricultural activity and a favourable baseFurthermore adequate reservoir levels and strong kharif sowing bode well for food price stabilityâGoing forward inflation is projected to average 09 per cent in Q3 before rising to 31 per cent in Q4 FY26 With food inflation subdued we project average inflation for FY26 at 21 per centâ Sinha notedAditi Nayar Chief Economist ICRA Ltd said that the RBI MPC is likely to pare its CPI inflation projection for FY2026 further from 26 per cent as mentioned in October 2025 meeting driven by the soft sequential momentum in food prices as well as the impact of the GST rate rationalisation on several items in the CPI basketâThis along with the dovish tone of the October 2025 policy document would support a 25bps rate cut in the December 2025 policy review unless Q2 FY26 GDP growth surprises on the upsideâ Nayar mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cpi-inflation-drops-to-record-low-as-gst-rationalisation-takes-full-effect-economists-648265.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/black-box-reports-strong-performance-in-q2-fy26-revenue-grew-by-rs-198-crore-648267.html Mumbai Nov 12 Black Box Limited Essarâs technology arm and a leading provider of digital infrastructure solutions announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and half year ended September 30 The Company delivered a resilient performance with strong quarteronquarter improvements across revenue operating profit and net profitability With its transformation program now largely stabilised and a more focused gotomarket architecture in place the Company is shifting decisively toward sustained revenue acceleration and a higherquality business mix through FY26Backed by robust order wins a growing backlog strong execution deepening client relationships and a healthy pipeline the Company is firmly on a growth trajectory and remains confident of delivering a strong second halfRevenue for Q2 FY26 stood at Rs 1585 crore from Rs 1387 crore in Q1 FY26 witnessing a growth of 14 per cent quarteronquarter and 6 per cent yearonyearThe strong revenue performance reflects a sharp rebound as tariff conditions normalized and earlier project execution delays from Q1 were cleared bringing the business back to its expected runrate heading into the second half of the yearH2 FY26 is expected to outperform H1 supported by a growing order book improving pipeline visibility and stronger execution momentum across regionsEBITDA and EBITDA Margin per centEBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs 143 crore up from Rs 116 crore in Q1 FY26 representing a growth of 23 per cent quarteronquarter and 6 per cent yearonyear EBITDA margins improved by 60 basis points on a sequential basis to 9 per cent in Q2 FY26 compared to 84 per cent in Q1 FY26The improvement was primarily driven by higher revenue throughput better fixedcost absorption and a balanced business mix With ongoing operational efficiency and cost optimization initiatives there remains further potential for incremental margin expansion as strategic priorities continue to be executed through H2Profit after Tax PATProfit after Tax PAT stood at Rs 56 crore up from Rs 47 crore a growth of 17 per cent quarteronquarter and 9 per cent yearonyear reflecting strong operating leverage and improved profitability in the core portfolioAs revenue growth accelerates in H2 FY26 PAT expansion is expected to outpace topline growth driven by margin normalization improved revenue quality and greater contribution from highvalue opportunitiesBusiness and Operations HighlightsOrder momentum remained strong with the backlog at the end of Q2 FY26 at Rs 4846 crore US555 million up from Rs 4523 crore US518 million at the close of Q1 FY26 Order bookings during the quarter were robust at Rs 1906 crore US218 million showing an increase of US42 million from Rs 1536 crore US176 million in Q1 FY26Notable orders during the quarter included significant extensions from the companyâs existing largevalue clients for networking and connectivity from the companyâs largest global financial services customer and further engagement from our hyperscaler customer reinforcing Black Boxâs position as a trusted partner in complex highvalue digital infrastructure programsThe company received orders in the digital workplace from a USbased local county and a sizeable order from a health care institution Financial Services Healthcare and Data Center continued to contribute higher revenue across the verticals servedIn addition to these expansions the company secured new client wins across the education and municipal sectors in India reflecting the growing breadth of its market reach and the success of its gotomarket strategyPartnership with Wind RiverDuring the quarter Black Box entered into a strategic global partnership with Wind River an Aptiv company and a global leader in intelligent edge software to accelerate edge and cloud innovationAs part of this alliance Black Box secured Wind Riverâs solutions to sell globally with preferred partner status in India and the Middle East In addition the company entered into a separate agreement with Wind River to manage enduser customer engagements globally across multiple geographiesThe partnership is expected to drive approximately Rs 1350 crore in revenue over the next five years approximately US30 million annually further strengthening Black Boxâs position in advanced edge cloud and AIdriven solutionsSanjeev Verma Executive Director amp Chief Executive Officer Black Box said âQ2 FY26 has been a strong quarter with revenue up 14 per cent sequentially and broadbased growth across key markets Our transformation journey is driving sustained profitable momentum backed by a strong and diversified order book We are witnessing strong traction in highgrowth areas such as data centers and overall digital infrastructure across our operating markets and are scaling strategically to capture these opportunities With solid execution deep client partnerships and a healthy pipeline we remain confident of meeting our FY26 goalsâDeepak Bansal Chief Financial Officer Black Box added We delivered a revenue growth in Q2 on the back of good order backlog with EBITDA margins at 9 per cent Our financial performance reflects the benefits of operational discipline and the impact of our continued transformation efforts We are focusing on growing business with prudent capital deployment IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/black-box-reports-strong-performance-in-q2-fy26-revenue-grew-by-rs-198-crore-648267.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/prakash-raj-appears-before-telangana-sit-in-betting-apps-case-648281.html Hyderabad Nov 12 Actor Prakash Raj on Wednesday appeared before the Special Investigation SIT in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged promotion of online betting apps The SIT officials recorded the statement of the actor at the CID officeAfter coming out of the CID office Prakash Raj told the media that he did a promotion for an app in 2016 thinking that it was a gaming app He said that after coming to know that it was a betting app he stopped the promotion He also recalled that betting was banned in 2017Betting apps are wrong They are destroying the lives of many youngsters he said Whether we do the ads knowingly or unknowingly itâs wrong I am sorry for that he addedActor Vijay Deverakonda had appeared before the SIT on Tuesday The officials recorded his statement on the remuneration and commissions taken from betting appsThe Telangana government formed the SIT in March to probe multiple cases involving online betting platformsThe questioning follows a series of arrests made by SIT in six locations in Punjab Gujarat and Rajasthan during the joint operation conducted by SIT in coordination with CID Eight illegal betting organisers were arrested during the operationPrakash Raj and Deverakonda were among 29 celebrities charged with promoting banned betting apps by the Enforcement Directorate ED in JulyAugustThe investigation is based on multiple FIRs filed across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and covers a range of individuals including actors YouTubers and social media personalitiesThey were summoned by the agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLAAfter appearing before the ED on July 30 Prakash Raj had stated that the matter dated back to 2016 He claimed that he had not accepted moneyDeverakonda had maintained that he promoted only legal skillbased gaming apps and not unlawful betting platformsActors Rana Daggubati and Manchi Lakshmi had also appeared before the ED IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/prakash-raj-appears-before-telangana-sit-in-betting-apps-case-648281.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tn-to-procure-dgca-certified-agri-survey-drones-to-boost-farming-land-mapping-648312.html Chennai Nov 13 In a significant move to modernise farming practices and strengthen landsurvey operations the Tamil Nadu Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Corporation TNUAVC functioning under the Higher Education Department has begun the process to procure DGCAcertified agricultural drones and surveygrade drones A senior official from the department confirmed that both categories of drones have successfully undergone rigorous testing by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA meeting all safety performance and operational standardsâThe DGCA typecertification is mandatory for any drone intended for formal use It ensures safety compliance and also makes them eligible for government subsidies and institutional loansâ the official saidTNUAVC has floated tenders for both types of drones According to the official the lightweight agricultural drones constructed using durable carbon fibre are engineered to offer endtoend technological solutions for farmersThese drones will come with precise spray mechanisms customised nozzles and firm antiinterference antennas to ensure seamless field operations They are also equipped with intelligent safety features such as earlywarning alerts and automatic returntohome functionsâThe drones can accurately spray any pesticide depending on plant growth patterns and field density They are also easy to assemble and will be supplied with a flightcrash warrantyâ he addedThe state government plans to procure around 50 such agri drones Alongside these TNUAVC will also acquire survey drones developed for highly accurate aerial mapping of land and other required areasThese drones will be fitted with advanced imaging systems capable of capturing clear nonpixelated photographs and highquality video footage ensuring improved land records planning and monitoringThe official said the survey drones are built with strong datasecurity features that automatically block unrecognised users from accessing or receiving information They are also designed to operate in varied terrains and withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures keeping in mind Tamil Naduâs climatic variationsBy bringing in these advanced drone systems the state government aims to enhance precision agriculture streamline landsurvey operations and expand the use of modern technological tools in governance and development activities The procurement process is expected to move forward in the coming weeks after which the drones will be gradually deployed across different regions of Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tn-to-procure-dgca-certified-agri-survey-drones-to-boost-farming-land-mapping-648312.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nine-in-10-indian-smbs-bet-on-ai-as-tier-2-cities-lead-adoption-report-648325.html New Delhi Nov 13 Nine in 10 Indian small and medium businesses SMBs are already investing in or planning AI adoption with 92 per cent of them expecting business growth in the next 12 months a report said on Thursday The report from career portal LinkedIn research commissioned by YouGov said that SMBs in some of the fastest growing cities in India led in AI adoption such as Chandigarh 100 per cent Jaipur 94 per cent and Ahmedabad 94 per centSMBs are not just hopeful but rebuilding around smarter systems skilled talent and trusted digital platforms the report mentionedThe survey of 1027 office holders in SMB and MSMEs across major Indian cities found 57 per cent view AI and automation as essential to stay competitive 54 per cent cite operational efficiency as key to protecting margins and 51 per cent mentioned digital transformation as critical to survivalNearly all surveyed businesses use AI to automate workflows 92 per cent and strengthen analytics 93 per cent while over 90 per cent use it to streamline hiring marketing and sales the report notedâIndian SMBs are reimagining how business is built using AI to drive efficiency skillsfirst hiring to build capability and trusted digital ecosystems to expand their market footprint said Kumaresh Pattabiraman Country Manager LinkedIn IndiaSMBs in Delhi 61 per cent and Pune 60 per cent lead AI adoption to manage costs while SMBs in Bengaluru 63 per cent focused on operational efficiency and those in Chennai 62 per cent concentrated on building a skilled talent pipelineHiring priorities across SMBs have shifted to digital literacy and AI fluency with 63 per cent of them prioritising it Problemâsolving 57 per cent and data analysis 50 per cent scored over traditional qualifications IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nine-in-10-indian-smbs-bet-on-ai-as-tier-2-cities-lead-adoption-report-648325.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-scheme-for-white-goods-13-firms-commit-rs-1-914-crore-investment-in-4th-round-648329.html New Delhi Nov 13 Thirteen companies have filed applications with a net committed investment of Rs 1914 crore in the fourth round of the productionlinked incentive PLI scheme for White Goods Air Conditioners and LED Lights the government said on Thursday The application window was open from September 15 2025 to November 10 2025To date the PLI scheme for White Goods has attracted Rs 10335 crore of committed investment from 80 approved beneficiaries The Scheme is expected to generate production worth Rs 172 lakh crore and create around 60000 direct jobs across the countryIn the fourth round over 50 per cent of the new applicants are Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSMEs reflecting the growing confidence of small and medium enterprises in joining the air conditioner and LED components manufacturing value chain according to an IT Ministry statementThe statement further said that among the 13 applicants one is an existing beneficiary under the PLI Scheme for White Goods committing an additional investment of Rs 15 croreAccording to the ministry nine applicants representing 75 per cent of the total have applied for manufacturing Air Conditioner components with a cumulative investment of Rs 1816 croreThese investments focus on manufacturing copper tubes aluminium stock compressors motors heat exchangers control assemblies and other highvalue componentsThe remaining four applicants have proposed investments worth Rs 98 crore for LED component manufacturing including LED chips drivers and heat sinksThe proposed investments cover six states across 13 districts and 23 locations contributing to regional industrial growth and employment generationApproved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 7 2021 the PLI Scheme for White Goods â with a total outlay of Rs 6238 crore â aims to establish a complete component ecosystem for Air Conditioners and LED Lights in IndiaIt is projected to increase domestic value addition from the current 15â20 per cent to 75â80 per cent positioning India as a key global manufacturing hub for white goods IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-scheme-for-white-goods-13-firms-commit-rs-1-914-crore-investment-in-4th-round-648329.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/need-8-million-jobs-annually-to-reap-demographic-advantage-ai-to-supplement-cea-nageswaran-648348.html New Delhi Nov 13 India must create nearly 8 million jobs annually over the next 10â15 years to capitalise on its demographic dividend which will only last until then Chief Economic Adviser CEA V Anantha Nageswaran has said At a webinar coâhosted by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations ICRIER and Prosus at their Centre for Internet and Digital Economy CEA Nageswaran highlighted that artificial intelligence AI should enhance rather than replace human work particularly in healthcare and educationIn these sectors frontline professionals can be supported to deliver quality services at scale especially in remote and underserved regions he saidNageswaran also pointed out that India currently has limited computing and GPU capacity available in the United States and China affecting the countryâs ability to train and develop largescale AI models domesticallyHe noted that recent reductions in AI subscription pricing by global platforms such as monthly plans now being offered at the cost of a single lowfee annual subscription â will accelerate user adoption but also increase the volume of Indian data being captured by foreign AI systemsCEA pointed out that when users increasingly upload files and documents rather than text prompts the amount of granular and sensitive data generated from India is expected to rise making data ownership and data sovereignty a central policy question going forwardThe event also featured Nobel laureate Professor Daron Acemoglu and focused on how Artificial Intelligence AI can be directed to support workforce development productivity and improved service delivery in IndiaAcemoglu argued AI tools that assist technicians nurses and educators will boost economic participation and productivity but AI that prioritises labour replacement could create economic pressures for countries with middleâskilled workforcesPramod Bhasin Chairperson ICRIER expressed happiness in renewing partnership with Prosus on building a Centre of Excellence on Indiaâs digital economySehraj Singh Managing Director Prosus India added that by combining ICRIERâs research excellence with Prosusâs experience in innovationled entrepreneurship âwe aim to create actionable insights that guide inclusive and responsible digital transformationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/need-8-million-jobs-annually-to-reap-demographic-advantage-ai-to-supplement-cea-nageswaran-648348.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/industry-welcomes-fresh-policy-measures-to-boost-export-ecosystem-648350.html New Delhi Nov 13 The governmentâs approval of Export Promotion Mission EPM and credit guarantee scheme is set to boost Indiaâs export competitiveness and significantly help MSMEs and firsttime exporters industry associations said on Thursday The mission will help exporters identify new markets and introduce new products It will also significantly improve ease of doing business The credit guarantee scheme would ensure affordable trade finance for MSMEs said EEPC IndiaâThe global trade policy landscape has been fast evolving necessitating swift policy actions to counter the emerging challenges The Government of India under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been in action mode and come up with bold reforms often preempting potential problems The latest policy measures are forwardlooking and would pave way for Indias strong position in global tradeâ said Adhip Mitra Executive Director and Secretary EEPC IndiaIn continuation with various measures to support the countrys exports sector the government has approved Rs 25060 crore EPM and a Rs 20000 crore credit guarantee scheme The EPM has given priority to the engineering goods sector along with other sectors which have been hit hard by the disruptive global trade policy especially the high 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US on most items of Indias trade basketâAt a time when the exporting community is facing challenges on multiple fronts the latest intervention provides muchneeded support It will significantly contribute towards exportled growth of the economyâ said EEPC IndiaOn the back of measures to facilitate trade the engineering goods sector hopes to maintain positive growth in the current fiscal 202526 The high US tariff which took effect in the last week of August added to the pains of the sector but âwe are hopeful that an interim trade deal with the US would be signed soonâ it addedRajeev Juneja President of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry PHDCCI said that this visionary initiative with a fiveyear implementation horizon announced in the Union Budget 2025â26 ensures greater policy stability enabling businesses to make sustained investments in capacity building market expansion and export diversificationThe Missionâs twin subschemes Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha â create a comprehensive support framework catalysing export growth and employment creation he saidNiryat Protsahan focuses on improving financial enablers strengthening MSMEs and exporters to compete globally through interest subvention collateral guarantees and credit enhancement facilities while Niryat Disha lays thrust on nonfinancial enablers like export quality certification branding logistics support and participation in international trade fairsBy addressing key structural bottlenecks including limited trade finance high compliance costs and inadequate export infrastructure the Mission is poised to enhance Indiaâs share in global trade and increase the exportstoGDP said JunejaGoing forward PHDCCI believes that the Export Promotion Mission aligns with Indiaâs vision of achieving 2 trillion in exports by 2030 thereby contributing to Viksit Bharat at 2047 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/industry-welcomes-fresh-policy-measures-to-boost-export-ecosystem-648350.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gross-fixed-asset-addition-remains-strongest-in-india-during-fy20-25-report-648354.html New Delhi Nov 13 Gross fixed asset GFA addition in the fiveyear block period has been strongest during the financial year 2020 to 2025 FY2025 post FY05FY10 a report stated on Thursday In particular construction material electricity generation and consumer goods led the addition Metals have been on a downward trend in the past two fiveyear periodsOn the contrary the chemical sector has been adding capacity in the past two fiveyear periods which is likely to give growth once demand recovery happens PL Capital said in its reportAccording to the report the construction materials sector has witnessed significant volatility in GFA growth over the past two decadesIn FY0510 GFA grew by 23371 per cent supported by rapid urbanisation real estate expansion and infrastructure development Meanwhile growth moderated to 9468 per cent in FY1015 due to project delays and reduced private investmentA sharp decline of 9459 per cent in FY15â20 was seen driven by high input costs regulatory challenges RERA GST demonetisationled liquidity stress and the NBFC funding crisis that dampened housing and infrastructure activityThe sector rebounded strongly in FY20â25 recording an exceptional 280232 per cent growth fueled by record government capital expenditure revival in real estate and largescale infrastructure programs such as Smart Cities Mission Bharatmala and PM Awas Yojana the report notedMeanwhile after the growth of 172 per cent in FY0510 over FY0005 and again 174 per cent in FY1015 over FY0510 on the back of a global commodity boom and strong domestic investment the metal sector has shown degrowth in GFA of 5 per cent during FY1520 and again degrowth of 36 per cent during FY2025 due to subdued global prices excess capacity and high leverageThe Machinery sector has seen a steady and sharp decline in GFA growth over the last 20 years said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gross-fixed-asset-addition-remains-strongest-in-india-during-fy20-25-report-648354.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/2-to-3-players-to-dominate-indias-quick-commerce-market-in-top-40-cities-report-648381.html New Delhi Nov 13 Like the ecommerce segment where two or three players typically dominate the market in most countries this concentration pattern has been extended to food delivery and quick commerce QC sector in India as well where the top two or three firms are likely to control a major share of the market a report has said The QC ecosystem in India is likely to follow a similar trajectory with major players securing market share through aggressive growth technological advancements and operational effectivenessAccording to a Bernstein Research report QC will dominate in top cities while modern trade MT â retail supermarkets âwill flourish in the next 400 citiesQC will dominate in the Top40 cities MT to flourish in the Next400 cities and GT to lead the Last4000 cities the report notedAt the same time general trade GT kiranas and pop shops will remain the leader in the smaller cities towns and villagesWith rapidly evolving dynamics across city tiers Indias internet economy is entering a fresh phase of rapid growthThe report predicted that GT to lose ground to QC ecommerce EC and MT however MT and EC may have healthy growth going ahead as wellIn Indiaâs top urban markets quick commerce QC will dominate the retail channel fuelled by consumer demand for immediacy convenience and efficient logistics networksThe report however emphasised that MT and EC still hold an advantage in areas such as product cataloguing and cost competitivenessWhile MT retailers are focusing more on margins and deeper assortments especially in semiurban areas QC and EC platforms are making significant investments in warehouse networks and logistics optimisation to cut costsAccording to the report Indias top 40 cities which are home to about 200 million people and 1700 pin codes are the centre of the digital economy and the main centres of growth and consumption for the nations changing retail scene IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/2-to-3-players-to-dominate-indias-quick-commerce-market-in-top-40-cities-report-648381.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/infra-spending-private-consumption-keep-indias-financial-institutions-resilient-648396.html New Delhi Nov 13 Global banks have a steady outlook in 2026 amid increasing political uncertainties a report said on Thursday adding that structural improvements and good economic prospects keep Indias financial institutions resilient Indias infrastructure spending and private consumption will support robust economic growth We see good prospects for the economy over the next couple of years Indias low US trade exposure reduces tariff risks according to the report from SampP Global RatingsBanks are operating in volatile times when significant policy decisions and regional conflicts could disrupt financial markets and rapidly change the economic environment said SampP Global Ratings credit analyst Emmanuel Volland regarding the global banking landscapeRegarding the Indian financial landscape the firm said that even though stress pockets have emerged in unsecured personal loans and microfinance loans the underwriting standards for secured retail loans are healthy and delinquencies in this segment remain manageableIt forecasted global banksâ credit losses to increase to 655 billion in 2026 up 75 per cent onyear before the rise in losses slowing in 2027The bulk of the incremental loss is expected in AsiaâPacific driven by tariffrelated uncertainties on lending to Chinaâs micro and small enterprises and its unsecured consumer credit segmentâWe see these losses as manageable for banks thanks to generally solid profitability and strengthened prudential rules implemented over the past yearsâ the report saidSampP Global Ratings identified four downside risks to global bank ratings such as escalation of geopolitical risks strongerâthanâanticipated spillovers from tariff shocks weakening regulatory environments and evolving risks linked to digitalisation Gen AI and climate changeWe expect credit divergence to increase eventually Volland said adding that solid bank financial metrics including asset quality profitability and favourable market conditions remain consistent tailwinds IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/infra-spending-private-consumption-keep-indias-financial-institutions-resilient-648396.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/85-pc-of-indian-businesses-see-saudi-arabia-as-attractive-investment-destination-report-648401.html Mumbai Nov 13 Eightyfive per cent of Indian businesses â the highest among surveyed markets â see Saudi Arabia as a more attractive destination for trade and investment amidst global uncertainties a report showed on Thursday Moreover 78 per cent of Indian businesses are planning to increase investments in Saudi Arabia in the next six months â representing the highest level of commitment among any market outside the Middle East according to an HSBC reportIndian business leaders are showing a strong intent to increasing trade and investment with Saudi Arabia This aligns with the Kingdomâs Vision 2030 plan which aims to build a resilient stable economy with attractive growth opportunitiesâOur research indicates increased confidence from international businesses in Saudi Arabiaâs economic transformation and highlights the Kingdomâs unique ability to combine heightened growth prospects with economic stabilityâ said Selim Kervanci Chief Executive Officer Middle East North Africa and Türkiye MENAT HSBC Bank Middle EastThe report surveyed 4000 business decision makers with international operations each generating annual revenues of 50 million to 500 million uncovering insights into the evolving trade and investment links between Saudi Arabia and eight major global marketsBilateral trade ties between India and Saudi Arabia have steadily grown over the years India is the second largest trade partner of Saudi Arabia while Saudi Arabia is the fifth largest trading partner of India In FY 202425 bilateral trade stood at 4188 billion with Indian exports at 1176 billion and imports at 3012 billionSurvey respondents from India highlight Saudi Arabiaâs growing economy 60 per cent economic stability 56 per cent and businessfriendly policies 51 per cent as top reasons to do business in the KingdomThe strategic alignment between Saudi Arabiaâs Vision 2030 and Indiaâs Viksit Bharat agenda opens up synergistic opportunities for trade and investment fostering sustainable growth and shared prosperity said Ajay Sharma Head of Banking HSBC IndiaIndian IT and tech firms are contributing to Saudi Arabiaâs digital transformation while interest is also growing in areas like healthcare logistics mining and startups Indian businesses already investing in the Kingdom rank foreign ownership restrictions 35 per cent and market competition 35 per cent as equal top barriers to increasing their investments IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/85-pc-of-indian-businesses-see-saudi-arabia-as-attractive-investment-destination-report-648401.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-stay-fastest-growing-major-economy-despite-us-tariff-hikes-moodys-648402.html New Delhi Nov 13 India is expected to remain the fastestgrowing economy among the G20 nations with a growth rate of 65 per cent through 2027 despite the Donald Trump administrationâs tariff hikes according to Moodyâs latest Global Macro Outlook report for 202627 The report states that the pace of Indiaâs growth will be supported by robust infrastructure investment strong domestic consumer demand and export diversificationâIndian exporters facing 50 per cent US tariffs on some products have succeeded in redirecting exports with overall exports climbed 675 per cent in September even as shipments to the US dropped 119 per centâ the report points outThe report praises the RBIâs monetary policy for keeping the country on a stable growth path In India the RBI held its repo rate steady in October showing that it is cautious on policy with inflation subdued and growth strong the report statesThe strong international capital inflows driven by positive investor sentiment have helped cushion external shocks and maintain liquidity the report further statesHowever it also observes that while domestic demand remains the primary growth engine the private sector is yet to fully regain confidence for largescale business investmentsGlobal growth will likely remain steady but subdued with advanced economies growing modestly and emerging markets mostly maintaining stronger momentum the report states It projects global growth at around 25 to 26 per cent in 2026 and 2027 reflecting steady but uneven expansion across regionsAdvanced economies are expected to grow about 15 per cent while emerging markets are likely to post a 4 per cent growthThe United States is clocking slower but stable momentum supported by modest consumer spending and AIrelated investment and adoption the report statesThe fiscal stimulus a more accommodative monetary policy and regulatory easing could extend the US credit cycle into 2026 offsetting tariff and immigration pressures â though risks could rise as the cycle matures the report addedIn the case of Europe the report observes a modest improvement driven by employment gains wage stability and monetary policy easing by the European Central Bank Investments in infrastructure and green technology particularly Germanyâs investment in defence and public projects are expected to spur regional growthChinaâs growth rate is expected to slow down from 5 per cent in 2025 to 42 per cent by 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-stay-fastest-growing-major-economy-despite-us-tariff-hikes-moodys-648402.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-equity-indices-close-flat-amid-profit-booking-ahead-of-bihar-poll-results-648404.html Mumbai Nov 13 The key domestic equity indices closed flat on Thursday erasing early gains amid profit booking in IT and auto heavyweights ahead of Bihar election results Sensex ended the session at 8447867 up 1216 points or 001 per cent Continuing the previous days rally the 30share index started trading higher at 8452589 against last sessions closing of 8446651 However the index traded volatile during the session and closed flat amid profit booking post the last three days rallyNifty closed 2587915 up 335 points or 001 per centNational equities closed flat after a positive session as profitbooking erased early gains despite optimistic global and domestic cues Sentiment was buoyed by Trump signing a shortterm funding bill to end the US government shutdown and hopes of tariff relief for India said Vinod Nair Head of Research Geojit Investments LimitedThe recordlow October inflation prints reinforced expectations of an RBI rate cut making ratesensitive sectors like metals and realty attractive to investors he addedICICI Bank PowerGrid LampT Bharti Airtel Sun Pharma and Maruti Suzuki were among the top gainers from the Sensex stocks Eternal Tata Motors CV Mahindra and Mahindra Tata Steel BEL Tata Motors PV Trent TCS Infosys Hindustan Unilever and Bajaj FinServ ended the session lowerSectoral indices remained volatile as investors showed a mixed approach throughout the session Nifty Fin Services rose 58 points or 022 per cent and Nifty Bank increased 107 points or 018 per cent While Nifty Auto dipped 102 points or 037 per cent Nifty IT fell 175 points or 048 per cent and Nifty FMCG closed 285 points or 051 per cent lowerBroader indices experienced pressure amid selling in smallcap and midcap stocks Nifty Small Cap 100 decreased 66 points or 037 per cent Nifty Midcap 100 fell 210 points or 035 per cent while Nifty 100 ended flatRupee traded flat in a narrow range near 8867 as market participants remained cautious ahead of the Bihar election outcome due Friday morning leading to a muted trading sessionTraders awaited the release of US CPI data which is expected to influence dollar index movements and consequently rupee trends With limited triggers in the interim the rupee is likely to stay rangebound with the trading range expected between 8840â8895 said Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-equity-indices-close-flat-amid-profit-booking-ahead-of-bihar-poll-results-648404.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chinese-pvc-imports-raise-cancer-risk-for-indians-648412.html New Delhi Nov 13 Extensive dumping of poorâquality PVC resin with high levels of carcinogen compounds by China poses a significant publicâhealth risk in India and timely enforcement of the proposed Quality Control Order QCO is necessary a report said on Thursday The report by Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research CDEPin launched here said that PVC currently contributes to nearly 30 per cent of use cases in Indiaâs economy with widespread use across water sanitation irrigation healthcare construction and infrastructurePVCs from China contain Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer a Category 1A carcinogen at concentrations up to five times higher than globally accepted safety limits the report notedThe United States the European Union and Thailand regulate Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer RVCM levels in PVC resin within a stringent range of 05 ppm to 3 ppm ensuring safety in water and foodcontact applicationsIndia however does not yet have a binding national limit on RVCM which has allowed imports of PVC resin from China with concentrations reported between 5 ppm and 10 ppmThis difference in quality benchmarking should be removed by the timely implementation of the PVC QCO to ensure Indian standards are at par with global safety benchmarks the report arguedThe Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals had notified a Quality Control Order QCO on PVC resin in August 2024 but deferred enforcement three times with enforcement now scheduled for December 2025âThe government has been championing the Zero Defect Zero Effect by adopting the Quality Control Order QCO Such a policy step by the government is strengthening consumer safety and industrial standards while promoting exports from India that are dependable and of high qualityâ said Dr Jaijit Bhattacharya President of CDEPinAt the launch event Anil Sharma from the Swadeshi Jagran Manch said that QCOs must encompass the entire value chain ensuring quality and accountability at every stage of production IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chinese-pvc-imports-raise-cancer-risk-for-indians-648412.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/investor-accounts-on-nse-surpass-24-crore-648415.html Mumbai Nov 13 The National Stock Exchange NSE said on Thursday that the number of unique trading accounts surpassed 24 crore this month just under one year after it surpassed 20 crore mark in October last year The number of unique registered investors stood at 122 crore as of October 31 2025 having surpassed the milestone of 12 crore unique registered investors on September 22 2025As of September 30 2025 individual investors both direct participants and via mutual funds now hold 1875 per cent of NSE listed companies marking a 22 year highMaharashtra accounted for the largest share of 17 per cent of investor accounts with over 4 crore accounts followed by Uttar Pradesh at 11 per cent Gujarat at 9 per cent West Bengal and Rajasthan at 6 per centNotably the top five states held 49 per cent share of all investor accounts while the top 10 states comprise over 73 per cent the exchange saidSeveral investor protection measures have strengthened confidence in the markets alongside rampant digitalisation sustained innovation growing middle class and progressive policy measures from the government the statement saidMeasures such as standardising mobilebased trading solutions streamlining the Know Your Customer KYC process and bolstering investor awareness campaigns have increased investor participation according to Sriram Krishnan Chief Business Development Officer NSEThe stock exchange conducted 11875 Investor Awareness Programs IAPs in the first half of FY26 alone reaching nearly 62 lakh participants as compared to 14679 in the whole of FY25Meanwhile NSEâs Investor Protection Fund IPF grew 19 per cent YoY to Rs 2719 crore as of October 31 2025Over the past five years the Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 indices have generated strong annualised returns of 15 per cent and 18 per cent respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/investor-accounts-on-nse-surpass-24-crore-648415.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/16-out-of-the-25-fortune-worlds-best-workplaces-2025-now-operate-in-india-648441.html Mumbai Nov 13 In a significant feat 16 out of the 25 âFortune Worldâs Best Workplaces 2025â now operate in India thus further strengthening the countrys global footprint a report showed on Thursday Great Place To Work the global authority on workplace culture and Fortune Media identified 25 winners on this yearâs list by surveying more than 9 million employeesâOut of the 25 recognised organizations 16 have a strong presence in India showcasing Indiaâs pivotal role in shaping the global workplace culture I wish my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the Fortune Worldâs Best Workplaces list who are leading by example and inspiring many others along the wayâ said Balbir Singh CEO Great Place To Work IndiaThis year companies earned a higher rank for their ability to outperform their peers both in their local markets and globally on measures of employee trust pride and camaraderie Rankings were based on over 9 million employee surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025 representing the experiences of more than 25 million employees worldwideThe winners of the Fortune Worldâs Best Workplaces list demonstrate how great culture transcends borders When organisations lead with trust and fairness they create workplaces where people and performance thrive universallyâThe powerful impact of these great companies on our planet is a sacred trustâ said Michael C Bush CEO of Great Place To WorkâOf the more than 9 million employees surveyed more workers at these remarkable companies say their company trusts them and wants them to grow as people and professionals These economic powerhouses also strengthen the communities where they operate and are leaving behind a better world than the one they inheritedâ said BushThe Worldâs Best Workplaces list casts an important spotlight on what employees believe are todayâs exceptional workplaces companies and organization where they feel trusted empowered and energized to do their best work added Alyson Shontell editorinchief of Fortune IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/16-out-of-the-25-fortune-worlds-best-workplaces-2025-now-operate-in-india-648441.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-dc-stock-surpasses-15-gw-260-mw-added-during-9m-2025-report-648199.html New Delhi Nov 12 Indias data centre DC capacity crossed 15 gigawatt GW for the first time during the first nine months this year 9M 2025 a report said on Wednesday A supply of 260 MW has been added between January and September this yearThe growth is mainly driven by rapid digitalisation favourable government regulations and increasing corporate investments in Artificial Intelligence AI CBRE South Asia a real estate consulting firm stated in its reportAccording to the report Mumbai leads the countryâs total DC capacity with a 53 per cent share of the total around 1530 MW at the end of September this yearThis is mainly due to its proximity to global internet exchange points and a key entry location for worldwide submarine cablesThe report added that Chennai DelhiNCR and Bengaluru follow Mumbai with shares of 20 per cent 10 per cent and 7 per cent respectively The four cities cumulatively account for nearly 90 per cent of the countryâs total DC capacityIndiaâs Data Centre capacity has seen significant growth in the last four to five years mirroring the countrys rapid digital transformation said Anshuman Magazine Chairman amp CEO India SouthEast Asia Middle East amp Africa CBREâRapid digitalisation due to rising Internet penetration cloud adoption and the emergence of AI and Internet of Things IoT has taken the need for strong data infrastructure to new heights he addedThis is being supported by government policies and data localisation norms positioning India as a key hub for global as well as domestic investors the Magazine said furtherAs per the report India offers one of the most costcompetitive DC environments globally supported by relatively lower construction and electricity costs as compared to markets such as Singapore China and JapanThe nation also has a large pool of digital and AI talent accounting for nearly 16 per cent of the global AI workforce with over 600000 professionals This is expected to double by 2027The CBRE report highlighted that India has attracted nearly 94 billion in DC investment commitments since 2019 with Telangana Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu emerging as the top three destinationsThe countryâs DC sector witnessed investment commitments worth around 30 billion during the JanuarySeptember 2025 period IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-dc-stock-surpasses-15-gw-260-mw-added-during-9m-2025-report-648199.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-rupee-expected-to-trade-in-88589-per-dollar-range-till-nov-end-report-648208.html Mumbai Nov 12 The movement in the dollar and progress in the USâIndia trade negotiations will determine the Indian rupeeâs direction in November a report said on Wednesday adding that rupee will trade in the range of 885â89 per dollar till month end The outlook however hinges on the US dollars trajectory and US macro data on inflation and the labour market which will influence the Federal Reserveâs rate decision in December the report from Bank of Baroda BoB saidAny positive development on the USIndia trade deal is likely to lift investor sentiments the bank said adding that concerns about higher US tariffsâ impact on the domestic economy are weighing on foreign portfolio investor FPI flowsRupee remained steady in the last month even though it continued to trade near a record low amid a stronger dollar sluggish inflows and strong demand from importersThe Reserve Bank of India RBI intervention was prevalent in the forex market to prevent the currency sliding to new lows marking a notable shift from recent monthsâ freer currency movement the bank said forecasting that trend to persist in the coming daysGlobal currencies showed varied performance against the dollar in the last month with emerging market currencies generally strengthening when advanced economy currencies weakened the report saidThe dollar strengthened due to a growing consensus amongst market participants that the Fed is unlikely to cut rates again this year The US Federal Reserve may take a cautious approach to further rate cuts due to a dearth of key economic data due to a prolonged US government shutdown the bank notedThe rupee traded in the range between 8783 per dollar and 8870 per dollar over the last month with average annualised volatility falling from over 4 per cent in October to 12 per cent in November the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-rupee-expected-to-trade-in-88589-per-dollar-range-till-nov-end-report-648208.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nurses-midwives-form-backbone-of-indias-healthcare-system-experts-648210.html New Delhi Nov 12 Nurses and midwives form the backbone and one of the most important pillars of Indiaâs healthcare system senior government officials and experts said on Wednesday According to Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava along with Ayushman Aarogya Mandir and ASHA workers they are instrumental in achieving Universal Health Coverage UHCShe further underscored that the best practices emerging from each state during this workshop should serve as guiding inputs for national policy formulation and other states should take note of these models for wider replication and improvement of the nursing sector across the countrySrivastava was speaking at a threeday National Consultation and Experience Sharing Workshop on Nursing Policy Priorities and Best Practices in India to strengthen policy dialogue and advance reforms in the nursing and midwifery sectorThe workshop brought together key stakeholders including policymakers senior government officials regulators nursing educators professional associations and development partners from across the countryThe consultation aimed to review ongoing initiatives identify emerging challenges and share innovative models to strengthen nursing governance education and workforce management in alignment with Indiaâs health sector priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGsSrivastava also noted that Indiaâs recent reforms including the establishment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission NNMC adoption of competencybased curricula and initiatives to modernize regulatory frameworks are major milestones in strengthening the nursing ecosystemProfessor VK Paul Member Health Niti Aayog commended the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO for convening this important consultationâIndiaâs health system is globally recognised for providing quality healthcare owing significantly to the strength and dedication of its nursing workforceâ he said adding that nursing is the backbone of Indiaâs comprehensive healthcare systemExpressing concern over the quality of training of nurses Dr Paul noted that this remains a critical area of focus He stressed the need for reforms in nursing education and called for greater emphasis on inservice training and skill enhancement to ensure high standards of care and professional excellenceSpeaking at the occasion Dr Payden WHO Representative to India lauded the countryâs significant progress in advancing the nursing and midwifery sectorShe highlighted that India has emerged as one of the worldâs largest contributors to the global nursing workforce IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nurses-midwives-form-backbone-of-indias-healthcare-system-experts-648210.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-market-rises-for-3rd-consecutive-day-this-week-648233.html Mumbai Nov 12 Indian equity indices closed on a positive note on Wednesday continuing the gaining momentum for the third consecutive session this week amid persistent buying in the IT pharma and auto sectors Sensex ended the session at 8446651 up 59519 points or 071 per cent The 30share index started the session with a huge gapup at 8423886 against last sessions closing of 8387132 The index continued the early momentum to hit the intraday high at 8465201 amid heavy buying in IT and auto heavyweightsNifty closed at 2587580 up 18085 points or 070 per centGlobal equities rallied on renewed risk appetite driven by optimism over the anticipated resolution of the US government shutdown and growing expectations of early Fed cuts amid signs of a cooling US labour market said Vinod Nair Head of Research Geojit Investments LimitedEmerging markets outperformed reflecting the improvement in global sentimentSupportive domestic macro fundamentals â including easing CPI and WPI inflation a strong GDP outlook and healthy H2 FY26 earnings expectations â continue to underpin positive market momentum he addedTCS Adani Ports Bharti Airtel Infosys Sun Pharma were among the gainers from the Sensex basket Tata Steel Tata Motors PV and Tata Motors CV settled in negative territoryThe majority of sectoral indices continued their gaining momentum amid value buying Nifty IT rose 738 points or 204 per cent Nifty Auto increased 336 points or 124 per cent Nifty Bank jumped 136 points or 023 per cent and Nifty Fin Services closed 82 points or 012 per cent higherThe broader market followed suit as well Nifty smallcap 100 rose 149 points or 082 per cent Nifty midcap 100 increased 475 points or 079 per cent and Nifty 100 ended the session 160 points or 061 per cent higherRupee traded down by Rs 006 at 8862 in a muted session remaining confined within a narrow range as traders awaited key economic cuesThe dollar index stayed largely sideways near 9960 showing limited directional movement Market participants are now eyeing this weekâs US CPI data which is expected to provide fresh triggers for the dollarâs trajectory and in turn influence rupee movements said analystsFor now the rupee is likely to remain rangebound with an expected trading band between 8840â8885 he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-market-rises-for-3rd-consecutive-day-this-week-648233.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-needs-about-52-billion-annually-to-address-urban-climate-adaptation-needs-report-648253.html New Delhi Nov 12 India needs an estimated 52 billion about Rs 458 lakh crore annually to address its urban climate adaptation needs effectively according to a new report on Wednesday From scorching heatwaves to recordbreaking monsoons rising air pollution to unseasonal cyclones climate change is manifesting in increasingly dire ways in urban IndiaA new report by The Bridgespan Group in collaboration with United Way of Mumbai and HSBC India spotlights opportunities to strengthen climate resilience across Indiaâs vast informal sector that forms the backbone of every cityâs economy and accounts for roughly 40 per cent of Indiaâs urban populationThe study examines how Indiaâs informal workers and settlement dwellers are responding to intensifying climate risks such as heatwaves flooding and air pollutionBased on conversations with communities and experts the report outlines five practical investment ideas â or âbold betsâ â that can drive locally led climate adaptation and attract additional public and private fundingThese are climatesmart housing modifications that improve heat resilience and energy efficiency climateindexed wage insurance that stabilises income during climaterelated disruptions sustainable urban drainage systems that strengthen water security and reduce flooding distributed renewableenergy systems that provide reliable affordable power in informal settlements and climateresilient microentrepreneurship that expands green indoor livelihoods and fosters innovationâFinancing climate resilience in informal urban communities is not just about mitigating risk it is about unlocking opportunity The report highlights the important role philanthropy CSR and venture capital can play in demonstrating solutions to unlock capital â public and privateâ said Aloka Majumdar MD and Head of Sustainability HSBC IndiaAnant Bhagwati Bridgespan Partner and report coauthor added that âWe hope this report sparks collaborative action serving as a starting point for funders and investors to build a more equitable and climateresilient future for everyone who lives and works in our citiesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-needs-about-52-billion-annually-to-address-urban-climate-adaptation-needs-report-648253.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-cement-to-deploy-worlds-1st-industrial-grade-coolbrook-tech-to-boost-cement-decarbonisation-648165.html Ahmedabad Nov 12 Adani Cement and Finnish company Coolbrook on Wednesday announced to deploy worldâs first commercial âRotoDynamic Heaterâ to advance cement decarbonisation at the Boyareddypalli Integrated Cement Plant in Andhra Pradesh This marks the first industrial scale deployment of Coolbrookâs RDH technology advancing Adani Cementâs netzero goals achievement by 2050 validated by the SBTi and Coolbrookâs goal of cutting 24 billion tonnes of annual carbon dioxide across heavy industry sectors globallyThis deployment is expected to directly reduce 60000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually with a potential to increase 10 times in due course marking a major step toward decarbonising cement manufacturingâThe worldâs first commercial deployment of Coolbrookâs RotoDynamic Heater within our operations marks a pivotal moment in our decarbonisation journey This is a major leap towards achieving our netzero goalsâ said Vinod Bahety CEOCement Business Adani GroupNotably the RDH system will be powered entirely by Adani Cementâs largescale renewable energy portfolio ensuring that the industrial heat generated is completely emission freeâBy integrating such cuttingedge electrification solutions into our cement production we are accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels reducing emissions at scale enhancing the utilisation of clean energy sources and setting a new standard for lowcarbon cement manufacturingâ he addedThis technology will decarbonise the calcination phase the most fossil fuelintensive stage of cement production By providing clean heat to dry and enhance the heating value of alternative fuels the technology enables a significantly higher substitution of fossil fuels with sustainable alternativesâEntering into the first industrialscale project in the world with Adani Cement marks a transformative step for industrial electrification in one of the worldâs most vital cement marketsâ said Joonas Rauramo CEO of CoolbrookâOur mission is to make RotoDynamic Technology a new industry standard for decarbonising hardtoabate sectors Together weâre redefining how cement is produced â cleaner more efficient and ready for a netzero futureâ Rauramo addedThe deployment demonstrates the realworld feasibility of clean electrified industrial heat powered entirely by renewables This positions Adani Cement to spearhead Indiaâs emergence as the worldâs clean manufacturing cement hubCoolbrook and Adani Cement have identified multiple followon opportunities for deploying RotoDynamic Technology across Adani Cementâs industrial operations and share an ambition to launch at least five additional projects within the next two yearsAs the 9th largest cement producer globally Adani Cement has 107 MTPA of installed capacity and accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the cement used in Indiaâs housing and infrastructure projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-cement-to-deploy-worlds-1st-industrial-grade-coolbrook-tech-to-boost-cement-decarbonisation-648165.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-in-green-over-us-india-trade-talks-bihar-exit-polls-648168.html Mumbai Nov 12 The Indian benchmark indices opened in green zone on Wednesday amid reports of an imminent IndiaUS trade deal and exit polls in Bihar predicting decisive majority for NDA As of 925 am Sensex advanced 496 points or 059 per cent at 84367 and Nifty inched up 147 points or 058 per cent to 25842The broadcap indices performed in line with the benchmarks with the Nifty Midcap 100 up 055 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 adding 061 per centMax Healthcare and Tech Mahindra were among the major gainers in the Nifty Pack while losers included Maruti Suzuki and TrentAll sectoral indices were trading in green except Nifty FMCG mixed with most of them trading with mild negative bias Nifty IT and Nifty Oil and Gas were the standout gainers up 126 per cent and 095 per centWith reports of an imminent IndiaUS trade deal and exit polls showing the NDA winning Bihar sentiments have improved This will strengthen bulls but not enough to give markets a decisive breakout and sustained rally said market watchersBased on current trends FIIs may sell again at higher levels till the AI trade continues they addedFrom the fundamental perspective there is room for optimism since GDP growth is robust and earnings growth for FY27 appears bright Financials consumption and defence stocks have the potential to lead the next leg of the rallyMost of the AsiaPacific markets rose in early trading sessions after Wall Street traded mixed on hopes that the US government shutdown could be nearing an end even as AI stocks struggledThe US markets ended mixed overnight as Nasdaq slipped 03 per cent the SampP 500 added 018 per cent and the Dow inched up 12 per centIn Asian markets Chinas Shanghai index dipped 023 per cent and Shenzhen dipped 1 per cent Japans Nikkei dipped 021 per cent while Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index advanced 056 per cent South Koreas Kospi jumped 084 per centOn Monday foreign institutional investors FIIs sold equities worth Rs 803 crore while domestic institutional investors DIIs were net buyers of equities worth Rs 2188 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-in-green-over-us-india-trade-talks-bihar-exit-polls-648168.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over-50-pc-of-indian-firms-to-build-new-data-centre-capacity-in-1-year-as-ai-workloads-grow-648177.html Mumbai Nov 12 Over half of Indian companies expect AI workloads to grow by more than 50 per cent in three to five years with 51 per cent building new dataâcentre capacity within 12 months a report said on Wednesday The report by networking gear major Cisco noted that 91 per cent of Indian organisations are deploying autonomous AI agents adding that only 37 per cent can properly secure themGlobally 13 per cent of organisations that have deployed artificial intelligence AI are outperforming peers by making fundamental infrastructure choices that create compounding advantages the report addedCalling such organisations pacesetters Cisco said that 97 per cent of global pacesetters have deployed AI at the scale and speed needed to unlock use cases and achieve ROIThey build networkfirst foundations prioritize power infrastructure optimise continuously and embed security from day one the report saidAs much as 45 per cent of Indian companies without this level of architectural foresight risk accumulating âAI Infrastructure Debt said Simon Miceli Managing Director Cloud and AI infrastructure Asia Pacific Japan and Greater China CiscoThis technical debt can compound into operational risk security exposure compliance challenges and competitive disadvantage the report notedCisco identified four architectural choices that distinguished AL leaders as they prioritise continuous optimisation after deployment treat the network as a foundation estimate power early and build security as infrastructure from day oneWhile most respondents focus on compute pacesetters prioritise network infrastructure with 81 per cent of global Pacesetters rating their network as optimal for AI workloads the report notedâPacesettersâ are winning not because they spend more but because they made architectural bets earlyâbefore workloads demanded them before bottlenecks emerged before security became urgent the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over-50-pc-of-indian-firms-to-build-new-data-centre-capacity-in-1-year-as-ai-workloads-grow-648177.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-group-forays-into-battery-energy-storage-with-one-of-worlds-largest-single-location-projects-647952.html Ahmedabad Nov 11 The Adani Group on Tuesday announced its foray into the Battery Energy Storage Systems BESS sector with a pioneering 1126 MW3530 megawatthour MWh project which would be commissioned by March 2026 The project entailing deployment of more than 700 BESS containers will be the largest BESS installation in India and one of the worlds largest singlelocation BESS deploymentsThis BESS project would have a power capacity of 1126 MW and energy storage capacity of 3530 MWh thus extending power capacity of 1126 MW by 3 hoursEnergy storage is the cornerstone of a renewablepowered future With this historic project we are not only setting global benchmarks but also reinforcing our commitment to Indias energy independence and sustainability This initiative will enable us to deliver reliable clean and affordable energy solutions at scale said Gautam Adani Chairman of Adani GroupWith this strategic entry the Adani Group joins the ranks of global energy leaders investing in largescale storage infrastructure marking a transformative moment in Indias clean energy journeyAccording to the company the strategic initiative is a major step toward enhancing Indias energy security enabling roundtheclock clean electricity and supporting the countrys transition to a lowcarbon futureThe BESS will play a critical role in easing peak load pressures reducing transmission congestion and mitigating solar curtailment thereby improving grid reliability and efficiencyThe project is in the advance stages of deployment at Khavda the worlds largest renewable energy plant and is being developed with cuttingedge lithiumion battery technology and is being integrated with advanced energy management systems to ensure optimal performance and reliabilityThe deployment will support peak load management and energy shifting thereby playing a critical role in decarbonising the power sectorThe Adani Group plans to deploy an additional 15 GWh of BESS capacity by March 2027 with a longterm target of 50 GWh total over the next five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-group-forays-into-battery-energy-storage-with-one-of-worlds-largest-single-location-projects-647952.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 09:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-grade-a-office-space-demand-to-touch-70-million-square-feet-in-2025-647966.html Bengaluru Nov 11 Despite global trade frictions Indias Grade A office space demand across the top seven cities continue to remain robust and is poised to touch 70 million square feet in 2025 according to a report on Tuesday New supply is also likely to follow closely at around 60 million square feet Corporate occupiers are taking bold steps to reshape their workplaces across Asia Pacific investing in quality embracing hybrid models and exploring inclusive strategies to meet the needs of a diverse workforce according to Colliers latest reportAccording to the report hybrid work inclusive strategies employee need fulfillment sustainability adoption and technological adeptness are likely to remain at the forefront of workspace revolution across major office markets of the APAC regionInterestingly the Indian office market already prioritises inclusivity and sustainability to a greater degree as compared to othersIndian occupiers are clearly shifting towards sustainability and there is an evident flighttoquality driving the next phase of workplace evolution in 2026 and beyond With over 80 per cent of upcoming Grade A supply expected to be greencertified the industrys commitment to environmental goals is commendable said Arpit Mehrotra Managing Director Office Services India ColliersIndias office market is not just scaling up but is also evolving rapidly in terms of real estate quality and employee experienceFlex spaces have established themselves as a vital component of Indias office landscape supporting hybrid work models and returntooffice mandates while achieving cost efficiency and agilityThese spaces offer scalable solutions that enable companies to manage growth and uncertainty seamlessly With their rising adoption across diverse sectors flex spaces are expected to drive nearly 20 per cent of the Grade A office demand and redefine the future of Indian workplaces over the next few years said Vimal Nadar National Director and Head of Research Colliers India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-grade-a-office-space-demand-to-touch-70-million-square-feet-in-2025-647966.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bfsi-oil-and-gas-lead-fii-inflows-in-oct-fmcg-sector-leads-outflows-report-647969.html Mumbai Nov 11 While foreign institutional investors FIIs returned as net buyers in October BFSI banking financial services and insurance and Oil and Gas sectors led inflows seeing investments worth 1501 million and 1030 million respectively a report said on Tuesday In October both FIIs and DIIs were net buyers to the tune of 13 billion and 60 billion respectively as the Nifty increased by 45 per cent last month according to the report from brokerage firm JM Financial Institutional SecuritiesSectors that saw the high FII inflows included metals telecom auto and power sectors recorded inflows of 355 million 243 million 110 million and 109 million respectively the report addedFMCG experienced the highest FII outflows at 482 million followed by services at 391 million pharma at 351 million IT at 248 million durables at 198 and chemicals at 105 million it notedIn terms of equity holdings by FIIs BFSI auto IT oil amp gas and pharma represent approximately 60 per cent of FII assets under custody AUC in India the release saidBFSI remained the largest sector holding 317 per cent of FII AUC the report notedOf these there was a sequential uptrend in BFSI and IT while auto and oil and gas saw a decrease Pharma remained flatIndian equities recovered strongly in October with Sensex and Nifty up over 4 per cent aided by FII inflows and improved domestic sentimentReal estate led sectoral performance while oil amp gas metals banks and IT outperformed the Nifty even as healthcare power FMCG and autos underperformedThe NSE Midcap index rose 48 per cent and the BSE Smallcap index gained 32 per centNifty is currently trading above 20 times FY27 estimated earnings which is slightly above last 10year average PE ratio IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bfsi-oil-and-gas-lead-fii-inflows-in-oct-fmcg-sector-leads-outflows-report-647969.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/going-quiet-stepping-up-philanthropy-warren-buffett-in-farewell-letter-647971.html New Delhi Nov 11 Billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett in his letter to shareholders has said he will go quiet after stepping down as Chief Executive Officer CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at yearend Buffett 94 also confirmed plans to step up his philanthropic efforts pledging to donate the remaining 149 billion in Berkshire stock which he still holdsIn his final famed annual letter as CEO Buffett also reflected on business and ageing saying that I am at the office five days a week where I work with wonderful peopleHe disclosed that he had converted 1800 Class A shares worth about 135 billion into the companys lowerpriced B shares and donated them to four of his family foundationsTo improve the probability that they will dispose of what will essentially be my entire estate before alternate trustees replace them I need to step up the pace of lifetime gifts to their three foundations he explainedBuffet had announced earlier this year that Berkshire Hathaway would henceforth be run by Gregory Abel 63 who has been with the company since 2000Buffett mentioned that his optimism for Berkshire Hathaways future remains bright adding that he will retain a significant amount of Class A shares until shareholders are comfortable with the leadership transitionWarren Buffett now retired is among the top five richest people in the world with 1521 billionThe investing legend had earlier this year criticised US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump calling them a big mistake and warned that trade should never be used as a weaponBuffett also said that governments have a natural tendency to gradually devalue currency over time He called it a scary phenomenon and admitted that the US dollar is expected to weaken against foreign currencies in 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/going-quiet-stepping-up-philanthropy-warren-buffett-in-farewell-letter-647971.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/inspired-by-hpcl-green-research-and-development-centre-hardeep-puri-647989.html New Delhi Nov 11 Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said he was inspired by the work of governmentowned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL Green RampD Centre in Bengaluru and asked them to step up their scope and pace In a post on X social media platform Puri said Felt inspired and excited after visiting the HPCL Green RampD Centre at BengaluruThe stateoftheart RampD centre has over 150 dedicated scientists who are working in areas of refining technologies petrochemical catalysts battery technologies internal combustion engine testing flex fuel engine timing kits green hydrogen for mobility and conversion of seaweed into biocrude the minister saidHe noted that 37 per cent of the scientists at the centre are women leaders who are doing pioneering work to create an Energy Aatmanirbhar BharatPraising its work on refining technologies and green fuels Puri said Fascinating work is being done at the centre and I encouraged the team members to expand the scope and pace of their path breaking projectsEarlier this month he said Indias energy journey is entering a new era as seven sedimentary basins are under study with advanced technology for the exploration of oil and gas across the countryThis is a great time for entrepreneurs and industry leaders to look at oil and gas exploration in India It has never been easier faster or more profitable to invest in Indias energy future according to PuriWhile the global energy market is expected to grow at a slow pace India stands out as a bright spot projected to contribute nearly 3033 per cent of global energy demand growth in the coming decades he addedIndia with its 23 worldclass refineries and a total capacity of 2582 MMTPA million metric tonnes per annum now stands among the top five refining nations in the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/inspired-by-hpcl-green-research-and-development-centre-hardeep-puri-647989.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-begins-daily-direct-flights-between-delhi-and-guangzhou-648012.html New Delhi Nov 11 Lowcost airline IndiGo on Tuesday said it has commenced daily nonstop flights between Delhi and Guangzhou China This new route will further strengthen direct connectivity between the two nations by connecting the national capital and a key aviation hub with Guangzhou a major business and manufacturing centre in Southern ChinaThe flights on this route will be operated using IndiGos A320neo aircraft offering affordable convenient and comfortable travel experience on the routeFollowing the successful resumption of our KolkataGuangzhou flights we are delighted to further expand IndiGos presence in China with this new daily connection from Delhi This new route from the Indian Capital and our largest domestic hub will strengthen travel options and encourage economic and cultural exchange between the two countries said Pieter Elbers Chief Executive Officer at IndiGoIt will also connect Guangzhou to IndiGos vast domestic network of more than 90 destinations giving access across India to Chinese travellersWe are thankful to both governments for their support in restoring these links opening significant opportunities for trade tourism and collaboration As we continue to expand internationally we remain committed to building such strategic air corridors that foster deeper regional connectivity and unlock new avenues for growth saidIndiGo and China Southern Airlines also signed a memorandum of understanding MOU on Tuesday to establish a codeshare partnership and mutual cooperation agreementWith this China Southern Airlines will be able to offer enhanced connectivity into India while IndiGo customers will be able to connect on the China Southern Airlines extensive network beyond GuangzhouThis is subject to regulatory approvals said the airlineThe partnership aims to offer enhanced travel options and integrated travel itineraries to customers traveling between India and China on the joint network of both airlines besides through checkin process among other benefitsChina Southern Airlines highly values the development potential of the Indian market Through cooperation with IndiGo we will be able to further leverage each others advantages offer a wider range of travel products and give new momentum to the economic cultural and aviation exchanges between the two countries said Han Wensheng President and CEO of China Southern Airlines IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-begins-daily-direct-flights-between-delhi-and-guangzhou-648012.