DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:02:24 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-sanctions-24-chip-design-projects-in-big-push-to-indias-semiconductor-industry-657001.html New Delhi Jan 4 As many as 24 chip design projects have been sanctioned across areas such as video surveillance drone detection energy meters microprocessors satellite communications and broadband and IoT SystemsonChip SoCs under the Centres Design Linked Incentive Scheme DLI scheme according to an official statement issued on Sunday Additionally 95 companies have received access to industrygrade Electronic Design Automation EDA tools significantly reducing design and infrastructure costs for Indian chip design startupsSemiconductor chip design is the main value driver in the supply chain contributing up to 50 per cent of value addition and 30â35 per cent of global semiconductor sales via the fabless segmentDLIsupported projects are scaling rapidly with 16 tapeouts 6 ASIC chips 10 patents 1000 engineers engaged and over 3Ã private investment having been leveraged the statement saidThe Design Linked Incentive DLI Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY with an outlay of Rs 76000 crore The programme supports investments in semiconductor and display manufacturing as well as the design ecosystem The DLI Scheme operates under this programme ensuring endtoend backing for design fabrication and productisation CDAC a premier RampD organisation of the MeitY is responsible for the implementation of the DLI Scheme as the nodal agencyThe Semicon India Programme aims to catalyse a strong selfreliant chip design ecosystem by providing financial incentives and access to advanced design infrastructure for domestic startups and MSMEsThe scheme is now driving the transition from design validation to productisation enabling startups and MSMEs to move toward volume manufacturing system integration and market deployment This evolving ecosystem not only strengthens Indiaâs domestic semiconductor capabilities but also positions the country as a credible player in global chip design and innovation the statement saidIndiaâs semiconductor ecosystem is being strengthened through a coordinated institutional framework that combines policy leadership investment support capacity building and indigenous technology development The key programmes and agencies provide endtoend backing from incentivising chip design and manufacturing to developing skilled talent and fostering opensource microprocessor architectures ensuring Indiaâs progression toward a selfreliant and globally competitive semiconductor design ecosystemThe Chips to Startup C2S Programme being implemented is an initiative aimed at academic organisations spread across the country to generate 85000 industryready manpower at BTech MTech and PhD levels specialised in semiconductor chip designThe DLI scheme aims to offset the existing disabilities in Indiaâs domestic semiconductor design industry It seeks to help Indian companies move up the semiconductor value chainWithout strong fabless capability a nation remains dependent on imported core technologies even if electronics are manufactured locally Building a robust fabless ecosystem therefore enables India to own the most critical layer of the value chain retain intellectual property reduce imports attract manufacturing and establish longterm technological leadership the statement further said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-sanctions-24-chip-design-projects-in-big-push-to-indias-semiconductor-industry-657001.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-proposes-aadhaar-like-id-for-ev-batteries-to-boost-tracking-656907.html New Delhi Jan 3 The road transport ministry has proposed a new system to give electric vehicle batteries a unique identification number similar to Aadhaar to improve tracking safety and recycling The move is aimed at ensuring complete traceability of batteries from manufacturing to final disposalUnder the draft guidelines issued by the ministry every battery producer or importer will be required to assign a 21character Battery Pack Aadhaar Number or BPAN to each battery introduced in the market or used for selfconsumptionCompanies will also have to upload all relevant battery data on an official BPAN portalThe guidelines state that the BPAN must be placed in a clearly visible and accessible location on the batteryThe identification mark should be positioned in such a way that it does not get destroyed or damaged during the batteryâs life cycleAccording to the draft the BPAN system will store key information related to a battery starting from raw material extraction and manufacturing to its use recycling or final disposalIf a battery is recycled or repurposed and its attributes change a new BPAN will have to be issued by the same or a different producer or importerThe ministry said the proposed system is designed to bring greater transparency accountability and sustainability to the battery ecosystemBy tracking battery performance and environmental impact the framework is expected to support better regulatory compliance secondlife usage and efficient recyclingElectric vehicles currently account for nearly 80 to 90 per cent of Indiaâs total lithiumion battery demand far more than industrial or nonautomotive usesGiven this scale and the safety and regulatory concerns involved the draft guidelines propose giving priority to electric vehicle batteries while framing standards under the BPAN systemWhile the framework is recommended for industrial batteries above 2 kWh the ministry said focusing on EV batteries in the initial phase will help address the most impactful segment of Indiaâs battery ecosystemThe draft also suggests that the Battery Pack Aadhaar framework be developed through the Automotive Industry Standard route under the Automotive Industry Standards CommitteeThis process will allow structured consultations with stakeholders technical checks and alignment with existing automotive rulesThe committee may include representatives from battery makers electric vehicle manufacturers recyclers testing agencies and regulatory bodies to ensure that practical challenges across the battery life cycle are properly addressedThe ministry noted that as the world shifts toward digitalisation and electrification energy storage cells have become critical for reliable and efficient power supply IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-proposes-aadhaar-like-id-for-ev-batteries-to-boost-tracking-656907.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/venezuela-crisis-may-drive-safe-haven-demand-for-gold-silver-656988.html Mumbai Jan 4 Global markets are set to begin the first full trading week of 2026 on edge after a major geopolitical shock involving Venezuela a country with the worldâs largest oil reserves Investor focus has shifted sharply to safehaven assets like gold and silver while oil prices are expected to move higher amid fears of supply disruptionsMarkets turned cautious after US forces captured Venezuelan President NicolÃs Maduro and his wife during a military operation over the weekendThe US has charged them with drug trafficking escalating tensions in an already fragile region The development is being seen as a major geopolitical event that could unsettle energy markets and increase demand for safe assets at the start of the yearGold began 2026 on a strong note rising over 1 percent to trade near 4370 per ounce supported by geopolitical risks and expectations that US interest rates may ease later this yearSilver also gained more than 2 per cent moving close to 73 per ounce helped by dollar softness supply deficits and rising industrial demandHowever on a weekly basis both metals saw profit booking after last yearâs sharp rally COMEX gold slipped nearly 5 per cent while silver dropped over 8 percent as higher margin requirements forced some traders to cut positionsIn the domestic market MCX Gold futures saw a sharp fall at the start of the week marking their steepest singleday decline in two monthsSince then prices have moved in a narrow range Analysts say gold may recover if prices hold above key support levels but a sustained fall below these levels could trigger further correctionOil prices also opened the year on a positive note with WTI crude ending the week near 573 per barrel Oil had a tough 2025 falling nearly 20 per cent due to oversupply concernsHowever rising tensions involving Venezuela and renewed RussiaâUkraine strikes on energy infrastructure have increased the risk premiumMarkets are now watching the upcoming OPEC meeting on January 4 where the group is widely expected to maintain its pause on additional supply increasesBase metals showed strength at the start of the year extending their yearend momentum Copper prices moved closer to record highs while aluminium crossed 3000 per tonne for the first time since 2022 Strong demand on Asian exchanges helped support prices globally IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/venezuela-crisis-may-drive-safe-haven-demand-for-gold-silver-656988.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/amazon-allows-us-based-staff-stuck-in-india-to-work-remotely-till-march-2-656886.html New Delhi Jan 3 US tech giant Amazon has permitted certain USâbased employees stuck in India because of visa delays to work remotely until March 2 2026 but the company has imposed tight restrictions on the tasks they may perform The temporary relaxation an exception to Amazonâs fiveâday office work rule applies only to staff awaiting rescheduled visa appointmentsUnder an internal memo employees who were in India as of December 13 may continue remote work until March 2 2026 yet they are barred from coding testing or troubleshooting software visiting Amazon offices negotiating or signing contracts or managing teams customers or partners a report from Business Insider saidâAll reviews final decision making and sign offs should be undertaken outside India the memo said adding âin compliance with local laws there are no exceptions to these restrictionsThe memo stresses that âall reviews final decision making and sign offs should be undertaken outside Indiaâ and adds that âin compliance with local laws there are no exceptions to these restrictionsâThe delays are being reported across several countries as US missions implement enhanced socialâmedia screening requirements that apply to Hâ1B workers their dependents and to students and exchange visitors on F J and M visasGoogle had in December warned some employees not to travel abroad after learning that US visa reâentry processing at American embassies and consulates is facing âsignificantâ delays that can stretch up to 12 monthsIndiaborn workers received over 70 per cent of the total approved H1B visas in 2024 primarily due to a huge backlog in approvals and a high number of skilled immigrants from IndiaElon Musk had recently defended the H1B visa programme saying that the US economy has benefited immensely from Indian immigrantsMusk said that America needs highskill workers from India now more than ever while also calling out the misuse of the visa system by some outsourcing firms IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/amazon-allows-us-based-staff-stuck-in-india-to-work-remotely-till-march-2-656886.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistan-stares-at-mega-economic-crisis-in-2026-report-656887.html New Delhi Jan 3 Pakistan stares at several economic challenges in 2026 amid continuing low economic growth recurring militant attacks and potential disasters related to climate change according to a new report A report in Nikkei Asia by Farhan Bokhari said that the country has avoided default on its foreign debt payments owing to a timely intervention by the International Monetary Fund in 2024 with a 7 billion loan through 2027 but faces major challenges this yearThe countryâs prevailing annual economic growth rate of just 3 per cent âdoes not compare well to being barely above the annual population growth rateâ It is also clear that reviving economic growth presents Pakistan with many tough challenges the report saidâPakistan must intensify the pace of its internal reforms notably to tackle conditions surrounding the bulk of its population More than 40 per cent of Pakistans population of roughly 257 million people live in abject poverty Besides the country has an alarming level of illiteracy with just under 40 per cent of the population considered illiterateâ the report stressedNotably Pakistans internal political divisions have undermined the confidence of investors notably those who need to take a longterm perspective âUnless the political tussle is brought to an end investors are likely to remain wary of making medium or longterm commitments Without a strong surge in fresh investments which is being held back due to the internal political divide Pakistan is set to remain locked in a continuing cycle of low economic growthâ said the reportMoreover Pakistan witnessed largescale destruction caused by heavy rainfall and floods and the nation will likely witness 20 per cent higher rainfall in 2026 than the previous yearAccording to the report other alarming indicators include the reality of almost a third of children in Pakistan below the age of five suffering from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition and failure over the long run to grow its economy faster and make distribution of wealth more equitable IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pakistan-stares-at-mega-economic-crisis-in-2026-report-656887.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-tech-giants-bet-big-on-indias-ai-future-with-675-bn-investment-surge-656888.html New Delhi Jan 3 Indiaâs digital journey reached a major turning point in 2025 as some of the worldâs biggest technology companies announced massive investments in the countryâs artificial intelligence and data centre ecosystem Firms such as Microsoft Amazon Google and Meta are together committing at least 675 billion highlighting Indiaâs growing importance in the global digital economyThese investments signal that India is no longer seen only as a large market for users Instead it is fast becoming a global hub where data is stored processed and turned into advanced AI solutionsA recent report by âThe New York Timesâ noted that this scale of investment reflects strong confidence in Indiaâs longterm digital growthThe surge comes at a time when the world is generating enormous amounts of data Artificial intelligence tools cloud computing digital payments streaming services and billions of connected devices are producing data at an unprecedented paceIndia with the worldâs largest internet user base and a rapidly expanding digital economy contributes a significant share of global data trafficUntil recently however the country had limited infrastructure to handle this loadTechnology giants have now moved quickly to fill that gap Microsoft has pledged 175 billion for AIfocused projects in India including large data centres and advanced cloud infrastructureThese facilities will support businesses government platforms and new AI applications Amazon Web Services has announced plans to invest 35 billion over the next five years to expand its cloud and AI operations across the countryGoogle has committed 15 billion and is working closely with Indian partners such as the Adani Group and Bharti AirtelThis partnership model is helping global firms combine their technology with local infrastructure energy networks and telecom servicesMeta is also developing major facilities near Googleâs proposed sites adding to the growth of large data centre clustersSeveral factors are driving this shift India has a large pool of skilled engineers and data scientists who already support global technology operationsThe countryâs digital public infrastructure including Aadhaar UPI and cloudready government systems has made it easier to deploy AI and data services at scaleSupportive policies and incentives offered by state governments have also attracted hyperscale investmentsLocation is another advantage Cities like Hyderabad have emerged as major data centre hubs due to reliable power supply better water management and access to submarine cable networksHyderabad in particular has drawn global attention by offering quick approvals strong infrastructure and a growing ecosystem of AI startups and research centresThese investments are also changing Indiaâs innovation landscape As new data centres become operational they allow faster AI training and realtime data analysis within the countryThis benefits sectors such as healthcare agriculture language translation and smart citiesIndian startups gain access to worldclass computing power locally helping them cut costs and develop products fasterThe push fits well with Indiaâs broader goal of digital sovereignty Storing and processing data within the country is seen as crucial for sensitive sectors like banking healthcare and communicationsBy building global infrastructure in India technology companies are aligning with national priorities while meeting regulatory requirementsNotably this investment momentum has continued despite trade tensions between India and the United StatesBeyond technology the economic impact is wideranging Large data centre projects create highquality jobs increase demand for renewable energy and boost construction logistics and related industriesOver time they also strengthen Indiaâs position as a global provider of digital servicesAs artificial intelligence becomes one of the most important technologies of this century control over computing infrastructure will play a key role in economic and geopolitical power IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-tech-giants-bet-big-on-indias-ai-future-with-675-bn-investment-surge-656888.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chinas-aviation-crisis-deepens-with-empty-airports-suspended-international-routes-report-656894.html BeijingNew Delhi Jan 3 The aviation sector in China is facing a significant crisis with empty airports suspended international routes and mounting airline losses according to a media report The situation âhas become a symbol of the countryâs broader economic and political isolationâ by the global community the Ceylon News wire reported It attributed the crisis to the mismanagement of domestic as well as foreign policiesâThe eerie emptiness of Chinaâs airports today is not merely a logistical issue but a telling indicator of deeper structural problems Once bustling hubs of international travel facilities such as Beijingâs Daxing International Airport now resemble ghost towns Social media posts from travellers reveal shuttered shops deserted terminals and flights operating with only a handful of passengersâ the report saidâThis collapse in air traffic is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a wider trend that underscores the fragility of Chinaâs economy and the limitations of its governance model under the Chinese Communist Party CCPâ it addedThe report called out the CCPâs costcutting measures that led airlines mainly stateowned Air China China Eastern and China Southern to reduce services install hard seats and even strap cargo onto passenger seats eroding âconsumer trustâIt noted that the governmentâs domestic policy of prioritising infrastructure expansion without addressing consumer confidence also left airlines overextended and unable to adaptAt the same time highspeed rail with cheaper and more reliable alternatives led to stiff competition and further weakened aviationâs appealThese challenges were compounded by Chinaâs strained relations with Western nations exacerbated by the ongoing USChina trade war and geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea These discouraged international airlines from maintaining routesAs per the report more than 30 foreign carriers including Virgin Atlantic Scandinavian Airlines and El Al suspended flights to China by December 2024âEven Beijingâs unilateral visafree policy for citizens of 38 countries has failed to reverse the decline Inbound travel recovery rates remain dismal only 452 per cent from the US 562 per cent from Germany 579 per cent from the UK and 53 per cent from France as of mid2025â the report saidThis led to severe financial loss of more than 47 billion yuan 645 million collectively for Air China China Eastern and China SouthernThe CCPâs policies both domestic and foreign have failed to inspire confidence leaving the aviation industry as a cautionary tale of what happens when political priorities overshadow economic pragmatism the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chinas-aviation-crisis-deepens-with-empty-airports-suspended-international-routes-report-656894.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-okays-22-projects-under-electronics-component-pli-rs-41-863-crore-worth-investments-likely-656699.html New Delhi Jan 2 The government on Friday approved 22 new proposals under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme ECMS which are likely to receive Rs 41863 crore worth investments and generate nearly 37000 direct and indirect jobs a move which is aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing import dependence for critical electronic components The output from the 22 approved projects is projected at Rs 258 lakh crore The approved proposals include applications from Dixon Samsung Display Noida Pvt Ltd Foxconnâs Yuzhan Technology India Pvt Ltd and Hindalco IndustriesThe latest approval comes in addition to 24 applications approved earlier which involved investments of Rs 12704 croreAccording to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY this round of approvals covers manufacturing across 11 segments with applications spanning mobile phones telecom consumer electronics strategic electronics automotive and IT hardware The projects will be set up across eight states â Andhra Pradesh Haryana Karnataka Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh and RajasthanIndustry leaders welcomed the mov saying that the success of the ECMS scheme marks Indiaâs decisive shift from intent to execution in electronics manufacturingâAs 2025 concludes India has earned global trust as a credible investible ESDM destination ECMS is a gamechanger because a strong ecosystem needs components materials and electronics value addition â not just semiconductorsâ said Ashok Chandak President IESA and SEMI IndiaThe next phase must focus on scaling up building strong design teams local sourcing and worldclass quality in manufactured productsâOEMs and system companies must actively adopt MadeinIndia components as demand creation is as critical as supply creation Distributors remain key market enablers in taking Indian components across India and into global supply chainsâ he notedTo further deepen the value chain the government launched ECMS scheme in 2025The scheme focuses on promoting domestic manufacturing of Printed Circuit Board electrical and mechanical components camera modules etcIndia has emerged as a significant electronics manufacturer and as a result of robust policy efforts electronics manufacturing has grown almost six times in last 11 years â increasing from Rs 19 lakh crore in 201415 to Rs 1132 lakh crore in 202425 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-okays-22-projects-under-electronics-component-pli-rs-41-863-crore-worth-investments-likely-656699.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-real-estate-sector-set-for-measured-yet-sustainable-growth-in-2026-656704.html New Delhi Jan 2 As India entered 2026 the real estate sector is positioned for measured yet sustainable growth across all major segments industry experts said on Friday adding that strong fundamentals expanding premium housing and adaptive retail and logistics ecosystems will continue to attract both domestic and international capital While 2025 brought several macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges 2026 is expected to be a year of recalibration and renewed economic momentum âThis outlook is supported by Indiaâs strong GDP growth of 82 per cent in Q2 FY26 recorded despite global uncertainties and shifting trade dynamics With this strong growth rate the nation remains firmly on track to become the worldâs thirdlargest economy by 2030 with an estimated GDP of 73 trillionâ said Shrinivas Rao FRICS CEO VestianTo reinforce economic development the government implemented a robust mix of fiscal and monetary measures Fiscal steps included the rationalization of GST rates and revisions in income tax slabs On the monetary front the RBI reduced the repo rate to 525 per cent and maintained a neutral stance a move that is expected to bolster economic activity in 2026 Overall the year is poised to witness holistic sectoral growth strengthened real estate activity and improved investor sentiment Rao mentionedThe office market is projected to maintain its upward trajectory in 2026 According to Vestian Research gross absorption is expected to reach 75â80 million square feet driven largely by sustained expansion from Global Capability Centres GCCs The ITITeS and BFSI sectors will also remain key contributors Flex space operators are anticipated to further consolidate their presence as occupiers prioritize agility and hybrid workplace models Leasing activity will be led by Bengaluru Chennai and Hyderabad with Mumbai and Pune expected to record an increased share said Rao According to Prashant Sharma President NAREDCO Maharashtra the year 2025 has been a landmark period for Indiaâs real estate sector marked by significant policy reforms robust demand across asset classes and a renewed focus on sustainable urbanisationâTierII and TierIII cities are set to play a larger role in Indiaâs real estate growth story in 2026 Improved connectivity rising employment opportunities and emerging industrial corridors will shift demand beyond metrosâ he mentionedAccording to Aniket Dani Director Crisil Intelligence the outlook for fiscal 2027 is more optimistic with demand recovery driven by rising incomes lower interest rates and continued infrastructure improvementsIn contrast commercial real estate is projected to continue its growth trajectory this fiscal â with demand rising 57 per cent and supply 911 per cent â fuelled by strong leasing from global capability centres flexible workspace operators and the ITITeS and BFSI sectors Dani noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-real-estate-sector-set-for-measured-yet-sustainable-growth-in-2026-656704.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/maruti-suzuki-india-ends-2025-with-production-crossing-record-2255-lakh-vehicles-656707.html New Delhi Jan 2 Maruti Suzuki India Limited the countryâs largest car manufacturer produced over 2255 lakh vehicles in 2025 its highestever output in a calendar year according to a company statement issued on Friday This is the second consecutive year that Maruti Suzuki India has exceeded 20 lakh units in annual production The production includes vehicles for domestic sales exports and OEM supplies The top five models by production volume during the year were Fronx Baleno Swift Dzire and ErtigaâThis milestone reflects the Companyâs strong focus on delivering products in line with customer demand across domestic and international marketsâ the statement saidMaruti Suzuki managing director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said âThis record production is a result of the dedication of our employees and the strong synergy that we share with our supplier partners A high degree of localisation has enabled us to achieve such scale while maintaining worldclass quality highlighting the strength and global competitiveness of Indiaâs automotive manufacturing ecosystemââWe remain committed to expanding our manufacturing footprint and strengthening Indiaâs automobile manufacturing capabilities in line with the Government of Indiaâs âMake in Indiaâ initiativeâ he addedAlso Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday said it has exported 395 lakh vehicles in 2025 its highest ever in any calendar year This marks a growth of over 21 per cent as compared to 2024Maruti Suzuki began operations in 1983 with its first production facility at Haryanaâs Gurugram on the outskirts of Delhi Over the years supported by a robust multitier supplier and dealer ecosystem the company expanded its manufacturing footprint including facilities in Gurugram Manesar and Kharkhoda in Haryana and recently amalgamated the Gujarat plant into its operationsThe car giant now manufactures as many as 17 models and over 650 variants across these stateoftheart facilities Looking ahead the company plans to enhance its manufacturing capacity to 4 million units per annum to meet rising domestic demand and serve international markets the company statement saidMaruti Suzuki continues to dominate Indias car market consistently holding an over 40 per cent share of the market in the passenger vehicle segment The company continues to lead due to affordable fuelefficient models with recent strong sales driven by festive demand IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/maruti-suzuki-india-ends-2025-with-production-crossing-record-2255-lakh-vehicles-656707.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-releases-document-for-users-to-boost-informed-use-of-asuse-data-656730.html New Delhi Jan 2 The government on Friday said it has released a unique document to build a more informed aware and engaged data user community The âKnow Your Survey A User Guide to the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises ASUSEâ is a firstofitskind user guide aimed at proactively engaging with users and communicate survey processes in a more transparent and userfriendly manner to enhance informed use of ASUSE data according to the National Statistics Office NSO Ministry of Statistics and Programme ImplementationThe ASUSE is a key source of official statistics on the unincorporated nonagricultural sector of the Indian economy which plays a vital role in generating employment supporting livelihoods and contributing to economic outputThe sector also serves as an important link in the domestic valuechains supporting the incorporated sectorGiven the scale diversity and heterogeneity of this sector a clear understanding of the surveyâs concepts coverage and methodology is essential for meaningful interpretation and appropriate use of ASUSE data in policymaking research and informed public discourse said the ministryAccording to NSO the document has been developed as a comprehensive and userfriendly guide to facilitate a better understanding of ASUSEIt presents in a simple and readerfriendly manner the methodologies used and processes adopted to ensure the quality and timeliness of ASUSE data and also assists users in the interpretation and effective use of ASUSE resultsThe guide is intended to cater to a wide spectrum of users including ministries and departments in the Central and State Governments policymakers researchers academicians industry stakeholders and the general publicThe preparation of this document is aligned with global best practices followed internationally by national statistical systems in communicating survey design processes and outputsThrough this initiative NSO seeks to improve communication strengthen stakeholder engagement and enhance public trust in official statisticsThe document is a proactive step by NSO towards improved communication better outreach and enhanced awareness of survey processes IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-releases-document-for-users-to-boost-informed-use-of-asuse-data-656730.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pu-scientists-develop-paint-additive-to-reduce-hospital-infection-656734.html Chandigarh Jan 2 Panjab University PU scientists have developed a special paint additive that can help reduce infections in hospitals an issue that has become critical after the Covid19 pandemic The innovation was granted an Indian patent on December 31 2025 The breakthrough led by Gaurav Verma of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Nanotechnology emerged from collaborative research during the Covid19 pandemic Avneet Saini from the Department of Biophysics Shubhi Joshi and MSc student Deeksha Sharma are the other members of the team The paint additive works by killing harmful bacteria on surfaces making hospital walls beds and furniture safer Importantly the material is nontoxic and does not mix into the air or surroundings making it safe for indoor use The patented paint technology has the potential to be widely used in hospitals and clinics to reduce infections and improve patient safety The idea took shape amid Covid19 when hospitalacquired infections claimed many lives especially during the delta wave of 202122 These infections often spread through touched surfaces such as walls beds and furniture and were also linked to serious complications like black fungus The story behind the innovation began in 2018 when Shubhi Joshi a food microbiologist approached Gaurav Verma for a PhD Although she had topped the PU PhD entrance test she could not get admission in her own subject Verma accepted her into his lab and gave her a challenging research problem involving very tiny materials known as nanomaterials During the pandemic the team continued working in the laboratory while maintaining physical distance and following Covid safety rules Their efforts led to the development of the antibacterial paint additive which was successfully completed in 2022 At present Shubhi Joshi is working as an ICMR Woman Scientist and continues to collaborate with the PU research team Verma said the innovation reflects his belief that every student has the ability to do meaningful science and that science should directly help society He added that paints should not only make buildings look good but should also help save lives IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pu-scientists-develop-paint-additive-to-reduce-hospital-infection-656734.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-scheme-for-textiles-last-application-date-extended-till-march-31-656736.html New Delhi Jan 2 The government on Friday announced to extend the deadline for submission of fresh applications under the Production Linked Incentive PLI scheme for textiles up to March 31 2026 According to the Ministry of Textiles the extension follows the significant response received since the application portal has been reopened in August 2025 with proposals being submitted by textile companies across priority areas including ManMade Fibre MMF apparel MMF fabrics and Technical TextilesThe decision underscores the growing investor confidence in Indiaâs textile sector and aims to facilitate wider participation by offering additional time to eligible applicants said the ministryMeanwhile Indiaâs textiles sector recorded a surge in investment and exports during 2025 fuelled by government incentive schemes and economic reforms to facilitate the ease of doing businessAs many as 74 applications were selected under the productionlinked investment PLI scheme for textiles The total proposed investment would be around Rs 28711 crore which is expected to generate a turnover of Rs 216760 crore and create employment for 259164 people Out of these applications participant companies have already undertaken investment in their projectsThe Textiles Trade Promotion TTP section has played a pivotal role in strengthening Indiaâs global textile footprint monitoring export performance through eleven Export Promotion Councils In 2024 India emerged as the 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel with the sector contributing a significant 863 per cent share to Indiaâs total exports and accounting for 41 per cent of global tradeThe cotton sector a cornerstone of Indiaâs agricultural economy supporting nearly 6 million farmers and 40â50 million people across the value chain continues to play a pivotal role in textile production and foreign exchange earningsIn the cotton season 2024â25 the government through its nodal agency the Cotton Corporation of India Ltd CCI under Ministry of Textiles has successfully procured 525 lakh quintals of seed cotton 100 lakh bales under MSP operations disbursing Rs 37450 crore to farmers â covering 38 per cent of arrivals and 34 per cent of national production IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-scheme-for-textiles-last-application-date-extended-till-march-31-656736.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-scheme-for-textiles-last-date-for-fresh-applications-extended-till-march-31-656737.html New Delhi Jan 2 The government on Friday announced to extend the deadline for submission of fresh applications under the Production Linked Incentive PLI scheme for textiles up to March 31 2026 According to the Ministry of Textiles the extension follows the significant response received since the application portal has been reopened in August 2025 with proposals being submitted by textile companies across priority areas including ManMade Fibre MMF apparel MMF fabrics and Technical TextilesThe decision underscores the growing investor confidence in Indiaâs textile sector and aims to facilitate wider participation by offering additional time to eligible applicants said the ministryMeanwhile Indiaâs textiles sector recorded a surge in investment and exports during 2025 fuelled by government incentive schemes and economic reforms to facilitate the ease of doing businessAs many as 74 applications were selected under the productionlinked investment PLI scheme for textiles The total proposed investment would be around Rs 28711 crore which is expected to generate a turnover of Rs 216760 crore and create employment for 259164 people Out of these applications participant companies have already undertaken investment in their projectsThe Textiles Trade Promotion TTP section has played a pivotal role in strengthening Indiaâs global textile footprint monitoring export performance through eleven Export Promotion Councils In 2024 India emerged as the 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel with the sector contributing a significant 863 per cent share to Indiaâs total exports and accounting for 41 per cent of global tradeThe cotton sector a cornerstone of Indiaâs agricultural economy supporting nearly 6 million farmers and 40â50 million people across the value chain continues to play a pivotal role in textile production and foreign exchange earningsIn the cotton season 2024â25 the government through its nodal agency the Cotton Corporation of India Ltd CCI under Ministry of Textiles has successfully procured 525 lakh quintals of seed cotton 100 lakh bales under MSP operations disbursing Rs 37450 crore to farmers â covering 38 per cent of arrivals and 34 per cent of national production IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pli-scheme-for-textiles-last-date-for-fresh-applications-extended-till-march-31-656737.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/game-changer-experts-hail-approval-of-1st-oral-pill-for-adults-with-thalassemia-anaemia-656752.html New Delhi Jan 2 The US Food and Drug Administrationâs FDA approval of the firstever oral pill for anaemia in adults with thalassemia marks a historic milestone and can be a game changer in the management of the genetic blood disorder said health experts on Friday The FDA recently approved mitapivat to be marketed under the brand name Aqvesme for the treatment of anemia in adults with alpha or betathalassemiaMitapivat is the first medication indicated for both transfusiondependent and nontransfusiondependent forms of these rare inherited blood disordersWhile thalassemia patients have for decades relied largely on transfusions and chelation therapy the approval of mitapivat will lead to a meaningful shift in disease managementâMitapivat can be a big pathbreaking drug for thalassemia managementâ Dr Satyam Arora Additional Professor of Transfusion Medicine at Postgraduate Institute of Child Health PGICH Noida told IANSâThis new FDAapproved drug can be a game changer as this will help us manage patients with a single oral pill which can be easily taken and their blood transfusion requirements may be reducedâ he addedAccording to experts more than improving haemoglobin levels an oral option has the potential to reduce fatigue treatment burden and longterm complications while opening the door to more sustainable patientcentered careWhat is MitapivatMitapivat is a pyruvate kinase activator a firstinclass medication designed to improve the energy balance within red blood cellsIn patients with thalassemia red blood cells are fragile and break down prematurely leading to chronic anaemia and an ongoing dependence on blood transfusions By activating pyruvate kinase the drug enhances cellular energy production allowing red blood cells to survive longer and function more effectively As a result haemoglobin levels improve and the need for frequent blood transfusions begins to declineâFor the first time a drug has been developed that directly targets the metabolic pathway of red blood cells addressing the disease at its cellular core rather than only managing its consequences This breakthrough has the potential to significantly transform the quality of life for thalassemia patients across the worldand especially in India where the disease burden remains highâ said haematologist Dr Rahul Bhargava Member of the Delhi Haematology SocietyIndia is the thalassemia capital of the world Every eighth thalassemia patient in the world lives in India many of whom will require regular blood transfusions from infancy Blood availability transfusionrelated complications and iron overload remain persistent concernsWhile the Government has made significant progress in expanding access to bone marrow transplantation through public healthcare institutions the majority of patients still depend on lifelong transfusionsâThe new oral therapy offers hope not only for transfusiondependent thalassemia TDT patients but also for those with nontransfusiondependent thalassemia NTDT a group that has historically had limited treatment options By improving red blood cell survival and reducing anaemia the drug may help delay or even prevent the progression to transfusion dependence in some patientsâ Bhargava saidThe experts also expressed hope for the game changer drug to be available soon in IndiaâThese are very hopeful times for our thalassemia patients as well as the blood requirement burden in our country If the blood requirement in the thalassemic patient gets reduced this will significantly help manage the blood requirement in our country more efficientlyâ Arora saidâI see this as a huge ray of hope for patients of thalassemia in India provided expeditious access can be ensured We will also work closely with our doctors to find out the efficacy and suitability for various categories of patients In short this is good newsâ added Anubha Taneja Mukherjee Secretary of the Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/game-changer-experts-hail-approval-of-1st-oral-pill-for-adults-with-thalassemia-anaemia-656752.