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-smartphone-market-at-5-year-high-apple-logs-highest-ever-quarterly-shipments-648033.html New Delhi Nov 11 The smartphone market in India reached a fiveyear high in the festive third quarter of 2025 Q3 growing 43 per cent yearoveryear YoY to 48 million units according to the International Data Corporation IDC data released on Tuesday Apple recorded its highestever quarterly shipments in India in the third quarter of 2025 Q3 2025 reaching 5 million units and securing the fourth position in the market for the first timeThe iPhone maker achieved a strong 256 per cent YoY growth driven by sustained demand across both new and existing modelsThe iPhone 16 remained the mostshipped smartphone in India during the quarter contributing 5 per cent of total market shipments while the newly launched iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air saw a recordbreaking debut accounting for 16 per cent of Apples Q3 shipments the strongest launchquarter performance for any iPhone since 2021The midpremium segment grew 107 per cent YoY with share rising from 3 per cent to 4 per cent Samsung climbed to the top position followed by OPPO and OnePlusThe Galaxy S24 contributed nearly onequarter of total shipments in this range driven by steep discounting on etailer platformsAggressive festive promotions and flexible financing options drove strong shipment volumes in Q3 2025 However consumer demand remained concentrated in the premium segment leaving the mass market under pressure and resulting in a significant inventory buildup heading into Q4 2025 said Upasana Joshi senior research manager Devices Research IDC Asia PacificThis surplus has been further exacerbated by rising component costs particularly in memory and currency fluctuations prompting brands to raise prices postDiwaliAs a result IDC forecasts a yearoveryear decline in shipments for Q4 2025 leading to an overall annual contraction with total smartphone shipments expected to fall below 150 million units for the year Joshi mentionedSmartphone average selling prices ASPs surged to a record 294 in Q3 growing 137 per cent yearoveryear YoY driven by strong demand for premium and higherspec models IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-smartphone-market-at-5-year-high-apple-logs-highest-ever-quarterly-shipments-648033.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sip-inflows-hit-all-time-high-of-rs-29-529-crore-in-oct-648037.html Mumbai Nov 11 The systematic investment plan SIP inflow in October registered a monthonmonth MoM growth to reach an alltime high of Rs 29529 crore compared to Rs 29361 crore in September data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India AMFI showed on Tuesday Despite volatility in the domestic equity market during the month the steady growth in SIP in the month reflects the strong retail participation which led the mutual fund industrys total assets under management AUM to increase to Rs 7987 lakh crore from Rs 7561 lakh crore a month earlierContinued SIP inflow remains the most encouraging strength holding steady at around Rs 29500 crore This underlines the maturity and resilience of retail investors who are staying disciplined with their longterm wealth creation goals despite shortterm market fluctuations said Suranjana Borthakur Head of Distribution and Strategic Alliances Mirae Asset Investment Managers IndiaWe believe investors should continue their SIPs as staying invested through market cycles remains the best way to build wealth over time she addedFlexicap category increased inflows compared to last month while most other equity categories had lower inflows and overall equity inflows were lowerThe general reading from the fund flows data shows that overall investors remain confident of equities and continue allocating large amounts to equities however some investors feel less confident and are allocating to debtoriented schemes like arbitrage multi asset and corporate bond funds and also to gold said Dr Vikas Gupta CEO and Chief Investment Strategist at OmniScience CapitalMeanwhile gold exchangetraded funds ETFs continued to attract steady investor interest with net inflows of Rs 7743 crore the data showedWith cumulative net inflows of Rs 27573 crore in 2025 gold ETFs remain among the most resilient segments in the passive space reaffirming their growing role in portfolio stability and risk mitigation said Nehal Meshram Senior Analyst Manager Research Morningstar Investment Research IndiaThe sustained momentum highlights investors continued preference for gold as a safehaven and portfolio diversifier amid lingering geopolitical risks global market volatility and uncertainty around the interestrate trajectory of major central banks IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sip-inflows-hit-all-time-high-of-rs-29-529-crore-in-oct-648037.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-market-continues-upward-trend-as-it-auto-stocks-lead-648065.html Mumbai Nov 11 The domestic equity indices closed at a higher note for the second consecutive day on Tuesday amid buying in IT auto metal and FMCG sectors The rally was further sustained by positive global cues as the US Senate passed a bill to end the longestever federal shutdown Sensex ended the session at 8387132 up 33597 points or 040 per cent The 30share index opened trading higher at 8367152 against the last sessions closing of 8353535 The index rose further to hit an intraday high at 8393647 buoyed by persistent buying in IT and auto stocksNifty closed at 2569495 up 120 points or 047 per centThe domestic market opened on a subdued note amid concerns over potential implications of the Delhi explosion However it recovered smartly and closed at the days high supported by global cues as the US Senate passed a bill to end the longestever federal shutdown said Vinod Nair Head of Research Geojit Investments LimitedImportantly the Q2 results season is nearing its end and is expected to conclude on a positive note driven by betterthanexpected performance by the broader market he addedBEL Adani Ports Mahindra and Mahindra HCL Tech Eternal Bharti Airtel Infosys Sun Pharma Hindustan Unilever LampT Tech Mahindra and TCS were the top gainers from the Sensex basket Bajaj Finance Bajaj FinServ and Tata Motors PV ended the session in negative territoryThe majority of sectoral indices ended the session green amid continued buying momentum Nifty IT rose 428 points or 120 per cent Nifty Auto surged 288 points or 107 per cent Nifty FMCG increased 188 points or 034 per cent and Nifty Bank jumped 200 points or 035 per centBroader indices experienced a mixed approach amid buying in midcap and selling in smallcap stocks Nifty Midcap 100 rose 302 points or 050 per cent Nifty Small Cap 100 fell 37 points or 021 per cent and Nifty 100 closed 109 points or 042 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-market-continues-upward-trend-as-it-auto-stocks-lead-648065.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-firm-federal-card-services-enters-india-with-250-million-investment-create-over-1-000-jobs-648070.html Mumbai Nov 11 USbased Federal Card Services FCS on Tuesday announced its entry in India with an investment of 250 million across its three core business pillars technology real estate and services As part of this expansion the global leader in premium metal and sustainable payment cards is developing its first manufacturing facility in PuneThe new plant will produce 100 per cent metal cards and biodegradable cards marking a major milestone in Indias growing fintech manufacturing ecosystemFCS said it aims to strengthen Indias fintech supply chain and create over 1000 direct jobs integrating sustainable manufacturing practices that align with Indias Make in India and green growth visionWith Phase 1 of the 32000 sq ft facility completed FCS is now focused on equipment calibration and workforce training ahead of operations commencing in February 2026 The facility will commence with an initial capacity of 2 million cards per year scaling up to 267 million cards annuallyIndia is central to our next phase of growth globally With its strong fintech ecosystem engineering excellence and manufacturing capabilities India offers the perfect foundation for scaling sustainable innovation said Matias Gainza Eurnekian CEO Federal Card Services FCSOur investment in Pune marks the beginning of a longterm commitment to build design and payment solutions from India to the world We see India not just as a market but as a strategic hub for innovation talent and responsible manufacturing Eurnekian addedThrough this investment FCS aims to support Indias ambition to become a global hub for advanced and sustainable manufacturing The company currently works with Axis Bank VISA Mastercard and FPL Technologies OneCardThe cards produced by FCS and designed in collaboration with global innovation partners represent a revolutionary alternative to PVC plasticWith its investment in India FCS is reinforcing its global leadership in innovation sustainability and highend design in the payment solutions industry It operates across five continents and serves over 100 clients IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-firm-federal-card-services-enters-india-with-250-million-investment-create-over-1-000-jobs-648070.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-firm-federal-card-services-enters-india-with-250-million-investment-to-create-over-1-000-jobs-648071.html Mumbai Nov 11 USbased Federal Card Services FCS on Tuesday announced its entry in India with an investment of 250 million across its three core business pillars technology real estate and services As part of this expansion the global leader in premium metal and sustainable payment cards is developing its first manufacturing facility in PuneThe new plant will produce 100 per cent metal cards and biodegradable cards marking a major milestone in Indias growing fintech manufacturing ecosystemFCS said it aims to strengthen Indias fintech supply chain and create over 1000 direct jobs integrating sustainable manufacturing practices that align with Indias Make in India and green growth visionWith Phase 1 of the 32000 sq ft facility completed FCS is now focused on equipment calibration and workforce training ahead of operations commencing in February 2026 The facility will commence with an initial capacity of 2 million cards per year scaling up to 267 million cards annuallyIndia is central to our next phase of growth globally With its strong fintech ecosystem engineering excellence and manufacturing capabilities India offers the perfect foundation for scaling sustainable innovation said Matias Gainza Eurnekian CEO Federal Card Services FCSOur investment in Pune marks the beginning of a longterm commitment to build design and payment solutions from India to the world We see India not just as a market but as a strategic hub for innovation talent and responsible manufacturing Eurnekian addedThrough this investment FCS aims to support Indias ambition to become a global hub for advanced and sustainable manufacturing The company currently works with Axis Bank VISA Mastercard and FPL Technologies OneCardThe cards produced by FCS and designed in collaboration with global innovation partners represent a revolutionary alternative to PVC plasticWith its investment in India FCS is reinforcing its global leadership in innovation sustainability and highend design in the payment solutions industry It operates across five continents and serves over 100 clients IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-firm-federal-card-services-enters-india-with-250-million-investment-to-create-over-1-000-jobs-648071.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-private-hospital-sector-to-almost-double-to-202-billion-by-2030-report-648073.html New Delhi Nov 11 Indias private hospital sector is projected to reach 2025 billion by 2030 from an estimated 1223 billion in 2025 driven by rising demand private investment government initiatives and technology adoption such as AI and telemedicine a report said on Tuesday India needs 24 million additional hospital beds necessitating 2 billion square feet of space to build the healthcare infrastructure the report from credit rating agency Brickwork Ratings saidThe sector recorded 72 deals worth 35 billion in Q3 2025 up 166 per cent quarteronquarter in total deal valueIn 2024 Indias hospital sector experienced significant mergers and acquisitions MampA reflecting robust investor interest and a strategic shift towards expanding healthcare services across the country the report notedThe outlook for credit ratings of the private hospital industry in India is Positive due to robust demand healthy financial performances effective risk management and robust expansion strategies by leading hospital chains said Rajeev Sharan Head of Research Brickwork RatingsThe report said that Indias medical tourism market valued at 87 billion in 2025 is set to almost double to 162 billion by 2030 driven by affordable highquality care and streamlined visa processesRanking 10th in the Medical Tourism Index India attracted 73 million foreign patients in 202324 with rising demand for specialised treatments and strong international partnerships boosting growthLeading hospitals reported a rise in ARPOB average revenue per occupied bed which now ranges from about Rs 38000 to over Rs 74000 per bed per day the report saidARPOB is expected to grow in the coming years on account of improving speciality and payer mix and rising demand for highvalue procedures it addedFurther it predicted that the average length of stay ALOS is expected to remain low at around 34 days through 2030 leading to better bed utilisation Low ALOS is driven by ongoing operational improvements technological upgrades and faster patient throughput IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-private-hospital-sector-to-almost-double-to-202-billion-by-2030-report-648073.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/uidai-to-use-behavioural-insights-to-boost-adoption-of-mbu-among-kids-648102.html New Delhi Nov 11 The Unique Identification Authority of India UIDAI on Tuesday said it will use behavioural insights to enhance adoption of Mandatory Biometric Update MBU after waiving all charges for MBU in Aadhaar for children Towards this UIDAI has partnered with research consultancy Behavioural Insights Limited BIT to help children and youngsters access vital services through the timely updation of biometric in their AadhaarThe MoU aims to increase MBU in Aadhaar for 5 year and 15yearold and to address behavioural logistical and awarenessrelated barriers to ensure timely updates enabling seamless access to services and benefits linked to AadhaarTailored behavioural interventions will be designed tested and implemented to encourage Aadhaar MBU updates said IT MinistryBhuvnesh Kumar CEO of UIDAI said When technology is aligned with human behaviour digital identity evolves from a purely technical process into a more seamless trustworthy and empowering experience Through this MoU we hope to achieve this effectRachel Coyle CEO of BIT underlined that a new evidencebased understanding of human behaviour can boost updates of Aadhaar and help Aadhaar number holders get access to crucial public servicesOnce enrolled in Aadhaar a child needs to update biometric fingerprint iris and photo on attaining the age of 5 and then again on attaining the age of 15 yearsUIDAI has been making continuous efforts to enhance MBU adoption among the target groupsIn a propeople measure UIDAI has waived off all charges for MBU for the 715 age group which is expected to benefit around 6 crore childrenThe waiver of MBU charges for the said age group has already kicked in effective October 1 2025 and will be in force for a period of one year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/uidai-to-use-behavioural-insights-to-boost-adoption-of-mbu-among-kids-648102.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chhattisgarh-attracted-rs-75-lakh-crore-investment-proposals-in-10-months-cm-vishnudeo-sai-648142.html New Delhi Nov 11 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai on Tuesday said that the state has received investment proposals worth about Rs 75 lakh crore within just 10 months of introducing its new industrial policy Addressing the media after the Chhattisgarh Investor Connect event held in Ahmedabad Sai said the new policy has created a favourable environment for industries and investors alikeâThe Chhattisgarh Investor Connect was organised in the holy land of Ahmedabad We have introduced a new industrial policy in our state which is proving to be very effective Investment proposals worth approximately Rs 75 lakh crore have been received in 10 monthsâ he saidSai added that memorandums of understanding MoUs were signed with around eight companies during the event bringing in fresh investment proposals worth Rs 33000 croreâEntrepreneurs from Gujarat have shown great interest Chhattisgarh offers abundant resourcesâcoal electricity water and skilled manpowerâwhich make it an ideal destination for industriesâ he said welcoming the prospective investorsThe Chief Minister also shared updates from the event on the social media platform XHe said he met Devanshu Gandhi Managing Director of the Vadilal Group to explore opportunities in the food processing sector with plans to set up a unit manufacturing ice cream frozen foods and other processed food products in the stateIn another post Sai mentioned his meeting with Jinal Mehta Vice President of the Torrent Group who appreciated Chhattisgarhâs investmentfriendly ecosystem and proposed investments worth Rs 22900 crore in the power sector and Rs 200 crore in the pharmaceutical sectorMeanwhile Vishnudeo Sai also participated in the Bharat Parv celebrations at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia Gujarat marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai PatelâBharat Parv is being celebrated on this occasion with participation from states across the country Chhattisgarhâs pavilion showcased our culture textiles and cuisineâ he saidThe Chief Minister said the growing investor confidence reflects Chhattisgarhâs emergence as a major industrial hub in central India driven by its proactive policies and resourcerich landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chhattisgarh-attracted-rs-75-lakh-crore-investment-proposals-in-10-months-cm-vishnudeo-sai-648142.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/all-passengers-safe-says-spicejet-after-flight-makes-emergency-landing-647784.html New Delhi Nov 10 A SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Kolkata made an emergency landing due to failure in one of its engines according to Kolkata Airport officials The airline said in a statement on Monday that all passengers and crew members are safe On November 9 SpiceJet flight SG 670 operating from Mumbai to Kolkata experienced a technical issue during descent at Kolkata airport The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew deplaned normally according to a statement from a SpiceJet spokesperson The full emergency was lifted at 1138 pmOn September 12 a SpiceJet Q400 flight from Gujarats Kandla airport to Mumbai made a similar emergency landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport CSMIA after an outer wheel was found on the runway following takeoff The plane landed safely with all passengers and crew unharmedMeanwhile several airlines including Air India IndiGo and SpiceJet alerted passengers of delays due to a malfunction in the Air Traffic Control system at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi resulting in several delayed flightsAirlines such as Air India IndiGo and SpiceJet urged passengers to check their flight status before departure to the airport and confirmed that staff were available to assist travellers to reduce inconvenienceThe technical issue was resolved and the flight operations are now normal according to airport officialsSpiceJet slipped into losses during the AprilJune quarter reporting a consolidated net loss of Rs 234 croreThis is a sharp reversal from the net profit of Rs 15818 crore it had posted in the same quarter previous yearSpiceJets revenue from operations also dropped nearly 36 per cent yearonyear YoY which it attributed to geopolitical tensions with a neighbouring country and restrictions in international airspace which hit demand for leisure travelIt also faced delays in bringing grounded aircraft back into service due to global supply chain issues and engine maintenance problems IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/all-passengers-safe-says-spicejet-after-flight-makes-emergency-landing-647784.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-and-silver-prices-up-by-2-pc-over-positive-global-cues-647789.html New Delhi Nov 10 Gold and silver prices went up on Monday driven by positive global cues and the possibility of the US Fed lowering interest rates next month At around 10 am on the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX the price of the December 5 2025 contract for gold rose 116 per cent to Rs 122468 per 10 grams and the price of the December 5 2025 contract for silver rose 199 per cent to Rs 150666 per kgGold prices fell after reaching a record high in October However the fresh momentum in the yellow metal is being driven by growing concerns about the health of the US economy and the possibility of an interest rate cut next monthAccording to Rahul Kalantri Vice President of Commodities at Mehta Equities prices were highly volatile throughout the week but managed to recover from lower levels after weak US consumer sentiment figures and uncertainty over when the US government shutdown will endThe shutdown has entered a record duration increasing concerns about the broader US economic outlook prompting renewed safehaven demand he mentionedGold and silver also saw gains in the international markets Gold was up 132 per cent at 4062 per ounce on Comex and silver up 232 percent at 4926 per ounceMarket watchers further stated that the dollar index softened as well lending additional support to bullion prices Gold has support at 39553920 while resistance at 40404065 Silver has support at 47804745 while resistance is at 48554885In Indian rupee gold has support at Rs 120450119880 while resistance at Rs 121790122400 Silver has support at Rs 146850145900 while resistance at Rs 148840 149780Additionally WTI crude regained momentum on Monday rising past 60 per barrel as traders awaited fresh insight from OPEC and the IEAHowever the broader picture remains mixed OPEC a coalition of 22 oilexporting countries is easing production limits US producers are ramping up output and expectations of a looming supply surplus continue to weigh on confidence IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-and-silver-prices-up-by-2-pc-over-positive-global-cues-647789.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/demat-accounts-opened-in-october-touch-10-month-high-data-647794.html Mumbai Nov 10 New demat accounts opened in October exceeded 30 lakh marking a 10month high and a 22 per cent increase from 246 lakh in September data from depositories showed Analysts attributed the surge to a rebound in equity markets return of foreign fund inflows and flood of initial public offerings IPO that has heightened investor interest Total demat accounts reached a record 21 crore up from 207 crore the previous monthIn October Indias primary market saw a record number of mainboard IPOs with 10 offerings aiming to raise over Rs 44930 crore marking the largest monthly fundraising target in the countrys capitalmarket historyAnalysts also attributed the spike to robust market conditions across broader indices Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty rose in October approximately 3 per cent while the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices gained 4 per cent and 3 per cent respectivelyForeign institutional investors who had been net sellers for several months turned buyers and invested around 16 billion in domestic equitiesThe domestic stock market is expected to remain sideways to a consolidating phase as the equity indices show mild selling pressure at a higher level in the weekly chartOn the domestic front investors will be focused on Indias CPI and WPI inflation figures this week which are expected to shed light on the inflation trend and future policy directionGlobal investment bank Goldman Sachs GS has turned bullish on India upgrading its rating on Indian equities to Overweight and setting a Nifty target of 29000 by end2026 implying a potential 14 per cent upside from current levelsGoldman Sachs said recent trends suggest a turnaround in sentiment as valuations have cooled and foreign risk appetite improvesThe investment bank said growth will be supported by the Reserve Bank of Indias easing measures including rate cuts improved liquidity and bank deregulation along with GST reductions and slower fiscal consolidation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/demat-accounts-opened-in-october-touch-10-month-high-data-647794.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-makes-significant-strides-to-address-mental-health-issues-647820.html New Delhi Nov 10 Mental health remains a pressing global challenge and while India has made significant strides through initiatives like Tele MANAS and the National Mental Health Programme building a mentally healthier society requires strengthening awareness expanding workforce training and investing in digital solutions according to government data About 106 per cent of Indian adults roughly 11 out of every 100 adults were living with a diagnosable mental health disorder according to a 201516 National Mental Health Survey NMHS conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences NIMHANSAccording to a NIMHANS study from 2019 mental health disorders are more prevalent among women 20 per cent than men 10 per cent Women in India are found to be particularly more prone to conditions like depression anxiety and somatic complaints compared to their male counterpartsSuicide rates in India are on the rise According to the 2023 National Crime Records Bureau NCRB report Accidental Deaths amp Suicides in India 171418 suicides were reported in the country in 2023 and the NCRB report revealed a significant gender disparity in suicides males accounted for 728 per cent of all suicides while females accounted for 272 per centRecognising mental healthcare as a vital component of overall wellbeing India has taken a major step toward universal health coverage by integrating mental health services into primary care through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs under the Ayushman Bharat initiativeUnder the Ayushman Bharat initiative over 175 lakh Sub Health Centres SHCs and Primary Health Centres PHCs have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs where mental health services are now an integral part of Comprehensive Primary Health CareThis integration ensures accessible and inclusive mental health support at the grassroots levelThrough Ayushman Bharat PMJAY mental health conditions are covered under a Rs 5 lakh per family annual insurance with over 135 lakh admissions worth Rs 12019 crore authorised between FY 202122 to FY 202324During the pandemic the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a 247 national helpline 0804611 0007 to provide psychosocial support and counselling for individuals affected by stress anxiety and other mental health challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-makes-significant-strides-to-address-mental-health-issues-647820.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/lenskart-shares-make-muted-debut-slips-nearly-9-pc-to-days-low-of-rs-355-647823.html Mumbai Nov 10 Eyewear retailer Lenskart Solutions Ltd made a tepid debut on stock exchanges on Monday despite strong investor interest in its Rs 7278 crore initial public offering IPO The companys shares were listed at Rs 390 apiece on the BSE a discount of about 3 per cent to its issue price of Rs 402 while opening slightly higher at Rs 395 on the NSE Soon after listing the stock slipped to an intraday low of Rs 35570 down over 9 per cent from the issue price However it later recovered sharply in afternoon trade climbing over 15 per cent from the days low to hit an intraday high of Rs 41380At around 2 pm the Lenkarts shares were trading flat to their IPO price The stock was trading at Rs 40455 up 06 per cent from the listing price Meanwhile domestic equity indices were trading in positive territory Sensex was at 8363053 up 414 points or 05 per cent and Nifty was at 2561585 up 122 points or 048 per centThe IPO had been among the most keenly watched this year and witnessed robust demand being subscribed 28 times overall Investors bid for 28188 crore shares against the 997 crore shares on offer according to exchange dataThe Qualified Institutional Buyers QIB segment drove the response subscribing 4035 times the shares reserved for them while noninstitutional investors NIIs subscribed 1823 timesRetail participation was also strong despite the relatively high price band of Rs 382Rs 402 per shareThe public offer comprised a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 215074 crore and an offer for sale OFS of Rs 512802 croreThe muted debut reflected cooling sentiment in the grey market where the premium had slipped to about 2 per cent ahead of listing indicating expectations of only a marginal upside Despite the soft start Lenskarts quick recovery in afternoon trade hinted at continued investor interest in the fastgrowing eyewear brand IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/lenskart-shares-make-muted-debut-slips-nearly-9-pc-to-days-low-of-rs-355-647823.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/premium-hotel-occupancies-in-india-to-grow-5-6-pc-in-fy26-fy28-demand-to-outpace-supply-647864.html New Delhi Nov 10 India is likely to see a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 56 per cent in premium hotel room additions between FY25 and FY28 as demand is expected to grow at a faster pace of 810 per cent according to a report on Monday As a result occupancies across premium hotels are projected to improve by 200 bps to 7274 per cent and average room rents ARRs to Rs 82008500 in FY26 36 per cent higher over the previous year said rating agency ICRA in its report maintaining a Stable outlook on the Indian hospitality industryIndias annual premium hotel room inventory across 12 major cities crossed the 1 lakh mark in FY2023 and is slated to cross 12 lakh keys in the next fiscal said Srikumar Krishnamurthy Senior Vice President and CoGroup HeadCorporate Ratings ICRAHowever demand growth is expected to continue to outpace the supply addition at least over the next three yearsICRA expects the premium room inventory across these cities to grow at a CAGR of 56 per cent over FY25FY28 while demand is expected to augment in the range of 810 per cent in this periodThe premium hotel key additions are democratised in this cycle across tier 1 and tier 23 cities given the increased acceptance of the latter among travellers and space and land constraints in the formerWith three years of doubledigit revenue expansion over FY2023 to FY2025 and the growth momentum continuing in the current fiscal the Indian hospitality industry has fared well in recent yearsBuoyed by the strong demand sentiments and the improved earnings profile of hospitality players the sector continues to see investments for supply additions and room upgradations to encash on the opportunities the report mentionedCertain pockets within the hospitality segment such as airport hotels and spiritual tourism have garnered healthy interest over recent years with 20002500 premium keys in the pipeline in each of these segments which is estimated at around 1015 per cent of the total premium supply pipeline IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/premium-hotel-occupancies-in-india-to-grow-5-6-pc-in-fy26-fy28-demand-to-outpace-supply-647864.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/private-capex-boosts-indias-mediumterm-growth-25-bps-repo-cut-likely-report-647865.html New Delhi Nov 10 Indias mediumterm growth outlook remains constructive with improving private capital expenditure and resilient consumption which supported a strong recovery in equities in October a report said on Monday Nifty valuations are modestly above the 10year average we remain constructive on Indian equities the report from HSBC Mutual Fund saidIn debt markets the HSBC fund house said the 24 year corporate bond segment offers attractive opportunities adding that inflation outlook and growth uncertainty raise the odds of a 25 bps rate cut on December 5Regarding equities the report said The growth cycle may be bottoming out Interest rate and liquidity cycles decline in crude prices and a normal monsoon support a pickup in growthThe mutual fund said that the GST rate cut and prior income tax cuts should boost private consumption and support private capex amid global uncertaintyGovernment investment manufacturing push and a real estate recovery should sustain mediumterm investment momentum it addedIndian equities recovered strongly in October with Sensex and Nifty up over 4 per cent aided by FII inflows and improved domestic sentimentThe NSE Midcap index rose 48 per cent and the BSE Smallcap index gained 32 per centReal estate led sectoral performance while oil amp gas metals banks and IT outperformed the Nifty even as healthcare power FMCG and autos underperformedThe upcoming macro prints such as November CPI inflation trade deficit GDP and GST collections will be closely watched by the central bank for its rate guidanceThe report noted tight liquidity despite RBI foreignexchange interventions adding that markets expect liquidity infusion via open market purchase OMO purchases IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/private-capex-boosts-indias-mediumterm-growth-25-bps-repo-cut-likely-report-647865.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over-1-760-gccs-in-india-fast-becoming-frontlines-of-enterprise-transformation-nasscom-647880.html New Delhi Nov 10 More than 1760 Global Capability Centres GCCs in India are no longer the backoffice engines of the world but are fast becoming the frontlines of enterprise transformation a Nasscom report said on Monday Employing nearly 19 million professionals GCCs in the country power the digital backbone of almost half of the Fortune 500Nearly 70 per cent of all new GCCs set up across Asia are choosing India not just for its talent density but for its growing ecosystem of deeptech capability serviceprovider partnerships and designled thinking according to the report by Nasscom developed with Oliver Wyman and R SystemsThe GCC model is entering a pivotal phase demanding deep partnerships and rapid movement to leverage these centers as primary engines of innovation resilience and enterprise value For India the next decade of global digital progress will be built on partnership models architected in India where GCCs and service providers jointly define how enterprises grow innovate and compete the findings showedThe report identifies a new operating construct for the NextGen GCCs that is built on strategic partnerships between headquarters GCCs and tech service providersThese are integrated ecosystems where partners jointly cocreate run and scale capabilities Flexible models such as BuildOperateTransferManage BOX Joint Ventures Modern Talent Augmentation and CoInnovation Partnerships are reshaping how enterprises accelerate transformation at speed and scaleThis evolution reflects a global shift in enterprise expectation GCCs must now own innovation pipelines drive PampL impact and create autonomous value that keeps pace with AInative disruptionTo effectively navigate this evolving landscape the report outlines five building blocks for success a shared enterprise vision operating excellence resilient governance magnetic talent and technologyled innovationFor Service Providers the imperative is deeper play and more adaptability requiring investment in specialized talent defining a forward value proposition and tweaking operating models ultimately transitioning to lifecycle partners delivering measurable business impact the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over-1-760-gccs-in-india-fast-becoming-frontlines-of-enterprise-transformation-nasscom-647880.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modis-visit-to-bolster-india-bhutan-trade-and-investment-ties-647893.html New Delhi Nov 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Bhutan scheduled from November 11 to 12 will aim at strengthening Indias trade and investment ties with the Himalayan Kingdom Indias unique trade relations with Bhutan are governed by the 2007 IndiaBhutan Friendship Treaty and the 2016 IndiaBhutan Agreement on Trade Commerce and Transit which establishes a free trade regime between the two countries and also provides Bhutan duty free transit of goods to and from third countriesIndia has consistently been Bhutans top trading partner both as an import source and as an export destination Indias share of Bhutans total trade grew from 7917 per cent in 2023 to 7988 per cent in 2024In value terms in 2024 JanuaryDecember Indias bilateral trade with Bhutan was Rs 12669 crore of which Indias exports to Bhutan amounted to Rs 9538 crore and Indias imports from Bhutan were Rs 3131 croreIndia has provided special exemption from any restrictions or prohibitions on export of essential commodities to Bhutan At the request of Bhutan a number of trade points routes have been approved for facilitating Bhutans exports to India and also to third countries Recently a B2B agreement for supply of various fertilisers to Bhutan was signedFurther enhancing connectivity between the two countries is a priority for both the countries This includes establishing crossborder rail links strengthening road connectivity establishing Integrated Check Posts and trade routes new immigration points multimodal trade routes and digital connectivityOn September 29 2025 an intergovernmental MoU for the establishment of railway links between India and Bhutan was signed in New Delhi Under the MoU two rail links KokrajharGelephu 69 km and BanarhatSamtse 20 km will be implemented with a total estimated cost of Rs 403334 croreTo facilitate the movement of people including third country nationals an Immigration Check Post was inaugurated at Darranga Assam on November 7 2024 The Jogigopha Inland Waterway Terminal inaugurated in January 2025 in presence of the Minister of Industry Commerce and Employment of Bhutan will further enhance regional trade connectivityThe two countries also enjoy longstanding and mutuallybeneficial cooperation in the hydropower sector Till date India has jointly developed five major hydroelectric projects HEPs in Bhutan totaling 3156 MW including 336 MW Chukha HEP 60 MW Kurichhu HEP 1020 MW Tala HEP 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP and the recently completed August 2025 1020 MW PunatsangchhuII HEPA 1200 MW PunatsangchhuI HEP is under construction India has also been facilitating market access for Bhutans power sale in India such as Basochhu and Nikachhu HEPs to trade their energy in Indian Energy Exchange IEXSpace cooperation is a new area of bilateral cooperation In 2019 Prime Minister Modi and then Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering jointly inaugurated the Ground Earth Station of the South Asia Satellite in Thimphu Subsequently the two sides jointly developed the IndiaBhutan SAT which was launched on November 26 2022 by ISRO The Indian government has been extending capacity building opportunities to Bhutanese engineers in the space sectorFintech is another domain of collaboration between India and Bhutan The RuPay Card was launched in Bhutan in two phases Phase I 2019 and PhaseII 2020 to enable crossborder payments using RuPay cards In 2021 Indias BHIM UPI application was launched in Bhutan The usage of the RuPay cards and BHIM UPI has increased since their launchIndia has also supported Bhutans initiatives such as the Gyalsung National Service Programme one year mandatory training for all Bhutanese youth attaining the age of 18 years New Delhi extended grant assistance of Rs 200 Crore to the Gyalsung Project and through a concessionary loan of Rs 1500 crore to build the infrastructure for the Gyalsung academies The two sides have also been engaged in training programmes for GyalsungBesides India has conveyed full support to Bhutans Gelephu Mindfulness City project GMC which is an initiative of the King of Bhutan IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modis-visit-to-bolster-india-bhutan-trade-and-investment-ties-647893.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kpit-technologies-q2-net-profit-dips-17-pc-to-rs-169-crore-revenue-up-647896.html Mumbai Nov 10 KPIT Technologies on Monday reported a 17 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in its consolidated net profit for the second quarter of this fiscal Q2 FY26 at Rs 16908 crore The company which offers software development and integrated services for the automotive and mobility industries had posted a net profit of Rs 2037 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago Q2 FY25 Its net profit slipped over 28 per cent sequentially as well from Rs 17189 crore in the first quarter of FY26The decline in profit was largely attributed to higher expenses as the companys total expenses for the quarter under review rose over 9 per cent YoY to Rs 1358 crore from Rs 12359 croreRevenue from operations however went up to Rs 15877 crore marking around 8 per cent growth YoY from Rs 14714 crore and a 31 per cent increase quarteronquarter QoQ from Rs 15387 croreThis increment was driven by robust demand from European markets despite there was a slight decline in its American businessRevenue from the UK and Europe rose 136 per cent sequentially to Rs 8283 crore offsetting a dip in the Americas where revenue fell to Rs 4424 crore from Rs 4569 crore in the previous quarterThe companys operating performance improved with EBITDA margin expanding to 211 per cent and EBIT margin at 164 per cent during the quarterAccording to its exchange filing the company has also secured a new total contract value of over 1940 crore which includes a significant multiyear partnership with a leading European automotive manufacturer to drive softwaredefined vehicle SDV transformationDespite ongoing global uncertainties we are seeing signs of renewed optimism in the mobility ecosystem Our strategic investments such as the Caresoft Engineering Solutions Business acquisition closure in Q2 and the stake increase in NDream coupled with the investment in helmai in Q3 are strengthening our foundation and expanding our capabilities said Kishor Patil Cofounder CEO and MD KPITAs the industry accelerates toward softwaredefined vehicles KPITs focus on nextgeneration technologies AIdriven solutions and deep client partnerships positions us to lead this transformation he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kpit-technologies-q2-net-profit-dips-17-pc-to-rs-169-crore-revenue-up-647896.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-signs-mous-with-over-50-firms-to-boost-manufacturing-startup-ecosystem-647747.html New Delhi Nov 9 The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade DPIIT has signed agreements with more than 50 companies to strengthen Indias manufacturing and innovation ecosystem for startups The initiative aims to encourage collaboration between large corporations and emerging manufacturing startups to foster innovation develop new products and create sustainable industrial growthAccording to an official DPIIT has been proactively engaging with corporates industry associations unicorns and sector veterans to highlight the importance of building manufacturingfocused incubators and the benefits of working closely with earlystage enterprisesThis is part of a larger effort to promote the startup ecosystem and encourage the industry to support innovation in manufacturing through incubators and partnerships the official notedThese collaborations are expected to provide critical support for manufacturing startups which often struggle with access to infrastructure capital and scaling opportunitiesManufacturingfocused incubators play a key role in this effort by offering pilot facilities design centres prototyping labs and shared manufacturing spaces all of which reduce the high capital investment burden faced by startupsSuch incubators also serve as an interface between startups and established industries enabling access to market opportunities risk capital and advanced technologies They can be established by corporations academic institutions or research organisationsThe DPIITs initiative is seen as a significant step toward creating a robust and collaborative manufacturing startup ecosystem supporting Indias broader goal of becoming a global hub for innovation and industrial growthDPIIT last month signed an MoU with Thermo Fisher Scientific TFS to accelerate innovation in Indias biotechnology sector and nurture a strong pipeline of highgrowth startups The partnership aims to support over 500 biotech startups in the next three years through strategic advisory technology access mentorship and investor connectAs part of the MoU TFS under Startup India DPIITs initiative Bharat Startup Grand Challenge BSGC will launch the BioVerse Challenge a nationwide platform to identify and nurture Indias most promising biotech entrepreneurs and the BioVerse Mentors Circle to provide skill development and technical training across leading bioincubators IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-signs-mous-with-over-50-firms-to-boost-manufacturing-startup-ecosystem-647747.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 19:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-earns-rs-4-085-crore-through-sale-of-scrap-from-govt-offices-in-swachhata-drive-minister-647748.html New Delhi Nov 9 The Centre has earned as much as Rs 408524 crore through five dedicated annual cleanliness Swachhata campaigns lasting one month each since 2021 through disposal of scrap including electronic scrap from different central government offices as part of the Special Swachhata campaign Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday The minister also disclosed that another significant outcome of the campaign was that 23175 lakh square feet of space has been freed for productive utility which was earlier choked and blocked with waste material worn out furniture and scrapInterestingly the amount of over Rs 4085 crore earned by selling off the scrap could be the total budget of one mega Space mission or multiple Chandrayaan Space missions while the total space freed was enough to bring up a huge mall or some other massive structure for economic activity the minister saidElaborating further Dr Singh recalled that in his very first Independence Day address Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a call for Swachhata from the ramparts of the Red Fort Soon this turned into a mass campaign and over four lakh toilets were built in the first year itself Simultaneously he said a campaign was taken up to clear the junk of redundant office files broken furniture etc from the government officesHe said in 2021 on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi it was decided that while Swachhata was an ongoing continuous movement during the month of October beginning from the Gandhi Jayanti 2nd October up to 31st October there would be a dedicated Special Swachhata campaign in which all the government Ministries and departments would be expected to actively participate and prepare regular reports of the tasks achievedFor the last three years or so Dr Singh observed that besides the conventional scrap there was also a lot of electronic scrap in the offices which could be disposed of not only to generate revenue for the State but could also be converted through recycling to generate wealth from wasteHe explained that at the end of the Special Swachhata campaign 40 last year nearly Rs 3300 crore had been earned to which Rs 78853 crore was added through this years Special Campaign 50 lasting from October 2 to October 31 2025 As a result the total amount earned so far is over Rs 4085 croreThis years Special Swachhata campaign 50 Dr Singh said also took place at a time when extensive Waste to Wealth activity has been undertaken by the Ministry of Science amp Technology This for example includes recycling of hospital waste through a technology developed by CSIRNIIST Thiruvanathapuram and deployed at AIIMS New Delhi recycling of cooked oil undertaken by CSIRIIP Dehradun and use of steel sludge for road construction through technology developed by CSIRCRRI New Delhi he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-earns-rs-4-085-crore-through-sale-of-scrap-from-govt-offices-in-swachhata-drive-minister-647748.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sebi-warns-investors-about-unregulated-digital-gold-e-gold-products-647567.html Mumbai Nov 8 The Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has issued a warning to investors regarding digital gold or egold products available online stating that all such offerings operate outside the securities regulatory framework and hold significant risks for investors This situation may expose buyers to considerable counterparty and operational risks as these products are neither classified as securities nor regulated as commodity derivativesIt has come to the notice of SEBI that some digitalonline platforms are offering investors to invest in Digital GoldEGold Products Digital Gold is being marketed as an alternative for investment in physical gold the market regulator said in a statementSEBI informed that such digital gold products are different from SEBI regulated gold products as they are neither notified as securities nor regulated as commodity derivativesThey operate entirely outside the purview of SEBI Such digital gold products may entail significant risks for investors and may expose investors to counterparty and operational risks the statement saidSEBI clarified that none of the investor protection mechanisms under securities market purview shall be available for investments in such digital gold or EGold productsVarious online platforms and jewellers are promoting digital gold with minimal investment options starting at Rs 10 or Rs 100 They are also highlighting features like anytime buysell and the ability to redeem for physical jewellerySEBI emphasised that investment in gold can be made through regulated channels including exchangetraded commodity derivatives gold exchangetraded funds from mutual funds and electronic gold receipts that can be traded on stock exchanges These investments are facilitated by SEBIregistered intermediaries and are subject to the regulators frameworkIndias gold exchangetraded funds saw 850 million in net inflows in October taking the total to a record 305 billion the highestever for a single year according to the World Gold Council data IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sebi-warns-investors-about-unregulated-digital-gold-e-gold-products-647567.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/telecom-operators-embrace-ai-to-bolster-revenues-drive-efficiency-globally-647573.html New Delhi Nov 8 Leading telecoms globally are deploying artificial intelligence AI across network operations customer service and fraud prevention to drive efficiency and reduce costs according to a new report These initiatives are already contributing to EBITDA margin gains with predictive maintenance and automated support systems leading the way according to an IDC reportAI also enables personalised offerings and dynamic pricing boosting average revenue per user ARPU and reducing churnFraud detection systems enhanced by AI are helping reduce losses reinforcing customer trust and regulatory compliance With AI accelerating timetomarket for new services telecoms can better monetize emerging technologies like 5G and edge computingIn the longer term as AI continues to evolve it will be increasingly recognized not as a mere technological enhancement but as a strategic enabler poised to drive sustainable growth for telecommunications operators said the reportMeanwhile worldwide spending on telecommunication and pay TV services is projected to reach 1532 billion in 2025 representing an increase of 17 per cent yearonyear according to the IDC reportThe latest forecast is slightly more optimistic compared to the forecast published earlier this year as it assumes a 01 percentage point higher growth of the total market valueThe regional dynamics remain mixed with inflationary effects competition and Average Revenue per User ARPU trends playing a central role in shaping market trajectories said Kresimir Alic research director Worldwide Telecom Services at IDCThe breakdown by telecom service type confirms that established trends remain intact despite adjustments to overall market forecastsMobile continues to dominate driven by rising data consumption and the expansion of M2M applications which are offsetting declines in traditional voice and messaging revenuesFixed data services are also expected to grow steadily fuelled by increasing demand for highbandwidth connectivityThe global connectivity services market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 15 per cent over the next five years maintaining a cautiously optimistic outlook IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/telecom-operators-embrace-ai-to-bolster-revenues-drive-efficiency-globally-647573.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-generates-over-6794-lakh-digital-life-certificates-for-pensioners-this-year-647575.html New Delhi Nov 8 As many as 6794 lakh digital life certificates DLCs have been generated to enhance the ease of living of pensioners so far this year of which 4042 lakh are through face authentication according to an official statement on Saturday In five days from November 15 2560 lakh DLCs have been generated of which 1562 lakh 61 per cent are through face authentication More than 37000 DLCs of pensioners above 90 years and 985 of pensioners above 100 years have been generated the statement saidThe face authentication technique can be carried out easily through smart phones anytime anywhere It enables easy DLC submission by pensioners and is particularly useful for aged and sick pensioners who do not have to visit any bank or pension disbursing authorityA nationwide DLC campaign 40 has been launched by the Department of Pension amp Pensioners Welfare in collaboration various stakeholders Pension Disbursing Banks India Post Payments Bank Pensioners Welfare Associations CGDA EPFO DoT Railways UIDAI and MeitY from November 130 2025 with the aim of touching all the pensioners in remotest corners of the countryV Srinivas Secretary Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare inaugurated a mega camp organised by Punjab National Bank at the Sansad Marg branch hereAddressing the pensioners he highlighted the initiative taken by the government for their digital empowerment The introduction of digital modes of life certificate submission which has greatly enhanced their ease of living and is hugely beneficial to aged and sick pensionersPunjab National Bank is holding camps in 39 cities at 185 locations across the countryFace Authentication for Digital Life Certificate generation was carried out for pensioners during the mega camp The convenience of Life Certificate submission through digital modes in particular Face Authentication technique which enables Life Certificate generation Anytime Anywhere was highlighted during these DLC generations the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-generates-over-6794-lakh-digital-life-certificates-for-pensioners-this-year-647575.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-urban-transformation-must-be-driven-by-sustainability-inclusivity-innovation-manohar-lal-647585.html New Delhi Nov 8 Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal on Saturday emphasised that Indias urban transformation must be driven by sustainability inclusivity and innovation He said that by 2047 Indian urban population will be around 50 per cent of total population and for them all stakeholders will have to come together and huge investments not only from central and state governments but also from private players and individuals will help in achieving the dream of Viksit BharatTowards this goal initiatives like Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme DRAP Urban Invest Window UiWIN and Knowledge Management Unit KMU will play a crucial role in building cleaner greener and more liveable cities aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047 he said while addressing the National Urban Conclave 2025 at Yashobhoomi hereThe minister launched DRAP which is a yearlong missionmode initiative aimed at fasttracking the remediation of remaining dumpsites across urban IndiaThe programme seeks to reclaim valuable urban land for community and infrastructure development thereby advancing Indias vision of achieving Lakshya Zero Dumpsites by September 2026Currently 1428 sites are undergoing remediation and about 80 per cent of the legacy waste is concentrated in 214 sites across 202 ULBs DRAP will prioritise these highimpact locations covering approximately 88 crore MT of legacy wasteTo support the goal of Lakshya Zero Dumpsites the central government provides financial assistance to cities considering an estimate of Rs 550 per tonne for legacy waste remediationThe minister also launched the Swachh Bharat Mission Knowledge Management Unit KMUThe unit is established by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs MoHUA as a dedicated unit at the National Institute of Urban Affairs NIUA the KMU will serve as a national platform for capacity building knowledge creation and institutional learning under the Swachh Bharat MissionUrban frameworkAnother major initiative launched on the occasion was the Urban Invest Window UiWIN an initiative of HUDCO under the guidance of MoHUAUiWIN will serve as a onestop investment facilitation platform for Indian cities designed to attract private investments and enable access to longtenor concessional and competitive financing from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development BankThe platform will also promote PPPbased urban projects to accelerate sustainable infrastructure growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-urban-transformation-must-be-driven-by-sustainability-inclusivity-innovation-manohar-lal-647585.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kospi-experiences-record-foreign-sell-off-in-1st-week-of-nov-647642.html Seoul Nov 9 South Koreas main stock index recorded its biggestever weekly selloff by foreign investors in the first week of November as profittaking and concerns over an artificial intelligence AI stock bubble spurred a market retreat the Korea Exchange said on Sunday From Monday to Friday foreign investors dumped a net 726 trillion won US498 billion worth of shares on the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index KOSPI the bourse operator said reports Yonhap news agencyThe amount marked the largest weekly selloff by foreign investors in KOSPI history surpassing the previous record of 705 trillion won in the second week of August 2021The KOSPI experienced sharp volatility last week climbing to a record high above 4200 on Monday before plunging nearly 3 percent Wednesday After a brief rebound Thursday the index shed 181 percent Friday closing below the 4000 markThe benchmark had been the fastestrising major stock index among Group of 20 nations as of Oct 27 buoyed by strong foreign buying of semiconductors and other blue chip stocks according to data compiled by Yonhap Infomax the financial arm of Yonhap News AgencyBut the rally fueled profittaking among foreign investors especially after Wall Street slumped last week amid revived fears of an AI bubble analysts saidSamsung Electronics Co the worlds biggest memory chip maker and its rival SK hynix Inc accounted for more than 70 percent of foreign selloffs last weekForeigners unloaded 15 trillion won worth of Samsung shares and 37 trillion won in SK shares data showedWith the US federal government shutdown marking the longest in history uncertainty over its economic impact has deepened said Chung Haechang an analyst at Daishin Securities Given the lack of upward momentum and investor optimism the market is likely to remain in a consolidation phase for the time beingLee Sunghoon an analyst at Kiwoom Securities noted that the recent weakness of the Korean won will also sap foreign investors appetite saying that foreign inflows are unlikely to rebound soonThe local currency fell below the psychologically crucial 1450 won threshold Friday dipping to its lowest level in nearly seven months IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kospi-experiences-record-foreign-sell-off-in-1st-week-of-nov-647642.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/market-outlook-domestic-indices-to-remain-in-consolidating-phase-amid-q2-results-inflation-data-647660.html Mumbai Nov 9 The domestic stock market is expected to remain sideways to a consolidating phase as the equity indices show mild selling pressure at a higher level in the weekly chart The coming week will be significant with multiple important macroeconomic data On the domestic front the focus will be on Indias CPI and WPI inflation figures which are expected to shed light on the inflation trend and future policy directionThis week the Nifty index closed the week at 2549230 marking a 089 per cent decline from the previous weeks close The decline took place due to ongoing selling by the foreign institutional investors FIIs despite indications of a strengthening domestic economyFading expectations of a Fed rate cut also contributed to cautious investor sentiment amid mixed global cues and sectoral weakness in IT and metals led to the declineAccording to analysts a bearishbodied candle with a lower wick and a small upper wick was formed this week indicating selling pressure at higher levelsThe price action reflects a sideways to consolidation phase as the Nifty index failed to hold its higher levels and ended the week below the 25500 mark analysts saidThis setup suggests the possibility of continued consolidation or sideways movement in the near term said Hardik Matalia of Choice BrokingThe India VIX rose by 333 per cent during the week to close at 125575 indicating a slight uptick in market volatilityIn the derivatives segment the maximum Call open interest OI is concentrated at the 2560025700 strike levels suggesting strong resistance at higher zones On the downside the maximum Put OI is seen at the 2540025300 strike levels highlighting key support areas the analyst notedMeanwhile the Bank Nifty index closed the week at 5787680 up 017 per cent from the previous weeks closeOn the weekly chart the index shows signs of indecision reflecting a tussle between buyers and sellersThe index ended the week above the 57800 mark indicating stability but a lack of clear direction Overall the setup suggests a sideways to consolidation phase until a decisive breakout occurs on either side the analyst highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/market-outlook-domestic-indices-to-remain-in-consolidating-phase-amid-q2-results-inflation-data-647660.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/union-government-earns-about-rs-800-crore-from-scrap-material-in-nationwide-cleanliness-drive-647671.html New Delhi Nov 9 In a remarkable outcome of the Centres monthlong swachhta campaign the government has generated over Rs 800 crore by selling scraps from various ministriesdepartments The drive conducted from October 2 to 31 was the largest since the initiative began in 2021 freeing up a record 232 lakh square feet of office space and clearing 29 lakh physical files according to officialsAs per reports nearly 1158 lakh office sites were covered under the campaign coordinated by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances DARampPGThree Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya K Ram Mohan Naidu and Dr Jitendra Singh supervised the massive interministerial effort that saw participation from 84 ministries and departments including Indias missions abroad said officialsThe annual cleanliness and efficiency campaign inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for Swachhata and good governance has now become a cornerstone of administrative reformSince its inception the government has earned nearly Rs 4100 crore by selling scrap material and obsolete assetsBetween 2021 and 2025 five editions of the campaign have helped institutionalise cleanliness and streamline administration The cumulative achievements include the coverage of 2362 lakh offices clearance of 16695 lakh files and freeing up 92884 lakh square feet of spaceThis years edition also focused on reducing pendency in government workCabinet ministers personally reviewed progress and interacted with officials to ensure targets were met Regular review meetings were held to track the disposal of pending files and grievancesLast month Union Minister Singh said that the government generated Rs 329671 crore from the disposal of ewaste and scrap while more than 69627 lakh sq ft of office space has been cleared and put to productive use over the last four yearsSpeaking at the launch of the Special Swachhta Campaign 50 at Nehru Park in the national capital Dr Singh said the campaign has brought visible changes in governance and public servicesHe emphasised that during earlier stages of the campaign more than 1204 lakh cleanliness sites nationwide had been cleaned and more than 13786 lakh outdated files had been removedFor their part in attaining these outcomes the minister commended the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances DARPG as well as other departmentsHe also took part in the events weeding out of outdated files a plantation drive under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative and Shramdaan activities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/union-government-earns-about-rs-800-crore-from-scrap-material-in-nationwide-cleanliness-drive-647671.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cii-moots-india-development-and-strategic-fund-to-boost-long-term-growth-647676.html New Delhi Nov 9 Apex business chamber CII on Sunday proposed the creation of an India Development and Strategic Fund IDSF as a sovereignbacked professionally managed institution to finance Indias longterm growth resilience and global economic security Conceived as a twinarm national fund the IDSF would mobilise patient longhorizon capital to build Indias productive capacity at home and secure critical economic interests abroad according to a CII statementThe IDSF is envisaged as comprising two distinct but coordinated arms The Developmental Investment Arm would focus on financing longgestation domestic priorities such as infrastructure clean energy logistics industrial corridors MSME scaleup education amp skilling healthcare and urban infrastructureThis arm would provide patient equity and blended finance to commercially viable projects that require longterm commitment It would act as an anchor investor crowding in pension funds sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors from India and abroad according to the statementCII has suggested that Indias existing National Investment and Infrastructure Fund NIIF could be evolved into this Developmental Arm leveraging its governance architecture and global investor baseThe Strategic Investment Arm would acquire and secure overseas assets critical for Indias longterm economic and security interests These include energy assets such as oil and gas fields LNG infrastructure and green hydrogen partnerships critical minerals such as lithium cobalt and rare earths frontier technologies including semiconductors AI and biotechnology and key global logistics and port assets This arm would give India the ability to act proactively to own rather than merely buy in critical supply chains and technologies shaping the future global economyThe industry body believes that with disciplined design and funding the IDSF could over the next two decades build a managed corpus in the range of 13 to 26 trillion by 2047 comparable in ambition and credibility to the worlds leading sovereign investorsThe proposed capitalisation roadmap includes a modest initial budgetary allocation to establish credibility followed by systematic channeling of a share of assetmonetisation proceeds from roads transmission lines ports and spectrum into the Fund instead of onetime deficit reduction Over time a portion of the Governments equity in select public sector enterprises could be transferred to the Fund turning these enterprises into instruments for Indias global expansion rather than mere disinvestment candidates according to the CII statementIn addition the Fund could issue thematic instruments such as infrastructure green and diaspora bonds to mobilise longterm domestic and international savings while coinvesting with multilateral and bilateral partners Once macroeconomic buffers are adequate a calibrated allocation of a small portion of Indias foreign exchange reserves could also be considered for overseas strategic acquisitions in areas like critical minerals and energyCII has emphasised that the Fund should retain majority ownership and strategic control with the Government of India while being run by a professional board combining senior Government representation and global investment expertise Two distinct investment committees would govern the Developmental and Strategic arms ensuring clarity of focus and accountabilityIt recommends that the Fund publish a periodic IDSF Review with a public dashboard on corpus size portfolio mix sectoral and geographic exposure and performance metricsCII director general Chandrajit Banerjee said the proposal is based on the recognition that Indias growth ambitions in infrastructure energy transition manufacturing technology and human development will require funding at a scale that cannot be met by annual budgetary allocations alone The Fund would help mobilise domestic and global savings and recycle national capital from mature assets into new productive capacity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cii-moots-india-development-and-strategic-fund-to-boost-long-term-growth-647676.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nifty-sensex-continue-to-decline-for-2nd-week-amid-fii-outflows-weak-global-cues-647464.html Mumbai Nov 8 Indian equity benchmarks continued their decline for the second week due to ongoing selling by the foreign institutional investors FIIs despite indications of a strengthening domestic economy Benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex dipped 071 and 165 per cent during the week to close at 25492 and 83216 respectivelyFading expectations of a Fed rate cut also contributed to cautious investor sentiment amid mixed global cues and sectoral weakness in IT and metals led to the declineSelect sectors found support from upbeat Q2 earnings with PSU banks remaining in focus due to robust financial performance improving asset quality and renewed speculation regarding a potential FDI cap hike and sector consolidation said Vinod Nair Head of Research Geojit Investments LimitedAnalysts said that buyondips strategy appears prudent as results from most Nifty 50 companies reported so far have been largely in line with estimates and continued policy support is expected to support current premium valuations and potentially drive earnings upgradesAccording to analysts a sharp decline in earnings growth in FY25 to 5 per cent stretched the valuations making Indian market one of the most expensive in the worldWith other emerging markets and some developed markets turning attractive with low valuations FIIs sold in India and moved money to other cheaper markets he addedNifty is currently trading above 20 times FY27 estimated earnings which is slightly above last 10year average PE ratio Analysts said that due to Indias superior longterm growth potential the present valuations can be justified even though the broader market valuations continue to be stretchedSupport for the Nifty is currently located close to the 25400 zone while resistance is seen around 25600 they addedMeanwhile there are signs of robust economic growth and earnings recovery in India When leading indicators reinforce this trend FIIs will reduce selling and eventually turn buyersNext week market direction will depend on upcoming domestic inflation data FII flows developments related to the US government shutdown and progress in trade negotiations involving the US India and China IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nifty-sensex-continue-to-decline-for-2nd-week-amid-fii-outflows-weak-global-cues-647464.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 10:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-records-3rd-weekly-loss-amid-fading-hopes-of-us-fed-rate-cut-647470.html Mumbai Nov 8 The price of 24carat gold 10 grams dipped by Rs 670 over the week impacted by a stronger dollar and reduced expectations for another US Federal Reserve rate cut The price of 10 grams of 24carat gold closed the week at Rs 120100 down from Rs 120770 last week according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJAInternational bullion remained around 4000 for the week facing pressure following Fed Chair Jerome Powells hawkish remarks even as the US Fed delivered a second 25 bps cut this yearMarket expectations for another cut in December slipped from around 90 per cent to near 60 per cent pressuring bullion while the dollar index held close to 100 and USDINR climbed toward 89Analysts said that the longest US government shutdown on record has delayed official data increasing reliance on private surveys ISM manufacturing and services PMIs fell below 50 indicating contraction while private payrolls rose by 42000 complicating the Federal Reserves outlookMeanwhile USChina trade tensions eased after US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to tariff trimming in exchange for Beijings fentanyl curbs renewed soybean buying and continued rareearth exports muting safehaven demandChina removed a core VAT offset for gold retailers buying via the Shanghai Gold Exchange and cut exemptions from 13 per cent to 6 per cent on some purchases prompting banks to halt new retail accounts and potentially cooling physical demand in the worlds top consumer said Manav Modi Analyst Precious MetalResearch Motilal Oswal Financial Services LtdFed liquidity support of roughly 294 billion alongside the December end of QT highlights ongoing funding stress he addedAdding a structural tailwind the US added uranium copper and silver to its critical minerals list potentially bolstering longterm demand for precious and industrial metals IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-records-3rd-weekly-loss-amid-fading-hopes-of-us-fed-rate-cut-647470.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 10:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/moodys-downgrades-ola-due-to-weak-financial-performance-low-liquidity-647479.html Mumbai Nov 8 Moodys Ratings has downgraded ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd the parent company of ridehailing firm Ola from B3 to Caa1 and changed the outlook to negative The downgrade is attributed to weakening financial performance reduced liquidity and an increased risk of violating loan covenants The global credit rating agency reported a decline in operating cash flows and an increase in refinancing risks due to slower revenue growth and ongoing lossesMoodys Ratings Moodys has downgraded ANI Technologies Pvt Ltds Ola corporate family rating CFR and the rating on the guaranteed senior secured term loan borrowed by OLA Netherlands BV to Caa1 from B3 The loan is guaranteed by Ola the release saidMoodys reported that ongoing operational challenges led to a higherthanexpected cash burn in the six months ending September 30 2025 decreasing cash reserves from 90 million in March 2025 and limiting headroom under the termloan covenantA covenant breach constitutes an event of default and accelerates repayment of Olas 65 million loan due December 2026 Ola must maintain cash equal to 40 per cent of the outstanding loan at least 26 million to comply with the covenant the release addedIntense competition in Indias ridehailing sector will result in continued cash burn over the next 12 months As such the company will have to rely on external funding sources to refinance its upcoming loan maturity the ratings agency saidThe ratings firm has deemed Olas liquidity weak indicating that available cash may fall substantially short of covering upcoming debt maturities and capital spending needs through December 2026Moodys said that Ola is considering options such as a potential initial public offering and selling its 364 percent stake in Ola Electric Mobility Ltd valued at approximately 90 million However it warned that these plans are subject to execution and market risksBhavish Aggarwalrun Ola Electric Mobility Ltd reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 418 crore for the JulySeptember period Q2 FY26 its exchange filing said this weekRevenue from operations dropped 43 per cent yearonyear to Rs 690 crore in Q2 FY26 down from Rs 1214 crore in Q2 FY25 indicating a substantial decline in sales for the quarter IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/moodys-downgrades-ola-due-to-weak-financial-performance-low-liquidity-647479.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-plans-ai-based-ekyc-global-credential-verification-in-digilocker-647497.html New Delhi Nov 8 The Ministry of Electronics and IT on Saturday announced plans for AIbased eKYC and global credential verification in the DigiLocker platform The platform has evolved from a secure document storage service into a trust layer that connects citizens with ministries and departments according to an official statementNational eGovernance Division NeGD Ministry of Electronics and IT organised the National Conference on DigiLocker to discuss and showcase how DigiLocker evolves into a cornerstone of trust convenience and efficiency across government education and industry sectorsThe conference underscored the transformative role of DigiLocker in facilitating paperless governance inclusive education and secure digital servicesDigiLocker serves as the trust layer connecting citizens ministries and departmentsenabling secure interoperable and accountable digital governance Our vision is a future where every digital interaction is trusted every citizen empowered and every institution accountable said S Krishnan Secretary of MeitY who chaired the conferenceKrishnan said that the platform advances Indias digital journey from connectivity to capability service delivery to selfreliance and now from digitalisation towards trustAbhishek Singh Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT outlined the future of DigiLocker with AIbased eKYC and global credential verification positioning it as a global model for paperless governancePresentations were made on integration of Digi Locker with Pension and Treasury systems in Maharashtra and with over 500 services through Sewa Setu Portal in Assam the statement notedSeven states including Assam Himachal Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Meghalaya Kerala Maharashtra and Mizoram have been recognised as DigiLocker Accelerators for their distinct achievementsDigiLocker allows citizens to access verify and share IDs financial credentials and certificates securely IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-plans-ai-based-ekyc-global-credential-verification-in-digilocker-647497.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rural-consumption-beats-urban-demand-gdp-growth-to-reach-68-pc-in-fy26-report-647521.html New Delhi Nov 8 Rural consumption continues to outperform urban demand in the country despite income tax cuts and GST 20 reforms aimed at boosting urban consumption a report said on Saturday The report from brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited MOFSL said that rural consumption outshines because of income guarantee schemes better rainfall outcomes NBFCled credit growth easing input costs and steady MSPsMOFSLs base case projection was that real GDP growth will touch 68 per cent for FY26 with a 2030 basispoint upside if tariff uncertainties abate and a nominal GDP growth projection at 9 per centIt maintained that urban consumption has recovered since implementation of GST reforms and also from Q3FY25 but rural consumption outshinedThe brokerage firm said that rural consumption has been on a steady uptrend since H2FY25 strengthening further in Q2FY26 up 77 per cent YoY to its highest level in 17 quartersThe upturn was supported by firm growth in real agri and nonagri wages higher tractor and fertilizer sales and robust farm credit Better rainfall distribution and reservoir levels boosted sowing activity while easing input costs and steady minimum support price MSP procurement helped improve farm incomes the firm highlightedRegarding rural spending the report detailed that the highfrequency October data including Eway bills petrol consumption mall footfalls and PMI readings were broadly positive in the first full month of GST 20 implementationUrban spending remained subdued through Q2 FY26 but improved after GST reforms through the festive season with jewellery demand staying firm in October despite high gold pricesRural demand is expected to remain on a steady upward trajectory underpinned by rising real wages Healthy rabi prospects coupled with lower rural inflation should help to sustain the ongoing improvement in consumption the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rural-consumption-beats-urban-demand-gdp-growth-to-reach-68-pc-in-fy26-report-647521.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-smartphone-market-set-to-witness-moderate-growth-in-2025-5g-leads-647533.html New Delhi Nov 8 The Indian smartphone market is set to witness moderate growth in 2025 with shipments growing in single digits according to a new report adding that the market is poised for sustained momentum driven by 5G upgrades rising premiumisation and growing consumer demand for connected device ecosystems According to CyberMedia Research CMR Indias smartphone market grew 7 per cent yearonyear YoY growth driven by festive cheer accelerated 5G adoption and a strong premium push led by Apple Vivo and MotorolaApple led Indias smartphone market by value in Q3 2025 with 30 per cent share and Samsung followed with 22 per cent together accounting for over a bulk of the market Vivo led the 5G smartphone market with a 18 per cent market share followed by Samsung at 16 per centThe ongoing festive and yearend sales will further accelerate shipments with premium and uberpremium segments remaining key growth engines led by flagship models from Apple Samsung and OnePlus said Pankaj Jadli AnalystIndustry Intelligence Group at CMR5G smartphones accounted for 89 per cent of total shipments in the quarter up 16 per cent YoY Interestingly 5G smartphones in the Rs 6000Rs 10000 price band surged over 1600 per cent YoY underscoring rising demand for affordable 5GThe democratisation of 5G connectivity especially in the subRs 10000 segment is reshaping consumer upgrade trends and will steer the next wave of smartphone growth in IndiaThe festive season along with aggressive promotional campaigns and easy EMI schemes drove consumer upgrades reshaping Indias valueformoney and affordable 5G smartphone segment While premium smartphones continued doubledigit growth feature phones declined as users increasingly transitioned to smartphones said Menka Kumari Senior AnalystIndustry Intelligence Group IIG CMRIn Q3 2025 the 2G feature phone segment declined 14 per cent YoY while 4G feature phones declined sharply by 24 per cent YoY said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-smartphone-market-set-to-witness-moderate-growth-in-2025-5g-leads-647533.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/for-nobel-prize-co-winner-james-watson-dna-was-my-only-gold-rush-647545.html New Delhi Nov 8 We have discovered the secret of life said American scientist James Watson in 1962 along with Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick as the trio shared the Physiology and Medicine Nobel Prize for the DNAs double helix structure discovery Famous geneticist Watson who died at 97 as confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the US where he worked and researched for decades was associated with one of the greatest breakthroughs of the 20th centuryAlthough DNA was discovered in 1869 it took scientists until 1943 to discover that it made up the genetic material in cellsTo date the structure of DNA remains a mysteryWatson died on Thursday US time after a brief illness according to a statement from his former employerI think early on I wanted to do something important with my life I still want to think about science and really nothing else Watson was quoted as saying in CNN in 2013Being driven by the desire to find the truth thats really my legacy The truth sometimes you dont find it and its complicated but what you always have is that if you can start with the truth its helpful he addedBorn in the US state of Chicago in April 1928 he won a scholarship to study at the University of Chicago at age 15 To pursue his research into DNA structures he went to Cambridge University in England where he met CrickTogether they began constructing largescale models of possible structuresAs per reports Watson took over the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York State in 1968 He is credited with turning it into one of the worlds foremost scientific research institutionsHowever his extraordinary work was marred owing to his racist and homophobic remarks against various groups of people claiming they had genetic differencesThe remarks led to him losing some of his honorary titles Watson also made headlines when he sold his Nobel Prize in 2014 for 476 million at auctionWatson told CNN in 2013 DNA was my only gold rush I regarded DNA as worth a gold rush IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/for-nobel-prize-co-winner-james-watson-dna-was-my-only-gold-rush-647545.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nifty-midcap-150-nifty-50-emerge-as-top-performers-in-october-647547.html New Delhi Nov 8 Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty 50 emerged as top performers across all market segments in the month of October rising 479 per cent and 451 per cent respectively a report said on Saturday All market cap segments such as large mid small and microcaps posted positive returns as the Nifty 500 climbed 429 per cent Nifty Next 50 rose 292 per cent the report from Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund saidMeanwhile the Nifty Microcap 250 and Nifty Smallcap 250 surged 393 per cent and 372 per cent respectively during the monthSectorally realty led with a 92 per cent gain on the back of sustained housing demand the release noted adding that all sectors delivered positive returnsThe midcap benchmark namely the Nifty Midcap 150 has shown growth of 321 per cent 1093 per cent amp 560 per cent in last 3 months 6 months and 1 year the fund house saidThe large cap benchmark Nifty 50 has surged 385 per cent 570 per cent and 627 per cent during the same period the release notedThe Nifty 500 rose 347 per cent 763 per cent and 450 per cent over the specific time periods it addedIT index gained 611 per cent but remains down over 11 per cent YoY Banking stocks continued to show strength with the Bank Index rising 575 per cent in October and posting 324 per cent 488 per cent and 1224 per cent growth across the 3month 6month and 1year periods the release saidDefence sustained its strong longterm trajectory rising 363 per cent in October The sector grew impressive 461 per cent 1412 per cent and 2817 per cent gains over the specified time periods the release notedThe fund house noted that inflation eased sharply supporting the RBIs decision to continue with its current policy stance while GST collections remained robust reflecting resilient domestic activity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nifty-midcap-150-nifty-50-emerge-as-top-performers-in-october-647547.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtel-shares-drop-following-singtel-related-block-sale-647264.html Mumbai Nov 7 The stock of Bharti Airtel went down about 448 per cent in intraday trading on Friday reaching a low of Rs 2001 following the trading of 51 crore shares in the block deal window with Singapore Telecommunications Singtel as the likely seller The transaction reportedly occurred at a floor price of Rs 2030 per share reflecting a 31 per cent discount to Airtels previous close of Rs 2095Singtel was set to offload about 08 per cent of its stake in the telecom operator according to multiple reportsThe deal is reportedly valued at around Rs 10300 crore according to the term sheet indicating that the Singtel arm assigned JP Morgan India as the sole broker to oversee the block deal and after contacting numerous institutional investors to build the book for the dealThis is the second offloading of Bharti Airtel shares by Singtel after the firm sold a 12 per cent stake in Bharti Airtel for approximately 2 billion at Rs 1814 per share in May this year Following the sale Airtels share price had risen by about 15 per cent to Rs 2095Bharti Airtel shares have gained Rs 7100 up 368 per cent over the past month and advanced by Rs 404 or 2534 per cent year to dateBharti Airtel had reported an 89 per cent yearonyear YoY jump in consolidated net profit for the JulySeptember quarter of the current financial year Q2 FY26 The companys profit rose to Rs 6791 crore compared to Rs 3593 crore in the same quarter last financial year according to its stock exchange filingIts consolidated revenue from operations grew 257 per cent YoY to Rs 52145 crore up from Rs 41473 crore in Q2 FY25 driven by strong performance across its mobile and data segments IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtel-shares-drop-following-singtel-related-block-sale-647264.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/capital-markets-central-to-viksit-bharat-push-mfs-hold-huge-opportunity-sebi-chairman-647291.html Mumbai Nov 7 SEBI Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Friday said that Indias sustained economic strength will be significantly driven by its capital markets which are essential for the countrys progress towards the Viksit Bharat goal and crucial for capital formation Pandey said at an event here that capital markets are instrumental in achieving the countrys developmental aspirations adding that companies have raised approximately Rs 2 lakh crore from the primary market this year indicating robust investors confidenceThere is a deep well of domestic capital waiting to be deployed Pandey said adding that SEBI is committed to simplifying and speeding up the capitalraising process enabling businesses to access funds more efficientlyWe are facilitators of capital formation and our goal is to help businesses raise capital seamlessly to power Indias growth and transformation the SEBI Chairperson saidHe characterised the regulators approach as optimum regulation which adjusts guardrails without stifling innovationWeve made several regulatory changes and will continue a consultative approach he addedPandey highlighted structural opportunities pointing out that mutual fund assets under management are below 25 per cent of GDP with urban participation at approximately 15 per cent and rural participation at 6 per centTheres huge opportunity in deepening mutual fund penetration Pandey said noting that 22 per cent of noninvestors aware of mutual funds plan to invest in the next yearThe SEBI Chairman added that the regulator will conduct a comprehensive review of shortselling and securities lending and borrowing norms to align them with global standardsPandey however admitted that Indias securities lending market is underdeveloped compared to other markets reiterating commitment to reforms aimed at enhancing transparency liquidity and investorfriendliness IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/capital-markets-central-to-viksit-bharat-push-mfs-hold-huge-opportunity-sebi-chairman-647291.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-governor-says-its-not-regulators-job-to-take-decisions-for-bank-boards-647295.html Mumbai Nov 7 Stressing that Indian banks are far more mature today than they were a decade ago RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Friday that the Central Bank does not aim to micromanage things adding that no regulator should substitute for boardroom judgment and each case has to be looked at with merit by a regulated entity Addressing the State Bank of Indias SBI Banking and Economics Conclave here in the financial capital he said regulators need to keep in mind the credit and deposits expansion improved asset quality and profitability along with surge in returns on assets and equityHe further stated that we need to allow the regulated entities to take decisions based on the merits of each caseAccording to Malhotra the role of a regulator is like a gardener and Central Bank also monitors the growth of a plant and prunes unwanted growth to shape a collective orderly beautiful gardenLast month the RBI unveiled 22 measures including allowing banks to finance acquisitions increasing limits on loans against shares and laying out draft norms for transitioning to expected credit loss ECL framework for loan loss provisioningAccording to Malhotra the RBI is aiming to make rulemaking more open driven by data and evidence after due public consultation adding that supervisory actions have enabled effective backstop to moderate or prune unsustainable growth and shape a robust resilient and beautiful banking systemHe further stated that the SBI which is Indias largest public sector lender has transformed from being in loss in 2018 to now becoming a 100 billion company due to the regulatory and structural reformsThe introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code IBC in 2016 and the resolution mechanisms established under the Pursuant Resolution Paradigm through outofcourt workout frameworks have fundamentally transformed Indias credit culture he mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-governor-says-its-not-regulators-job-to-take-decisions-for-bank-boards-647295.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-etfs-attract-record-net-inflows-in-india-add-850-million-in-oct-647305.html Mumbai Nov 7 Indias gold exchangetraded funds ETFs saw 850 million in net inflows in October taking the total to a record 305 billion in 2025 to date the highestever for a single year according to the World Gold Council WGC data October inflows were approximately 6 per cent lower than Septembers 911 million but it marked the secondlargest monthly inflow in AsiaContinued positive flows for the fifth consecutive month took the assets under management AUM to 113 billion as per the dataOverall global gold ETF inflows reached 82 billion in October placing the bullion market set to achieve one of its strongest years on recordIndia ranked third globally in ETF inflows during October following the US with 633 billion and China with 451 billion Japan followed India with 4995 million of inflows while France recorded 312 millionMeanwhile several European markets saw outflows led by the UK with 35 billion followed by Germany and ItalyGlobal gold ETFs total AUM rose 6 per cent monthonmonth to 503 billion by the end of October with total holdings up 1 per cent at 3893 tonnesThe price of 10 grams of 24carat gold slipped to Rs 120231 on Friday according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJA amidst renewed interest in profit bookingTechnically golds key makeorbreak level stands at 3855 while silver is defending the 4670 support zone The gold has support at Rs 119870119280 while resistance is at Rs 121090121600 Silver has support at Rs 146450145750 while resistance is at Rs 148340 149280 said Rahul Kalantri VP Commodities Mehta Equities LtdAnalysts said that the dollar index has eased from its 3month peak and uncertainty around the US government shutdown is driving investors toward safehaven assets Further rising geopolitical tensions are also lending support to the golds rally IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-etfs-attract-record-net-inflows-in-india-add-850-million-in-oct-647305.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/prataprao-jadhav-highlights-people-centric-approach-to-cancer-awareness-integrative-care-647348.html New Delhi Nov 7 Integrative models combining modern oncology with Ayush systems can significantly improve quality of life particularly for the vulnerable sections of society Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said on Friday He emphasised that safeguarding public health requires a proactive and peoplecentric approach to cancer awareness and preventionJadhav noted that the Ministrys expanding initiatives including integrative cancercare centres collaborative research efforts and communityfocused programmes aim to ensure that affordable holistic and supportive care reaches every citizenOn the National Cancer Awareness Day 2025 the Ministry of Ayush highlights the need to strengthen public awareness and early detection efforts as cancer remains the second leading cause of death globallySeveral countries across the world have recorded considerable numbers of oral cervical and breast cancer cases India is placing increased emphasis on education screening and holistic health practices to address the challenge more effectivelyA large share of the cancer burden stems from preventable factors such as tobacco use unhealthy diets obesity physical inactivity alcohol consumption environmental pollutants and HPV infections highlighting the need for stronger awareness and timely action said the ministryEarly detection greatly improves survival particularly for breast cervical and oral cancers that can be identified at more treatable stages through routine screeningWith many cancers preventable and several potentially curable when diagnosed early sustained healthy lifestyle choices remain criticalAvoiding tobacco limiting alcohol eating plantbased diets maintaining a healthy weight staying active and reducing exposure to smoke and pollutants collectively help lower risk and support longterm wellbeing according to the ministryVaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of Ayush highlighted that Indias expanding network of integrative cancercare initiatives reflects the Ministrys commitment to strengthening evidencebased patientcentric solutionsHe noted that Centres of Excellence collaborative research platforms and partnerships with leading institutions such as TMCACTREC Arya Vaidya Sala AIIMS and other reputable organisations are helping advance new therapeutic insights improve symptom management and enhance quality of life for cancer patientsHe added that these initiatives demonstrate the capacity of Ayush systems to complement modern oncology through systematic research trained manpower and clinically validated supportive care IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/prataprao-jadhav-highlights-people-centric-approach-to-cancer-awareness-integrative-care-647348.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-market-recovers-early-losses-amid-buying-in-banking-fin-services-stocks-647372.html Mumbai Nov 7 The domestic equity indices ended the session slightly lower on Friday erasing early losses due to buying in banking and fin services sectors heavyweights in afternoon trade and support from certain positive Q2 results Sensex closed at 8321628 down 9473 points or 011 per cent The 30share index opened marginally lower at 8315015 against last sessions closing of 8331101 The index remained volatile during the session hitting an intraday high and low of 8339011 and 8267095 respectively amid a mixed approach from investorsNifty 50 ended the session on 2549230 down 17 points or 007 per centDomestic equities rebounded from early losses as buying emerged at key support levels though it may be premature to call this a trend reversal amid mixed earnings cautious global cues and persistent FII outflows said analystsSelect segments found support from Q2 results with broader indices outperforming led by a sharp rally in financials especially PSU banks on account of rising investor interest driven by speculation around an FDI cap hike and sector consolidation Going forward markets will closely monitor US shutdown and tariffrelated developments with USIndia and USChina deals to assess the durability of the current momentum he addedBharti Airtel Tech Mahindra Trent HCL Tech Hindustan Unilever ITC SBI TCS Ultratech Cement and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle settled in negative territory Tata Steel Mahindra and Mahindra ICICI Bank BEL Adani Ports Infosys and PowerGrid closed higherSectoral indices remained volatile experiencing a mixed approach from investors Nifty FMCG fell 274 points or 049 per cent and Nifty IT declined 220 points or 062 per cent Meanwhile Nifty Auto rose 153 points or 057 per cent Nifty Bank increased 322 points or 056 per cent and Nifty Fin Services ended the session 205 points or 076 per cent higherThe broader market followed suit as well Nifty smallcap 100 dipped 29 points or 016 per cent and Nifty 100 settled flat and Nifty midcap 100 surged 374 points or 063 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-market-recovers-early-losses-amid-buying-in-banking-fin-services-stocks-647372.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-india-trade-negotiations-may-see-breakthrough-by-november-end-niti-aayog-ceo-647381.html Mumbai Nov 7 NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam on Friday said that the ongoing USIndia trade negotiations may see a breakthrough by the end of the month adding that the country must lift its investment rate to 3536 per cent of the GDP Hopefully by the end of the month we may hear some news on that front he said at a media event here adding that the negotiations are on trackHe said the National Manufacturing Mission will be operational by November proposing sectoral clusters across 15 sectors and 75 locations to establish globallycompetitive manufacturing hubsHe opined that India needs to increase its investment rate to 3536 per cent of the GDP each year to maintain growth of 89 per cent up from the current rate of approximately 3031 per centIndias economic growth positions it as the brightest spot in the global economy he said adding that other nations will be forced to engage with India with its unique strengths of size market depth innovation capacity and talent poolThe NITI Aayog CEO emphasised the need for sustained openness consistency in policy and a strong emphasis on skilling to achieve developednation statusEven if other nations impose tariffs India must stay a worldclass open economy he saidSubrahmanyam emphasised policy priorities labelling the National Manufacturing Mission as the biggest announcement in the last budgetSubrahmanyam stated that foreign investors are increasingly drawn to Indias market and cost competitiveness However he cautioned that reducing bureaucracy is essential to enhance the ease of doing business reiterating the principle of minimum government maximum governanceIf I had just one rupee to invest Id put it on skilling and education he said emphasising the importance of human capital He pointed out that Indian students average six to seven years of schooling compared to 13 to 14 years in South Korea IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-india-trade-negotiations-may-see-breakthrough-by-november-end-niti-aayog-ceo-647381.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cii-meet-to-connect-international-investors-with-indias-most-promising-ventures-647391.html Mumbai Nov 7 The Confederation of Indian Industry CII on Friday said that the upcoming CII MampE Global Investor Meet will connect international investors with Indias most promising ventures through curated oneonone meetings The CII announced the launch of the investor meet at the 12th annual CII BIG Picture Summit to be held on December 12 in MumbaiThe initiative launched in collaboration with WAVES Bazaar aims to unlock the full potential of Indias media and entertainment MampE sector by integrating investment with companies to fuel the next wave of growth according to the Ministry of Information and BroadcastingWAVES Bazaar a leading platform for business networking and project pitching in the MampE sector will integrate its successful B2B meeting format and project showcases featuring initiatives from its existing projects and WAVES Film Bazaar into the CII Marketplace during the summitThe Summit themed The AI Era Bridging Creativity and Commerce will bring together leaders from government and industry to chart a roadmap for the growth and transformation of Indias Media and Entertainment MampE sectorThe Summit is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India Sanjay Jaju Secretary Ministry of Information amp Broadcasting and Gaurav Banerjee MD and CEO Sony Pictures Network India are chairing the SummitThe initiative is set to catalyse both global and domestic investment into Indias rapidly expanding MampE sector covering film streaming gaming animation VFX live entertainment and moreIndias MampE industry despite its rich history has thrived largely on private passion and capital CIIs Investor Meet is a major step to change that said Shibashish Sarkar Chairman of the CII Global MampE Investor SummitFor the first time were bringing global investors and Indian MampE enterprises together in a curated oneonone format This summit is not just a generic expo but a true matchmaking event aimed at showcasing Indian companies as viable exciting investments I see this as the beginning of a journey Sarkar addedThe Summit will also feature participation from WAVEX and WAVES Creatosphere contributing to a dynamic environment for startup collaboration and business growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cii-meet-to-connect-international-investors-with-indias-most-promising-ventures-647391.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-projected-to-touch-94-000-by-2026-end-worst-is-over-for-indian-equities-report-647393.html Mumbai Nov 7 Indian equities are expected to see incremental foreign inflows and recent market movements imply the worst of the underperformance is over presenting an opportunity for diversification away from the global AI rally a report said on Friday We are overweight Indian equities from the Asia perspective with an end2026 index target for Sensex at 94000 according to the report from HSBC Global Investment ResearchAfter underperforming Asia by 30 per cent in the past 12 months we think the worst is over for Indian equities the report said defending its upgrade to overweight IndiaHerald van der Linde CFA Head of Equity Strategy Asia Pacific reported that Indian equities are currently the biggest underweight in global emerging market GEM portfolios and only a quarter of the funds the firm tracked are overweight on IndiaIndia offers a hedge and diversification to those who feel uncomfortable with the ongoing AI rally India is likely to be an outsized beneficiary of any additional money coming into the EM region the report mentionedA potential reduction in US tariffs would likely be a big boost However risks to our upgrade include a delay to the earnings recovery further diversion of global flows into the AI theme and less domestic appetite for equities the report saidThe research firm said that valuations now are not as much of a headwind as they were a year ago adding that the Indian market now offers value compared to Chinese equitiesWe think earnings have bottomed in India and expect to see a broadbased recovery in 2026 Banks were a massive drag on growth this year but as deposits are rolled over margins will expand in the coming quarters the report saidThe technology sector is also likely to experience increasing demand Consumer names including autos are poised to benefit from GST reductions lower inflation and lower interest rates it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-projected-to-touch-94-000-by-2026-end-worst-is-over-for-indian-equities-report-647393.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cpi-inflation-in-october-to-moderate-further-outlook-remains-benign-economists-647401.html New Delhi Nov 7 Based on the trends seen in the movement of essential commodities economists on Friday said that CPI inflation in October is likely to moderate further to 04 per cent06 per cent compared with 15 per cent in September supported also by a favourable base The Bank of Baroda BoB Essential Commodities Index BoB ECI continued to contract and declined by 36 per cent in October and further by 38 per cent in November up to November 6In saying so food inflation has been trending lower largely due to the continued deflation seen in vegetables category specifically TOP tomato onion and potato vegetables This in turn is supported by a significant pickup in mandi arrivals said Aditi Gupta Economist BoBIn fact Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics UPAJ data shows that mandi arrivals of tomato onion and potato are higher by 143 per cent 305 per cent and 231 per cent respectively in the AprilOctober period over the same period last yearA similar trend is expected to persist in the coming months too as the harvesting season sets in This is likely to lend a considerable degree of downward bias to Indias overall inflation outlook Gupta notedIn fact prices of TOP vegetables have seen a sustained fall this year Prices of onion declined by 512 per cent in October marking the strongest pace of contraction since December 2020 Retail prices of tomato also declined sharply by 399 per cent in October compared with a decline of 83 per cent in SeptemberPrices of potatoes too have seen a sustained decline in the last seven months In October retail prices of potato declined by 313 per cent The CPI weighted trajectory for TOP in September based on retail prices have fallen on an aggregate basis by 295 per centAmong other items major pulses have also continued to witness a deflationary trend in October Within this group price of Tur dal has dropped most significantly by 294 per cent the largest decline since January 2018The outlook for inflation also looks benign supported by tailwinds from GST rate rationalisation and lower global commodity prices said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cpi-inflation-in-october-to-moderate-further-outlook-remains-benign-economists-647401.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/100-5g-labs-set-up-across-india-to-boost-6g-research-ecosystem-govt-646930.html New Delhi Nov 5 India has set up 100 5G labs across the country to develop use cases and enhance the 6G research and development ecosystem the Department of Telecommunications DoT said on Wednesday The governments collaborative platform Bharat 6G Alliance has also signed 10 international collaborations with global 6G bodies aiming for a 10 percent share of global 6G patents by 2030 an official statement saidNeeraj Mittal Secretary Telecom made these comments as DoT led the thematic session on Digital Communication at the Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave hereMittal emphasised that is the bedrock of all productive activity and that Indias telecom revolution has a direct bearing on national economic growth adding that India has achieved one of the fastest 5G rollouts globallyThe 100 5G labs will position the nation for leadership in 6G technologies he said Mittal highlighted that the Governments approach to nextgeneration communication is multipronged supporting research and development encouraging domestic manufacturing and building strong bridges between academia industry and governmentHe informed that over 100 RampD projects dedicated to 6G are currently being supported with a focus on advancing Open RAN indigenous chipsets AIbased intelligent networks and regulatory sandboxes to foster innovationThe event featured discussions on private networks and Indias telecom goals from industry leaders and a panel discussion on advancing indigenous technologiesThe panel also explored extending the 5G ecosystem in India advancing indigenous PNT through the NavIC L1 signal and building disruptive technology stacks from D2M to 6GESTIC 2025 took place from November 3 to 5 attracting over 3000 participants from from academia research institutions industry and government along with Nobel laureates eminent scientists innovators and policymakers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/100-5g-labs-set-up-across-india-to-boost-6g-research-ecosystem-govt-646930.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/antimicrobial-peptidescan-curbsalmonella-e-coli-and-helpcombat-amr-study-646933.html New Delhi Nov 5 Antimicrobial peptides can control pathogens like Salmonella and E coli a major cause of foodborne diseases and can also act as an alternative to antibiotics to help combat increasing antimicrobial resistance AMR Antimicrobial peptides which are short chains of amino acids have the potential to kill harmful bacteria without inducing resistance to antibioticsThe findings show that antimicrobial peptides have the potential to improve food safety and protect public health without relying on antibiotic useAntimicrobial peptides have the potential to be alternatives to antibiotics and thereby could mitigate antibiotic resistance said corresponding study author Gireesh Rajashekara Professor at College of Veterinary Medicine University of Illinois UrbanaChampaignThese peptides not only can kill Salmonella but also other related bacterial pathogens such as E coli so they could be really valuable in controlling a broad range of pathogens he addedThe researchers conducted their study to identify antibiotic alternatives to control Salmonella in chickensSalmonella is one of the major causes of foodborne illnesses in the US and chickens and chicken products eggs and meat have been considered the main vehicles of Salmonella infection in humansIn the new study published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum researchers identified a set of antimicrobial peptides that could kill many different types of Salmonella in test tubes then showed they could also kill Salmonella in chickensThe antibacterial activity of the peptides is likely due to their effect on Salmonella membranes The researchers said the peptides retain their activity upon exposure to heat and protease treatments characteristics necessary for the use of antimicrobial products in the poultry industryWe identified 2 antimicrobial peptides that kill many different types of Salmonella and also reduce Salmonella load in chickens Rajashekara saidThe expert noted that their next step is to test these peptides in chickens on a large scale optimise their delivery in water andor feed understand better how they kill Salmonella and explore more peptides like these for their antiSalmonella activity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/antimicrobial-peptidescan-curbsalmonella-e-coli-and-helpcombat-amr-study-646933.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/science-rampd-advanced-materials-key-pillars-for-viksit-bharat-2047-csir-646944.html New Delhi Nov 5 Science research and development and advanced materials are the key pillars for Viksit Bharat 2047 said Dr Mrs N Kalaiselvi Director General Council of Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR on Wednesday Speaking at the technical session hosted by CSIR on Day 3 of the Empowering Science Technology and Innovation Conclave ESTIC 2025 in the national capital Kalaiselvi highlighted Indias advancements in advanced materials and manufacturingDuring the plenary session Kalaiselvi featured a diverse range of discussions on how advanced materials are redefining product realization industrial design and sustainabilityBreakthroughs in materials science clean energy biotechnology and emerging technologies will shape the countrys growth trajectory With CSIR and Indias premier scientific institutions leading cuttingedge research India is laying the foundation for a technologically empowered selfreliant and innovationdriven future she saidKalaiselvi added that ESTIC 2025 serves as an impactful platform where ideas science and advanced technologies intersect accelerating the realisation of a futureready and knowledgepowered BharatProf Giridhar Udapi Rao Kulkarni Former President JNCASR Bengaluru explained how the world is moving from matter to materials from raw elements to engineered structures designed with precision performance and purposeFrom semiconductors and composites to smart polymers advanced materials are unlocking nextgeneration technologies and realworld products powering Indias transformation from a Stone Age mindset to the Age of Technology Kulkarni saidWith nanoscale precision shape control and dimensional engineering scientific innovation can drive manufacturing breakthroughs that accelerate Indias vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 encapsulated in the continuum science that will lead to innovation manufacturing and then the product he addedThe session brought together leading scientists innovators and entrepreneurs to discuss transformative technologies shaping the nations innovation ecosystemESTIC 2025 with the theme Imagine Innovate Inspire has brought over 3000 participants from academia research institutions industry and government along with Nobel laureates eminent scientists innovators and policymakers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/science-rampd-advanced-materials-key-pillars-for-viksit-bharat-2047-csir-646944.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mahindras-commercial-ev-manufacturer-surpasses-3-lakh-sales-milestone-646947.html New Delhi Nov 5 Subsidiary of Mahindra amp Mahindra Ltd Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Ltd informed on Wednesday that it has sold over 3 lakh electric commercial vehicles and claimed it is the first original equipment manufacturer in India to achieve this milestone The company also reported that it sold 1 lakh vehicles in just 12 monthsMahindras fleet of electric vehicles including the Treo range Zor Grand eAlfa threewheelers and Mahindra ZEO fourwheeler which have collectively covered over 5 billion kilometres and offset more than 185 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to planting over 43 million trees the company saidThrough its early focus on EVs and concerted efforts to electrify the last mile mobility MLMML has been continuously working with multiple partners to develop the ecosystem thereby increasing customer adoptionThrough continuous innovation and incorporating customer feedback MLMML launched new and upgraded products in the last couple of years such as the Treo Plus sheet metal eAlfa Plus Zor Grand Range Plus and Mahindra ZEOWe are not just manufacturing EVs we are enabling livelihoods and shaping a cleaner future Through innovationdriven products we continue to strengthen our commitment to making electric mobility practical and accessible to everyone said Suman Mishra Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra Last Mile MobilityMLMML added that its customerfocused UDAY NXT programme offers benefits such as a Rs 20 Lakh driver accidental insurance cover and financial counsellingMLMML said that it recently introduced the refreshed NEMO platform on iOS Android and Web which enables drivers and fleet managers to remotely manage and monitor their vehiclesKey new features include multivehicle management within a single app geotracking service booking roadside assistance RSA extensive charging network locations and more the company noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mahindras-commercial-ev-manufacturer-surpasses-3-lakh-sales-milestone-646947.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-post-mild-gains-amid-positive-global-cues-647001.html Mumbai Nov 6 Indian benchmark indices opened in green on Thursday amid positive global cues led by gains in automobile stocks As of 925 am the Sensex was up 324 points or 039 per cent at 83783 and the Nifty edged up 67 points or 026 per cent to 25664The broadcap indices performed in contrast with benchmarks with the Nifty Midcap 100 down 010 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 losing 024 per centAsian Paints SBI LampT NTPC were among the major gainers in the Nifty Pack while losers included Hindalco Shriram Finance Bajaj Finance Apollo Hospitals and Dr Reddys LabsAmong sectoral indices except for Nifty Media Nifty Metal and Financial Services all indices were in the green Nifty Auto was the major gainer up 091 per cent while FMCG gained 077 per cent Nifty Metal lost 101 per centIndia Incs secondquarter FY26 earnings season delivered a strongerthananticipated performance with a 14 per cent yearonyear earnings rise by companies in key sectors especially midcapsBrokerages noted that earnings upgrades outpaced downgrades after several quarters indicating rising confidence in corporate profitabilityAnalysts expect the resumption of sustained selling by FIIs and increasing FII short positions to weigh on markets for the near termThe holiday on Wednesday shielded the Indian market from mild turbulence in global markets The US Supreme Courts hearing on Donald Trump tariffs will be in focus for the markets in the coming days Observations by some judges that President Trump had overstepped his authority is a significant development said Dr VK Vijayakumar Chief Investment Strategist Geojit Investments LimitedIf the final verdict is on these lines markets would be volatile with emerging markets especially India rallying smartly he addedAnalysts placed immediate resistance at 25700 followed by 25450 and 25800 On the downside support levels are identified at 25450 and 25500The US markets ended in the green zone overnight as Nasdaq added 046 per cent the SampP 500 moved up 017 per cent and the Dow lost 048 per centMost of the Asian markets were trading in the green during the morning session While Chinas Shanghai index added 088 per cent and Shenzhen inched up 139 per cent Japans Nikkei advanced 145 per cent while Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index added 169 per cent South Koreas Kospi added 158 per centOn the last trading session on Tuesday foreign institutional investors FIIs sold equities worth Rs 1883 crore while domestic institutional investors DIIs were net buyers of equities for the seventh straight session purchasing shares worth Rs 3516 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-post-mild-gains-amid-positive-global-cues-647001.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ola-electric-posts-rs-418-crore-net-profit-loss-in-q2-revenue-slips-43-pc-647027.html New Delhi Nov 6 Bhavish Aggarwalrun Ola Electric Mobility Ltd reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 418 crore for the JulySeptember period Q2 FY26 its exchange filing said on Thursday as revenue slipped Revenue from operations dropped 43 per cent yearonyear to Rs 690 crore in Q2 FY26 down from Rs 1214 crore in Q2 FY25 indicating a substantial decline in sales for the quarterHowever the electric twowheeler makers operating EBITDA loss narrowed to Rs 203 crore during the quarter from Rs 379 crore a year earlier indicating improved cost efficiencyThe companys auto segment delivered an EBITDA margin at 03 per cent by reducing Auto operating expense from Rs 308 crore to Rs 258 crore onquarter the release saidAfter the announcements of the results Ola Electrics stock fell to Rs 494 on the NSE down 66 paise during intraday trade posting a decline of 132 per cent from the previous closeFor the Auto segment we expect lower volumes than the Q1 guidance as we continue to focus on margin and cash discipline in a hyper competitive market the company said in its filingFor H2 FY26 Ola Electric targets total deliveries of approximately 100000 units This moderation in unit volumes will be complemented by volumes from its new vertical beginning in Q4 the company addedThe company recorded sales of 16034 escooters in October marking a 61 per cent decline from 41843 units sold in the same month last year according to data from the governments Vahan portalOn a fullyear basis we now expect FY26 consolidated revenue of around Rs 3000 Rs 3200 crore reflecting a balanced focus on profitability over volumes the company saidThe auto segment will continue to improve QoQ profitability We expect to exit Q4 with Auto gross margins around 40 per cent and segment EBITDA of around 5 per cent it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ola-electric-posts-rs-418-crore-net-profit-loss-in-q2-revenue-slips-43-pc-647027.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-throws-open-booth-bookings-for-startups-in-waves-bazaar-at-iffi-goa-2025-647049.html New Delhi Nov 6 The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the opening of bookings for WaveX booths the exclusive startup showcase zone in Waves Bazaar at the International Film Festival of India IFFI Goa 2025 according to an official statement issued on Thursday The initiative aims to provide a platform for emerging startups in the AVGCXR Animation Visual Effects Gaming Comics and Extended Reality and entertainment sectors to connect with global industry leaders investors and production studiosScheduled from November 2024 2025 WAVES Bazar will be located in the vicinity of Film Bazaar the prime networking hub of IFFI known for its dynamic participation from filmmakers producers and media professionals from across the worldEach booth will be available at a nominal cost of Rs 30000 per stall on sharing basis The facilities being provided to participating startups include two delegate passes lunch and high tea evening networking opportunity and direct visibility among global film media and tech professionals the statement saidInterested startups can register at wavexwavesbazaarcom Limited stalls are available and allocation will be on a firstcome firstserved basis the statement addedWaveX is a national startup accelerator and incubation initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dedicated to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the AVGCXR and mediatech ecosystemThrough collaborations with leading academic industry and incubation networks WaveX empowers creators and startups to scale their ventures contributing to Indias growing creative economyThe International Film Festival of India IFFI founded in 1952 is one of Asias most significant film festivals celebrating excellence in world cinema and serving as a meeting ground for filmmakers artists and cine enthusiasts Held annually in Goa IFFI attracts participation from across the global film fraternity and acts as a catalyst for creative collaboration and opportunitiesThe 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India IFFI is set to take place from 20th to 28th November 2025 in Panaji Goa the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-throws-open-booth-bookings-for-startups-in-waves-bazaar-at-iffi-goa-2025-647049.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-solar-module-manufacturing-capacity-set-to-touch-165-gw-by-march-2027-647053.html Mumbai Nov 6 Indias solar photovoltaic module manufacturing capacity is projected to increase to over 165 GW by March 2027 up from approximately 109 GW currently a report said on Thursday The strong government support in the form of the approved list of models and manufacturers ALMM basic customs duty on imported cells and modules and the productionlinked incentive scheme drove the growth the report from ratings agency ICRA saidThe report forecasts annual solar capacity installations at 4550 gigawatt direct current GWdc while annual module production is expected to reach 6065 GW and this discrepancy may lead to a supply surplus potentially prompting consolidation among smaller and pureplay module playersThe ALMM ListII for cells effective June 2026 has encouraged OEMs to increase cell manufacturing to approximately 100 GW by December 2027 up from the current 179 GW listed under ALMM the report notedFurther the recent imposition of US tariffs have redirected the supply from the export market to the domestic market it notedHowever the report anticipated that the vertically integrated manufacturers will benefit over the long term due to greater control over the supply chainAnkit Jain Vice President and CoGroup HeadCorporate Ratings ICRA said that operating profitability for domestic solar OEMs at 25 per cent in FY25 is likely to moderate due to competitive pressures and overcapacity buildupAs the ALMM requirement for solar cells is effective from June 2026 a significant scaleup in the cell manufacturing capacity along with its stabilisation in a timely manner remains critical in the near term he addedDependence on China for wafers ingots poses significant risks for the industrys transition given Chinas dominance in global supply and the potential geopolitical restrictions for backward integration the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-solar-module-manufacturing-capacity-set-to-touch-165-gw-by-march-2027-647053.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sbi-to-divest-63-pc-stake-in-sbi-funds-management-limited-via-ipo-647072.html New Delhi Nov 6 State Bank of India SBI on Thursday announced to divest 32060000 equity shares or 63007 per cent of the total equity capital of SBI Funds Management Limited SBIFML through initial public offering IPO Additionally Amundi India Holding the other promoter of SBIFML will divest 18830000 equity shares being equivalent to 37006 per cent of the total equity capital of SBIFML with a total of 100013 per cent stake comprising 50890000 shares to be listed according to its stock exchange filingSBI Funds Management Limited SBIFML will be the third subsidiary of SBI to be listed after SBI Cards and SBI Life Insurance Considering SBIFMLs sustained strong performance and market leadership over the years it is considered an opportune time to launch the IPO process said SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu SettyApart from maximising value realisation for existing stakeholders the IPO will create opportunities for general shareholders broaden market participation and lead to increased awareness of the products among a wider set of potential investors he addedBoth the promoters of SBIFML have jointly initiated the IPO which is expected to be completed in 2026 Indias largest public sector lender stated in the filingValerie Baudson Chief Executive Officer of Amundi stated Over the years SBI Funds Management Limited has established itself as the leader in Indias asset management industry It has grown successfully leveraging on the powerful distribution capacity of SBIs network in India combined with Amundis global expertise in asset managementEarlier SBI reported a 64 per cent yearonyear YoY increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 2150449 crore for the second quarter Q2 of FY26 as compared to Rs 2021962 crore in the same period last financial year Q2 FY25The difference between interest earned and interest paid or the banks net interest income NII increased 328 per cent year over year to Rs 42984 crore from Rs 41620 crore in the same quarter of the previous yearAccording to its earlier regulatory filing its domestic net interest margin NIM fell to 309 per cent 18 basis points lower than it was a year ago at 327 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sbi-to-divest-63-pc-stake-in-sbi-funds-management-limited-via-ipo-647072.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ola-electric-posts-rs-418-crore-net-loss-in-q2-revenue-slips-43-pc-647086.html New Delhi Nov 6 Bhavish Aggarwalrun Ola Electric Mobility Ltd reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 418 crore for the JulySeptember period Q2 FY26 its exchange filing said on Thursday as revenue slipped Revenue from operations dropped 43 per cent yearonyear to Rs 690 crore in Q2 FY26 down from Rs 1214 crore in Q2 FY25 indicating a substantial decline in sales for the quarterHowever the electric twowheeler makers operating EBITDA loss narrowed to Rs 203 crore during the quarter from Rs 379 crore a year earlier indicating improved cost efficiencyThe companys auto segment delivered an EBITDA margin at 03 per cent by reducing Auto operating expense from Rs 308 crore to Rs 258 crore onquarter the release saidAfter the announcements of the results Ola Electrics stock fell to Rs 494 on the NSE down 66 paise during intraday trade posting a decline of 132 per cent from the previous closeFor the Auto segment we expect lower volumes than the Q1 guidance as we continue to focus on margin and cash discipline in a hyper competitive market the company said in its filingFor H2 FY26 Ola Electric targets total deliveries of approximately 100000 units This moderation in unit volumes will be complemented by volumes from its new vertical beginning in Q4 the company addedThe company recorded sales of 16034 escooters in October marking a 61 per cent decline from 41843 units sold in the same month last year according to data from the governments Vahan portalOn a fullyear basis we now expect FY26 consolidated revenue of around Rs 3000 Rs 3200 crore reflecting a balanced focus on profitability over volumes the company saidThe auto segment will continue to improve QoQ profitability We expect to exit Q4 with Auto gross margins around 40 per cent and segment EBITDA of around 5 per cent it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ola-electric-posts-rs-418-crore-net-loss-in-q2-revenue-slips-43-pc-647086.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/godrej-properties-net-profit-falls-32-pc-sequentially-to-rs-403-crore-in-q2-647092.html Mumbai Nov 6 Godrej Properties Limiteds consolidated profit after tax PAT for the second quarter of the current financial year Q2 FY26 dropped 32 per cent sequentially to Rs 40299 crore as compared to Rs 59840 crore in the previous quarter Q1 FY26 according to an exchange filing on Thursday The real estate firms revenue from operations for the quarter under review rose 70 per cent quarteronquarter QoQ to Rs 74038 crore from Rs 43456 crore in the AprilJune period Q1 FY26In contrast revenue from operations declined nearly 32 per cent yearonyear YoY from Rs 109323 crore while and PAT jumped nearly 21 per cent from Rs 33379 crore in the same period a year ago Q2 FY25Receiving RERA approval for our Worli project marks an important step forward in our development timeline The location offers a rare combination of scale connectivity and visibility said Gaurav Pandey MD amp CEO Godrej Properties said Gaurav Pandey MD and CEO Godrej PropertiesThis project further strengthens GPLs presence in South Mumbai and aligns with our strategy of acquiring and developing highpotential urban land parcels We will aim to deliver a landmark development that offers its residents an outstanding quality of life he addedThe company informed that it has received the project registration certificate from the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority MahaRERA for its upcoming residential development Godrej Trilogy located in Worli MumbaiThis is part of a joint development to redevelop a prime land parcel in one of the citys most coveted neighbourhoods The development will comprise three towers to be developed on a 263acre plot The gross estimated revenue potential of the total project is over Rs 10000 crore the company said in its exchange filingFollowing the development the shares of Godrej Properties fell over 3 per cent in intraday trade to hit an intraday low at Rs 218660 At around 336 pm the stock was trading at Rs 222610 down 293 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/godrej-properties-net-profit-falls-32-pc-sequentially-to-rs-403-crore-in-q2-647092.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kfc-operator-devyani-international-slips-into-losses-sequentially-by-rs-239-crore-in-q2-647110.html Mumbai Nov 6 Devyani International Limited the operator of popular quick service restaurant QSR brands like KFC and Pizza Hut on Thursday slipped into losses by Rs 239 crore in Q2 FY26 on the sequential basis from Rs 22 crore profit in the previous quarter this fiscal Q1 FY26 On the yearonyear basis the losses widened by a massive 367 per cent from the loss of Rs 49 crore in the same quarter last fiscal Q2 FY25 as per its stock exchange filingThe company attributed the losses to outofhome consumption getting impacted due to both Shraavana and Navaratri falling in the same quarter according to the exchange filing on ThursdayFurther unseasonal rains especially in eastern parts of the country during the crucial second half of September also weighed down on the gainsThe companys consolidated revenues grew to Rs 1377 crore posting a 13 per cent YoY growth The revenue surge was fuelled by the opening of 263 new outlets in the past year bringing the total store count to 2184 unitsThe company posted Rs 5723 crore revenues from KFC India up 53 per cent YoYThe EBITDA margin fell to 141 per cent in the second quarter down from 163 per cent a year earlier due in part to losses from its acquisition of Sky Gate Hospitality the parent company of Biryani by KiloIt also cited declining demand and strong competition from local restaurants as reasons for the downturn noting that urban consumption is just starting to recover after a period of slow growthThe company in April had announced tieups with three international brands New York Fries Tealive and Sanook Kitchen to strengthen its overall portfolioThe company announced that it saw strong momentum in the business revenue from Biryani By Kilo and Goila Butter Chicken from Skygate portfolio post Dussehra It added that integration of Skygate with DIL remains on track and remain poised to achieve brand contribution breakeven by March 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kfc-operator-devyani-international-slips-into-losses-sequentially-by-rs-239-crore-in-q2-647110.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-equity-indices-end-lower-amid-selling-in-broader-markets-647113.html Mumbai Nov 6 The domestic equity indices closed lower on Thursday amid selling in broader markets and continued FII outflows Selling pressure in banking Financial Services and FMCG heavyweights dragged the market sentiment as wellSensex ended the session at 8331101 down 14814 points or 018 per cent The 30share index started the session in green at 8351669 against last days closing of 8345915 However the index fell due to selling in banking Financial Services and broader marketsNifty closed at 2550970 down 8795 points or 034 per centVolatility dominated the domestic market with broadbased profit booking seen amid continued FII outflows despite a supportive Asian market Early optimism from the inclusion of four Indian companies in the MSCI Global Standard Index and strong US macro data was offset by weak domestic PMI readings indicating softening sentiment said Vinod Nair Head of Research Geojit Investments LimitedMost sectors traded lower though IT stocks remained resilient supported by inline earnings and improvement in US macro data Amid overall caution selective buying emerged in fundamentally strong companies due to betterthanexpected Q2 earningsFrom the Sensex basket PowerGrid Eternal BEL Bajaj Finance ICICI Bank Titan NTPC Tata Steel Bharati Airtel Kotak Bank LampT and Bajaj FinServ were the top losers Asian Paint Mahindra and Mahindra TCS Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle ended the session in positive territoryThe majority of sectoral indices fell amid selling pressure Nifty Fin Services slipped 162 points or 060 per cent Nifty Bank decreased 272 points or 047 per cent and Nifty FMCG closed 103 points or 019 per cent down Meanwhile Nifty IT and Nifty Auto ended the session slightly upBroader followed the suit as well Nifty Small Cap 100 fell 255 points or 139 per cent Nifty Midcap 100 dipped 568 points or 095 per cent and Nifty 100 ended the session 129 points or 049 per cent lower IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-equity-indices-end-lower-amid-selling-in-broader-markets-647113.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/crypto-exchange-dunamu-faces-243-million-fine-over-customer-identification-violation-647115.html Seoul Nov 6 South Koreas financial watchdog on Thursday slapped a fine of 352 billion won 243 million on Dunamu the operator of the countrys top cryptocurrency exchange Upbit for violating customer identification obligations The Financial Intelligence Unit FIU under the Financial Services Commission said Dunamu did not comply with its obligations to verify the identities of users in about 53 million cases and committed other violations including failing to report 15 suspicious transactions reports Yonhap news agencyIn particular the company accepted photocopies or rephotographed image files of user portraits in which their identities could not be fully verified instead of requiring original documentsThere were also cases in which the address field of the customer identification documents was left blank or contained inaccurate or irrelevant information according to the FIUIn addition Dunamu violated its obligation to restrict transactions by users whose verification process had not been completed in 33 million casesWe have completed protective measures for investors and will make efforts to prevent a recurrence of such violations Dunamu said in a releaseThe FIU will give Dunamu 10 days to submit its opinion before finalising the fineEarlier in the day KT Corp South Koreas secondlargest mobile carrier was found to have concealed critical malware infections and failed to report the security breaches that led to a recent hacking and data theft incident a governmentled investigation revealedThe joint governmentprivate investigation team which is examining KTs recent cyberattack linked to illegal micro base stations said the company learned between March and July of 2024 that 43 of its servers had been infected with socalled BPFDoor malware and other malicious codeDespite detecting the infections which exposed customer data the company did not notify authorities and instead attempted to handle the issue internally according to the teamBPFDoor malware enables remote attackers to bypass firewalls and maintain longterm access to compromised systems It was also used in a separate hacking case involving industry leader SK Telecom Co reported earlier this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/crypto-exchange-dunamu-faces-243-million-fine-over-customer-identification-violation-647115.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cromptons-q2-net-profit-falls-41-pc-to-rs-75-crore-647128.html Mumbai Nov 6 Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited on Thursday reported a 41 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in its consolidated net profit for the JulySeptember period Q2 FY26 at Rs 7542 crore The electrical goods manufacturer had posted a profit of Rs 12807 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago Q2 FY25The companys total revenue for the quarter under review stood at Rs 192896 crore up 154 crore YoY from Rs 191353 crore Sequentially the total revenue dropped over 93 crore or 46 per cent from Rs 202205 crore and net profit fell 39 per cent from Rs 12390 crore in the previous quarter Q1 FY26Meanwhile the Mumbaibased firms total expenses for Q2 FY26 declined significantly to Rs 2678 crore from Rs 4267 crore in Q2 FY25 and Rs 4219 crore in Q1 FY26Electrical consumer durables contributed the most Rs 137116 crore to its total revenue this quarter followed by butterfly products Rs 28335 crore and lighting products Rs 26106 croreDespite a challenging environment our welldiversified product portfolio remained resilient with strong momentum in pumps small domestic and kitchen appliances We believe GST 20 will act as a structural catalyst to consumption with benefits percolating to the durables segment in a phased manner said Promeet Ghosh MD and CEO of the companyDuring the current quarter the solar rooftop business secured its 1st ever order of Rs 52 crore followed by the largestever order of Rs 445 crore cumulating to a total of Rs 500 crore and 50000 units he addedThese orders are expected to provide a significant fillip to our directtoconsumer business and mark the beginning of a new growth engine backed by the companys proven excellence in execution and a robust supply chain network Ghosh said furtherThe shares of the company closed lower on Thursday following subdued Q2 earnings The stock closed at Rs 27755 down 201 per cent on NSE IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cromptons-q2-net-profit-falls-41-pc-to-rs-75-crore-647128.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/vibrant-aquatic-and-reptile-life-thrives-along-and-beneath-iconic-grasslands-of-assams-kaziranga-national-park-647129.html Guwahati Nov 6 Beneath and along the iconic grasslands of Assams Kaziranga National Park Indias seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site thrives a vibrant world of fish frogs and reptiles showcasing the parks rich biodiversity Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh on Thursday said that a rapid survey conducted by the Kaziranga Park authority has revealed a rich assemblage of 77 species of freshwater fish forming a major share of Assams 216 indigenous fishes and contributing to the Northeasts remarkable diversity of 422 native fish speciesThe park also supports 108 species of amphibians and reptiles far exceeding the 70plus herpetofauna recorded from other parts of the state and adding to the 274plus herpetofaunal species known from the northeastThe survey was conducted between July and September this year in collaboration with scientists and researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India WII Ghosh saidShe noted that the unique species and richness of native species of fish and herpetofauna indicate that Kaziranga is providing a pristine habitat to wild faunaThe diversity of amphibians and reptiles in turn also serves as key indicators of ecosystem health that play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance the senior Indian Forest Service IFS official said adding that the surveys although rapidly undertaken mark a significant step toward deepening ecological understanding of this UNESCO World Heritage siteShe said that the reports were released along with other publications such as the annual report of the KNPTR and a Poetry Collection by Dr Tapti Baruah Kashyap in a ceremonial event earlier this week at Kohora Convention Centre by Assams Environment Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan PatowaryAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media and posted a video along with a message lauding the dedicated work of the Forest Departments officers and frontline staff of the KNPTRKaziranga National Park a vibrant emblem of Assams natural heritage Nestled in the heart of unique wilderness this forest thrives with an extraordinary diversity of rare species It is heartening to note that a recent survey has identified 108 species of herpetofauna here representing a significant share of the 274 species of amphibians and reptiles found across Northeast India This achievement reflects the sustained conservation efforts of our government and the dedicated work of the forest departments officers and frontline staff who continue to safeguard this invaluable ecosystem he saidReferring to the fish survey report the KNPTR Director said that a total of 44 fish species belonging to 18 families were recorded with Cyprinidae and Danionidae emerging as the most dominant families When combined with earlier research Kazirangas overall ichthyofaunal diversity stands at 77 unique species reaffirming its status as a key refuge for freshwater biodiversity in the Brahmaputra basinThe report underscores the ecological importance of fish in sustaining nutrient cycles food webs and habitat connectivity while supporting species such as otters fishing cats and waterbirdsIt also highlights threats from climate change siltation hydrological changes and unregulated fishing calling for longterm monitoring and stronger conservation measuresKazirangas aquatic systems are as vital as its grasslands and forests reaffirming the parks role as a living laboratory for freshwater biodiversity and a model for integrated wetland and floodplain managementGhosh said that the Herpetofauna survey report presents the findings of the diversity of amphibians and reptiles collectively known as herpetofauna in and around Kaziranga The study was carried out jointly by forest officials frontline staff scientists and researchers reflecting a coordinated effort to document and understand Kazirangas herpetofaunal diversity The survey recorded 31 species of herpetofauna comprising 17 amphibians and 14 reptiles belonging to 19 genera and 14 families Amphibians were found to be most abundant along forest trails and stream habitats while reptiles showed greater richness in stream zonesIn addition to the visual survey the study included AIbased passive acoustic monitoring to capture amphibian calls in potential breeding habitats This noninvasive bioacoustic approach helped document species richness patterns across different habitat types and demonstrated the effectiveness of acoustic methods for amphibian monitoringThe report consolidates both new and historical records bringing the total checklist of herpetofaunal species in Kaziranga to 108 including threatened species such as the King Cobra Ophiophagushannah Assam Roofed Turtle Pangshura Sylhetensis and Asian Brown Tortoise Manouriaemys including the rare Striped caecilian Chiromantisassamensis VU Cyrtodactylus Kaziranga Ensis DD found only in Kaziranga Nilssonianigricans CR and Varanusflavescens EN IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/vibrant-aquatic-and-reptile-life-thrives-along-and-beneath-iconic-grasslands-of-assams-kaziranga-national-park-647129.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bitcoin-tumbles-below-100-000-amid-global-market-sell-off-646875.html Mumbai Nov 5 Bitcoin prices fell sharply on Wednesday briefly dipping below the 100000 mark amid heavy selling in the spot market The fall came as part of a broader global selloff in risk assets with investors increasingly worried about overvalued markets and fading risk appetiteThe worlds largest cryptocurrency dropped 37 per cent to trade at 101822 after touching an intraday low of 9901006 its weakest level since midJuneOther major digital assets also traded lower with Ethereum sliding 676 per cent to 333165 Solana down 316 per cent at 15766 XRP declining 316 per cent to 224 and Dogecoin slipping 147 per cent to 0165Bitcoin has now officially entered bear market territory falling more than 20 per cent from its record high of 126186 reached in early OctoberAccording to data from analytics firm CoinGlass more than 127 billion worth of leveraged crypto positions were liquidated earlier this week most of them being long positions as traders betting on further price gains faced steep lossesIn total nearly 2 billion in crypto positions were wiped out in the past 24 hours although the scale was smaller compared to the 19 billion liquidations seen during last months crashReports suggest that open interest in Bitcoin futures remains subdued while options traders are increasingly betting on further downside with several targeting the 80000 level through put contractsThe latest slide in Bitcoin coincided with weakness across global equity markets Fears of an artificial intelligencedriven bubble in tech valuations and concerns about stretched stock prices sparked broad selling on Wall StreetOn Tuesday the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 25144 points or 053 per cent to 4708524 The SampP 500 declined 8042 points or 117 per cent to 677155 while the Nasdaq Composite plunged 48609 points or 204 per cent to close at 2334864Analysts said the correction in crypto mirrors the growing caution across global markets as investors brace for a potential pullback after months of rapid gains driven by optimism over AI and digital assets IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bitcoin-tumbles-below-100-000-amid-global-market-sell-off-646875.