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-cracks-down-on-x-over-ai-driven-obscene-nude-amp-indecent-content-656763.html New Delhi Jan 2 The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY on Friday cracked down on X Corp for failing to prevent the generation and circulation of obscene nude and indecent content on its platform The government has directed X Corp to send an action taken report ATR towards immediate compliance for prevention of hosting generation publication or transmission sharing or uploading of obscene nude indecent and explicit content through the misuse of Albased services like Grok and xAlâs other services within 72 hoursThe directive states that noncompliance with these requirements shall be viewed seriously and may result in strict legal consequences against your platform its responsible officers and the users on the platform who violate the law without any further notice under the IT Act the IT Rules the BNSS the BNS and other applicable lawsThe ministry directed X to conduct a comprehensive review of Groks technical and governance frameworks to prevent the generation of unlawful contentIt said Grok must enforce strict user policies including suspension and termination of violators All offending content should be immediately removed without tampering with evidence it saidThe MeitY said noncompliance could lead to loss of safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act and trigger penal action under multiple laws including the BNS the Indecent Representation of Women Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences ActIn the letter to X the ministry said that it is of the view that the regulatory provisions under the Information Technology Act are not adequately adhered to by its platform in relation to obscene indecent vulgar pornographic paedophilic or otherwise unlawful or harmful content which are potentially violative of extant lawsThe aforesaid acts and omissions are viewed with grave concern as they have the effect of violating the dignity privacy and safety of women and children normalising sexual harassment and exploitation in digital spaces and undermining the statutory due diligence framework applicable to intermediaries operating in India the letter pointed outThe letter also states that it has especially been observed that the service Grok AI developed by X and integrated and made available on the X platform is being misused by users to create accounts to host generate publish or share obscene images or videos of women in a derogatory or vulgar manner in order to indecently denigrate them Importantly this is not limited to the creation of fake accounts but also targets women who host or publish their images or videos through prompts image manipulation and synthetic outputs Such conduct reflects a serious failure of platformlevel safeguards and enforcement mechanisms and amounts to gross misuse of artificial intelligence technologies in violation of applicable laws the letter statesA copy of the notice has also been sent to key ministries commissions and state authorities signalling coordinated action on obscenity that is being promoted through AI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-cracks-down-on-x-over-ai-driven-obscene-nude-amp-indecent-content-656763.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ntpc-sanctions-rs-2316-crore-to-upgrade-radiotherapy-services-at-gcri-centre-656833.html Mumbai Jan 3 NTPC Limited has signed a memorandum of agreement MoA with Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute GCRI for the upgradation of radiotherapy services it was announced on Saturday According to a Ministry of Power statement NTPCâs Western RegionâI Headquarters Mumbai signed the MoA Under this CSR initiative NTPC has sanctioned Rs 2316 crore for the upgradation of radiotherapy services at the Siddhpur Satellite Centre of GCRI AhmedabadâThe support will be utilised for the procurement and installation of a highenergy Linear Accelerator LINAC significantly enhancing advanced cancer treatment capabilities and improving access to quality radiotherapy services for patients in the regionâ according to the official statementThis reaffirms NTPCâs commitment to inclusive development and its continued focus on strengthening critical healthcare infrastructure through meaningful CSR interventionsThe MoA was exchanged between Dr Shashank Pandya Director GCRI and E Satya Phani Kumar Regional Executive Director WestâI NTPC in the presence of senior officials from both organisationsLate last month the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay and NTPC completed the drilling of Indias first well for testing the viability of geological carbon dioxide CO2 storage in sedimentary formations such as coal and sandstoneThe collaboration launched under the aegis of NITI Aayog in November 2022 brought together NETRA the RampD wing of NTPC and the Department of Earth Sciences IIT Bombay to build Indias first geological storage atlas for coalbed methanerich coalfieldsThe atlas provided layerbylayer simulation results with experimentally validated inputs for quantifying the potential for geological CO2 storage in four major coalfieldsThe country achieved its first dedicated well reaching a depth of 1200m in September for potential CO2 storage The drilling site in Pakri Barwadih in the vicinity of a coal mining area in Jharkhands Hazaribagh was completed on November 15 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ntpc-sanctions-rs-2316-crore-to-upgrade-radiotherapy-services-at-gcri-centre-656833.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/physically-possible-to-restore-full-body-functionality-with-neuralink-elon-musk-656838.html New Delhi Jan 3 Billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday said that his braincomputer interface company Neuralink can possibly restore full body functionality The breakthrough focuses on the motor cortex restoring âfull body functionalityâ for people with severed spinal cordsâI am confident at this point that restoring full body functionality is possible with Neuralinkâ the Tesla and SpaceX founder shared in a post on the social media platform XâNeuralink can essentially help bridge communications from the cortex past the point in the neck or spine where the nerves are damaged It is possible from a physics standpoint to physically restore full body functionalityâ he said in a video postThe motor cortex technology feature was announced by Musk in 2022 and the testing began in humans in the same yearThe device includes a chip that replaces a small piece of bone and is connected to the brain via a series of thin threaded electrodes The companys N1 implant includes 1024 electrodes distributed among 64 threads according to the companys websiteIn September the company announced that it had implanted its device in 12 patientsMeanwhile on January 1 Musks Californiabased neurotechnology firm announced taking major steps toward restoring vision with a brain implant that allows the visually impaired even those blind from birthBlindsight Neuralinkâs brain chip aimed at restoring vision received âbreakthrough deviceâ designation from the US Food and Drug Administration FDA in September 2024 The company is expected to begin highvolume production of the device this yearâNeuralink will start highvolume production of braincomputer interface devices and move to a streamlined almost entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026 Device threads will go through the dura without the need to remove it This is a big dealâ he shared on XAccording to Musk Blindsight will help people who have lost both eyes and they will be able to see He also claimed that provided the visual cortex remains intact the device can restore vision even in people who have been blind since birth IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/physically-possible-to-restore-full-body-functionality-with-neuralink-elon-musk-656838.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-holds-investor-awareness-programme-in-rajkot-to-boost-financial-literacy-656841.html New Delhi Jan 3 Investor awareness is the strongest foundation for Gujaratâs growing investor base said Ashishkumar Chauhan MD amp CEO of the National Stock Exchange of India NSE Speaking at an Investor Awareness Programme IAP in Gujaratâs Rajkot the MD amp CEO of the stock exchange said that the initiative can empower citizens and caution them against fraudAt NSE we believe that informed investors make better decisions which contribute to longterm economic wealth creation Through initiatives like this Investor Awareness Programme we aim to empower citizens with the right knowledge caution them against frauds and help them participate safely in Indiaâs growth storyâ Chauhan saidThe event aimed to enhance financial literacy promote responsible investing and strengthen investor awareness according to a statement from the NSEGujarat has about 11 crore registered investors making it the thirdâlargest state by investor base with an 87 per cent share of Indiaâs total investors and a 10âyear compound annual growth rate of over 17 per cent in the number of investors About 11 lakh new investors were added in 2025 and Rajkot accounted for more than 55 per cent of new registrations in the stateAbout 28 per cent of investors from Gujarat are women higher than the national average of 25 per centThe programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from new and existing investors professionals and students NSE has conducted over 16000 Investor Awareness Programmes in FY2526 so far reaching 83 lakh participants across the countryThese initiatives span students women entrepreneurs rural investors armed forces personnel and firsttime investors the statement saidSessions included the foundation of financial and securities markets suitable financial products rights and responsibilities of investors grievance redressal mechanisms fraud and scam prevention etcRecently SEBI has introduced the âSEBI Checkâ mechanism where investors can either scan a QR code or manually enter the bank details of any SEBIregistered intermediary to check if the UPI ID or bank account is authentic IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-holds-investor-awareness-programme-in-rajkot-to-boost-financial-literacy-656841.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/just-10-mins-of-intensive-workouts-daily-can-help-keep-bowel-cancer-at-bay-study-656852.html New Delhi Jan 3 Short bursts of energetic activity for 10 minutes daily could not only increase your fitness levels but also help fight bowel cancer also known as colorectal cancer according to a study The study by researchers at Newcastle University showed that short and intense exercise activity can trigger rapid molecular changes in the bloodstream shutting down bowel cancer growth and speeding up DNA damage repairThey found that exercise increases the concentration of several small molecules in the blood many linked to reducing inflammation improving blood vessel function and metabolismWhen these exerciseinduced molecules were applied to bowel cancer cells in the lab the activity of more than 1300 genes was altered including those involved in DNA repair energy production and cancer cell growthThe findings published in the International Journal of Cancer help explain one way exercise can protect against bowel cancer by sending molecular signals in the bloodstream that influence the activity of genes that govern tumor growth and genome instabilityWhats remarkable is that exercise doesnt just benefit healthy tissues it sends powerful signals through the bloodstream that can directly influence thousands of genes in cancer cellsâ said Dr Sam Orange Senior Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Newcastle University who led the studyIts an exciting insight because it opens the door to finding ways that mimic or augment the biological effects of exercise potentially improving cancer treatment and crucially patient outcomes In the future these insights could lead to new therapies that imitate the beneficial effects of exercise on how cells repair damaged DNA and use fuel for energy Orange addedThe team found that exercise boosted the activity of genes that support mitochondrial energy metabolism enabling cells to use oxygen more efficientlyAt the same time genes linked to rapid cell growth were switched off which could reduce the aggressiveness of cancer cells and exerciseconditioned blood promoted DNA repair activating a key repair gene called PNKPThe study involved 30 volunteers male and female aged 5078 all overweight or obese a risk factor of cancer but otherwise healthyAfter completing a short intense cycling test lasting approximately 10 minutes researchers collected blood samples and analyzed 249 proteins As many as 13 proteins increased after exercise including interleukin6 IL6 which helps repair the DNA of damaged cellsThese results suggest that exercise doesnt just benefit healthy tissues it may also create a more hostile environment for cancer cells to grow Even a single workout can make a difference One bout of exercise lasting just 10 minutes sends powerful signals to the body Its a reminder that every step every session counts when it comes to doing your best to protect your health Orange said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/just-10-mins-of-intensive-workouts-daily-can-help-keep-bowel-cancer-at-bay-study-656852.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indians-lose-over-rs-52-976-crore-to-cyber-frauds-over-six-years-report-656862.html New Delhi Jan 3 Indians lost over Rs 52976 crore to various frauds and cheating cases over the past six years with Maharashtra recording the highest monetary losses in such offences according to reports Losses of about Rs 19813 crore and 2177524 cheatingârelated complaints were recorded in 2025 according to data from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre I4C that compiled information from National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalReported losses in 2024 was Rs 2284949 crore with 1918852 complaints and smaller sums were recorded in earlier years pointing to a worrying surge in financial crimes such as investment traps digital arrest online scams and banking fraudsAnalysts attributed the sharp rise to rapid digitisation increased online transactions and more sophisticated scam networksThe data showed Maharashtra suffered the largest monetary losses from cheating cases last year at Rs 3203 crore with 283320 complaints followed by Karnataka at Rs 2413 crore and 213228 complaints according to a report from Indian ExpressTamil Nadu posted losses of 1897 crore and 123290 complaints Uttar Pradesh at Rs 1443 crore and 275264 complaints and Telangana with Rs 1372 crore of losses and 95000 complaints were among top five states accounting for more than half the national total the report saidâOut of Rs 19812 crore 77 per cent was lost in the name of investment schemes 8 per cent lost through digital arrest 7 per cent via credit card fraud 4 per cent in sextortion 3 per cent in ecommerce fraud and 1 per cent to appmalware based fraudâ data showedCitizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System CFCFRMS data showed that around 21 crore cyber fraud complaints were reported in 2025 with 45 per cent of them originating from Southeast Asian countries â Cambodia Myanmar and LaosThe National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal has been launched to enable citizens to report complaints relating to various categories of cybercrime with a special focus on offences targeting women and children A dedicated cybercrime helpline number 1930 provides immediate assistance to victims of online financial frauds IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indians-lose-over-rs-52-976-crore-to-cyber-frauds-over-six-years-report-656862.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/delhi-ncr-clocks-highest-yearly-average-residential-price-rise-at-23-pc-in-2025-656868.html New Delhi Jan 3 DelhiNCR recorded the highest yearly average residential price rise at 23 per cent in 2025 from Rs 7550 square feet in 2024 to about Rs 9300 per sq ft in 2025 according to a new report On an annual basis the collective average housing price rose by 8 per cent in the top seven cities from Rs 8590 per sq ft by Q4 2024end to around Rs 9260 per sq ft at Q4 2025end according to Anarock Research dataThe other major cities recorded singledigit price appreciation ranging between 49 per cent in 2025 as against last yearâs 1327 per cent in 2024 the report mentionedMumbai Metropolitan Region MMR Pune Bengaluru Hyderabad and DelhiNCR together accounted for 90 per cent of overall sales in 2025 across the top seven citiesâMMR saw the highest sales with approx 127875 units sold in 2025 declining by 18 against 2024 Pune saw approx 65135 units sold in 2025 â a yearly decline of 20 over 2024 Bengaluru also saw just a marginal yearly decline of 5 in housing sales with approx 62205 units sold in 2025â the report mentionedThe top seven cities saw about 419170 new units launched in 2025 against 412520 units in 2024 a 2 per cent annual increase The key cities contributing to new supply during the year were MMR Pune Bengaluru and NCR which together accounted for 79 per cent of the total new unit additionsOn an annual basis unsold inventory in the top seven cities rose 4 per cent by 2025end largely because of tapered demand and increased new supply in the year About 577 lakh units are currently on the primary sales market in these citiesâNotably thanks to restricted new supply in the city Hyderabad saw a marginal decline of 2 per cent in unsold stock in 2025 from approx 97765 units by 2024end to approx 96140 units by 2025endâ said the reportMumbai Metropolitan Region MMR also witnessed a marginal 1 per cent decline in unsold stock All other cities saw their unsold inventory rise over the year with Bengaluru recording a significant 23 per cent increase IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/delhi-ncr-clocks-highest-yearly-average-residential-price-rise-at-23-pc-in-2025-656868.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/faifa-urges-government-to-roll-back-steep-tax-hike-on-tobacco-products-656680.html New Delhi Jan 2 The Federation of All India Farmer Associations FAIFA on Friday urged the government to roll back the notified excise rates on tobacco products and revise them to revenueneutral rates to disincentivise smuggling and support domestic agriculture A stable taxation framework FAIFA noted in a statement is necessary to sustain farmer incomes protect employment across the value chain and align economic policy with longterm public health goalsThe Ministry of Finance notification âChewing Tobacco Jarda Scented Tobacco and Gutkha Packing Machines Capacity Determination and Collection of Duty Rules 2026â has imposed an excise duty of Rs 2050Rs 8500 per 1000 sticks depending on cigarette length effective February 1FAIFA said such a steep hike in taxes would force domestic manufacturers to raise prices of finished goods which will lead to a drop in sales hurting farmers supplies in return This could cause a glut in the tobacco crop market in the near term it addedâWhile announcing GST 20 on September 4 2025 Government had assured that in the case of tobacco products GST would be charged at 40 per cent of the retail sales price while the overall incidence of tax would be kept unchangedâ said Murali Babu President FAIFAHe further added that the farming community across India has been holding on to this assurance of revenue neutrality and had welcomed the governmentâs decision to rationalise GST by restructuring rates and doing away with the 12 per cent slab which helped reduce pricesAppealing to the government FAIFA leaders stressed that Indiaâs legal cigarette prices are already among the least affordable globally when measured against per capita income as reflected in World Health Organizationâs WHO affordability indexCurrent steep increase will render legal products unaffordable to a huge section of consumers accelerating consumer migration to illegal channels it argued FAIFA appealed to the government to ensure that taxation policies do not punish those who have always remained within the law IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/faifa-urges-government-to-roll-back-steep-tax-hike-on-tobacco-products-656680.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ayushman-bharat-universal-immunisation-programme-boosting-healthcare-in-india-govt-656684.html New Delhi Jan 2 The flagship health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat along with the Universal Immunisation Programme is strengthening healthcare in India the government has said Ayushman Bharat comprises four components Ayushman Arogya Mandir Ayushman Bharat PMJAY Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission PMABHIM and Ayushman Bharat Digital MissionABDMâA total of 181873 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs AAM have been operationalised with an expanded package of 12 services and teleconsultation facilities available with footfall of 49471 crore and 4193 crore teleconsultationsâ till November 30 2025 the Ministry of Health said in an official statementâTo date 3950 crore screenings have been done for hypertension and 3670 crore screenings have been done for diabetes Similarly there have been 3240 crore screenings for oral cancer 1523 crore screenings for cervical cancer in women and more than 837 crore screenings for breast cancer in womenâ it addedUnder PMJAY approximately 4248 Crore Ayushman Cards have been created as of December 1 2025 A total of 1098 crore hospital admissions amounting to Rs 160 lakh crores have also been authorised under the schemeA total of 8394 crore Ayushman Bharat health accounts have been created and 747000 healthcare professionals are registered under Ayushman Bharat Digital MissionUnder the Universal Immunization Programme the nation has achieved more than 90 per cent Full Immunization Coverage FIC as per the National Health PolicyâThe National FIC for the period AprOct 2025 is 986 per centâ the Ministry said It added that there has been âa reduction of Measles cases by 28 per cent in the period JanuaryOctober 2025 in comparison to the previous year for the same periodâThe Ministry also listed the governmentâs achievements in tackling the burden of tuberculosis TB and HIVIt stated that India has achieved a 90 per cent success rate in TB treatment while the overall notification of TB cases has improved by 63 per cent over the last 10 years from 2014 to 2024âThe success rate has increased to 83 per cent 855 per cent876 per cent and 89 per cent in 20212022 2023 and 2024 respectively In 2025 Jan to Oct the achievement so far is 90 per centâ the statement saidâIn 2025 January to October 2264 lakh TB patients have been notifiedâ it addedFurther under phaseV of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme NACP around 15 crore persons from highrisk and bridge population groups have been offered prevention services through targeted interventions and Link Worker Schemes in the country in 2025âOverall 529 crore HIV tests have been conducted till October 2025â the Ministry said adding that the tests âincluded around 208 crore HIV tests of pregnant womenâ In 2025 around 209 crore Syphilis tests were also conducted among pregnant womenâAs of October 2025 838 Antiretroviral therapy Centres are operational under the programme There were around 1915 lakh People Living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment including those in the private sectorâ the Ministry saidThe Ministry also shared how different government initiatives have improved maternal child and adolescent health family planning among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ayushman-bharat-universal-immunisation-programme-boosting-healthcare-in-india-govt-656684.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/treat-gig-workers-as-human-beings-not-disposable-data-points-raghav-chadha-656687.html New Delhi Jan 2 Gig workers must be treated as human beings and not just disposable data points said Aam Aadmi Party AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday Chadha had extended strong support to gig workers across the country who observed a nationwide symbolic strike on New Yearâs Eve demanding fair wages better working conditions and social security from major delivery and ecommerce platformsâI sat down with delivery riders of Zomato Swiggy Blinkit etc This is not a rant This is a conversation with those whose lives power our everyday comfortâ the AAP MP shared in a post on social media platformThe nationwide strike called jointly by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union TGPWU and the Indian Federation of AppBased Transport Workers IFAT saw thousands of delivery partners across several states log off their apps or reduce work significantlyThe protest impacted services on one of the busiest commercial days of the year with reports of delays and cancellations in multiple citiesâItâs tragic that millions of delivery riders who helped build instantcommerce companies into what they are today are now forced to protest just to be heardâ Chadha saidHe noted that the quick delivery platforms succeeded with the sweat and labour of the delivery riders and thus must be treated as human beingsâThese platforms didnât succeed because of algorithms alone They succeeded because of human sweat and labourâ Chadha saidâItâs time companies start treating riders as human beings not disposable data points The gig economy cannot become a guiltfree exploitation economyâ he addedEarlier speaking to IANS Chadha highlighted concerns over low and unpredictable pay long working hours lack of social security and absence of dignity at workâThey are humans not robots or bonded labour They are also someoneâs father son husband or brotherâ he said highlighting concerns over low and unpredictable pay long working hours lack of social security and absence of dignity at workHe also spoke against the pressure created by ultrafast delivery models stating that the â10minute delivery tortureâ was taking a toll on workersâ physical and mental health IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/treat-gig-workers-as-human-beings-not-disposable-data-points-raghav-chadha-656687.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-okays-22-projects-under-electronics-component-pli-rs-41-863-crore-worth-investments-likely-656698.html New Delhi Jan 2 The government on Friday approved 22 new proposals under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme ECMS which are likely to receive Rs 41863 crore worth investments and generate nearly 37000 direct and indirect jobs a move which is aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing import dependence for critical electronic components The output from the 22 approved projects is projected at Rs 258 lakh crore The approved proposals include applications from Dixon Samsung Display Noida Pvt Ltd Foxconnâs Yuzhan Technology India Pvt Ltd and Hindalco IndustriesThe latest approval comes in addition to 24 applications approved earlier which involved investments of Rs 12704 croreAccording to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY this round of approvals covers manufacturing across 11 segments with applications spanning mobile phones telecom consumer electronics strategic electronics automotive and IT hardware The projects will be set up across eight states â Andhra Pradesh Haryana Karnataka Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh and RajasthanIndustry leaders welcomed the mov saying that the success of the ECMS scheme marks Indiaâs decisive shift from intent to execution in electronics manufacturingâAs 2025 concludes India has earned global trust as a credible investible ESDM destination ECMS is a gamechanger because a strong ecosystem needs components materials and electronics value addition â not just semiconductorsâ said Ashok Chandak President IESA and SEMI IndiaThe next phase must focus on scaling up building strong design teams local sourcing and worldclass quality in manufactured productsâOEMs and system companies must actively adopt MadeinIndia components as demand creation is as critical as supply creation Distributors remain key market enablers in taking Indian components across India and into global supply chainsâ he notedTo further deepen the value chain the government launched ECMS scheme in 2025The scheme focuses on promoting domestic manufacturing of Printed Circuit Board electrical and mechanical components camera modules etcIndia has emerged as a significant electronics manufacturer and as a result of robust policy efforts electronics manufacturing has grown almost six times in last 11 years â increasing from Rs 19 lakh crore in 201415 to Rs 1132 lakh crore in 202425 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-okays-22-projects-under-electronics-component-pli-rs-41-863-crore-worth-investments-likely-656698.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pfrda-unveils-policy-reforms-to-promote-sustainable-growth-of-nps-656525.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authoritys PFRDA board has approved a framework to permit Scheduled Commercial Banks SCBs to independently set up Pension Funds to manage NPS with the objective of strengthening the pension ecosystem it was announced on Thursday This will enhance competition and safeguard subscriberâs interestsThe proposed framework seeks to address existing regulatory constraints that had limited bank participation till now said Ministry of Finance in a statementBy introducing a clearly defined eligibility criteria based on net worth market capitalisation and prudential soundness in line with RBI norms it will ensure that only wellcapitalised and systemically robust banks are permitted to sponsor Pension FundsâThe detailed criteria will be notified separately and will apply to both new and existing Pension Fundsâ the statement saidPFRDA has appointed three new Trustees on the Board of NPS Trust pursuant to the selection process initiated by PFRDAThese are Dinesh Kumar Khara Former Chairman State Bank of India Swati Anil Kulkarni Former Executive Vice President UTI AMCâTrustee and Dr Arvind Gupta CoFounder and Head Digital India Foundation and Member of the National Venture Capital Investment Committee under the Fund of Funds Scheme managed by SIDBIKhara has also been designated as the Chairperson of the NPS Trust BoardIn order to align with evolving realities aspirations of the public international benchmarks and the objective of expanding coverage across corporate retail and gigeconomy segments PFRDA has revised the Investment Management Fee IMF structure for Pension Funds to safeguard subscriber interests with effect from April 1 2026The revised slabbased IMF introduces differentiated rates for government and nongovernment sector subscribers which shall also apply to schemes under the Multiple Scheme Framework MSF with MSF corpus being counted separatelyPFRDA expects these policy reforms to help the subscribers and stakeholders to access a more competitive wellgoverned and resilient NPS ecosystem leading to improved longterm retirement outcomes and enhanced oldage income security IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pfrda-unveils-policy-reforms-to-promote-sustainable-growth-of-nps-656525.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/maruti-suzuki-india-exports-highest-ever-395-lakh-vehicles-in-2025-656533.html New Delhi Jan 1 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Thursday said it has exported 395 lakh vehicles in 2025 its highest ever in any calendar year This marks a growth of over 21 per cent as compared to 2024 the countryâs largest automaker said in a statementâThis is a proud moment for the company as we record our highestever calendar year exports of 395 lakh units It reflects Indiaâs manufacturing strength and trust of customers worldwideâ said Hisashi Takeuchi Managing Director and CEO Maruti Suzuki India LimitedAt a time when global trade is passing through a turbulent phase we regard this 21 per cent growth as a responsible contribution in supporting the nationâs export momentum Takeuchi addedAccording to the company this achievement is set to put it at the top as Indiaâs No 1 passenger vehicle exporter for the fifth consecutive yearIn 2025 Maruti Suzuki exported 18 models to over 100 countries The year also marked the commencement of export of Suzukiâs first Battery Electric Vehicle BEV the e VITARAFollowing the flagoff of the BEV by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Maruti Suzukiâs Hansalpur facility in August over 13000 units have already been exported to 29 countries predominantly in Europe said the companyEarlier in November the countryâs largest carmaker announced that it crossed a major milestone of 3 crore cumulative car sales in the domestic market The company said it took 28 years and 2 months to reach its first crore of sales while the next one crore cars were sold in just 7 years and 5 monthsAccording to the automaker the third crore milestone came even faster in a record time of 6 years and 4 months highlighting the brandâs growing popularity among Indian buyers Among the three crore cars sold in India the Maruti Alto remains the bestselling model with over 47 lakh units sold IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/maruti-suzuki-india-exports-highest-ever-395-lakh-vehicles-in-2025-656533.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/from-8th-pay-commission-to-lpg-price-hike-key-rule-changes-effective-from-jan-1-656535.html New Delhi Jan 1 The new year 2026 has begun and several new rules have come into effect from January 1 that are set to directly impact the finances of the common people One of the most significant changes is the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission from January 1 2026The Union government had already approved the move earlier The decision is expected to benefit around 50 lakh central government employees and nearly 69 lakh pensionersWith the new pay commission salaries of government employees may increase by 20 to 35 per centAt the same time the government has increased the price of LPG cylinders by â¹111 from January 1 2026However the hike applies only to 19kg commercial LPG cylinders Domestic LPG cylinders used for household cooking which weigh 142 kg have been kept unchanged providing relief to familiesThere has also been some relief on the fuel front Indraprastha Gas Limited IGL has revised CNG and PNG prices from the new yearCNG prices have been reduced by Rs 3 while PNG has become cheaper by Rs 070 However the revised rates will vary from city to cityAnother major change from January 1 relates to credit scores Until now credit scores were updated once a monthFrom 2026 onwards credit scores will be updated every week or every seven days This means that people who pay their EMIs on time will see the benefits reflected more quickly in their credit profilesThe deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar ended on December 31 2025 If the PAN was not linked to Aadhaar by this date the PAN card becomes inactive from January 1An inactive PAN can create problems in filing income tax returns and carrying out highvalue banking transactionsThe central government has also introduced a new system for beneficiaries of the PM Kisan scheme in the form of a Farmer IDFrom January 1 2026 this system is being implemented in several states including Uttar Pradesh Bihar and Madhya Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/from-8th-pay-commission-to-lpg-price-hike-key-rule-changes-effective-from-jan-1-656535.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-construction-sector-projected-to-see-8-10-pc-revenue-growth-in-fy27-656546.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Indian construction sector is projected to see 810 per cent revenue growth in FY27 marginally better than the 68 per cent growth anticipated for FY26 a report showed on Thursday ICRA also maintained a âStableâ outlook on the domestic construction sectorâRoadfocused construction entities will continue to see muted performance however construction entities focused on urban infrastructure irrigation and energy segment should register healthy growthâ said Suprio Banerjee Vice President and CoGroup Head ICRAThe credit profile of diversified construction players is expected to benefit while entities focused primarily on the road sector or the JalJeevan mission could face challenges in the near to medium termAccording to the report construction Gross Value Added GVA growth is projected to moderate to 65â75 per cent in FY26 down from the robust 94 per cent recorded in FY25Construction GVA growth had slowed to 72 per cent in Q2 FY26 from 76 per cent in Q1 but remained above 7 per cent for the 12th consecutive quarterAs of September 30 2025 the order booktobilling ratio was approximately 37 times based on FY2025 operating income maintaining satisfactory levels and suggesting healthy revenue growth potential in the medium termWhile competitive intensity in the construction sector remains high operating margins are likely to remain stable at around 103108 per cent in FY2026 and FY2027 supported by operating leverage benefits and stable commodity prices though this is below the 119 per cent seen in FY2022âWhile the competitive intensity in the construction sector continues to remain high the operating margins supported by operating leverage benefits and stable commodity prices are likely to keep margins stable at around 103108 per cent in FY2026 and FY2027â said BanerjeeICRA expects the cash conversion cycle to remain at levels similar to FY2025 during FY2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-construction-sector-projected-to-see-8-10-pc-revenue-growth-in-fy27-656546.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-end-flat-on-1st-trading-day-of-2026-656549.html Mumbai Jan 1 Indian equity markets ended the first trading session of the calendar year 2026 on a flat note as investors stayed cautious in the absence of strong domestic or global triggers At the close of trade the Sensex slipped marginally by 32 points or 004 per cent to settle at 851886The Nifty meanwhile edged higher by 1695 points or 006 per cent to close at 2614655âFor the Nifty 26000â26050 continues to act as an immediate support zone as long as this area holds the shortterm bias remains constructiveâ an analyst saidOn the upside 26250â26300 stands out as a crucial supply zone A decisive and sustained breakout above this band could open the path toward 26400â26500 market watchers statedSelling pressure was seen in select heavyweight stocks on the BSE with ITC Bajaj Finance Asian Paints and BEL ending the session among the top losersOn the other hand shares of NTPC Eternal Larsen amp Toubro Power Grid and Mahindra amp Mahindra supported the market and closed higherThe broader markets showed a mixed trend The Nifty Midcap 100 index gained 044 per cent while the NSE Smallcap 100 slipped slightly by 005 per centOn the sectoral front FMCG stocks witnessed sharp selling The Nifty FMCG index fell 317 per cent making it the worstperforming sector of the dayThe decline was mainly driven by a nearly 10 per cent fall in ITC shares as investors reacted to concerns over the governmentâs decision to impose additional taxes on tobacco products from February 1In contrast the auto sector outperformed the broader market The Nifty Auto index rose more than 1 per cent after several automobile manufacturers reported their sales numbers for December 2025Other sectors such as IT metal banking and realty also ended the session in positive territoryAnalysts said that the markets remained rangebound on the first day of the new year with gains in some sectors offset by weakness in FMCG stocks keeping the benchmark indices largely unchanged IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-end-flat-on-1st-trading-day-of-2026-656549.