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/a-three-day-journey-into-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-journey-2025-schedule-released-647136.html Moscow Nov 6 The organisers have released the schedule of AI Journey 2025 the 10th International Conference coorganised with the participation of AI Alliance Russia Keynote speakers will include leading experts and visionaries from the global AI community who will showcase an innovative perspective on technology development Presentations are scheduled from experts representing Russia China India Serbia Brazil Bahrain the USA Malaysia and other countriesAlexander Vedyakhin First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board Sberbank said The anniversary conference retains all the best traditions of AI Journey prominent names from the world of artificial intelligence relevant agendas announcements of topnotch designs and international networking in a hybrid format This years program focuses on technology innovation and use cases that demonstrate the potential of generative AI to multiply human capabilities for businesses and society I invite every AI enthusiast to join AI Journey a platform where insights are born and the technological future of the planet is shapedThe first day of the conference November 19 will focus on the use of generative artificial intelligence GenAI in both daily life and national development Sessions include debunking myths about the electricity of the 21st century demonstrations of solutions for everyday tasks and talk shows exploring the global impact of technology on the planet and societyNovember 20 will focus on AI use in economic sectors and business processes The day will start with a speech by First Deputy Chairman Vedyakhin Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin was also invited to participate in the opening Following this Andrey Belevtsev Senior Vice President and head of Sberbanks Technological Development will discuss market trends and new solutions developed at Sberbank Highlights include presentations by keynote speakers from partner technology companies notably Chen Qiufan a renowned Chinese science fiction writer President of the World Chinese Science Fiction Writers Association and coauthor of the bestseller AI 2041 He will deliver a lecture titled The Future of AI From Fiction to Reality Significant events of the day include the second international business forum of BRICS countries on AI a session of the AI Alliance and the award ceremony for recipients of the national AI Leaders prize for contributions to the development of artificial intelligenceOn the same day the special offline track AIJ Deep Dive will commence Running on November 2021 it will include presentations by top AI experts from Russia and around the globe talks by research centres highlighting groundbreaking scientific articles pitch sessions by leading Russian AI startups and presentations of business solutions based on GenAI and multiagent approachesOn November 21st designated as the Day of Artificial Intelligence in Science the event will be opened by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko and Belevtsev One of the key events of the day will be the summary of the AI Horizons foresight sessions which took place in various countries worldwide in 2025 under the auspices of AI Alliance Network an international artificial intelligence alliance The days programme will feature presentations by researchers from around the world Ajith Abraham from Sai University India will speak on Generative AI in Healthcare Nebojsa Bacanin Dzakula from Singidunum University Serbia will discuss the latest advances in bioinspired metaheuristics Alexandre Ferreira Ramos from the University of Sao Paulo Brazil will present a study on transcriptional control regulatory logic at the DNA level using thermodynamic models Anderson Rocha from the University of Campinas Brazil will deliver a speech titled Revolution of Convergence Artificial Intelligence Nanotechnology Biotechnology IoT Robotics and BeyondOn Science Day AIJ will traditionally host AIJ Junior a unique youth track Russian professionals will share handson advice on using AI solutions for learning creativity and selfdevelopment Additionally interviews with winners of international competitions in artificial intelligence and the exact sciences will inspire young audiences to seek new opportunities for growth in this fieldTo conclude the day the conference will honour the winners of the AI Challenge for young data researchers the AIJ Contest for experienced AI specialists and unveil the results of the open selection of scientific papers for AIJ Science The best works will be published in a scientific journal issued jointly with the Russian Academy of Sciences and the best article will receive a monetary awardThe conference will be streamed live on the website in Russian English and Arabic with simultaneous interpretation into Russian Sign Language accompanying the main stage broadcast IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/a-three-day-journey-into-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-journey-2025-schedule-released-647136.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nasscomfoundation-ondc-todigitallyempower-200women-ledbusinesses-in-karnataka-646883.html Bengaluru Nov 5 Nasscom Foundation on Wednesday announced a collaboration with the ONDC Network to enable women entrepreneurs in Karnataka to join the mainstream of ecommerce Under the partnership Nasscom onboarded 200 womenled enterprises on the ONDC Network providing them with access to expansive ecommerce markets enabling new entrepreneurial opportunities and accelerating business growth for IndiaWith a focus on sustainability the initiative also supported sellers from sectors such as handicrafts handloom and manufacturing helping them increase incomes and improve longterm business outcomesIndias ecommerce market is slated to surpass the US to become the second largest globally by 2034 as per many industry reports Yet many small and medium sellers still lack the digital expertise needed to thrive in this space limiting their growth opportunities a scenario which is more skewed for women said Jyoti Sharma CEO Nasscom FoundationOur collaboration with ONDC Network has helped bridge the digital divide by building capacities and empowering 200 women entrepreneurs to seamlessly enter and thrive in online marketplaces By harnessing technology and skill development we have provided them with a level playing field and access to sustainable market linkages to ultimately drive economic growth she addedThe initiative has been implemented across 22 districts of Karnataka including rural and urban regions of Bengaluru Mysuru Hubballi Channapatna Belgaum Udupi etcIt addresses the significant challenges faced by women entrepreneurs including limited market access lack of digital and financial skills and no prior ecommerce experienceAs part of the initiative women entrepreneurs received onground support through training cataloguing and GST registrationThe programme also built their capacities connected them with stakeholders and ensured regular governance for problemsolving and quality controlThrough the right tools skills and resources the initiative equipped women entrepreneurs with essential tools to compete in the modern business landscape amplifying their market presence and driving sustainable growthEvery woman entrepreneur carries a story of resilience determination and aspiration Through this collaboration with Nasscom Foundation ONDC Network is providing the digital infrastructure that enables enterprises to access wider markets and strengthen their businesses The true transformation lies in the way these women are adopting digital tools building new skills and embracing new opportunities to grow their ventures said Vibhor Jain Acting CEO and COO at ONDC IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nasscomfoundation-ondc-todigitallyempower-200women-ledbusinesses-in-karnataka-646883.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-energy-solutions-to-supply-60-mw-green-energy-to-textile-manufacturer-rswm-646884.html Ahmedabad Nov 5 RSWM one of Indias leading textile manufacturers on Wednesday said it has signed an agreement with Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL for the supply of 60 MW of renewable energy Adani Energy Solutions will manage the entire green power value chain for the additional power requirement of RSWM the flagship company of LNJ Bhilwara GroupRSWM invested Rs 60 crore under the Group Captive Scheme with a renewable genco green generation company for the supply of 3153 crore units of green power per annum to its manufacturing facilities across RajasthanWith this addition the contribution of renewable energy in RSWMs total energy requirement will rise from the current 33 per cent to 70 per cent in the near future two thirds of its total energy mixRiju Jhunjhunwala Chairman Managing Director and CEO RSWM said that this achievement underscores our longterm vision to align growth with sustainability and reinforce our position as a forwardlooking industrial leaderBy sourcing 70 per cent of our total energy requirement from renewable sources well above the national average of Indias clean energy mix 31 per cent RSWM continues to set industry benchmarks in responsible energy transition he addedAccording to Kandarp Patel CEO AESL we are delighted to partner with RSWM on this landmark initiative that demonstrates how sustainability is becoming integral to businessesThis collaboration is a testament to the scalability and impact of renewable power in strengthening industrial growth while ensuring sustainability As a leading energy solutions provider for the Commercial and Industrial CampI sector we feel privileged to play a catalytic role in helping industries decarbonise through our innovative offerings Patel mentionedAESLs commercial and industrial CampI vertical serves bulk electricity users with customised energy solutions By delivering reliable competitively priced and increasingly green power AESL helps businesses across sectors meet both operational and sustainability needs The company is targeting a CampI portfolio of 7000 MW over the next five yearsBy integrating hybrid power RSWM is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also enhancing longterm energy security and operational efficiency said Rajeev Gupta Joint Managing Director RSWMAESL is the countrys largest private transmission company with a presence across 16 states and a cumulative transmission network of 26705 ckm and 97236 MVA transformation capacity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-energy-solutions-to-supply-60-mw-green-energy-to-textile-manufacturer-rswm-646884.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/lic-clocks-32-per-cent-jump-in-q2-net-profit-at-rs-10-053-crore-647141.html New Delhi Nov 6 Life Insurance Corporation of India LIC on Thursday reported a robust 32 per cent increase in standalone net profit to Rs 1005339 crore for the second quarter of the current financial year compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 762086 crore in the same period of the previous financial year LICs net premium income grew 55 per cent yearonyear to Rs 126 lakh crore during the JulySeptember quarter from 12 lakh crore in the same period last year while the solvency ratio increased to 213 per cent from 198 per cent in the yearago periodThe asset quality for policyholders funds also improved during the quarter as NPA fell to Rs 394 per cent from Rs 617 per cent in Q2 FY25In the first six months of FY26 H1FY26 LICs net profit amounted to Rs 21040 crore marking a 1636 per cent increase yearonyear YoYThe company statement noted that LICs total premium income for the six months H1FY26 rose 514 per cent yearonyear to Rs 245680 crore Individual business premium increased to Rs 150715 crore while group business premium rose to Rs 94965 croreThe companys renewal premium in the individual segment grew 614 per cent to Rs 122224 croreR Doraiswamy CEO and MD of LIC said that the company is very optimistic about the positive impact of the GST changes announced for the Insurance Industry by the GovernmentIt is our firm belief that these changes are in the best interest of customers and will lead to further accelerated growth of the life insurance industry in India As LIC we have ensured that all intended benefits of GST changes are passed onto the customers Doraiswamy addedLife Insurance Corporation of India has been ranked third among the worlds strongest insurance brands achieving a Brand Strength Index BSI score of 88 out of 100 according to the Brand Finance Insurance 100 2025 reportPolandbased PZU secured the top spot with a BSI score of 944 followed by China Life Insurance which ranked second with a BSI score of 935 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/lic-clocks-32-per-cent-jump-in-q2-net-profit-at-rs-10-053-crore-647141.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-launches-skilling-programme-for-indian-startup-founders-646890.html New Delhi Nov 5 US tech giant Google announced on Wednesday a twoweek programme under Google for Startups India to equip earlystage founders startup teams and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing launchready AI prototypes with Googles AI tools The attendees will be equipped with the essential tools and knowledge to rapidly turn their ideas into functional AIpowered prototypes using Googles cuttingedge AI technologies the release saidThe programme will run from November 27 to December 7 2025 where participants will learn to ideate research design and deploy AIfirst solutions using Googles AI tools such as tools such as Gemini Nano Banana Imagen Veo NotebookLM and AI StudioThe program offers practical skills focused on AIFirst Prototyping AIPowered Research and AI Creative Studio it addedAttendees who succeed will obtain a Googlerecognised Certificate of Participation and qualify for the Build the Future Showcase in January 2026 for outstanding innovators which includes invaluable mentorship from Google experts the release notedAt Google for Startups our goal is to make the power of AI accessible to every founder dismantling traditional coding barriers By leveraging the speed and seamless integration of Googles fullstack AI ecosystem the program will enable entrepreneurs to move from concept to creation faster and with greater confidence said Ragini Das Head of Google for Startups IndiaMeitY Startup Hub Startup India IndiaAI Mission and Nasscom have supported the initiative Google notedMeitY Startup Hub CEO Panneerselvam Madanagopal said that the collaboration reflects the vision of Digital India and Viksit Bharat by empowering founders across the country to create globally competitive solutions for social upliftment using AIGoogle in September had announced the latest cohort of its free threemonth AI accelerator program a group of 20 startups selected from over 1600 applicants to scale AIdriven solutions across healthcare finance climate education and moreThe company mentioned that Indias generative AI ecosystem has grown 37fold over the past year making it the worlds secondlargest GenAI startup hub IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-launches-skilling-programme-for-indian-startup-founders-646890.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-subsidiarykutch-copper-joins-caravel-minerals-to-fast-track-key-australian-copper-project-647149.html Ahmedabad Nov 6 Caravel Minerals Ltd on Thursday announced the signing of a landmark nonbinding MoU with Kutch Copper Ltd KCL a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd AEL paving the way for a strategic collaboration on the flagship Caravel Copper Project in Western Australias Murchison region The companies will explore investment and offtake opportunities to accelerate development of the project towards a Final Investment Decision FID in 2026 combining Caravels worldclass resource with Adanis proven smelting processing and logistics capabilitiesThe companies further said that the MoU further outlines collaborative workstreams including coengineering to optimise product specifications for Kutch Coppers downstream facilities joint procurement to fasttrack delivery schedules and leveraging the IndiaAustralia FTA Free Trade Agreement to promote crossborder resource development and workforce skillingCopper is the backbone of the global energy transition and our partnership with Caravel Minerals strengthens Indias and Australias role in building a resilient and responsible supply chain for this vital metal said Dr Vinay Prakash CEO Natural Resources AdaniKutch Copper with its worldclass infrastructure and ESG standards is delighted to align with Caravel to create a model of sustainable value creation across continents he addedThe partnership also establishes an exclusive framework for negotiating a lifeofmine offtake agreement covering up to 100 per cent of Caravels copper concentrate output which is expected to be around 62000 to 71000 tonnes of payable copper per annum in the early yearsThe concentrate would directly feed into KCLs stateoftheart 12 billion Australian 18 billion Kutch Copper Smelter the worlds largest singlelocation copper facility set up in GujaratThis collaboration with Adanis Kutch Copper marks a pivotal step in realising the full potential of the Caravel Copper Project It brings together complementary strengths Adanis downstream expertise and Caravels worldscale resource under a shared vision for responsible longterm copper production said Don Hyma Managing Director Caravel Minerals LimitedCaravels Caravel Copper Project located about 150 km northeast of Perth is one of Australias largest undeveloped copper resources with a potential mine life exceeding 25 years and an estimated 13 million tonnes of payable copper The projects allin sustaining cost AISC is forecast at US 207 per pound positioning it among the lowestcost producers globallyAs part of the agreement KCL has been granted the first rights to participate in direct equity or projectlevel investments during the term of the MOU The discussions are aligned with the Projects Australian 17 billion initial capex and designed to support phased development IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-subsidiarykutch-copper-joins-caravel-minerals-to-fast-track-key-australian-copper-project-647149.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-a-horizontal-cross-cutting-techushering-india-towards-viksit-bharatmeityofficial-646894.html New Delhi Nov 5 AI is a horizontal and crosscutting technology that can usher India towards Viksit Bharat goals said S Krishnan Secretary Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY on Wednesday He was speaking at a highlevel panel discussion on AI at the Emerging Science Technology amp Innovation Conclave ESTIC 2025 being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 35Chairing the session Krishnan spoke about how India can harness AI responsibly to drive innovation inclusion and global competitivenessThe critical aspect of all technology is the impact it has on society how it enhances the quality of life and what it offers to the people of the country For India this is truly an opportunity to leverage a horizontal crosscutting technology like AI to ensure the country is firmly on the path to becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047 said S Krishnan Secretary MeitYThe panel including leading voices from government academia and industry explored Indias evolving AI ecosystem from expanding digital infrastructure and developing indigenous large language models to advancing ethical AI governance and fostering global partnershipsThe experts emphasised the need to align technological progress with the countrys developmental priorities and social inclusion goalsAbhishek Singh Additional Secretary MeitY spoke on the IndiaAI Missions integrated approach to building a worldclass AI ecosystemTo unlock pathways for AI innovation the IndiaAI Mission is addressing all the gaps that exist in our story Our biggest advantage is the human capital we have but to build AI models and applications we also need accessible computers quality datasets and sustained investment said Singh also the Director General National Informatics Centre amp CEO IndiaAI MissionThrough the Missions sevenpillar strategy including lowcost computers data platforms foundation models startup support and tools for safe and trustworthy AI we are creating an ecosystem that enables India to catch up with the best in the world The goal is to build AI applications that not only serve Indias needs but also set global benchmarks for innovation ethics and trust he addedThe session also set the stage for the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 focusing on Indias evolving AI ecosystem from expanding digital infrastructure and advancing indigenous large language models to strengthening ethical AI governance and fostering international collaboration IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-a-horizontal-cross-cutting-techushering-india-towards-viksit-bharatmeityofficial-646894.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/microsoft-to-offer-in-country-copilot-data-processing-in-india-by-2025-end-646904.html New Delhi Nov 5 US tech giant Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it will provide incountry processing for Microsoft 365 Copilot interactions in four countries including India by the end of CY2025 Further Microsoft will expand this option to eleven more countries the release said adding that incountry data processing for Microsoft 365 Copilot interactions will enhance customer control over AI dataFurther incountry data processing can also improve performance by reducing latency delivering an even more responsive Copilot experience the company saidBy the end of 2025 customers in Australia the United Kingdom India and Japan will have the option for Copilot interactions to be processed within their national bordersIn 2026 the capability will expand to Canada Germany Italy Malaysia Poland South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland the United Arab Emirates and the United StatesMicrosoft mentioned that incountry processing allows Copilot interaction data to be processed in data centres within the customers nation giving customers greater control over their dataThis offer is designed to enable customers particularly those in government and highly regulated industries to access Microsoft 365 Copilot with an additional option for governance security and regulatory compliance it saidA map of the Microsoft 365 data residency and processing commitments highlighting the countries where incountry data processes will be available by the end of 2025 and in 2026 the release saidCurrently Microsoft offers incountry data residency to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Copilot customers in 27 countries and inregion data residency and processing for countries within the European Union EU Data BoundaryIndias data centre capacity is expected to grow from the current 12 GW to about 8 GW by 2030 expanding at an annual rate of nearly 17 per cent driven by the countrys rapid digital transformation growing internet usage and rising demand for AI and cloudbased services according to Trade Brains report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/microsoft-to-offer-in-country-copilot-data-processing-in-india-by-2025-end-646904.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ethiopia-to-adopt-indias-day-nrlm-scheme-to-root-out-rural-poverty--647161.html New Delhi Nov 6 A highlevel delegation from the government of Ethiopia has concluded a weeklong learning and exposure visit to India which focused on understanding the implementation strategies of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission DAYNRLM Indias flagship initiative for poverty alleviation and womens economic empowerment The Ethiopian delegates expressed their intention to apply the lessons learned from NRLM to their Productive Safety Net Program PSNP and invited Indian partners to collaborate in driving further innovationWorld Bank representatives reaffirmed their commitment to supporting womens livelihood transformation in Ethiopia and underscored the importance of government leadership enabling policies and private sector engagement according to an official statement issued on ThursdayThe wrapup session was attended by Molalign Asfaw Deputy Ambassador of Ethiopia to India representatives from the World Bank and Rajeshwari S M Director DAYNRLM Ministry of Rural Development The Ethiopian delegation included representatives from nine regions one city administration and two key sectorsThe delegates appreciated the depth of engagement the expertise demonstrated by Indian officials and the value of peertopeer knowledge exchange throughout the visitThe delegation commended the standardisation and adaptability of NRLMs design noting how it customises programme structures to suit diverse local contextsThey were particularly impressed by the role of sakhis communitybased facilitators who deliver lastmile support and resources to women across rural IndiaThe delegates highlighted several innovations such as bank linkages diversified livelihood activities and departmental convergence as key contributors to social and economic empowerment for women according to an official statementInspired by the success stories of womens collectives one delegate remarked Women are the foundation of any economy When we invest in women we invest in the whole worldAddressing the concluding session the Ambassador of Ethiopia to India emphasised the longstanding partnership between the two nations and the importance of sustained policy exchanges in shaping institutional evolution and impactful interventionsHe highlighted the need for a comprehensive conceptual framework and constant monitoring to ensure policy inclusion and improvementThe Ambassador also recognised Indias global leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and acknowledged Ethiopias parallel efforts toward holistic sectoral collaborationHe called for strengthening institutional commitments and adapting Indias successful experiences to the Ethiopian context IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ethiopia-to-adopt-indias-day-nrlm-scheme-to-root-out-rural-poverty--647161.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sees-highest-ai-bot-activity-in-apac-followed-by-japan-and-china-report-646907.html New Delhi Nov 5 India leads the AsiaPacific region in AI bot activity and a 300 per cent increase in automated traffic globally is witnessed over the past year a report said on Wednesday AI bots generated 32 billion triggers in India positioning the country as the most targeted in the APAC region followed by Japan and China said the report from cybersecurity and cloud computing company Akamai TechnologiesThe report revealed an alarming spike in automated traffic driven largely by AIpowered bots targeting websites across all industriesThese bots generate billions of requests significantly distorting digital operations and analytics and make up nearly 1 per cent of total bot traffic on Akamais platformThe spike is primarily caused by content scraping which undermines traditional webbased business models publisher analytics and ad revenueAs bot traffic grows publishers and other contentdriven businesses are seeing corrupted analytics and collapsing ad revenues through bots extracting value without giving any in returnThe report also revealed that the rapid growth of AIenabled tools has made it easier than ever for both experienced threat professionals and new malicious actors to launch impersonation attacks conduct social engineering distribute phishing campaigns and commit identity fraud using AIgenerated fake documents and imagesIn addition malicious bots such as FraudGPT WormGPT ad fraud bots and return fraud bots are driving up costs degrading site performance and skewing key metricsFurther the global report stated that the commerce industry leads in AI bot activity registering more than 25 billion bot requests over a twomonth observation periodBut publishing faced the largest impact in the digital media industry representing 63 per cent of AI bot triggersIn the healthcare sector more than 90 per cent of AI bot triggers stem from scraping largely by search and training bots the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sees-highest-ai-bot-activity-in-apac-followed-by-japan-and-china-report-646907.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-data-centre-industry-set-to-grow-eightfold-by-2030-646719.html New Delhi Nov 4 Indias data centre industry is witnessing a massive boom driven by the countrys rapid digital transformation growing internet usage and rising demand for AI and cloudbased services With Googles 15 billion investment India is positioning itself as a major global data hubAccording to estimates Indias data centre capacity is expected to grow from the current 12 GW to about 8 GW by 2030 expanding at an annual rate of nearly 17 per cent according to Trade Brains reportThis growth will make India one of the fastestgrowing data centre markets in the worldThe surge in internet penetration and data usage has been a key growth driverIndias internet penetration has risen from 334 per cent in 2019 to 553 per cent in early 2025 with more than one billion active subscribersAverage monthly data consumption per user has also tripled from 115 GB in 2019 to nearly 32 GB in 2025 thanks to the rollout of 5G networks affordable data plans and the growing popularity of streaming and online entertainmentThe increasing digitalisation of the banking and financial services sector along with the rise of ecommerce and cloudbased businesses has also pushed the demand for reliable data storage and processing facilitiesAs AI applications and OTT platforms continue to expand the need for largescale energyefficient data centres has become even more crucialIndias data centre market has grown significantly in recent years from a capacity of 590 MW in 2019 to about 12 GW currentlyThe industry generated about 12 billion in revenue in 2024 and according to Statista this figure is expected to jump to 1153 billion by 2025At present India has more than 260 operational data centres with most of them located in major hubs such as Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMR Chennai Delhi Hyderabad and Bengaluru MMR and Chennai alone account for nearly 70 per cent of the total data centre capacityIndustry data from Anarock Capital shows that around 60 per cent of data centre clients are enterprises 30 per cent are hyperscalers like Google Amazon Web Services and Microsoft and the remaining 10 per cent are AI usersWith AI workloads growing rapidly the demand from all three segments is expected to increase furtherSeveral global and domestic companies are expanding their footprint in Indias data centre ecosystem Major international players such as Equinix Digital Realty NTT Global Data Centres CyrusOne and Meta Platforms are already investing heavily in the countryAdaniConnex a joint venture between Adani Group and EdgeConneX plans to develop 1 GW of data centre capacity over the next decadeSimilarly Digital Connexion a partnership between Digital Realty Brookfield Infrastructure and Jio Platforms is expanding aggressively Other key players include ST Telemedia Global Data Centres which has partnered with Tata Communications Hiranandani Groups Yotta Data Services and Bharti Airtels NxtraCtrlS also operates one of Asias largest Rated4 data centre networks in major cities like Mumbai Noida Bengaluru and Hyderabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-data-centre-industry-set-to-grow-eightfold-by-2030-646719.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-closed-on-nov-5-for-guru-nanak-jayanti-trade-to-resume-tomorrow-646750.html Mumbai Nov 5 The Bombay Stock Exchange BSE and the National Stock Exchange NSE remained closed on Wednesday on account of Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti Trading across segments including equities derivatives securities lending and borrowing SLBs currency derivatives and interest rate derivatives stayed shut for the dayThe commodity derivatives market was also closed in the morning session between 9 am and 5 pm but will open for the evening session from 5 pm to 11301155 pmRegular trading on both exchanges will resume on Thursday November 6On Tuesday Indian stock markets ended lower with the Nifty slipping below the 25600 mark amid broadbased selling pressureThe Sensex fell 51934 points or 062 per cent to close at 8345915 while the Nifty dropped 16570 points or 064 per cent to end at 2559765The BSE Midcap index declined 02 per cent and the Smallcap index fell 07 per centAmong major Nifty stocks Power Grid Corp Coal India Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Bajaj Auto and Eternal were the top losersOn the other hand Titan Company Bharti Airtel Bajaj Finance HDFC Life and MampM gained during the sessionBarring telecom and consumer durable sectors all other indices ended in the red IT auto FMCG metal power realty and PSU indices slipped between 05 to 1 per centMarket analysts said that the Nifty has retested its 20day exponential moving average EMA A sustained move below this level could weaken the positive sentiment and extend the correction toward 25400On the higher side 25800 is likely to act as an immediate resistance level Traders have been advised to remain cautious and focus on risk management until a clear market direction emerges experts said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-closed-on-nov-5-for-guru-nanak-jayanti-trade-to-resume-tomorrow-646750.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/look-forward-to-expediting-process-for-free-trade-pact-with-new-zealand-piyush-goyal-646773.html New Delhi Nov 5 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday he was set to review the progress of the ongoing free trade agreement FTA negotiations with New Zealand Goyal reached New Zealand for talks on the proposed FTA between the two countriesDelighted to be in New Zealand to review the progress of the ongoing FTA negotiations Grateful to my good friend and counterpart Todd McClay for the warm welcome Together we look forward to expediting the process for a comprehensive mutually beneficial economic partnership the minister posted on X social media platformGoyal further stated that he will also meet industry leaders along with investors to explore new avenues for collaboration and investment between our two countriesAccording to an earlier ministry statement the 4th round of IndiaNew Zealand FTA negotiations commenced in Auckland on November 3 marking an important step in deepening the bilateral trade and economic dialogue between the two nationsThe talks which are taking place in Auckland till November 7 mark a renewed effort to craft a balanced comprehensive and mutually beneficial deal after months of technical discussions the ministry saidGoyal will participate in a series of highlevel engagements aimed at strengthening trade investment and innovation linkages between India and New ZealandThese include a dedicated interaction with prominent members of the New Zealand business community and the visiting Indian business delegation facilitating greater collaboration between the private sectors of both countries the statement said A New ZealandIndia Business Forum will be held in the afternoon in Auckland followed by a community interaction event with members of the vibrant Indian diasporaAccording to the ministry the engagements are expected to see participation from industry leaders chambers of commerce and government representatives from New Zealand reaffirming the growing momentum in bilateral relations and the shared vision for a stronger futureoriented economic partnership IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/look-forward-to-expediting-process-for-free-trade-pact-with-new-zealand-piyush-goyal-646773.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/softbank-shares-plunge-over-13-pc-amid-ai-stock-sell-off-646778.html New Delhi Nov 5 Shares of Japans SoftBank Group tumbled more than 13 per cent on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Wednesday as a broader selloff in technology stocks hit investor sentiment The sharp fall followed Tuesdays 7 per cent decline wiping out nearly 50 billion in SoftBanks market capitalisation over just two daysThe slump came amid rising concerns over the high valuations of AI and semiconductor companies which triggered a selloff on Wall Street earlier this weekDespite the steep decline SoftBank remains a multibagger stock having surged nearly 206 per cent in the past six months and 154 per cent over the last yearSoftBank has built a diverse portfolio of AIdriven businesses spanning infrastructure semiconductors and software applicationsThe company holds a controlling stake in UKbased Arm Holdings whose chip designs power many mobile and AI processorsRecently it also acquired Ampere Computing to boost its AI data centre capabilitiesOther semiconductor and AI stocks in Asia also saw heavy losses on Wednesday Semiconductor testing firm Advantest dropped over 8 per cent while chipmaker Renesas Electronics fell around 6 per cent Shares of Nasdaqlisted Arm Holdings slid 471 per cent overnightAccording to market reports the fall in AI and semiconductor stocks followed an 8 per cent drop in US software company Palantirs shares despite the firm reporting strong thirdquarter resultsAnalysts say investors are becoming cautious as the ongoing AI rally has pushed valuations to unsustainable levelsThe SampP 500s forward pricetoearnings ratio has now climbed above 23 its highest since the dotcom bubble in 2000 as per data from FactSetAdding to the bearish sentiment investor Michael Burry famous for predicting the 2008 financial crisis disclosed short positions in Palantir and Nvidia both major beneficiaries of the AI boomFollowing the revelation Nvidia shares fell 4 per cent and AMD dropped 37 per cent in afterhours tradingMarket analysts are warning that the growing excitement around artificial intelligence may be fueling a new tech bubbleMany experts believe the current surge in AI stock prices mirrors the speculative mania of the late 1990s dotcom boom with valuations far exceeding realistic earnings expectations IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/softbank-shares-plunge-over-13-pc-amid-ai-stock-sell-off-646778.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/japaneseresearchers-successfullyregenerate-boneusing-stem-cells-646782.html New Delhi Nov 5 A team of researchers from Japan has successfully treated spinal fractures in animal models using stem cells from fatty tissue The team from the Osaka Metropolitan University used stem cells extracted from adipose the bodys fatty tissue to treat spine fractures in rats similar to those caused by osteoporosis in humansThese cells offer the advantages of being easy to collect even from elderly individuals and causing little stress to the body suggesting a noninvasive way of treating bone diseasesBone regeneration and strength were significantly improved in rats transplanted with the adipose tissue ADSCsThe genes involved in bone formation and regeneration were also activated The study was published in Bone and Joint ResearchThis study has revealed the potential of bone differentiation spheroids using ADSCs for the development of new treatments for spinal fractures said Yuta Sawada a student at the varsitys Graduate School of MedicineSince the cells are obtained from fat there is little burden on the body ensuring patient safety This simple and effective method can treat even difficult fractures and may accelerate healing added Dr Shinji TakahashiOsteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become brittle and prone to fractures Among osteoporosisrelated fractures compression fractures of the spine known as osteoporotic vertebral fractures are the most common type of fracture and pose a serious problem leading to a need for longterm care and a significant decline in quality of lifeThe team used stem cells which are multipotent meaning that they can be differentiated into many different cell typesThey developed ADSCs into bonedifferentiated spheroids threedimensional spherical clusters and combined it with betatricalcium phosphate a material widely used for bone reconstruction to successfully treat rats with spinal fracturesThis technique is expected to become a new treatment that helps extend the healthy life of patients Takahashi said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/japaneseresearchers-successfullyregenerate-boneusing-stem-cells-646782.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/60pc-gen-z-fresh-graduateskeenonupskilling-learning-ai-and-data-skills-in-india-report-646794.html New Delhi Nov 5 Generation Z and fresh graduates are leading the skilling ecosystem in India with a majority of them actively learning artificial intelligence and data skills according to a report on Wednesday The report by Deel a global payroll and compliance platform is based on a survey of 5058 employees representing Gen Z ages 28 or under millennials ages 2944 and Gen X ages 4560It showed that the vast majority of Indias whitecollar professionals 96 per cent have upskilled in the past year however the learning priorities and motivations differ sharply across generationsGen Z and fresh graduates are leading the skilling charge at 61 per cent and 63 per cent respectively with access to upskilling opportunities as a key retention factor to stay with an employerThe younger workforce is also riding the AI wave with more than half of Gen Z 54 per cent and fresh graduates 57 per cent actively learning AI and data skillsMillennials are lagging with only 2 in 5 40 per cent learning new skills Meanwhile Gen X 38 per cent continues to prioritise traditional domain expertise focusing on core professional and functional skills over new technologiesIndias workforce is entering a new era where motivation for learning is high but the barriers differ for each generation said Mark Samlal General Manager APAC at DeelBy curating flexible and accessible learning programmes that align with different life stages and work realities employers can bridge the skills gap and strengthen retention and loyalty across generations Samlal addedGen Z 61 per cent was found to be the most influenced by upskilling when deciding whether to stay with an employer Freshers 63 per cent share the same sentiment showing a strong link between learning access and earlycareer retentionFurther while twothirds of Gen Z 66 per cent are confident that their skills will remain relevant over the next five years less than half of millennials 48 per cent and just over a third of Gen X 36 per cent feel the same wayBut Gen Z cited that cost 31 per cent is holding them back from upskilling On the other hand millennials struggle with time constraints 35 per cent and Gen X points to limited employer support 29 per cent the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/60pc-gen-z-fresh-graduateskeenonupskilling-learning-ai-and-data-skills-in-india-report-646794.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/60-pc-gen-z-fresh-graduateskeenonupskilling-learning-ai-and-data-skills-in-india-report-646797.html New Delhi Nov 5 Generation Z and fresh graduates are leading the skilling ecosystem in India with a majority of them actively learning artificial intelligence and data skills according to a report on Wednesday The report by Deel a global payroll and compliance platform is based on a survey of 5058 employees representing Gen Z ages 28 or under millennials ages 2944 and Gen X ages 4560It showed that the vast majority of Indias whitecollar professionals 96 per cent have upskilled in the past year however the learning priorities and motivations differ sharply across generationsGen Z and fresh graduates are leading the skilling charge at 61 per cent and 63 per cent respectively with access to upskilling opportunities as a key retention factor to stay with an employerThe younger workforce is also riding the AI wave with more than half of Gen Z 54 per cent and fresh graduates 57 per cent actively learning AI and data skillsMillennials are lagging with only 2 in 5 40 per cent learning new skills Meanwhile Gen X 38 per cent continues to prioritise traditional domain expertise focusing on core professional and functional skills over new technologiesIndias workforce is entering a new era where motivation for learning is high but the barriers differ for each generation said Mark Samlal General Manager APAC at DeelBy curating flexible and accessible learning programmes that align with different life stages and work realities employers can bridge the skills gap and strengthen retention and loyalty across generations Samlal addedGen Z 61 per cent was found to be the most influenced by upskilling when deciding whether to stay with an employer Freshers 63 per cent share the same sentiment showing a strong link between learning access and earlycareer retentionFurther while twothirds of Gen Z 66 per cent are confident that their skills will remain relevant over the next five years less than half of millennials 48 per cent and just over a third of Gen X 36 per cent feel the same wayBut Gen Z cited that cost 31 per cent is holding them back from upskilling On the other hand millennials struggle with time constraints 35 per cent and Gen X points to limited employer support 29 per cent the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/60-pc-gen-z-fresh-graduateskeenonupskilling-learning-ai-and-data-skills-in-india-report-646797.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/telangana-cm-seeks-german-support-to-make-hyderabad-global-innovation-hub-646663.html Hyderabad Nov 4 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has sought Germanys support for the vision to develop Hyderabad as a global innovation hub Telangana seeks a strong partnership with Germany in key investment areas including IT pharma and automobiles he said when a delegation led by German Consul General Michael Hasper called on him here on TuesdayThe German delegation informed the Chief Minister that Deutsche Börse a leading global financial services company is launching its Global Capability Centre GCC in Hyderabad as part of its expansion plansThe Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the German team for choosing Hyderabad as the destination for setting up the GCC He assured that the Telangana government would extend full support and cooperation for all future German investments in the stateAccording to the Chief Ministers Office the German representatives briefed the Chief Minister that with the establishment of Deutsche Borses GCC about 1000 new employment opportunities will be created in the IT sector in Hyderabad over the next two yearsRevanth Reddy requested the German delegation to support Telanganas vision to develop Hyderabad as a global innovation hub He also urged the German Consul General to facilitate the appointment of German language teachers in Telangana so that local students can learn the German language and improve their international employment prospectsHe also proposed collaboration through Telangana Overseas Manpower Company TOMCOM to strengthen vocational education and skill development programs enabling youth to gain practical industry trainingMeanwhile a delegation of Amazon Web Services AWS also called on the Chief Minister in Hyderabad on TuesdayDuring the meeting the delegation discussed with the Chief Minister the ongoing data centre projects expansion plans and other AWS initiatives in TelanganaThe Chief Minister assured the delegation that the Telangana government will extend full support and cooperation for AWSs present and future investments in the stateThe meeting was attended by Kerry Person Global Head AWS Data Centres Vikram Sridharan Director Infrastructure Public Policy and other officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/telangana-cm-seeks-german-support-to-make-hyderabad-global-innovation-hub-646663.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-launches-3rd-round-of-pli-scheme-for-specialty-steel-646667.html New Delhi Nov 4 Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday launched the third round of the productionlinked incentive PLI scheme for specialty steel according to an official statement issued on Tuesday The Steel Ministrys PLI scheme has so far attracted a commitment for investment of Rs 43874 crore which is expected to create direct employment for 30760 people and an estimated production of 143 million tonnes of specialty steel As of September 2025 participating companies in the first two rounds of the PLI scheme have invested Rs 22973 crore and generated 13284 jobs the statement saidThe PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel approved by the Cabinet in July 2021 is a key initiative under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision to make India a global hub for steel production The third round PLI 12 aims to attract new investments in emerging and advanced steel products such as super alloys CRGO stainless steel long and flat products titanium alloys and coated steels This is expected to generate significant employment expand highend steel capacity and position India as a preferred supplier in the global value chain for specialty steels the statement saidApplications in the third round of the PLI scheme for speciality steel are invited through the online portal httpsplimosmeconcoin for a period of 30 days from the date of launchCompanies registered in India which are engaged in the endtoend manufacturing of the notified products are eligible to applyThe third round of the PLI Scheme covers 22 product subcategories across five broad target segments including strategic steel grades commercial grades Categories 1 and 2 and coatedwire productsThe incentives will range from 4 per cent to 15 per cent of incremental sales depending on the product subcategory and year of production The benefits will be available for a maximum of five years starting from FY 202526 with incentive disbursal commencing in FY 202627The base year for prices under the scheme has been revised from 201920 to 202425 to reflect current trends the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-launches-3rd-round-of-pli-scheme-for-specialty-steel-646667.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-back-into-red-with-rs-2-582-crore-loss-in-q2-646677.html Mumbai Nov 4 Aviation major IndiGo on Tuesday slipped into a loss of Rs 2582 crore in the JulySeptember quarter Q2 of FY26 compared with a profit of Rs 2176 crore in the previous AprilJune quarter Q1 FY26 The airlines loss also widened from Rs 987 crore in the same period last financial year Q2 FY25 according to its stock exchange filingHowever IndiGos revenue from operations rose 9 per cent yearonyear YoY to Rs 18555 crore driven by strong passenger and ancillary incomePassenger ticket revenues grew 112 per cent to Rs 15967 crore while ancillary revenues such as baggage fees and inflight sales rose 14 per cent to Rs 2141 croreThe airlines EBITDAR earnings before interest tax depreciation amortisation and rent dropped sharply to Rs 1114 crore from Rs 2434 crore a year agoHowever excluding the impact of foreign exchange forex losses IndiGos EBITDAR increased 43 per cent yearonyear to Rs 3800 crore with margins improving to 205 per cent from 157 per centIndiGo said its loss during the quarter was mainly due to the impact of currency movement leading to a steep forex loss of Rs 2892 crore compared with Rs 241 crore in the same period last financial yearWithout the forex impact the airline would have reported a net profit of Rs 104 crore as per its regulatory filingRental and aircraft maintenance costs rose to Rs 3262 crore from Rs 2745 crore a year earlier while tax expenses stood at Rs 100 crore up from Rs 80 crore last financial yearCommenting on the results IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said As Indias aviation sector continues to grow and mature we recognise the importance of structurally optimising capacity during seasonally weaker periods to sustain profitabilityHe added that the airline had delivered strong operational performance maintaining its leadership in ontime performance and expanding its networkOn Tuesday shares of InterGlobe Aviation Limited the parent company of IndiGo closed 106 per cent lower at Rs 5635 on the BSE IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-back-into-red-with-rs-2-582-crore-loss-in-q2-646677.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/drdo-made-significant-strides-in-semiconductor-technology-govt-646684.html New Delhi Nov 4 The Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO has made significant strides in semiconductor technology said the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday The ministry noted that using semiconductor technologies DRDO developed indigenous methodsSemiconductors play a major role in modern technology ecosystems powering critical systems in healthcare communications transport defence and space the Ministry saidDRDO has made significant strides in semiconductor technology by developing indigenous methods for producing 4inch Silicon Carbide wafers and fabricating Gallium Nitride High Electron Mobility Transistors up to 150W it addedDRDO will participate in the Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave ESTIC 2025 being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 35As one of the key organisers DRDO will also lead the thematic session on Electronics amp Semiconductor Manufacturing while Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat will chair a Technical Session on Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing on November 5The conclave on the theme Viksit Bharat 2047 Pioneering Sustainable Innovation Technological Advancement and Empowerment was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 3In the inaugural session the Prime Minister launched the Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation RDI Scheme Fund to promote a private sectordriven research and innovation ecosystem and accelerate Indias transformation into a global science and technology hubHe emphasised that efforts are being made to promote research and development in the private sector as wellThe conclave is featuring talks by leading scientists panel discussions presentations and technology showcases providing a platform for collaboration among researchers industry and young innovators to strengthen the science and technology ecosystemESTIC 2025 is bringing together over 3000 participants from academia research institutions industry and government along with Nobel laureates eminent scientists innovators and policymakers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/drdo-made-significant-strides-in-semiconductor-technology-govt-646684.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nclat-gives-partial-relief-to-meta-removes-data-sharing-ban-in-whatsapp-privacy-policy-case-646699.html New Delhi Nov 4 The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal NCLAT has given partial relief to Meta Platforms and its messaging app WhatsApp in the ongoing competition case related to WhatsApps 2021 privacy policy update The tribunal upheld the Rs 21314 crore penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India CCI but cancelled two major parts of the earlier order the finding that WhatsApp held a dominant position and the fiveyear ban on sharing user data for advertising purposesThe case dates back to November 2024 when the CCI ruled that WhatsApp had misused its dominant position in Indias OTT messaging marketThe regulator said WhatsApp forced users to accept its 2021 update which made data sharing with other Meta companies mandatory removing the earlier option to opt outThe CCI said this policy weakened competition in the online advertising marketAlong with the fine the CCI had ordered WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with Metas other companies for advertising for five yearsHowever the NCLAT bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan and Technical Member Arun Baroka struck down these parts of the orderThe tribunal said the CCI had gone beyond its authority under Section 42e of the Competition Act and removed the restriction mentioned in paragraph 2471 of the decisionThe NCLAT agreed with Metas argument that banning data sharing could affect WhatsApps freetouse model and pointed out that matters related to data protection fall outside the CCIs powersA Meta spokesperson welcomed the decision saying We welcome the NCLATs decision While we await the written order we continue to reiterate that WhatsApps 2021 privacy policy update did not change the privacy of peoples personal messages which remain endtoend encryptedThe spokesperson added that WhatsApps business features such as bill payments ticket booking and shopping help make peoples lives easier and support Indias digital economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nclat-gives-partial-relief-to-meta-removes-data-sharing-ban-in-whatsapp-privacy-policy-case-646699.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-plans-rs-65-400-crore-push-to-build-its-own-fighter-jet-engines-by-2035-646456.html New Delhi Nov 3 India is gearing up to give its aerospace ambitions a big push with a massive investment of about Rs 65400 crore 744 billion to develop and produce fighter jet engines by 2035 The plan aims to make India selfreliant in one of the most critical areas of defence aircraft propulsion according to Times of Oman reportThe project marks a strong step towards reducing dependence on imports and building engines that can power the next generation of Indian fighter jetsFrom the advanced Tejas Mk2 to the stealthy AMCA and from upgraded fighters to unmanned aircraft India plans to build around 1100 engines in the next decadeS V Ramana Murthy Director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment GTRE is leading the mission to build homegrown engines that can compete globallyHe said the focus is on creating a strong ecosystem that includes government research private industry and global partnershipsThe Indian Air Force IAF is also preparing for this transformation It aims to strengthen its fleet to 42 squadrons by 2035 with around 450 new fighter jets many of which could soon fly on engines made in IndiaThis will not only boost Indias defence capabilities but also its confidence in technological selfrelianceOne of the major projects in this roadmap is the Tejas Mk2 which follows the success of the existing Tejas aircraftTalks with the USbased General Electric for its F414 engine along with a technology transfer agreement are expected to help India build worldclass engines domesticallyIndias indigenous Kaveri engine programme which has faced delays in the past is now being revived with new energy Its upgraded versions could soon power unmanned combat aircraft an important part of the countrys future defence strategyInternational collaborations will also play a big role in this mission Global engine makers like Frances Safran Britains RollsRoyce and the USs GE are in discussions to codevelop a fifthgeneration engine for Indias Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft AMCA a project expected to produce its first prototype by 2028For the first time India is inviting private companies to participate in fighter jet development opening new opportunities for innovation and growth in the aerospace sectorHindustan Aeronautics Limited HAL will work alongside private and global players to share the workload and boost productionUnder Prime Minister Narendra Modis Atmanirbhar Bharat selfreliant India vision the government is actively encouraging global defence manufacturers to set up production facilities in IndiaThe move signals a shift from India being a buyer of defence technology to becoming a builder and partner in advanced manufacturingExperts say this massive engine development programme will not only strengthen Indias defence readiness but also help boost the economy by creating jobs encouraging exports and positioning India as a global player in the aerospace industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-plans-rs-65-400-crore-push-to-build-its-own-fighter-jet-engines-by-2035-646456.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-flat-amid-mixed-global-cues-646580.html Mumbai Nov 4 Indian benchmark indices opened on a flat note on Tuesday amid mixed global cues and a lack of strong domestic triggers As of 925 am the Sensex was marginally down 18 points or 002 per cent at 83718 and the Nifty was down 14 points or 005 per cent at 25748The broadcap indices performed in line with benchmarks with the Nifty Midcap 100 down 008 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 losing 012 per centTitan Company Cipla and Trent were among the major gainers in the Nifty Pack while losers included Tata Consumer Maruti Suzuki Apollo Hospitals and HindalcoAmong sectoral indices except for Nifty Media Nifty Oil and gas Consumer Durables and Realty all indices were in the red Nifty Auto was the major loser down 048 per cent while FMCG and IT lost 022 per cent and 021 per cent respectivelyAnalysts expect the FII strategy of selling in India on rallies and moving money to other markets to continue in the near termFIIs renewed selling is constraining the rally in the market This is an indication that they will continue to sell on rallies they addedHowever this is likely to be a shortterm challenge Mediumterm prospects look good with robust GDP growth and impressive sales data particularly from automobiles according to market watchersMeanwhile US Federal Reserve officials on Monday continued pressing competing views on the economy a debate set to intensify ahead of the Feds December policy meeting and in the absence of key data including from the Bureau of Labor Statistics due to the federal government shutdownThe US markets ended in the green zone overnight as Nasdaq added 046 per cent the SampP 500 moved up 017 per cent and the Dow lost 048 per centMost of the Asian markets were trading in the red during the morning session While Chinas Shanghai index slipped 021 per cent and Shenzhen lost 129 per cent Japans Nikkei declined 01 per cent while Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index added 028 per cent South Koreas Kospi declined 159 per centForeign institutional investors FIIs sold equities worth Rs 1883 crore on Monday while domestic institutional investors DIIs were net buyers of equities for the seventh straight session purchasing shares worth Rs 3516 croreAnalysts place immediate resistance at 25850 followed by 25900 and 26000 On the downside support levels are identified at 25600 and 25650 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-flat-amid-mixed-global-cues-646580.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sends-1st-consignment-of-fortified-rice-kernel-from-chhattisgarh-to-costa-rica-646592.html New Delhi Nov 4 India has sent the first export consignment of 12 metric tonnes of Fortified Rice Kernel FRK from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday The initiative led the by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority APEDA underscores Indias technological capability in food fortification and its commitment to global food security and nutrition improvementThe first consignment of 12 MT of Fortified Rice Kernel from Chhattisgarh has been exported to Costa Rica In continuation of PMNarendra Modi jis efforts to fight malnutrition this effort at the global level not only strengthens our foreign trade but also our nutrition mission Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal shared in a post on social media platform XIt also provides our farmers millers and exporters with newer markets better price realisation and greater promotion for valueadded agri exports he addedChhattisgarh has made continuous efforts to promote the export of rice and fortified rice products enabling the states farmers millers and exporters to gain recognition in international marketsThe successful export of FRK to Costa Rica highlights Chhattisgarhs growing role in the global supply chain for nutritionenriched food products the Ministry saidIt also positions India as a reliable supplier of nutritious and highquality food products to global marketsThe export of fortified rice from India not only strengthens the nations agriexport portfolio but also reaffirms its commitment to addressing malnutrition through sciencebased and globally recognised food solutions said Abhishek Dev Chairman APEDA while congratulating the exporters and stakeholders involved in achieving the milestoneFRK is produced by blending rice flour with micronutrients such as iron folic acid and vitamin B12These nutrients are extruded and shaped to resemble rice grains which are then blended with regular rice at a predetermined ratio to enhance the nutritional value of the staple IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sends-1st-consignment-of-fortified-rice-kernel-from-chhattisgarh-to-costa-rica-646592.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-employees-report-lowest-level-of-pay-unfairness-worldwide-646609.html New Delhi Nov 4 The employee perceptions of fair compensation are improving worldwide as the percentage of workers who feel they are unfairly paid has decreased from 31 per cent to 27 per cent year over year a report said on Tuesday India leads in pay fairness sentiment among the 34 markets surveyed with only 11 per cent of workers reporting dissatisfaction with their pay the report from human capital management company ADP saidThe report said there are significant disparities among markets with South Korea and Sweden reporting the highest levels of pay unfairness sentiment at 45 per cent and 39 per cent respectivelyIt also noted significant gender pay gaps in numerous countries with over 30 per cent of women in 15 out of 34 markets indicating unfair pay compared to only five markets for menHowever India was reported among the few markets where a larger proportion of men 12 per cent than women 9 per cent perceive their pay as unfairPay fairness dissatisfaction in India also decreases with age from 13 per cent among workers aged 1826 to just 5 per cent among those aged 55 and above contrary to the global trendFair pay is more than a compensation conversation it is a trust conversation When employees believe they are paid fairly they are more engaged motivated and loyal said Rahul Goyal Managing Director ADP India and Southeast AsiaIndias leading position in pay fairness sentiment indicates progress in equitable pay practices but employers need to ensure fairness extends beyond salary to include opportunities growth and recognition to foster longterm employee engagement the report saidEarlier in October global payroll and compliance platform Deel said that the median salaries for men and women in India are nearly equal ranging from 13000 to 23000 reflecting growing pay equity and the adoption of datadriven compensation models IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-employees-report-lowest-level-of-pay-unfairness-worldwide-646609.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/8-in-10-indians-embrace-return-to-office-policy-flexibility-well-being-major-concern-report-646636.html Mumbai Nov 4 More than 8 in 10 Indians have expressed positive sentiment in returning to office RTO with flexibility wellbeing major concern according to a report on Tuesday The JLL Workplace Preference Barometer 2025 report showed that 82 per cent of Indian employees are subject to workfromoffice mandates with the majority 8 in 10 expressing positive sentiment toward RTO policiesThe leading sectors driving RTO adoption are technology companies BSFI and the education sectorIndian corporates have successfully cracked the code on workplace excellence with 83 per cent of employees describing their work environment as close to ideal a figure that significantly outpaces the AsiaPacific average of 64 per centThis is a pivotal moment for Indian organisations As hybrid work matures we see 83 per cent of employees expressing positive sentiment towards returntooffice policies underscoring the need for workplaces to be high on humancentred design Talent attraction is also being reshaped with six in 10 now citing flexibility as their top priority when choosing a new employer said JipuJose James Managing Director Project amp Development Service PDS India JLLAbout 60 per cent of employees cited flexibility as the primary factor when selecting new employers outperforming the APAC average of 54 per centImportantly the research also highlighted a growing wellbeing challenge with 54 per cent of employees experiencing moderate to elevated levels of burnoutThe statistic represents millions of workers whose productivity engagement and loyalty are compromised by unsustainable work pressures and inadequate support systemsThese interconnected challenges burnout affecting more than half the workforce and flexibility driving 60 per cent of employment decisions create a perfect storm that threatens organisational performance and talent retention simultaneouslyEmployers that wish to attract and retain top performers must move beyond simply mandating office attendance Instead they should focus on creating workplaces that employees actively want to be part of offering flexibility that genuinely improves quality of life addressing burnout through sustainable work practices and investing in inclusive futurefocused skills development said Kamya Miglani Head of Work Dynamics Research Asia Pacific JLL IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/8-in-10-indians-embrace-return-to-office-policy-flexibility-well-being-major-concern-report-646636.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hydrogen-may-replace-natural-gas-in-india-in-5-to-10-years-top-official-646649.html New Delhi Nov 4 With hydrogen prices declining faster than anticipated India could see hydrogen become a viable alternative to natural gas within the next five to ten years making this route central to our decarbonisation and global competitiveness goals a top Government official said on Tuesday Addressing the CII Steel Summit 2025 here Union Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik said The DRI Direct Reduced Iron plus Hydrogen route offers a promising pathway for green steel productionHe highlighted that there are significant opportunities for investments in the steel industry driven by growing needs from sectors such as defence space automotive and power all of which are expanding rapidly and increasing demand for highgrade steel productsPoundrik said that with consistent growth in consumption and capacity along with rising opportunities from specialty steel and green steel India is on its way to achieving the target of 500 million tonnes by 2047Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat our target is to reach 500 million tonnes steelmaking capacity by 2047 At the current pace we would be adding around 100 million tonnes every five to seven years positioning India to not only meet domestic demand but also emerge as a global leader in sustainable steel production he saidThe Steel Secretary pointed out that there is a misconception that Indias steel industry is driven only by a few large producers In fact nearly 47 per cent of the steel in the country is produced by around 2200 medium and small enterprises These players form the backbone of Indias distributed and resilient steel ecosystem he notedThere is a strong need for India to achieve selfreliance in the steel sector given its strategic significance The Ministry of Steel is working closely with the Ministry of Coal to increase the share of domestic coking coal in steelmaking ensuring greater selfreliance and security in raw material supply The government is also taking proactive measures to ensure that cheap and substandard steel does not flood the Indian market he addedHe underlined that the government was creating a level playing field through Quality Control Orders QCOs to ensure that both domestic and foreign producers meet the same quality benchmarksTata Steel Ltd Executive Director and CII National Committee on Steel CoChairman Koushik Chatterjee highlighted that steel forms the backbone of Indias industrial transformation and national resilience As the foundation for construction transport energy and manufacturing the sector will be pivotal in shaping worldclass infrastructure modern cities and sustainable growthEmphasising Indias demographic advantage and the structural reforms like GST 20 fueling new consumption opportunities JSW Steel Ltd Joint Managing Director amp CEO and CII National Committee on Steel CoChairman Jayant Acharya noted that rapid urbanisation a growing middle class and rising discretionary spending are creating strong demand prospects for the steel industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hydrogen-may-replace-natural-gas-in-india-in-5-to-10-years-top-official-646649.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/synergy-between-education-innovation-skilling-key-to-agricultural-progress-govt-646653.html New Delhi Nov 4 Strengthening the synergy between education innovation and skilling is crucial to Indias agricultural progress said the government on Tuesday Agriculture provides the primary livelihood for nearly half of Indias population and contributes about 18 per cent of GDPTo raise productivity reduce costs and achieve national goals building human capacity is vital This can be achieved via higher education research and handson training the government said while also calling these key pillars of the sectorThese pillars form the institutional and scientific base essential for sustaining the targeted 5 per cent agricultural growth rate and achieving the national vision of Viksit Krishi aur Samruddh Kisan Developed Agriculture and Prosperous Farmer the core philosophy of Viksit BharatIndias agricultural education and training system today reflects a wellintegrated approach linking education research technology and fieldlevel skill development the government said in an official statementRecognising that modern farming requirements the government has also prioritised capacity building to help farmers adapt to technological innovations climatic and market transformationsProgrammes such as the Skill Training of Rural Youth STRY SubMission on Agricultural Mechanization SMAM Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana PMKVY and initiatives through Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs and Agricultural Technology Management Agency ATMA are equipping farmers with practical knowledge and vocational expertise for sustainable agriculture practicesThe continuous emphasis on quality education accreditation reforms and farmercentric training is helping bridge the gap between scientific research and practical application the government saidIn addition the inclusion of technologies like the Internet of Things IoT Artificial Intelligence AI and precision farming tools is driving a significant shift toward modern and databased agricultureThrough initiatives like the Agriculture Technology Management Agency ATMA Skill Training of Rural Youth STRY and the SubMission on Agricultural Mechanization SMAM farmers and rural youth are being equipped with essential technical and entrepreneurial skills fostering employment and selfreliance in villagesTogether these efforts are contributing to higher productivity better incomes and sustainable use of resources As India aims for selfreliance in food production and a resilient rural economy strengthening this synergy between education innovation and skilling will remain central to the nations agricultural progress the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/synergy-between-education-innovation-skilling-key-to-agricultural-progress-govt-646653.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-solar-capacity-to-touch-216-gw-in-fy28-report-646401.html New Delhi Nov 3 India is expected to have around 216 GW of solar capacity generating 305 billion units by FY28 driven by strong responses to applications under the Production Linked Incentive scheme a report said on Monday The PLI scheme is enabling rapid capacity expansion while efficiency gains where 17002200 panels at 500 watts peak are typically deployed for every 1 MW of solar power are reinforcing scale advantages in project execution said the report from CareEdge Advisory a subsidiary of ratings agency CareEdge RatingsCareEdge Advisory noted Indias installed solar base surged to 1273 GW as of September 2025 up from 39 GW in FY15 and contributed about 257 per cent of total installed capacityIndias exports of solar photovoltaic PV products have surged by more than 10 times between FY19 and FY25 primarily to the US the report saidGovernment initiatives like PLI Basic Customs Duty BCD and Approved List of Models and Manufacturers ALMM have helped expand domestic solar module capacity to 100 GW placing the country in fourth position worldwideIndias module manufacturing capacity is expected to add additional capacity of 100 GWp by the end of FY28 nearly three to four times the average annual module demand of 5060 GWp over the next three years the report saidDomestic cell manufacturing capacity is projected to reach 100 GWp during the same period with capex exceeding Rs 55000 crore driven by backward integration efforts the advisory notedCareEdge Advisory expects that by FY28 India will require an estimated 3647 crore solar panels at 500 Wp to achieve its targeted solar capacity of 215 to 220 GWThe advisory expects module production to increasingly rely on exports even as cell production is also likely to eclipse domestic demand in the medium term This indicates that in the coming years Indias module and cell output will exceed domestic requirements positioning exports as the key growth driver for the sectorThe advisory however flagged that the early stage of upstream integration continued reliance on Chinese supply chains and lower progress in renewable capacity augmentation due to systemic constraints remain mediumterm risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-solar-capacity-to-touch-216-gw-in-fy28-report-646401.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-conserve-biodiversity-foster-harmony-between-people-and-nature-govt-646407.html New Delhi Nov 3 India is committed to conserving biodiversity and creating harmony between people and nature said the government on the International Day for Biosphere Reserves on Monday The International Day for Biosphere Reserves is observed every year on November 3 to celebrate regions where nature and communities coexist in harmonyIndia celebrates this day alongside the world highlighting its strong network of biosphere reserves that stretch across diverse terrains mountains forests coasts and islands These areas demonstrate Indias commitment to conserving biodiversity and fostering harmonious living between people and nature through both national initiatives and international frameworks like the UNESCO Man and Biosphere MAB Programme the government said in an official statementThe government also highlighted ongoing efforts to reinforce the potential of biosphere reserves to protect ecological riches and promote the wellbeing of present and future generations These reserves continue to prove that sustainable living and conservation can go hand in handBiosphere reserves are areas identified by national governments for conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable developmentThese reserves link biodiversity protection with community welfare and sustainable livelihood opportunitiesNational initiatives like Project Tiger Project Elephant and Green India Mission complement Biosphere Reserve effortsAs per the government data India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves covering approximately 91425 sq km of which 13 are recognised by UNESCOs World Network of Biosphere Reserves WNBRThese reserves span diverse landscapes from mountains and forests to coasts and islands showcasing Indias ecological richness and commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting local communitiesThe Biosphere Reserve Division of the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC administers a Centrally Sponsored Scheme CSS for Biodiversity Conservation which operates as a subscheme under the broader Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems CNRE programmeThe scheme provides financial assistance to states for targeted conservation and development activities with implementation primarily handled by State Forest DepartmentsIndias observance of the day highlights the countrys enduring commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development the statement saidThe countrys biosphere reserves which integrate ecological protection with community empowerment function as living examples of harmony between nature and peopleWith a growing network of reserves increased forest cover and active collaboration for innovative and inclusive approaches India continues to set benchmarks in global conservation the statement saidThese efforts ensure that both ecological treasures and local communities thrive strengthening Indias role as a leader in sustainable living for present and future generations it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-conserve-biodiversity-foster-harmony-between-people-and-nature-govt-646407.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-post-payments-bank-joins-epfo-to-provide-doorstep-digital-life-certificate-services-646409.html New Delhi Nov 3 India Post Payments Bank IPPB has signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with Employees Provident Fund Organisation EPFO to provide doorstep Digital Life Certificate DLC services to its pensioners under the Employees Pension Scheme 1995 an official statement said on Monday Under this collaboration IPPB a 100 per cent governmentowned entity under the Department of Posts will leverage its wide network of over 165 lakh post offices and more than 3 lakh postal service providers postmen and Gramin Dak SevaksThey are equipped with doorstep banking devices and digital process of face authentication technology and fingerprint biometric authentication to assist EPFO pensioners in submitting their Digital Life Certificates conveniently from their homes eliminating the need for them to visit bank branches or EPFO offices to submit traditional paperbased certificatesEPFO will bear the cost of issuing Digital Life Certificate entirely making the service free for their pensioners according to the Ministry of CommunicationsThis partnership with EPFO reinforces IPPBs mission to bring essential financial and citizen services to every doorstep in India With our technologyenabled postal network and trusted lastmile reach EPFO pensioners especially in rural and semiurban areas will now be able to complete their life certificate submission seamlessly with dignity and convenience said R Viswesvaran MD and CEO IPPBThe initiative aligns with the government of Indias Digital India and Ease of Living vision harnessing technology and postal infrastructure to ensure inclusive service delivery for senior citizens and pensioners he mentionedIndia Post Payments Bank introduced the doorstep service of Digital Life Certificate in 2020 for generating Jeevan Pramaan for pensioners using Aadhaarenabled biometric authentication to reduce the turnaround time for issuance of Jeevan PramaanOn completion of the certificate generation process confirmation SMS will be received by the pensioner in his mobile number and the certificate can be viewed online the next day IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-post-payments-bank-joins-epfo-to-provide-doorstep-digital-life-certificate-services-646409.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/irf-lauds-govts-move-to-install-qr-code-on-road-projects-646410.html New Delhi Nov 3 The International Road Federation IRF on Monday lauded the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for its initiative to install QR codes on major road projects The IRF called the initiative a significant step towards transparency participatory governance and monitoring of construction qualityThis forwardthinking measure marks a significant milestone in the nations journey towards creating a more transparent accountable and technologydriven infrastructure management system the organisation said in a letter to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin GadkariQR codes will provide public access to data on road construction and maintenance enhance contractor accountability and improve durability and safety throughout the national road networkGadkari had announced that all national highway projects in India will soon feature QR codes displaying complete project details from contractors and consultants to fundingThe organisation along with the Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt Ltd applauded the foresight in ensuring that contractors remain accountable for road maintenance for up to ten years which will go a long way in strengthening the culture of responsibility and excellence in the sectorBy linking infrastructure to open data India is taking a decisive stride toward responsible citizencentric administration a model that could inspire similar reforms across other public sectors it addedIn another major development to provide ease of commuting to users the National Highways Authority of India NHAI had in October announced the installation of project information signboards with Quick Response QR Codes along the National Highway stretchesThe move will provide relevant projectspecific information and emergency helpline numbers to National Highway commutersNHAI is projected to garner Rs 3500040000 crore in FY26 if the road assets identified by the authority are monetised promptly IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/irf-lauds-govts-move-to-install-qr-code-on-road-projects-646410.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtels-q2-profit-surges-89-pc-to-rs-6-792-crore-646411.html Mumbai Nov 3 Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Monday reported an 89 per cent yearonyear YoY jump in consolidated net profit for the JulySeptember quarter of the current financial year Q2 FY26 The companys profit rose to Rs 67917 crore compared to Rs 35932 crore in the same quarter last financial year according to its stock exchange filingAirtels consolidated revenue from operations grew 257 per cent YoY to Rs 521454 crore up from Rs 414733 crore in Q2 FY25 driven by strong performance across its mobile and data segmentsWe delivered another quarter of solid performance achieving a consolidated revenue of Rs 52145 crore growing 54 per cent sequentially and underscoring the strength of our portfolio Gopal Vittal Vice Chairman and MD saidWe saw multiple deal wins across Connectivity IOT and security business he addedOur solid balance sheet is a reflection of disciplined capital allocation continued deleveraging and sustained operational excellence Vittal mentionedThe companys EBITDA earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation stood at Rs 29919 crore registering a 36 per cent YoY increaseThe EBITDA margin improved to 574 per cent reflecting better operational efficiency and higher revenue per userBharti Airtel said it continued to strengthen its position in the postpaid segment adding 095 million new customers during the quarter taking its total postpaid base to 275 millionThe number of smartphone data users also rose by 222 million over the past year representing an 84 per cent YoY growthThe companys average revenue per user ARPU a key performance indicator for telecom operators increased to Rs 256 in Q2 FY26 from Rs 233 in the same quarter last fiscalAirtels net debttoEBITDA ratio improved significantly to 163 times on an annualised basis compared with 250 times as of September 30 2024 reflecting a stronger balance sheet position IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtels-q2-profit-surges-89-pc-to-rs-6-792-crore-646411.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-smartphone-shipments-up-5-pc-in-july-sept-apple-breaks-into-top-5-646412.html New Delhi Nov 3 Indias smartphone market continued its recovery in the JulySeptember quarter of 2025 growing 5 per cent yearonyear YoY by volume and 18 per cent by value its highestever quarterly value a new report showed on Monday The growth was fueled by strong festive demand attractive discounts and rising interest in premium phones according to Counterpoint ResearchAnalysts said the markets focus is shifting from volume growth to value growth as more consumers upgrade to higherend smartphonesRetail inflation has eased and consumer confidence has improved while easy financing options and attractive tradein offers have encouraged more buyers to spend on premium devicesSenior Analyst Prachir Singh from Counterpoint Research said that better household liquidity and festive optimism supported strong sales during the quarterSofter interest rates and easy financing options further fueled upgradedriven demand encouraging brands to stock up early OEMs rolled out aggressive discounts and EMI offers on older models effectively attracting valueconscious buyers he saidThe premium smartphone segment which includes devices priced above Rs 30000 saw the fastest growth up 29 per cent YoY in shipmentsThis helped the overall market value grow 18 per cent YoY while the average selling price ASP rose 13 per centApple led the premium market with a 28 per cent value share driven by strong demand for its iPhone 16 and 15 seriesThe newly launched iPhone 17 series also received a strong response with early demand exceeding that of previous modelsSamsung followed with a 23 per cent value share supported by its Galaxy S and A series and record sales of its foldable phonesOn the shipment side vivo excluding iQOO emerged as the top smartphone brand in India with a 20 per cent market share powered by its extensive offline presence and successful Tseries modelsSamsung ranked second with a 13 per cent share while OPPO excluding OnePlus gained ground through a wider product range and stronger retail partnershipsIn a major milestone Apple entered Indias top five smartphone brands by volume for the first time making India the thirdlargest iPhone market in the worldThe iPhone 16 was the most shipped device in the country for the second quarter in a rowAnalysts noted that Apples growing retail presence easy financing options and strong brand appeal have made its phones more accessible to Indian consumers even in smaller cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-smartphone-shipments-up-5-pc-in-july-sept-apple-breaks-into-top-5-646412.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nagaland-universitys-biodegradable-gelatin-electrolyte-to-boost-performance-of-supercapacitors-646418.html Kohima Nov 3 A research team from Nagaland University has developed a novel ecofriendly gelatinbased hydrogel membrane electrolyte that provides a safe flexible and biodegradable alternative to conventional electrolytes used in supercapacitors Supercapacitors are fastcharging highoutput energy storage devices used in everything from electric vehicles to emergency medical equipmentThe research published in the journal Materials Today Chemistry could pave the way for cleaner more sustainable energy solutions It holds the potential to have a great impact on sustainable energy storage particularly in devices such as electric vehicles medical wearables and portable electronicsTraditional energy storage systems often use liquid electrolytes that can leak corrode components and cause environmental damageTo address these challenges the research team created a KIdoped glyoxalcrosslinked gelatin hydrogel membrane electrolyte GNHMEThe innovative material combines gelatin a naturally biodegradable protein with glyoxal a crosslinking agent that enhances mechanical flexibility and potassium iodide KI a redoxactive dopant that boosts ionic conductivity and capacitanceAccording to the team the result is a semitransparent flexible hydrogel that safely conducts ions and maintains stability over thousands of chargedischarge cycles making it ideal for nextgeneration solidstate supercapacitorsElaborating on this research Dr Nurul Alam Choudhury Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry Nagaland University said that the development of biodegradable redoxactive solid electrolytes mark an important step toward realising ecofriendly highperformance energy storage systems compatible with renewable energy integrationThis technology could play a key role in electric mobility and green energy applications aligning with Indias sustainable development goals he pointed outUnlike conventional liquid electrolytes this quasisolid hydrogel is biodegradable leakproof and exhibits exceptional electrochemical performanceThe gelatinglyoxal covalent hydrogel is a superabsorbent that absorbs water to the extent of 717 per cent The incorporation of KI significantly improves the energy and power densities of supercapacitors while the use of glyoxal provides excellent flexibility and resilience compared to other crosslinking agents IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nagaland-universitys-biodegradable-gelatin-electrolyte-to-boost-performance-of-supercapacitors-646418.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/at-92-pc-indias-ai-adoption-rate-highest-in-asia-pacific-report-646422.html New Delhi Nov 3 India has the highest AI adoption rate in Asia Pacific at 92 per cent according to a report showcasing the countrys dynamic digitally fluent workforce and strong appetite for innovation The report by Boston Consulting Group reveals how employees across nine markets in Asia Pacific are both optimistic and fearful about the rise of AI offering a nuanced snapshot of the regions workplace transformationIt showed that 92 per cent of employees in the country use AI regularly 20 points above the global average while Japan lags at just 51 per cent Optimism about AI was highest in China 70 per cent Malaysia 68 per cent and Indonesia 69 per centIndias AI adoption rate the highest in Asia Pacific signals not just enthusiasm but readiness for the next phase of transformation Whats unique about Indias journey is the confidence of its workforce and the strength of its leadership engagement with 58 per cent of frontline employees receiving clear guidance on AI use nearly double the regional average creating fertile ground for scaled responsible innovation said Nipun Kalra India Leader BCGThe report offers a clear view of how organisations can move from experimenting with AI to truly reimagining their operating models For India and the region the opportunity now is to design this transformation deliberately building governance skills and structures that turn AIs promise into measurable enterprise and economic value Kalra addedThe report noted that Asia leads in AI adoption with 78 per cent of APAC employees using the technology regularly compared with 72 per cent globallyAbout 70 per cent of frontline employees in APAC use AI weekly or more compared to just 51 per cent globallyAcross the Asia Pacific workers are embracing AI faster and with more enthusiasm than anywhere else in the world Yet this surge comes with rising anxiety about what it means for the future of workWhile 60 per cent of employees in APAC feel positive about AIs impact vs 52 per cent globally 52 per cent also fear job loss due to AI the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/at-92-pc-indias-ai-adoption-rate-highest-in-asia-pacific-report-646422.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sc-calls-for-action-against-digital-arrest-scams-with-iron-hands-646430.html New Delhi Nov 3 The Supreme Court on Monday expressed grave concern over the growing menace of cybercrimes which have reportedly led to the extortion of over Rs 3000 crore from citizens including vulnerable senior citizens A bench of Justices Surya Kant Ujjal Bhuyan and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a suo motu case concerning the rising menace of digital arrest scams where fraudsters impersonate police and judicial officers using forged court orders to extort money from victimsDuring the hearing the Justice Surya Kantled Bench was informed that the scam syndicates were not only operating within India but were also being run from offshore locationsIn sealed cover reports the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs MHA submitted that criminal networks linked to digital arrest frauds were often operating from countries such as Myanmar and ThailandEmphasising the need to empower investigation agencies through judicial orders the apex court remarked It is shocking that over Rs 3000 crore have been collected from the victims including senior citizens If we do not pass stringent and harsh orders the problem will magnify We are determined to deal with these crimes with iron handsSolicitor General Tushar Mehta the secondhighest law officer of the Centre informed the bench that the CBI had already begun investigating several cases with technical assistance from the MHAs Cyber Crime DivisionThe Supreme Court also appointed an amicus curiae to assist in the matter with a further hearing scheduled for November 10In an earlier hearing the Justice Surya Kantled Bench had directed all states and Union Territories to file details of First Information Reports FIRs relating to these scamsObserving that digital arrest scams appeared to be panIndia or even crossborder in nature the apex court had suggested that the investigation be handed over to the CBIThere are more than one instance that have taken place in different parts We are inclined to entrust the matter to the CBI in respect of all the states because this is a kind of crime which may be operating panIndia or even across the border the apex court had said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sc-calls-for-action-against-digital-arrest-scams-with-iron-hands-646430.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-triple-incentives-for-rare-earth-magnet-manufacturing-646431.html New Delhi Nov 3 In a major push to build domestic capacity in the strategic rare earth sector India plans to almost triple the size of its incentive programme for rare earth magnet manufacturing to more than Rs 7000 crore The move comes as several nations including India step up efforts to establish a reliable supply chain for rare earth magnets key components used in electric vehicles wind turbines smartphones and defence systems amid Chinas growing export restrictions according to reportsChina currently processes nearly 90 per cent of the worlds rare earth output In April this year Beijing tightened export controls on critical minerals as its trade tensions with the US deepened disrupting supplies to automakers and clean energy industries across the globeIndias expanded productionlinked incentive PLI plan aims to attract private investment promote local manufacturing and reduce dependence on Chinese importsThe government is also exploring partnerships with resourcerich nations to ensure secure access to raw materials needed for magnet productionIndustry experts said the proposed boost in incentives reflects Indias broader strategy to strengthen its critical minerals ecosystem from exploration and mining to value addition and hightech manufacturingEarlier in the day the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry PHDCCI had urged the government to set up a dedicated Department of Critical Minerals and adopt an aggressive mineral diplomacy to safeguard India from global supplychain disruptionsThe chamber also called for interministerial coordination and strategic stockpiling of key minerals similar to the US oil reserve modelExperts have repeatedly highlighted that the global energy transition will rely heavily on critical mineralsElectric vehicles are estimated to be six times more mineralintensive than conventional cars while renewable energy technologies like solar and wind require up to three times more minerals than traditional sourcesBy scaling up its rare earth magnet production India aims not only to strengthen its manufacturing base but also to position itself as a key player in the global clean energy and electronics value chains according to reports IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-triple-incentives-for-rare-earth-magnet-manufacturing-646431.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-san-francisco-delhi-flight-lands-in-mongolia-over-suspected-tech-issue-646433.html New Delhi Nov 3 Air India on Monday said that its flight from San Francisco to Delhi via Kolkata made a precautionary landing in Mongolia after the flight crew suspected a technical issue The airline said that the incident occurred when flight AI174 on November 2 operating from San Francisco to Delhi via Kolkata made a precautionary landing at Ulaanbaatar Mongolia after the flight crew suspected a technical issue en routeThe aircraft landed safely at Ulaanbaatar and is undergoing the necessary checks We are working closely with our partners to support all passengers while we make efforts to get everyone on their way to the destination at the earliest opportunity an Air India spokesperson saidAir India said it regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the unforeseen situation At Air India the safety of passengers and crew remains a top priorityMeanwhile Air India has been granted a temporary extension of flight duty time for twopilot Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes flying on European routes which have become longer due to the closure of Pakistani airspace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA said last weekThe extension was based on specific operational reasons linked to planes on European routes having to undertake longer flight paths following the shutdown of Pakistans airspace according to the civil aviation regulatorFor twopilot Boeing 787 operations the Flight Duty Time Limitation FDTL has been extended to 10 hours and 30 minutes from 10 hours and the Flight Duty Period FDP increased to 14 hours from 13 hours The DGCA clarified that the extension of up to 30 minutes in flight time and up to one hour in FDP will apply only in cases where duty periods extend after departure and not during flight planning IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-san-francisco-delhi-flight-lands-in-mongolia-over-suspected-tech-issue-646433.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aerial-electromagnetic-survey-launched-for-slbc-tunnel-in-telangana-646440.html Hyderabad Nov 3 Aerial electromagnetic survey for SLBC tunnel works was launched in Telanganas Nagarkurnool district on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy The heliborne aerial electromagnetic survey is aimed at facilitating the continuation of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal SLBC project tunnel worksThe advanced survey is being conducted under the supervision of scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute NGRIAccompanied by Uttam Kumar Reddy and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy the Chief Minister arrived at Mannevaripalli village and inspected the stateoftheart transmitter system mounted on a helicopter at the SLBC Tunnel1 outlet point CPoint for the aerial electromagnetic surveyNGRI scientists explained to the Chief Minister the use of cuttingedge technology to study subsurface geological conditions The survey will help identify shear zones rock formations as well as underground water flows and their intensity at depths ranging from 800 to 1000 metres which are crucial for progressing with the SLBC tunnel worksAfter receiving a detailed briefing from the scientists the Chief Minister authorised the helicopter to take off to commence the aerial surveyHe along with the ministers also flew in a second helicopter to observe the lowlevel aerial exercise firsthandNGRI Director Dr Prakash Kumar scientist Dr H V S Satyanarayana Irrigation Department Advisor and Indian Armys Border Roads Organisations former chief Lt Gen Harpal Singh and Army Officer Parikshit explained various aspects of the survey area its technology and methodology to the Chief MinisterIn his remarks on the occasion the Chief Minister stated that the government is determined to complete the longpending 40kmlong tunnel project work by overcoming all obstaclesThis project pending for over two decades was revived after our government assumed office To complete the remaining 98 km of tunnel works we have engaged NGRI scientists and experienced Army officers who specialise in tunnel constructionRevanth Reddy said that the survey conducted under the NGRIs leadership will help determine geological conditions rock formations and underground water flows up to a depth of 800 to 1000 metres at intervals of every 25 metres Since the entire project area falls within a Tiger Reserve environmental precautions are being strictly observed he addedInitiated in 1983 the SLBC project aims to provide irrigation to 3 lakh acres and drinking water to 30 lakh people by gravity flow of 30 TMCs of water from the Krishna River However work remained stalled for two decades It was revived in 2004 during the tenure of undivided Andhra Pradeshs late Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy when tunnel works 1 and 2 were launchedOut of the 44 km tunnel nearly 33 km were completed earlier but during the past decade the project faced complete neglect At the time of initiation this was one of the most advanced tunnel projects in the world using a stateoftheart tunnel boring machine the CM notedThis 44 km gravitybased tunnel is unique in India and rarely seen elsewhere in the world Once completed Telangana will gain immense recognition and the project will deliver water supply without additional power costs Presently we spend Rs 500 crore annually only on electricity to pump water through the AMR projectamounting to Rs 5000 crore in the last decade he saidHe announced that the government will provide compensation and address the grievances of the dwellers of the submerged Marlapadu Keshya Tanda and Nakkalagandi habitations located close to the SLBC projectThe Chief Minister came down heavily on the previous BRS government for not completing the prestigious SLBC tunnel works during its 10year rule for political reasonsHe alleged that former Chief Minister KCR and then irrigation minister Harish Rao intentionally put the project on hold and created hurdles in the supply of water to Nalgonda through gravityCM Revanth Reddy noted that the project would have been completed at the cost of Rs 2000 crore had the KCR government completed the works Today the project cost has escalated to Rs 4500 croreThe CM took a broadside at KCR for not taking up even a single project on the river Krishna and spending Rs 186 lakh crore on contractors in 10 years He said that Rs 105 lakh crore was spent on the Kaleshwaram project aloneHe stated that Uttam Kumar Reddy was making allout efforts to complete the SLBC works by roping in the Army officials to dig the tunnels without any trouble in the futureRevanth Reddy said it was unfortunate that eight workers died during the excavation of the tunnel in FebruaryIt was a painful incident and we supported the affected families That is why we have now brought in the most skilled and experienced experts including an Army officer deputed to oversee the project he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aerial-electromagnetic-survey-launched-for-slbc-tunnel-in-telangana-646440.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-shows-power-of-sharing-knowledge-and-learning-together-industry-leader-646443.html Bengaluru Nov 3 Today is a great example of how we can come together to discuss share knowledge and learn from one another all of which are essential for the future Hanna Stjärne Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation said on Monday Speaking to IANS on the sideline of the Nobel Prize Dialogue at the Indian Institute of Science IISc here she said the enthusiasm and curiosity shown by Indian students and researchers reflected the countrys deep commitment to learning and collaborationWhen we organise meetings like this we bring many laureates onto the stage but theyre also here to engage and answer questions she saidIt becomes an exchange between students the public and the laureates a true opportunity to learn from one another Stjärne told IANSStjärne praised the success of the Bengaluru session saying There were so many questions today we could have continued the discussion for much longerIm really looking forward to hearing the questions that the audience in Mumbai will raise tomorrow she saidReflecting on the Bengaluru session she said the level of curiosity among participants was remarkableThere were so many questions today we could have continued the discussion for much longer Im really looking forward to hearing the questions that the audience in Mumbai will raise tomorrow Stjärne saidShe also appreciated the collaboration that made the event possible calling it an excellent partnership that worked out very wellThe Nobel Prize Dialogue titled The Future We Want was held from 1030 am to 100 pm at IISc Bengaluru and served as a platform to connect global scientific leaders with Indias young minds fostering discussions on innovation sustainability and the shared future of humanity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-shows-power-of-sharing-knowledge-and-learning-together-industry-leader-646443.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gift-nifty-achieves-record-monthly-turnover-of-10622-billion-in-october-646264.html Mumbai Nov 3 Multiasset exchange NSE International Exchange NSEIX on Monday informed that its international Nifty futures contract GIFT Nifty witnessed a record monthly turnover of 10622 billion in the month of October The October turnover of 211 million contracts exceeded the previous high of 10235 billion reached in May 2025 according to the exchangeThe milestone reflects the growing global interest and trust in the GIFT Nifty as a benchmark for the Indias growth story according to the exchange Since launching fullscale operations on July 3 2023 GIFT Nifty has recorded over 5277 million contracts and a total cumulative turnover of 240 trillion as of October 2025 the statement saidTrading turnover on NSEIX has been growing exponentially since the commencement of a fullscale operation of GIFT NiftyWe are glad to witness the success of GIFT Nifty and express our sincere gratitude to all the participants for their overwhelming support and making GIFT Nifty a successful contract according to the NSEThe exchange had earlier informed that GIFT Nifty achieved a record open interest OI on October 24 2025 GIFT Nifty saw an open interest of 410100 contracts worth 2123 billion or Rs 186226 croreNSEIX located at GIFT City was established on June 5 2017 and is recognised by the International Financial Services Centres Authority It claims a market share of over 997 per cent in GIFT IFSCNSEIX offers Indian single stock derivatives index derivatives currency derivatives depository receipts and global stocks to investors The exchange also provides a comprehensive range of primary market products including listings of equity shares SPACs REITs InvITs depository receipts debt securities and ESG debt securitiesIn October Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled foreign currency settlement system in GIFT City to boost international trade investment and ease of doing business IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gift-nifty-achieves-record-monthly-turnover-of-10622-billion-in-october-646264.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-manufacturing-growth-picks-up-in-oct-due-to-robust-domestic-demand-pmi-data-646268.html New Delhi Nov 3 Indias manufacturing sector growth surged in the month of October fuelled by strong domestic demand GST 20 reforms productivity gains and increased technology investments a report said on Monday The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index PMI rose to 592 in October from 577 in September according to data compiled by USbased financial intelligence provider SampP GlobalThe increase stemmed from quicker growth in new orders and factory output at the beginning of the third financial quarter driven by boost in advertising and recent GST reforms the report saidThe expansion rate matched levels seen in August which was one of the strongest in the last five years it indicatedA reading above 50 indicates economic expansion while one below 50 shows contraction in the manufacturing services or construction sectors A reading of exactly 50 signifies flat activityThe manufacturing PMI acceleration comes from robust enddemand fuelled expansions in output new orders and job creation said Pranjul Bhandari chief India economist at HSBCMeanwhile input prices moderated in October while average selling prices increased as some manufacturers passed on additional cost burdens to endconsumers Bhandari addedDespite input cost inflation easing to an eightmonth low output charge inflation remained at its highest level in 12 years for the second consecutive monthCompanies reported passing on higher freight and labour costs to customers while strong demand allowed them to maintain elevated pricesDomestic sales growth outpaced export orders which grew more slowly even with some improvement in overseas demand Employment creation continued for the twentieth straight month in October with hiring remaining moderate and largely consistent with Septembers levels it notedManufacturers remain optimistic about future business conditions crediting their optimism to GST reforms capacity expansion and stronger marketing efforts the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-manufacturing-growth-picks-up-in-oct-due-to-robust-domestic-demand-pmi-data-646268.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/startup-founder-orders-veg-biryani-from-behrouz-via-swiggy-gets-non-veg-instead-646276.html New Delhi Nov 3 Startup founder and angel investor Udit Goenka who ordered veg biryani from Behrouz Biryani via food delivery app Swiggy got a rude shock as he got nonveg biryani instead Taking to the social media platform X Goenka shared the plight and called out Swiggy to resume the matterOrdered Veg Biryani from Behrouz and I was delivered nonveg Goenka saidTagging Swiggy he said Resolve this before I go to consumer court He also tagged Behrouz Biryani and stated Suing you guys for thisWhile Behrouz issued an apology on X Swiggy has yet to immediately respond to the post on the platformHi Udit That is certainly not the experience we intend for our customers and we apologise as your experience has been hampered Kindly DM us your Order ID and contact number so that we can fix this for you RB Behrouz posted on XThe post also garnered much attention with people asking Goenka not to order veg from a nonveg restaurantThis is not the first time Swiggy and Behrouz Biryani have made the blunderEarlier in April a woman took to her Instagram handle to slam Swiggy for delivering nonveg food to her during Navratri a highly auspicious time of the yearIn July a UPSC teacher on X posted a clip of a bowl of soup claiming his family had ordered a vegetarian soup from a premium restaurant via Zomato but received a nonvegetarian soup insteadLast year the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Telangana and Punjab slapped a fine on Swiggy for delivering nonvegetarian food to vegetarian customersThe Commission ordered a collective fine of Rs 10000 on Swiggy and a Madhapurbased restaurant in April and slapped a fine of Rs 50000 on Swiggy and Behrouz Biryani in JulyMeanwhile Swiggy has reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 1092 crore for the quarter ended September Q2 FY26 widening from a loss of Rs 626 crore in the same period last fiscal Q2 FY25The loss is attributable to the owners of the company the company informed in its stock exchange filing IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/startup-founder-orders-veg-biryani-from-behrouz-via-swiggy-gets-non-veg-instead-646276.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nearly-50-pc-millennials-fear-jobs-being-replaced-by-ai-report-646283.html Mumbai Nov 3 Amid increasing adaptation to the growing influence of artificial intelligence AI at the workplace nearly 50 pc millennials in the country fear that their jobs will be replaced by AI in the next three to five years according to a report on Monday The report by Great Place To Work India offered an indepth look at how Indian employees are adapting to the growing influence of AI at workThe findings also highlight a positive shift across industries with employees showing greater readiness and trust in leveraging AI as a catalyst for productivity and innovationThe report revealed that 54 per cent of employees across India believe their organisations are currently at a pilot or intermediate stage of AI implementation This reflects the steady progress toward a more techempowered and efficient work environmentHowever it revealed that four in 10 employees feel that AI could replace their roles in the next three to five years This apprehension is not confined to a single demographic and is consistent irrespective of tenure at the current organisation or total career experienceAt least 40 per cent of the employees concerned about AI taking their employment also intend to quit their current company revealed the report highlighting a crucial and pressing issue for HR departments and senior leadershipAs organisations across industries advance in AI implementation leaders are devising highimpact AI strategies that enhance human capabilities Roadblocks that currently need attention are organisational resistance coupled with employee readiness said Balbir Singh CEO Great Place To Work IndiaFurther about 57 per cent of employees in companies that have not adopted AI yet noted being insecure as compared to 8 per cent at companies that are at advanced stages of AI adoptionThis positive shift highlights how structured adoption leadership support and inclusive communication can turn initial apprehension into genuine excitement about the future of workSingh urged employers to actively identify real use cases for AI within their organisation involve employees in AI initiatives and invest in reskilling programmes This is the only way to stay above the curve and get the internal mobility running successfully from within IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nearly-50-pc-millennials-fear-jobs-being-replaced-by-ai-report-646283.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-dip-as-safe-haven-demand-declines-646289.html Mumbai Nov 3 Spot gold prices slipped below the 4000 per ounce after a significant increase this year dipping 27 per cent from last week to 398443 an ounce data showed on Monday The price of 10 grams of 24carat gold was Rs 121113 during the day trade according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJAAnalysts said the moderation in demand came as trade tensions between the US and China cooled and the dollar index jumped to its highest in three monthsAfter a sharp rally gold and silver lost some shine last weekFurther Beijings decision to end a longstanding tax rebate for certain retailers is expected to weaken demand in one of the worlds largest bullion markets according to multiple media reportsIn spite of the pullback gold remains over 50 per cent higher yeartodate driven by centralbank purchases and safehaven demand Silver prices have also corrected sharply after hitting festiveseason highs of around Rs 2 lakh per kilo during the Dhanteras periodThe price of one kilogram of silver was Rs 149660 according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJAHowever many experts view this as a temporary phase with another rally likely in the near futureRising US bond yields above 4 per cent further weakened investor appetite for safehaven assets Fed Chair Jerome Powells comments that rate cuts in December arent guaranteed also dampened sentiment However consistent central bank purchases and lingering global economic uncertainties continue to offer underlying support to bullion prices according to Rahul Kalantri VP Commodities Mehta Equities LtdAnalysts said that gold has support at Rs 120870 to Rs 120480 while resistance is at the Rs 121890 to Rs 122300 zone Silver has support at Rs 147450 to 146750 while resistance is at Rs 149340 to 150280 zone IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-dip-as-safe-haven-demand-declines-646289.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/seouls-200-billion-investment-in-us-will-first-go-to-s-korean-firms-minister-646298.html Seoul Nov 3 Seouls envisioned 200 billion investment in the United States will first flow into South Korean companies operating in the country the industry minister said on Monday The 200 billion cash investment is not just money we are giving to the US Industry Minister Kim Jungkwan said during his meeting with chief executive officers CEOs of mediumsized enterprises referring to the details of Koreas investment commitment to the US under the tariff deal reached between the two countries last week The benefits will be structured to give priority to our companies entering the US marketKim explained investments will be made on projects agreed upon by both sides through a joint investment committee that will be chaired by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and a cooperation committee headed by himself reports Yonhap news agencyThe 200 billion investment will be made based on commercial rationality Simply put it will be directed to businesses capable of generating cash flow he saidOn Wednesday Seoul and Washington finalized an agreement on the details of Seouls 350 billion investment pledge made in exchange for the lowering of US tariffsUnder the final terms the investment will consist of 200 billion in cash installments and 150 billion allocated for bilateral shipbuilding cooperation with an annual cap set at 20 billionKim said the two countries have nearly completed a memorandum of understanding and a joint fact sheet on their recently finalized tariff dealUntil now Korean companies had to finance themselves to start a business in the US but they will have another option with the tariff deal he stressed calling on mediumsized firms to actively consider utilizing the envisioned KoreaUS investment fundRegarding US President Donald Trumps remarks that he was a very tough negotiator Kim said he considers it an honor for my family noting he has been called tough by the toughest person in the worldTrump made the remarks during his special address for the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation APEC CEO Summit held in the southeastern city of Gyeongju last weekMeanwhile Vice Industry Minister Moon Shinhak said in a separate press briefing that the government is working to assess the potential impact of Seouls massive investment plan in the USKorean conglomerates have been executing their mother factory strategy well but we will have to see if they can maintain and develop the strategy Moon told reporters referring to concerns Seouls investments in the US may weaken the companies domestic investmentsMother factory strategy refers to a tactic where businesses operate a main factory for the technological development and production of highvalue products in their home country while outsourcing less important projects to their overseas plantsOn the ongoing discussions between the government and petrochemical companies on an industrial restructuring plan Moon said his ministry will finalize the plan by the end of this yearIn August the government announced its road map on helping the ailing petrochemical sectors voluntary restructuring efforts aimed at tackling the industrywide crisis stemming from a global oversupply IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/seouls-200-billion-investment-in-us-will-first-go-to-s-korean-firms-minister-646298.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adanis-ambuja-cements-q2-net-profit-soars-364-pc-revenue-rises-21-pc-646301.html Ahmedabad Nov 3 Ambuja Cements part of the diversified Adani Portfolio on Monday reported strong results for the JulySeptember quarter of the current financial year Q2 FY26 with consolidated net profit PAT soaring 364 pc yearonyear YoY to Rs 23023 crore compared to Rs 4965 crore in the yearago period Q2 FY25 The companys standalone PAT also surged nearly three times to Rs 138755 crore compared to Rs 50066 crore in the same quarter last fiscal a jump of 177 per cent YoYDuring the quarter the companys total revenue reached Rs 9174 crore marking its highestever secondquarter performance and a 21 per cent increase yearonyearVinod Bahety Whole Time Director and CEO Ambuja Cements said that this quarter has been noteworthy for the cement industryDespite the headwinds from prolonged monsoons the sector will benefit from the tailwinds of several favourable developments including GST 20 reforms the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme CCTS and the withdrawal of coal cess he addedEBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs 1761 crore up 58 per cent from last financial year with EBITDA per tonne rose to Rs 1060 an improvement of 32 per cent YoYThe companys operating margin expanded to 192 per cent higher by 45 percentage pointsAmbuja Cements also remained debtfree with a net worth of Rs 69493 crore up Rs 3057 crore during the quarter Its earnings per share EPS jumped 267 per cent to Rs 72On the operational front the company announced several capacity expansion plans Its FY28 capacity target has been raised from 140 million tonnes per annum MTPA to 155 MTPA with the additional 15 MTPA expected to come through lowcost debottlenecking at around 48 per tonneThe company has also started trial runs for a new 4 MTPA kiln line at Bhatapara in Chhattisgarh while the 2 MTPA Krishnapatnam grinding unit has been commissioned Three more locations adding 7 MTPA of capacity are expected to become operational in the next quarterOur outlook for the balance period of FY26 remains positive We remain optimistic about delivering double digit revenue growth and four digits PMT EBITDA the company said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adanis-ambuja-cements-q2-net-profit-soars-364-pc-revenue-rises-21-pc-646301.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/after-layoffs-microsoft-plans-fresh-hiring-focused-on-ai-satya-nadella-646188.html New Delhi Nov 2 After a year of major layoffs Microsoft is preparing to grow its workforce again but this time with a clear focus on artificial intelligence AI Speaking on the BG2 podcast with investor Brad Gerstner Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the companys employee count will increase in a smarter and more leveraged way driven by AI technologyWe will grow our headcount Nadella said adding that future hiring will be shaped by how AI boosts productivity across the companyMicrosoft had about 228 lakh employees at the end of June 2025 with the number staying almost unchanged after several rounds of job cuts that affected over 15000 workersIn contrast before the AI boom in 2022 the companys workforce had expanded by 22 per centThe hiring slowdown came as Microsoft shifted its focus to investing in AI infrastructure partnerships and tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and GitHub CopilotNadella explained that the company has entered a new phase not of mass hiring but of targeted scaling where AI allows smaller teams to achieve much moreHe described this as an unlearning and learning process in which employees must adapt to using AI in every part of their work from research and planning to executionHe shared an example of a Microsoft executive who used AI agents to manage the companys fibernetwork operations when hiring couldnt keep up with growing demandThats an example of a smaller team achieving more because of AI Nadella saidMeanwhile earlier this year multiple reports suggested that Microsoft laid off 4 per cent of its workforce or around 9000 employees in yet another round of job cuts this yearAccording to The Seattle Times in July this year employees in Microsofts Xbox division known as Microsoft Gaming are being hit hard by these layoffsTo position Gaming for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas we will end or decrease work in certain areas of the business and follow Microsofts lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness said Xbox leader Phil Spencer in a message to the team IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/after-layoffs-microsoft-plans-fresh-hiring-focused-on-ai-satya-nadella-646188.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/you-forgot-to-mention-act-4-elon-musk-hits-back-at-sam-altman-over-tesla-car-delay-claim-646202.html New Delhi Nov 2 Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hit back at OpenAI chief Sam Altman after the latter claimed he was still waiting for a Tesla car more than seven years after booking it Musk accused Altman of leaving out key details saying the issue had already been resolved and a refund issued within 24 hoursnbspThe longrunning tension between Musk and OpenAI CEO Altman flared up once again after Altman alleged that he has been waiting more than seven years for a Tesla vehicle he booked and still hasnt received itAltman claimed that he paid 45000 as a prereservation fee for a Tesla car in July 2018 but despite multiple followups he has not received the vehicle or a refund In a post on social media platform X Altman shared screenshots of his email exchanges with Tesla including the booking confirmation a refund request and an error message showing his email bounced back with Address not foundnbspCalling it a tale in three acts Altman wrote I really was excited for the car And I understand delays But 75 years has felt like a long time to waitTesla CEO Elon Musk however quickly responded to Altmans post accusing him of leaving out key details And you forgot to mention act 4 where this issue was fixed and you received a refund within 24 hours But that is in your nature Musk wrote in a pointed reply on XnbspIn a followup post Musk added You stole a nonprofit taking a sharp jab at Altman over OpenAIs shift from a nonprofit to a forprofit structure a move Musk has publicly criticised in the pastTeslas secondgeneration Roadster which Altman is believed to have reserved was first unveiled in 2017 as the fastest production car ever made However the vehicles launch has been repeatedly delayed and remains in the design development stage as per Teslas latest financial filings IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/you-forgot-to-mention-act-4-elon-musk-hits-back-at-sam-altman-over-tesla-car-delay-claim-646202.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-indigenous-gsat-7r-satellite-to-bolster-navys-communications-successfully-separated--646225.html Sriharikota Andhra Pradesh Nov 2 IANS The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO on Sunday successfully achieved the separation and injection of the Indian Navys GSAT7R CMS03 communication satellite which would strengthen the forces spacebased communications and maritime domain awareness capabilitiesnbsp The satellite the most advanced communication satellite thus far for the Indian Navy and carried on a LVM3M5 rocket was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota at the fixed time of 526 pmIn a mission update on its X account the ISRO said CMS03 separated successfully Perfect injectionnbspUnion Minister of State Independent Charge for Science ampamp Technology Dr Jitendra Singh lauded the ISRO on its latest achievementnbspKudos Team ISRO Indias Bahubali scales the skies with the successful launch of LVM3M5 Mission Bahubali as it is being popularly referred LVM3M5 rocket is carrying the CMS03 communication satellite the heaviest ever to be launched from the Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit GTO ISRO continues to script one success after another Thanks PM Sh narendramodi for the unflinching government support he said in a post on XThis satellite is Indias heaviest communication satellite till date weighing approximately 4400 kg and includes many indigenous stateoftheart components developed specifically to meet the Navys operational requirementsnbspAccording to the ministry GSAT7R will provide robust telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region Its payload includes transponders capable of supporting voice data and video links over multiple communication bandsnbspThis satellite will significantly enhance connectivity with highcapacity bandwidth enabling seamless and secure communication links between ships aircraft submarines and Maritime Operations Centres of the Indian NavyIn an era of complex security challenges GSAT7R represents the Indian Navys determination to protect the nations maritime interests leveraging advanced technology through AatmanirbhartanbspCMS03 is a multiband communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass ISRO saidnbspThe LVM3 rocket is Indias heaviest launch vehicle and can carry up to 4000 kg to space It has successfully launched missions like Chandrayaan3 to the Moon which made India the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole The designated LVM3M5 will be its fifth operational flightThe launch vehicle has been fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft and has been moved to the launch pad on October 26 for further prelaunch operations the ISRO saidnbspThe GSAT7R designed exclusively for the Indian Navy will succeed the GSAT7 Rukmini satellite launched in 2013 With upgraded payloads GSAT7R is designed to expand secure multiband communications for the Navy and strengthen its operational reach across critical maritime domainsnbspThe CMS03 payload includes transponders for voice data and video links over C extended C and Ku bands https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-indigenous-gsat-7r-satellite-to-bolster-navys-communications-successfully-separated--646225.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 19:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/trade-talks-q2-earnings-and-global-cues-likely-to-drive-sensex-nifty-next-week-646134.html Mumbai Nov 2 The coming week is expected to be actionpacked for the Indian stock markets as investors turn their focus to key corporate earnings a series of upcoming IPOs and crucial trade negotiations between India and the United States These factors are likely to set the tone for the Sensex and Nifty after both indices ended the last week with minor lossesThe Sensex fell 46575 points or 055 per cent to settle at 8393871 while the Nifty closed 15575 points or 060 per cent lower at 25722 on FridayWeak global cues and profit booking amid mixed corporate earnings weighed on investor sentiment Over the month the Sensex rose 46 per cent and the Nifty gained 45 per centBroader markets also ended lower with the BSE Midcap index declining 055 per cent and the Smallcap index falling 040 per centNext week several heavyweight companies such as Bharti Airtel Titan Company Adani Enterprises Adani Ports InterGlobe Aviation Mahindra amp Mahindra Paytm SBI Britannia Lupin Bajaj Auto and Hindalco Industries are set to announce their quarterly resultsThe market is likely to take cues from these earnings reports for further directionOn the policy side Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India is in the final stages of negotiations with the United States for a bilateral trade agreementGoyal added that talks with the European Union are also progressing wellMeanwhile the primary market is gearing up for a busy week with five IPOs opening for subscription two on the mainboard and three in the SME segmentAdditionally five new companies will make their stock market debut next week further adding to market buzzWith a mix of corporate earnings trade negotiations and IPO activity investors can expect volatility in the markets next week analysts saidGlobal cues and updates on USIndia trade talks will also play a key role in shaping investor sentiment they addedIn terms of levels the Nifty has immediate support at 25600 and 25500 which could provide buying opportunities on declinesOn the upside resistance is seen at 25800 and 26000 with the latter acting as a key hurdle A sustained breakout above 26000 could trigger a bullish move potentially targeting the 2610026300 zone in the coming weeks market watchers added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/trade-talks-q2-earnings-and-global-cues-likely-to-drive-sensex-nifty-next-week-646134.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/make-in-india-booster-aoc-projectors-to-be-locally-manufactured-soon-646138.html New Delhi Nov 2 In a major boost to the governments Make in India mission Clixroute Industries Private Limited on Sunday announced a strategic partnership with TPV Audio and Visual Technology Shenzhen Co Ltd to locally manufacture AOC projectors and AOC outdoor power supplies in India The company plans to invest 10 million to set up manufacturing infrastructure and build a strong local supply chain in Uttar PradeshUnder this multiyear agreement Clixroute Industries part of the RAAMPS Group of Companies will serve as the exclusive importer manufacturer and reseller of AOC projectors and outdoor power supplies in IndiaThe collaboration is aimed at reducing import dependency and strengthening Indias selfreliant manufacturing ecosystemAOC International a subsidiary of Taiwanbased TPV Technology is a globally recognised electronics brand known for its highquality display productsTPV Technology is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of LCD monitors and televisions and AOC is among its top global brandsSpeaking on the partnership Himanshu Gupta Director of Clixroute Industries said This partnership is more than a business agreement its a bridge between worldclass AOC and Indias rapidly growing consumer marketBy combining TPVs innovation with our manufacturing expertise we will deliver authentic AOC projectors and outdoor power solutions made right here in India Gupta mentionedHe added that the company will invest over 10 million to build worldclass infrastructure in Uttar PradeshThe project will create around 200 new jobs support local supply networks and promote skill development in the regionWith Indias demand for advanced projection systems and outdoor power solutions growing across the corporate education entertainment and infrastructure sectors this collaboration is expected to significantly strengthen AOCs presence in the countryThe partnership highlights how global technology and Indian manufacturing can come together to power the nations next phase of industrial growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/make-in-india-booster-aoc-projectors-to-be-locally-manufactured-soon-646138.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-booster-upi-sees-2070-billion-transactions-in-oct-worth-rs-2728-lakh-crore-645951.html New Delhi Nov 1 Amid the GST 20 reforms the unified payments interface UPI witnessed 25 per cent transaction count growth yearonyear at 2070 billion in the month of October along with registering 16 per cent annual growth in transaction amount at Rs 2728 lakh crore the National Payments Corporation of India NPCI data showed on Saturday Monthwise too UPI witnessed a growth in transaction amount from Rs 2490 lakh crore in SeptemberAverage daily transaction amount in October stood at Rs 87993 crore a significant rise from Rs 82991 crore in September the NPCI data showedThe month of October recorded 668 million average daily transaction counts up from 654 million registered in SeptemberIn September the UPI saw 31 per cent transaction count growth yearonyear at 1963 billion with 21 per cent monthonmonth growth in transaction amount at Rs 2490 lakh crore in AugustMonthly transactions via instant money transfer IMPS went up 2 per cent in October at 642 lakh crore onyear and up 6 per cent onmonth from Rs 597 lakh crore in September the data showedDaily transaction amount via IMPS stood at Rs 20709 crore up from Rs 19895 crore in SeptemberMeanwhile UPI continues to dominate the countrys digital payments landscape with transactions surging 35 per cent yearonyear YoY to reach 10636 billion in the first half of 2025 data showed this weekThe total value of these transactions stood at a massive Rs 14334 lakh crore highlighting how deeply digital payments have become a part of everyday life in India according to Worldlines India Digital Payments Report 1H 2025Persontomerchant P2M transactions grew 37 per cent to 6701 billion driven by the Kirana Effect where small and micro businesses have become the backbone of Indias digital economy Indias QRbased payment network also saw tremendous growth more than doubling to 678 million by June 2025 a 111 per cent rise from January 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-booster-upi-sees-2070-billion-transactions-in-oct-worth-rs-2728-lakh-crore-645951.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/covid-during-pregnancy-may-raise-autism-motor-disorder-risk-in-kids-by-age-3-645960.html New Delhi Nov 1 Children born to mothers who had Covid19 while pregnant may be at a high risk of suffering from developmental disorders including speech delays autism and motor disorders by the time they turn 3 years old according to new research Researchers from the Mass General Brigham in the US explained that these may be due to immune activation during pregnancy which disrupts normal foetal brain developmentThese findings highlight that Covid19 like many other infections in pregnancy may pose risks not only to the mother but to foetal brain development said Andrea Edlow MaternalFoetal Medicine specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Mass General Brigham The findings published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology are based on an analysis of 18124 live births during the peak Covid window of March 2020 to May 2021The team studied 18124 motherchild pairs Among the 861 children whose mothers were SARSCoV2positive during pregnancy 140 163 per cent received a neurodevelopmental diagnosis by 3 years of age compared with 1680 97 per cent of the 17263 remaining children from SARSCoV2negative pregnanciesAfter adjusting for other influencing factors SARSCoV2 infection during pregnancy was associated with 29 per cent higher odds of a neurodevelopmental condition in childrenThe investigators also found that males were at higher risk than females Risk was greatest when infection occurred during the third trimester of pregnancyThe study also supported the importance of trying to prevent Covid infection in pregnancy particularly when public trust in vaccines including the Covid19 vaccine is being erodedWhile reducing risk is important the overall risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in exposed children likely remains low said cosenior author Roy Perlis of the Mass General Brigham Department of Psychiatry IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/covid-during-pregnancy-may-raise-autism-motor-disorder-risk-in-kids-by-age-3-645960.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/uidai-rolls-out-fully-digital-aadhaar-update-system-with-new-fees-digital-kyc-and-more-645971.html New Delhi Nov 1 In a significant move to provide digital convenience to Aadhaar cardholders the Unique Identification Authority of India UIDAI has announced major reforms to make Aadhaar updates faster simpler and entirely online effective from Saturday The new changes will allow cardholders to update key details such as their name address date of birth or mobile number directly through the UIDAI portal eliminating the need to visit enrolment centresThe information that an individual submits will be digitally verified using linked government documents like PAN cards passports driving licences or ration cards ensuring both speed and accuracyAdditionally the government has mandated that AadhaarPAN linking be completed by December 31 2025 and that PAN cards that are not linked will be deactivated on January 1 2026As part of the procedure new PAN applicants will also need to finish an Aadhaarbased verificationFurthermore UIDAI has streamlined the digital Know Your Customer KYC process for banks and other financial institutions enabling users to confirm their identity via video KYC Aadhaar OTPbased authentication or optional inperson verificationThe authority has introduced a revised service fee structure that will also come into effect on November 1 Under the new fee structure the Aadhaar reprints will be done at Rs 40 For a biometric update the cardholders need to pay Rs 125 and for updating demographic information the fee would be Rs 75 Home enrolment service for the first applicant will be charged at Rs 700 and Rs 350 for each additional person at the same addressThe digitalfirst reforms are intended to improve the security and usability of Aadhaar services so that citizens can easily manage their identity records from homeEarlier a cardholder had to visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for any correction or update The new reforms bring the entire process online through the UIDAI portal IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/uidai-rolls-out-fully-digital-aadhaar-update-system-with-new-fees-digital-kyc-and-more-645971.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dark-chocolate-berries-may-help-boost-memory-and-relieve-stress-study--645978.html New Delhi Nov 1 Struggling with memory and stress issues A bite of dark chocolate or a handful of berries may help boost your memory levels and also cut down stress according to an animal study The improved memory and cognition may be due to flavanols found abundantly in cocoa and berries said the team from Shibaura Institute of Technology JapanThe study published in the journal Current Research in Food Science demonstrated that flavanol intake can trigger wideranging physiological responses resembling those induced by exercise functioning as a moderate stressor that activates the central nervous system and enhances attention arousal and memory Flavanols also protect against neuronal damageStress responses elicited by flavanols in this study are similar to those elicited by physical exercise Thus moderate intake of flavanols despite their poor bioavailability can improve the health and quality of life said Dr Yasuyuki Fujii from the Shibaura InstituteIn the study the team investigated how flavanols affect the nervous system through sensory stimulation They tested the hypothesis that the astringent taste a dry puckering rough or sandpapery sensation in the mouth of flavanols may act as a direct signal to the brainThe researchers conducted experiments in 10weekold mice administering flavanols orally at doses of 25 mgkg or 50 mgkg body weight while control mice received only distilled waterBehavioural tests showed that flavanolfed mice exhibited greater motor activity exploratory behaviour and improved learning and memory compared to controlsFlavanols enhanced neurotransmitter activity across several brain regions Dopamine and its precursor levodopa norepinephrine and its metabolite normetanephrine were elevated in the brain immediately after the administrationThese chemicals regulate motivation attention stress response and arousalFurthermore enzymes critical for noradrenaline synthesis tyrosine hydroxylase and dopaminebetahydroxylase and transport vesicular monoamine transporter 2 were upregulated strengthening the signalling capacity of the noradrenergic systemIn addition biochemical analysis revealed higher urinary levels of catecholamines hormones released during stress as well as increased activity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus PVN a brain region central to stress regulation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dark-chocolate-berries-may-help-boost-memory-and-relieve-stress-study--645978.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/automakers-report-robust-india-sales-in-october-over-gst-reforms-646017.html New Delhi Nov 1 Automakers like Kia India Skoda Auto India Nissan Motor India and Mahindras Trucks and Buses on Saturday reported robust sales in the month of October driven by strong festive buying due to GST reforms Kia India achieved its bestever monthly sales performance in October with 29556 units since entering the Indian marketWith a robust 30 per cent yearonyear increase over the 22735 units sold in October 2024 marking an unprecedented sales milestone this achievement underscores Kias strong and sustained momentum in Indias competitive automotive landscape the company said in a statementSkoda sold 8252 units in October which is its highestever monthly sales Nissan Motor reported consolidated sales of 9675 units marking a 45 per cent monthonmonth growth and Mahindra and Mahindras overall sales including exports in the Trucks and Buses business stood at 2034 unitsBetween January and October Skoda sold 61607 cars hitting an alltime high annual sales in just 10 months The growth was driven by Skodas firstever sub4m SUV the Kylaq with steady demand for the Kodiaq sustained contributions from the Kushaq and SlaviaNissan Motor reported that its performance reflected a strong festive demand for the New Nissan Magnite during Navratri Dussehra and Diwali complemented by the positive impact of the GST rate reduction announced by the Government of IndiaDomestic wholesale stood at 2402 units supported by robust demand for the New Nissan Magnite while exports reached 7273 units reinforcing Nissan Indias position as a global export hub The company recently celebrated the export of its 12 millionth vehicle strengthening its Make in India Make for the World philosophyMahindra amp Mahindras overall sales including exports in the Trucks and Buses business for the month rose 14 per cent year on year YOY to 2034 units from 1791 units in the same month a year ago Mahindras Trucks amp Buses business comprises of Mahindra Trucks amp Buses division MTBD and SML Mahindra Limited SMLGST 20 brought small cars and twowheelers up to 350 cc to an 18 per cent slab and introduced a 40 per cent flat rate for large cars eliminating the previous separate compensation cess This change makes cars more affordable with small cars and large SUVs seeing price reductions and has spurred a surge in sales and enquiries especially with the festive season IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/automakers-report-robust-india-sales-in-october-over-gst-reforms-646017.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/maruti-suzuki-india-tata-motors-report-resilient-domestic-sales-in-oct-over-gst-cuts-646033.html Mumbai Nov 1 As GST reforms boosted festive demand in the country Maruti Suzuki India Limited on Saturday said it sold a total of 220894 units in October which is its highestever monthly sales volume Domestic sales reached an alltime high of 180675 units The sales to other original equipment manufacturers OEMs were at 8915 units and exports were at 31304 units according to the companyTata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltds sales in the domestic and international market for October stood at 61295 units up 265 per cent compared to 48423 units during the same month a year ago said the company in a statementSUVs led the charge as more than 47000 units were sold last month achieving the highestever 77 per cent share in monthly sales The automaker registered alltime high EV wholesales at 9286 units surging over 73 per cent yearonyear as robust retail demand drove recordbreaking monthly registrationsThe momentum was further strengthened by strong demand for the Nexon which posted an exceptional 50 per cent YoY growth on the back of its popular multipowertrain options Meanwhile the Harrier and Safari together achieved a new record with 7000 units soldThe Tata Groups firm also witnessed record festive performance with over one lakh vehicles delivered between Navratri and Diwali marking a robust 33 per cent onyear growthMeanwhile Hyundai Motor India Limited HMIL achieved total monthly sales of 69894 units in October 2025 including monthly domestic sales of 53792 units and exports of 16102 unitsHyundai Motors registered over 4 per cent monthonmonth rise in monthly domestic sales at 53792 units compared to 51547 units in September However its exports fell 14 per cent monthonmonth to 16102 units from 18800 units in the previous monthIn the month under review Hyundai CRETA and VENUE achieved their secondhighestever combined monthly sales of 30119 units informed the automaker IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/maruti-suzuki-india-tata-motors-report-resilient-domestic-sales-in-oct-over-gst-cuts-646033.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/oyo-faces-allegations-of-daylight-heist-over-bonus-share-ballot-646038.html Mumbai Nov 1 Fintech founder Mohit Gang has accused hospitality chain OYO Rooms of attempting a daylight heist as retail investors are being scammed through a postal ballot that would issue bonus Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares In a post on X Gang said that OYOs postal ballot on October 27 proposed three measures increasing authorised capital issuing bonus CCPS and granting sweat equityHe claimed that a scam lay behind the second measure of issuing bonus CCPS as the threeday response window was intended to lead retail shareholders to overlook the notice resulting in them receiving lowervalue Class A CCPS that convert oneforone into equityIn contrast insiders promoters and institutional investors opting for Class B could benefit from more favourable conversion terms linked to hiring merchant bankers for an IPOFor Class A investors who take no action on the postal ballot one share will be allotted for every 6000 existing sharesClass B available by optin could convert at significantly better ratios potentially providing thousands of additional shares per 6000 holdings if merchant bankers are appointed Gang saidClass B is the clear winner here and a nobrainer choice Because the upside is huge with very little downside If they appoint Merchant bankers one is eligible for extra 1109 shares for every 6000 shares held That is a neat 185 per cent upside his X post readSimply a classic daylight corporate heist By giving just 3 days to respond to this email along with the documentation requirement they have made it virtually impossible for normal investors to opt for Class B Gang addedCapitalmind AMC CEO Deepak Shenoy also took to X following Gangs allegation writing Please be aware if you are a shareholderOYO plans to file its Draft Red Herring Prospectus DRHP in November for a 78 billion valuation for its IPO IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/oyo-faces-allegations-of-daylight-heist-over-bonus-share-ballot-646038.