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gail-gas-cuts-domestic-png-and-cng-costs-across-authorised-areas-656556.html New Delhi Jan 1 GAIL Gas Limited on Thursday announced to reduce the cost of domestic Piped Natural Gas PNG and Compressed Natural Gas CNG by Rs 1 per SCM Standard Cubic Meter and Rs 1 per kg respectively across all its authorised areas in the country The price cut comes into effect from January 1 in GAIL Gas Geographical Areas GAs in Uttar Pradesh Karnataka Madhya Pradesh Haryana Uttarakhand Jharkhand Chhattisgarh Rajasthan and OdishaâThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board PNGRB continue to implement progressive policy measures that are fostering a favourable and financially sustainable ecosystem for the growth of the CNG and domestic PNG market in Indiaâ said GAIL Gas Chief Executive OfficerâThe recent revision of the Unified Tariff by PNGRB from January 1 2026 including the applicability of Zone1 tariff to City Gas Distribution CGD entities for CNG and domestic PNG segments is set to significantly reduce the transportation cost of natural gas the GAIL Gas executive addedThe decision to reduce prices is in line with the Government of Indiaâs vision of a gasbased economy and to further encourage the adoption of clean fuelsGAIL Gas Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Maharatna PSU GAIL India Limited and is implementing City Gas Distribution networks in 16 Geographical Areas GAsMeanwhile GAIL India Limited the countryâs largest natural gas company reported a consolidated performance marked by steady revenue growth and improved profitability in the second quarter of FY 202526 According to a recent Crisil report city gas distribution CGD companies in India are projected to clock an operating profit of Rs 72â75 per standard cubic metre scm this fiscal up 812 per cent compared with the second half of last fiscal when margins dropped because of a sudden and steep decline in gas allocation under the administered price mechanism APM for the compressed natural gas CNG segmentConsequently distributors had to take recourse to the spot gas market for supply which exerted upward pressure on cost The companies have thereafter transitioned to contracted supplies which is expected to burnish margins IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gail-gas-cuts-domestic-png-and-cng-costs-across-authorised-areas-656556.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kyv-discontinued-for-cars-on-new-fastag-issued-after-feb-1-nhai-656559.html New Delhi Jan 1 The National Highways Authority of India NHAI on Thursday announced to discontinue the Know Your Vehicle KYV process for cars for all new FASTag issuances with effect from February 1 2026 This is a major step to enhance public convenience and eliminate postactivation harassment faced by highway users of cars jeeps and vansâThis reform will bring significant relief to lakhs of common road users who were facing inconvenience and delays after FASTag activation due to postissuance KYV requirements despite having valid vehicle documentsâ said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in a statementFor existing FASTags already issued to cars KYV will no longer be mandatory as a routine requirementKYV will be required only in specific cases where complaints are received such as issues related to loose FASTags incorrect issuance or misuse In the absence of any complaint no KYV will be required for existing car FASTagsTo ensure accuracy compliance and system integrity while simplifying the process for users NHAI has simultaneously strengthened preactivation validation norms for Issuer BanksâFASTag activation will be permitted only after validation of vehicle details from the VAHAN database The earlier provision allowing validation after activation has been discontinued Where vehicle details are not available on VAHAN Issuer Banks must validate details using the Registration Certificate RC before activation with full accountabilityâ according to revised normsFASTags sold through online channels will also be activated only after complete validation by banksThese measures ensure that all vehicle verification is completed upfront removing the need for repeated followups with customers after FASTag activationAccording to the ministry these reforms reflect NHAIâs continued commitment to making the FASTag ecosystem citizenfriendly transparent and technologydriven while simultaneously strengthening compliance and reducing grievancesBy shifting the responsibility of validation entirely to Issuer Banks prior to activation NHAI aims to deliver a hasslefree experience for National Highway users IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kyv-discontinued-for-cars-on-new-fastag-issued-after-feb-1-nhai-656559.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/vodafone-idea-receives-gst-penalty-order-of-rs-63791-crore-to-take-legal-action-656566.html New Delhi Jan 1 Vodafone Idea on Thursday said it has received a GST penalty order of Rs 63791 crore passed under Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act CGST 2017 In an exchange filing the telecom company said it received the penalty order from the Office of the Additional Commissioner Central Goods and Services Tax CGST Ahmedabad South on December 31The order has been passed under Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 âconfirming a penalty of Rs 6379068254 along with the demand of tax and applicable interestâ the company saidIt further stated that the âCompany does not agree with the Order and will take appropriate legal actions against the sameâThe order alleges short payment of Tax and excess availment of Input Tax Credit The maximum financial impact is to the extent of tax demand interest and penalty leviedHowever the telecom operator said it does not agree with the order and will take appropriate legal action against itEarlier on Wednesday Vodafone Idea issued a clarification after reports claimed that the Union Cabinet had approved a fiveyear moratorium and frozen the companyâs adjusted gross revenue AGR dues at Rs 87695 croreIn a stock exchange filing Vodafone Idea said the reports were speculative in nature and that it had not received any official communication confirming such a decision âWe have not received any communication from the Government in relation to the above reported matterâ the telecom operator stated in its exchange filingâAs and when there is any development which requires disclosure we will do the needfulâ it addedThe clarification came amid heightened market reaction to the reports Following the earlier report Vodafone Idea shares witnessed heavy selling pressureThe companyâs shares closed at Rs 1163 apiece up by 8 per cent on Thursday IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/vodafone-idea-receives-gst-penalty-order-of-rs-63791-crore-to-take-legal-action-656566.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/commercial-lpg-cylinder-pricing-reflects-international-benchmark-pricing-govt-656588.html New Delhi Jan 1 Amid reports of a Rs 111 increase in the price of commercial LPG cylinders the Government on Thursday said that commercial LPG prices are marketdetermined and directly linked to international benchmarks Any revision in commercial LPG prices reflects changes in global LPG prices and related costs while domestic LPG prices for household consumers remain unchanged Ministry of Petroleum amp Natural Gas saidThe ministry said that India imports around 60 per cent of its total LPG requirementAs a result domestic LPG pricing is linked to international prices with Saudi Contract Price CP acting as the global benchmarkAccordingly revisions in commercial LPG prices reflect movements in global LPG prices and associated costs The prices of domestic LPG remains unchanged the ministry addedWhile the average Saudi CP increased by about 21 per cent from 385 per metric tonne in July 2023 to 466 per metric tonne in November 2025 domestic LPG prices in India were actually reduced by around 22 per cent during the same periodThe price came down from Rs 1103 in August 2023 to Rs 853 in November 2025To protect household consumers the effective price of a 142 kg domestic LPG cylinder which costs around Rs 950 is being provided at Rs 853 for nonPMUY consumers in DelhiFor beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana PMUY the effective price is even lower at Rs 553This marks a reduction of nearly 39 per cent for PMUY consumers compared to Rs 903 in August 2023 highlighting the Governmentâs focus on ensuring continued access to clean cooking fuel for economically weaker sections There has been no change in these pricesFor the financial year 2025â26 the Government has approved the continuation of a targeted subsidy of Rs 300 per domestic LPG cylinder for PMUY beneficiaries covering up to nine refills per yearAn expenditure of Rs 12000 crore has been approved for this purpose reinforcing the commitment to affordable clean energy for householdsDespite a rise in international LPG prices during 2024â25 the increased cost was not passed on to domestic consumersThis resulted in losses of about Rs 40000 crore for Oil Marketing Companies OMCs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/commercial-lpg-cylinder-pricing-reflects-international-benchmark-pricing-govt-656588.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 07:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sebi-bars-26-traders-for-price-manipulation-in-du-digital-global-shares-656600.html Mumbai Jan 1 The Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has taken strict action against alleged price manipulation in the shares of DU Digital Global a company listed on the SME platform The market regulator has barred 26 individuals from trading in the securities market after finding that they were involved in artificially inflating the stock priceIn a detailed 142page order Sebi has directed the individuals to return illegal gains amounting to more than Rs 9878 lakhIn addition it has imposed monetary penalties totalling Rs 185 crore The regulatorâs action follows an investigation into an unusually sharp rise in the share price of DU Digital Global which jumped from around Rs 12 in August 2021 to a peak of Rs 29605 in November 2022According to the market regulator the steep rise in the stock price was not supported by the companyâs business performance or any positive corporate announcementsThe regulator noted that there was no legitimate reason for the share price to surge by about 2467 per cent within a yearThe investigation found that a group of connected traders had used deceptive and coordinated trading strategies to create artificial demand and trading volumes in the stockSEBI observed that such practices including synchronised and circular trades serve no genuine economic purpose and are aimed only at misleading investors by manipulating pricesSEBI also pointed out that some of the individuals involved had faced regulatory action in earlier cases indicating a repeated pattern of market misconductThe regulator said that when connected entities manipulate stock prices in this manner ordinary investors ultimately suffer lossesEmphasising the need to protect investors and maintain trust in the SME segment SEBI said strong regulatory action is necessary to deter such behaviour and preserve the integrity of the securities marketThe trading ban imposed on the 26 individuals will remain in force for periods ranging from one year to 30 monthsDU Digital Global earlier known as DU Digital Technologies was listed on the NSEâs SME platform in August 2021SEBI said the case highlights the risks of price manipulation in smaller and less liquid stocks and the importance of investor caution IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sebi-bars-26-traders-for-price-manipulation-in-du-digital-global-shares-656600.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-an-opportunity-for-positive-change-president-murmu-656495.html New Delhi Jan 1 IANS Describing Artificial Intelligence AI as an opportunity for positive change President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launchednbsp Skill the Nation challenge at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural CentrenbspAddressing the gathering the President said that Artificial Intelligence is reshaping economies and societies worldwidenbspIt is transforming how we learn how we work how we access modern services and how we address humanitys greatest challenges For a young nation like India AI is not just a technology but a tremendous opportunity for positive change she saidThe President said that Indias approach has always been that technology should empower people promote inclusion and expand opportunities for allnbspShe said the use of AI should aim to bridge social economic and technological divides It is essential to ensure that its benefits reach people of all backgrounds and ages especially those from marginalised communitiesThe President was happy to note that students are preparing themselves for a future full of possibilities and opportunitiesnbspShe urged them to remember that technology their knowledge and skills should be used to serve society find solutions to challenges and empower othersnbspPresident Murmu appreciated the Members of Parliament who have completed AI learning modules and said that by learning about emerging technologies themselves they have set an example of leadership through learningnbspThe President said that AI is emerging as a growth driver for the Indian economyIn the coming decade AI will play a significant role in the countrys GDP employment and overall productivity Skills such as data science AI engineering and data analytics will play a crucial role in developing the countrys AI talent pool She stated that the government in collaboration with various institutions industry partners and academia is ensuring that India not only adopts technology but also shapes a responsible future through itShe urged all to work together with commitment to build a developed India and contribute to making India a knowledge superpower in line with the National Education Policy and to building a techdriven inclusive and prosperous IndianbspThis event organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is part of the continued commitment of the Government towards preparing Indias workforce for an AIdriven futurenbspShe also virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur Odisha https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-an-opportunity-for-positive-change-president-murmu-656495.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-mining-sector-surges-ahead-on-the-back-of-radical-reforms-in-2025-656428.html New Delhi Dec 31 The Ministry of Mines implemented comprehensive policy reforms to modernise Indiaâs mining ecosystem and strengthen mineral security in 2025 an official statement said on Wednesday Key measures included the enactment of the MMDR Amendment Act 2025 expansion and renaming of the National Mineral Exploration Trust NMET to National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust NMEDT reflecting its expanded role to not just explore but also facilitate the development and overseas acquisition of strategic minerals funded by increased contributions from mining lessees as part of major 2025 mining reformsNMEDTâs enhanced funding streamlined auction processes with defined timelines removal of restrictions on captive mine sales reclassification of select minerals as major minerals notification of royalty rates for critical minerals promotion of mineral exchanges and implementation of offshore mining reforms were important milestones achieved during the year said the statementTogether these reforms aim to improve transparency ease of doing business accelerate mineral production and support sustainable development positioning the mining sector as a strategic pillar in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 according to a statement issued by the Ministry of MinesThe year 2025 witnessed a sharp acceleration in the countryâs mineral resource development A total of 141 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned by December 5 2025 This included 79 blocks auctioned for Mining Lease ML and 62 blocks awarded as Composite Licence CLThis is the highest number of blocks auctioned in a single year since the auction regime began in 2015 reflecting faster processes and stronger participation from states and the industry Notably Assam and Uttarakhand have auctioned mineral blocks for the very first time during this period marking their presence into the auction map of IndiaSince the introduction of the auction regime in 2015 585 mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned in the countryDuring the year Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have auctioned the highest number of blocks with figures of 33 and 22 respectively Among the minerals Limestone accounted for the largest number of auctions 41 followed by Iron Ore 32 and Bauxite 22A Mining Dashboard was also launched on April 4 2025 to enable near realtime tracking of auctioned mineral blocks associated clearances and delays The Dashboard serves as a critical tool to fasttrack the operationalisation of mineral blocks by monitoring key milestones such as issuance of letter of intent LoI execution of lease deeds and grant of statutory clearance With both public and private access modes it enhances transparency and accountability while enabling close oversight by the State and Central GovernmentsIn an important milestone The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the National Critical Mineral Mission NCMM in January 2025 with a financial outlay of Rs 16300 crore and expected investment of Rs 18000 crore from PSUs and other companies The Mission aims to secure a longterm sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen Indiaâs critical mineral value chains encompassing all stages from mineral exploration and mining to beneficiation processing and recovery from endoflife productsIndia has also entered new USled multilateral Minerals Security Partnership for secure supply chains of critical minerals aimed at reducing dependency on China This will help securing minerals for Indian IndustriesOn December 4 2025 India also held discussions with the International Energy Agency on strengthening cooperation in the critical minerals value chain enhancing datadriven collaboration and exploring joint opportunities to support Indiaâs clean energy ecosystem Besides MoUs have been signed with Argentina Mongolia Japan and Bolivia to expedite mineral exploration and productionPublic sector companies under the Ministry of Mines such as National Aluminium Company limited NALCO and Hindustan Copper have also come up with a robust performance in 2025 NALCO recorded net profit of Rs 5325 crore in FY 202425 and posted a revenue of Rs 16788 crore The company continued to retain its position of lowest cost producer in bauxite and alumina production in the world in 2024Hindustan Copper Limited posted a 54 per cent increase in profit before tax at Rs 63351 crore in FY 202425 from Rs 41043 crore in FY 202324 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-mining-sector-surges-ahead-on-the-back-of-radical-reforms-in-2025-656428.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/swiggy-zomato-hike-delivery-incentives-amid-nationwide-gig-workers-strike-call-656430.html New Delhi Dec 31 Food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have rolled out higher incentives for its delivery workers during peak hours and yearâend days amid a nationwide strike call by gig and platform workers The incentive push follows calls by delivery worker unions for strikes on December 25 and December 31 to protest pay working conditions and lack of social securityZomato has offered delivery partners payouts of Rs 120â150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and 12 am as it is set to face higher order volumes around New Yearâs EveThe company also promised earnings of up to Rs 3000 over the course of the day subject to order volumes and availability The platform has also temporarily waived penalties on order denials and cancellations to reduce income risk during uneven order flowSwiggy offered delivery workers earnings of up to Rs 10000 across December 31 2025 and January 1 2026 with peakâhour pay of up to Rs 2000 between 6 pm and 12 am on New Yearâs Eve Quick commerce player Zepto has also increased incentives for delivery partnersEarlier on December 25 2025 strike brief localised disruptions were reported in food delivery though platforms said operations stabilised later in the day Unions have claimed wider participation and urged continued mobilisation on December 31 2025On NSE Swiggy Limited shares were priced at Rs 39055 apiece down Rs 1345 or 333 per cent over the past five days Over the same period Eternal Limited parent company of Zomato dropped by Rs 560 or 196 per cent to Rs 280Gig and platform workers in India benefit from formal legal recognition portable socialâsecurity benefits and a national registration framework through eShram under provisions of the Code on Social Security 2020 of the new labour codesUnder the Social Security code aggregators are required to contribute 1â2 per cent of annual turnover capped at 5 per cent of payments made or payable to gig and platform workers to a Social Security Fund an official statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/swiggy-zomato-hike-delivery-incentives-amid-nationwide-gig-workers-strike-call-656430.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/oral-bacterium-may-worsen-disability-in-multiple-sclerosis-patients-study-656300.html New Delhi Dec 30 Abundance of severe gum disease periodontitis may worsen disability for people with multiple sclerosis MS a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system Previous studies have shown that periodontitis may contribute to central nervous system disorders through chronic inflammation However its role in multiple sclerosis has been unclearThe new research published in the journal Scientific Reports found that high levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum a bacterium found in the mouth were associated with about tenfold higher odds of severe disability in multiple sclerosis patientsWhile the gut microbiome has been extensively investigated in multiple sclerosis the potential involvement of the oral microbiome has remained largely unexplored Because the oral cavity is a major source of chronic inflammation and represents a potentially modifiable factor clarifying its relationship with multiple sclerosis severity is important for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new preventive strategies said Masahiro Nakamori an associate professor and lecturer at Hiroshima University HospitalThe team noted that nearly twothirds 615 per cent of multiple sclerosis patients with a high relative abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum fell into the moderatetosevere disability range compared with roughly onefifth 186 per cent of those with milder diseaseNo such association was observed in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodyassociated disease MS patients with both Fusobacterium nucleatum and at least one other periodontal pathogen showed even higher disabilityFusobacterium nucleatum may act as a hidden bridge bacterium not only bridging bacterial communities in dental biofilms but also potentially linking oral inflammation to neurological disability said NakamoriMS is a central inflammatory demyelinating disease that targets the myelin sheath the protective layer that wraps around some nerve cellsWhile the specific cause of multiple sclerosis remains unknown viral infections smoking vitamin deficiencies and genetic predispositions are thought to be possible contributing factorsThe team now hopes to conduct larger multicenter studies to validate the association between oral bacteria and multiple sclerosis severity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/oral-bacterium-may-worsen-disability-in-multiple-sclerosis-patients-study-656300.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-in-worlds-top-2-list-as-social-protection-coverage-of-citizens-crosses-64-pc-656314.html New Delhi Dec 30 Indiaâs social protection coverage has risen sharply from 19 per cent in 2015 to 643 per cent in 2025 taking the country to the second rank in the world after China in providing social protection to its citizens After the increase in the number of social welfare schemes for the poor the latest labour reforms announced by the government this year are expected to enhance this security furtherIndia has been conferred with the prestigious International Social Security Association ISSA Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security in Malaysia in October this yearKeeping up the momentum of reforms Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana on August 15 2025 with an outlay of Rs 99446 crore with the aim to incentivise the creation of more than 35 crore jobs in the country over a period of 2 years Out of these 192 crore beneficiaries will be first timers entering the workforceMore than 235 lakh establishments have been registered on the PMVBRY portal so far with the number of first time employee beneficiaries estimated at over 207 lakhIn order to support employment generation enhance employability and social security across all sectors the scheme has been launched with a special focus on the manufacturing sector Under the Scheme while the firsttime employees will get one monthâs wage up to Rs 15000 the employers will be given incentives for a period of up to two years for generating additional employment with extended benefits for another two years for the manufacturing sectorIn a landmark reform the government consolidated 29 existing labour laws into four Labour Codes the Code on Wages 2019 the Industrial Relations Code 2020 the Code on Social Security 2020 and the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code 2020The new framework enhances ease of doing business while expanding wage security social protection and workplace safety for workers including women migrant gig and platform workersThe code on wages aims to strengthen workersâ rights while promoting simplicity and uniformity in wagerelated compliance for employers Uniform definition of wages and statutory minimum wages across sectors improving income security and reducing disputesThe industrial relations code simplifies laws related to trade unions conditions of employment in industrial establishment or undertaking investigation and settlement of industrial disputesThe social security extends social security to all workers including unorganized gig and platform workerscovering life health maternity and provident fund benefits while introducing digital systems and facilitatorbased compliance for greater efficiencyThe code on occupational safety and health aims to safeguard worker rights and safe working conditions and creating a businessfriendly regulatory environmentIn order to further enhance social security benefits EPFO has undertaken a major digital transformation during the year with the autosettlement of claims up to Rs 5 Lakh a centralised Pension System and a FATenabled UAN activation to make life easier for subscribers of the schemeSimilarly benefits for workers have been increased with the expansion of the Employees State Insurance Corporation ESIC footprint to 713 districts in the country from 688 districts earlier The number of beds in hospitals run under the ESIC scheme have been increased threefold to 87715 in FY 202425ESIC has also launched the scheme to Promote Registration of EmployersEmployees SPREE 2025 providing a onetime opportunity for employers and employees who may have been inadvertently left out from ESI coverage to register without any concern for retrospective coverage or punitive action IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-in-worlds-top-2-list-as-social-protection-coverage-of-citizens-crosses-64-pc-656314.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-inks-contracts-worth-rs-4-666-crore-for-close-quarter-battle-carbine-heavy-weight-torpedoes-656320.html New Delhi Dec 30 The government on Tuesday announced it has signed contracts worth Rs 4666 crore for the procurement of Close Quarter Battle CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes The contract for over 425 lakh CQB carbines along with accessories worth Rs 2770 crore for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy was signed with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt LtdThe CQB carbine provides a critical edge in close combat through its compact design and high rate of fire ensuring rapid decisive lethality in confined spacesThe contract highlights the synergy between the government and the private sector which will further give impetus to the âMake in Indiaâ initiative the Defence Ministry saidThis project will also play a pivotal role in boosting the overall economy increasing employment avenues and will also empower indigenous defence industries by encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing and raw material supply it addedThe contract for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes along with associated equipment for Kalvari Class Submarines P75 of the Indian Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 1896 crore was signed with WASS Submarine Systems SRL ItalyThe acquisition will enhance the combat capability of the six Kalvari Class submarines The delivery of torpedoes will commence from April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030 said the ministryThese torpedoes have significant operational capabilities and advanced technological featuresThis achievement marks the culmination of an extraordinary persistent effort to equip Indian soldiers with worldclass lethality replacing legacy systems with cuttingedge indigenous technology under the âAatmanirbhar Bharatâ vision the Defence Ministry statement saidThe contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar SinghThe Ministry of Defence has signed capital contracts amounting to Rs 182492 crore for the modernisation of the Armed Forces in the financial year 202526 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-inks-contracts-worth-rs-4-666-crore-for-close-quarter-battle-carbine-heavy-weight-torpedoes-656320.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/jampk-cik-cracks-down-on-digital-propaganda-ring-656332.html Srinagar Dec 30 The CounterIntelligence Wing Kashmir CIK on Tuesday cracked down on the digital propaganda ring as the NIA court declared the accused as absconding A CIK statement claimed that in a decisive action against antinational propaganda and secessionist misinformation the CIK has tightened the noose around a digital network involved in spreading destabilising content across social media platformsâThe Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar has proclaimed under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure CrPC against the accused persons in FIR No 072020 registered by CIKâ it saidIt said that the case involves serious offences under Sections 153A and 505 of the IPC along with Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPAâThe FIR was lodged following credible intelligence inputs indicating a coordinated conspiracy by antinational and antisocial elements operating at the behest of secessionist forces within and outside the Kashmir Valleyâ it saidThe CIK added that the investigations revealed that the accused were posing as journalists freelancers and news portals while systematically misusing social media platforms such as Facebook X and WhatsAppâThese platforms were allegedly used to circulate fake exaggerated and misleading narratives aimed at inciting street violence disturbing public order damaging public property and fostering disaffection against the Union of Indiaâ it addedThe CIK further pointed out that the accused were actively disseminating content prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India with the intent to fuel unrest and advance a secessionist agendaâFollowing the issuance of arrest warrants all three went underground and are currently abscondingâ it saidTaking serious note of their deliberate evasion of the law the CIK said that the Special NIA Court has directed the accused to appear before it on or before January 31 2026 âThe court has warned that failure to comply will invite proceedings under Section 83 CrPC including attachment of propertyâ it saidThe CIK said that despite being declared absconders the accused are continuing their activities on social media persisting with hostile and provocative propaganda aimed at destabilising peace in Jammu and KashmirâCounter Intelligence Kashmir has reiterated its firm resolve to act against antinational propaganda digital subversion and misuse of social media warning that such activities will be dealt with strictly in accordance with lawâ it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/jampk-cik-cracks-down-on-digital-propaganda-ring-656332.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/south-central-railway-to-expand-coverage-of-cctv-surveillance-system-656351.html Hyderabad Dec 30 South Central Railway General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava on Tuesday held a detailed review meeting on the safety of train operations across the zone and advised Divisional Railway Managers to expand the coverage of the CCTV surveillance system Srivastava stated that the CCTV surveillance system will be effective and crucial in the prevention of miscreant activities He advised the DRMs to expand the coverage of the CCTV surveillance system to have comprehensive and extensive monitoring of the safety and security at all strategic locationsHe also advised the divisional officers that all the stabled coaches are locked properly and safety measures are to be observed at railway premises including station areas yards and sidingsThe meeting was held a day after two coaches of the TatanagarErnakulam Express caught fire at Yelamanchili railway station in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh A passenger died in the accidentThe meeting held at Rail Nilayam Secunderabad was attended by Satya Prakash Additional General Manager SCR and Principal Heads of Departments Divisional Railway Managers of all six divisions Secunderabad Hyderabad Vijayawada Guntur Guntakal and Nanded participated through video conferenceAccording to a statement from SCR the safety meeting emphasised the importance of human observance in every safety system or equipment The General Manager said that every safety system has some limitations and as humans we need to observe the correctness of the system That involvement keeps train operations safeHe stressed the need for timely communication to higher officials regarding any disruptions or unusual incidents during train operations or on the tracks The meeting also stressed winter preparedness and also on signal aspects and their workingThe General Manager advised to ensure the cleanliness of the coaches lighting and airconditioning to avoid complaints from the passengers and rail usersHe instructed officers and staff to conduct regular checks at level crossing gates etc He also reviewed on punctuality performance of trains across the zone He examined the divisionwise punctuality statistics and instructed the Divisional Railway Managers to identify and monitor the trains which have lost punctuality and take appropriate measures to improve their punctuality IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/south-central-railway-to-expand-coverage-of-cctv-surveillance-system-656351.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/2026-will-be-a-turning-point-for-ai-as-focus-shifts-from-hype-to-real-world-use-satya-nadella-656358.html New Delhi Dec 30 Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has said that 2026 will be a crucial year for artificial intelligence marking a shift from experimentation and excitement to wider realworld adoption of the technology In a blog post Nadella said the AI industry is moving beyond flashy demonstrations and beginning to separate âspectacleâ from âsubstanceâ to better understand where AI can deliver meaningful impactThe pace of AI development has been extremely fast but admitted that the ability to use these powerful systems in practical ways has not kept up Nadella acknowledgedHe described the current situation as a phase of âmodel overhangâ where AI models are becoming more capable than our ability to apply them effectively in everyday life businesses and societyâWe are still in the opening miles of a marathonâ Nadella wrote noting that while progress has been remarkable much about AIâs future remains uncertainMany of todayâs AI capabilities are yet to translate into tangible outcomes that improve productivity decisionmaking or human wellbeing at scale he saidReflecting on the early days of personal computing Nadella referred to Steve Jobsâ famous idea of computers being âbicycles for the mindâ tools that help humans think and work betterThis idea needs to evolve in the age of AI he added in the blog postInstead of replacing human thinking AI systems should be designed to support and strengthen it acting as cognitive tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively Nadella mentionedAccording to Nadella the real value of AI does not lie in how powerful a model is but in how people choose to use itHe said the debate should move away from judging AI outputs as either lowquality or highly sophisticated and instead focus on how humans adapt to working with these new tools in everyday interactions and decisionmakingThe Microsoft chief also stressed that for AI to create real impact the industry must move beyond simply building advanced modelsHe said there is a growing need to build complete systems around AI including software workflows and safeguards that allow the technology to be used reliably and responsiblyWhile AI is advancing rapidly he admitted that current systems still have rough edges and limitations that need careful management IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/2026-will-be-a-turning-point-for-ai-as-focus-shifts-from-hype-to-real-world-use-satya-nadella-656358.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/delhi-govt-joins-hands-with-iit-kanpur-for-ai-based-grievance-redressal-system-656171.html New Delhi Dec 29 In a major step toward transparent and efficient governance the Delhi government in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Kanpur is all set to implement an Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System IGMS Information Technology Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Monday He said the AIpowered platform will integrate Delhiâs main grievance redressal portals into one unified dashboard enabling smarter analysis quicker resolutions and enhanced public service deliveryCurrently Delhi citizens can lodge complaints through various systems including the Public Grievance Management System While each portal serves a purpose its disconnected operation often leads to delays duplication and a lack of holistic oversightThe new IGMS developed by IIT Kanpur will seamlessly integrate these platforms using secure APIs and advanced AIML tools he saidSome of the features will include a Unified Dashboard a single view of all grievances filed across PGMS LG Listening Post Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System CPGRAMS and other grievance portalsIt will also have Semantic Search that allows users to search complaints by meaning not just keywords Root Cause Analysis which identifies underlying issues behind recurring grievances and Department Prediction and Spam FilteringIIT Kanpur will handle system integration cybersecurity audits Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing and maintenance of the portal This initiative aims to bring greater transparency accountability and efficiency to Delhiâs grievance redressal mechanism he saidPankaj Kumar Singh said âWe are embracing technology to serve Delhiâs citizens better This AIdriven grievance monitoring system will not only integrate multiple portals but also empower our officials with datadriven insights It is a leap toward responsive accountable and citizencentric governanceâThe Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System IGMS is an artificial intelligence and machine learningbased platform designed to consolidate analyse and monitor public grievances It aims to enhance governmental efficiency improve complaint resolution times and foster trust between the government and citizens IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/delhi-govt-joins-hands-with-iit-kanpur-for-ai-based-grievance-redressal-system-656171.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/reliance-industries-refutes-report-says-no-claim-of-30-billion-against-the-company-and-bp-656174.html Mumbai Dec 29 Reliance Industries on Monday refuted a media report saying there is no claim of 30 billion from the Indian government against the company and BP In a statement Reliance Industries said the contents of the report titled âIndia claims 30 billion from Reliance Industries BP for underproduction from gas field sources sayâ are factually incorrect adding that the âpublication of a report such as this based on unnamed and unidentified sources is inappropriate and irresponsibleâThe statement further stated that there is âNO claim of 30 Billion against Reliance and BP The claim made by Government of India in relation to KG D6 Block is of the order of 247 Million which has been appropriately and consistently disclosed in the Companyâs annual audited financial statements in accordance with its disclosure requirementsâAccording to the company the matters referred to in the report are âentirely sub judice and would be determined in accordance with the laws of the country by its judicial system in which Reliance has full faithââReliance Industries Limited together with its partner BP has at all times complied with its contractual and legal obligations and take strong exception to mischaracterisation of facts in the reportâ it addedBP and Reliance Industries Limited RIL in 2020 announced the start of their new Indian fuels and mobility joint venture Reliance bp Mobility Limited RBML Following initial agreements in 2019 bp and RIL teams have worked closely over the past few months in a challenging environment to complete the transaction as plannedOperating under the âJiobpâ brand the joint venture aims to become a leading player in Indias fuels and mobility markets BP brings its extensive global experience in highquality differentiated fuels lubricants retail and advanced low carbon mobility solutions according to an earlier BP statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/reliance-industries-refutes-report-says-no-claim-of-30-billion-against-the-company-and-bp-656174.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ensure-weight-loss-medicines-are-safe-legitimate-before-new-year-resolution-uks-health-agency-656175.html New Delhi Dec 29 New Year is the time for many people to pledge reforms in habits and lifestyle something resorting to drastic measures but UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MHRA has urged the people to make sure any weightloss medicines they use are safe effective and legitimate The MHRA has warned about the serious risks linked to buying weightloss products from unregulated websites or through social media where products sold illegally may be fake contaminated incorrectly dosed or contain powerful ingredients not listed on the packaging Britains Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said in a press statement on MondayThese can lead to dangerous side effects including heart problems psychological effects and dangerously low blood sugar it addedSafe appropriate licensed obesity drugs can greatly benefit those with a clinical need but should be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription the statement quoted UKs Health Minister Zubir Ahmed himself a practising doctorThe MHRA has advised to not buy prescriptiononly medicines without a prescription and procure medicines from registered pharmacies or legitimate retailersIt also urged people to avoid weightloss products promoted on social media especially those promising quick fixes miracle results or unusually low prices which it ascribed as being common signs of illegal sellersIf considering weightloss treatment one should talk to the general practitioner or qualified medical doctor pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professionalPeople often look for ways to support their health at this time of year but buying medicines from illegal online sellers can put your health at real risk Always make sure you are using authorised products from legitimate sources and speak to a healthcare professional for advice on safe evidencebased options the statement added quoting Jenn Matthissen from the MHRAs Safety and Surveillance teamThe MHRA an executive agency of UKs Department of Health and Social Care is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the country by ensuring they work and are acceptably safeEarlier the US Food and Drug Administration FDA had also warned about unapproved versions of certain drugs as an option for weight lossIt termed such drugs risky for patients as unapproved versions do not undergo FDAs review for safety effectiveness and quality before they are marketed IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ensure-weight-loss-medicines-are-safe-legitimate-before-new-year-resolution-uks-health-agency-656175.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-framework-to-standardise-innovation-assessment-boost-deeptech-ecosystem-656223.html New Delhi Dec 30 The government has unveiled a new framework to establish a unified objective yardstick to measure the maturity of technology projects from laboratory conception to commercial deployment The framework is open for public consultation until January 31 2026 It aims to serve as the operational backbone for various RampD funds launched under National MissionsBy providing a rigorous methodology to assess projects across the nine Technology Readiness Levels TRL ranging from Proof of Concept TRL 13 to Prototype Development TRL 46 and Operational Deployment TRL 79 the framework will enable funding bodies to allocate resources with greater precision and derisk earlystage technologies for private investmentHighlighting the critical need for a common language between researchers and investors Professor Ajay Kumar Sood Principal Scientific Adviser PSA to the government said that for too long the Indian deeptech ecosystem has faced a precarious situation where academia and industry speak different dialects regarding technology readinessâThis mismatch often creates a Valley of Death between TRL 4 and TRL 7 where funding dries up due to perceived risks The NTRAF moves us from subjective narratives to objective evidence ensuring that we are not just funding science experiments but scalable marketready solutions he stated while unveiling the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework NTRAFDescribing the document as a definitive guide for the scientific community Dr Parvinder Maini Scientific Secretary Office of the PSA OPSA noted that âBy establishing a common language for technology maturity we aim to bridge the oftensubjective gap between a researcherâs claim of readiness and an investorâs or evaluatorâs requirement for proofâDr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman CEO Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF emphasised that technology readiness must run parallel to market validation particularly beyond TRL 4He also suggested a pilot phase where 20 selected technologies may be crossvalidated by the NRDC to calibrate and stresstest the framework before its broader adoptionThe experts emphasised the industryâs role in shaping the tool noting that its stringent standards ensure any startup claiming to be âdeploymentreadyâ meets true industrialgrade validation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-framework-to-standardise-innovation-assessment-boost-deeptech-ecosystem-656223.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/coupang-data-leak-affected-33-million-customers-science-minister-656238.html Seoul Dec 30 Science Minister Bae Kyunghoon on Tuesday reaffirmed that a recent data leak at Coupang affected 33 million customers in South Korea voicing concerns over an assessment report released separately by the USlisted ecommerce giant last week The joint governmentâprivate sector investigation including the Personal Information Protection Commission and the police revealed that the names and email addresses of more than 33 million users were leaked Bae said during a parliamentary sessionThe remarks came after Coupang claimed last week that data from only about 3000 accounts had actually been downloaded and later deleted by the suspect reports Yonhap news agencyWe cannot agree with that claim Bae saidThe minister said details such as users addresses and order information were also believed to have been leakedWe express grave concern toward Coupang which issued an announcement that had not been coordinated with the government he saidMeanwhile Coupang has announced a compensation plan worth more than 168 trillion won 117 billion following a massive personal data breachThe compensation plan comes a day after Coupang founder Kim Bomsuk issued his first public apology since the incident which affected nearly twothirds of South Koreas population reports Yonhap news agencyUnder the plan the USlisted company will provide 50000 won worth of discounts and coupons to each of 337 million customers including paid Coupang Wow members regular users and former customers who have closed their accounts the company said in a press releaseCompensation payments will be made gradually starting Jan 15 it addedTaking this incident as a turning point Coupang will wholeheartedly embrace customercentric principles and fulfill its responsibilities to the very end transforming into a company that customers can trust Coupangs interim Chief Executive Officer CEO Harold Rogers said in the releaseThe perperson compensation consists of 5000 won for Coupangs ecommerce platform 5000 won for food delivery service Coupang Eats 20000 won for Coupangs travel products and 20000 won for RLUX luxury beauty and fashion productsLast week Coupang said it had identified a former employee responsible for the data leak through forensic evidence recovered the equipment used in the hacking and received a confession from the suspectThe company claimed that data from only about 3000 accounts was actually saved and later deleted by the suspectThe government however has dismissed Coupangs findings as a unilateral claim noting that a joint publicprivate investigation into the incident has yet to release any conclusions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/coupang-data-leak-affected-33-million-customers-science-minister-656238.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/researchers-harness-cancer-resistance-mutations-to-fight-tumours-656246.html New Delhi Dec 30 An international team of researchers has discovered a new method to fight cancers that no longer respond to treatment The team led by Israels Weizmann Institute of Science used mutations that make tumours drugresistant Xinhua news agency reportedOne of the biggest challenges in cancer care is when a therapy stops workingIn many metastatic cancers drugs that initially work lose their effect over time as cancer cells mutate and continue to growThe new study published in the journal Cancer Discovery proposed a new way to confront cancer resistance harnessing the very mutations that make tumours resistant in order to fight the cancerThe team introduced a computational tool called SpotNeoMetIt identifies therapyresistant mutations common to many patientsThese mutations produce tiny protein fragments called neoantigens which appear only on cancer cellsThese shared neoantigens may provide the basis for new immunotherapy approaches that prompt the immune system to selectively target cancer cellsOur research demonstrates a broad principle that may change the way we think about treatmentresistant cancer said Prof Yardena Samuels at the WeizmannThe same mutations that allow a tumour to evade a drug can through precise immunotherapy become the cancers weak point Unlike boutique immunotherapies that must be tailored to each individual patient these therapies could be suitable for large groups of patients Samuels addedThe researchers tested their approach on metastatic prostate cancer a disease where most patients eventually become resistant to standard treatmentsThey identified three neoantigens that showed promising results in lab experiments and in mouse modelsThe researchers said the approach differs from highly personalised therapies because it targets resistance mutations shared by many patients This allows the same treatment to be applied more broadly to people with treatmentresistant cancers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/researchers-harness-cancer-resistance-mutations-to-fight-tumours-656246.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-push-public-private-partnership-drove-indian-space-sector-growth-in-2025-656256.html New Delhi Dec 30 Policy continuity and institutional clarity by the government and an expanding publicprivate partnership framework led to the growth of Indias private space sector in 2025 said Lt Gen AK Bhatt Retd Director General Indian Space Association ISpA on Tuesday Bhatt noted that 2025 was marked as a decisive year for Indiaâs space sector as policy reforms translated into tangible execution across launch including satellite manufacturing Earth observation space data and satellite communicationsâGrowth during 2025 was driven largely by the private industry The year saw contracts awarded production lines established satellites deployed launch vehicles move closer to operational readiness and datadriven services scale across civilian commercial and strategic domainsâ the expert saidIndiaâs space economy currently valued at approximately 9 billion is now on a clear trajectory towards 44 billion in the coming decadePublicprivate partnerships emerged as a central operating model across the space value chain in 2025 Indiaâs share of the global space economy currently estimated at around 2 per cent is projected to increase to nearly 8 per cent by 2033 driven primarily by private industryâPolicy instruments including the New Space Policy 2023 liberalised FDI Policy 2024 and implementation of the Indian Telecommunications Act 2023 provided predictability for longterm private investmentâ Bhatt saidLiberalised FDI norms and INSPACeâs singlewindow authorisation framework supported increased participation by both domestic and international playersâIndiaâs space ecosystem crossed an important scale milestone in 2025 with over 300 active space startups now operating across launch vehicles satellite platforms Earth observation satellite communications propulsion electronics space situational awareness and downstream analyticsâ Bhatt saidFurther Indiaâs private space companies advanced from demonstration to deployment in 2025 Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos continued to progress private orbital and semicryogenic launch systems contributing to the development of a competitive domestic launch marketPM Modi recently unveiled Skyrootâs VikramI launch vehicle and the Infinity CampusPixxel launched Indias first private satellite constellation the Firefly series using SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets in early and mid2025 deploying a total of six hyperspectral satellites for highresolution Earth imagingDigantara expanded its space situational awareness infrastructure by successfully launching its first commercial space surveillance satellite SCOTâ while companies including Bellatrix Aerospace ThrustWrks OmSpace Xovian and GalaxEye demonstrated operational capabilities across propulsion launch subsystems and imaging platformsMeanwhile policy support was reinforced in the Union Budget 202526 through initiatives such as the National Geospatial Mission a Fund of Funds for startups enhanced credit guarantee mechanisms expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs and a dedicated DeepTech Fund of Funds Bhatt saidPrivate space startups in India raised nearly 150 million during FY 2025 taking the total funding to over 617 million to dateThe operationalisation of the Rs 1000 crore INSPACe Venture Capital Fund and approval of the Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation Scheme added longterm depth to the funding ecosystem for space and deeptech innovationINSPACeâs Technology Adoption Fund for Rs 500 crore launched this year will also boost private sector space innovation by funding startupsMSMEs up to 60 per cent cost to develop commercially viable earlystage space technologies Bhatt said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-push-public-private-partnership-drove-indian-space-sector-growth-in-2025-656256.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modis-messageonmisuse-of-antibioticstimely-experts-656020.html New Delhi Dec 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs message against the misuse of antibiotics is timely and draws attention to antimicrobial resistance AMR a very important health concern said health experts on Monday PM Modi in his last Mann Ki Baat of the year on Sunday warned people against the misuse of antibiotics and raised the concern of rising levels of AMR in the countryThe Prime Minister cited a recent alarming report by the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR which stated that antibiotics are becoming less effective against diseases such as pneumonia and UTIs in IndiaCalling it âextremely worryingâ he urged people not to take antibiotics casuallyPrime Minister Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat has brought the attention of the entire country to a very important issue which is antimicrobial resistance Rajiv Bahl Director General of ICMR told IANSAntimicrobial resistance means that the bacteria that cause infections like pneumonia urinary tract infections or sepsis are now not reacting to or are not getting resistant to the antibiotics that we use to treat them So we all thought earlier that we could treat any infection because we have antibiotics but the bacteria are getting more resistant he addedDr Rajeev Jayadevan ExPresident of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell Kerala called AMR a serious and silent threat that is looming over our healthcare systemâIt is a scary scenario where antibiotics become ineffective against bacteria It is particularly important in the context where no new antibiotics are being added to our armamentarium Since AMR by itself has no obvious symptoms such as pain or cough most people are unaware of it The Prime Ministerâs comments are much needed to bring it to national attentionâ he told IANSA recent report by the World Health Organization WHO showed that about one in three bacterial infections in India were resistant to commonly used antibiotics in 2023 Globally it was one in six confirmed infectionsNational AMR surveillance data also show troubling resistance patterns in pathogens such as E coli Klebsiella pneumoniae Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumanniiAnother recent study published in the Lancet eClinical Medicine journal warned that India is at the epicentre of a superbug explosion as several patients in the country were found to carry multiple highly resistant organisms simultaneouslyIt showed that more than 80 per cent of Indian patients carry multidrugresistant organisms MDROs the highest globallyâPrime Minister Narendra Modiâs message urging citizens to avoid selfmedication and use antibiotics only on a doctorâs advice is a timely and powerful publichealth intervention He has brought national focus to AMR a quiet but catastrophic pandemic India cannot affordâ Dr Neeraj Nischal Additional Professor in the Department of Medicine at AIIMS Delhi told IANSThe expert explained that AMR does not require new germs it thrives on bad habits like overthecounter access incomplete courses unnecessary prescriptions and use for viral illnessesâIf we treat antibiotics as shortcuts resistance becomes the longterm cost paid in lives Antibiotic misuse today means untreatable infections tomorrow placing our country at a critical crossroads Every avoidable prescription writes a future where easytotreat infections routine surgery childbirth and cancer care become far riskierâ Nischal saidImportantly Jayadevan warned that the public should not assume that all cases of fever or cold require antibioticsThe experts stated that individuals must avoid selfmedication using antibiotics like paracetamol or painkillers They strongly recommend that antibiotics be used only when properly prescribed by a physicianIn cases where doctors recommend antibiotics individuals must complete prescribed coursesâDoctors must practice evidencebased prescribing and stewardship while chemists must strictly enforce prescriptiononly sales Government oversight is essential particularly as quickcommerce platforms enable rapid antibiotic delivery sometimes with hastily generated prescriptionsâ Nischal told IANS adding that combating AMR requires collective responsibility IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modis-messageonmisuse-of-antibioticstimely-experts-656020.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/trade-pact-with-australia-anchors-indias-economic-engagement-in-indo-pacific-piyush-goyal-656022.html New Delhi Dec 29 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that as the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement CECA negotiations advance with other nations IndiaAustralia trade pact continues to anchor the countryâs economic engagement in the IndoPacific aligned with âMake in Indiaâ and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047â From January 1 2026 100 per cent Australian tariff lines will be zeroduty for Indian exports unlocking fresh opportunities for labourintensive sectors Goyal informedOn the third anniversary of the IndiaAustralia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement IndAus ECTA the minister said that we are celebrating a partnership that has translated intent into impactâTogether India and Australia are building a future of shared prosperity and trusted tradeâ Goyal posted on X social media platformOver the past three years the agreement has delivered sustained export growth deeper market access and stronger supplychain resilience benefiting Indian exporters MSMEs farmers and workers alike according to GoyalIndias exports to Australia grew by 8 per cent in FY 202425 improving Indias trade balance Strong gains were witnessed across manufacturing chemicals textiles plastics pharmaceuticals petroleum products and gems and jewelleryâAgriexports recorded broadbased growth with sharp increases in fruits and vegetables marine products spices and exceptional growth in coffee Gems amp Jewellery exports rose 16 per cent in AprilâNovember 2025â said the ministerMutual Recognition Arrangement MRA on organic products was signed marking a major milestone enabling seamless trade and lowering compliance costs for exportersMeanwhile India and New Zealand have also concluded a comprehensive and longawaited FTA marking a major economic and strategic milestone The FTA eliminates duty on 100 per cent of Indian exports along with a 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years to strengthen longterm economic and strategic cooperationIndiaâs total exports of goods and services surged to a record high of 41891 billion during AprilâSeptember 2025 of the current financial year to register a 586 per cent annual increase as the strong momentum of the previous financial year that ended on March 31 continued into the new fiscal year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/trade-pact-with-australia-anchors-indias-economic-engagement-in-indo-pacific-piyush-goyal-656022.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hanwha-aerospace-wins-order-to-develop-propulsion-system-for-s-korean-lunar-lander-656035.html Seoul Dec 29 Hanwha Aerospace has won a 715 million 1033 billionwon contract to develop the propulsion system for South Koreas firstever lunar lander planned for launch in 2032 the company said on Monday Under the contract with the staterun Korea Aerospace Research Institute Hanwha Aerospace will be responsible for producing assembling and testing key propulsion components including the engine and attitude control thrusters through 2032 Yonhap news agency reportedThe South Korean aerospace and defense giant has developed key spacecraft propulsion systems for the countrys space projects since the launch of the Arirang1 multipurpose satellite in 1994The company said technologies and infrastructure developed through the lunar lander project could later be applied to future space exploration missionsA Hanwha Aerospace official said the company aims to contribute to securing South Koreas independent lunar exploration capabilities by leveraging more than 30 years of experience in the fieldEarlier this month Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA shared plans to launch a lunar communication orbiter in 2029 and a lunar lander in 2032 as part of its longterm space exploration road map Yonhap reportedKASA Administrator Yoon Youngbin said the agency will attempt the 2029 orbiter mission using the countrys homegrown Nuri rocketLast month the country successfully completed the fourth launch of the homegrown space launch vehicle placing 13 satellites into orbitHe explained that securing deepspace communications technology through the lunar communication orbiter will serve as groundwork for the goal of sending an unmanned lunar lander in 2032A lunar communications orbiter is essential for moon missions as communication with Earth from the far side of the moon is not possibleAccording to Youngbin KASA plans to conduct at least one Nuri launch per year through 2032 to raise its success rate to over 90 per cent and develop a reusable nextgeneration launch vehicle by 2035 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hanwha-aerospace-wins-order-to-develop-propulsion-system-for-s-korean-lunar-lander-656035.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/railway-stocks-rally-adds-rs-66-500-crore-ahead-of-union-budget-656076.html Mumbai Dec 29 Indiaâs railway stocks are showing signs of recovery after a long period of weakness with the sector witnessing a sharp rally over the past five trading sessions The recent surge has added more than Rs 66500 crore to the market value of railwaylinked companies as investors reposition ahead of the Union Budget and respond to improving revenue signalsRailway stocks had remained under pressure for most of 2025 after the sector peaked in July 2024Since then many stocks corrected sharply as high valuations cooled and expectations around policy support easedThe latest rebound suggests a cautious return of investor interest driven by a mix of fare hikes budget hopes and companyspecific developmentsThe rally has been led by Jupiter Wagons whose shares jumped nearly 37 per cent in just five days making it the bestperforming railway stock in the recent upswingRail Vikas Nigam Limited rose around 27 per cent while Indian Railway Finance Corporation gained more than 20 per cent during the same periodOther railwayrelated companies such as Ircon International Titagarh Rail Systems RailTel Corporation of India Texmaco Rail amp Engineering RITES and BEML also posted strong doubledigit gainsDespite the sharp bounce most railway stocks are still trading well below their previous highsOne of the key triggers behind the rally has been Indian Railwaysâ decision to revise passenger fares from December 26This marked the second fare hike in FY26 with longdistance travel fares increased by 1 to 2 paise per kilometre across ordinary Mail and Express trainsThe move is expected to bring in nearly Rs 600 crore in additional revenue during the remaining part of the financial year while suburban services have been kept out of the hikePassenger train operations continue to run at a loss with fares estimated to be around 45 per cent below costThese losses are largely subsidised through freight earnings The latest fare rationalisation is expected to improve revenue visibility and help reduce losses in passenger services supporting efforts to improve the railwaysâ operating ratio IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/railway-stocks-rally-adds-rs-66-500-crore-ahead-of-union-budget-656076.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indiashospital-sector-revenuetogrowup-to-20-pc-in-fy2027-from-18-pc-in-fy2026-report-656090.html New Delhi Dec 29 The business outlook for the Indian hospital industry remains positive with its revenue expected to grow 1820 per cent in FY2027 a report said on Monday According to the report by credit rating agency ICRA the sectorâs growth based on a sample set of 11 leading listed hospital companies is supported by sustained high occupancy and healthy average revenue per occupied bed ARPOBIn FY2026 the Indian hospital sector grew 1618 per cent reflecting expectations of continued robust operating metrics on the back of strong structural tailwindsThe performance of the Indian hospital industry is expected to remain strong in FY2026 on the back of healthy occupancy and ARPOBâ said Mythri Macherla Vice President and Sector Head Corporate Ratings ICRAâICRA expects occupancy of its sample set companies to remain robust at 6264 per cent in FY2026 635 per cent in FY2025 while the ARPOB is expected to expand by 68 per cent she addedThis follows a strong first half where the sample set witnessed a 16 per cent yearonyear revenue growth in H1 FY2026 supported by occupancy of 633 per cent and a 78 per cent increase in ARPOB the report saidThe operating profit margin OPM in H1 FY2026 remained healthy at 237 per cent aided by improved case mix and cost optimisationCost optimisation efforts along with an improving case and payor mix will support operating profit margin OPM of 2224 per cent for the sample set companies in FY2026 236 per cent in FY2025 Macherla saidICRA noted that despite sizeable greenfield and brownfield expansions planned across metros tierII and tierIII cities the credit profile of its sample set is projected to remain healthy given the strong accrual expectationsFor the pharmaceutical sector ICRA affirmed a stable outlook for FY2026 projecting a 911 per cent revenue expansion for its sample set of companiesRevenues of ICRAs sample set of Indian pharmaceutical companies are expected to grow by 911 per cent in FY2026 said MacherlaThis will be supported by healthy growth of 810 per cent in the domestic market and 1517 per cent in the European markets while pricing pressure on certain key drugs such as Lenalidomide will result in moderation in the growth in the US market to 46 per cent she addedThe operating profit margin OPM for the sample set is expected to remain stable at 2425 per cent in FY2026 supported by healthy performance in key markets and stable raw material costs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indiashospital-sector-revenuetogrowup-to-20-pc-in-fy2027-from-18-pc-in-fy2026-report-656090.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dixon-technologies-shares-hit-16-month-low-down-34-pc-in-2025-656107.html Mumbai Dec 29 Shares of Dixon Technologies continued to slide for the sixth consecutive session on Monday falling another 4 per cent to Rs 11821 This marked the stockâs lowest level since August 2024 as selling pressure remained strongAt the closing bell the shares were down by Rs 448 or 363 per cent to Rs 11880 on the National Stock Exchange NSEThe stock has been in a sharp downtrend since late September and has lost around 35 per cent of its value from its peak of Rs 18471The decline has largely been driven by concerns that the companyâs earnings per share estimates for FY27 could be cut which has weighed heavily on investor sentimentAlthough the stock showed brief signs of recovery in between a bearish view from global brokerage firm Morgan Stanley further hurt sentimentDixon Technologies has now emerged as one of the worst performers among Nifty 500 stocks this year with yeartodate losses of about 335 per centLast week Morgan Stanley maintained its âUnderweightâ rating on the stock and set a target price of Rs 11563 per shareThe brokerage flagged uncertainty around growth prospects following the extension of IT hardware import norms which it believes could limit opportunities for domestic manufacturersMorgan Stanley also pointed out that Dixon has maintained its cumulative IT hardware revenue guidance of Rs 48000 crore up to FY31 over the past two years while the brokerageâs own estimate stands at Rs 43000 croreIt said achieving the companyâs guidance may prove difficult in the coming years The brokerage expects IT hardware to contribute around 7 per cent of Dixonâs revenue by FY30 and warned that favourable import policies pose a downside risk even to this estimateIn terms of share price performance Dixon Technologies is on track to record its first annual decline in two years with a fall of about 34 per cent so far in 2025This is a sharp reversal from the strong 173 per cent rally seen in 2024 While the nearterm outlook remains weak the stockâs longterm performance continues to be strong with gains of around 204 per cent over the past three years and about 340 per cent over the last five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dixon-technologies-shares-hit-16-month-low-down-34-pc-in-2025-656107.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-growth-surges-to-67-per-cent-in-november-656110.html New Delhi Dec 29 The growth rate of Indiaâs industrial production surged to 67 per cent in November this year compared to the same month of the previous year after having slowed to 04 per cent in October due to the long holiday season in the festive month according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday The strong industrial growth was driven by an 8 per cent surge in the manufacturing sector led by a robust performance in basic metals and fabricated metal products pharmaceuticals and motor vehiclesGrowth in the mining sector at 54 per cent has also rebounded due to the closure of the monsoon season and strong growth in metallic minerals such as iron ore However the electricity sector remained a laggard with a negative growth of 15 per cent during the monthWithin the manufacturing sector 20 out of 23 industry groups have recorded a positive growth in November The top three positive contributors for the month of November are Manufacture of basic metals 102 per cent Manufacture of pharmaceuticals medicinal chemical and botanical products 105 per cent and Manufacture of motor vehicles trailers and semitrailers 119 per centIn the industry group Manufacture of basic metals which includes steel products have shown a significant contribution in growthThe figures on usebased classification show that the production of capital goods which comprise machines used in factories shot up by a doubledigit 104 per cent 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 ahead The consumer durables sector comprising white goods such as refrigerators TV sets and washing machines also recorded a strong growth of 103 per cent while nondurable goods such as soaps cosmetics and processed foods clocked a 73 per cent growth during the monthThe infrastructure and construction sector clocked a strong 121 per cent growth during the month compared to 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-growth-surges-to-67-per-cent-in-november-656110.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/retirement-planning-top-priority-in-india-actual-preparedness-lags-656114.html New Delhi Dec 29 Retirement planning has been ranked as Indiansâ first financial priority even as actual preparedness or a plan in place collapsed to 37 per cent from 67 per cent in 2023 a report said on Monday The report from PGIM India Mutual Fund said that retirement took the first spot climbing from eighth place as lifestyle and entrepreneurial goals overshadow familycentric concernsThe shift reflects a broader change in financial planning from fearâdriven security to aspirationâdriven ambition blending protection with progress and lifestyle freedom it saidFamily security and health emergencies once dominant have slipped down the list In their place aspirations such as lifestyle upgrades starting a business and personal fulfilment are rising rapidlyThe fund house found that mutual funds emerged as the dominant retirement vehicle while preference for choosing a product from a distributor rose to 62 per cent from 44 per cent in 2023Mutual fund adoption for retirement climbed to 35 per cent from 24 per cent it said noting growing traction for NPS National Pension System PPF Public Provident Fund and retirementâfocused fundsAbhishek Tiwari CEO PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited said that the decline in readiness is not a setback but a sign of positive evolutionIndians are beginning to distinguish between safeguarding against risks and actively building a future for themselves With a rising sense of surplus and families moving beyond simply providing for children to planning for their own retirement it reflects a maturing mindset focused on selfdriven security and dignityâ said TiwariAlternate income adoption among respondents declined to 25 per cent even as intent to pursue it jumped to 44 per centâRising affluence and impact of pandemic have propelled selfâoriented goals like retirement planning lifestyle upgrades and entrepreneurship to the forefront running parallel to traditional familycentric concernsâ said Ajit Menon Senior Advisor PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/retirement-planning-top-priority-in-india-actual-preparedness-lags-656114.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-delivers6ambulanceswith-modern-medical-equipmentto-afghanistan-656123.html KabulNew Delhi Dec 29 India has delivered a consignment of six ambulances to Afghanistan amid growing healthcare cooperation between the two countries according to a media report The ambulances are equipped with advanced medical equipment and can aid in transporting emergency patients and provide emergency health services Sharafat Zaman Amarkhel the Taliban spokesman for the Health ministry was quoted as saying by Afghan media outlet AMU TVIndiaâs assistance can improve health services especially emergency responses in Afghanistan Amarkhel addedThe consignment is part of a commitment made during highlevel talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi in OctoberDuring the meeting Jaishankar described the gift as â20 ambulances a gesture of goodwillIndia will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals and deliver vaccines for immunisation and cancer medicines We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more the foreign minister had saidEarlier this month Afghanistanâs Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali held a meeting with Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda in the national capital and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sectorThe talks focused on boosting health cooperation sharing expertise between medical professionals building the capacity of Afghan health workers and ensuring the supply of quality medicines to Afghanistan Cancer treatment medical visas for Afghan patients and support for health facilities were also discussed Afghanistans Ministry of Public Health posted on social media platform XJalali thanked India for its recent support in the health sector and outlined additional needs to improve Afghanistanâs healthcare systemDuring the meeting Nadda reaffirmed New Delhis commitment to supporting the Afghan people including through the supply of medicines and vaccinesHe confirmed that a CT scan machine along with medicines and vaccines would soon be sent to a childrenâs hospital in KabulNadda added that India would work to ease access to medical treatment for Afghan patients and stood ready to extend further assistanceThe Health Minister noted that India has supplied 327 tonnes of medicines and vaccines to Afghanistan over the past four years Proposals from the Afghan side for a radiotherapy machine and additional medical supplies are also being processed IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-delivers6ambulanceswith-modern-medical-equipmentto-afghanistan-656123.