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/two-wheeler-manufacturers-record-8-to-11-pc-sales-growth-in-october-due-to-gst-reforms-646046.html Mumbai Nov 1 Buoyed by GST reforms and strong festive demand Indias twowheeler sales soared with leading manufacturers reporting 8 to 11 per cent growth in sales during October 2025 Chennaibased twowheeler manufacturer TVS Motor Company recorded monthly sales reaching 543557 units an 11 per cent YoY the company said on SaturdayTwowheelers drove strong sales with a 10 per cent increase to 525150 units alongside a 21 per cent rise in total international business sales to 115806 unitsTwowheeler sales abroad grew by 18 per cent increasing from 87670 units in October 2024 to 103519 units in October 2025 Domestic twowheeler sales of TVS grew 8 per cent YoY with sales touching 421631 units in OctoberMotorcycles rose by 16 per cent to 266715 units while scooters saw a 7 per cent increase to 205919 units Electric vehicle sales increased by 11 per cent to 32387 units while the threewheeler segment registered a growth of 70 per cent to 18407 unitsWhile the retail EV sales continue to be robust magnet availability continues to pose challenges in the short to medium term the company notedMeanwhile Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd reported strong sales totalling 129261 units up 8 per cent YoY The companys retail sales reached an alltime high of 140679 units in October the company saidDomestic sales totalled 103454 units while exports increased by 71 per cent to reach 25807 units Suzuki also reported spare parts sales of Rs 857 million for the monthThe record domestic retail sales of more than 140 lakh units demonstrate robust demand during the festive period Our focus remains on enriching the overall ownership experience while expanding our presence across the country said Deepak Mutreja Vice President Sales amp Marketing Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/two-wheeler-manufacturers-record-8-to-11-pc-sales-growth-in-october-due-to-gst-reforms-646046.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ola-electrics-october-sales-drop-61-pc-yoy-to-16-034-units-646053.html Mumbai Nov 1 Bhavish Aggarwalrun Ola Electric recorded sales of 16034 escooters in the month of October marking a 61 per cent decline from 41843 units sold in the same month last year according to the data from governments Vahan portal on Saturday In the month of September Ola Electric had sold 13421 units as per Vahan dataThe drop in sales come as sales in Goa have reportedly been temporarily suspended due to complaints regarding poor aftersales service and delays in receiving registration certificatesEarlier shares of the electricvehicle maker faced significant pressure during the special Muhurat Day trading session on October 21 following reports that senior Ola Electric executives were implicated in the suicide of 38yearold engineer K AravindAravind a homologation engineer at Ola Electric allegedly died by suicide on September 28 at his Bengaluru flat In a 28page handwritten note he accused his superiors of continuous workplace harassment and of withholding salary and other financial duesDuring the hearing at the court advocate Prasanna Kumar who appeared for the complainant described Ola Electric as worse than the East India Company alleging severe mistreatment of employeesHe also raised concerns about a transfer of Rs 1746 lakh to Aravinds bank account two days after his death calling it suspiciousMeanwhile the defendants lawyer said that the matter was initially registered as an Unnatural Death Report UDR so a new FIR should not have been filedOla Electric has denied all allegations adding that Aravind never raised any formal complaints or grievances about harassment during his employmentAfter hearing both sides the High Court directed the police to continue their investigation fairly but instructed them not to harass the petitioners The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 17 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ola-electrics-october-sales-drop-61-pc-yoy-to-16-034-units-646053.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/odisha-takes-a-big-leap-in-chip-manufacturing-with-ground-breaking-ceremony-of-sicsems-unit-646063.html Bhubaneswar Nov 1 As India doubles down on semiconductor manufacturing SiCSem a subsidiary of Archean Chemical Industries Ltd on Saturday lauded the vision and commitment of both the Central and Odisha governments in enabling the semiconductor revolution as the company performed the groundbreaking ceremony of its compound semiconductor fabrication facility at Info Valley here Rajeev Kumar Head of Strategy at Archean Chemical Industries Ltd the parent company of SiCSem said semiconductor manufacturing is one of the most complex and technologyintensive industries in the worldEstablishing such a facility requires longterm vision deep collaboration and strong policy support What we are witnessing today in Odisha is the culmination of that effort and belief he addedRajeev Kumar appreciated the proactive industrial ecosystem of Odisha and the consistent support extended by the governmentWhen we started this journey two years ago we were driven by the idea of contributing meaningfully to Indias semiconductor ambitions Todays milestone at Info Valley reflects the success of that partnership he notedRajeev Kumar further emphasised that the project would create a robust semiconductor value chain in eastern India attract highend investments and provide significant employment and skill development opportunities for local youthWith this Fab and ATMP facility Odisha is poised to play a defining role in Indias semiconductor growth story he saidAccording to Ranjit Pendurthi Managing Director of Archean Chemical Industries Ltd the occasion marks a defining moment not just for our company but for Indias semiconductor ecosystemWe are proud to be a part of this transformative journey envisioned under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Odisha with its forwardlooking policies and skilled talent pool offers the perfect environment to build a worldclass facility he mentionedHe highlighted that the project would create advanced technology jobs nurture local talent and position Odisha as a strategic player in Indias electronics and semiconductor revolutionApproved by the India Semiconductor Mission ISM with a capital investment of Rs 2067 crore the compound semiconductor fabrication facility will create 5000 direct and indirect employment opportunities The facility will have an annual capacity of 60000 wafers along with a packaging capacity of 96 million units IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/odisha-takes-a-big-leap-in-chip-manufacturing-with-ground-breaking-ceremony-of-sicsems-unit-646063.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646074.html New Delhi Nov 1 In a major boost to fight leprosy the Maharashtra government on Saturday declared that the chronic infectious condition is a notifiable disease The mandate will help curb the spread of leprosy and ensure early treatment for the patientsAs per the new directive every diagnosed case must be notified within two weeks to the respective District Health Office Assistant Director Health Services Leprosy and local municipal health authoritiesLeprosy or Hansens disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria Symptoms include discoloured skin patches lack of ability to feel touch pressure pain muscle weakness deformities particularly in hands feet and face and the inability to close eyes and poor visionDespite being completely curable fear stigma and misconceptions have prevented people from seeking proper treatmentThe Health Department emphasised that early detection and complete treatment are crucial to preventing deformities and disabilities among patientsThe state has also set an ambitious target of achieving a LeprosyFree Maharashtra by 2027The target includes breaking the chain of infection reducing disease transmission to zero eliminating deformities in children and eradicating social discrimination against those affectedTo achieve this health authorities directed all doctors both in public and private sectors along with pathologists microbiologists healthcare workers and field officers to ensure proper treatment and followup They have also asked to administer PostExposure Prophylaxis PEP to close contacts of patientsAs of September 2025 Maharashtra recorded 7863 new leprosy cases with 13010 patients currently under treatmentNotably health officials in the state appealed to the public not to panic emphasising that leprosy is entirely curable if diagnosed and treated on timeCitizens have been encouraged to visit their nearest health centre immediately if any symptoms appearNot all leprosy cases are infectious Especially neuritic leprosy leprosy of peripheral nerves is noncommunicable Hence while making it notifiable only infectious leprosy should be notifiable Dr Ishwar Gilada a Mumbaibased Consultant in Infectious Diseases told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646074.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646076.html New Delhi Nov 1 In a major boost to fight leprosy the Maharashtra government on Saturday declared that the chronic infectious condition is a notifiable disease The mandate will help curb the spread of leprosy and ensure early treatment for the patientsAs per the new directive every diagnosed case must be notified within two weeks to the respective District Health Office Assistant Director Health Services Leprosy and local municipal health authoritiesLeprosy or Hansens disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria Symptoms include discoloured skin patches lack of ability to feel touch pressure pain muscle weakness deformities particularly in hands feet and face and the inability to close eyes and poor visionDespite being completely curable fear stigma and misconceptions have prevented people from seeking proper treatmentThe Health Department emphasised that early detection and complete treatment are crucial to preventing deformities and disabilities among patientsThe state has also set an ambitious target of achieving a LeprosyFree Maharashtra by 2027The target includes breaking the chain of infection reducing disease transmission to zero eliminating deformities in children and eradicating social discrimination against those affectedTo achieve this health authorities directed all doctors both in public and private sectors along with pathologists microbiologists healthcare workers and field officers to ensure proper treatment and followup They have also asked to administer PostExposure Prophylaxis PEP to close contacts of patientsAs of September 2025 Maharashtra recorded 7863 new leprosy cases with 13010 patients currently under treatmentNotably health officials in the state appealed to the public not to panic emphasising that leprosy is entirely curable if diagnosed and treated on timeCitizens have been encouraged to visit their nearest health centre immediately if any symptoms appearNot all leprosy cases are infectious Especially neuritic leprosy leprosy of peripheral nerves is noncommunicable Hence while making it notifiable only infectious leprosy should be notifiable Dr Ishwar Gilada a Mumbaibased Consultant in Infectious Diseases told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/leprosy-now-a-notifiable-disease-in-maharashtra-646076.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-launches-employee-enrollment-scheme-2025-to-boost-citizen-centric-service-delivery-646079.html New Delhi Nov 1 Union Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday launched the Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025 to enhance citizencentric service delivery The launch took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on the Employees Provident Fund Organizations 73rd Foundation DayThe scheme effective November 1 seeks to enhance workforce formalisation and promote ease of doing business the Ministry of Labour and Employment saidIt allows employers to avoid remitting the employees share of contribution if not deducted earlier and only nominal penal damages of Rs 100 will apply the Ministry saidMandaviya emphasised that efficiency transparency and empathy must remain the driving forces of EPFOs transformationEvery reform must reach workers in clear and simple terms so that the impact of change is felt directly in their lives the Minister saidThe Union Minister also praised the EPFO for its contribution to social security and urged for reforms focused on efficiency transparency and empathy emphasising that the institution should establish global standards as India aims for Viksit Bharat 2047Ramesh Krishnamurthi Central Provident Fund Commissioner announced that the upcoming EPFO 30 platform will further improve efficiency and accessibility while new initiatives such as simplified withdrawal categories and the Viswas Scheme have eased compliance for employersThrough initiatives such as the Centralised Pension Payment System Aadhaar and Face Authentication and the revamped ECR system EPFO has made significant strides towards seamless technologydriven service delivery he saidVandana Gurnani Secretary Ministry of Labour and Employment emphasised EPFOs transition to a citizencentric organisation and its role in the Prime Ministers Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana which aims to create 35 crore new jobsEPFO exchanged MoUs with India Post Payments Bank IPPB for digital life certificate submission and with Government eMarketplace GeM for data sharing the Ministry noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-launches-employee-enrollment-scheme-2025-to-boost-citizen-centric-service-delivery-646079.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sets-3-guinness-world-records-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-campaign-645923.html New Delhi Oct 31 India has created history by setting three Guinness world records under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday The achievement highlights the countrys strong commitment to preventive healthcare and womens wellbeingThe records include the highest number of people registering for a healthcare platform in one month with more than 321 crore registrationsThe second record was for the most people signing up for breast cancer screening online in a single week with over 994 lakh participantsThe third record was for the most people signing up for vital signs screening online at the state level within a week crossing 125 lakh participantsLaunched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the campaign ran from September 17 to October 2 coinciding with Poshan MaahIt focuses on improving the health and nutrition of women adolescent girls and children while promoting early disease detection and access to essential health servicesThe initiative also aims to empower families to adopt healthier lifestyles for a stronger and more resilient IndiaPrime Minister Modi emphasised the role of women in building a healthy nation saying Our mothers and sisters are the foundation of our nations progress If a mother is healthy the whole family stays healthyThe campaign achieved an extraordinary reach covering every district in the country It organised over 197 lakh health camps which saw a massive footfall of more than 11 crore people across different healthcare platformsMore than 20 ministries along with central government institutes medical colleges and private organisations took part in this nationwide effort Members of Parliament MLAs and officials from various departments also participated making it a true wholeofgovernment initiativeThe campaign also witnessed remarkable community participation Over 5 lakh Panchayati Raj representatives 114 crore students 94 lakh members of selfhelp groups and 5 lakh members from other community platforms actively contributed making it one of the largest public health movements in the worldThe health impact of the campaign has been significant with 178 crore hypertension screenings 173 crore diabetes tests 695 lakh oral cancer screenings and 626 lakh antenatal care checkups conductedAdditionally 143 crore vaccine doses were administered and 151 crore anaemia tests were carried out More than 859 lakh women were screened for tuberculosis 102 lakh for sickle cell disease and over 214 crore people attended counselling and wellness sessionsThe campaign also registered more than 268 lakh Nikshay Mitras supported by My Bharat volunteers to strengthen Indias fight against tuberculosis IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sets-3-guinness-world-records-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-campaign-645923.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/elon-musks-starlink-begins-hiring-in-india-ahead-of-satellite-broadband-launch-645747.html Mumbai Oct 31 In a significant step toward its highlyanticipated satellite broadband rollout in India SpaceXowned Starlink has started its first round of hiring in the country As part of its hiring campaign the Elon Muskrun company has posted openings for several positions on its LinkedIn and the SpaceX careers portal The positions that the company is inviting applications for are finance and accounting roles including tax manager accounting manager payments manager and senior treasury analyst at Bengaluru the operational centre of Starlink in IndiaAs Starlink expands its global footprint to deliver lowlatency satellite broadband services worldwide its Indian subsidiary is looking to hire an accounting manager to oversee financial reporting and compliance the company stated in its job postingIn order to support Starlinks operations in India the position entails developing and expanding accounting reporting and statutory compliance systems The company has made it clear that there are no remote or hybrid options available only locally based applicants with legitimate work authorisation will be taken into considerationStarlink is hiring in preparation for the commercial launch of its satellite internet services in India in late 2025 or early 2026 In accordance with government regulations the company is now establishing ground infrastructure and carrying out required security trialsTo comply with the Department of Telecommunications DoT requirements for lawful interception and security compliance before spectrum allocation Starlink gave a demonstration of its broadband service to officials in Mumbai earlierAccording to reports the company has also applied for permission to open three gateway stations in Mumbai Chennai and Noida After the launch it intends to open nine to ten more gateway locations including Chandigarh Kolkata and LucknowOnce up and running Starlink will face competition from Jio Satellite and Eutelsat OneWeb both of which have obtained regulatory clearances but are awaiting final spectrum allocationThe frameworks for satellite broadband spectrum pricing and allocation are still being finalised by the DoT and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/elon-musks-starlink-begins-hiring-in-india-ahead-of-satellite-broadband-launch-645747.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rapid-bp-fluctuations-may-signal-risk-of-brain-degeneration-in-elderly-645760.html New Delhi Oct 31 Older adults whose blood pressure fluctuates widely may indicate a greater risk of brain shrinkage and nerve cell injury according to a new study The study published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease reveals that shortterm dynamic instability in blood pressure momenttomoment changes measured over just minutes is linked to loss of brain tissue in regions critical for memory and cognition as well as to blood biomarkers of nerve cell damageOur findings show that even when average blood pressure is normal instability from one heartbeat to the next may place stress on the brain said Daniel Nation from the University of Southern Californias Leonard Davis School of GerontologyThese momenttomoment swings appear to be associated with the same kinds of brain changes we see in early neurodegeneration added the Professor of Gerontology and MedicineWhile high average blood pressure has long been known to increase the risk of dementia this study focuses on blood pressure variability or how much blood pressure rises and falls over short time periodsRecent evidence suggests that such fluctuations can strain small blood vessels in the brain and reduce their ability to deliver steady blood flowIn this study the researchers combined two complementary measures Average Real Variability ARV and Arterial Stiffness Index ASIARV captures how much systolic blood pressure the top number in a blood pressure reading changes between each heartbeat while ASI reflects how flexible or stiff the arteries are as they respond to those changes in pressureTogether these measures indicate how much blood flow changes over a short period of time or what the researchers call blood pressure dynamic instabilityThis study suggests that excessive fluctuations could be a sign of vascular ageing that contributes to brain injury Nation explainedThe team conducted MRI scans of 105 communitydwelling older adults between the ages of 55 and 89 who were generally healthy and had no major neurological diseaseParticipants with both high ARV and high ASI were found to have smaller hippocampal and entorhinal cortex volumes brain regions vital for learning and memory also the first affected by Alzheimers diseaseBlood samples showed that the same individuals also had higher levels of neurofilament light NfL a bloodbased marker that rises when nerve cells are damagedThe findings open a new window into how cardiovascular changes contribute to cognitive decline and may offer novel prevention strategies IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rapid-bp-fluctuations-may-signal-risk-of-brain-degeneration-in-elderly-645760.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ipo-boom-14-companies-hit-markets-in-october-to-raise-record-rs-46-000-crore-645765.html Mumbai Oct 31 Indias primary market witnessed an unprecedented boom in October marking the busiest month ever for mainboard initial public offerings IPOs with 14 companies hitting the market so far aiming to raise over Rs 46000 crore The month has set a new record for monthly fundraising in the domestic capital markets driven by two heavyweight listings Tata Capital and LG Electronics India which together accounted for more than half of the total fundraisingTata Capital raised Rs 15512 crore while LG Electronics India mobilised Rs 11607 crore through their respective initial share saleAdding to the momentum Lenskart Solutions was set to open its Rs 7278crore issue on October 31 rounding off a packed primary calendar that also featured offerings from WeWork India Canara HSBC Life Insurance Orkla India and Rubicon ResearchThe recordbreaking performance easily eclipsed the previous monthly high of October 2024 when six IPOs had raised Rs 38690 crore The latest figures also surpass earlier peaks seen in November 2021 Rs 35665 crore from nine IPOs November 2024 Rs 31145 crore from eight IPOs and May 2022 Rs 29510 crore from eight IPOsThis milestone underscores the remarkable resilience and liquidity depth of Indias primary market which has remained vibrant despite uneven secondary market sentiment amid global uncertainty according to analystsIn total 89 IPOs have raised over Rs 138 lakh crore so far in 2025 making it one of the strongest years on record and only slightly behind 2024 when total fundraising crossed Rs 16 lakh crore With still two more months to go the previous record is most likely to be passed as many IPOs are in line to hit the primary market in November and DecemberAccording to market watchers the rush of new listings reflects both robust investor confidence and companies eagerness to capitalise on strong demand before yearend IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ipo-boom-14-companies-hit-markets-in-october-to-raise-record-rs-46-000-crore-645765.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/predefined-data-parameter-triggered-4-hour-trading-disruption-mcx-645772.html Mumbai Oct 31 The primary root cause for the disruption which halted trading for four hours on Multi Commodity Exchange MCX this week happened due to predefined parameter limits relating to reference data like unique client code UCC configured within the systems the commodity trading platform said in a statement on Friday The UCC led to constraints beyond the threshold The platform said that they have addressed the constraints to prevent such issues in the futureThe primary root cause has been identified as a predefined parameter limit relating to reference data like Unique Client Code UCC configured within the systems This led to constraints beyond the threshold We have taken steps to address the constraints to prevent similar issues in the future Notably trading systems have not had issues MCX said in a statementAccording to the exchange trading systems have not had issues as the exchange systems are wellpositioned to support market volumes and growthWe remain committed to strengthening our operational robustness and will continue investing in cuttingedge technology to enhance performance reliability and scalability ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our members participants and stakeholders the statement addedWe sincerely thank our members participants and all stakeholders for their continued support cooperation understanding and valuable assistance during the incident and we deeply appreciate your ongoing trust and partnership the statement addedTrading on MCX was disrupted for more than four hours on Tuesday due to a technical glitch marking the longestever trading halt in the platforms historyTrading activities were delayed from 930 am after a system issue was detected Later the exchange shifted operations to its Disaster Recovery DR site with trading resuming at 125 pmThis marks the second instance in 2025 when the countrys largest commodity exchange has faced a major technical outage raising concerns about the robustness of its trading infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/predefined-data-parameter-triggered-4-hour-trading-disruption-mcx-645772.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/scientists-detect-new-covid-like-virus-from-moustached-bats-in-brazil-645776.html New Delhi Oct 31 An international team of scientists from Japan the US Australia and Belgium has detected a new Covid19like virus from a species of moustached bats in Brazil stoking fears of a potential spillover and a new disease Bats are natural reservoirs for many viruses including betacoronaviruses which include the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus 2 SARSCoV2 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus MERSCoVThe team from the universities of Osaka and Sydney detected the virus called BRZ batCoV from the Pteronotus parnellii a small insecteating bat known for tiny hair tufts on its faceEven though the bat species is common in South America experts fear the virus might have been gaining ground for monthsWe identified a fulllength genome of a novel bat CoV BRZ batCoV from a Pteronotus parnellii bat sampled in Brazil that is phylogenetically distinct from known betacoronaviruses said the researchers in a paper not yet peerreviewed and published on preprint site BioRxivThe team analysed the species evolutionary development and found that the virus is sufficiently distinct from the five recognised Betacoronavirus subgenera to represent a new subgenusOf note the spike protein of this novel bat coronavirus possesses a functional furin cleavage site at the S1S2 junction with a unique amino acid sequence motif RDAR that differs from that found in SARSCoV2 RRAR by only one amino acid the team saidThe furin cleavage site is important in determining host range infectivity and crossspecies transmission It has been identified in the surface proteins of other RNA viruses such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses Orthomyxoviridae and the Ebola viruses as well as the SARSCoV2 virus which led to the recent global pandemicIn addition the team found that BRZ batCoV is not the same as Covid rather it is more closely related to MERS virusesMERS also known as camel flu spreads less easily than Covid but is much deadlier killing about onethird of patientsAlthough the new flu strain shows alarming exposure rates it may be spreading silently across countries Hongbo Bao a researcher from the Changchun Veterinary Research Institute in China was quoted as saying to the US Sun an American edition of the British tabloidHowever as per the scientists who found the new bat virus there is no evidence that BRZ batCoV infects humans or spreads beyond bat populationsThey note that the discovery provides important insights into the evolutionary potential and zoonotic risk of BRZ batCoVThe findings highlight the role of bats as potential reservoirs of genetic innovations relevant to zoonotic emergence they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/scientists-detect-new-covid-like-virus-from-moustached-bats-in-brazil-645776.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/my-bharat-enhances-youth-engagement-in-civic-projects-with-2-crore-users-645782.html New Delhi Oct 31 Mera Yuva Bharat MY Bharat the countrys largest youth engagement platform has connected over 2 crore young Indians and 12 lakh organisations providing opportunities for volunteering experiential learning leadership and skill development the government informed on Friday The initiative runs a MY Bharat Portal and a mobile app with multiple MY Bharat 20 modules creating new pathways for volunteering leadership and skilling while enabling young Indians to contribute directly to national priorities an official statement saidLaunched on October 31 2023 MY Bharat administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports provides a technologydriven platform for citizens aged 1529 and adolescents aged 1019 to engage in projects with government departments private organisations and civil society partnersThese projects address realworld challenges from health education and environment to innovation entrepreneurship and social inclusion the statement saidOver 145 lakh volunteering opportunities have been generated by the platform connecting over 16000 youth club members with 60000 institutional partners including government bodies educational institutions and NGOs the government data saidThe MY Bharat mobile app launched on October 1 features multilingual support AIdriven chatbots voiceassist navigation and Smart CV Builder toolsAt launch it had onboarded approximately 181 crore youth and 120 lakh organisations were already registered on the platformThe app also provides digital certificates and engagement badges reflecting each participants contributions to national and community projectsMY Bharat 20 modules integrate National Career Service linkages a mentorship hub and experiential learning programmes the release notedTo bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access the platform has partnered with the Common Service Centres network and leveraged over five lakh villagelevel entrepreneurs to assist youth in rural tribal and aspirational districts in registering and accessing MY Bharat services IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/my-bharat-enhances-youth-engagement-in-civic-projects-with-2-crore-users-645782.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/china-eastern-airlines-to-increase-shanghai-delhi-flight-frequency-from-january-2026-645792.html New Delhi Oct 31 China Eastern Airlines on Friday announced that it will increase its direct flights between Shanghai Pudong and New Delhi from three to five per week starting January 2 2026 due to strong demand from the Indian market The flight from Delhi MU564 will depart at 1955 arriving in Shanghai at 410 the following day Flight MU563 from Shanghai Pudong will depart at 1250 pm and arrive in New Delhi at 1745 local time the carrier informed in a statementThe flights will be available on Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday and Sunday It will be operated by Airbus A330200 widebody aircraft featuring 17 lieflat MINPRO businessclass seats and 245 economyclass seats for commercial bookingInterGlobe Air Transport will manage all the airlines commercial and operational functions including sales marketing ticketing and supportThe airline plans to introduce additional routes to India including KunmingKolkata and Shanghai PudongMumbai the company said adding that increased flight frequency will enhance bilateral trade tourism education and cultural and technological exchangesWith China Easterns Shanghai Pudong serving as a major international hub travellers can connect to major cities across mainland China and onwards to destinations in North America Japan South Korea and EuropeChina Eastern Airlines had earlier announced the resumption of flights on its India route with flights between Shanghai and Delhi starting from November 9 after a fiveyear pauseAccording to travel data provider OAG the two countries operated around 2588 scheduled flights in 2019 before services were suspendedMeanwhile China this week extended a warm welcome to an IndiGo Airlines flight carrying 180 passengers from Kolkata West BengalIndiGo Airlines which landed in Guangzhou on Monday marked the first direct flight between the countries after 2020Earlier IndiGo also announced new daily direct flights between New Delhi and Chinas Guangzhou starting November 10 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/china-eastern-airlines-to-increase-shanghai-delhi-flight-frequency-from-january-2026-645792.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-reits-market-likely-to-touch-rs-197-lakh-crore-by-2030-report-645806.html New Delhi Oct 31 Indias REIT real estate investment trust market is projected to reach Rs 197 lakh crore by 2030 from Rs 104 lakh crore in 2025 driven by high occupancy favourable taxation and broader sectoral inclusion according to a report released on Friday Private equity participation rising from 500 million in 2011 to multibilliondollar highs by 2019 has enhanced transparency deepened institutional confidence and paved the way for REIT expansion across Indias thriving commercial real estate landscapeAs urbanisation technology and progressive policy reforms continue to reshape the sector Indias commercial real estate stands poised to unlock the next wave of opportunity across asset classes according to the report by Knight Frank India in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry CIIRetail consumption across the organised formats is estimated at a value of Rs 88 lakh crore for FY 2025 Led by shopping centres Rs 49 lakh crore high streets Rs 38 lakh crore and other newage formats such as airport and transit retail This expansion reflects a clear shift toward experiencedriven consumercentric destinations where shopping intersects with lifestyle and leisure according to the reportIndias office market stock surpasses 1 billion square feet ranking as the fourth largest globally it statesIndias REITs have a potential to diversify beyond traditional asset classes like office retail and warehousing to industrial parks data centres and hospitality Listed REITs have delivered stable average annual dividend yield of about 55 per cent making them attractive incomegenerating vehicles the report statesBy 2030 Indias REIT market including office retail and warehousing sectors is projected to reach Rs 197 lakh crore India currently has five listed REITs covering about 177 million sq ft of commercial and retail space spanning operational underconstruction and upcoming assets worth approximately Rs 23 lakh crore with over 290000 unitholdersIndias commercial real estate CRE transformation is being led by businesses that are more global technologydriven and experiencefocused than ever before Consolidation in office demand resilient retail growth and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure have fundamentally reshaped occupier behaviour said Shishir Baijal Chairman and Managing Director Knight Frank IndiaToday companies want efficient green futureready spaces and capital markets are rewarding that shift As India heads toward a 7 trillion economy CRE will play an essential role in powering productivity attracting investment and building nextgeneration urban centres he mentionedREIT investment allows individuals to buy shares in companies that own operate or finance incomeproducing real estate similar to investing in mutual funds Investors can earn money through dividends from rental income and potential capital appreciation without the responsibilities of managing properties directly IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-reits-market-likely-to-touch-rs-197-lakh-crore-by-2030-report-645806.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-antivenom-effective-against-17-african-snake-species-645809.html New Delhi Oct 31 Danish researchers have in a groundbreaking innovation developed an antivenom which has shown effectiveness against 17 African snake species and could revolutionise the treatment of venomous snakebites Snakebites result in about 150000 deaths worldwide each year according to the World Health Organization WHO The survivors are left with serious disabilities including amputations and permanent tissue damageCurrently available antivenoms do not cover all medically relevant snake species and do not always neutralise all medically relevant toxins found in snake venomsThe new broadspectrum antivenom was developed by researchers from the Technical University of Denmark DTU in Denmark by combining eight carefully selected nanobodies into a cocktailIn laboratory studies the antivenom showed potential against a total of 17 different African snake species including cobras and rinkhals It also provided better protection against tissue damage and lowered the risk of immune reactionsImportantly it can be produced at a lower cost than existing antivenoms said the team in the paper published in the journal NatureWe have developed an antivenom that does not require us to constantly extract antibodies from animals Instead we used phage display technology to develop our antivenom said Andreas Hougaard LaustsenKiel who led the research at DTUThis method makes it possible to select and copy effective antibody fragments nanobodies and later produce them on a large scale and with consistent quality This means that we would be able to produce the antivenom in large quantities without compromising on quality he addedAlthough the antivenom showed promise it has yet to be tested on humansThe team also noted that the effectiveness of the antivenom is limited when its given after venom exposureFurther venom from certain species such as the black mamba and forest cobra was only partially neutralised This shows that both the composition of the venom and the timing of treatment are very important and that the antivenom does not yet provide full protection in all casesUrging the need for more studies and clinical trials LaustsenKiel stated that the antivenom has the potential to fundamentally change how snakebites are treated around the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-antivenom-effective-against-17-african-snake-species-645809.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-reforms-festive-season-drive-upi-payments-stimulate-private-consumption-645815.html New Delhi Oct 31 The spending through unified payments interface UPI during the festival period Dussehra to Diwali increased to Rs 178 lakh crore up from Rs 151 lakh crore from the previous year a report said on Friday In September UPI witnessed a seasonally unadjusted monthonmonth MoM increase of 26 per cent in value terms the report from Bank of Baroda saidThe UPI saw 31 per cent transaction count growth yearonyear at 1963 billion in the month of September with 21 per cent growth in transaction amount at Rs 2490 lakh crore the National Payments Corporation of India NPCI data showed Monthwise too UPI witnessed a growth in transaction amount from Rs 2485 lakh crore in AugustPayments data for the DussehratoDiwali period showed that the total value of UPI debit and credit card payments reached approximately Rs 188 lakh crore from 164 lakh crore in the previous yearThe GST 20 stimulus aligned with the festival period is expected to boost household spending and has coincided with a significant increase in digital retail payments indicating a revival in consumption the report saidThe government estimates that the GST cut could increase consumer spending by approximately Rs 20 lakh crore the bank mentionedThe payment in value terms through debit card during this festival month went to Rs 65395 crore up from Rs 27566 crore the previous year In contrast credit card values reflected more cautious usage during the same period the bank saidDuring the festive period average spending per transaction for UPI was Rs 1052 whereas for debit card it was Rs 8084 and for credit card at Rs 1932 Bank of Baroda saidSmall to midvalued segment of consumption demand is likely to get a fillip looking at the spending statistics the bank projectedMerchantlevel UPI data for September indicated over 50 per cent growth in average spend per transaction for mens and womens clothing package shops beer wine and liquor online marketplaces electronics beauty and barber shopsWe expect private consumption demand to report a buoyant print in Q2 The trend will also persist in Q3 the bank forecasted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-reforms-festive-season-drive-upi-payments-stimulate-private-consumption-645815.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/apple-plans-to-notify-1-million-people-about-hypertension-645832.html New Delhi Oct 31 Tech giant Apple is planning to notify one million people about hypertension a high blood pressure condition impacting about 13 billion adults globally using the alert feature on Apple Watch said CEO Tim Cook The groundbreaking hypertension notifications feature available on Apple Watch Series 9 Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 alerts users if signs of chronic high blood pressure are detectedWith our latest Apple Watch lineup we were proud to introduce hypertension notifications developed using largescale machine learning models Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for heart attack and stroke affecting more than one billion adults worldwide and we expect to notify more than 1 million users of this lifethreatening condition said Cook during the companys Q4 2025 earnings call on Thursday US timeAI and advanced machine learning are at the core of powerful health features like heart rate monitoring fall detection crash detection and more he addedHypertension known to be a silent condition often remains undiagnosed because it shows no symptomsThe hypertension notifications on Apple Watch use data from the optical heart sensor to analyse how a users blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart The algorithm works passively in the background reviewing data over 30day periods and will notify users if it detects consistent signs of hypertensionCook shared that the Apple Watch will also help in improving sleep scoreWere also excited about sleep score a simple intuitive way to help users better understand their sleep quality and discover ways to improve it Thats something Im sure we can all benefit from the Apple CEO saidCook informed that the company made a revenue of 9 billion in the wearables home and accessories segmentWe were excited to unlock new possibilities for users with the launch of our newest Apple Watch lineup making the worlds most popular watch even better That includes Apple Watch Ultra 3 with the largest display ever in an Apple Watch improved battery life and emergency SOS via satellite Apple Watch Series 11 brings our users the most comprehensive set of health features yet And Apple Watch SE 3 delivers advanced capabilities at an incredible value he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/apple-plans-to-notify-1-million-people-about-hypertension-645832.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-launches-marine-fisheries-census-2025-in-fully-digital-mode-645839.html New Delhi Oct 31 Union Minister of State for Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian on Friday launched the National Marine Fisheries Census MFC 2025 in Kochi moving the marine fishing sector from paperbased to fully digital household enumeration The minister also launched the VyASBHARAT and VyASSUTRA mobile applications at the event which will be used for conducting the censusThe census will digitally enumerate approximately 12 million fisher households in around 5000 marine villages across 13 coastal states and union territories including the Andaman amp Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep said the Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry amp DairyingThe census will be a householdlevel enumeration of fishers fishing crafts gears and infrastructure across over 1200 landing centres 50 fishing harbours jetties markets and processing plants with the help of specially designed mobilebased applicationsThe entire enumeration will be fully digital and paperless the ministry said adding that it will be conducted using multilingual Android apps developed by the ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research InstituteCore household data collection will take place over 45 days from November 3 to December 18This digital approach enables realtime georeferenced data collection eliminating manual errors and significantly accelerating data processing the Ministry saidVyASSUTRA will enable realtime supervision and monitoring of households and enumerators through multitier web dashboards ensuring accountability across all levels of census managementThe scope of the MFC2025 has been significantly expanded to capture a deep granular understanding of the socioeconomic status of the coastal population ensuring future government interventions are more precise and impactful the Ministry saidAt the event Kurian also urged the fishermen and fish farmers to register on the NFDP portal to avail benefits from the governmentMFC2025 aims to broaden data collection to include total family income homeownership liabilities credit sources insurance status pandemic impacts and benefits from programmes like PMMKSSY IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-launches-marine-fisheries-census-2025-in-fully-digital-mode-645839.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sam-altman-says-hes-still-waiting-for-his-tesla-after-75-years-seeks-refund-645842.html New Delhi Oct 31 OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman on Friday claimed that he has been waiting more than seven years for a Tesla car he booked and still hasnt received it Altman said he paid 45000 as a reservation fee for the electric vehicle but has now decided to ask for a refund from the Elon Muskled companyIn a post on social media platform X Altman shared three screenshots showing his email exchanges with TeslaThe first screenshot confirmed his booking while the second showed his email asking Tesla to cancel the order and issue a refundHowever the third screenshot revealed that his refund request email bounced back displaying an address not found error messageSharing the screenshots Altman captioned the post A tale in three acts He added in a followup comment I really was excited for the car And I understand delays But 75 years has felt like a long time to waitThe post quickly went viral attracting thousands of reactions and comments Among them was a playful response from Altmans brother Jack AltmanIn a lighthearted tease Jack shared Sams photo with a quote reading Whether we burn 500 million 5 billion or 50 billion a year I dont care and joked You cant be worrying about 50k like thisSam replied to his brothers comment with humour writing little brother energy is the WORSTHowever Tesla has not yet commented on Altmans post Meanwhile the Elon Muskrun firm started delivering standard Model Y to its customers in India last monthThe electric vehicle maker announced that the delivery of the Long Range variant is going to commence soon in the countryIt also announced that the new Model Y owners will be provided with a complimentary Wall Connector allowing convenient installation in their parking space for easy home charging IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sam-altman-says-hes-still-waiting-for-his-tesla-after-75-years-seeks-refund-645842.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-register-of-shipping-and-neptunus-to-pioneer-1st-indigenous-marine-engine-condition-monitoring-tech-645851.html Mumbai Oct 31 In a landmark step for Indias maritime ecosystem and a stride toward Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat Neptunus Power Plant Services and Indian Register of Shipping IRS signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU on Friday at Maritime India Week 2025 to mainstream datadriven maintenance and digital diagnostics across Indias shipping industry Through this MoU IRS and Neptunus have joined forces to advance the worlds firstever datadriven conditionbased maintenance for Indias maritime sectorAs part of the agreement IRS has awarded Type Approval Certification to Neptunus for its VIB 360 engine condition monitoring system and torque sense SHAPOLI marking the worlds first instance of indigenously developed IRScertified conditionmonitoring technologies for marine diesel engines and propulsion systemsThe certification demonstrates Indias capability to deliver globally compliant exportready maritime solutions built entirely at home according to an official statementTraditionally ship maintenance followed fixed OEM intervals conservative and costlyWith VIB 360 fleets shift to conditionbased maintenance CBM thereby eliminating unplanned downtime enhancing reliability reducing maintenance costs by up to 30 per cent based on previous experience optimising fuel efficiency and thus reducing emissionsThis shift from timebased to datadriven maintenance represents a foundational step in Indias Digital Maritime Vision enhancing operational reliability reducing downtime and cutting carbon emissions through precision diagnostics the statement saidWe thank the IRS for its vision and trust in Indian innovation This Type Approval is more than a certification it validates Indias capability to design and deliver dataled maritime technologies that meet global standards said Uday Purohit MD and CEO Neptunus Power Plant Services Pvt LtdTogether we are paving the way for Indianbuilt systems to enhance safety efficiency and operational reliability across the worlds shipping fleets he addedUnder the MoU IRS and Neptunus will jointly develop frameworks and standards for CBM to help the maritime industry transition from traditional timebased maintenance to realtime dataled maintenance practicesThe collaboration aims to enhance operational reliability reduce maintenance costs and contribute to Indias green shipping and digital maritime visionAkshay Purohit Director and COO said This MoU is a step toward making conditionbased maintenance a mainstream reality in Indias maritime sector By combining local innovation with datadriven insights we are creating a framework that can reduce downtime improve fuel efficiency and extend asset life IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-register-of-shipping-and-neptunus-to-pioneer-1st-indigenous-marine-engine-condition-monitoring-tech-645851.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/narayana-healths-uk-expansion-shows-bharats-growing-capabilities-piyush-goyal-645870.html New Delhi Oct 31 Narayana Healths acquisition of a UK hospital is a proud moment for India and also reflects Bharats growing capabilities said Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday The Bengalurubased Narayana Health has acquired UKbased Practice Plus Group Hospitals which operates 12 hospitals and surgical centres specialising in highquality orthopaedics ophthalmology and general surgeryProud moment for India as our healthcare delivery system continues to strengthen its global presence With Narayana Health Bengalurubased healthcare providers acquiring the UKbased Practice Plus Group Hospitals the expansion underscores Bharats growing capabilities and excellence in providing worldclass medical care said Goyal in a post on social media platform XLauding the Groups Chairman Dr Devi Prasad Shetty for the milestone Goyal said the achievement will further propel our healthcare ecosystem to scale new frontiers globallyPM Narendra Modi jis vision and progressive policies are giving a new fillip to Indias healthcare ecosystem he addedKiran MazumdarShaw Executive Chairperson of Biocon also lauded the acquisitionTaking the affordable care model to the UK a potential game changer she added on XLast month Biocon also announced the first US FDAapproved formulations facility in New Jersey US The company had acquired the plant from Eywa Pharma in 2023Meanwhile the total consideration for the acquisition by Narayana Health reportedly is GBP 18878 million for the 100 per cent stake which comprises 60001 equity shares of face value of GBP 002 each of Practice Plus Group Hospitals The per share price for the acquisition will be GBP 314629 as per reportsThe acquisition will offer a new choice of more accessible private healthcareand help many more patients get the help they need said Dr Devi Prasad Shetty Founder and Chairman of Narayana Health IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/narayana-healths-uk-expansion-shows-bharats-growing-capabilities-piyush-goyal-645870.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645876.html New Delhi Oct 31 India is committed to sharing best practices under Norway India Partnership Initiative said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Friday Srivastava said this while chairing the annual meeting of the Norway India Partnership Initiative NIPI The meeting aimed to review and approve the NIPI Progress Report 2025 and the budgeted work plans for 202526 under Phase IV of the initiativeNIPI displays how the convergence of efforts can yield results Government of India is also involved in convergence with states and UTs through a wholeofgovernment approach for achieving desired outcomes Srivastava saidNoting that India displays a good testing ground for bringing innovation the Union Health Secretary underlined Indias commitment to share the best practices under the initiative for replication in other settingsSrivastava also highlighted the significance of the IPHS ODK Indian Public Health StandardsOpen Data Kit Tool developed under the initiative which facilitates assessments and helps states quickly identify gaps and receive targeted support to achieve the required standardsMayElin Stener Ambassador of Norway to India highlighted that next year will mark 20 years of this partnership She stated that there have been innovative and catalytic interventions through this partnership which have helped in bringing significant resultsStener noted that the Indian government has invested 26 times the amount Norway spent under this initiative which highlights the importance being given to this collaborationIndia has a very definitive goal of being a developed country and this is visible in the work being done at the ground level Commitment to health services is very important for the development of Indian health servicesThere have been significant developments in the health sector in India since this partnership started in 2006 she addedThe NIPI is based on an agreement between the governments of Norway and India to collaborate towards achieving Indias National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals SDGsNIPIs vision is to provide strategic catalytic and innovative support to Indias National Health Mission NHM in Bihar Odisha Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645876.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645877.html New Delhi Oct 31 The Union government is committed to sharing best practices under Norway India Partnership Initiative said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Friday Srivastava said this while chairing the annual meeting of the Norway India Partnership Initiative NIPI The meeting aimed to review and approve the NIPI Progress Report 2025 and the budgeted work plans for 202526 under Phase IV of the initiativeNIPI displays how the convergence of efforts can yield results Government of India is also involved in convergence with states and UTs through a wholeofgovernment approach for achieving desired outcomes Srivastava saidNoting that India displays a good testing ground for bringing innovation the Union Health Secretary underlined Indias commitment to share the best practices under the initiative for replication in other settingsSrivastava also highlighted the significance of the IPHS ODK Indian Public Health StandardsOpen Data Kit Tool developed under the initiative which facilitates assessments and helps states quickly identify gaps and receive targeted support to achieve the required standardsMayElin Stener Ambassador of Norway to India highlighted that next year will mark 20 years of this partnership She stated that there have been innovative and catalytic interventions through this partnership which have helped in bringing significant resultsStener noted that the Indian government has invested 26 times the amount Norway spent under this initiative which highlights the importance being given to this collaborationIndia has a very definitive goal of being a developed country and this is visible in the work being done at the ground level Commitment to health services is very important for the development of Indian health servicesThere have been significant developments in the health sector in India since this partnership started in 2006 she addedThe NIPI is based on an agreement between the governments of Norway and India to collaborate towards achieving Indias National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals SDGsNIPIs vision is to provide strategic catalytic and innovative support to Indias National Health Mission NHM in Bihar Odisha Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645877.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/uidai-unveils-aadhaar-vision-2032-framework-to-strengthen-digital-identity-through-ai-advanced-encryption-645878.html New Delhi Oct 31 Unique Identification Authority of India UIDAI on Friday said that it has embarked on a comprehensive strategic and technological review to shape the next decade of Aadhaars evolution through a new Aadhaar Vision 2032 framework recognising the rapidly changing technological and regulatory landscape According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT this forwardlooking roadmap will strengthen Aadhaars technological foundation integrate emerging digital innovations and ensure that Indias digital identity platform remains robust inclusive and futurereadyUIDAIs technology stack which forms the backbone of Aadhaar services and works as a facilitator of our digital economy is set for a major upgrade the ministry saidTo guide this ambitious transformation UIDAI has constituted a highlevel Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Neelkanth Mishra Chairperson UIDAIThe committee brings together eminent experts and leaders from academia industry and administration to provide strategic direction on strengthening Aadhaars innovation roadmapThe committee will develop the Aadhaar Vision 2032 document outlining the framework for nextgeneration Aadhaar architecture aligned with Indias Digital Personal Data Protection DPDP Act and emerging global standards of privacy and cybersecurityThe Aadhaar Vision 2032 framework will focus on leveraging cuttingedge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence AI Blockchain Quantum Computing Advanced Encryption and nextgeneration Data Security mechanisms the ministry saidThese will ensure Aadhaar remains resilient against evolving cybersecurity threats scalable for future demand and adaptive to the rapidly changing digital landscapeThe other members of the committee are Bhuvnesh Kumar CEO UIDAI Vivek Raghavan CoFounder of Sarvam AI Dheeraj Pandey Founder of Nutanix Sasikumar Ganesan Head of Engineering MOSIP Rahul Matthan Partner Trilegal Navin Budhiraja CTO amp Head of Products and Vianai SystemsPrabaharan Poornachandran Professor at Amrita University Anil Jain Professor at Michigan State University Mayank Vatsa Professor at IIT Jodhpur and Shri Abhishek Kumar Singh Deputy Director General UIDAI are also part of the committee IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/uidai-unveils-aadhaar-vision-2032-framework-to-strengthen-digital-identity-through-ai-advanced-encryption-645878.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mpox-spreading-to-more-countries-17-deaths-in-africa-in-last-6-weeks-says-who-645885.html New Delhi Oct 31 Mpox has been spreading to more countries and the deadly virus has claimed 17 lives in Africa in the last six weeks said the World Health Organization WHO on Friday The WHOs 59th situation report for the multicountry outbreak of mpox revealed that 17 countries in Africa have experienced ongoing active transmission of mpox in the last six weeks from September 14 to October 19During this period 2862 confirmed cases including 17 deaths were reportedCountries reporting the highest number of cases in this period are the Democratic Republic of Congo Liberia Kenya and GhanaSince the last edition of this report Malaysia Namibia the Netherlands Portugal and Spain have reported detection of clade Ib monkeypox virus MPXV for the first time the WHO saidNew imported cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV detected among travellers have been reported in Belgium Canada Germany Italy Qatar and Spain the global health body addedFurther six countries Italy Malaysia the Netherlands Portugal Spain and the US reported clade Ib MPXV cases among individuals without travel links indicating local circulation of the virusIn addition to countries in Africa these countries are now also classified as experiencing community transmission of clade Ib MPXV the WHO saidAt least five cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV have also been detected among individuals who selfidentify as men who have sex with menThese cases provide the first evidence of previously undetected circulation of this virus strain within this atrisk population in which only clade IIb MPXV had been reported since 2022 and across different regions the WHO saidIn September 2025 42 countries across all WHO regions reported a total of 3135 confirmed cases including 12 deathsMpox also known as monkeypox is a viral infectious disease that spreads through close contact Symptoms include fever swollen lymph nodes sore throat muscle aches skin rash and back pain It spreads primarily through skintoskin contact IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mpox-spreading-to-more-countries-17-deaths-in-africa-in-last-6-weeks-says-who-645885.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-aims-300-million-tonnes-of-crude-steel-production-capacity-by-2030-645887.html New Delhi Oct 31 India aims to achieve 300 million tonnes of crude steel production capacity by 2030 Union Minister of State for Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivas Varma said on Friday In a meeting with Sara Modig State Secretary to Minister for Energy Business and Industry Sweden here in presence of Swedish Ambassador to India Jan Thesleff and other officials the minister highlighted Indias growing steel sector driven by visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiNotably Indias domestic steel demand is growing at an impressive 1113 per cent fuelled by largescale infrastructure projects while global demand faces a slowdown according to Steel MinistryThe discussions were held to explore collaboration opportunities in the field of research and development in Green Steel production and other advanced technologies to reduce carbon emissionsVarma reaffirmed the invitation extended to Sweden to participate in Bharat Steel 2026 an International ConferencecumExhibition dedicated to the steel industry scheduled to be held on April 1617 2026 at Bharat Mandapam New DelhiMeanwhile the growth rate of Indias eight core industries was recorded at 3 per cent in September this year compared to the same month of the previous year with the steel and cement sectors recording strong growth during the month data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry showedSteel production surged by a robust 141 per cent in September compared to the same month of the previous year on the back of increased demand from bigticket infrastructure projects being carried out by the government The cumulative growth of steel during April to Sept of 202526 increased by 11 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous yearThe government imposed a 12 per cent temporary safeguard duty on certain steel imports in April 2025 to protect the domestic market These measures follow previous actions and are part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the industry while promoting selfreliance under initiatives like Make in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-aims-300-million-tonnes-of-crude-steel-production-capacity-by-2030-645887.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/saved-rs-2-062-crore-in-cost-of-toll-collection-in-fy2024-25-nhai-645649.html New Delhi Oct 30 The cost of toll collection came down from Rs 4736 crore in FY 202324 to Rs 2674 crore in FY 202425 resulting in savings of Rs 2062 crore for NHAI the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on Thursday In percentage terms the cost of toll collection decreased from 1727 per cent in FY 202324 to 927 per cent in FY 202425 The cost of toll collection is the difference between the Toll Fee collected by the tolling agencies and the amount remitted to NHAI at publicfunded toll plazasIn FY 202324 total toll collected by the toll agencies amounted to Rs 27417 crore out of which about Rs 22681 crore were remitted to NHAI However in FY 202425 the toll agencies collected a total of about Rs 28823 crore as toll fee out of which around Rs 26149 crore were remitted to NHAIThe savings in cost of toll collection had resulted primarily due to various initiatives taken by NHAI like close monitoring of current contracts deletion of provision for deemed extension of three months timely bidding ensuring the maximum contracts for oneyear duration are awarded and shortterm contracts of three months are minimised Moreover measures were taken to drastically reduce short term threemonth contracts limiting only three premature termination requests during a financial year and restricting the same contractor in the bidding of toll plaza for which he has submitted the premature termination requestAlso NHAI has been regularly engaging with the All India User Fee Collection Federation to address issues and challenges faced by the toll collection agencies to build confidence and increase participation in toll bids According to a ministry statement timely release of performance security cash part and bank guarantees of the toll collection agencies further enhanced their bidding capabilities resulting into higher bids amounts Apart from this to avoid any windfall gains to the toll collection agencies a Windfall Gain clause was also introduced in the agreements under which the contract of the toll collection agency can be terminated if the moving average of toll collection in last 15 days is more than 40 per cent of the remittance paid to NHAI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/saved-rs-2-062-crore-in-cost-of-toll-collection-in-fy2024-25-nhai-645649.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/reliance-partners-google-to-accelerate-indias-ai-revolution-645652.html New Delhi Oct 30 Reliance Industries Limited RIL on Thursday announced an expansive strategic partnership between Google and its artificial intelligence AI focused subsidiary Reliance Intelligence Limited to accelerate AI adoption across India Under the collaboration Google in partnership with Reliance Intelligence will begin rolling out Googles AI Pro plan with the latest version of Google Gemini to eligible Jio users free of charge for 18 monthsThis offer includes higher access to Googles most capable Gemini 25 Pro model in the Gemini app higher limits to generate stunning images and videos with their stateoftheart Nano Banana and Veo 31 models expanded access to Notebook LM for study and research 2 TB of cloud storage and moreThis 18month offer is worth Rs 35100 Eligible Jio users will also be able to easily activate this offer via the MyJio appReflecting Jios commitment to empowering Indias youth the rollout will commence with early access for 18 to 25yearold users on unlimited 5G plans and will swiftly expand to include every Jio customer nationwide in the shortest time possible RIL saidThis partnership will also explore bringing more delightful local experiences powered by AI to Jio users catering to Indias rich cultural and linguistic diversityAdditionally the collaboration brings together Reliances scale connectivity and ecosystem reach with Googles worldclass AI technologyempowering consumers enterprises and developersReliance Intelligence aims to make intelligence services accessible to 145 billion Indians Through our collaboration with strategic and longterm partners like Google we aim to make India not just AIenabled but AIempowered where every citizen and enterprise can harness intelligent tools to create innovate and grow Mukesh Ambani Chairman Reliance Industries LimitedReliance has also announced partnering with Google Cloud to broaden access to its advanced AI hardware accelerators Tensor Processing Units TPUsThis will enable more organisations to train and deploy larger more complex AI models as well as deliver faster inferencing to help execute highly demanding projects and accelerate AI adoption across the broader India AI ecosystemThis expanded collaboration also establishes Reliance Intelligence as a strategic gotomarket partner for Google Cloud driving the adoption of Gemini Enterprise across Indian organisationsReliance is a longstanding partner in Googles goal of advancing Indias digital future together weve brought affordable internet access and smartphones to millions said Sundar Pichai CEO of Google and AlphabetNow we are bringing this collaboration into the AI era Todays announcement will put Googles cuttingedge AI tools in the hands of consumers businesses and Indias vibrant developer community he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/reliance-partners-google-to-accelerate-indias-ai-revolution-645652.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-auto-sector-sees-strong-recovery-in-sep-cv-sales-up-119-pc-yoy-645658.html New Delhi Oct 30 Indias automobile sector experienced a robust recovery in September with sales increasing by 5 to 10 per cent across various segments a report said on Thursday The pickup in sales was driven by Goods and Services Tax GST reforms and the onset of the festive season signalling a positive turn for the industry in FY2026 the report from ratings agency ICRA saidThe commercial vehicle CV segment witnessed a robust 119 per cent yearonyear growth in wholesale volumesWhile infrastructure projects and revived logistics supported a 32 per cent growth in H1 FY26 retail sales in specific segments like Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles MampHCVs contracted temporarily as fleet owners had deferred purchases in anticipation of the tax reformRetail sales of twowheelers grew 65 per cent YoY during the month after muted sales in the first few weeks due to purchase deferralsWholesale volumes also grew 6 per cent as manufacturers increased dispatches the report notedThe passenger vehicle PV segment gained notable traction postGST cut with retail sales growing 58 per cent YoY and wholesale volumes up 45 per cent ICRA saidWholesale volumes saw a 157 per cent sequential increase as OEMs stocked dealerships for the festive period Although inventory levels were elevated utility vehicles continued to dominate sales it saidICRA maintained a stable to positive outlook for the Indian auto sector in FY2026 For the fiscal year the ratings agency forecasted a modest 35 per cent wholesale growth for the CV industry 69 per cent growth for twowheelers and 1 to 4 per cent growth for passenger vehiclesImproved affordability new model launches an increase in rural demand and sustained festive demand will act as growth drivers the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-auto-sector-sees-strong-recovery-in-sep-cv-sales-up-119-pc-yoy-645658.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nasscom-partners-with-uidai-to-help-indias-deeptech-innovators-645670.html New Delhi Oct 30 The National Association of Software and Service Companies NASSCOM on Thursday said that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with the Unique Identification Authority of India UIDAI to expand opportunities for Indias DeepTech innovators and strengthen the countrys digital identity ecosystem As part of the collaboration the trade association will support UIDAIs Scheme for Innovation and technology association with Aadhaar SITAA a structured UIDAI initiative to catalyse open innovation indigenisation and scalable IDtech solutions that strengthen the Aadhaar ecosystem and Indias Digital Public InfrastructureIndia is home to more than 4000 DeepTech startups including over 500 inventive ventures tackling challenges in healthtech agriculture space and other strategic sectorsNasscom has been closely working with the ecosystem and government in evangelising the promise of DeepTech startups spotlighting their ideas and enabling them to scale globallyThe collaboration with UIDAI reinforces this mission by shaping a national narrative around IDTech a domain poised to transform service delivery enhance trust in digital interactions and unlock inclusive growth for millions of citizensFor startups the partnership opens doors to UIDAIs incubation sandbox providing a platform to pilot solutions in policylinked environments gain visibility with influential stakeholders and engage with realworld challenges central to Indias digital futureThe future of digital identity will be shaped by groundbreaking ideas and solutions that redefine what trust means in the digital age With the convergence of AI biometrics and secure platforms there is immense potential to make citizen services more accessible reliable and citizencentric said Sangeeta Gupta Sr Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at NasscomThis collaboration with UIDAI allows startups to not only innovate but also to impact how technology can empower governance with transparency and trust at its foundation she addedThrough curated showcases academia outreach and structured exchanges with UIDAI the initiative will help founders validate their ideas build credibility and accelerate their journey to scaleThe initiative aims to strengthen Indias digital identity ecosystem by fostering innovation promoting indigenisation and enabling collaborative development in the identity technology domainIt will further open new pathways for startups in the IDTech space to imagine experiment and build solutions that can power the backbone of Indias digital identity infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nasscom-partners-with-uidai-to-help-indias-deeptech-innovators-645670.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-and-sri-lanka-hold-1st-joint-working-group-meeting-on-agriculture-645679.html New Delhi Oct 30 India and Sri Lanka discussed collaboration in key areas including farm mechanisation organic and natural farming seed sector development agrientrepreneurship agricultural education soil health management market access and climateresilient agriculture at the first Joint Working Group JWG meeting on Agriculture between the Asian countries was held on Thursday The meeting was cochaired by Devesh Chaturvedi Secretary Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and D P Wickramasinghe Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Land and Irrigation Government of Sri LankaBoth sides discussed Opportunities for joint research and capacity building were also exploredThe meeting also covered initiatives such as digital agriculture crop insurance and agristartupsThe Sri Lankan delegation visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute IARI Pusa New Delhi to gain insights into Indias agricultural research and innovation ecosystemThe discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka to deepen cooperation for strengthening food and nutritional security in both countriesThe Sri Lankan delegation comprised G G V Shyamali Additional Director General of Agriculture Development Department of Agriculture B S S Perera Director Livestock Development Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Land and Irrigation and Geshan Counsellor High Commission of Sri LankaThe meeting was also attended by Joint Secretaries from the Department of Agriculture amp Farmers Welfare DAampFW Chairman PPVFRA Department of Agricultural Research and Education DARE the Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR and the Ministry of External Affairs MEA IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-and-sri-lanka-hold-1st-joint-working-group-meeting-on-agriculture-645679.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-open-lower-as-us-fed-announces-rate-cut-645504.html Mumbai Oct 30 The Indian stock market opened on a weak note on Thursday as Fed decision to cut rates by 25bp didnt impact the market and tracking mixed cues from Asian markets Both benchmark indices the Sensex and Nifty started lower in early trade The Sensex slipped 228 points or 027 per cent to 84770 while the Nifty fell 81 points or 031 per cent to 25973From a technical perspective the Nifty continues to maintain a sidewaystobullish bias as long as it sustains above the 2590026000 support zone analysts saidOn the upside immediate resistance is placed around 2610026200 and a sustained move above this range could pave the way for further gains toward 2630026400 in the near term experts addedSeveral heavyweight stocks were under pressure in morning deals Bharti Airtel Sun Pharma ITC Tata Steel Power Grid Titan Kotak Bank Infosys Axis Bank Trent and HCL Tech were among the top losers declining up to 15 per centOn the other hand some stocks managed to stay in the green LampT Tata Motors Bajaj Finance TCS Ultratech Cement Adani Ports Tech Mahindra and SBI were among the top gainers on the SensexThe weak start in Indian markets came after the US Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis points rate cut lowering the benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 375 per cent to 4 per centHowever Fed Chair Jerome Powells comment that another rate cut in December was far from a foregone conclusion dampened investor sentiment on Wall Street affecting Asian market trends as wellIn the broader market the Nifty MidCap index was flat while the Nifty SmallCap index edged up 015 per centAmong sectoral indices the Nifty Pharma index saw the sharpest fall down 076 per centThe Nifty Metal and FMCG indices also slipped 04 per cent each and the Nifty Private Bank index declined 02 per centMeanwhile the Nifty Realty index bucked the trend rising 05 per cent in early tradeAnalysts said that Given the heightened volatility and mixed global cues traders are advised to maintain a cautious buyondips approach especially when using leverage IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-open-lower-as-us-fed-announces-rate-cut-645504.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adding-more-women-in-stem-sectors-imperative-for-viksit-bharat-vision-645546.html New Delhi Oct 30 The inclusion and advancement of women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics STEM is not merely a matter of social equity but a critical imperative for national innovation economic competitiveness and the successful realisation the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 according to FICCI Ladies Organisation FLO an apex body of businesswomen in the country on Thursday A recent report by the FLO contended that Indias most underutilised strategic asset is its vast and growing pool of qualified women in STEMWhile India is a global leader in producing female STEM graduates with women constituting approximately 43 per cent of total enrolments in STEM However only 14 per cent transition into STEM careers said Poonam Sharma National President FLOThis phenomenon termed as leakypipeline signifies a colossal waste of human capital and a direct impediment to innovation In critical Research and Development RampD establishments women account for only 166 per cent of the personnel The economic cost of this exclusion is significant added SharmaRecent studies suggest that increasing womens participation in the labour force could add substantially to the GDP Promoting womens entrepreneurship alone has the potential to create 150170 million jobs by 2030A recent study conducted by FLO deconstructs the systemic barriers from entrenched sociocultural norms and the disproportionate burden of unpaid care to workplace biases and a formidable glass ceiling that contribute to this leaky pipeline It also highlights the catalytic impact of enablers such as targeted government initiatives for eg WISEKIRAN GATI the inspirational power of visible role models like the women scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO and the burgeoning startup ecosystem supported by Startup India Sharma saidFLO recommended bridging the gap between educational attainment and workforce participation mandating genderdisaggregated data and pay gap reporting and creating a dedicated DeepTech Womens Fund to boost womens inclusion in STEM sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adding-more-women-in-stem-sectors-imperative-for-viksit-bharat-vision-645546.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/china-targets-manned-moon-landing-by-2030-outlines-testing-tasks-ahead-645551.html Beijing Oct 30 China is advancing its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030 and has outlined a packed schedule of development and testing for its ambitious crewed lunar programme the China Manned Space Agency CMSA said on Thursday A series of crucial upcoming tests include integrated testing for the Lanyue lunar lander thermal tests and maximum dynamic pressure escape tests for the Mengzhou manned spacecraft and lowaltitude and technology verification flights for the Long March10 carrier rocket Xinhua news agency reportedAt a press conference held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo announced that the Mengzhou1 spacecraft mission will be included in the public logo solicitation campaign alongside missions to Chinas space stationThis spacecraft is primarily designed for lunar missions while also supporting the space station missions in lowEarth orbitAll development and construction work for the crewed lunar mission is proceeding as planned said Zhang Primary preliminary prototyping of key flight hardware including the Long March10 rocket the Mengzhou spacecraft the Lanyue lander the Wangyu lunar extravehicular suit and the Tansuo crewed lunar rover has been completed the report saidAlso payload designs for scientific research and applications have been finalised and groundbased infrastructure such as the launch site tracking network and landing site on Earth is under accelerated development according to ZhangThe mission has seen a string of successful tests this year including the secondstage propulsion system test and the captive firing test for the Long March10 rocket the zeroaltitude escape test for the Mengzhou spacecraft and the comprehensive landing and takeoff verification test for the Lanyue landerZhang noted that numerous new technologies still require validation and the upcoming workload is heavy given the highquality standards and a tight timeline for flight testsMeanwhile the CMSA also announced the crew for the Shenzhou21 crewed spaceflight mission Zhang Lu Wu Fei and Zhang HongzhangThe Shenzhou21 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 1144 pm Friday Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Jingbo saidThe mission is the sixth manned flight mission since the space station entered the application and development phase and the 37th flight of Chinas manned spaceflight programmeThe Shenzhou21 astronauts will complete inorbit rotation with the Shenzhou20 crew and stay in the space station for about six months according to the spokesperson IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/china-targets-manned-moon-landing-by-2030-outlines-testing-tasks-ahead-645551.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-madras-aces-vertical-take-off-and-landing-in-aircraft-uavs-with-hybrid-rocket-thrusters-645558.html Chennai Oct 30 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras have taken India a step closer to advancing vertical takeoff and landing VTOL aircraft and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV with hybrid rocket thrusters In a sophisticated experiment that combined a realtime hybrid rocket thruster with a virtual simulation the researchers achieved the necessary velocity for soft landing a crucial feature for all craft ranging from planetary landing of an unmanned or manned exploration module to terrestrial landing of a VTOL aircraftTouchdown velocity is an important parameter to ensure safe vertical landingsResearchers studied the feasibility of using the hybrid rocket motor for vertical landing platforms as they are less complicated and safer compared to liquid engines Moreover hybrid rocket systems are gaining popularity due to their inherent safety and throttling capabilities apart from the possibility of combining the advantages of liquid and solid rocket enginesCurrently VTOL systems are complex and need high maintenance Therefore the research published in the peerreviewed International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences conceived the concept of a hybrid rocket thrusterpowered platform as part of a system development study to bring out an effective propulsion unit for achieving VTOL in aircraft and UAVsVertical takeoff and landing as the name suggests will enable an aircraft to take off and land vertically eliminating the need for infrastructure like long runways Because of this VTOL capability will enable access to remote locations and rugged terrains where long runways and large airports are difficult to establish Currently helicopters are the system operating on those terrains however they face limitations in terms of speed range and efficiency compared to a fixedwing aircraft said Prof PA Ramakrishna Department of Aerospace Engineering IIT MadrasOnce the VTOL system reaches the Technology Readiness Level TRL for commercial application it will be a gamechanger in both civil and military aviation VTOL will help to decentralise air transport to multiple locations rather than a single big airport or an airbase Such decentralisation brings significant strategic and operational advantages This study is a precursor towards the development and demonstration of a proofofconcept for a hybrid rocketpowered VTOL platform Ramakrishna addedThe experts highlighted that a significant contribution is the development of a hybrid rocket fuel that needs only compressed air as the oxidiser This makes VTOL systems easier to integrate with aerospace vehicles especially in scenarios where compressed air is readily availableAnother interesting aspect of this work is the unique HardwareintheLoop Simulation HILS framework that IIT Madras researchers have developed HILS combines physical hardware testing with simulations to offer a costeffective way to quickly develop complex systems said Dr Joel George Manathara Associate Professor Department of Aerospace Engineering IIT MadrasHe explained that while typical HILS setups involve a servo motor or microcontroller as the hardware interacting with the simulation the team integrated a real livefiring hybrid rocket motor directly into the HILS loopThe hardwareintheloop simulation setup demonstrated a successful soft landing of the platform with a touchdown velocity of less than 1 ms IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-madras-aces-vertical-take-off-and-landing-in-aircraft-uavs-with-hybrid-rocket-thrusters-645558.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mobile-apps-asking-for-location-can-leak-significant-private-information-iit-delhi-645566.html New Delhi Oct 30 Mobile apps asking for access to location may be leaking your significant private information including your activity environment and even the layout of the room or floor you are in according to an alarming study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi on Thursday The study published in the journal ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks focussed on AndroCon the first system to demonstrate that the finegrained GPS data already accessible to Android apps with precise location permissions can act as a covert sensorWithout using the camera microphone or motion sensors AndroCon was found to interpret nine lowlevel GPS parameters such as the Doppler shift signal power and multipath interference to infer whether someone is sitting standing lying down inside a metro on a flight in a park or in a crowded outdoor space They could also infer if the room is crowded or empty said researchers led by Soham Nag M Tech Student at the Centre of Excellence in Cyber Systems and Information Assurance IIT DelhiTo turn the noisy raw data into clear insights the team combined classical signal processing with modern machine learningAcross a yearlong study spanning 40000 sq km and a lot of different phones AndroCon achieved up to 99 per cent accuracy in detecting surroundings and over 87 per cent accuracy in recognising human activities even subtle ones like handwaving near the phone said Prof Smruti R Sarangi Computer Science and Engineering Dept IIT DelhiThe same framework can also sketch indoor floor maps identify rooms staircases and elevators with a margin of error under 4 metres using only GPS patterns and user trajectoriesWhile AndroCon opens exciting possibilities for contextaware privacyrespecting smart services it also exposes a critical security gap Any Android app with precise location permissions could potentially infer sensitive contextual information without explicit user consent the team saidThis study reveals an unseen side of GPS a powerful but silent channel that can sense the world around us AndroCon turns the everyday smartphone into an unexpectedly precise scientific instrument and a reminder that even the most familiar technologies still hold hidden secrets that can be misused by malicious entities Sarangi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mobile-apps-asking-for-location-can-leak-significant-private-information-iit-delhi-645566.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/vodafone-idea-other-telecom-shares-slip-after-scs-written-order-on-agr-dues-645569.html New Delhi Oct 30 Vodafone Idea shares fell as much as 12 per cent on Thursday following the Supreme Courts written order permitting the Centre to reassess the telecom companys additional adjusted gross revenue AGR dues As of 1203 pm the Vodafone Idea Ltd stock has recovered from its intraday low to Rs 879 down 609 per cent during the day Earlier the stock had touched an intraday low of Rs 821This development also impacted the larger sector and affected other companies Indus Towers and Bharti Airtel fell 33 per cent and 15 per cent respectively while Bharti Hexacom declined 271 per cent to Rs 1866 per shareThe courts written judgement on October 29 specified that the order is applicable solely to Vodafone Idea and is restricted to incremental AGR dues incurred up to the financial year 201617 referencing the peculiar facts and circumstances of the caseEarlier the apex court on October 27 allowed the Centre to reconsider Vodafone Ideas AGR dues Vodafone Idea had touched a oneyear high of Rs 1057 on October 27 driven by expectations of government relief and had risen 35 per cent in 2025 to dateAnalysts said that the Supreme Court order applies only to the incremental AGR demand which is solely dependent on government policy Without substantial policy relief Vodafone Ideas stock will not improve significantly they addedUnion Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia on October 29 announced that the government will analyse the orders implications and will wait for Vodafone Idea to apply for seeking relief before making policy decisionsThe apex court noted that the Centre now holds 49 per cent equity in Vodafone Idea and that around 20 crore customers use its telecom services making the issue one of significant public interestVodafones latest petition flagged a fresh AGR demand of Rs 9450 crore raised by the Department of Telecommunications The petition contended that a substantial portion of the demand pertained to the pre2017 period which had already been settled by the Supreme Court IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/vodafone-idea-other-telecom-shares-slip-after-scs-written-order-on-agr-dues-645569.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/alphabets-revenue-crosses-100-billion-for-1st-time-gemini-tops-650-mn-monthly-active-users-645582.html New Delhi Oct 30 Sundar Pichai CEO and Director of Googles parent company Alphabet has announced that the company has achieved its first 100 billion quarter fuelled by strong doubledigit growth across all its verticals including search cloud and YouTube During Alphabets Q3 2025 earnings call Pichai announced that the Gemini app has surpassed 650 million monthly active users with queries increasing threefold since Q2Cloud had another great quarter of accelerating growth with AI revenue as a key driver The cloud backlog grew 46 per cent quarteroverquarter to 155 billion And we crossed 300 million in paid subscriptions led by growth in Google One and YouTube Premium said PichaiAI Mode launched globally in 40 languages now has over 75 million daily active users and the company shipped 100 product improvements in Q3 he said adding that AI Mode is already driving incremental total query growth for the companys Search verticalAlphabets firstparty models process approximately 7 billion tokens per minute through a direct API used by its customersWe are scaling the most advanced chips in our data centers including GPUs from our partner NVIDIA as well as our own purposeful TPUs the CEO addedGoogle Services revenue reached 87 billion for the quarter up 14 per cent YoY said Philipp Schindler Senior Vice President amp Chief Business Officer of Google in the quarterly earnings callAccelerated growth in Search and YouTube drove the surge partially offset by a YoY decline in network revenuesThe 15 per cent increase in Google Search was led by growth across all major verticals with the largest contributions from retail and financial services YouTube saw similar performance across verticals with 15 per cent growth in advertising revenuesGoogles investments in new AI experiences such as AI Overviews and AI Mode continued to drive growth in overall queries including commercial queries creating more opportunities for monetisation he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/alphabets-revenue-crosses-100-billion-for-1st-time-gemini-tops-650-mn-monthly-active-users-645582.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-expands-galaxy-ai-to-support-22-languages-adds-gujarati-and-filipino-645584.html Gurugram Oct 30 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd On Thursday announced that its Galaxy AI platform now supports 22 languages with the addition of Gujarati and Filipino The new language update began rolling out on October 29 furthering Samsungs goal of making artificial intelligence more inclusive and accessible across the worldWith this expansion Galaxy AI brings its powerful tools to even more users helping people communicate and stay productive in their preferred languagesThe update allows users to download the new language packs directly from the Settings appGalaxy AI includes several smart features that make daily communication easier The Live Translate feature enables realtime twoway voice and text translation during phone calls making crossborder conversations smootherThe Interpreter tool instantly translates facetoface talks on a split screen useful while traveling dining out or asking for directionsOther tools like Chat Assist Note Assist Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist help users write summarise translate and stay organised more efficientlyThese AI features are designed to feel natural and adapt to the unique ways people communicate in different regionsThe new Gujarati and Filipino language support was developed in collaboration with Samsung Research centers in India and IndonesiaThis effort highlights Samsungs focus on building localized language models that reflect cultural and linguistic nuancesThe addition of Gujarati to Galaxy AI is a significant milestone in our mission to democratise AI in India a country known for its linguistic diversity said Giridhar Jakki Senior Director and Head of the Language AI Team at Samsung RampD Institute India BengaluruBy including Gujarati we are empowering native speakers to use features like Call Assist and Interpreter seamlessly powered by our advanced ondevice AI technology Jakki addedGalaxy AI has become an integral part of users lives since its launch According to Samsung more than 70 per cent of Galaxy S25 users worldwide use Galaxy AI and Google Gemini features regularly with nearly half depending on AI dailyIn India engagement is even higher 91 per cent of Galaxy S25 users actively use Galaxy AI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-expands-galaxy-ai-to-support-22-languages-adds-gujarati-and-filipino-645584.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/china-suspends-export-control-on-rare-earth-minerals-for-one-year-645590.html New Delhi Oct 30 China on Thursday announced that it will suspend certain export restrictions including export control on rare earth minerals for one year The development came after US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to ease trade tensions between the worlds two largest economiesEarlier on October 9 Beijing announced further controls on the export of rareearth technologies and items adding to existing regulations on the critical industryThe export restrictions were a reaction to US tariffs that were about to take effect following the expiration of an interim trade agreementHowever for a year the restrictions will be lifted while the Chinese government reviews and improves certain plansEarlier in a significant development the US President said that he and Xi Jinping have agreed on a oneyear deal for the supply of crucial rare earth materialsThe announcement followed the two leaders first facetoface encounter in six years which took place on the fringes of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Busan South KoreaAccording to Trump the agreement which will be renewed yearly marks a substantial improvement in the tense trade relationship between the two nationsAll the rare earths have been settled and thats for the world Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after the meetingHe added that he had also agreed to reduce fentanylrelated tariffs on China from 20 per cent to 10 per cent describing the meeting with Xi as a 12 out of 10Trump said A lot of things we brought to finalisation and praised the Chinese President as a tremendous leader of a mighty countryClearing the air on his China visit Trump revealed that he will visit China in April while Xi is expected to travel to the US later IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/china-suspends-export-control-on-rare-earth-minerals-for-one-year-645590.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/stem-cell-therapy-may-help-reduce-heart-failure-after-a-heart-attack-645592.html New Delhi Oct 30 Patients with weak heart function who receive stem cell therapy shortly after a heart attack are less likely to suffer heart failure according to a study Heart failure can occur after a heart attack when the heart muscle is extensively damaged weakening its ability to pump blood effectivelyThis can be a sudden complication acute heart failure or a longterm one Symptoms include trouble breathing fatigue swelling in the legs and an irregular heartbeatThe clinical trial published by the BMJ suggests stem cell therapy may be a valuable addon procedure for this particular group of patients after a heart attack to prevent subsequent heart failure and reduce the risk of future adverse eventsAn international team of researchers including those from Queen Mary University of London in the UK set out to assess the impact of delivering stem cells directly into coronary arteries known as intracoronary infusion after a heart attack on the development of heart failure over three yearsThe results suggest that this technique may serve as a valuable adjunctive procedure after myocardial infarction to prevent the development of heart failure and reduce the risk of future adverse events the team saidThe trial included 396 patients average age 5759 years with no previous heart conditions at three teaching hospitals in Iran They had all experienced a first heart attack myocardial infarctionOf these 136 patients in the intervention group received an intracoronary infusion of allogenic Whartons jellyderived mesenchymal stem cells within 37 days of their heart attack in addition to standard careThe remaining 260 control group patients received standard care aloneCompared with the control group intracoronary infusion of stem cells was associated with reduced rates of heart failure 277 vs 648 per 100 person years readmission to hospital for heart failure 092 vs 420 per 100 person years and a combined measure of cardiovascular death and readmission for heart attack or heart failure 28 vs 716 per 100 person yearsThe intervention did not have a statistically significant effect on readmission to the hospital for heart attack or death from cardiovascular diseaseHowever by six months heart function in the intervention group showed a significantly greater improvement compared with the control group said the researcher while also urging the need for additional trials confirming the finding IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/stem-cell-therapy-may-help-reduce-heart-failure-after-a-heart-attack-645592.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-insurtech-sectors-cumulative-valuations-cross-158-billion-645607.html New Delhi Oct 30 India has a sizeable insurtech ecosystem with over 150 active players whose cumulative valuations crossed 158 billion and revenues surpassed 09 billion in 2024 a 10 times increase since 2019 a report said on Thursday The sector has two unicorns eight players between 100 million 1 billion and more than 45 players over 1 million mark Despite a slowdown in insurtech funding in 2024 Health insurtechs in India accounted for four of the five largest deals and more than 70 per cent of the funding reflecting their role in driving access efficiency and innovationIn the year global Insurtech funding slowed down to 41 billion in line with the wider fintech correctionRegional dynamics have shifted with Europe the Middle East and Africa EMEA gaining share as AsiaPacific APAC declined India also mirrored the global trends signalling a shift in investor focus to backing businesses with clear paths to profitability and scale India InsurTech Association IIA said in its joint report with Boston Consulting Group BCGHowever the next chapter will be defined not by growth at any cost but by sustainable profitable operating models it addedGenAI has the potential to fundamentally transform the value chain from distribution to claims and from marketing to servicing by improving efficiency accuracy and customer experienceAccording to the report the opportunity now is to move decisively beyond pilots and embed adoption at scaleAI and GenAI offer a 4 billion profit opportunity for Indias insurance industry There are three key imperatives for organizations to achieve this value focus on 23 high value pools rather than let a thousand flowers bloom investing in highquality data and balancing traditional and generative models to manage costs and maximize value said Pallavi Malani Managing Director and Partner LeadIndia Insurance Practice at BCG and coauthor of the reportWhere implemented effectively AI and GenAI have already delivered 1020 per cent efficiency gains in underwriting 2040 per cent lower service costs and 37 per cent improvement in claims payout she addedAs per the report GenAI has emerged as the next major force shaping the insurance industry The technology has evolved from AI to GenAI and now Agentic AI with insurance ranking second globally in adoption behind only technologyUse cases span the entire operating model sales and distribution underwriting claims renewals and servicingLarge insurers deploying GenAI are already seeing significant impact with 1520 per cent productivity increase for agents 1020 per cent efficiency gains in underwriting 2030 per cent lower service costs and 37 per cent increase in claims payout efficiencyInsurtechs are central to this transformation coinnovating with insurers and productizing AI modules for distribution underwriting claims servicing and renewalsGlobal insurtech funding dropped from nearly 14 billion in 2021 to about 4 billion in 2024 in line with the wider fintech correction India too has mirrored the global funding trends said Vivek Mandhata Managing Director and Partner at BCG and coauthor of the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-insurtech-sectors-cumulative-valuations-cross-158-billion-645607.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-airports-joins-aionos-to-launch-ai-powered-passenger-support-system-645608.html Ahmedabad Oct 30 Adani Airport Holdings Limited AAHL a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited AEL and Indias largest private airport operator on Thursday signed a strategic partnership with AIONOS an InterGlobe Enterprises company and global leader in enterprise AI to boost the passenger support experience across all Adani airports Under this partnership AIONOS will deploy its proprietary Agentic AI platform IntelliMate to power personalised realtime interactions with travellers through voice chat web and mobile The collaboration aims to introduce a multilingual omnichannel AI solution designed to transform the passenger support experience across all Adani airportsUnder this partnership AIONOS will deploy its proprietary Agentic AI platform IntelliMate to power personalised realtime interactions with travellers through voice chat web and mobileThe AI system will act as a 24x7 virtual concierge helping passengers with flight updates gate details baggage tracking airport directions and service information all available in multiple languages including English Hindi and regional dialectsThe AIdriven platform will ensure passengers receive consistent and contextaware assistance across all touchpoints improving customer satisfaction while reducing service turnaround timesIt also aims to make travel more inclusive by offering languagefriendly and easily accessible supportThis move is part of AAHLs broader digital transformation strategy which focuses on enhancing convenience comfort and personalisation for passengersThe companys digital vision rests on three key areas collaboration within the airport ecosystem for smoother operations delivering toptier passenger experiences and building robust digital infrastructure for the futureArun Bansal CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Limited said Our vision is to redefine the airport experience through intelligent digitalfirst innovations that put passengers at the centreWith AIONOS we are taking a major step towards creating seamless personalised journeys across all our airports Bansal said adding that together with our inhouse platforms such as aviio Adani OneApp and AirportinaBox we are building a connected and sustainable airport ecosystemCP Gurnani Cofounder and Vice Chairman of AIONOS added We are excited to partner with AAHL in this transformative journey This collaboration reflects our shared goal of using advanced AI technologies to create worldclass customer experiences and help enterprises achieve their digital ambitionsThe partnership between Adani Airports and AIONOS marks a significant milestone in Indias aviation sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-airports-joins-aionos-to-launch-ai-powered-passenger-support-system-645608.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-digital-transformation-spurs-fdi-in-fintech-provides-valuable-insights-for-africa-645617.html New Delhi Oct 30 Foreign investors are increasingly flocking to Indias financial sector as the country transforms a large population of previously unbanked individuals into a datarich market a recent report said urging Africa to pursue the same model Despite challenges from external trade headwinds and widespread account dormancy the FDI influx suggests confidence in Indias digitallydriven transformation where its huge population is harnessed as a scalable market through innovative policies and fintech ecosystems the report from Sunday Independent saidThe report also noted an internal contradiction of nearly 89 per cent adult account penetration against 25 per cent account dormancy rates Despite this dormancy rate investors like Citigroup Barclays and Japans MUFG are expanding through datadriven credit scoring and microproducts into the Indian marketThe core driver is Indias shift from an informal cashbased economy where the governments digitisation initiatives have created a fintech ecosystem that unlocks value from previously invisible populations the report notedEvery transaction generates data that allows lenders to assess creditworthiness enabling offerings like microloans insurance and savings products to a new consumer base Investors like Citigroup and Barclays aim to gain access to this scalable market of 14 billion people the report saidFurther India is currently addressing the issue of account inactivity through targeted innovations and policies Fintech firms like Paytm and PhonePe use UPI to deliver tailored products for lowincome users leveraging alternative data such as mobile usage for credit scoring it addedThe South Africanbased publication argued that Indias model provides valuable insights for Africa to prioritise digital infrastructure tackle inactivity through innovation and transform demographics into assetsIndias success shows that inclusive digitisation reduces costs boosts usage and draws FDI evidenced by Indias over 50 billion inflows in 202425 the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-digital-transformation-spurs-fdi-in-fintech-provides-valuable-insights-for-africa-645617.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/drdo-developed-testedspecialised-food-and-parachutes-for-gaganyaan-mission-645618.html New Delhi Oct 30 Advancing the Gaganyaan mission the Defence Research and Development Organization DRDO on Thursday said that it has developed as well as tested specialised food and parachute systems for the Gaganyatris Gaganyaan Indias first human spaceflight is scheduled to launch in 2027 The mission will carry astronauts to low Earth orbit for a threeday mission and bring them back safely to EarthSpeaking to IANS on the sidelines of the DRDO Industry Synergy Meet in Bengaluru Dr BK Das Director General of Electronics and Communication at DRDO said that from developing products and technologies for the armed forces the premier institute has also spread its wings into the space domain with ISROThere are a lot of activities happening on the Gaganyaan mission at DRDO We have developed specialised food required for the mission and specialised systems for parachutes We have also got specialised technologies for astronauts who can be dependent on our own systems products Das saidHe noted that the DRDO is ensuring dual use of technologies developed for the armed forces for the ISRO programmesMany of the technologies have been developed tested and have been collaborated with the ISRO Das saidHe also noted that phase one and phase two tests of the technologies developed conducted both in laboratories and in external environments have produced very good resultsI think both ISRO and the DRDO have got a good satisfaction level from the tests he said adding that still some more work is left and it should be completed soonBe sure there is a part of the DRDO in the Gaganyaan programme and we will be happy to contribute much more to the ISRO programme Das told IANSEarlier this week ISRO chief Dr V Narayanan also spoke about the Gaganyaan mission the progress made under the countrys first human spaceflight missionNarayanan highlighted that the development work for the Gaganyaan Mission is nearing completion with about 85 to 90 per cent of subsystemlevel activities finalisedWe are now conducting integrated tests and software validation Three uncrewed missions will be launched before the crewed flight to ensure full safety and system reliability the ISRO Chief told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/drdo-developed-testedspecialised-food-and-parachutes-for-gaganyaan-mission-645618.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aditya-birla-capitals-q2-net-profit-falls-13-pc-to-rs-8825-crore-645620.html Mumbai Oct 30 Aditya Birla Capital Limited ABCL on Thursday reported a 13 per cent yearonyear YoY drop in consolidated net profit to Rs 8825 crore for the September quarter Q2 FY26 compared to Rs 1015 crore in the same period last fiscal Q2 FY25 The previous years results had included a onetime gain of Rs 167 crore the company said in its stock exchange filingThe companys consolidated revenue rose 4 per cent yearonyear to Rs 12481 crore while consolidated profit increased 3 per cent to Rs 855 croreDespite the decline in profit shares of Aditya Birla Capital were trading higher by over 5 per cent at Rs 327 up by Rs 1620 as of 330 pmAditya Birla Capitals nonbanking financial company NBFC arm reported strong business growth with disbursements rising 14 per cent yearonyear and 39 per cent sequentially to Rs 21990 croreThe NBFCs assets under management AUM grew 22 per cent yearonyear and 6 per cent quarteronquarter to Rs 139 lakh crore while the overall loan book expanded 29 per cent to Rs 178 lakh croreIn its financial services business which includes asset management and insurance the companys total AUM rose 10 per cent yearonyear to Rs 55 lakh croreThis growth was driven by steady investor inflows across both retail and institutional segmentsThe company said its diversified portfolio across lending insurance and asset management continues to support stable growth even in a high interest rate environmentAditya Birla Capital the financial services arm of the Aditya Birla Group also highlighted the growing strength of its digital platformsIts directtoconsumer platform ABCD offers over 26 financial products and services including payments loans insurance and investmentsThe platform has onboarded more than 76 lakh customers as of September 30Meanwhile its B2B platform Udyog Plus which caters to the MSME ecosystem with digital solutions for business loans and supply chain financing has seen registrations rise to 24 lakh with an AUM of Rs 4397 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aditya-birla-capitals-q2-net-profit-falls-13-pc-to-rs-8825-crore-645620.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/exide-industries-faces-income-tax-survey-postpones-q2-results-645626.html Mumbai Oct 30 The Income Tax Department carried out a survey at the offices and manufacturing units of Exide Industries the battery maker said in a statement on Thursday The company said it is fully cooperating with the authorities and clarified that the survey has not had any significant impact on its business operationsWe hereby inform you that the Income Tax department is conducting Survey at the Companys offices and manufacturing units in India since October 29 the Kolkatabased firm said in regulatory filingThe proceedings are underway and the Company is extending its full cooperation to the department it added in its filingExide which was scheduled to announce its secondquarter financial results on Thursday has postponed the board meeting and said it will announce a new date laterCurrently there is no material impact on the business operations of the Company due to the aforesaid action Exide saidThe battery maker added In the event there is any further material update that requires intimation under the SEBI Listing Regulations the Company will make necessary disclosures in accordance with regulatory provisionsThe Company shall inform the revised date of Board meeting in due course it mentionedFollowing the news Exide Industries shares fell as much as 18 per cent during the intraday but later recovered some losses and were closed at Rs 38320 down by Rs 140 or 036 per cent on the National Stock Exchange NSEIn last five days the shares have dropped by Rs 740 or 189 per cent It was down by Rs 755 or 193 per cent in the last month However it was up by Rs 3145 or 894 per cent in past six monthsOn yeartodate YTD basis the shares were up by Rs 3815 or 905 per cent In last one year the investors received negative return of Rs 8205 or 1764 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/exide-industries-faces-income-tax-survey-postpones-q2-results-645626.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-boosts-gold-holdings-in-india-to-5758-tonnes-domestic-prices-edge-higher-645426.html Mumbai Oct 29 Indias gold reserves are increasingly being stored within the country as the Reserve Bank of India RBI continues to shift its holdings back home The move comes at a time when nations across the world are using financial sanctions and asset freezes as tools of geopolitical pressureAccording to official data the RBI brought around 64 tonnes of gold to India during the first six months of the current financial yearAs of Septemberend Indias total gold holdings stood at 8808 tonnes out of which 5758 tonnes are now kept in domestic vaultsThe remaining 2903 tonnes are held with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements BISAdditionally 14 tonnes are part of gold deposit arrangements as per the official dataSince March 2023 the RBI has brought back 274 tonnes of gold from overseas locationsThis largescale repatriation began after the RussiaUkraine conflict and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan when G7 nations froze the foreign currency reserves of both countriesThe RBIs decision to keep a larger share of its gold at home reflects growing concerns over the safety of overseas reserves amid rising global tensionsMeanwhile gold prices in India rose on Wednesday tracking gains in international bullion markets ahead of the US Federal Reserves interest rate decisionOn the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold opened nearly flat at Rs 119647 per 10 grams compared to its previous close of Rs 119646Later it rose by Rs 401 or 034 per cent trading at Rs 120047 per 10 grams during early tradeSilver prices also gained opening at Rs 144761 per kg and rising Rs 989 or 069 per cent to Rs 145331 per kgIn the global market spot gold edged up 02 per cent to 395742 per ounce after touching its lowest level since October 7 on TuesdayHowever easing USChina trade tensions limited gains even as investors awaited an expected US Fed rate cutSo far this year gold prices have surged nearly 52 per cent hitting an alltime high of 438121 per ounce on October 20The rally has been driven by global uncertainties expectations of rate cuts and continued buying by central banks including the RBI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-boosts-gold-holdings-in-india-to-5758-tonnes-domestic-prices-edge-higher-645426.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-honouring-scientific-achievements-645156.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias scientific community received a resounding tribute last week with the announcement of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar RVP 2025 list honouring 24 distinguished scientists and one pioneering research team for transformative contributions across diverse domains Building on the inaugural edition the awards underscore the Union governments vision of Viksit Bharat through Vigyan a developed India powered by scientific temper and innovationAt the apex stands the Vigyan Ratna the nations highest civilian honour in science and technology instituted in 2023 and first conferred in 2024 upon Dr Govindarajan Padmanabhan the eminent biochemist whose decadeslong work on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum illuminated drug resistance mechanisms and inspired global antimalarial strategiesConferred annually on National Space Day which is celebrated on August 23 it mirrors the prestige of the Bharat Ratna but is dedicated solely to lifetime scientific excellenceComplementing this pinnacle are three other categoriesEight senior researchers received the Vigyan Shri for sustained impact in fields ranging from quantum materials to sustainable agricultureFourteen early and midcareer innovators all under 45 were named Vigyan YuvaShanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardees a reimagining of the iconic SS Bhatnagar Prize to nurture Indias next generation of scientific leadersThe sole Vigyan Team award went to the CSIR Aroma Mission a multiinstitutional consortium that has revitalised aromatic crop cultivation across 60000 hectares empowering more than 50000 farmers in 26 states with highyielding lavender rosemary and lemongrass varieties generating Rs 1200 crore in rural revenue since 2017The 2025 cohort reflects Indias widening scientific footprintAmong the Vigyan Shri recipients are a climate modeller whose AIdriven monsoon forecasts have reduced crop losses by 18 per cent in Odisha and a materials scientist whose biodegradable polymer from agricultural waste is now scaling for medical implantsThe Yuva awardees include a 38yearold astrophysicist decoding fast radio bursts at Punes Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and a 41yearold biotechnologist engineering salttolerant rice strains already under field trials in coastal Tamil NaduLaunched in 2023 to replace 16 fragmented science awards the RVP scheme streamlines recognition under a single transparent frameworkNominations are vetted by a 300member searchcumselection committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to Union government Ajay Kumar Sood ensuring peerdriven meritocracyUnlike earlier prizes RVP carries no cash component instead offering a sanad citation and a medal cast in panchdhatu symbolising unity of five classical elementsThe awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony on National Science Day on February 28 2026As India targets a 1 trillion research economy by 2047 the RVP not only celebrates past breakthroughs but signals a national resolve to place science at the heart of development IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-honouring-scientific-achievements-645156.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/s-koreas-gdp-expands-12-pc-in-q3-fastest-growth-in-6-quarters-645163.html Seoul Oct 28 The South Korean economy expanded at the fastest pace in 1 12 years in the third quarter supported by solid exports and rising private consumption central bank data showed on Tuesday Real gross domestic product GDP a key gauge of economic growth rose 12 per cent in the JulySeptember period from the previous quarter preliminary data from the Bank of Korea BOK showed reports Yonhap news agencyIt marked the fastest quarterly expansion since the first quarter of 2024 when the economy grew 12 per cent and was up from a 07 per cent onquarter increase in the second quarterThe thirdquarter figure also beat the BOKs expectation of a 11 per cent gainOn an onyear basis the economy expanded 17 per cent in the third quarter accelerating from a 06 per cent increase in the previous quarterThe countrys GDP unexpectedly contracted 02 per cent in the first quarter as a domestic political crisis sparked by former President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration coupled with uncertainties from US President Donald Trumps sweeping tariff measures weighed on consumer spending and slowed export growthBut the economy has rebounded on the back of the government stimulus measures and strong exports particularly in the brisk semiconductor sectorRising domestic demand and exports drove the economic expansion in the third quarterPrivate consumption rose 13 per cent marking the fastest growth since the third quarter of 2022 while government spending climbed 12 per cent the highest since the fourth quarter of 2022Exports increased 15 per cent from the previous quarter supported by strong global demand for semiconductors and automobilesFacilities investment grew 24 per cent while construction investment slipped 01 per centThe BOK said that domestic demand and net exports contributed 11 percentage points and 01 percentage point respectively to the thirdquarter economic growthThe rise in private consumption was driven by improved consumer sentiment government stimulus measures the launch of new smartphones and electric vehicles and increased medical spending at general hospitals following the return of trainee doctors BOK official Lee Dongton said at a press briefingDespite the impact of US tariffs exports particularly semiconductor shipments have held up relatively well But it remains to be seen how automobiles and other sectors will be affected by the new tariffs going forward he addedThe annual growth rate for 2025 could theoretically reach above the BOKs targeted 09 per cent if fourthquarter growth comes in at minus 01 per cent or higherThe BOK projected Asias fourthlargest economy to expand 09 per cent this year and 16 per cent in 2026 and it is expected to release a revised outlook in November IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/s-koreas-gdp-expands-12-pc-in-q3-fastest-growth-in-6-quarters-645163.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/openais-big-bet-on-india-free-chatgpt-go-access-for-1-year-starting-nov-4-645173.html New Delhi Oct 28 OpenAI on Tuesday announced that it will offer free access to ChatGPT Go for one year to all users in India who sign up during a special promotional period starting November 4 The offer comes as part of OpenAIs celebration of its first DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru which will also be held on the same dayChatGPT Go is OpenAIs recently launched subscription plan that gives users access to many of the platforms advanced features including higher message limits more image generation longer memory and the ability to upload more files and imagesAll these features are powered by OpenAIs latest GPT5 modelThe plan was first launched in India in August this year after users requested a more affordable way to use ChatGPTs advanced toolsWithin just a month of its launch the number of paid ChatGPT users in India more than doubledFollowing this strong response OpenAI expanded ChatGPT Go to nearly 90 countries worldwideIndia is currently ChatGPTs secondlargest market and one of the fastestgrowingMillions of users across the country students professionals and developers are already using ChatGPT daily to learn new skills boost creativity and build innovative projectsThe new offer reflects OpenAIs continued Indiafirst approach and supports the governments IndiaAI Mission which aims to expand access to artificial intelligence tools and encourage innovation across the countryOpenAI is also working with civil society groups educational platforms and governmentled initiatives to make AI tools more accessible and inclusiveExisting ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also be eligible for the free 12month offer with more details to be announced soonNick Turley Vice President and Head of ChatGPT said the company has been inspired by how Indian users are using ChatGPT GoAhead of our first DevDay Exchange event in India were making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year to help more people across India easily access and benefit from advanced AI Were excited to see the amazing things our users will build learn and achieve with these tools he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/openais-big-bet-on-india-free-chatgpt-go-access-for-1-year-starting-nov-4-645173.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/attacks-on-adani-group-coordinated-effort-to-undermine-indias-growth-lawyer-645176.html New Delhi Oct 28 Supreme Court advocate Ishkaran Singh Bhandari has said that recent reports by foreign media targeting the Adani Group are part of a larger coordinated effort to undermine Indias economic growth and private industrial progress In a conversation with IANS Bhandari said this is not the first time such attempts have been made to malign the Adani GroupFor years the Adani conglomerate has been repeatedly targeted These are the same companies that play a crucial role in Indias economic backbone operating in key sectors such as ports airports and energy he saidForeign interests do not want Indian enterprises to gain strength and global recognition in these strategic areas he told IANSHe recalled that the Adani Group had earlier faced similar allegations from Hindenburg Research which has been shut down which even led to a Supreme Courtmonitored investigationDespite the probe and the formation of a special committee no evidence of wrongdoing was ever found Yet the narrative continues to be pushed for ulterior motives Bhandari notedCalling the campaign a longrunning international conspiracy he cited examples of global financiers like George Soros who according to him have openly linked Adanirelated controversies to political outcomes in IndiaPeople who dont even live in India are trying to interfere with our economic stability he saidBhandari dismissed such reports as fit for the dustbin adding that raising them in Parliament or during election debates serves an antiIndia purposeDefending LICs investment in Adani Ports he said If an American company can profit from investing in Mumbai Airport why cant LIC invest in Adani Ports There is nothing questionable about itLICs investment processes are transparent and multilayered It has always invested in Indian enterprises thats part of its mandate Bhandari mentionedHe argued that questioning LICs investments while ignoring those of foreign investors exposes the hypocrisy behind such criticismIndia is now the worlds fourthlargest economy Those trying to weaken LICs profitability under the guise of transparency are actually seeking to undermine Indias growth story he saidBhandari urged citizens and lawmakers to reject agendadriven foreign narratives that attempt to erode confidence in Indian industry and private investment These baseless reports are designed to shake faith in Indias economic momentum and must be firmly dismissed he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/attacks-on-adani-group-coordinated-effort-to-undermine-indias-growth-lawyer-645176.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html New Delhi Oct 28 Scanning MRI of a persons tongue may help in the early detection and ongoing monitoring of Motor Neurone Disease MND a neurodegenerative disease according to a study Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia found that people living with MND also known as ALS who have difficulty speaking or swallowing tend to have smaller tongue musclesThis could serve as an early indication of neurodegenerative disease said Dr Thomas Shaw from the varsitys School of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceThere are eight interconnected muscles in our tongues each with a different role allowing us to eat swallow and speak But for someone with a motor neuron disease the tongue muscles like many others in the body progressively weaken and sadly waste away Shaw saidBeing able to detect and track this symptom early would help patients and clinicians especially with interventions like early access to clinical trials he addedWhile studying tongue muscles inside the mouth of a person living with MND has traditionally been difficult and invasive the team examined more than 200 historical MRI scans including some of people living with MND for the studyApplying a combination of AIassisted and advanced imaging techniques we were able to get precise measurements of tongue muscle volume and shape Shaw saidCrosssectional comparisons showed significant differences between the scans of people with MND and those without he addedThe research published in Computers in Biology and Medicine confirmed previous study findings which showed people whose MND symptoms occur in the mouth tongue throat and neck muscles have a shorter survival time compared to those with an onset of symptoms in their limbsSpeech pathologist Dr BrookeMai Whelan from UQs School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences said the tongue was a complex organ executing thousands of precisely coordinated movements every day which are only noticed when they begin to failUnderstanding which specific tongue muscles waste away in MND will help us develop strategies to compensate including modifying the persons speech patterns to rely on unaffected muscle groups he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html New Delhi Oct 28 More than 1 in 3 or 36 per cent young adults particularly Generation Z within the legal drinking age have never consumed alcohol according to a global report The report by data analytics company Euromonitor International noted that the growing trend of sobriety among younger consumers is largely driven by a desire to feel healthier and avoid longterm health risks 87 per cent of respondentsSome 30 per cent are also avoiding due to practical considerations such as saving money and improving sleep quality 25 per centThe report noted the rise in the Zebra striping trend as consumers seek to moderate their alcohol consumptionZebra striping refers to a trend where individuals alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages during a single social occasion creating a pattern that helps moderate their drinkingOnly 17 per cent of respondents reported drinking weekly in 2025 down from 23 per cent in 2020Among those who consume alcohol at least occasionally 53 per cent say they are actively trying to cut back up from 44 per cent five years ago Notably the share of individuals who never drink alcohol rose by 3 percentage points since 2020The report showed that although the global alcoholic drinks industry has reached 253 billion litres in 2024 growth appears to be stagnatingAccording to the report this form of mindful drinking is becoming popular across all ages and demographics but is especially evident among younger consumersHowever India is set to see an increase of 357 million litres in alcoholic drinks consumption from 2024 to 2029 making it a leading growth market the report saidIt also highlighted the growth in the global nonalcoholic marketWhile the alcoholic beverages industry was marked by modest global total volume growth of just 06 per cent bringing the total market value to 17 trillion in 2024 nonalcoholic spirits sales grew by 17 per cent in total volume nonalcoholic RTDs by 14 per cent nonlow alcohol beer by 11 per cent and nonalcoholic wine by 7 per centThe adult nonalcoholic drinks market is expected to grow by 24 per cent in total volume terms between 2025 and 2029 surpassing 102 billion litres in 2029 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html New Delhi Oct 28 Dyslexia is a different way of expressing knowledge said Sanjay Kumar Secretary Department of School Education and Literacy noting that with early identification and proper support kids with the condition can achieve success Kumar was speaking at the Walk for Dyslexia 2025 held in the national capital where the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Secretariat were lit up in red The walk was organised across the nation by the Changeinkk Foundation UNESCO MGEIP Orkids Foundation and Soch Foundation to spread awareness on DyslexiaDyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects reading writing and spelling resulting from differences in how the brain processes language October is observed as Dyslexia Awareness MonthKumar stressed the need to create awareness and acceptance around Specific Learning Disabilities SLDs particularly Dyslexia which remains one of the most common yet misunderstood learning differences among childrenEvery child learns differently Dyslexia is not a limitation but a different way of understanding and expressing knowledge With early identification support and empathy children with Dyslexia can achieve remarkable success Todays walk is a walk for awareness for compassion and for inclusion the Secretary saidHe also underlined the crucial role of PRASHAST 20 a mobile appbased screening tool developed by NCERT in helping schools identify children with disabilities including Dyslexia at an early stageEarly detection coupled with greater awareness among teachers parents and the wider community can make a real difference in ensuring that every child with Dyslexia receives the right support and opportunities to learn and thrive within an inclusive education system Kumar saidThe Department of School Education and Literacy under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme has undertaken several measures to strengthen early screening identification and support for children with SLDs including DyslexiaThese include the implementation of PRASHAST 2 the inclusion of dedicated modules on inclusive education in the Integrated Teacher Education Programme ITEP to strengthen preservice teacher preparationFurther the government has also provided customised learning support including teaching learning material necessary aids and appliancesassistive devices texttospeech reading tools etc accommodation and therapeutic support for children with SLD DyslexiaBlocklevel screening and identification camps are also held across States and UTs to ensure timely diagnosis and certificationAccording to global estimates Dyslexia affects one in every five individuals globally In India around 1215 per cent of all children with Special Needs CwSN enrolled in schools have been reported to have SLDs which may include children with Dyslexia as per government data IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-sdis-q3-net-profit-sinks-amid-uncertainties-us-tariff-factors-645195.html Seoul Oct 28 Samsung SDI Co said on Tuesday its thirdquarter net profit sharply dropped from a year earlier amid sluggish sales of electric vehicle EV batteries and US tariffrelated factors Net profit came to 57 billion won 4 million over the JulySeptember period down 975 per cent from a year earlier according to the companys regulatory filingSamsung SDI added it posted an operating loss of 5913 billion won for the third quarter compared with a profit of 1299 billion won a year ago Sales fell 225 per cent to 305 trillion wonSamsung SDI attributed the sluggish earnings to weak sales of EV batteries coupled with Washingtons new tariff policies impacting the energy storage system ESS battery sectorSince last year demand for EV batteries has decreased with consumers demand shifting toward the entry segment said Kim Jongsung executive vice president at Samsung SDIThe demand for ESS has been rising in the United States but profitability has lagged behind expectations due to tariff burdens he addedThe company however noted that despite ongoing uncertainties it achieved significant progress by actively promoting sales of EV and ESS batteries during the JulySeptember periodSamsung SDI said it has secured multiple supply contracts totaling over 110 Gigawatt hours GWh with global automotive groups along with other deals in a large governmentled ESS supply projectFor the fourth quarter Samsung SDI said it expects improved earnings due to a recovery in the European EV and US ESS marketsIn particular the company plans to concentrate its capabilities on the ESS market strengthen its presence in the EV sector and enhance operational efficiency the company saidSamsung SDI currently the only prismatic battery supplier among nonChinese battery makers expects its competitiveness in the US ESS market to further strengthen given the growing preference for prismatic batteries due to their safety and high energy density features it addedKim noted starting next year the demand for ESS will continue to rise on the back of the environmentfriendly development drive and the rise of the artificial intelligence industryDespite weakened earnings performance shares of Samsung SDI traded at 311500 won as of 203 pm up 92 per cent from the previous session The thirdquarter report was released during market hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-sdis-q3-net-profit-sinks-amid-uncertainties-us-tariff-factors-645195.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html New Delhi Oct 28 With an increasing population of senior citizens in India the silver economy is set for a rapid expansion and growth said the government on Tuesday Silver economy is an economy driven by goods and services designed to meet the needs of the elderly typically those over 50 years of ageAs per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfareled Population Projection July 2020 report the elderly population 60 years and above in the country is projected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036The 2021 Longitudinal Ageing Study of India LASI reveals that 12 per cent of Indias population comprises elderly individuals a proportion projected to rise to 319 million by 2050 growing at an annual rate of approximately 3 per centThis rapid demographic transition offers tremendous growth potential for health and wellnessfocused enterprisesIt includes support that prioritises family and communityled initiatives while ensuring financial security digital literacy training longterm care insurance digital healthcare access assistive technologies and engagement platforms are crucial for effectively integrating older adults into the silver economyIndias silver economy is valued at approximately Rs 73000 crore in 2024 with projections indicating substantial multifold growth in the years ahead Research identifies senior citizens along with professionals in the 45 to 64 age bracket as the wealthiest age cohort globally the statement saidThis burgeoning silver economy creates substantial opportunities for businesses and organisations dedicated to addressing the needs and preferences of the elderly demographic The market is poised for rapid expansion both domestically and internationally presenting considerable scope for innovation and development within this sector it addedMeanwhile in a bid to tackle the challenges encountered by the elderly population the government has undertaken numerous initiatives policies and action plansThe Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment MoSJE serves as the nodal ministry entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of senior citizens in IndiaKey initiatives promoting the care wellbeing and dignity of senior citizens include the Atal Pension Yojana APY the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana AVYAY the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens IPSrC and the Rashtriya Vayoshri YojanaFurther the government has also constituted a dedicated helpline tollfree number 14567 a Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine SAGE Portal Senior Able Citizens for ReEmployment in Dignity SACRED Portal Geriatric Caregivers Training and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana PMJAY to boost the health and wellbeing of the elderly in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/toll-revenues-in-india-up-16-pc-in-jan-sep-due-to-higher-vehicle-movement-645211.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias highway toll revenues grew by nearly 16 per cent yearonyear to Rs 49193 crore in JanuarySeptember 2025 due to higher vehicle throughput and periodic toll rate revisions a report said on Tuesday In the same period tollpaying traffic volumes rose by 12 per cent to 26864 lakh the report from ICRA Analytics saidNationwide electronic toll collection touched a record high of Rs 57940 crore in 2024 marking an increase of nearly 11 per cent onyearTollpaying transactions rose from 30383 lakh in 2023 to 32515 lakh in 2024 marking an annual growth of about 7 per cent in overall traffic the report saidWhile traffic volumes have grown strongly in the past two years ICRA reported that revenues grew faster than volumes partly due to a higher share of heavy vehicles and revised user feesThe western and southern corridors consistently contributed over half of national toll revenues From January to September 2025 West India continues to lead with nearly 30 per cent of national toll revenues followed by South 25 per cent and North 23 per cent the report saidEast and Central India together contribute about onequarter of total collections reflecting steady regional balance the release notedEast Central and West India are freightcentric regions with commercial vehicles accounting for over 50 per cent of toll traffic ICRA Analytics saidThe patter reflects strong industrial and logistics activity along key miningtoport corridors through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Chhattisgarhs mineral belt and key regions in North East said Madhubani Sengupta Head of Knowledge Services ICRA AnalyticsSengupta added that the overall pattern underlines Indias multimodal highway usage where central western and eastern corridors propel freight movement while the north and south facilitate commuter and intercity passenger mobilityCorridors like NH44 NH47 and NH52 in Central India carries both longhaul freight and growing intercity passenger traffic reflecting the zones transition from resource corridor to mixeduse highway networkIn contrast North and South India continue to be passengerled with cars and jeeps forming 6570 per cent of toll transactions driven by dense urban clusters commuter belts and higher personal vehicle penetration IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/toll-revenues-in-india-up-16-pc-in-jan-sep-due-to-higher-vehicle-movement-645211.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/commercial-office-rental-grows-6-pc-yoy-to-rs-90-per-sq-ft-in-9m-2025-645219.html New Delhi Oct 28 The commercial office real estate sector is growing steadily across the top 7 cities with a 6 per cent yearly rise in monthly office rentals from Rs 85 per square feet Sq ft in first nine months 9M of 2024 to Rs 90 per sq ft in 9M 2025 a report said on Tuesday Predictably the Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services ITITeS sector comprised the largest share at 27 per cent followed by coworking at 23 per cent and BFSI at 18 per centCompared to last years corresponding period the ITITeS sectors leasing share declined marginally by 1 per cent On the other hand coworking saw an overall share increase of 2 per cent from a 21 per cent share in 9M 2024 to a 23 per cent share in 9M 2025 Anarock Research said in its reportAmong the cities Pune witnessed the highest growth of 97 per cent in net office absorption from 314 Mn sq ft in 9M 2024 to approx 62 Mn sq ft in 9M 2025 Kolkata was the only city to record a decline in net office leasing of 19 per centBengaluru witnessed the highest net office leasing of approximately 995 million sq ft followed closely by DelhiNCR with net office leasing of approximately 82 million sq ft and MMR with approximately 66 Mn sq ftDemand for flexible workspaces has been evolving postpandemic with companies adapting to hybrid work models cost efficiency and flexibility Startups and corporates and several other enterprises with a hybrid work model prefer coworking spaces over regular office spacesIn contrast despite increased new office completions in the top 7 cities average vacancy levels saw a marginal 3 per cent yearly decline from 1670 per cent in 9M 2024 to 1620 per cent in 9M 2025Chennai is the only city to record a singledigit office vacancy of 890 per cent the least among all top cities the report statedGlobal headwinds including tariffs geopolitical tensions and layoffs in ITITeS sectors seem to have had no negative impact on office space demand in the top citiesOffice absorption continued to soar by 34 per cent from 3131 million square feet in 9M 2024 to 42 Mn square feet in 9M 2025For instance out of the total gross office leasing of 5828 Mn sq ft in 9M 2025 over 40 per cent or approx 2334 Mn sq ft was leased by the GCCs alone Bengaluru saw the highest gross leasing of 83 Mn sq ft by GCCs followed by Pune with 373 Mn sq ft and Chennai with 357 Mn sq ft said Anuj Puri Chairman ANAROCK GroupSeveral companies are now looking for highquality Grade A office spaces with better infrastructure and amenities and greencertified sustainability features Puri added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/commercial-office-rental-grows-6-pc-yoy-to-rs-90-per-sq-ft-in-9m-2025-645219.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-pe-investments-reach-15-trillion-in-jan-sep-india-highly-attractive-destination-645227.html New Delhi Oct 28 Global private equity PE investment hit 15 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025 despite a slowdown in deal activity a report said on Tuesday Regarding Indias PE landscape the report from global consultancy KPMG said that the country remains a highly attractive destination for global investors underpinned by strong macroeconomic fundamentals favourable demographics and rising domestic consumptionThe global PE deal volume has positioned itself for a potential fouryear high if momentum continues into Q4 KPMG notedThe buoyant investment is notable given the significant decline in deal volume from 15083 deals in the first three quarters of 2024 to 13574 in the first three quarters of 2025 the report notedIn Q3 2025 total deal value reached 5371 billion across 4062 transactions up from 512 billion in Q3 2024 despite a much lower volume of deals the report saidThe number of deals decreased from 5032 to 4062 in Q3 2025 from the previous yearAs of Q3 2025 PE investment in India stood at 149 billion across 217 deals a decline from 263 billion across 289 deals in 2024 due to geopolitical and trade uncertainties particularly around the US tariff policiesKPMG however said that investor sentiment remains optimistic with many global PE firms continuing to deepen their presence in India often acting as business builders rather than passive investorsThe maturing ecosystem is reflected in the growing size of Indiafocused funds and the increasing breadth of sectors attracting capital from technology and healthcare to financial services and specialised manufacturingThe strength of Indias capital markets has also made it a favourable environment for IPO exits further enhancing its appeal the consultancy firm noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-pe-investments-reach-15-trillion-in-jan-sep-india-highly-attractive-destination-645227.