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-bombay-ntpc-complete-drilling-indias-1st-co2-storage-well-second-underway-656125.html Mumbai Dec 29 Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay and NTPC have successfully completed the drilling of Indias first well for testing the viability of geological carbon dioxide CO2 storage in sedimentary formations such as coal and sandstone the institute said on Monday The collaboration launched under the aegis of NITI Aayog in November 2022 brought together NETRA the RampD wing of NTPC and the Department of Earth Sciences IIT Bombay in building Indias first geological storage atlas for coalbed methanerich coalfieldsThe atlas provided layerbylayer simulation results with experimentally validated inputs for quantifying the potential for geological CO2 storage in four major coalfieldsThe country achieved its first dedicated well reaching a depth of 1200m in September for potential CO2 storage The drilling site in Pakri Barwadih in the vicinity of a coal mining area in Jharkhands Hazaribagh was completed on November 15Notably a second well drilling was initiated on December 21 Both CO2 injection and plume monitoring using these wells will be implemented the institute saidâAs India stands at the cusp of honouring netzero commitments in line with the Panchamrit climate goals announced by the Prime Minister accelerating indigenous science and technology outcomes for commercialisation of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage CCUS technologies will be crucial to the journey towards Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat commitmentsâ said Dr VK Saraswat Member NITI AayogâWe should also keep a strict watch on subsurface characterisation conservative injection pressure limits robust well design and sealing and continuous monitoring of pressure and seismicityâ added Saraswat also the Chairman Advisory Committee DSTNational Centre of Excellence NCOE in CCUS at IIT BombayGurdeep Singh CMD NTPC called the feat an important step towards decarbonisationProf Shireesh Kedare Director IIT Bombay emphasised the role of translational RampD in architecting the roadmap for Indias energy transition and decarbonisationThe project which marked a shift in research from laboratories to field deployment will provide feasibility and risk assessments for a fullscale CCS development including a detailed storage complex analysis and a commercial development planPreliminary studies indicate high geological CO2 storage potential in the North Karanpura coalfield with the PakriBarwadih block showing potential to inject up to 155 Mt over a 10year injection periodIt may be recalled that in 2017 IIT Bombay and NTPC collaborated to curate Indias first CO2 capture and utilisation facility in the power sector which led to the establishment of the Vindhyachal CCU plant that captures 20 tonnes of CO2 per day and converts it into fuelmethaneIndias CCUS journey is being advanced through a missionmode approach with the Ministry of Power as the nodal agency supported by interministerial collaboration to scale up CCUS technologies across hardtoabate sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-bombay-ntpc-complete-drilling-indias-1st-co2-storage-well-second-underway-656125.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iip-data-fed-minutes-and-fii-moves-likely-to-guide-indian-stock-market-this-week-655894.html Mumbai Dec 28 The Indian stock market ended the week on a weak note and investors are now looking at key domestic and global cues that are likely to drive market direction in the coming days Industrial output data minutes of the US Federal Reserve meeting currency movement and foreign investor activity will remain in focus this weekOn Friday Indian equities closed in the red as investors continued to book profits in the absence of fresh triggersMixed global signals and cautious sentiment also weighed on the markets The Sensex slipped 367 points or 043 per cent to close at 8504145 while the Nifty declined 100 points or 038 per cent to end at 2604230Broader markets also saw pressure with the BSE Midcap index falling 018 per cent and the Smallcap index dropping 034 per centMarket experts believe that the nearterm outlook remains muted According to analysts the market is likely to stay rangebound next week as liquidity conditions remain tight and investors wait for key macroeconomic cues before taking fresh positionsâAs long as Nifty sustains above the 26000â25800 immediate support zone market sentiment is expected to remain constructive with a positive biasâ experts statedâOn the upside immediate resistance is placed near 26200 followed by 26500 On the downside support is seen at 26000 and then 25800 a decisive break below 25800 could invite shortterm selling pressureâ they addedOne of the major triggers for the coming week will be Indiaâs industrial production data Investors will closely track the Index of Industrial Production for November 2025 which is scheduled to be released on December 29Another important global cue will come from the United States where the Federal Reserve is set to release the minutes of its Federal Open Market Committee meeting on December 31In its December policy meeting the Fed cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 375 per cent continuing its easing stanceInvestors will look for clues on the future path of interest rates and the Fedâs outlook on inflation and economic growthThe movement of the Indian rupee will also remain on investorsâ radar On Friday the rupee weakened by 19 paise to close at 8990 against the US dollarWith no major domestic policy announcements expected market participants are likely to remain cautious market watchers mentionedExperts believe that stockspecific action may continue while broader indices could trade in a narrow range as investors assess economic data global signals and foreign fund flows in the week ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iip-data-fed-minutes-and-fii-moves-likely-to-guide-indian-stock-market-this-week-655894.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bitcoin-slumps-30-pc-from-record-highs-in-2025-655895.html Mumbai Dec 28 Bitcoin has seen a sharp pullback in 2025 sliding nearly 30 per cent from its record high levels as weak trading activity technical breakdowns and continued selling by longterm holders kept prices under pressure Despite the decline improving regulation growing institutional involvement and expanding blockchain adoption are keeping longterm optimism alive with 2026 increasingly being seen as a potential turnaround year for the crypto marketOver the year the crypto ecosystem recorded steady advancements Decentralised finance platforms continued to expand stablecoins gained wider acceptance for payments and settlements and several countries moved ahead with pilot projects for central bank digital currenciesDeveloper activity also remained strong especially across the AsiaPacific region and other global markets with millions of developers building applications on blockchain networksThese trends highlighted growing interest in blockchain technology despite price volatilityThe weakness in Bitcoin prices has been driven by a mix of technical and market factors Prices slipped below the key 365day moving average which triggered further selling pressureDespite the price decline several major developments shaped the crypto market in 2025 Early in the year the United States announced the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve a move that highlighted Bitcoinâs growing importance at a national and strategic levelThis step was widely seen as a signal of increasing acceptance of digital assets within traditional financial systemsRegulatory clarity also improved during the year The passage of the GENIUS Act by mid2025 provided a clear framework for US dollarbacked stablecoinsThis helped boost market confidence and is expected to support broader adoption of stablecoins by businesses and financial institutionsAnother key milestone came in December when the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission allowed listed spot crypto products to trade on registered futures exchangesThe decision marked an important shift toward stronger regulatory oversight better transparency and deeper institutional participation in the crypto market especially across bordersâWith stronger regulation rising institutional interest and sustained developer activity market participants remain hopeful that these foundations will support longterm growth once investor confidence returnsâ experts stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bitcoin-slumps-30-pc-from-record-highs-in-2025-655895.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tata-group-pays-tribute-to-ratan-tata-on-his-88th-birth-anniversary-655901.html New Delhi Dec 28 The Tata Group on Sunday paid tribute to its former chairman Ratan Tata on his 88th birth anniversary remembering his lasting impact on Indian industry philanthropy and society Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran shared an emotional message on LinkedIn writing âHappy birthday Mr Tata You are missed Today and alwaysâHe also posted a photograph of himself with Ratan Tata from an awards ceremony held in July 2024The Tata Group also marked the day with a post on X saying it was remembering Ratan Tata on his birth anniversaryRatan Tata led the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012 and briefly returned as interim chairman in 2016â17He is widely credited with turning the centuryold Indian business house into a global name Under his leadership the group made major international acquisitions such as Jaguar Land Rover Corus and Tetley which significantly expanded Tataâs presence across global marketsApart from business success Ratan Tata was known for his strong focus on ethics nationbuilding and giving back to societyThrough the Tata Trusts he supported education healthcare rural development and scientific researchMedia reports have earlier highlighted that a large share of Tata Sonsâ dividends continued to go towards charitable causes during his tenure reflecting the groupâs unique commitment to social responsibilityEven after stepping away from active management Ratan Tata remained deeply involved in Indiaâs startup ecosystemHe invested in and mentored several young entrepreneurs helping newage companies gain trust and confidence during their early stagesTributes poured in from across the country including from political leaders Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Ratan Tata reshaped Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion adding that his life showed true success comes from serving the nationAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described him as a visionary industrialist and compassionate leader whose humility and values would inspire future generationsUnion Minister Piyush Goyal also paid tribute saying Ratan Tata blended innovation with compassion and helped redefine the role of Indian businesses in national development IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tata-group-pays-tribute-to-ratan-tata-on-his-88th-birth-anniversary-655901.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-intelligence-gautam-adani-655914.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said that India is entering a decisive phase where technology talent and national purpose must move together and urged the next generation to rise and lead the age of artificial intelligence Indiaâs enduring strength lies in its ability to align people institutions and longterm vision That same clarity must now guide how young Indians approach artificial intelligence AI not as passive users but as builders and leaders of capability Gautam Adani said in his address at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthanâs Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence CoEAI in Maharashtras BaramatiAcknowledging anxieties around AI he reminded the audience that history offers reassuranceEvery major technological shift from the industrial revolutions to Indiaâs own digital transformation has expanded human potential the Adani Group Chairman saidAI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth he addedGautam Adani also cautioned that leadership in AI cannot be outsourced In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk he notedData decisionmaking and capability must remain anchored in national interest Building indigenous AI models strong compute capacity and resilient intelligence ecosystems is essential to Indiaâs economic security cultural confidence and strategic freedom the billionaire industrialist statedPlacing this vision in context Gautam Adani pointed to the growing role of the Adani Group in the global AI ecosystemThe diversified conglomerate is investing significantly in data centres digital infrastructure and clean energy that powers compute at scale drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft as India emerges as a serious hub for AIled growthThe centre of excellence has been established under Baramatibased educational trust Vidya Pratishthan with a Rs 25 crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023The initiative is designed to promote advanced research skill development and industryoriented training in emerging technologiesAccording to those associated with the project it will focus on AI applications across agriculture healthcare governance and industry with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and the private sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-intelligence-gautam-adani-655914.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655918.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said that India is entering a decisive phase where technology talent and national purpose must move together and urged the next generation to rise and lead the age of artificial intelligence Indiaâs enduring strength lies in its ability to align people institutions and longterm vision That same clarity must now guide how young Indians approach artificial intelligence AI not as passive users but as builders and leaders of capability Gautam Adani said in his address at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthanâs Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence CoEAI in Maharashtras BaramatiAcknowledging anxieties around AI he reminded the audience that history offers reassuranceEvery major technological shift from the industrial revolutions to Indiaâs own digital transformation has expanded human potential the Adani Group Chairman saidAI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth he addedGautam Adani also cautioned that leadership in AI cannot be outsourced In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk he notedData decisionmaking and capability must remain anchored in national interest Building indigenous AI models strong compute capacity and resilient intelligence ecosystems is essential to Indiaâs economic security cultural confidence and strategic freedom the billionaire industrialist statedPlacing this vision in context Gautam Adani pointed to the growing role of the Adani Group in the global AI ecosystemThe diversified conglomerate is investing significantly in data centres digital infrastructure and clean energy that powers compute at scale drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft as India emerges as a serious hub for AIled growthThe centre of excellence has been established under Baramatibased educational trust Vidya Pratishthan with a Rs 25 crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023The initiative is designed to promote advanced research skill development and industryoriented training in emerging technologiesAccording to those associated with the project it will focus on AI applications across agriculture healthcare governance and industry with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and the private sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655918.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-bets-on-green-ports-to-power-next-phase-of-maritime-growth-655960.html New Delhi Dec 28 Indiaâs ambition to become a strong maritime power is no longer just a longterm goal it is clearly visible along its 7500kilometre coastline Ports that were once modest trade gateways are now busy hubs of economic activity handling growing volumes of cargo and supporting Indiaâs push for manufacturing exports and global competitiveness as per India Narrative reportBut as port activity expands a critical question has come to the forefront how can growth continue without harming fragile coastal ecosystems and worsening climate changeIndiaâs answer is increasingly clear Policymakers now see green growth not as an obstacle to development but as the only way to make that development sustainable in the long runPorts handle almost 95 per cent of Indiaâs external trade by volume making them vital to the economy the report saidOver the past decade cargo at major ports has risen sharply from about 581 million tonnes to nearly 855 million tonnes This growth reflects stronger manufacturing and deeper integration with global supply chainsAt the same time ports are major sources of air pollution water contamination and carbon emissions and many are located close to mangroves wetlands coral reefs and densely populated coastal citiesA major shift is already underway The replacement of the colonialera Ports Act of 1908 with the Indian Ports Act 2025 marks a turning point in maritime governanceEnvironmental safeguards are now built directly into the legal framework making sustainability a core requirement rather than a voluntary addon This change is supported by longterm planning that links port growth with climate responsibilityCentral to this approach is the Maritime India Vision 2030 which places sustainability at the heart of portled development It is backed by the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines which set clear and measurable goalsPorts are expected to cut carbon emissions per tonne of cargo by 30 per cent by 2030 electrify a large share of their equipment and source more than 60 per cent of their energy from renewable sourcesThese targets are designed to scale up further toward 2047 showing that green transition is an ongoing process not a onetime effortPorts are also moving toward cleaner daytoday operations Shoretoship power systems allow vessels to switch off their diesel engines while docked reducing air pollution in nearby citiesElectrified cranes vehicles and cargohandling equipment lower noise levels cut fuel costs and improve safety for workersThese changes directly benefit local communities that have long faced the environmental impact of port activityWater management and biodiversity protection are also becoming priorities Ports use large amounts of freshwater and generate wastewater and dredged materialNew practices focus on recycling wastewater reducing discharge and reusing dredged material for construction or coastal protectionEfforts to restore mangroves and increase green cover help absorb carbon and protect shorelines from storms and erosion which are becoming more frequent due to climate change IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-bets-on-green-ports-to-power-next-phase-of-maritime-growth-655960.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/silver-overtakes-apple-alphabet-in-market-value-expected-to-surpass-nvidia-655962.html New Delhi Dec 28 Silver has surged to become one of the most valuable assets in the world overtaking tech giants Apple Inc and Alphabet in market capitalisation and moving closer to surpassing NVIDIA Corporation to claim the second spot after gold According to data from companiesmarketcapcom silverâs market capitalisation has risen to 4220 trillion This places it just 81 per cent behind NVIDIA which currently stands at 4592 trillionGold continues to remain far ahead as the worldâs most valued asset with a market capitalisation of 31598 trillion as of Friday December 26The sharp rise in silverâs valuation comes amid a historic rally in prices Spot silver on Comex crossed the 75 per ounce mark on Friday and extended gains to hit a fresh record highIn India silver futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India touched an alltime high of Rs 233115 per kilogram during intraday trade In contrast NVIDIAâs stock price was trading at 18861 in the afternoon session down 032 per cent over the previous 24 hoursMarket experts believe silver could soon climb even higher in global rankings Surendra Mehta national secretary of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJA said that if the current momentum continues silver is likely to overtake NVIDIA and become the secondmost valuable asset in the worldMehta also pointed to unusual price distortions in global silver marketsHe said the price difference between silver on Comex and the Shanghai exchange has widened to nearly 7 far above the normal gap of less than 1The scale of the rally is clearly visible in Indian markets Silver prices on MCX have jumped more than 153 per cent over the past year rising from Rs 91600 on December 26 2024 to Rs 231879 on December 26 2025Gold has also delivered strong returns but has lagged behind silver gaining nearly 80 percent during the same period as prices rose from Rs 77460 to Rs 139233 per 10 grams of 24carat gold IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/silver-overtakes-apple-alphabet-in-market-value-expected-to-surpass-nvidia-655962.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/explained-how-citadel-campus-signals-indias-defence-manufacturing-shift-655967.html New Delhi Dec 28 A major step in Indiaâs defence manufacturing journey is quietly taking shape on the outskirts of Hyderabad Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group has launched its new Citadel Campus at Hardware Park near the international airport marking an important moment for the countryâs growing private defence industrySpread over 25000 square feet and built with an investment of more than Rs 100 crore the Citadel Campus is not just another industrial facilityIt brings together design manufacturing integration testing and validation of defence systems under one roof reflecting how far Indiaâs defence ecosystem has evolvedWhat was once limited to licensed production and basic assembly has now moved towards fullscale indigenous capabilityThe new campus strengthens Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Groupâs role in strategic defence programmes The company already operates ten manufacturing facilities across three countries and employs over 1000 skilled professionalsIt supplies critical aeroengine and missile subsystems to global aerospace companies as well as Indian defence public sector units With the Citadel Campus the group aims to improve production speed scale up manufacturing and take on more complex defence projectsAt the launch event the company also unveiled a range of indigenously developed unmanned and autonomous defence systems These include jetpowered loitering munitions longendurance kamikaze drones tethered surveillance platforms and autonomous ground combat systemsDesigned for modern warfare these systems can perform tasks such as surveillance deepstrike missions battlefield logistics and mission support Some platforms have operational ranges of over 300 kilometres and speeds of up to 650 kmph highlighting Indiaâs growing capability in advanced defence technologiesThe new products developed under names such as RV Astra RV Maya RV Lakshya RV Rudra RV Indra RV Yodha and RV Drishti signal a shift away from reliance on imported unmanned systemsThey show that Indian companies are now capable of designing and manufacturing sophisticated platforms that can meet the demands of future battlefieldsAlongside infrastructure and product development Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group announced several key partnerships to strengthen Indiaâs defence innovation ecosystemOne major agreement was signed with the Indian Armyâs 515 Army Base Workshop to jointly design develop test and validate advanced drone platformsUnder this collaboration the workshop will be supported in becoming a system integrator and in setting up dedicated drone manufacturing facilitiesAnother important agreement was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the codevelopment and supply of fully indigenised engines in the 200 kgf thrust class for future autonomous fighter aircraftThis partnership is seen as a significant step in strengthening Indiaâs capabilities in aeroengine propulsion a critical area for advanced air combat systemsThe company also entered into collaborations with academic and research institutions An agreement with IIIT Hyderabad focuses on developing artificial intelligencebased autonomy intelligent perception and swarm technologies for defence UAVsA separate MoU with the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials ARCI aims to advance technologies such as additive manufacturing laser cladding and thermal barrier coatings for aeroengines IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/explained-how-citadel-campus-signals-indias-defence-manufacturing-shift-655967.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-well-positioned-to-lead-ai-driven-tech-future-industry-655833.html New Delhi Dec 27 As we move toward 2026 Indiaâs technology sector is entering a phase where scale accountability and outcomes matter more than momentum alone according to industry leaders According to Sindhu Gangadharan MD SAP Labs India and Chairperson Nasscom the industry has built strong foundations across AI cloud cybersecurity and digital platforms supported by deep talent and a mature ecosystem of startups GCCs and global enterprisesâThe next chapter is about converting capability into sustained business and societal impact AI adoption is becoming sharper and more grounded in real use cases Enterprises are asking clearer questions around productivity resilience and trustâ she mentionedEnterprises expect technology to integrate seamlessly into core processes not sit at the edges as experimentation This shift places responsibility on the industry to design solutions that are secure explainable and aligned with longterm value creationâIndia is well positioned to lead this phase Our strength lies in combining engineering depth with domain understanding and scale execution As an industry success in 2026 will depend on how well we collaborate across ecosystems invest in skills and apply technology with purposeâ Gangadharan mentionedThe opportunity ahead is significant to strengthen enterprises empower people and reinforce Indiaâs role as a trusted global technology partnerBy 2026 the real measure of AI success will be its ability to deliver consistent contextaware outcomes for customersâWe are seeing a clear shift away from generic intelligence toward AI that understands the nuances of an enterprise its data processes policies and customer behaviours Customerspecific AI performs better because relevance drives decisions not raw intelligence aloneâ she notedAs enterprises look ahead the focus is clear AI must move from novelty to reliability The strongest advantage will come from intelligence that genuinely understands how a business operates and how it serves its customers every day IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-well-positioned-to-lead-ai-driven-tech-future-industry-655833.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mouse-births-pups-after-returning-from-space-mission-in-china-paving-way-for-future-research-655836.html Beijing Dec 27 Of the four mice involved in a recent mission aboard Chinas space station one female has now successfully birthed healthy offspring on Earth the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization CSU of the Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS said on Saturday The four mice two male and two female were sent into space aboard the Shenzhou21 crewed spaceship on October 31 and were housed in a specialised habitat on the space station before returning to Earth on November 14 Xinhua news agency reportedAfter their return one female conceived and later delivered nine pups on December 10 Six of the newborns have survived a rate considered normal Researchers have noted that the mother is nursing normally and the pups appear active and healthyThis mission showed that shortterm space travel did not impair the reproductive capability of the mouse said Wang Hongmei a researcher at the Institute of Zoology of the CASIt also provides invaluable samples for the investigation of how the space environment influences early developmental stages in mammals Hongmei addedThe rodents were transported to Chinas space station to be raised in orbit for five to seven days marking the countrys first scientific experiments involving mammalian models in spaceAs a key model animal in the field of life sciences the mice feature several advantages high genetic similarity to humans small body size and short reproductive cycle and a high amenability to genetic modification said Huang Kun an expert from the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences CASThese traits make them ideal for studying physiological and pathological processes as well as the growth development and reproduction of living organisms in space he saidThe project jointly led by the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics and the Institute of Zoology both under the CAS involved continuous multidimensional video monitoring of the mice throughout their stay in orbitThe lighting inside the mice experiment facility turned on at 7 am and off at 7 pm maintaining the same circadian rhythm as on Earth explained Li Tianda an associate researcher at the Institute of ZoologyThe rodent food was not only nutritionally balanced but also made it relatively hard to reduce crumbs and meet the mices teethgrinding habit A directional air flow within the facility is designed to blow hair faeces and other garbage into a collection container ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for the mice Li saidBy collecting preliminary data on stress responses and adaptation mechanisms in microgravity the scientists aimed to use these observations to decode how weightlessness and enclosed space influence mices behavioursAfter completing their orbital mission the mice astronauts returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou20 spaceship for further analysisPrevious animal experiments conducted in the Chinese space lab involved zebra fish and fruit flies IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mouse-births-pups-after-returning-from-space-mission-in-china-paving-way-for-future-research-655836.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/fta-with-india-means-more-jobs-exports-higher-incomes-new-zealand-pm-655840.html New Delhi Dec 27 A Free Trade Agreement FTA with India will add more employment exports and raise incomes said New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday He said this as India and New Zealand concluded a comprehensive and longawaited FTA marking a major economic and strategic milestoneâWe said weâd secure a Free Trade Agreement with India in our first term and weâve deliveredâ Luxon said in a post on social media platform XâThis landmark deal means more jobs higher incomes and more exports by opening the door to 14 billion Indian consumersâ he addedThe negotiations were formally launched on March 16âFixing the Basics Building the Futureâ Luxon said while welcoming the deal that was concluded in nine monthsEarlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hailed the IndiaNew Zealand FTA as a historic milestoneAn important moment for IndiaNew Zealand relations with a strong push to bilateral trade and investment My friend PM Christopher Luxon and I had a very good conversation a short while ago following the conclusion of the landmark IndiaNew Zealand Free Trade Agreement he wrote on XThe FTA eliminates duty on 100 per cent of Indian exports along with a 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years to strengthen longterm economic and strategic cooperationIt enhances market access to Indias labourintensive sectors including textiles apparel leather footwear marine products gems and jewellery handicrafts engineering goods and automobiles directly supporting Indian workers artisans women youth and MSMEs and integrating them deeper into global value chains according to the commerce ministryMeanwhile India has secured commitments across a wide range of highvalue sectors including IT and ITenabled services professional services education financial services tourism construction and other business services opening up substantial new opportunities for Indian service suppliers and highskill employment according to the Commerce Ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/fta-with-india-means-more-jobs-exports-higher-incomes-new-zealand-pm-655840.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/community-centric-micro-hospitals-can-help-fight-indias-ncd-crises-say-experts-655848.html New Delhi Dec 27 Micro hospitals which replace fragmented tertiary models with specialistled coordinated care and reduced wait times can play a crucial role in the countryâs fight against the rising epidemic of noncommunicable diseases NCDs said experts on Saturday NCDs which include diabetes hypertension cancer and obesity affect over million in India and are behind 63 per cent of all deaths as per the WHO dataThe rising burden of NCDs is also affecting the healthcare systemHospital bed density lags at just 055 per 1000 population far below the WHOs 3 per 1000 benchmarks leading to overcrowded facilities long wait times and variability in care qualityâIndia has the doctors and the technology but what we truly lack is continuous coordinated care And large tertiary hospitals are often designed for acute crises not the longterm communitycentred management that NCDs requireâ said Dr Jagdish Prasad Former Director General Health Services DGHS while addressing the HEAL OneHealth Connect SeriesâMicrohospitals represent a necessary structural correction bringing consultations diagnostics and followups under one roof to restore the lost trust between patients and providersâ he addedThe âMicroHospitalâ model is emerging as a new blueprint designed to bridge the accessibility and quality gap Unlike smaller nursing homes these are purposebuilt specialistled facilities that offer 360degree care from advanced diagnostics to surgical interventions closer to residential communitiesThis prevents the âpatient shufflingâ that typically occurs when patients are forced to navigate multiple laboratories and clinics for a single diagnosisâPatients today are overwhelmed by the scale and cold complexity of large hospitals Microhospitals bring back the essentials time communication and coordination ensuring that care is not just delivered efficiently but experienced meaningfullyâ said Dr Mohsin Wali Padma Shri Awardee and Senior Consultant at a leading Delhibased hospitalThe microhospital framework can provide patient care in the early stages and provide specialised intervention before it becomes a lifethreatening emergency said the experts IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/community-centric-micro-hospitals-can-help-fight-indias-ncd-crises-say-experts-655848.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indianimmunologicalsdenies-australias-alert-on-fake-antirabies-vaccine-in-india-655862.html New Delhi Dec 27 Hyderabadbased drugmaker Indian Immunologicals Limited IIL on Saturday refuted claims by Australian health authorities over fake doses of its antirabies vaccine in India Earlier this week the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation issued an alert that counterfeit batches of rabies vaccine Abhayrab have been circulating in India since November 2023IIL has been manufacturing Abhayrab in India since 2000In a statement IIL âstrongly refuted the overcautionary and misplaced reference to 2023â adding that the alert âdoes not reflect the current situationââIIL aims to reassure stakeholders that the companyâs pharmacovigilance and quality systems are robust and that the public can continue to place confidence in vaccines supplied directly by IIL and its authorised channelsâ added Sunil Tiwari Vice President and Head of Quality Management at IIL in the statementThe company noted that since the year 2000 more than 210 million doses of Abhayrab have been supplied across India and 40 countries The antirabies vaccine continues to hold a 40 per cent market share in IndiaPeople who have received the counterfeit vaccine may not be fully protected against rabies said the Australian health authorities while advising people vaccinated with Abhayrab from November 1 2023 onwards to see their healthcare provider to check if replacement doses are neededâIn January 2025 IIL proactively identified a packaging anomaly in one specific batch Batch KA 24014 The company immediately notified Indian regulators and law enforcement agencies lodged a formal complaint and worked closely with authorities to ensure swift actionâ IIL saidCalling it an âisolated incidentâ the drugmaker stated that âthe counterfeit batch is no longer available on the shelvesâThe company also reassured healthcare professionals and the public of safe vaccinesâEvery batch of vaccine manufactured in India is tested and released by the Central Drugs Laboratory Government of India before being made available for sale or administration Supplies made through government institutions and authorised distributors remain safe and of standard qualityâ IIL saidRabies is a viral zoonotic disease that affects the central nervous system Infected dogs are responsible for transmitting the virus in the vast majority of rabies cases among humansThe disease is fatal in 100 per cent of cases once it infects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appearAccording to the World Health Organization WHO India records an estimated 18000â20000 rabies deaths each year most of them following dog bites IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indianimmunologicalsdenies-australias-alert-on-fake-antirabies-vaccine-in-india-655862.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 13:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-continue-touching-new-highs-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions-655736.html New Delhi Dec 26 The gold prices surged over 05 per cent to record highs on Friday due to rising geopolitical tensions and expectations for more US rate cuts next year MCX gold February futures rose 072 per cent to a record Rs 139091 per 10 grams while MCX silver March futures jumped 356 per cent to a record Rs 231759 per kg as of 1010 am Earlier in the day silver futures had touched an intraday high of Rs 232741 per kgRising tensions between the US and Venezuela is the major factor driving gold prices higher International markets also saw bullion rise higher as spot gold rose 05 per cent to 450144 per ounce by 0209 Greenwich Mean Time GMT zone after earlier touching 453060Traders are pricing in two quarterâpoint Fed rate cuts in 2026 as inflation cools and labour market conditions soften and when coupled with safe haven demand due to rising geopolitical tensions fuelled defensive buyingGeopolitical tensions have increased due to the US blockade of Venezuelan crude RussiaUkraine hostilities and US military strike against ISIS in Nigeria The US Coast Guard this month seized a super tanker under sanctions carrying Venezuelan oil and tried to intercept two more Venezuelaârelated ships over the weekend heightening tensionsâCentralbank buying and steady ETF inflows remain key support factors Gold has support at Rs 136550135710 while resistance at Rs 138850Rs 139670 Silver has support at Rs 222150Rs 220780 while resistance at Rs 225810 Rs 226970â said Rahul Kalantri VP Commodities Mehta Equities LtdAggressive central bank buying expectations of US Fed rate cuts concerns over impact of US tariffs geopolitical tensions and robust inflows into gold and silver ETFs drove the gold and silver prices this year said analysts IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-continue-touching-new-highs-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions-655736.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-ai-model-canpredictblood-loss-in-liposuction-655740.html New Delhi Dec 26 A newly developed artificial intelligence AI model is highly accurate in predicting blood loss in patients undergoing highvolume cosmetic surgery procedures such as liposuction according to a study While liposuction performed in more than 23 million patients per year to remove stubborn fat from the face abdomen thighs arms or neck is generally safe excessive blood loss is a potentially serious complication especially when higher volumes of fat are removedThe study reported in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal called the development of an AI model to predict blood loss in liposuction a groundbreaking advancement with the potential to improve patient safety and surgical outcomesBy leveraging the power of AIdriven predictive models surgeons can tailor their interventions to each patients unique needs ensuring optimal outcomes and minimising the risk of complications such as excessive blood loss said the international research team including those from the Department of Public Health Health Ministry of Ecuador and Mayo Clinic in the USThe team used machine learning technologies to analyse data from 721 patients undergoing largevolume liposuction with a total volume of over 4000 milliliters four liters of fat and fluid removed All procedures were carried out at two clinics one in Colombia and one in Ecuador following identical liposuction protocolsData from a random sample of 621 patients were used to develop a model for predicting estimated blood loss incorporating a wide range of demographic clinical and surgical data The researchers then tested their models performance in predicting the volume of blood loss in the remaining 100 patientsWith 94 per cent accuracy the model was found to help make liposuction saferSuch accuracy reinforces the models potential as a decisionsupport tool in body contouring procedures where anticipating intraoperative blood loss is crucial for patient safety and operative planning the researchers saidSurgeons can use the predicted blood loss estimates to make informed decisions about perioperative management such as the need for blood transfusions fluid management and other critical care measures they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-ai-model-canpredictblood-loss-in-liposuction-655740.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/2025-ayear-of-evidence-based-growth-globalleadershipfor-ayush-sector-655759.html New Delhi Dec 26 2025 has been a year of evidencebased growth global leadership and peoplecentric healthcare for the Ayush sector With an increase in budgetary allocation and a rise in exports the sector also saw a significant market growthThe Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj widened the access of the Ayush sector benefitting over 9 lakh pilgrims through OPDs mobile health units wellness halls and yoga sessionsWith the World Health Organizationâs 2025 update to ICD11 a historic step was marked for traditional medicine as it officially introduced a dedicated module for Ayurveda Siddha and Unani enabling their systematic global reporting alongside conventional medical conditionsThe new module now live on the WHO Blue Browser enables dual coding enhances data collection improves interoperability and strengthens evidencebased policymakingIndia also achieved five Guinness World Records for the first phase of âDesh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyaanâ reflecting Indiaâs growing prominence in holistic and personalised healthcareThe campaign aiming to take Ayurveda to every home so that people can understand their individual Prakriti Ayurvedic body type and adopt a healthy lifestyle accordingly recorded over 129 crore prakriti assessments far exceeding its target of 1 crore It set global records for the highest number of pledges and largest online photo and video albums related to a health initiativeThe 11th International Day of Yoga led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the worldâs largestever yoga gathering of 3 lakh participants in Visakhapatnam Celebrated in more than 180 countries it highlighted yogaâs unifying power and global reachThe WHOâs landmark technical brief on âAI in Traditional Medicineâ highlighted Indiaâs pioneering role in integrating artificial intelligence with Ayush systems acknowledging breakthroughs such as the Ayush Grid Ayurgenomics predictive diagnostic tools and digital platforms like SAHI NAMASTE and the Ayush Research PortalIndia became the first country to launch a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library TKDL The brief underscores how AIdriven applications from Prakritibased diagnostics to genomic decoding of herbal formulations are modernising traditional medicine and expanding its global relevanceIn a landmark step toward strengthening consumer protection and regulatory oversight in the field of traditional medicine the government launched the Ayush Suraksha Portal which will serve as a vigilant watchtower against misinformationThe Portal represents a significant advancement in pharmacovigilance and regulatory convergence within the Ayush ecosystemThe 10th National Ayurveda Day celebrated with a universal calendar identity on September 23 was celebrated with major initiatives global participation and renewed focus on the wellbeing of people and planetThe event highlighted Ayurvedaâs growing global footprint and its relevance to modern health and environmental challengesThe government has also unveiled the Ayush Nivesh Saarthi portal to mark a major leap toward transforming Indiaâs ancient wellness systems into a modern investmentready sectorWith Ayush Nivesh Saarthi the government aims to catalyse investment empower entrepreneurs and showcase Indiaâs leadership in traditional medicine and wellnessThe second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi also reinforced Indias global leadership through highlevel engagements and sixteen bilateral meetings with participating nationsThe Union Budget for FY26 allocated the Ministry of Ayush with Rs 39929 crore marking a 142 per cent rise from the previous years revised estimate of Rs 34976 croreExports of Ayush and herbal products from India during the FY25 grew 586 per cent with the quantity growing almost 2146 per cent as compared to FY24Exports of AYUSH and herbal products rose to Rs 5907 crore in FY25 from Rs 5580 crore in FY24 according to data from the Ministry of Commerce and IndustryThe Indian Ayush market is projected to grow from 433 billion in 2024 to US200 billion by 2030 reflecting an exponential growth of eight times over the past decade IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/2025-ayear-of-evidence-based-growth-globalleadershipfor-ayush-sector-655759.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/number-of-poor-getting-subsidised-lpg-under-pmuy-scheme-touches-1035-crore-in-2025-655771.html New Delhi Dec 26 The number of beneficiaries under the governmentâs flagship Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aimed to ensure universal access to clean cooking fuel touched 1035 crore as on December 1 2025 according to Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Friday Affordability of LPG was supported through a targeted subsidy of Rs 300 per 142 kg cylinder for up to nine refills per year for PMUY beneficiaries This intervention resulted in a steady rise in LPG consumption Average per capita consumption increased from about three refills in 201920 to 447 refills in FY 202425 and further to a prorated level of about 485 refills per annum during FY 202526 indicating sustained adoption of clean cooking fuelTo clear pending applications and achieve saturation of LPG access the government approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections during FY 202526 Subsidy targeting and transparency was improved with the acceleration of Aadhaar authentication As on December 1 2025 biometric authentication covered 71 per cent of PMUY consumers and 62 per cent of nonPMUY consumers the statement saidConsumer safety was strengthened through the nationwide Basic Safety Check campaign More than 1212 crore free safety inspections were conducted at customer premises and over 465 crore LPG hoses were replaced at discounted rates significantly enhancing awareness and safety standards in domestic LPG usageThe Ministry also focused on strengthening petroleum marketing infrastructure Over 90000 retail outlets were enabled with digital payment facilities supported by more than 271 lakh POS terminalsElectric mobility infrastructure expanded rapidly during the year Under the FAMEII scheme 8932 EV charging stations were installed at retail outlets while Oil Marketing Companies OMCs additionally set up over 18500 charging stations from their own resources The APNA GHAR initiative progressed with more than 500 wayside amenities established for truckers improving road safety and supporting rural employment the statement pointed outPublic Sector OMCs are setting up 4000 energy stations during 202425 to 202829 along major corridors and other feasible locations These stations are being developed as integrated mobility hubs offering conventional fuels such as petrol and diesel along with alternative fuels including biofuels CNG and electric vehicle charging facilities As on November 1 2025 1064 energy stations have been set up across the countrySignificant progress was made in expanding the gasbased economy The length of operational natural gas pipelines in the country has increased from 15340 kms in 2014 to 25429 kms as on June 2025 with another 10459 kms under execution as part of the national gas gridCity Gas Distribution coverage expanded to 307 geographical areas As on September 2025 PNG domestic connections reached about 157 crore and CNG stations increased to over 8400Under the SATAT initiative as on November 1 2025 over 130 compressed bio gas plants have been commissioned with several more under construction Mandatory blending obligations for CBG in CNG and PNG segments commenced from FY 202526 supported by financial assistance for pipeline connectivity and biomass aggregationBiofuels witnessed major gains during the year Ethanol blending in petrol reached an average of 1924 per cent in ESY 202425 with cumulative foreign exchange savings exceeding Rs 155 lakh crore and substantial carbon emission reductionsThe upstream sector also underwent significant reforms Under the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy 172 blocks covering more than 378 lakh sq km were awarded attracting committed investments of about 436 billion Exploration activity intensified through seismic surveys drilling programmes and governmentfunded initiatives such as Mission AnveshanThrough sustained policy reforms infrastructure expansion and clean energy initiatives the Ministry of Petroleum amp Natural Gas made significant progress in strengthening energy access affordability sustainability and security during 2025 supporting Indiaâs journey towards a resilient and inclusive energy future the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/number-of-poor-getting-subsidised-lpg-under-pmuy-scheme-touches-1035-crore-in-2025-655771.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/disrupted-sleep-cycles-linked-to-aggressive-breast-cancer-study-655780.html New Delhi Dec 26 Women working on the night shift or frequently flying across time zones where they experience an irregular sleep schedule may increase their risk of aggressive breast cancer according to a study The team from the Texas AampM University College of Arts and Sciences explained that circadian disruptions change the structure of mammary glands and weaken the immune systems defenses all the while pointing toward a new way to counteract these effectsCancer keeps time If your internal clock is disrupted cancer takes advantage but now weve found a new way to fight back said Dr Tapasree Roy Sarkar CoDirector of the Center for Statistical Bioinformatics at Texas AampM University College of Arts and SciencesCircadian rhythms our internal 24hour clock do far more than regulate sleep They help coordinate hormone release tissue repair and the immune systems surveillanceWhen disrupted the bodys natural defenses begin to falterThe circadian rhythm orchestrates how our tissues function and how our immune system recognizes danger Sarkar said When that rhythm is disrupted the consequences can be seriously dangerousTo investigate these effects the researchers used two groups of genetically engineered models that develop aggressive breast cancerOne group lived on a normal daynight schedule while the other lived on a disrupted light cycle that threw off their internal clocksThe findings published in the journal Oncogene showed that typical models develop cancer around the 22week marker The circadiandisrupted group however showed signs of cancer much earlier at almost 18 weeksTumours in circadiandisrupted models were also far more aggressive and far more likely to spread to the lungs a key indicator of poor outcomes in breast cancer patientsAt the same time disruption of the models internal clock suppressed immune defenses creating a more hospitable environment for cancer growthIt wasnt just that tumours grew faster Sarkar said The immune system was actively restrained creating more favourable conditions for cancer cells to survive and spreadBut the effects werent just limited to the tumours themselves The researchers also found that longterm circadian disruption changed the makeup of healthy breast tissue making it more vulnerable to cancerWe observed clear changes in the morphology of the mammary glands the milkproducing tissue of the breast Sarkar said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/disrupted-sleep-cycles-linked-to-aggressive-breast-cancer-study-655780.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-engineering-goods-exports-top-11-billion-in-nov-us-and-eu-shipments-up-sharply-655617.html New Delhi Dec 25 India saw highest engineering exports of this fiscal at 1101 billion in November driven by a favourable base effect and a sharp jump in shipments to the US and EU industry data showed on Thursday Exports to Indias top two major destinations the US and the EU jumped significantly in November this year Exports to the EU witnessed a hefty 39 per cent increase in November after declining in the previous two monthsDuring November this year engineering exports achieved an impressive 2376 per cent growth over November 2024 when shipment was recorded at 890 billion according to EEPC IndiaâEngineering exports crossed the 11 billion mark in November 2025 for the first time in the current fiscal This is a testament to the relentless effort of the exporting community which quickly recovered from the 17 per cent yearonyear decline in engineering exports in October 2025â said Pankaj Chadha Chairman EEPC IndiaThe growth story of engineering exports reflects the positive trend in global trade he notedWhile lauding the approval of the Export Promotion Mission EPM by the Union Cabinet Chadha said the recently concluded trade deals with Oman and New Zealand would provide further impetus to engineering goods exportsWe sincerely hope that the upcoming FTAs with the EU and the BTA with the US will also be instrumental for us Overall both global and domestic trade indicate positive trends which is good for the exporters however they should remain cautious given the rising volatility in global trade he statedOut of 34 product panels as many as 32 registered higher exports in November 2025 on a yearonyear basisExports of product segments like âmotor vehiclescarsâ âships boats and floating structuresâ industrial machinery for agriculture dairy etcâ âelectric machinery and equipmentâ and âcopper and copper productsâ among others were impressive during this periodEngineering goods exports to the US stood at 158 billion in November 2025 as against 142 billion in November 2024 Engineering goods exports to the EU were 202 billion in November as compared to 146 billion in the same month last yearRegionwise North America and the EU remained the top two exporting regions for Indian engineering Also export growth was recorded in all regions in November 2025 the data showedOn a cumulative basis engineering exports were 425 percent higher at 7974 billion during AprilNovember 202526 as against 7649 billion during the same period last fiscal IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-engineering-goods-exports-top-11-billion-in-nov-us-and-eu-shipments-up-sharply-655617.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/union-budget-2026-27-cii-outlines-4-point-strategy-for-macroeconomic-stability-655622.html New Delhi Dec 25 Apex business chamber CII on Thursday proposed a fourpronged fiscal strategy ahead of the Union Budget 202627 that includes debt stability fiscal transparency revenue mobilisation and expenditure efficiency According to a CII statement at the core of the roadmap is adherence to the governmentâs debt glide path targeting 50 per cent plus or minus 1 per cent of GDP by FY31 Maintaining Central debt at roughly 545 per cent of GDP and the fiscal deficit at 42 per cent of GDP in FY27 will preserve macro credibility while supporting growth Strengthening public finances however must extend beyond the Centre to States and Urban Local Bodies ULBs whose fiscal positions increasingly shape overall debt dynamics and the durability of macroeconomic stabilitySecond to improve predictability and reinforce institutional credibility CII recommends reviving the MediumTerm Fiscal Framework with a rolling 35 year roadmap for revenue expenditure and debtThird revenue mobilisation remains central to longterm fiscal sustainability Indiaâs taxtoGDP ratio at 175 per cent centre and state combined remains below that of major emerging economiesâTo finance the developmental needs of the country India needs to increase its taxGDP ratio Leveraging the data from Indiaâs worldclass digital infrastructure could help detect tax evasion and expand tax baseâ CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee saidGreater use of digital and AIbased tools should be leveraged to expand the tax base through seamless data exchange between GST income tax and digital payment systems Linking tax returns with highvalue transactions and deploying advanced analytics can enable realtime detection of evasion while lowering compliance costs the statement saidTo unlock value from public assets government should announce a threeyear privatisation pipeline of Public Sector Enterprises PSEs in the nonstrategic sectors as announced in the âStrategic Disinvestment Policy CII further statedFourth expenditure management particularly subsidy reform forms the other pillar of the strategy Public Distribution System PDS covering 813 million people or 57 per cent of the population faces challenges of outdated data and leakages Updating beneficiary lists using the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023â24 narrowing coverage to the bottom 15 per cent and shifting towards cash or voucherbased transfers can enhance efficiency while also promoting dietary diversification the statement saidSimilarly fertiliser subsidies which accounts for 39 per cent of total central subsidies should transition to a Direct Benefit Transfer DBT model to curb misuse and promote balanced fertiliser use Issuing the DBT amount or fertiliser coupons before sowing can address farmersâ concerns about upfront expensesCentrally Sponsored Schemes CSS which constitute 11 per cent of Central expenditure also need to be consolidated to reduce fragmentation Prioritising highimpact areas such as education health skilling and climate resilience while leveraging digital tools for monitoring can yield better outcomes and fiscal savings the statement saidCII also suggests encouraging states to obtain ratings from at least two reputed rating agencies for State Development Loans SDLs and linking a portion of central capital expenditure assistance to such ratings and disclosures would incentivise prudenceBesides CII has proposed a Systematic Modernisation and Resource Transformation SMART Cities Enablement Mission anchored in a National Digital Urban Platform to build capacity in municipal finance governance and digital service delivery A Fiscal Health Index for ULBs modelled on NITI Aayogâs index for states would allow benchmarking transparency and reformlinked incentives creating a virtuous cycle of improved finances and better service delivery IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/union-budget-2026-27-cii-outlines-4-point-strategy-for-macroeconomic-stability-655622.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-launches-5-digital-reforms-to-boost-transparent-citizen-centric-administration-655634.html New Delhi Dec 25 IANS The Union government on Thursday launched five digital reforms to boost transparent and citizencentric administration in the countrynbspThe reforms ExServicemen Reservation Compendium AI Recruitment Tool eHRMS 20 App iGOT AI Platforms and Karmayogi Digital Learning Lab 20 were unveiled by Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State Independent Charge for the Department of Personnel and Training DoPT at the National Workshop on Good Governance Practices 2025 in the national capitalGood governance is not an abstract ideal but a daily administrative responsibility rooted in transparency accountability and citizencentric delivery said Singh addressing the event for Good Governance Day observed annually on December 25nbspThe Minister noted that Good Governance Day holds special significance as the nation commemorates the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who institutionalised the concept of probity in public life and laid the foundations of peoplefirst governanceHe said that while the idea of good governance was articulated earlier it was after 2014 that it began to be implemented in letter and spirit under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi guided by the mantra of Minimum Government Maximum GovernancenbspThe five initiatives are aimed at strengthening core governance processes supporting key stakeholder groups and equipping civil servants for the challenges of a fastevolving administrative landscapeThe Compendium of Guidelines on Reservation for ExServicemen in Central Government consolidates all existing instructions into a single updated and userfriendly referencenbspThis step reflects the Governments commitment to honouring the service of ExServicemen by ensuring clarity uniformity and timely delivery of reservationrelated benefits while also reducing ambiguity and errors in implementation across Ministries and Departments Singh saidnbspThe AIpowered Recruitment Rules Generator Tool is integrated with the Recruitment Rules Formulation Amendment and Monitoring System RRFAMS portalThe Recruitment Rules are the backbone of fair recruitment and career progression and the new AIenabled tool will significantly reduce delays and inconsistencies by guiding users through simple questions suggesting appropriate recruitment methods and automatically generating draft rules in the prescribed format fully aligned with DoPT guidelines the Minister explainednbspThe mobile application for eHRMS 20 available on Android and iOS places key human resource services directly in the hands of government employeesDeveloped as a core pillar of Mission Karmayogi eHRMS 20 integrates service records and HR processes such as promotions transfers deputations training and superannuation along with linkages to platforms like SPARROW PFMS and Bhavishya Singh noted that the mobile app will reduce paperwork speed up approvals and enhance transparency in personnel managementnbspThe new AIenabled features on the iGOT Karmayogi platform include iGOT AI Sarthi for intelligent discovery of relevant learning resources iGOT AI Tutor for personalised incourse support the iGOT Specialisation Programme offering structured learning pathways in critical domains and an AIbased Capacity Building Plan Tool to help Ministries and States systematically map roles competencies and training needsThe Karmayogi Digital Learning Lab 20 is a nextgeneration facility designed to produce highquality digital learning content using modern technologies such as ARVR gamification and interactive simulationsnbspThe upgraded lab will enable faster and wider dissemination of best practices reforms and critical skills across the civil services strengthening implementation capacity on the ground the Minister saidnbspTaken together these initiatives reflect a coherent futureoriented approach to governance reform one that leverages technology strengthens institutions and places citizens and civil servants at the centre of change Singh said https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-launches-5-digital-reforms-to-boost-transparent-citizen-centric-administration-655634.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/historic-labour-code-reforms-to-accelerate-growth-create-more-jobs-in-2026-655635.html New Delhi Dec 25 IANS The Narendra Modi government rolled out a spate of Big Bang economic reforms in 2025 aimed at accelerating growth and creating more employment in the country as India retained its tag as the worlds fastestgrowing economy amid the global slowdownnbspThe hectic winter session of Parliament saw the approval of proposals to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment FDI in insurance and opening the nuclear power sector to private players These came close on the heels of the four labour laws that were recently notified integrating 29 complex laws into 4 streamlined Codes to create an environment that promotes industrial efficiency while safeguarding workers interestsFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that after the radical GST reforms the government would undertake a similar exercise to overhaul the Customs regime in the Union Budget for 202526 that is likely to be presented on February 1nbspParliament approved the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Amendment of Insurance Laws Bill 2025 raising the Foreign Direct Investment FDI limit in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent to attract capital boost development improve service and achieve Insurance for All by 2047 with measures also reducing requirements for reinsurers and strengthening policyholder protection This major reform aims to bring higher investment innovation so that more people can get insurance cover in the underpenetrated Indian marketThe approval of Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India SHANTI Bill 2025 by Parliament consolidates and modernises Indias nuclear legal framework with the objective to support the countrys cleanenergy transition aimed at achieving the longterm goal of 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047nbspThe Bill permits private companies to participate in Indias nuclear sector enabling them to undertake plant operations power generation equipment manufacturing and selected activities such as the fabrication of nuclear fuel including conversion refining and enrichment of uranium235 up to such threshold value or production use processing or disposal of other prescribed substancesAt the same time at the core of the bill lies a strong emphasis on maintaining Indias strategic control over its nuclear ecosystem Even as the sector opens up to private participation the Bill ensures that critical functions remain firmly under sovereign oversight The government retains exclusive authority over the nuclear fuel cycle waste management and all securityrelated operationsnbspPrime Minister Modi termed the four Labour Codes which have been notified as the most comprehensive and progressive labouroriented reforms since Independence which greatly empower the country workers and significantly simplify compliance and promote Ease of Doing BusinessWith the implementation of the Labour Codes it has now become mandatory for employers to issue appointment letters to all workers which provides written proof to ensure transparency job security and fixed employment Earlier no mandatory appointment letters were requirednbspUnder Code on Social Security 2020 all workers including gig and platform workers will get social security coverage All workers will get PF ESIC insurance and other social security benefits Earlier there was only limited security coverageUnder the Code on Wages 2019 all workers will receive a statutory minimum wage and it ensures timely payment to ensure financial security Earlier minimum wages applied only to scheduled industries or employments large sections of workers remained uncoverednbspThe Labour Codes also ensure that employers must provide all workers above the age of 40 years with a free annual health checkup and promote a timely preventive healthcare culture Earlier there was no legal requirement for employers to provide free annual health checkups to workersThe new law permits women to work at night and in all types of work across all establishments subject to their consent and required safety measures Women will also get equal opportunities to earn higher incomes in high paying job roles Earlier womens employment in night shifts and certain occupations was restrictednbspThe new Labour Codes bring about a series of benefits for Indias export sector including textiles garments leather electronics gems and jewellery pharmaceuticals auto components and ITenabled services especially simplifying compliance for employers and enabling improved workforce managementnbspThe competitiveness of these exportoriented industries depends heavily on the ability to maintain a flexible compliant and skilled workforce while adhering to international labour standards https://dailyworld.in/science/historic-labour-code-reforms-to-accelerate-growth-create-more-jobs-in-2026-655635.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rural-roads-built-under-pm-scheme-to-link-indias-villages-cross-787-lakh-km-mark-655657.html New Delhi Dec 25 Celebrating 25 years in 2025 the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana PMGSY stands out as one of Indiaâs most impactful rural infrastructure initiatives Launched to ensure allweather connectivity to previously unconnected rural habitations the programme has emerged as a key enabler of agricultural growth employment generation improved access to education and health services and poverty alleviation Since its inception PMGSY has sanctioned a total of 825114 km of rural roads of which 787520 km have been completed reflecting nearly 95 per cent physical progress as of December 2025 according to an official statement issued on ThursdayA total road length of 62500 kilometres is proposed to be constructed during the implementation period from FY 2024â25 to 2028â29 with an overall financial outlay of Rs 70125 crore Phase IV of PMGSY aims to provide allweather road connectivity to 25000 unconnected rural habitationsRoad infrastructure constitutes a fundamental pillar of rural development enabling access to economic and social services enhancing agricultural incomes creating productive employment opportunities and making a significant contribution to poverty reductionOver time PMGSY has evolved into a key driver of socioeconomic transformation strengthening market integration facilitating better price realization for farmers and supporting both farm and nonfarm livelihoods Collectively these outcomes underscore the programmeâs central role in advancing inclusive and sustainable rural developmentBudgetary allocations to the PMGSY in recent years reflect the governmentâs sustained emphasis on strengthening rural road connectivity For the financial year 2025â26 the programme has been allocated Rs 19000 crore underscoring the continued support for enhancing rural infrastructure ensuring allweather road connectivity and boosting economic opportunities in rural areasThe governmentâs systematic measures have significantly improved the quality durability and sustainability of rural roads constructed under PMGSY Progress and performance of PMGSY road projects are closely monitored using advanced digital technologies and online platforms ensuring greater efficiency transparency and accountability the statement saidThe Online Management Monitoring and Accounting System OMMAS enables realtime monitoring of all works under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana ensuring that physical and financial progress remains aligned with the targets assigned to states To further strengthen the Project Management Information System PMIS it has been integrated within OMMAS to facilitate more effective management of construction activities for each road sanctioned under PMGSYIIIOMMAS also supports quality assurance by capturing assessments carried out by independent quality monitors Inspections conducted by National Quality Monitors NQMs and State Quality Monitors SQMs are uploaded through the Quality Monitoring System QMS mobile application along with geotagged photographs from the field and are subsequently reflected on the OMMAS portal This framework enables realtime quality monitoring and enhances transparency in the delivery of durable rural infrastructureThe Electronic Maintenance of PMGSY Roads eMARG platform has been implemented across all States to ensure systematic monitoring of PMGSY road maintenance for a period of five years from the date of completion corresponding to the Defect Liability Period DLP With the introduction of eMARG as a dedicated software module for maintenance payments contractor payments during the DLP are now directly linked to road performance and quality outcomes This performancebased contract management system has significantly strengthened accountability improved maintenance standards and enhanced the longterm durability of PMGSY assets the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rural-roads-built-under-pm-scheme-to-link-indias-villages-cross-787-lakh-km-mark-655657.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aws-denies-outage-reports-as-users-flag-disruptions-in-us-india-655666.html New Delhi Dec 25 Amazon Web Services AWS on Thursday denied reports of a service outage saying its systems were working normally and that users should rely only on the companyâs official health dashboard for accurate information Earlier in the day many users in the US and India reported problems accessing AWSlinked services according to outagetracking website DowndetectorThe complaints led to speculation on social media about a possible disruption in AWS servicesResponding to the claims AWS said in a post on X that the reports were incorrect The company stated that its services were operating normally and that an unrelated issue elsewhere on the internet had triggered inaccurate speculation onlineNo thats false AWS services are operating normally today but an event elsewhere on the internet has prompted some inaccurate speculation on social mediaâ it saidAWS added that the only reliable source to check the status of its services is the AWS Health DashboardâThe only resource on the internet that provides accurate data on the availability of our services is the AWS Health Dashboard httpsgoaws4jb7PAh it mentionedData from Downdetector showed that reports of issues peaked around 7 am IST with more than 4300 users in the US flagging problemsIn India the number of complaints was much lower at around 25 to 30 but users in cities such as Bengaluru Mumbai and New Delhi reported disruptionsDue to the reported issues several users in the US said they were unable to access gaming platforms including popular titles from Epic GamesGames such as Fortnite Rocket League and ARC Raiders were among those affected according to user reportsCloud service disruptions often impact multiple platforms at the same time because many digital services rely on shared infrastructureSuch incidents have become more common in recent months leading to frequent concerns among users whenever largescale platforms face technical issues IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aws-denies-outage-reports-as-users-flag-disruptions-in-us-india-655666.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sun-pharmas-taro-recalls-over-17-000-units-of-antifungal-shampoo-in-us-fda-655668.html New Delhi Dec 25 Sun Pharmaâs US arm Taro Pharmaceutical Industries has recalled more than 17000 units of antifungal over manufacturing issues the US Food and Drug Administration USFDA has said The Ciclopirox Shampoo an antifungal medication that treats seborrheic dermatitis a condition that causes dry flaky and itchy skin is being recalled due to âfailed impuritydegradation specificationsâ the USFDA said in its latest Enforcement ReportThe Class II nationwide recall of 17664 units of the Ciclopirox Shampoo was initiated by the company on December 9The USFDA defines a ClassII recall as a violative product whose use or exposure to may lead to temporary or medically reversible health consequences or when the likelihood of serious adverse health outcomes is minimalTaro is a private company and wholly owned by Sun Pharma The Israelbased company was acquired by Sun Pharma in a deal valued at 34773 million last yearSun Pharma has been the majority shareholder of Taro since 2010Primarily focused on dermatology Taro produces a wide range of prescription and overthecounter productsIndian pharmaceutical companies supply a substantial proportion of drugs to US residents with four out of ten of all prescriptions filled in the US in 2022 being supplied by Indian companiesSun Pharmaceutical Industries is Indiaâs largest formulation player by market share The pharma giant is also a lead exporter to the US market with revenue of Rs 14478 crore in the second quarter of FY26While the drug majors net profit rose 256 per cent yearonyear to Rs 3118 crore formulation sales in the US declined 41 per cent to 496 millionThe weakness in its generics business was offset by growth in innovative medicines according to the company IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sun-pharmas-taro-recalls-over-17-000-units-of-antifungal-shampoo-in-us-fda-655668.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/coupang-says-former-employee-saved-data-from-only-3-000-customers-no-external-leak-655671.html Seoul Dec 25 Ecommerce giant Coupang said on Thursday it has recovered all leaked personal information involving approximately 3000 customers adding that no data has been transferred to anyone outside the company In a press release Coupang said it has identified a former employee responsible for the data leak by using forensic evidence adding that the individual confessed and provided a detailed account of how customer information was accessed reports Yonhap news agencyThe suspect used stolen security keys to access basic customer information from approximately 33 million accounts the company saidHowever data from only about 3000 accounts was actually saved and later deleted by the suspectAn internal investigation found no evidence that any customer data was shared with or transmitted to third parties the company said adding it has also secured all devices used to access and store customer information including a hard driveThe accessed information included customers names email addresses phone numbers home addresses and other details according to the companyCoupang stressed that there was no breach of sensitive information such as payment information login credentials or customs clearance numbersThe announcement by Coupang followed news reports that the presidential office was set to hold an emergency meeting with relevant government officials on the case on the dayBut the government refuted Coupangs announcement as a unilateral claim saying the results of a privategovernment joint teams probe into the data leak have yet to come outThe government strongly protested Coupang over its unilateral announcement about the matter that is currently under investigation by the joint team the Ministry of Science and ICT saidLast month the government set up a privatepublic joint team to investigate the data breach at Coupang that affected 337 million usersThe privatepublic joint team is closely looking into the kinds and extent of the data breach and how the data leaked the science ministry said What Coupang claimed has not been verified by the team IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/coupang-says-former-employee-saved-data-from-only-3-000-customers-no-external-leak-655671.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-marching-towards-quantum-yug-shivraj-singh-chouhan-655682.html Amaravati Dec 25 Union Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that Andhra Pradesh is marching towards âQuantum Yugâ and expressed hope that Amaravati will emerge as a great capital city in future He said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is marching ahead to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047 Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is taking the initiative to establish a healthy wealthy and happy Andhra Pradesh to achieve Swarnandhra PradeshAddressing âGood Governance Dayâ celebrations organised by the state government he remarked that the PM Modi and Chandrababu Babu combination will make the country number oneâFor Andhra Pradesh to become healthy wealthy and happy under the leadership of the esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji the central government will leave no stone unturned We will walk shoulder to shoulderâ he saidEarlier the Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Venkatapalem in the Amaravati capital region on the occasion of Good Governance Day Atal Bihari Vajpayee centenary celebrations Later they planted saplings in the Vajpayee Memorial ParkSpeaking on the occasion the Union Minister described Vajpayee as a great patriot and Ajata Satru He stated that Vajpayee has left such an imprint on Indias politics that it will remain etched for centuriesâAtal Ji is our inspiration When I was studying in Bhopal I heard Atal Ji for the first time His words still echo in my earsâ he saidHe said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal had also recognised the efficiency of Vajpayee and predicted that one day Vajpayee would become Prime Minister He said Vajpayee also played a constructive role while in opposition and supported Indira Gandhi to protect the interests of the country He said Vajpayee demonstrated Indiaâs power through the Pokhran atomic testsChouhan said that the relationship between Vajpayee and Chandrababu Naidu was not merely political but it was a partnership of trust vision and developmentChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described Shivraj Singh Chouhan as a practical politician who plants saplings daily to protect the environment He said that the government can develop the Vajpayee memorial park in Amaravati with the sacrifice of capital region farmersBJP state president PVN Madhav Union Ministers Srinivas Varma Pemmasani Chandrasekhar Ministers Satyakumar Yadav P Narayana and Kandula Durgesh addressed the gatheringEarlier Union Minister Chouhan met Chandrababu Naidu at the latterâs residence âWe had a detailed discussion on key aspects of agriculture and rural development in the state focusing on policy initiatives infrastructure enhancement farmer welfare and sustainable agricultural practicesâ Chouhan posted on âXâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-marching-towards-quantum-yug-shivraj-singh-chouhan-655682.