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html New Delhi Oct 28 The pharma and healthcare sector in India witnessed robust deal momentum valued at 35 billion in Q3 2025 according to a report on Tuesday Grant Thornton Bharats Pharma and Healthcare Dealtracker report showed that the sector recorded a total of 72 transactions up 28 per cent in volumes and 166 per cent in value quarter on quarterThis included three IPOs worth 428 million and one QIP worth 88 million the report saidExcluding public market activity private deals accounted for 3 billion across 68 transactions marking a sharp rebound in investor appetiteThe report noted that the surge was driven by seven high value deals worth 26 billion reflecting renewed investor confidence in scale and consolidation plays across pharma biotech and hospital segmentsQ3 marked a resurgence in deal activity driven by a healthy mix of scale capability and innovationled investments said Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J Partner and Healthcare Industry Leader Grant Thornton BharatThe momentum in pharma and biotech supported by strategic consolidations signals growing confidence in Indias life sciences potential he addedFurther the report showed that mergers and acquisitions MampA activity surged in Q3 recording 36 deals worth 25 billion This marked a 57 per cent rise in volumes and a remarkable 122x jump in value over the previous quarterPrivate Equity in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector witnessed 32 deals worth 425 million in Q3 2025 It reflected a 3 per cent decline in volumes and a 27 per cent drop in values compared with the previous quarterHospitals saw 19 deals worth 264 million Multispecialty consolidation gained pace in western India and NCR while singlespecialty formats like dialysis IVF oncology and women and childcare drove volumes the report saidThe continued investor interest in hospitals singlespecialty formats and wellness platforms highlights the sectors evolution toward clinical excellence wider reach specialisation and technologyled consumercentric care Despite global uncertainties the sustained flow of capital reflects the longterm resilience and structural growth of Indias healthcare ecosystem Bhanu Prakash said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-small-finance-banks-advances-poised-to-cross-rs-2-lakh-crore-this-fiscal-645244.html New Delhi Oct 28 Advances of small finance banks SFBs are poised to cross Rs 2 lakh crore this fiscal marking a growth of 1617 per cent yearonyear YoY and surpassing last fiscals 13 per cent growth rate a report said on Tuesday The uptick will be driven by continued expansion in the nonmicrofinance segments coupled with the calibrated recovery of the microfinance loan book from the degrowth seen last fiscalAmid the healthy credit growth building a granular and sustainable liability franchise remains crucial for SFBs Crisil Ratings said in its reportAccording to the report the share of nonmicrofinance advances in SFB loans had already risen to 67 per cent as of March 2025 from 50 per cent as of March 2022Within this mortgage loans housing loans and loans against property had the largest share having grown at an estimated 3year compound annual growth rate CAGR of 38 per centThis was followed by vehicle loans and micro small and medium enterprise MSME loans which grew at 3year compounded annual growth rates CAGRs of 32 per cent and 31 per cent respectivelySFBs have also increased the share of gold loans agricultural credit loans against fixed deposits and wholesale funding in their loan portfolios over the past three fiscalsThis fiscal credit growth in the nonmicrofinance segments is expected to be 2325 per cent While lower interest rates will support demand for affordable housing policy spurs for MSMEs and tailwinds from the recent reduction in the goods and services tax on vehicle loans will be helpful too said Aparna Kirubakaran Director Crisil RatingsMicrofinance on the other hand will grow at a relatively slower 45 per cent but that will still be a rebound from the 14 per cent decline last fiscal she addedMeanwhile according to the report segmental diversification has been a longrunning growth theme for SFBs most of which were microfinance institutions MFIs at the time of conversionThe approach will continue this fiscal as well with recent headwinds in microfinance persuading a sharper focus on diversification to other segments to minimise assetquality concernsDiversification is also crucial because the Reserve Bank of India RBI guidelines mandate thresholds of 3 per cent and 1 per cent for gross and net nonperforming assets respectively for SFBs to acquire a universal banking licenseGiven the susceptibility of microfinance loans to sociopolitical pressures diversification particularly into secured asset classes would support asset quality In addition these guidelines qualitatively accord preference to SFBs with a diversified loan portfolio the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-small-finance-banks-advances-poised-to-cross-rs-2-lakh-crore-this-fiscal-645244.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bus-operated-by-air-indias-ground-handler-catches-fire-at-delhi-airport-no-injuries-reported-645247.html New Delhi Oct 28 A bus operated by AI SATS a thirdparty groundhandling service provider for Air India caught fire near bay number 32 at Delhi Airports Terminal 3 T3 on Tuesday morning According to multiple reports the incident took place just a few metres away from an aircraftFortunately no passengers were onboard the bus at the time of the fire The blaze was quickly brought under control by the airport fire team and no injuries or damage to nearby aircraft were reportedIn a stray incident a bus operated by one of the Ground handlers caught fire around noon today Our expert ARFF team on ground immediately swung into action and extinguished the fire within a couple of minutes Delhi Airport said while responding to a passengers query on social media platform XThe bus was stationary and fully vacant at the time of the incident There were no injuriescasualties All operations continue to be normal Safety of our passengers and staff remains paramount to us they addedHowever a query sent to AI SATS went answered while writing the articleThe incident comes amid a series of recent operational disruptions faced by Air India Earlier this month a USbound Air India flight from Mumbai to Newark had to return shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical snagOn October 22 Air India said that the crew of flight AI191 operating from Mumbai to Newark made a precautionary airreturn to Mumbai due to a suspected technical issueThe flight landed safely back in Mumbai and the aircraft is undergoing necessary inspections according to Air India spokespersonIn another case a Delhibound flight from Milan was stranded following a technical issue leaving over 250 passengers stuck overseas before the airline arranged a relief flightHowever the airline claimed it had extended all immediate assistance to affected passengers including hotel accommodation and mealsFull refunds or complimentary rescheduling were also offered as per passenger preference the airline stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bus-operated-by-air-indias-ground-handler-catches-fire-at-delhi-airport-no-injuries-reported-645247.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-it-sector-expected-to-reach-400-billion-by-2030-amidst-ai-related-disruptions-645264.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias information technology IT sector is projected to reach 400 billion by 2030 led by firms delivering domainspecific automation that outperforms traditional service models on speed quality and cost a report said on Tuesday The countrys strong talent pool global client trust and cost efficiency will enable it to leverage the increased global demand for AIdriven solutions a report by venture firm Bessemer Venture Partners indicatedAI is automating tasks previously performed by humans and disrupting the billablehour model that supports traditional Indian IT services which makes deep strategic pivots crucial to stay competitive the report notedThe venture firm mentioned that agile AInative challengers are adapting more quickly to such changes than incumbent companiesThree types of fastmoving AIfirst challengers that will disrupt existing models are AIenabled services services built for AI and pure softwareled platforms the report saidThe venture firm forecast that Indias IT services industry will grow with margins intact despite challenges from AIrelated disruptionsIt noted that three years after the launch of ChatGPT Indias IT revenues continue to climb and margins remain surprisingly resilient because uptake of generalpurpose large language models is concentrated in only two sectors technology and media or advertisingIncumbent IT firms continue to play a crucial role in solving complex business problems that are nuanced rather than providing onesizefitsall SaaS deploymentsThe strong balance sheets of these companies further strengthen client confidence Bessemer Venture Partners saidFortune 500 companies still trust that IT services vendors can manage multiyear projects absorb macro shocks and deliver consistent execution the report saidThe market capitalisation of Indias top ten IT firms has more than doubled from 166 billion to 354 billion in the past decade driven by annual revenue growth exceeding 7 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-it-sector-expected-to-reach-400-billion-by-2030-amidst-ai-related-disruptions-645264.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-production-clocks-4-per-cent-growth-in-september-645291.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias industrial production recorded a 4 per cent growth in September this year compared to the same month last year driven by a strong performance in the manufacturing sector according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday The industrial growth rate based on the Index of Industrial Production IIP had accelerated to 4 per cent in August from a fourmonth high of 35 per cent in July which in turn had surged from 15 per cent in June The 4 per cent growth rate has been maintained in September as wellThe data showed that the manufacturing sector which provides quality jobs for the young graduates passing out of the countrys universities and engineering institutes registered a robust 48 per cent growth in September this year over the same month of the previous year This is higher than the corresponding figure of 38 per cent registered in AugustWithin the manufacturing sector 13 out of 23 industry groups recorded a positive growth in September this year compared to the same month of the previous year The top three positive contributors for the month are Manufacture of basic metals 123 per cent Manufacture of electrical equipment 287 per cent and Manufacture of motor vehicles trailers and semitrailers 146 per centElectricity generation recorded a 31 per cent growth in September while the mining sector proved to be a laggard with a negative growth of are 04 per cent during the monthThe figures on usebased classification show that the production of capital goods which comprise machines used in factories went up by 47 per cent in September over the same month of the previous year This segment reflects the real investment taking place in the economy which has a multiplier effect on the creation of jobs and incomes going aheadThe production of consumer durables such as refrigerators air conditioners and TV sets jumped by a robust 102 per cent during the month reflecting the rise in demand for these products due to rising incomes enabling buyers to improve their living standardsThe infrastructure and construction sector clocked a doubledigit surge for the second month in a row at 102 per cent in September compared with the same month of the previous year on the back of bigticket government projects being implemented in the highways railways and ports sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-production-clocks-4-per-cent-growth-in-september-645291.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/noel-tata-others-block-mehli-mistrys-re-appointment-at-tata-trusts-report-645294.html New Delhi Oct 28 A rift in the Tata Trusts has intensified as its office holders Venu Srinivasan Noel Tata and Vijay Singh have rejected businessman Mehli Mistrys renewal for life trusteeship a report said on Tuesday Mistry is likely to explore legal options to get renewal for life trusteeship NDTV Profit reported citing sourcesNoel Tata chairs the philanthropic trust while Vijay Singh and Venu Srinivasan act as vice chairmenThe report said that the ouster of Mistry could be challenged based on the October 24 resolution passed by the Tata Trusts which gives a life term to the present trusteesThe Trustees recognise that they are all equally responsible charged with public duty and specifically tasked by Mr Ratan N Tata To this end they resolve that on the expiry of the tenure of any Trustee that Trustee will be reappointed by the concerned Trust without any limit being attached to the period of tenure of such reappointment and in accordance with law the resolution saidTata Trusts has been embroiled in an internal conflict over the nomination of a director to the Tata Sons BoardThe rift at Tata Trusts would impact strategic decisions at Tata Sons On a daytoday basis Tata Sons is unlikely to be disrupted but strategic decisions will be affected the report quoted Shriram Subramanian managing director and founder of InGovern as sayingTata Trusts the charitable arm that controls about 66 per cent of Tata Sons has been recently mired in internal disagreementsThe dispute reportedly involves Board appointments and governance matters creating two factions One led by Noel Tata and another by four trustees close to Mehli Mistry who is associated with the Shapoorji Pallonji familyThis internal rift became visible after the controversy surrounding the reappointment of Vijay Singh to the Tata Sons Board which was rejectedMeanwhile shares of Tata Group companies have declined by over Rs 7 lakh crore in market value or 21 per cent over the past year after the passing of the groups patriarch IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/noel-tata-others-block-mehli-mistrys-re-appointment-at-tata-trusts-report-645294.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nsic-pays-rs-4389-crore-dividend-to-government-of-india-for-fy-2024-25-645301.html New Delhi Oct 28 The National Small Industries Corporation Limited NSIC a Mini Ratna enterprise under the Ministry of MSME on Tuesday said that it has paid a dividend of Rs 4389 crore to the Government of India for the financial year 202425 Jitan Ram Manjhi Union Minister of MSME and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje Minister of State Ministry of MSME received the dividend check from Subhransu Sekhar Acharya CMD NSICThe Union Minister applauded NSICs efforts in empowering MSMEs through integrated support services and both leaders expressed confidence in NSICs continued role in fostering enterprise creation and skill developmentMeanwhile Dr Acharya highlighted NSICs financial milestones including a revenue of Rs 3431 crore and Profit after Tax PAT of Rs 14630 crore up by 1560 per cent from the previous yearEarlier the Government PSU the NSIC signed Memorandums of Understanding MOU with several private sector banks to enhance the availability of credit for MSMEs under its MSME Credit facilitation programmeAccording to an official statement the MOUs also seek to improve the credits affordability and accessibility for MSMEsMOUs were signed with IndusInd Bank Karnataka Bank Axis Bank Dhanlaxmi Bank and AU Small Finance BankUnion MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and MSME Secretary SCL Das were also present on the occasion The MoUs were exchanged between NSICs Director Finance Gaurav Gulati and senior officials from various banks the release saidThe partnership seeks to assist MSMEs in connecting to the official financial system and providing them with handholding support According to the statement the MOU is intended to be a force multiplier in the banks endeavours to reach the last mile and focusses on helping them reach more worthy micro and small businessesPrime Minister Narendra Modis recent calls for the Vocal for Local initiative are in line with this development In order to support domestic manufacturing generate employment and strengthen the local economy it pushes businesses and citizens to prioritise locally produced goods over imports IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nsic-pays-rs-4389-crore-dividend-to-government-of-india-for-fy-2024-25-645301.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mcx-introduces-options-on-bullion-index-shares-jump-25-pc-645127.html Mumbai Oct 27 The Multi Commodity Exchange of India MCX on Monday launched options contracts on its MCX iCOMDEX Bullion Index MCX BULLDEX giving investors a new way to trade and manage risk in the fastrising gold and silver markets The options contracts became effective today October 27 The MCX BULLDEX index is made up of the highly traded and liquid gold and silver futures on the exchangeBy combining both metals the index offers market participants including investors and institutions a balanced exposure to the bullion segmentMCX said the new options contracts will give traders a powerful risk management tool that combines the advantages of diversified underlying assets with the flexibility of options tradingThe exchange added that the launch aligns with its goal of deepening Indias commodity markets through innovation transparency and investorfriendly productsSpeaking about the development Praveena Rai MD amp CEO of MCX said The introduction of options on MCX BULLDEX marks a pivotal development in Indias commodities ecosystemThis is a unique and innovative product that will enhance the range of offerings in the commodity derivatives market and help participants take exposure to a basket of commodities in the bullion segment Rai addedThe launch comes at a time when gold and silver prices have seen a sharp rally this year Gold has surged more than 50 per cent while silver has jumped nearly 70 per cent driven by strong global demand and safehaven buyingThe monthly index contracts will have a threemonth trading cycle near month midmonth and far monthOnce a nearmonth contract expires a new one is introduced ensuring continuous tradingInvestors can trade these options from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 11301155 pm depending on US daylight saving timingsAccording to MCX the derivative contract will be valued at a minimum of Rs 5 lakh at the time of its launch in the marketFollowing the announcement MCX shares jumped 25 per cent to hit a days high of Rs 924490 on the BSE IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mcx-introduces-options-on-bullion-index-shares-jump-25-pc-645127.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-markets-open-higher-on-positive-us-china-trade-talks-645078.html Mumbai Oct 27 Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Monday supported by progress in trade talks between the United States and China Investors showed optimism after reports suggested that both countries are close to signing a deal to ease trade tensionsThe Sensex was trading at 84450 up by 239 points or 028 per cent while the Nifty stood at 25874 gaining 79 points or 030 per centOn the weekly timeframe the index witnessed a correction of nearly 311 points from its high indicating heightened volatility and profit booking at higher levelsA breakdown below 25670 could trigger weakness toward 2550025400 while on the upside resistance is placed at 25950 followed by 26000 and 26100 analysts saidSustaining above these resistance levels will be crucial for the index to resume its upward trajectory they addedAmong the top performers on the Sensex were Tata Steel Bharti Airtel Tech Mahindra and HDFC Bank which rose up to 14 per centOn the other hand stocks like Infosys BEL Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bajaj Finance were among the laggards falling up to 14 per centBroader markets also traded in the green with the Nifty MidCap index rising 046 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index up 023 per centThe rally in domestic equities came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen said on Sunday that President Trumps proposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods were off the tableHe also mentioned that China is expected to increase soybean imports and delay restrictions on rare earth exports easing global trade concernsAll sectoral indices on the NSE were trading higher with the Nifty Realty index leading the gains up by 1 per centExperts said that positive global cues and optimism around the USChina trade deal lifted market sentiment helping Indian equities start the week on a strong noteComments from the US treasury Secretary Scot Bessent that there is a substantial framework for trade negotiations with China indicate that a USChina trade deal is on the cards analysts saidFor India the fundamentals are also turning positive with brisk festival season sales and reports of a smart pick up in capital spending by the private sector This long awaited trend has significant positive implications for Indias growth and stock market they mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-markets-open-higher-on-positive-us-china-trade-talks-645078.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-fall-as-us-china-trade-deal-nears-silver-extends-losses-645083.html Mumbai Oct 27 Gold prices declined on Monday after posting their first weekly loss since midAugust as hopes of a trade deal between the United States and China reduced demand for safehaven assets The fall also came after a sharp rally in gold prices in recent weeks which analysts said had gone too far too fastMCX gold prices opened 077 per cent lower at Rs 122500 per 10 grams on Monday compared to the previous close of Rs 123451Similarly silver prices on the MCX began the day 309 per cent lower at Rs 142910 per kg against the previous close of Rs 147470During the early trade gold futures on the MCX were trading down by Rs 1088 or 088 per cent at Rs 122363 per 10 grams while silver futures slipped by Rs 1130 or 077 per cent to Rs 146340 per kgSpot gold slipped 07 per cent to 408392 an ounce in Singapore after touching a low of nearly 4065 earlier in the sessionLast week gold prices dropped 33 per cent ending a strong rally that had pushed the metal to a record high of over 4380 an ounce just a week agoThe decline came as US and Chinese officials signaled that they were close to finalising a comprehensive trade agreementPresident Donald Trumps visit to the region for diplomatic talks has raised expectations of a breakthrough deal which could ease geopolitical tensions that have been supporting gold prices in recent monthsAnalysts noted that the recent pullback was largely due to profit booking as investors who benefited from golds steep rise since August chose to lock in gainsDespite the correction gold remains up more than 55 per cent this year supported by centralbank purchases and investor concerns over rising government deficits and weakening currenciesGold prices continue to decline as safehaven demand weakens amid optimism over a potential USChina trade deal and a stronger US dollar analysts saidThis week is a crucial one for the bullion market with key events including meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping a US Federal Reserve announcement and several major tech company earnings reports they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-fall-as-us-china-trade-deal-nears-silver-extends-losses-645083.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tcs-refutes-uk-media-report-on-losing-1-bn-mamps-contract-calls-it-misleading-645084.html New Delhi Oct 27 Tata Consultancy Services TCS has denied a UK media report claiming that British retailer Marks amp Spencer MampS ended a 1 billion contract with the Indian IT giant after cyberattackrelated failures The company called the report misleading and factually inaccurateIn a clarification to the stock exchanges TCS said that the article titled MampS ousts Indian outsourcer accused of 300m cyberattack failures contained several wrong details including the reported size of the contract and its connection with the cyber incidentThe report published is misleading with factual inaccuracies including the size of the contract and the continuity of TCS work for Marks amp Spencer MampS the tech giant saidTCS explained that the MampS service desk contract mentioned in the report had gone through a routine competitive tender process that began in January 2025According to the company Marks amp Spencer decided to work with other partners much prior to the cyber incident in April 2025 adding that the two matters were clearly unrelatedThe IT firm also noted that the service desk contract was a very small part of its overall partnership with MampSTCS continues to work on numerous other areas in its role as a strategic partner for MampS and is proud of this longstanding partnership the company saidRegarding the cyberattack TCS clarified that it had conducted a complete scan of its systems and found no vulnerabilities from its endIt further stated that it does not provide cybersecurity services to MampS as those are handled by another vendorThe clarification came after reports suggested that MampS chose not to renew its 1 billion technology helpdesk deal with TCS following a cyberattack that caused the retailer losses worth about GBP 300 millionBoth companies have since confirmed that the contract decision was made before the incident and was part of a regular renewal process IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tcs-refutes-uk-media-report-on-losing-1-bn-mamps-contract-calls-it-misleading-645084.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html New Delhi Oct 26 India remains on the forefront of the drive to ensure that Artificial Intelligence AI was transparent oriented to public good and governed by international regulations As the Lead Chair of the Global Partnership on AI GPAI India organised the Global India AI Summit in Delhi in July 2024 which focused on key pillars of AI ecosystem including Computer Capacity Data Sets Application Development Start Up Financing and Safe and Trustworthy AI India will now host the AI Impact Summit in Delhi in February next year where the theme will be the harnessing of AI for addressing realworld challenges such as health care education agriculture climate change and governance Prime Minister Modi has taken a personal interest in promoting advancement of AI he had foreseen the transformative role of AI for humanity He has already earned the credit for putting India on the world map of digitisationMeanwhile India has moved ahead with measures to fight misuse of AI on social media for producing deepfakes videos with synthetic voices and manipulated images and tightened IT Rules 2021 in this regard On October 21 the Centre released amendments to the Rules and invited public feedback on the same within a fortnight This is a timely step considering the fact that a perceived unfair government control on social media was known to have evoked strong protests from youth in many areas in Indias neighbourhoodThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY in its official notice said that with the increasing availability of generative AI tools and the resulting proliferation of synthetically generated informationcommonly known as deepfakes the potential for misuse of such technologies to cause user harm spread misinformation manipulate elections or impersonate individuals has grown significantly and added that it is on recognising these risks and following extensive public discussions and parliamentary discussions that MeitY had drawn up the amendmentsThe framework of amended rules enjoins on the companies offering AI generation tools to embed permanent visible watermarks or metadata identifiers on all synthetic content prescribing coverage of at least 10 percent of the display area of images and videos Likewise audio content must carry identifiers during the first 10 percent of playback duration The amendments formally set out to define for the first time a synthetically generated information as content artificially or algorithmically created generated modified or altered using a computer resource in a manner that makes it appear as authentic or trueSignificant social media intermediaries large platforms designated under the IT Rules will be prohibited from enabling users to suppress or remove the identifiers making it harder to disguise the origin of AI generated material The platform is obligated to ask the users to declare whether uploaded content is synthetically generated before publication and deploy automated detection systems to verify such declarations The rules of course apply only to publically available content and not to private or unpublished materialIn a further move the government has brought all digital services that use mobile numbersfrom WhatsApp and payment apps to food delivery platformsunder telecom cybersecurity regulations and empowered the concerned authorities to order suspension of user accounts across multiple services The TelecommunicationsTelecom Cyber Security Amendment Rules notified on October 22 establish a governmentrun mobile number verificationMNV system and mandate database checks before buying or selling used phonesThey are meant to deal with the cybercrime surge based on stolen or forged mobile connections MNV platformthe centrepiece of the new rules will verify whether phone numbers provided by users corresponded to legitimate telecom subscribersThe government seeks to bring AIgenerated material under the same due diligence and takedown obligations that currently apply to unlawful online information MeitY says the rules aimed at promoting user awareness enhancing traceability and ensuring accountability while maintaining an enabling environment for innovation in AIdriven technologies A new provision clarifies that platforms removing synthetic content through grievance redressal mechanisms will retain their legal protection from liability over such contentThe government has introduced new procedural safeguards into the content takedown rules restricting the power to senior officers The rules limit content removal powers to officials at Joint Secretary rank and above and Deputy Inspector General or higher in Police Previously even junior officials sometimes of rank as low as Section Officer could send removal notifications Further all notifications must now include specific legal basis statutory provisions and detailed reasoning A Secretarylevel officer will review all orders on a monthly basis to ensure necessity and proportionality It maybe mentioned that Social Media Platform X had recently challenged the government arguing that thousands of officials were allowed to issue arbitrary orders without judicial oversightThe tightening of rules for online content removal is prima facie a good move as it compels serious application of mind at a senior level before sending an order to the intermediary The order will have to define the legal basis and statutory provision being invoked the nature of the unlawful act and the electronic location of the content India has taken this initiative at a time when potential misuse of AI is attracting attention worldwide The European Unions AI Act to come into effect in 2026 mandates labelling for synthetic audioimage video or text content Chinas labelling measures which came into force recently were even more detailed and strict The Indian approach is to address concerns of misinformation false political narratives and deepfakes without discouraging innovation and creative expressionA balance between regulatory penalties under the IT Act and the safe harbour provisions for intermediaries has been attempted by MeitY and this is a welcome step India leads the world in adoption of AI applications and MeitY has taken a timely initiative to help the AI based economic advancement of the country The new rules for strengthening telecom cyber security have also come not a day too soon as they ensure compliance with data protection laws and thus check the widespread malady of data theftThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rapid-5g-rollout-adoption-lay-foundation-for-indias-6g-vision-govt-645038.html New Delhi Oct 26 The Government is taking major steps to make the country a global leader in nextgeneration communication technologies according to official data on Sunday Building on the rapid rollout and adoption of 5G the government is now focusing on developing 6G technology under its Bharat 6G Vision which aims to make India a hub for advanced telecom innovation by 2030According to the government Indias 6G vision is based on the principles of affordability sustainability and universal accessThe goal is to ensure that every citizen benefits from highspeed connectivity while promoting indigenous research innovation and collaboration with global partnersThe initiative is closely linked with the national goal of building a Viksit Bharat Developed India by 2047Sixthgeneration or 6G technology will be the next major upgrade in wireless communication following 5G It is expected to be 1000 times faster than 5G with almost zero delay in data transferThis will enable realtime applications such as remote surgeries advanced robotics smart cities and immersive virtual experiencesTo support the development of 6G the government has launched several initiatives It has funded two advanced testbeds the 6G Terahertz THz Testbed and the Advanced Optical Communication Testbed to boost research and innovationAdditionally 100 5G labs have been set up in academic institutions across India to prepare the ecosystem for 6G and strengthen collaboration between industry and academiaAs of now 104 research proposals related to 6G network ecosystems have been approved aligning Indias RampD efforts with the global 6G roadmapThe government has also launched the Telecom Technology Development Fund TTDF to promote indigenous RampD in telecom technologiesSo far 115 projects worth over Rs 310 crore have been approved under the scheme focusing on both 5G and 6G technologiesA major step towards achieving this vision is the creation of the Bharat 6G Alliance B6GA a joint effort of the government industry academia and research institutionsThe alliance aims to create a selfreliant globally competitive ecosystem for advanced telecom technologies IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rapid-5g-rollout-adoption-lay-foundation-for-indias-6g-vision-govt-645038.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kotak-mahindra-banks-q2-net-profit-dips-27-pc-to-rs-3-253-crore-644867.html Mumbai Oct 25 Private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank on Saturday reported a 27 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in its net profit at Rs 3253 crore for the JulySeptember quarter Q2 FY26 The bank had posted a net profit of Rs 3344 crore in the same period last yearDespite the marginal dip in profit the banks net interest income NII rose 4 per cent onyear to Rs 7311 crore from Rs 7020 crore in Q2 FY25 while the net interest margin NIM stood at a healthy 454 per centThe lenders advances book expanded 16 per cent onyear to Rs 462688 crore as of September 30 from Rs 399522 crore a year earlier reflecting robust credit demandOn the liabilities side average total deposits grew 14 per cent onyear to Rs 510538 crore compared with Rs 446110 crore in Q2 FY25 Average current deposits also rose 14 per cent to Rs 70220 crore from Rs 61853 crore in the corresponding quarter last yearAsset quality saw further improvement with the gross nonperforming assets GNPA ratio declining to 139 per cent as of September 30 2025 from 149 per cent a year agoThe Net NPA NNPA ratio also improved to 032 per cent from 043 per cent in the same period The banks Provision Coverage Ratio PCR remained strong at 77 per centAccording to its exchange filing CASA ratio as at September 30 stood at 423 per cent and Credit to Deposit ratio stood at 875 per cent Standalone Return on Assets ROA for Q2 FY26 annualised was 188 percent while Return on Equity ROE was 1038 percent on an annualised term IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kotak-mahindra-banks-q2-net-profit-dips-27-pc-to-rs-3-253-crore-644867.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR has launched the Mission for Advancement in HighImpact Areas MAHAMedical Technology MedTech to boost the countrys medical technology ecosystem said the Ministry of Science and Technology on Saturday The initiative also in partnership with the Gates Foundation looks to accelerate innovation in the countrys medical tech sector and reduce reliance on highcost imports It will also help promote equitable access to affordable and highquality medical technologiesThe mission will provide funding support to a wide range of entities including academic and RampD institutions hospitals startups MSMEs the medtech industry and collaborations between entities the Ministry saidWith milestonelinked funding of Rs 525 crore per project and up to Rs 50 crore in exceptional cases the mission will support projects that bring impactful MedTech solutions to market it addedThe fiveyear mission comes with a total outlay of Rs 750 crore in funding About 50 projects will be funded in five yearsThe mission aims to support the development of a broad spectrum of innovative medical devices and in vitro diagnostics including equipment and key subcomponents implants assistive and surgical devices consumables and softwarebased medical solutionsIn addition the mission urges projects aligned with national health priorities such as tuberculosis cancer neonatal care primary health care etc the Ministry saidBeyond funding the mission will also provide support through national initiatives such as Patent Mitra IP protection and technology transfer MedTech Mitra regulatory guidance and clearances a Clinical Trial Network for clinical validation and evidence generation as well as mentorship from industry expertsParticipants first need to send concept notes open till November 7 via the ANRF portalThe shortlisted concept proposals will then be allowed to submit the full proposals The window for submission will open in December 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/seshasayee-paper-q2-net-profit-falls-21-pc-to-rs-224-crore-644889.html Mumbai Oct 25 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd reported a 213 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in consolidated net profit for the second quarter of FY26 as per a regulatory filing on Saturday The companys net profit stood at Rs 224 crore down from Rs 285 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous yearMeanwhile Revenue from operations also fell 131 per cent to Rs 3463 crore compared to Rs 3985 crore in the same period last yearEarnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation EBITDA came in at Rs 263 crore a 144 per cent decrease from Rs 307 crore a year earlierThe EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 76 per cent marginally lower than 77 per cent in the yearago quarterDuring the quarter the company invested Rs 26 crore in a special purpose vehicle SPV to acquire a 261 per cent equity stake in line with the terms of its investment agreementSeshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd is a leading manufacturer of writing and printing paperMeanwhile Seshasayee Paper and Boards shares closed slightly higher on Friday ahead of the Q2 result announcement The scrip ended the session at Rs 2560 up 020 per cent In the last five days the stock jumped nearly 15 per cent however in the last 30 days it remained flat This year till date the stock has plunged over 18 per cent and in a year the shares of the company fell 14 per centSeshasayee Paper and Boards Limited SPB the flagship company of the SPBESVIN Group owns and operates an integrated pulp paper and paperboard mill at Pallipalayam in Erode Tamil Nadu and another paper mill in Tirunelveli District Tamil NaduIncorporated in June 1960 SPB was promoted in association with its foreign collaborator Ms Parsons and Whittemore USA IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/seshasayee-paper-q2-net-profit-falls-21-pc-to-rs-224-crore-644889.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html New Delhi Oct 25 The integration of artificial intelligence AI in medicine is redefining diagnostics and patient care in India said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday Addressing the 54th Foundation Day and College Convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences UCMS University of Delhi Singh highlighted the rapidly changing paradigms of medical education in India as well as those of health careThe Minister noted that the integration of AI in medicine which he himself has experimented with through telemobile clinics is set to redefine diagnostics and patient careAI can communicate in the patients own language and even provide comfort through humanlike interaction Singh said calling it a hybrid model that combines empathy with innovationThe Minister noted that India has emerged as a global healthcare leader with an indigenous DNA vaccine for Covid19 and gene therapy and also emphasised the growing global credibility of Indias life sciences sectorHe also mentioned the paradigm shift in medical education in the past decadeTen years ago there were only about 45000 undergraduate medical seats today the number is close to 15 lakh he saidFurther Singh credited initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras for transforming healthcare delivery to accessible affordable and availableNoting that the age of working in silos is over Singh urged academic institutions to integrate with industry and government laboratoriesThe Minister also urged doctors to deal with a biphasic disease spectrum the coexistence of communicable and noncommunicable diseases alongside an ageing population and rapid technological changesSingh also conferred degrees upon undergraduate and postgraduate students and urged the new generation of doctors to embrace innovation while staying rooted in compassionThose receiving their degrees today will be at the prime of their careers when India celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047 he saidDestiny has given you this opportunity to be the architects of a healthier more selfreliant India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html New Delhi Oct 25 Miniratna company HLL Lifecare Limited under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday paid a record dividend of Rs 6953 crore to the government for the financial year 202425 The dividend cheque was presented to Health Minister JP Nadda by Dr Anitha Thampi Chairperson HLL in the presence of Anupriya Patel Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and other senior officialsNadda asserted that HLL is a reliable name in the field of medical services and is committed towards the national vision of accessible affordable and quality healthcare to allHLL along with its subsidiaries and Amrit pharmacies have emerged as a key player in transforming the health sectorIn the last 10 years over 67 crore people have benefited through the affordable medicines of the Amrit Pharmacies thereby saving more than Rs 8000 crore in terms of their outofpocket expenditure the minister informedThe financial year 202425 witnessed comprehensive growth across both HLLs manufacturing and service portfoliosRevenue from operations increased to Rs 4500 crore reflecting a 20 per cent growth over the previous year The companys net worth rose significantly to Rs 1100 crore as on March 31 2025On a consolidated basis including its subsidiaries HITES GAPL and Lifespring Hospitals the HLL Group recorded a total revenue of Rs 4900 crore marking a 19 per cent growth over the previous fiscalEstablished in 1966 HLL Lifecare Limited has evolved from addressing Indias population control challenges to becoming a multiproduct multiservice healthcare enterprise playing a pivotal role in the nations health sector transformationThrough initiatives such as AMRIT Pharmacies the company continues to make essential medicines and surgical products affordable thereby reducing outofpocket expenses for patients across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bhashini-bharatgen-adi-vaani-positioning-india-as-global-leader-in-multilingual-innovation-644904.html New Delhi Oct 25 India is emerging as a global leader in multilingual innovation with platforms such as Bhashini BharatGen and AdiVaani the government said on Saturday Indias linguistic landscape is among the most diverse in the world with 22 Scheduled Languages and hundreds of tribal and regional dialects spoken across its vast geographyTo preserve its rich linguistic heritage the government is leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence AI Natural Language Processing NLP machine learning and speech recognition to build intelligent scalable language solutionsThe key platforms driving linguistic inclusion include Bhashini and BharatGen which offer multilingual support while AdiVaani aims to bring tribal languages into the digital foldIndias future in language preservation is powered by cuttingedge technology integrating AI and digital archives to keep its rich linguistic heritage vibrant and accessible Platforms like Bhashini BharatGen and AdiVaani along with targeted initiatives such as SPPEL and TRIECE empower citizens nationwide to engage with services in their native languages the government said in an official statementThis comprehensive approach not only safeguards Indias cultural diversity but also drives inclusive digital growth positioning the country as a global leader in multilingual innovation it addedSPPEL or the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages focuses on documenting and digitally archiving endangered Indian languages particularly those spoken by fewer than 10000 peopleThe Tribal Research Information Education Communication and Events TRIECE scheme supports innovative research and documentation projects aimed at preserving tribal languages and culturesThese initiatives enable seamless communication realtime translation voiceenabled interfaces and localised content deliveryBy building a robust technological ecosystem that respects linguistic diversity India is setting the foundation for an inclusive digital future where every citizen regardless of their mother tongue can participate fully in the digital economy and governance the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bhashini-bharatgen-adi-vaani-positioning-india-as-global-leader-in-multilingual-innovation-644904.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-to-move-60-daily-domestic-flights-to-terminal-2-at-delhi-airport-644907.html New Delhi Oct 25 Air India on Saturday said that its 60 daily domestic flights at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport will move from Terminal 3 T3 to Terminal 2 T2 starting October 26 The airline said that only some domestic flights will operate from T2 not allAir India is moving 60 of its daily domestic flights at Delhi to T2 and 120 other daily domestic flights at Delhi will continue to operate from T3 All international flights will continue to operate from T3This is happening due to the ongoing terminal enlargement activities at T3 by Delhi International Airport Ltd DIAL to augment international passenger capacity the airline said in a statementAir India flights moving to T2 have been renumbered to AI1XXXIf the domestic flight number has four digits and begins with 1 then it departs from or arrives at Delhi T2 for example AI1737 If the flight number does not follow this format it will operate from T3 the airline informedFree airport shuttle buses run every 20 minutes between T1 T2 and T3 and passengers with reduced mobility can easily take buggy rides between T2 and T3Meanwhile IndiGo will also resume operations from Terminal 2 of Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport starting October 26 after a temporary shift earlier this year due to maintenance work The airline will now operate flights from all three terminals T1 T2 and T3 with a revised distribution of flight numbers to help improve airport efficiency and passenger convenienceUnder the new plan all IndiGo flights numbered 6E 2000 to 6E 2999 will operate to and from Terminal 2 which is reopening for IndiGo services Flights numbered 6E 5000 to 6E 5999 as well as all international flights will depart from and arrive at Terminal 3 All other domestic IndiGo flights will continue to operate from Terminal 1 the airline saidCivil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Saturday inaugurated the renovated Terminal 2 at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport IGIA IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-to-move-60-daily-domestic-flights-to-terminal-2-at-delhi-airport-644907.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html New Delhi Oct 25 Canadian researchers have found that scanning the tiny blood vessels in the eyes may help predict a persons risk of developing heart disease and how fast theyre biologically ageing The study published in the journal Science Advances suggests that retinal scans could one day serve as a noninvasive window into the bodys overall vascular health and biological ageing status offering new opportunities for early detection and interventionBy connecting retinal scans genetics and blood biomarkers we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system said Marie Pigeyre Associate Professor at McMaster Universitys Department of Medicine in CanadaThe eye provides a unique noninvasive view into the bodys circulatory system Changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the bodys small vessels added PigeyreTo conduct the study the team combined retinal scans genetic data and blood sample analyses from over 74000 participantsPeople with simpler less branched blood vessels were found to be at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and showed signs of biological ageing such as higher inflammation and shorter lifespanCurrently assessing agerelated diseases like heart disease stroke and dementia requires multiple tests The hope is that retinal scans alone could eventually be used as a quick accessible way to assess ageing and cardiovascular risk However more research is neededThe team also reviewed blood biomarkers and genetic data and identified potential biological causes behind changes in the eyes blood vessels This helped them identify specific proteins that may drive ageing and disease MMP12 and IgGFc receptor IIbBoth proteins are linked to inflammation and vascular ageing According to Pigeyre these proteins could be potential targets for future drugsOur findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular ageing reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and ultimately improving lifespan she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-global-climate-action-with-expanding-forest-cover-sustainable-forestry-govt-644839.html New Delhi Oct 25 Efforts undertaken to expand forest cover and promote sustainable forestry underscore Indias commitment to global climate action the government said on Saturday India recently achieved a significant milestone in global forest statistics by advancing to the ninth position worldwide in terms of total forest area according to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAOs Global Forest Resources Assessment GFRA 2025In the previous assessment in 2020 India was ranked 10th The country has also maintained its third position globally in the annual net gain of forest areaThis shows what strong national commitment can achieve Indias consistent efforts in expanding forest cover promoting sustainable forestry and implementing missions like Green India Mission underscore its commitment to environmental conservation and global climate action the government said in an official statementTo enhance forest cover the government increased funds in the Budget 202526The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC allocated Rs 341282 crore a 9 per cent increase from the revised estimate of Rs 312596 crore in 202425Other measures include the launch of the National Mission for a Green India GIM the National Afforestation Programme and Mission LiFE Lifestyle for EnvironmentWhile GIM seeks to expand forest and tree cover restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity and carbon sinks the afforestation programme aims for the regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas in the countryThe Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative under Mission LiFE is an emotional call to encourage tree plantation by linking it to the love for ones mother or motherlandThese measures resulted in about 72739 thousand hectares of forest area in India roughly 2 per cent of the world total as per GFRA 2025 dataFurther the country gained success in expanding planted forests with bamboo and rubber plantations the statement saidWith an increase in forest cover India also ranked fifth among the top global carbon sinks with its forests removing 150 million tonnes of CO per year during 20212025 advancing the global climate goalsAsia including India saw forest carbon removals increase to 09 Gt CO per year in 20212025 with deforestation emissions dropping significantly as per data from the FAO IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-global-climate-action-with-expanding-forest-cover-sustainable-forestry-govt-644839.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-records-first-weekly-loss-after-nine-week-surge-644842.html New Delhi Oct 24 Gold ended a nineweek winning streak this week with a sharp correction as the market reassessed a rally that had pushed prices into overbought territory The price of 24carat gold 10 grams ended at Rs 122419 on Friday down from Rs 123827 from its previous close according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJASpot gold fell 03 per cent to close at 411305 an ounce in New York resulting in a weekly loss of approximately 33 per centThe price for 10 grams of bullion closed last week at Rs 130874 and the price had been declining throughout the week Analysts said that the pullback was sharp but the yellow metal pared losses on Friday due to a weakerthanexpected US inflation report which bolstered expectations for further monetary easing by the Federal ReserveThis development also led to a slight decline in bond yields and an increase in bullion prices Traders anticipate two rate cuts before yearend a scenario that bolstered gold pricesInvestors also assessed the potential for improved USChina relations as US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping prepare for their upcoming meeting There are forecasts that a deescalation of trade tensions may lessen demand for safehaven assets like goldA recent correction occurred after a strong rally that started in midAugust which saw prices reach an alltime high of 438152 an ounce on Monday Profittaking and significant outflows from goldbacked ETFs intensified the selling pressureGold is up by 57 per cent this year driven by centralbank purchases dovish signals from the US Federal Reserve and strong ETF inflowsEarlier this week a Ventura Securities report said that gold has generated returns of approximately 63 per cent in rupee terms since last Dhanteras and a possible rally towards Rs15 lakh per 10 grams is possible by 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-records-first-weekly-loss-after-nine-week-surge-644842.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html New Delhi Oct 24 Researchers have developed microscopic metal particles that can kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue offering a potential new direction for more targeted and less toxic cancer treatments The study by the team from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology RMIT in Australia remains at the cellculture stage and has not been tested in animals or humans Xinhua news agency reportedHowever it suggests a new strategy for designing cancer treatments that exploits cancers own weaknessesThe international team led by RMIT researchers created tiny particles known as nanodots from molybdenum oxide a compound based on a rare metal called molybdenum It is often used in electronics and alloysBy tweaking their chemical composition the scientists enabled the particles to release reactive oxygen molecules unstable forms of oxygen that damage cancer cells and trigger their selfdestructionIn tests the particles killed three times more cervical cancer cells than healthy cells within 24 hours without the need for light unusual for technologies that rely on oxidative stress according to the study published in the journal Advanced ScienceCancer cells already live under higher stress than healthy ones Our particles push that stress a little further enough to trigger selfdestruction in cancer cells while healthy cells cope just fine said Zhang Baoyue first author from the RMIT School of EngineeringThe result was particles that generate oxidative stress selectively in cancer cells under lab conditions Zhang saidMost cancer treatments affect both cancerous and healthy tissue but technologies that selectively stress cancer cells could enable gentler more targeted therapies researchers saidThey added that these particles are made from common metal oxide instead of costly or toxic noble metals like gold or silver making them likely cheaper and safer to develop IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-south-must-shape-next-phase-of-climate-governance-say-experts-644851.html New Delhi Oct 25 Amid rising climate crises Global South must take charge to shape the next phase of climate governance said experts here At a PreCOP Dialogue titled From Baku to Belém Shaping the Next Phase of Climate Action at the India Habitat Centre New Delhi hosted by independent think tank Chintan Research Foundation CRF leading climate experts policymakers and practitioners deliberated on advancing the global climate action agenda particularly in the leadup to the Conference of Parties COP 30 in Belém Brazil in NovemberThe event focused on evaluating progress since the Paris Agreement addressing existing gaps in climate governance and setting expectations to enhance climate action through the UNFCCC frameworkShishir Priyadarshi President CRF highlighted how the Global South must now reclaim its agency in shaping the next phase of climate governanceThe time has come when holding the mirror is more important than looking at the compass It is time to be clear about what we have achieved and what we have not Moving from goalsetting to goalenabling is now needed and we must determine how to achieve those goals This would only be possible through alignment between the Global North and the Global South Priyadarshi saidThe expert set three major expectations from COP 30 the operationalisation of the New Collective Quantified Goal NCQG advancing adaptation and loss and damage mechanisms and reinforcing accountabilityThese solutions should be economically viable technologically inclusive and socially just Priyadarshi saidDr Pooja Sehbag Research Associate CRF outlined the urgency of the current climate crisis and the need to evaluate global actions She also underscored the gaps between the expected and achieved goals of the post2020 COPs where collective underperformance was observed globallyDr Prodipto Ghosh Distinguished Fellow The Energy Resources Institute TERI provided a historical overview of climate negotiations and outlined Indias potential in driving actionDeveloping countries have to set an example China has treated climate change as both an economic and technological challenge investing heavily in research and development to bring new technologies to the forefront of the transition It now leads the world in solar deployment India can follow Chinas example and become the next major deployment hub for this transition Ghosh saidProf Arun Sharma Group Head for Sustainability and Climate Change at Adani Group focused on the pivotal role of the private sector in accelerating ambitious climate actionMitigation will depend significantly on private sector finance it requires viable business models for effective fund deployment and technology diffusion At Belém we must recognise the limits of the COP process and focus on enhancing business models for climate action Sharma saidAddressing financial gaps is critical India and China still face significant disparities in total electricity generation India must focus on electrification and lastmile decarbonisation particularly through green hydrogen he addedKenneth Felix Haczynski da Nóbrega Ambassador of Brazil to India highlighted Brazils advocacy for enhanced civil society participation in the climate policy processCOP 30 will focus on bringing the climate change challenge closer to civil society worldwide We need greater B2B involvement at COP 30 similar to that seen in G20 and BRICS da Nóbrega saidThe dialogue underscored the importance of collaborative climate action driven by civil society engagement equitable climate finance and critical evaluation of policy effectiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-south-must-shape-next-phase-of-climate-governance-say-experts-644851.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-recognises-two-more-coes-to-promote-rampd-in-critical-mineral-value-chain-644856.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Ministry of Mines has recognised two more institutes namely Indian Institute of Science IISc Bangalore and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology CMET Hyderabad as Centres of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission the government informed on Saturday The Centres of Excellence CoEs will conduct innovative research and development to elevate technology readiness to pilotplant and precommercial demonstration levels TRL 78 for for critical minerals supporting clean energy mobility transition electronics defence and space sectors Ministry of Mines saidThe initiative aims to consolidate core competencies to develop technologies for secure supply chains of critical mineralsSeven institutes were already recognised as CoEs and the new approvals increased the total to nine CoEs the Ministry saidThe CoEs will undertake innovative and transformational research to strengthen and advance the nations science and technology capability in the area of critical minerals the Ministry saidEach CoE will operate as a consortium on a hubandspoke model to leverage RampD in critical minerals and pool the core competence of each constituent under one umbrellaThey require the inclusion of at least two industry partners and two RampD or academic partners in their networkThe nine recognised CoEs have together brought in around 90 industry and academic or RampD spokes according to the ministryAs part of the National Critical Mineral Mission the Centre had earlier this month opened the application window for the Rs 1500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive SchemeThe scheme aims to enhance industry capacity for recycling critical minerals from ewaste spent lithiumion batteries and other scraps such as catalytic converters in endoflife vehiclesIncentives for large recyclers are set at Rs 50 crore while small recyclers will receive up to Rs 25 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-recognises-two-more-coes-to-promote-rampd-in-critical-mineral-value-chain-644856.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-proposes-to-allow-banks-to-finance-corporate-acquisitions-with-stricter-safeguards-644860.html Mumbai Oct 25 The Reserve Bank of India RBI has proposed to permit banks to extend loans to Indian companies for acquiring full or controlling stakes in domestic or overseas firms as part of strategic investments aimed at creating longterm value Only listed companies with a satisfactory net worth and a profitable track record over the last three years will be eligible for such financing under the draft normsUp to 70 per cent of the acquisition cost may be financed by banks with the remaining 30 per cent having to come from the acquiring companys own equity contributionAccording to the proposal either the acquiring company or a stepdown special purpose vehicle SPV created specifically for the acquisition can receive the fundingA thorough policy framework on acquisition finance including borrower eligibility security margins risk management and monitoring procedures has also been required by the central bankThe draft stipulates that the SPV and the acquiring company must be body corporates rather than financial intermediaries like alternative investment funds AIFs or nonbanking financial companies NBFCsAdditionally there must be no familial ties between the target and acquirer entitiesAs required by the Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI two independent valuations must be performed in order to ascertain the target companys acquisition valueBanks must evaluate credit risk based on the target companys and the acquirers combined balance sheetsThe central bank released this draft circular outlining the proposal which aims to increase the reach of acquisition financing while maintaining responsible lending practicesBanks are currently only allowed to participate in a small number of these transactionsBefore finalising the guidelines the RBI asked stakeholders for their input on the draft IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-proposes-to-allow-banks-to-finance-corporate-acquisitions-with-stricter-safeguards-644860.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html New Delhi Oct 25 While technology must be leveraged for strengthening diagnosis and detection the human touch should not go said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday Nadda was addressing the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS New Delhi hereAddressing the gathering Nadda congratulated the graduating students and commended AIIMS for its unparalleled contribution to advancing medical science education and patient care in IndiaHe exhorted the young doctors to serve with empathy uphold the highest standards of ethics and harness innovation to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the nationAIIMS has taken a lead in artificial intelligence AI genomics precision medicine and telehealth an area changing the landscape of healthcare While technology can help in detection and also make patients happier the human touch and compassion should not go That must remain Nadda saidHe commended the institution for its enduring commitment to excellence in medical education cuttingedge research and patient careIn the field of medical sciences training and healthcare delivery AIIMS has made its own place not only in India but globally the Minister saidHighlighting the remarkable progress achieved in Indias healthcare and medical education sector over the past decade Nadda noted that while the country had only one AIIMS at the end of the past century today there are 23 AIIMS institutions across India reflecting the governments commitment to expanding quality healthcare and medical training to every regionHe further informed that in the last 11 years the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 819Similarly undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51000 to 129000 and postgraduate seats from 31000 to 78000 Nadda added that in the next five years an additional 75000 seats are expected to be added across both undergraduate and postgraduate levelsUnion Health Minister also highlighted the progress India made in maternal and child health the underfive mortality rate and neonatal mortality rate as well as tuberculosis cases and deathsProf VK Paul Member Niti Aayog urged the students to consider joining academics to teach guide and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals thereby contributing to the vision of a Viksit BharatWe have a profound societal responsibility to give back to the community that has nurtured us As you move forward let excellence become your daily practice and innovation your guiding principle Paul said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/broader-indices-outshine-benchmarks-this-week-16-smallcaps-gain-over-15-pc-644863.html New Delhi Oct 25 The broadcap indices outperformed major benchmarks in the volatile festivaltruncated week as the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices rose by 05 per cent and 1 per cent Broadcap indices or broad market indices are benchmarks that track the performance of a wide range of companies to represent the overall financial market or a significant segment of itThe surge was driven by foreign institutional inflows and largely positive Q2 earnings according to analystsAs many as 41 smallcap stocks gained between 10 and 36 per cent during the week and nearly 16 smallcap stocks logged returns above 15 per centDuring the week the BSE Sensex rose 030 per cent or 259 points and closed at 84211 The Nifty50 rose 033 per cent or 853 points and closed at 25795 Both indices have however gained nearly 5 per cent in OctoberAnalysts anticipated shortterm volatility identifying resistance at 25850 and immediate support at the 25600 to 25500 zoneForeign institutional investors FIIs became net buyers this week buying equities valued at Rs 34274 crore while domestic institutional investors DIIs maintained a 27week buying streak with net purchases totalling Rs 5945 croreAs of October FIIs have sold a net total of Rs 24402 crore while DIIs purchased a net of Rs 3398976 crore according to latest dataAmong sectors the Nifty IT index gained 3 per cent the PSU Bank added 2 per cent the Nifty Metal index gained 15 per cent the Nifty Media index was up 13 per cent and the Nifty Oil amp Gas index was up 1 per cent Conversely the FMCG and auto sectors declined by approximately 05 per cent eachAnalysts reported that the week started with festive optimism but momentum slowed due to geopolitical tensions and profittaking despite record festive sales indicating strong consumer demandLooking ahead investors are keen on IndiaUS trade negotiations and key interest rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/broader-indices-outshine-benchmarks-this-week-16-smallcaps-gain-over-15-pc-644863.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mid-cap-sips-deliver-174-pc-xirr-in-10-years-outperform-peers-report-644608.html New Delhi Oct 23 Midcap equity is the most favourable choice of segment for longterm Systematic Investment Plans SIP as it demonstrated a high likelihood of providing 8 to 10 per cent returns over longer time frames a report said on Thursday A 10year monthly rolling return study of largecap midcap and smallcap SIP investments demonstrated strong and consistent returns in midcap investments a report from asset management firm WhiteOak Capital saidThe Nifty Midcap 150 TRI delivered strong and consistent performance with average and median returns of 174 per cent and 179 per cent respectivelyThe index recorded 100 per cent positive outcomes over 10 years with returns exceeding 10 per cent in 98 per cent of cases It also gave above 12 per cent returns in 95 per cent of cases and above 15 per cent in 79 per cent of periods the report saidThe report claimed that an investor starting a SIP in the midcap index and annually switching to the previous years topperforming index would achieve an XIRR Extended Internal Rate of Return of 1524 per cent by September 30 2025 In contrast remaining invested in the midcap index would yield an XIRR of 1730 per cent over the same timeframeWhiteOak reported that over a 10year period the continued midcap approach averaged a 1743 per cent XIRR compared to 1562 per cent for the switching strategy the asset management firm saidWhiteOak Capital mentioned that largecap stocks generally exhibit lower volatility and provide portfolio stability but midcap stocks outperformed peers in terms of returns over different time periodsThe analysis by the asset management firm found that SIP frequency daily weekly or monthly had little longterm impact on the returnsThe key takeaway from the analysis is to focus on investing a small amount regularly for the long term it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mid-cap-sips-deliver-174-pc-xirr-in-10-years-outperform-peers-report-644608.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-effective-office-rents-up-38-pc-yoy-in-q2cy25-report-644609.html New Delhi Oct 23 The effective rents for Grade A and A office space in India rose by 38 per cent year on year in the second quarter of 2025 a report said on Thursday Mumbai emerged as the topper in Indias city ranking with the highest quarterly rental growth of 36 per cent QoQ according to the quarterly Commercial Property Rental Index from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and CRE MatrixGurugram and Delhi emerged as the other strongest markets across Indias major citiesDelhi leads in annual growth with rents soaring 164 per cent YoY reflecting the premium commanded by scarce highquality office assets in the city the report saidGurugram recorded a 32 per cent increase quarteroverquarter and an 81 per cent rise over the last 12 months Navi Mumbai recorded the highest threeyear compound annual growth rate at 9 per cent making it Indias most resilient postCOVID office market the report saidChennais northern suburbs led the quarterly growth at 98 per cent while Bengalurus Whitefield grew by 8 per cent quarteronquarter maintaining the highest rental index value at 243Abhishek Kiran Gupta CEO and Cofounder CRE Matrix said that Bengalurus Whitefield and Chennais northern suburbs sharp quarterly uptick proves that tenant demand is spreading beyond the traditional CBDsOver the past five years the Central Business District of Navi Mumbai posted an exceptional 96 per cent CAGR the institute notedWe hope CPRI will become the goto benchmark for not only the landlords and tenants but also investors in REITs said Prof Venkatesh Panchapagesan Chairperson Real Estate Research Initiative RERI and faculty of the Finance amp Accounting area IIMBUnlike conventional pricebased indices that rely on headline rents the IIMBCRE Matrix CPRI focuses on effective rents which adjust for variations in lease terms such as rentfree periods abnormal security deposits free car parks and escalation clauses the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-effective-office-rents-up-38-pc-yoy-in-q2cy25-report-644609.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/digital-payments-make-up-998-pc-of-all-transactions-in-h1-2025-rbi-644615.html New Delhi Oct 23 Indias digital payments landscape continues its rapid expansion with digital transactions accounting for 998 per cent of the total payment volume and 977 per cent of the total transaction value in the first half of 2025 H1 2025 according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India RBI Unified Payments Interface UPI continues to dominate the digital ecosystem accounting for 85 per cent of transactions by volume and 9 per cent by value in the first six months of the yearDuring this time the UPI system handled 10637 crore transactions valued at Rs 1433 lakh crore compared to Rs 117 lakh crore in the previous year According to the RBI UPIs effectiveness roundtheclock accessibility and userfriendliness continue to make it the most popular retail fast payment system in IndiaOn the other hand although it only made up 01 per cent of the total volume the Real Time Gross Settlement RTGS system which facilitates highvalue transfers held the largest share in terms of value at 69 per cent In 2024 there were 295 crore RTGS transactions up from 148 crore in 2019 and the transaction value increased from Rs 13887 lakh crore to Rs 19382 lakh croreRTGS handled 161 crore transactions totalling Rs 10792 lakh crore in the first half of 2025 aloneThe RBI explained the divergent trends in volume and value shares by pointing out that RTGS mainly handles largevalue transfers with a minimum transaction threshold of Rs 2 lakh whereas UPI processes a large number of smallvalue transactions Of the Rs 1572 lakh crore in total payment transactions that took place during that time Rs 1536 lakh crore were handled digitallyThe Clearing Corporation of India Limiteds CCIL largevalue payment systems saw growth as well The number of CCIL transactions increased from 35 lakh in 2019 to 45 lakh in 2024 and their value increased from Rs 1270 lakh crore to Rs 2780 lakh crore CCIL recorded 288 lakh transactions totalling Rs 1734 lakh crore in the first half of 2025The RBI data demonstrates how UPI and other innovations along with persistent efforts to encourage cashless transactions throughout the economy have led to Indias payments ecosystem becoming overwhelmingly digital IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/digital-payments-make-up-998-pc-of-all-transactions-in-h1-2025-rbi-644615.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-lower-amid-us-china-trade-tension-644664.html Mumbai Oct 24 Indian stock markets opened lower on Friday amid reports that the United States may launch a fresh investigation into China over their 2020 trade deal Rising oil prices driven by new US sanctions against Russia also weighed on investor sentimentAt the opening bell the Sensex was down 113 points or 013 per cent at 84443 while the Nifty slipped 27 points or 010 per cent to 25866Commenting on Niftys technical outlook analysts said The index continues to exhibit a sideways to bullish bias holding firmly above key support levels at 25700 and 25750Immediate resistance is placed at 25950 with further upside targets at 26000 and 26100 The overall trend remains bullish provided the index sustains above 25780 on a closing basis they addedHeavyweights such as Hindustan Unilever Kotak Bank Axis Bank Titan Power Grid ITC NTPC Tech Mahindra Maruti Suzuki and Axis Bank were among the top laggards losing up to 35 per centOn the other hand ICICI Bank Tata Steel Bharat Electronics BEL Mahindra amp Mahindra Bharti Airtel HDFC Bank and State Bank of India were trading in the green helping limit the overall lossesIn the broader markets buying activity continued as the Nifty MidCap index inched up 005 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index added 009 per centSectorwise metal stocks were the top performers with the Nifty Metal index rising 1 per cent followed by modest gains in the Realty and Financial Services indicesHowever FMCG stocks faced pressure with the Nifty FMCG index falling 14 per cent making it the biggest sectoral loser of the dayGiven the current setup of heightened volatility and mixed market signals traders are advised to adopt a cautious buyondips approach especially when using leverage market analysts saidBooking partial profits during rallies and maintaining tight trailing stoplosses will be key to managing risk effectively as per the analysts IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-lower-amid-us-china-trade-tension-644664.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:38:00 +0530