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nfrs-tech-driven-measures-save-over-160-elephants-ensure-safer-train-operations--655698.html Guwahati Dec 25 The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR has been undertaking a series of proactive technologydriven initiatives to prevent wild elephant dashing incidents and ensure safe uninterrupted train operations across its network successfully protecting more than 160 wild elephants during 2025 alone Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said on Thursday that NFRâs sustained efforts have yielded encouraging results with over 160 elephant lives successfully protected during 2025 alone reaffirming the railway zoneâs strong commitment to wildlife conservation A major step in this direction is the deployment of the Intrusion Detection System IDS an advanced Artificial Intelligencebased technology utilising Distributed Acoustic System DAS principles he said The system detects elephant movement near railway tracks and instantly provides realtime alerts to loco pilots and control rooms enabling timely preventive action and enhancing operational safety According to the official the IDS has already been successfully commissioned across key sections of NFR that pass through elephant corridors At present the system is operational in four important sections These sections include 24 km KamakhyaAzaraMirza section under Rangiya Division the 32 km HabaipurLamsakhangPatharkholaLumding section under Lumding Division the 23 km TitabarâMarianiâNakachari section under Tinsukia Division all in Assam and the 52 km MadarihatNagrakata section under Alipurduar Division in West Bengal Together these installations cover 627 km of elephant corridors and 131 km of block sections significantly improving safety in sensitive wildlife zones the NFR CPRO said Building on this success IDS installation works are currently underway across multiple divisions including 92 km in Alipurduar 25 km in Katihar in Bihar 174 km in Rangiya 110 km in Lumding and 12 km in Tinsukia Division According to Sharma upon completion of the works the system will cover all elephant corridors under NFR jurisdiction totalling 1464 km with an overall block section length of 41342 km creating a robust and comprehensive safety network He said that in addition NFR has adopted innovative preventive measures to reduce train elephant interactions The âPlan Beeâ system installed at vulnerable level crossing gates uses amplified honey bee sounds audible up to 400 metres to deter elephants from approaching tracks In coordination with the Forest Department NFR has also enhanced safety through realtime information sharing nighttime speed restrictions in elephant corridors temporary speed curbs based on sightings sensitisation of train crews installation of cautionary signage and vegetation clearance to improve visibility The NFR official said that at the national level Indian Railways has strengthened wildlife protection by deploying an AIenabled Intrusion Detection System IDS using Distributed Acoustic System DAS technology to detect elephants and other wildlife near railway tracks Successfully piloted on Northeast Frontier Railway the system is now being expanded to other parts of the country he said This expansion will cover an additional 981 route kilometres taking the total coverage to 1122 route kilometres across Indian Railways reinforcing its commitment to wildlife conservation and safe train operations It is noteworthy that more than 2000 elephants have been safely protected while crossing railway tracks across NFR since 2017 the CPRO claimed The NFR operates in the Northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar with more than 7362 Track Kilometres TKM in its jurisdiction IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nfrs-tech-driven-measures-save-over-160-elephants-ensure-safer-train-operations--655698.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mumbai-gets-2nd-airport-as-navi-mumbai-international-airport-starts-operations-655700.html Ahmedabad Dec 25 Navi Mumbai International Airport NMIA began commercial operations on Thursday marking a major milestone for Mumbaiâs aviation sector and Indiaâs infrastructure growth Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani personally welcomed the first set of passengers calling the moment a proud day for both Mumbai and the countryâWelcoming NMIAâs first passengers alongside the Param Vir Chakra awardees offered a glimpse of India now taking shapeâ Gautam Adani saidâStanding with workers farmers social workers and colleagues with disabilities captured the spirit of a nation moving forward with confidence and compassionâ Adani Group Chairman statedThe new airport officially named Navi Mumbai International Airport opened to the public on December 25With its launch Mumbai has joined global cities such as London and New York that operate multiple airports to manage growing air trafficThe airport is expected to ease congestion at âChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airportâ and support the regionâs longterm travel needsThe airport is developed and operated by Adani Airports Holdings Limited a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises LimitedIt is one of Indiaâs largest greenfield airport projects and has been completed in record timeThe first commercial flight IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru landed at 8 am and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon saluteOn its first day of operations the airport handled 48 flights connecting nine domestic cities and served more than 4000 passengersPeak traffic was seen in the early morning hours indicating strong demand from day oneJeet Adani Director at Adani Airports Holdings Limited said the new airport will help build a strong and resilient multiairport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region improve passenger experience and support future aviation growthâNMIA establishes a resilient multiairport system for the MMR boosting capacity enhancing passenger experience and futureproofing the regionâs aviation growthâ Jeet Adani saidOn the eve of the launch the airport hosted a large drone show featuring over 1500 synchronised drones IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mumbai-gets-2nd-airport-as-navi-mumbai-international-airport-starts-operations-655700.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-and-silver-bring-cheers-for-investors-2026-outlook-remains-strong-655586.html Mumbai Dec 25 In a year marked by heightened global uncertainty precious metals delivered exceptional returns for investors with silver emerging as a surprise winner Silver prices surged by more than 137 per cent outperforming gold which also posted a strong gain of around 68 per cent this yearWith equity markets facing volatility both metals strengthened their position as preferred safe investment options but silver clearly outshone all traditional choicesGoldâs strong performance was supported by geopolitical tensions inflation concerns and expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal ReserveA major driving force behind goldâs rally was steady buying by global central banks For three consecutive years 2022 2023 and 2024 central banks have purchased more than 1000 tonnes of gold each yearAlongside this global investors continued to invest through gold ETFs using them as a safe place to park fundsBig global banks have turned increasingly bullish on goldâs outlook Goldman Sachs has raised its 2026 yearend gold price target to 4900 per ounce citing strong central bank demand and ETF inflowsDeutsche Bank has also upgraded its outlook projecting gold prices at 4450 per ounce in 2026Silverâs rally however has been driven by more than just safehaven demand Strong industrial usage has played a crucial roleGrowing demand from sectors such as solar power electric vehicles and electronics has significantly increased silver consumptionAt the same time supply constraints have tightened the market pushing prices sharply higherThis dual role as a precious metal and an industrial input has helped silver deliver more than double the returns of gold in 2025Looking ahead experts believe the positive momentum in silver could continue into 2026Market specialists say that strong industrial demand limited supply and supportive global trends could help silver rise by another 15 to 20 per cent next yearSome analysts expect that in the first half of 2026 alone silver may generate an additional 20 to 25 per cent return from current levels though they advise investors to invest gradually especially if prices see shortterm correctionsGoldâs outlook also remains positive for 2026 Continued central bank buying possible US rate cuts and ongoing geopolitical risks are expected to support pricesAnalysts suggest that keeping an eye on central bank activity whether they continue buying hold their reserves or start selling will be critical as their actions often signal future price trends well in advanceâWith uncertainty still dominating the global economic landscape precious metals are likely to continue playing an important role in investor portfolios offering a mix of safety and growth potentialâ experts statedMeanwhile both metalâs prices climbed to new record highs on the MCX on Wednesday morning helped by a weak US dollar and expectations that the US Federal Reserve may cut interest rates furtherGold futures for February rose 042 per cent to touch an alltime high of Rs 138469 per 10 grams Silver futures for March jumped nearly 2 per cent to hit a fresh record of Rs 223742 per kgIn the global market gold prices crossed the 4500 per ounce level for the first time The rise was driven by strong demand for safehaven assets as investors expect more interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-and-silver-bring-cheers-for-investors-2026-outlook-remains-strong-655586.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/yearender-2025-india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-655590.html New Delhi Dec 25 With largescale funding for research and innovation Indiaâs science and technology SampT sector made a significant leap in 2025 The sector saw improvement in global rankings and advances in frontier technologies semiconductor development and AIbased missionsIn 2025 the country rose to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organizations Global Innovation Index GII 2025 India made a big leap from 81st rank in 2015Four Indian cities also featured among the top 100 innovation clusters Bengaluru 21 Delhi 26 Mumbai 46 and Chennai all of which improved rankings this yearIn a significant push to incentivise private sector participation in RampD the government this year launched the Research Development and Innovation Fund in July The fund was launched with a total outlay of Rs 10 Lakh crore over six years out of which Rs 20000 crore was allocated for FY 202526The National Quantum Mission NQM focussed on building Indias quantum tech ecosystem established operational hubs across 43 institutions by mid2025Under the Mission the government has released Rs 45099 crore in FY 202526 and Rs 5544 crore has been utilised till November 2025Further under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems NMICPS focused on building CyberPhysical Systems CPS capabilities major initiatives undertaken in 2025 include projects like BharatGen Generative AI for Indian languages and bolstering digital infrastructure for cybersecurity and smart applicationsThe LLMbased platform integrates text speech and image modalities offering seamless AI solutions in 22 Indian languagesThe National Supercomputing Mission NSM saw the installation of 37 supercomputers with a total computing power of 40 Petaflops in 2025These systems are set up in leading institutions like IISc IITs CDAC RampD Labs and also in several academic institutions and research organisation in the TierII and TierIII cities across the countryThese supercomputers have supported over 10000 researchers including more than 1700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic and research institutionsNotably the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of over Rs 10300 crore deployed 38000 GPUs as of 2025 to provide affordable computing power to startups and researchersIn 2025 India also rapidly expanded its AI ecosystem with several key Centres of Excellence CoEs focused on sectors like education healthcare agriculture urban governance and clean Energy spurred by the Union Budget 202526With the DHRUV64 Microprocessor India launched its first fully indigenous 10 GHz 64bit dualcore microprocessor in December 2025 Developed by CDAC the chip is designed for 5G IoT and automotive applicationsVIKRAM3201 became the first MakeinIndia 32bit microprocessor specifically qualified for harsh space environmentsThe governments flagship schemes like INSPIRE INSPIREMANAK and WISEKIRAN benefited lakhs of school students researchers and women scientistsIndia also launched its first RampD roadmap for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage CCUS in December 2025 to accelerate its netzero mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/yearender-2025-india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-655590.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-655593.html New Delhi Dec 25 With largescale funding for research and innovation Indiaâs science and technology SampT sector made a significant leap in 2025 The sector saw improvement in global rankings and advances in frontier technologies semiconductor development and AIbased missionsIn 2025 the country rose to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organizations Global Innovation Index GII 2025 India made a big leap from 81st rank in 2015Four Indian cities also featured among the top 100 innovation clusters Bengaluru 21 Delhi 26 Mumbai 46 and Chennai all of which improved rankings this yearIn a significant push to incentivise private sector participation in RampD the government this year launched the Research Development and Innovation Fund in July The fund was launched with a total outlay of Rs 10 Lakh crore over six years out of which Rs 20000 crore was allocated for FY 202526The National Quantum Mission NQM focussed on building Indias quantum tech ecosystem established operational hubs across 43 institutions by mid2025Under the Mission the government has released Rs 45099 crore in FY 202526 and Rs 5544 crore has been utilised till November 2025Further under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems NMICPS focused on building CyberPhysical Systems CPS capabilities major initiatives undertaken in 2025 include projects like BharatGen Generative AI for Indian languages and bolstering digital infrastructure for cybersecurity and smart applicationsThe LLMbased platform integrates text speech and image modalities offering seamless AI solutions in 22 Indian languagesThe National Supercomputing Mission NSM saw the installation of 37 supercomputers with a total computing power of 40 Petaflops in 2025These systems are set up in leading institutions like IISc IITs CDAC RampD Labs and also in several academic institutions and research organisation in the TierII and TierIII cities across the countryThese supercomputers have supported over 10000 researchers including more than 1700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic and research institutionsNotably the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of over Rs 10300 crore deployed 38000 GPUs as of 2025 to provide affordable computing power to startups and researchersIn 2025 India also rapidly expanded its AI ecosystem with several key Centres of Excellence CoEs focused on sectors like education healthcare agriculture urban governance and clean Energy spurred by the Union Budget 202526With the DHRUV64 Microprocessor India launched its first fully indigenous 10 GHz 64bit dualcore microprocessor in December 2025 Developed by CDAC the chip is designed for 5G IoT and automotive applicationsVIKRAM3201 became the first MakeinIndia 32bit microprocessor specifically qualified for harsh space environmentsThe governments flagship schemes like INSPIRE INSPIREMANAK and WISEKIRAN benefited lakhs of school students researchers and women scientistsIndia also launched its first RampD roadmap for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage CCUS in December 2025 to accelerate its netzero mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-655593.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-in-2025-655594.html New Delhi Dec 25 With largescale funding for research and innovation Indiaâs science and technology SampT sector made a significant leap in 2025 The sector saw improvement in global rankings and advances in frontier technologies semiconductor development and AIbased missionsIn 2025 the country rose to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organizations Global Innovation Index GII 2025 India made a big leap from 81st rank in 2015Four Indian cities also featured among the top 100 innovation clusters Bengaluru 21 Delhi 26 Mumbai 46 and Chennai all of which improved rankings this yearIn a significant push to incentivise private sector participation in RampD the government this year launched the Research Development and Innovation Fund in July The fund was launched with a total outlay of Rs 10 Lakh crore over six years out of which Rs 20000 crore was allocated for FY 202526The National Quantum Mission NQM focussed on building Indias quantum tech ecosystem established operational hubs across 43 institutions by mid2025Under the Mission the government has released Rs 45099 crore in FY 202526 and Rs 5544 crore has been utilised till November 2025Further under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems NMICPS focused on building CyberPhysical Systems CPS capabilities major initiatives undertaken in 2025 include projects like BharatGen Generative AI for Indian languages and bolstering digital infrastructure for cybersecurity and smart applicationsThe LLMbased platform integrates text speech and image modalities offering seamless AI solutions in 22 Indian languagesThe National Supercomputing Mission NSM saw the installation of 37 supercomputers with a total computing power of 40 Petaflops in 2025These systems are set up in leading institutions like IISc IITs CDAC RampD Labs and also in several academic institutions and research organisation in the TierII and TierIII cities across the countryThese supercomputers have supported over 10000 researchers including more than 1700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic and research institutionsNotably the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of over Rs 10300 crore deployed 38000 GPUs as of 2025 to provide affordable computing power to startups and researchersIn 2025 India also rapidly expanded its AI ecosystem with several key Centres of Excellence CoEs focused on sectors like education healthcare agriculture urban governance and clean Energy spurred by the Union Budget 202526With the DHRUV64 Microprocessor India launched its first fully indigenous 10 GHz 64bit dualcore microprocessor in December 2025 Developed by CDAC the chip is designed for 5G IoT and automotive applicationsVIKRAM3201 became the first MakeinIndia 32bit microprocessor specifically qualified for harsh space environmentsThe governments flagship schemes like INSPIRE INSPIREMANAK and WISEKIRAN benefited lakhs of school students researchers and women scientistsIndia also launched its first RampD roadmap for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage CCUS in December 2025 to accelerate its netzero mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-takes-key-steps-in-science-research-and-innovation-amid-govt-push-in-2025-655594.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/experts-call-for-ramping-upscienceand-techinvestmentin-india-655362.html New Delhi December 23 While India has enormous talent the overall investment in science and technology is very modest said experts here on Tuesday At an event held in the national capital the experts reflected on how scientific research priorities must evolve in response to global uncertainty rapid technological advances and increasingly complex societal challengesProfessor Jack Szostak Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2009 said that increasing investment in science and education can help develop solutions to global problemsâIndia has enormously talented people but overall investment in science and technology remains very modest There are bright spots of worldclass research but they are small compared to what India could achieveâ Szostak said during the event organised by Ashoka UniversitySzostak a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago stated that investment in science is often seen as competing with immediate social needsâOn the contrary the most effective way to address these pressing challenges is to increase investment in science and technology because that will lead to solutions to the pressing problems of todayâ the expert saidFormer Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Professor K VijayRaghavan reiterated the need to expand both the scale and footprint of scientific research in IndiaâWhile India has made significant investments in select missions and institutions the broader challenge lies in widening access to research funding beyond a small set of elite centres and building mechanisms that allow emerging institutions to absorb and utilise resources effectivelyâ he addedPriyamvada Natarajan Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Yale University highlighted the importance of sustained support for fundamental research and increasing investments in scienceâThis is a unique moment for India to step up its investment in science and focus on a few highimpact interdisciplinary areas Much of todayâs most important research is deeply collaborative and by investing strategically in these emerging fields India has the opportunity not just to follow but to define the next frontiers of scienceâ Natarajan addedProfessor Rajesh Gopakumar Director of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences ICTSâTIFR and a leading theoretical physicist stressed the need to boost scientific research and strengthen international collaborationâTo move forward we need to open up our horizons That means internationalising Indian science globalising our benchmarks and having the confidence to see science as an openended activity where new doors are opened through conversations across disciplines and across countriesâ the expert added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/experts-call-for-ramping-upscienceand-techinvestmentin-india-655362.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over-4-500-industrial-parks-playing-key-role-in-indias-big-push-for-growth-655366.html New Delhi Dec 23 Over 4500 industrial parks have now come up in India spanning an area of 770 lakh hectares as part of the governmentâs policy to accelerate the countryâs industry and innovation agenda Developed in partnership with state governments and the private sector these parks are promoting investment to strengthen Indiaâs industrial base and employment generation leading to sustainable economic development according to an official statement issued on TuesdayAs the government increasingly adopts the role of facilitator rather than regulator these parks are sculpting a globally competitive industrial economy in IndiaAn outlay of Rs 2500 crores has been allocated for the development of plugandplay industrial parks in the Union Budget 202526 By providing infrastructure that is precisiondesigned to industry needs the plugandplay parks enhance operational efficiency and sustainabilityThere are currently 306 plugandplay industrial parks in India and an additional 20 plugandplay industrial parks and smart cities are being developed under the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation NICDC Four projects have been completed four are currently under construction while the rest are advancing through different phases of bidding and tendering the statement explainedThe industrial parks operate under liberal and incentivebased rules for labour land use and foreign investment They offer shared hard and soft facilities such as utilities telecom networks waste systems laboratories internal roads onestop clearances training centres security and emergency servicesIndia has strengthened the ease of doing business by supporting domestic and international investors with industrial parks becoming central to attracting investment and meeting largescale employment needs as improved internal infrastructure has raised occupancy rates and stimulated economic growthInvestors can remotely evaluate suitable land parcels using detailed information on infrastructure connectivity business support services and environmental and safety standards thereby enabling wellinformed investment decisionsDevelopment takes place on clearly demarcated masterplanned land with uniform standards for buildings and facilities A single authority oversees firm entry ensures regulatory compliance and drives longterm park developmentMultiple firms operate within the park collaborate share resources and enhance productivity through agglomeration and clustering effectsThese industrial parks integrate scarce factors of production within defined geographic zones generating higher productivity and operational efficiency They create jobs improve wages and strengthen the local talent baseThe parks draw investment and advanced technologies while enabling technology and managerial knowledge transfer The clustered industrial activity stimulates upgrading enhances national competitiveness and deepens global value chain integration They also act as catalysts for economic expansion and sustainable progress in host cities and regionsThere is also an Industrial Park Rating System IPRS which has been put in place for a sharper focus on sustainability green infrastructure logistics digitalisation skill linkages and tenant feedback IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over-4-500-industrial-parks-playing-key-role-in-indias-big-push-for-growth-655366.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govtreaffirmscommitment-tointegratesurveillance-strengthenlabsto-combat-influenza-655368.html New Delhi Dec 23 The government has reaffirmed its commitment to integrate surveillance and strengthen labs to combat influenza said the Health Ministry on Tuesday The National Centre for Disease Control NCDC in collaboration with the World Health Organization WHO organised a twoday influenza Chintan Shivir from December 2223 in New DelhiThe Shivir provided a structured platform for deliberations to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms ahead of the upcoming influenza seasonâThe deliberations reiterated that influenza preparedness must be supported through effective intersectoral convergence with further strengthening of surveillance laboratory capacity and clinical preparedness for early detection and timely response to seasonal and zoonotic influenza outbreaksâ the Ministry saidA key outcome of the Chintan Shivir was the development of a structured influenza preparedness checklist intended to guide the centre states and districts in preparedness planningThe checklist works across four key domains including surveillance early warning and risk assessment laboratory systems strengthening hospital preparedness and clinical response and One Health coordination and risk communication and community engagement RCCEThe deliberations reaffirmed Indiaâs commitment to coordinated national action to prevent detect and respond effectively to influenza and other respiratory viral threatsâThe Chintan Shivir concluded with a consensus on adopting a wholeofGovernment and One Health approach to address seasonal and zoonotic influenza Ministries agreed to strengthen integrated surveillance across human animal and wildlife sectors enhance laboratory and genomic capacities ensure timely data sharing and align sectoral action plans with the national pandemic preparedness frameworkâ the Ministry saidThe Chintan Shivir witnessed participation from around 100 eminent representatives from multiple ministries including health animal husbandry agriculture and environment along with premier research institutions state governments and international partners furthering the One Health and wholeofGovernment approach IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govtreaffirmscommitment-tointegratesurveillance-strengthenlabsto-combat-influenza-655368.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/minister-advises-india-post-to-drive-strategic-biz-growth-boost-regional-outreach-655373.html New Delhi Dec 23 The government on Tuesday advised India Post to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to business growth including reaching out to businesses and entities contributing high GST Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development also advocated establishing dedicated marketing executive teams in every circle to monitor leads conversions and revenue daily and called on circle heads to leverage regional strengths â aligned with local geography industry presence and business potential â to implement customised growth strategiesIn a review meeting part of the quarterly monitoring framework laid down by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Dr Pemmasani also directed that all performance metrics â mail and parcel operations savings and insurance â must balance public welfare and financial prudenceThe reviews aim to identify issues early enable quick course corrections and ensure India Post consistently meets its service and performance goalsCovering all 24 postal circles the discussions focused on operational efficiency financial inclusion logistics expansion and techdriven reforms aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs vision of Viksit BharatHighlighting India Postâs unmatched network the Minister of State called for optimal utilisation of resources to strengthen delivery services and expand savings and insurance coverage supporting the nationâs logistics needsThe minister commended Karnataka Circle for strong grassroots performance and successful acquisition of new customers and marketsHe also lauded the Northeastern Circle for opening 154 lakh new savings accounts mobilizing Rs 276 crore under PLIRPLI and implementing structured MSME outreach The Minister of State said that serving over 14 billion citizens through the postal network is both a responsibility and an opportunity emphasising that efficient services digital integrity and financial prudence are central to making India Post a selfreliant futureready institution IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/minister-advises-india-post-to-drive-strategic-biz-growth-boost-regional-outreach-655373.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-to-through-omos-forex-swap-655406.html Mumbai Dec 23 The Reserve Bank of India RBI on Tuesday announced a fresh set of steps to inject a large amount of money into the banking system to ease tight liquidity conditions Through a mix of open market operations OMOs and a foreign exchange swap the central bank will add nearly Rs 3 trillion to the system over the coming weeksAs part of the plan the RBI will buy government bonds worth Rs 2 trillion through OMOsThese purchases will be done in four equal tranches of Rs 50000 crore each on December 29 January 5 January 12 and January 22In addition the central bank will conduct a threeyear USDINR buysell swap of 10 billion on January 13 which will also help release rupee liquidity into the banking systemMarket participants said such a large injection was widely expected even before the RBI stepped in to sell dollars in the foreign exchange market last weekThe main reason for the liquidity squeeze is the RBIâs recent intervention in the currency market Last week the central bank sold dollars aggressively to prevent a sharp fall in the rupee which had weakened due to uncertainty around a possible trade deal with the US and continued foreign portfolio investor outflows from Indian equity and debt marketsMarket participants believe the RBIâs latest move is timely and sufficient for now They said any further action will depend on how liquidity conditions evolve and whether the central bank needs to intervene again in the foreign exchange market If pressures continue more steps could be taken in the fourth quarterIn the recent monetary policy meeting RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had reassured markets that the central bank would ensure adequate liquidity in the banking systemHe had said this support would continue even without formally targeting a surplus level of around 1 per cent of net demand and time liabilitiesSo far in December the RBI has already injected about Rs 145 trillion of durable liquidity through a mix of bond purchases and forex swapsBond market participants said that if OMOs are conducted in more liquid government securities it would improve participation and help better price discoveryWhen illiquid bonds are used banks often bid at higher levels to lock in gains which reduces the effectiveness of such operationsEarlier in the year the RBI had carried out even larger liquidity support In the first half of the current calendar year it injected around Rs 95 trillion into the banking systemThis helped move liquidity conditions from a prolonged deficit since midDecember 2024 to a surplus by the end of March 2025 Most of this support came through open market purchases along with longterm repo operations and USDINR buysell swaps IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-to-through-omos-forex-swap-655406.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-through-omos-forex-swap-655411.html Mumbai Dec 23 The Reserve Bank of India RBI on Tuesday announced a fresh set of steps to inject a large amount of money into the banking system to ease tight liquidity conditions Through a mix of open market operations OMOs and a foreign exchange swap the central bank will add nearly Rs 3 trillion to the system over the coming weeksAs part of the plan the RBI will buy government bonds worth Rs 2 trillion through OMOsThese purchases will be done in four equal tranches of Rs 50000 crore each on December 29 January 5 January 12 and January 22In addition the central bank will conduct a threeyear USDINR buysell swap of 10 billion on January 13 which will also help release rupee liquidity into the banking systemMarket participants said such a large injection was widely expected even before the RBI stepped in to sell dollars in the foreign exchange market last weekThe main reason for the liquidity squeeze is the RBIâs recent intervention in the currency market Last week the central bank sold dollars aggressively to prevent a sharp fall in the rupee which had weakened due to uncertainty around a possible trade deal with the US and continued foreign portfolio investor outflows from Indian equity and debt marketsMarket participants believe the RBIâs latest move is timely and sufficient for now They said any further action will depend on how liquidity conditions evolve and whether the central bank needs to intervene again in the foreign exchange market If pressures continue more steps could be taken in the fourth quarterIn the recent monetary policy meeting RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had reassured markets that the central bank would ensure adequate liquidity in the banking systemHe had said this support would continue even without formally targeting a surplus level of around 1 per cent of net demand and time liabilitiesSo far in December the RBI has already injected about Rs 145 trillion of durable liquidity through a mix of bond purchases and forex swapsBond market participants said that if OMOs are conducted in more liquid government securities it would improve participation and help better price discoveryWhen illiquid bonds are used banks often bid at higher levels to lock in gains which reduces the effectiveness of such operationsEarlier in the year the RBI had carried out even larger liquidity support In the first half of the current calendar year it injected around Rs 95 trillion into the banking systemThis helped move liquidity conditions from a prolonged deficit since midDecember 2024 to a surplus by the end of March 2025 Most of this support came through open market purchases along with longterm repo operations and USDINR buysell swaps IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-announces-rs-3-trillion-liquidity-boost-through-omos-forex-swap-655411.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/proud-stride-towards-aatmanirbhar-bharat-vp-radhakrishnan-on-isros-bluebird-6-feat-655425.html New Delhi Dec 24 IANS Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday congratulated ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3M6 carrying the US spacecraft BlueBird Block2 calling it a proud stride towards Aatmanirbhar BharatnbspIndias Launch Vehicle Mark3 LVM3M6 carrying BlueBird 6 took off from Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota on WednesdaynbspIn a post on X the Vice President posted Congratulations to Team ISRO on the successful launch of LVM3M6 carrying the US spacecraft BlueBird Block2 This landmark mission placing the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil into Low Earth Orbit highlights Indias leadership in space technology strengthens our heavylift capability and reinforces our expanding role in the global commercial launch marketA proud stride towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat with India continuing to soar higher in space he addednbspBlueBird 6 the communication satellite weighing 6100 kg is the heaviest payload to be placed into the Low Earth Orbit LEO in LVM3 launch history The previous heaviest was the LVM3M5 Communication Satellite 03 weighing about 4400 kg which was successfully launched by ISRO on November 2 in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit GTOnbspThe satellite is part of the next generation of BlueBird Block2 communication satellites designed to provide spacebased cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphonesThis mission marks the 6th operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle It also represents a significant leap in telecommunications technology as the massive 6100 kg payload is designed to provide highspeed 4G and 5G connectivity directly to smartphonesnbspThis mission is part of a commercial agreement established between NewSpace India Ltd NSIL the commercial division of ISRO and the USbased company AST SpaceMobile AST and Science LLCnbspEarlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the successful launch calling it a significant stride in Indias space sectorIn a post on X PM Modi said A significant stride in Indias space sector The successful LVM3M6 launch placing the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil the spacecraft of USA BlueBird Block2 into its intended orbit marks a proud milestone in Indias space journeynbspIt strengthens Indias heavylift launch capability and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market This is also reflective of our efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat Congratulations to our hardworking space scientists and engineers India continues to soar higher in the world of space he added https://dailyworld.in/science/proud-stride-towards-aatmanirbhar-bharat-vp-radhakrishnan-on-isros-bluebird-6-feat-655425.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/isro-launches-its-heaviest-satellite-bluebird-6-655461.html Sriharikota Andhra Pradesh Dec 24 Indias Launch Vehicle Mark3 LVM3M6 carrying BlueBird 6 took off from Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota on Wednesday BlueBird 6 a nextgeneration communications satellite from US innovator AST SpaceMobile was launched with a goal to beam the broadband straight from space to smartphones without any special gearThe 435metertall rocket which is supported by two S200 solid boosters lifted off at 855 am following a 24hour countdown from the second launch pad located approximately 135 km east of ChennaiAfter approximately 15 minutes of flight the spacecraft BlueBird Block2 travelling on the rocket is expected to separate and attain its designated orbit at an altitude of around 520 km according to ISROThis mission is part of a commercial agreement established between NewSpace India Ltd NSIL the commercial division of ISRO and the USbased company AST SpaceMobile AST and Science LLCISRO adopted a careful strategy and chose to postpone the launch of the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 M6 flight by 90 seconds It was initially scheduled to lift off at 854 am but the time was then adjusted to 855 am and 30 secondsTaking to X ISRO said Mission Success The LVM3M6 mission has successfully placed the BlueBird Block2 satellite into its intended orbitUnion Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh took to X and congratulated ISRO for the successful launchKudos Team ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3M6 carrying BlueBird Block2 With the visionary patronage of PM Sh Narendra Modi ISRO continues to achieve one success after another reiterating Indias growing prowess in Space technology Singh said in a post on XIn the meantime the LVM3M6 will launch the BlueBird Block2 satellite into Low Earth OrbitThis satellite is the largest commercial communications satellite and will also be the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 from Indian soil IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/isro-launches-its-heaviest-satellite-bluebird-6-655461.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cabinet-okays-rs-12-015-crore-project-to-expand-delhi-metro-across-13-new-stations-655463.html New Delhi Dec 24 IANS The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved a Rs 12015 crore project to expand Delhi Metro Phase V A to cover another 13 stations across three new corridors spanning 16 kilometresnbspThree new corridors include RK Ashram Marg to Indraprastha 9913 Kms Aerocity to IGD Airport T1 2263 kms and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj 39 kms as part of Delhi Metros PhaseVA project comprising 16076 kms which will further enhance connectivity within the national capitalThe total project cost of Delhi Metros Phase VA project will be sourced from Government of India Government of Delhi and international funding agencies according to an official statementnbspThe Central Vista corridor will provide connectivity to all the Kartavya Bhawans thereby providing door step connectivity to the office goers and visitors in this area With this connectivity around 60000 office goers and 2 lakh visitors will benefit on a daily basis These corridors will further reduce pollution and usage of fossil fuels enhancing ease of livingThe RK Ashram Marg Indraprastha section will be an extension of the Botanical GardenRK Ashram Marg corridor It will provide Metro connectivity to the Central Vista area which is currently under redevelopment The Aerocity IGD Airport Terminal 1 and Tughlakabad Kalindi Kunj sections will be an extension of the AerocityTughlakabad corridor and will boost connectivity of the airport with the southern parts of the national capital in areas such as Tughlakabad Saket Kalindi Kunj etc These extensions will comprise of 13 stations Out of these 10 stations will be underground and 3 stations will be elevatedAfter completion the corridor1 namely RK Ashram Marg to Indraprastha 9913 Kms will improve the connectivity of West North and old Delhi with Central Delhi and the other two corridors namely Aerocity to IGD Airport T1 2263 kms and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj 39 kms corridors will connect south Delhi with the domestic Airport Terminal1 via Saket Chattarpur etc which will tremendously boost connectivity within National CapitalnbspThese metro extensions of the PhaseVA project will expand the reach of Delhi Metro network in Central Delhi and Domestic Airport thereby further boosting the economy These extensions of the Magenta Line and Golden Line will reduce congestion on the roads thus will help in reducing the pollution caused by motor vehiclesThe stations which shall come up on the RK Ashram Marg Indraprastha section are RK Ashram Marg Shivaji Stadium Central Secretariat Kartavya Bhawan India Gate War Memorial High Court Baroda House Bharat Mandapam and IndraprasthanbspThe stations on the TughlakabadKalindi Kunj section will be Sarita Vihar Depot Madanpur Khadar and Kalindi Kunj while the Aerocity station will be connected further with the IGD T1 stationnbspThe project is aimed at improving lastmile connectivity and easing congestion on some of the national capitals most crowded stretches The completion of the project within the next three years will take the Delhi Metro network past the 400kilometre markWith this expansion a new chapter will be added to the Delhi Metro For this purpose a project worth Rs 12015 crore has been sanctioned Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told journalists after the Cabinet meetingnbspAn estimated 33000 tonnes of CO2 emission will be saved with this project the minister explainednbspThe expansion will result in including 13 new stations to the existing network linking residential colonies commercial areas and transit interchangesnbspConstruction of PhaseIV consisting of 111 km and 83 stations are underway and as of today about 8043 per cent of civil construction of PhaseIV 3 Priority corridors has been completed The PhaseIV 3 Priority corridors are likely to be completed in stages by December 2026Today the Delhi Metro caters to an average of 65 lakh passenger journeys per day The maximum passenger journey recorded so far is 8187 lakh on August 08 2025 Delhi Metro has become the lifeline of the city by setting the epitome of excellence in the core parameters of MRTS punctuality reliability and safetynbspA total of 12 metro lines of about 395 km with 289 stations are being operated by DMRC in Delhi and NCR at present Today Delhi Metro has the largest Metro network in India and is also one of the largest Metros in the world https://dailyworld.in/science/cabinet-okays-rs-12-015-crore-project-to-expand-delhi-metro-across-13-new-stations-655463.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-surpass-record-high-amid-usvenezuela-tensions-fed-rate-cut-hopes-655475.html Mumbai Dec 24 The gold prices surged over 05 per cent to hit record highs on Wednesday pushing above 4500 an ounce due to escalating USâVenezuela tensions and expectations for more US rate cuts next year MCX gold February futures rose 044 per cent to Rs 138485 per 10 grams while MCX silver surged 179 per cent to a record high of Rs 223593 per kilogram as of 1005 amThe dollar index had declined 020 per cent during the session making gold cheaper in overseas currenciesSpot gold surged past the psychological 4500 per ounce milestone propelled by safehaven demand and rate cut expectations Silver touched a fresh alltime high and surged beyond 72 said Devarsh Vakil Head of Prime Research at HDFC SecuritiesSilver has gained 24 per cent in December and 135 per cent yearoveryear reflecting tight supplydemand fundamentals and robust safehaven flows Vakil addedDomestic spot gold prices have surged over 76 per cent yearâtoâdate and international gold prices over 70 per cent in 2025 on track for their strongest annual performance since 1979Platinum traded above 2300 an ounce for the first time in several decades while palladium also recorded gainsThe US Coast Guard this month seized a super tanker under sanctions carrying Venezuelan oil and tried to intercept two more Venezuelaârelated ships over the weekend heightening tensionsKilling of a Russian army general in a bomb attack on Monday also contributed to increased geopolitical risk and supported gold and silverGold has support at Rs 135550Rs 134710 zone while silver has support at Rs 211150Rs 210280 zone according to analystsAggressive central bank buying expectations of US Fed rate cuts concerns over impact of US tariffs geopolitical tensions and robust inflows into gold and silver ETFs drove the gold and silver prices this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-surpass-record-high-amid-usvenezuela-tensions-fed-rate-cut-hopes-655475.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-governor-cm-congratulate-isro-for-lvm3-m6-launch-655487.html Amaravati Dec 24 Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu have congratulated ISRO scientists for the successful launch of LVM3M6 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Wednesday and placing in orbit the BlueBird6 Satellite Governor Abdul Nazeer has said the LVM3 mission carrying the BlueBird Block2 satellite a nextgeneration communication satellite marks a new milestone for the country as it is the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soilThe Governor said the mission added another feather in the cap of ISRO and wished them many more such successful missions in the futureChief Minister Naidu also took to X to congratulate Team ISRO on the successful launch of LVM3M6 from Sriharikota carrying the US communication satelliteBlueBird Block2 and placing it precisely into its intended orbitLaunching the heaviest satellite ever from Indian soil is a proud milestone that further strengthens our nationâs commercial space capabilities and its standing as a trusted global launch partner Best wishes to all the scientists engineers and everyone who contributed to the success of this remarkable mission he postedState Human Resources Development and Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh also conveyed heartfelt congratulations to the hardworking scientists and staff at the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO for the successful launch of the LVM3M rocket nicknamed the Bahubali rocket from SriharikotaThis is a significant step in showcasing Indias commercial launch capabilities to the world I wish ISRO many more successes in the coming days he saidFormer Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation and its dedicated team on the successful LVM3M6 BlueBird Block2 missionPlacing the satellite into its intended orbit is a proud moment for India and a testament to our scientific excellence A salute to the scientists and engineers whose hard work continues to inspire the nation Jagan said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-governor-cm-congratulate-isro-for-lvm3-m6-launch-655487.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-grade-a-office-leasing-surges-6-pc-to-cross-71-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-655492.html New Delhi Dec 24 Indiaâs Grade A office leasing across the top seven cities reached 715 million sq ft in 2025 marking a 6 per cent yearonyear growth a report said on Wednesday The report from Colliers said the robust leasing was driven by strong occupier demand strong economic growth expanding Global Capability Centers and a preference for highâquality assetsBengaluru led the office market with 221 million sq ft of leasing nearly oneâthird of panâIndia demand while Delhi NCR Hyderabad Chennai and Mumbai each recorded close to or over 10 million sq ftIt reflected occupiersâ expanding real estate footprint across multiple markets and adding credence to the strong multicity demand narrativeA strong fourth quarter provided the decisive push with allâtime high quarterly leasing of 206 million sq ft marking a 20 per cent surge from the prior quarter led by Bengaluruâs record 81 million sq ft and Delhi NCRâs 42 million sq ftThese two cities together accounted for nearly 60 per cent of Q4 activity highlighting large deal closures and occupier expansion the report notedâWith continued demand from GCCs technology amp BFSI firms and flex space operators alongside a clear flighttoquality the office market outlook remains positive Going ahead we expect leasing activity to remain robust in 2026 supported by demand scaleup across major cities increasing adoption of flexible and managed workspace solutions and high traction in sustainable buildingsâ said Arpit Mehrotra Managing Director Office Services India ColliersConventional office uptake totalled 585 million sq ft in 2025 up 7 per cent while flex space uptake reached 13 million sq ft about 18 per cent of total leasingOffice space demand continued to remain diversified in 2025 with around 25 million sq ft of conventional space or 40 per cent of uptake across BFSI engineering amp manufacturing and consulting firmsNew supply across the top cities rose 5 per cent to 565 million sq ft with Bengaluru Hyderabad and Pune together accounting for nearly 70 per cent of completions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-grade-a-office-leasing-surges-6-pc-to-cross-71-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-655492.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/alcohol-smokeless-tobacco-driving62-pc-mouth-cancer-cases-in-india-study-655508.html New Delhi Dec 24 More than six out of 10 people in India are suffering from mouth buccal mucosa cancer due to frequent consumption of alcohol with locally brewed drinks associated with the greatest risk along with chewing of smokeless tobacco products such as gutkha khaini paan according to a large study published on Wednesday The study authored by a team of researchers from the Center for Cancer Epidemiology and Homi Bhabha National Institute in Maharashtra showed that as little as under 2 g a day of beer was associated with a heightened risk of buccal mucosa cancer while 9 g a day of alcohol equivalent to around one standard drink was associated with an approximately 50 per cent increased risk of mouth cancerWhen combined with chewing tobacco it likely accounted for 62 per cent of all such cases in the countryThe findings detailed in the openaccess journal BMJ Global Health suggest that more than one in 10 cases nearly 115 per cent of all buccal mucosa cancers in India are attributable to alcohol rising to 14 per cent in some of the states with a high prevalence of the disease such as Meghalaya Assam and Madhya PradeshâAlcohol was a contributory factor to the heightened risk of mouth cancer irrespective of how long tobacco had been used Ethanol might alter the fat content of the inner lining of the mouth increasing its permeability and therefore its susceptibility to other potential carcinogens in chewing tobacco productsâ explained the research team led by Grace Sarah GeorgeâPossible contamination with toxins such as methanol and acetaldehyde in locally brewed alcohol might help explain the higher risk associated with these drinks the manufacture of which is largely unregulatedâ they saidMouth cancer is the second most common malignancy in India with an estimated 143759 new cases and 79979 deaths every year Rates of the disease have risen steadily and now stand at just under 15 for every 100000 Indian men noted the researchersThe primary form of mouth cancer in India is that of the soft pink lining of the cheeks and lips buccal mucosa Less than half 43 per cent of those affected survive five or more yearsIn the study the researchers compared 1803 people with confirmed buccal mucosa cancer and 1903 randomly selected people free of the disease controls from five different study centres between 2010 and 2021 Most of the participants were aged between 35 and 54 nearly half around 46 per cent of cases were among 25to 45yearoldsCompared with those who didnt drink alcohol the risk was 68 per cent higher for those who did rising to 72 per cent for those favouring internationally recognised alcohol types such as beer whiskey vodka rum and breezers flavoured alcoholic drinks and to 87 per cent for those opting for locally brewed drinks like apong bangla chulli desi daru and mahuaOur study demonstrates that there is no safe limit of alcohol consumption for buccal mucosa cancer risks Our findings suggest that public health action towards prevention of alcohol and tobacco use could largely eliminate buccal mucosa cancer from India the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/alcohol-smokeless-tobacco-driving62-pc-mouth-cancer-cases-in-india-study-655508.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-and-logistics-sector-clocks-186-pc-absorption-growth-in-2025-655521.html New Delhi Dec 24 Indiaâs industrial and logistics sector continued its strong postpandemic growth trajectory in 2025 recording its highestever annual absorption of 765 million square feet marking an 186 per cent yearonyear increase a report showed on Wednesday Backed by proactive government policies the manufacturing segment has continued to be the strongest demand driver accounting for 22 million sq ft 29 per cent of total absorption in 2025 up from 22 per cent in 2024 according to data released by international real estate advisory firm Savills IndiaThis is followed by sustained demand from thirdparty logistics 3PL segment with a 28 per cent overall contribution FMCG and FMCD with 11 per cent and retail with 6 per cent The ecommerce sector has rebounded after years of reduced activity with its contribution rising from 4 per cent in 2023 to 12 per cent in 2025âIndiaâs manufacturing landscape is experiencing a fundamental transformation propelled by the sustained momentum of the âMake in Indiaâ initiative which has evolved into a globally integrated âMade By Indiaâ manufacturing platform This evolution signals both the strengthening of domestic production capabilities and Indiaâs expanding role within global supply chainsâ said Srinivas N Managing Director Industrial and Logistics Savills IndiaTier 1 cities accounted for 78 per cent of total absorption while tier 2 and 3 cities took the remaining 22 per cent On the supply side tier 1 cities accounted for 82 per cent of the total supply while tier 2 and 3 cities contributed 18 per cent said the reportDelhiNCR remained at the top with the highest contribution of 17 per cent to total absorption followed by Pune and Mumbai with 15 per cent and 14 per cent respectivelyThe industrial and logistics sector is set for a breakout year in 2026 with both supply and absorption expected to comfortably surpass 80 million sq ft underscoring the sectorâs deepening structural demandManufacturing 3PL and FMCGFMCD occupiers will remain the primary growth engines driven by supplychain diversification rising consumption and expansion of organised logistics said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-and-logistics-sector-clocks-186-pc-absorption-growth-in-2025-655521.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/whostronglyrecommends-cd4-testing-toidentifyadvanced-hiv-disease-655352.html New Delhi Dec 23 CD4 tests is strongly recommended as the preferred method to identify advanced HIV disease amongâpeople living with HIV said the World Health Organization WHO The new recommendation is part of the 2025 guidelines on advanced HIV diseaseThe WHO defines advanced HIV disease in adults adolescents and children five years and older as a CD4 cell count less than 200 cellsmm3Advanced HIV disease is the major cause of AIDSrelated deaths among people living with HIV It is a serious public health issue including in settings with good coverage of HIV testing and treatment and despite having achieved or made good progress towards the 95â95â95 targets the WHO saidAt presentation all children living with HIV younger than five years should be considered as having advanced HIV disease unless they have received ART for more than a year and are considered clinically stableâThe 2025 guidelines respond to the need for better approaches to identify advanced HIV disease improve the poor outcomes of people living with HIV being discharged from hospitalâ the WHO saidIn the new guidelines the WHO recommended CD4 testing for identifying advanced HIV diseaseHowever âin settings in which CD4 testing is not yet available WHO clinical staging can be used to identify advanced HIV diseaseâ the global health body saidCD4 testing can be used to identify advanced HIV disease among people living with HIV who are initiating or reinitiating ART reengaging in care following disengagement have treatment failure or clinically identified treatment failure and hospitalised or seriously ill or are considered clinically unstableThe WHO noted that CD4 testing can also be used to support the identification of treatment failure when viral load testing is unavailable CD4 testing can also help assess eligibility to stop cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and to assess eligibility for fluconazole prophylaxisThe WHO noted that hospitalised people with HIV may be provided with interventions to support transitions to outpatient care and reduce avoidable readmissionsThe interventions may include predischarge goal setting medication review transitional care planning telephone followup home visits by healthcare providers andor peer supporters and individualised supportThe UN Healthy body also suggested paclitaxel or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for pharmacological treatment for people living with HIV with Kaposiâs sarcoma a rare type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vesselsThese guidelines also emphasised early detection rapid ART initiation and optimised clinical management to reduce morbidity and mortalityâBy implementing these recommendations countries can reduce progression to severe illness and mortality improve treatment outcomes and advance global HIV elimination goalsâ the WHO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/whostronglyrecommends-cd4-testing-toidentifyadvanced-hiv-disease-655352.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-delhi-develops-ai-lab-assistant-that-autonomously-runs-scientific-experiments-655357.html New Delhi Dec 23 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi on Tuesday announced an Artificial Intelligence Lab Assistant AILA an AI agent that is capable of designing scientific experiments and analysing results without human intervention The AILA developed in collaboration with partners in Denmark and Germany can operate an Atomic Force Microscope make realâtime decisions and analyse results autonomously and perform tasks in 7 to 10 minutes that previously required a full dayThese advancements accelerated experimental cycles and microscope optimisation said IIT Delhi in a statementUntil now AI models such as ChatGPT have primarily served as digital assistants for drafting documents answering questions and analysing dataThe Institute noted that AILA extended these capabilities by stepping into real laboratories and carrying out scientific experiments from start to finish much like a human scientistâAILA helps me with my daily experimental tasks and speeds up my research progress significantly Previously it would take a full day to optimise microscope parameters for highâresolution noiseâfree images Now the same task is completed in just 710 minutesâ said Indrajeet Mandal a PhD scholar at the School of Interdisciplinary Research IIT DelhiâPreviously AI could only help you write about science Now it can do science designing experiments running them on real equipment collecting data and interpreting resultsâ said Prof N M Anoop Krishnan Civil Engineering and Yardi School of AI IIT DelhiOperating an Atomic Force Microscope requires a deep understanding of nanoscale physics surface interactions and realâtime feedback control skills that typically take researchers years to master added Prof Nitya Nand Gosvami Materials Science and Engineering IIT DelhiAILA autonomously performing these tasks represents a paradigm shift in experimental science Gosvami added noting that the breakthrough aligns with Indiaâs ambitious AI for Science initiativeMeanwhile the government has recently announced major funding through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF to accelerate AIdriven research across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-delhi-develops-ai-lab-assistant-that-autonomously-runs-scientific-experiments-655357.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/s-koreasfirst-commercial-orbital-rockethanbit-nano-falls-to-ground-after-liftoff-655268.html Seoul Dec 23 The HanbitNano South Koreas first commercial orbital rocket crashed shortly afterward due to an abnormality in the vehicle its operator Innospace said The company noted that the rocket blasted off from the Alcantara Space Center at 1013 pm Monday local time in Brazil Yonhap news agency reportedHowever the vehicle fell to the ground 30 seconds after liftoff said InnospaceThe rocket crashed within a ground safety zone with no casualties or additional damage reported it addedFlames were observed immediately after liftoff during a YouTube livestream of the launch which was suspended shortly afterwardEarlier in the day the rocket launch was being pushed back due to unfavourable weather conditions at the launch site in BrazilThe rocket was carrying a payload that included five satellites set to be deployed into a 300kilometer low orbitIf successful Innospace would have become the first private South Korean company to place a customer satellite into orbitThe twostage vehicle employed a 25tonne thrust hybrid engine that powered the first stage while the second stage was backed by a liquid methane and oxygen engineThe launch had been postponed three times since the companys original date of November 22It was postponed twice last week due to a defect in avionics electronics and then due to an issue with a fuel tankEarlier in September the South Korean space launch startup signed a 58 million contract with Media Broadcasting Satellite MBS a German satellite communications company to provide launch services Yonhap had reportedUnder the agreement Innospace will carry out two launch missions using the companys Hanbit launch vehicle to deploy MBS satellites into low Earth orbit between 2026 and 2029In a separate deal Innospace also named MBS as its exclusive launch service and marketing agent in Germany a move aimed at bolstering the South Korean firms presence in the European space marketMBS will hold exclusive rights to distribute and market launch services based on Innospaces Hanbit vehicle to satellite customers in Germany IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/s-koreasfirst-commercial-orbital-rockethanbit-nano-falls-to-ground-after-liftoff-655268.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-hit-record-highs-amid-usvenezuela-tensions-easing-dollar-655276.html New Delhi Dec 23 The rates of gold and silver surged by over 1 per cent to hit fresh record highs on Tuesday driven by safehaven demand notably due to escalating USVenezuela tensions MCX gold February futures rose 12 per cent to an allâtime high of Rs 138381 per 10 grams and were up 101 per cent as of 1048 amMCX silver surged 17 per cent to a record high of Rs 216596 per kilogram and was up 130 per cent as of 1048 am The dollar index had declined 020 per cent during the session making gold cheaper in overseas currenciesHeightened geopolitical uncertainty notably escalating USâVenezuela tensions has underpinned the rally analysts saidThe US Coast Guard this month seized a super tanker under sanctions carrying Venezuelan oil and tried to intercept two more Venezuelaârelated ships over the weekend heightening tensions according to multiple reportsâSafe haven bidding is featured to start a holidayâshortened trading week amid heightened geopolitical tensionsâ Rahul Kalantri VP Commodities Mehta Equities Ltd saidIntensifying USVenezuela tensions and the killing of a Russian army general in a bomb attack on Monday increased geopolitical risk and supported gold and silver Kalantri saidBoth precious metals also gained after coolingoff US inflation and no bigger surprise from the Bank of Japan policy meetings last week he addedGold has support at the Rs 135550134710 zone while resistance is at the Rs 137650138470 levelsSilver has support at Rs 211150210280 zone while resistance is at Rs 213810 214970 levels the analyst saidAggressive central bank buying expectations of US Fed rate cuts concerns over the impact of US tariffs geopolitical tensions and robust inflows into gold and silver ETFs drove the gold and silver prices this yearDomestic spot gold prices have surged 76 per cent yearâtoâdate and international gold prices almost 70 per cent in 2025 on track for their strongest annual performance since 1979Both domestic and international prices of silver have gained about 140 per cent YTD IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-hit-record-highs-amid-usvenezuela-tensions-easing-dollar-655276.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-retail-leasing-hits-record-9-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-to-touch-11-mn-in-2026-655283.html New Delhi Dec 23 Indiaâs retail real estate market is set to end 2025 with 9 million square feet of leasing up from 78 million square feet in 2024 the highest annual absorption since the pandemic a report said on Tuesday The report from Cushman amp Wakefield said that retail leasing momentum will further strengthen in 2026 with total demand expected at about 10â11 million square feet driven by improved availability of quality mall space and release of pentâup demand constrained by limited supplyThe mall pipeline for 2026 stands at around 59 million square feet with roughly 76 per cent expected to be Grade A assets which should expand choice for retailers in Bengaluru Chennai Mumbai and HyderabadThis fresh supply is expected to ease extreme tightness in vacancies and enable a healthier phase of growth led by expansion rather than space constraints the firm saidHighâstreet leasing which gained share during mall scarcity is expected to remain steady in 2026 even as mall absorption improvesâThe sharp uptick in 2025 underscores the catalytic role of fresh completions in unlocking pentup demand and pushing absorption to record levels With a robust pipeline lined up for 2026 the market is now entering a phase of meaningful capacity addition focused on higherquality retail formatsâ said Gautam Saraf Executive Managing Director Mumbai amp New Business Cushman amp WakefieldThe report said that new deliveries in 2025 are projected to close at around 43 million square feet up from 09 million square feet of Grade A mall completions in 2024 driven by completions in the last quarter easing scarcity though not fully bridging the gap created over the past two yearsFashion food and beverage and entertainment remained the primary demand drivers in 2025The report also highlighted that premiumisation is expected to strengthen in 2026 supported by a broader pipeline of global brand rollouts platform partnerships and supply of highquality malls IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-retail-leasing-hits-record-9-mn-sq-ft-in-2025-to-touch-11-mn-in-2026-655283.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/national-consumer-day-nch-e-jagriti-platforms-ensure-timely-grievance-redressal-655310.html New Delhi Dec 23 The number of calls received by the National Consumer Helpline NCH has grown nearly tenfold from 12553 calls in December 2015 to 155138 calls in December 2024 the official data showed on Tuesday on the occasion of âNational Consumer Day 2025â Similarly the average number of complaints registered per month has surged from 37062 in 2017 to 111951 in 2024 It now resolves over 12 lakh complaints annually with many being addressed within 21 days supported by 1169 companies onboarded as partners and AIbased systems that ensure faster grievance resolutionDigital channels account for nearly 65 per cent of grievance registrations with a notable increase in WhatsAppbased submissions rising from 3 per cent in March 2023 to 20 per cent in March 2025The NCH has successfully facilitated a refund of Rs 2761 crore to consumers between April 25 2025 and October 31 2025 This significant redressal was achieved across 30 sectors effectively addressing 49333 consumer grievances related to refund claimsThe National Consumer Helpline is available in 17 languages and enables consumers to submit grievances through the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism via multiple channels including WhatsApp SMS email the NCH app the web portal and the Umang appThe Department encourages consumers to utilize the tollfree number 1915 or the online portal to ensure that their concerns regarding goods or services are addressed promptly and effectively according to the official documentMoreover eJagriti launched on January 1 2025 has rapidly emerged as a significant digital platform for consumer grievance redressal in IndiaAs of mid November 2025 the platform has facilitated the filing of over 135 lakh case filings and enabled the disposal of over 131 lakh cases supported by a user base of over 281 lakh registered individuals including 1400 nonresident Indians NRIsA total of 466 complaints were filed by NonResident Indians from countries including the United States 146 the United Kingdom 52 the UAE 47 Canada 39 Australia 26 and Germany 18In 2025 eJagriti demonstrated a marked enhancement in case of disposal efficiency Between July and August 27545 cases were resolved compared with 27080 newly filed During September and October 24504 cases were disposed of against 21592 newly filed IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/national-consumer-day-nch-e-jagriti-platforms-ensure-timely-grievance-redressal-655310.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-creator-economy-to-drive-over-1-trillion-in-annual-consumer-spending-by-2030-655312.html New Delhi Dec 23 At least 225 million monetised digital creators in India now influence more than 30 per cent of consumer purchase decisions a report showed on Tuesday This fastscaling creator economy is already shaping an estimated 350â400 billion worth annual consumer spending and is projected to drive over 1 trillion in creatorâinfluenced consumption by 2030 according to the report by Boston Consulting Group BCGThe creatorâled commerce has moved from the margins of âinfluencer campaignsâ to the centre of how Indians discover evaluate and buy products across categories from fashion and beauty to electronics and everyday essentialsMore than 60 per cent of consumers surveyed report regular exposure to creator content and over 30 per cent explicitly attribute their purchase decisions to creators they follow underscoring the shift from traditional topâdown advertising to trustâbased communityâdriven discovery said the reportâIndiaâs creator economy has crossed the tipping point â 2â25 million creators now shape more than 30 per cent of purchase decisions and influence 350â400 billion dollars of annual spending For Indian marketers this is not a side bet anymore it is a structural shift in how brands are built and how growth will be unlocked over the next decadeâ said Parul Bajaj India LeaderâMarketing Sales and Pricing Practice BCGThe winners will be those who treat creators as longâterm partners build measurement and pricing models that reward outcomes and design for discovery rather than as an afterthought she addedAccording to the report companies which will integrate creators and commerce platforms into the core of their marketing sales and pricing strategies will be best placed to capture Indiaâs next wave of digitalâled growthThis involves moving beyond oneâoff campaigns to longâterm creator partnerships agile content production and testâandâlearn experimentation the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-creator-economy-to-drive-over-1-trillion-in-annual-consumer-spending-by-2030-655312.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-it-job-demand-touches-18-million-in-2025-driven-by-gccs-product-led-firms-655317.html New Delhi Dec 23 Indiaâs IT job demand reached 18 million roles in 2025 up 16 per cent over the previous year with a larger share of hiring coming from GCCs and productled organisations a report has said The report from talent solutions provider Quess Corp said Global Capability Centres accounted for about 27 per cent of total IT hiring demand in 2025 up from 15 per cent in 2024 while product and SaaS firms expanded selective hiring while IT services and consulting recorded modest growthStartup hiring declined to low singledigit levels amid funding moderation the report notedMidâcareer professionals with four to ten years of experience made up 65 per cent of hiring compared with 50 per cent in 2024 and entryâlevel hiring accounted for 15 per cent as employers sought productivityâready talentDemand shifted strongly toward emerging digital skills with AIML cloud engineering DevOps and cybersecurity outpacing traditional software roles significantly with over half of hiring centred on former capabilities the report saidSelect nextâgeneration roles attracted salary premiums of 10â40 per cent for Generative AI specialists MLOps and LLMOps engineers AI ethics and governance leads FinOps professionals cyber threat intelligence analysts and platform engineering architectsAI cloud and cybersecurity skills saw particularly strong interest pointing to the increasing complexity of roles being built in India Overall this suggests a technology hiring market that is moving steadily up the value curve with this momentum offering a positive base for 2026â said Kapil Joshi CEO of IT Staffing Quess CorpHiring remained concentrated in Tierâ1 cities which accounted for 88â90 per cent of demand led by Bengaluru Hyderabad Pune Chennai Mumbai and Delhi NCR while Tierâ2 and Tierâ3 cities contributed 10â12 per centAverage timeâtoâhire extended to 45â60 days in 2025 stretching to 75â90 days for niche skills such as AIML and cybersecurity Contract roles rose to about 10â11 per cent of demand from around 8 per cent in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-it-job-demand-touches-18-million-in-2025-driven-by-gccs-product-led-firms-655317.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/silver-delivers-over-2-600-pc-returns-in-25-years-turning-rs-7-900-into-rs-216-lakh-per-kg-655320.html Mumbai Dec 23 Back in 2000 silver was priced at around Rs 7900 per kg in India Today the white metal is trading close to Rs 216 lakh per kg delivering returns of over 2600 per cent to investors who stayed invested for the long termThis remarkable journey highlights how silver often overshadowed by gold has quietly emerged as a strong wealthpreservation asset over the past two and a half decadesAn investment of just Rs 1000 in silver in the year 2000 would now be worth about Rs 26455This means the money would have grown more than 26 times in 25 yearsSilverâs steady rise over the years has helped investors protect and grow their wealth especially during periods of high inflation and market uncertaintySilver touched record levels in 2025 marking a strong comeback for the precious metalIn the international market spot silver crossed the 70 per ounce mark for the first time reaching an intraday high of 700055 on TuesdayThe rally was supported by global uncertainty rising geopolitical tensions between the US and Venezuela and weakness in the dollarIn India silver prices also hit fresh highs MCX silver surged 17 per cent to a record Rs 216596 per kg during early tradeGold moved in the same direction with MCX gold February futures rising 11 per cent to an alltime high of Rs 138300 per 10 gramsNotably silver has outperformed gold in 2025 While silver prices have jumped 140 per cent so far this year gold has gained around 76 per cent in the spot market during the same periodThis sharp outperformance has renewed investor interest in the white metalSeveral factors have driven silverâs strong rally this year Geopolitical tensions expectations of interest rate cuts in the US and a weaker dollar have all increased demand for safehaven assets like silver and gold IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/silver-delivers-over-2-600-pc-returns-in-25-years-turning-rs-7-900-into-rs-216-lakh-per-kg-655320.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-activates-android-emergency-location-service-in-india-655326.html New Delhi Dec 23 Google on Tuesday activated its Emergency Location Service ELS on Android devices in India Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to fully integrate this advanced caller location technology with its 112 emergency servicesâGoogle has announced the activation of Emergency Location Service ELS in Android in India with Uttar Pradesh becoming the first state to fully integrate enhanced caller location into its 112 emergency servicesâ the company said in a statementELS is a builtin feature on Android phones that automatically shares a callerâs precise location with emergency responders when a 112 call or SMS is madeThe service uses a combination of GPS WiFi and mobile network signals to pinpoint the callerâs location with accuracy of up to 50 metresThis is especially helpful in critical situations where calls may drop shortly after connecting allowing responders to still find the person in need quicklyGoogle said the service is designed with strong privacy protections ELS activates only during emergency calls is free to use and does not require any additional apps or hardwareImportantly location information is sent directly from the userâs phone to emergency services and is not collected or stored by GoogleBefore its full rollout in Uttar Pradesh the feature was pilot tested for a few months with encouraging resultsDuring this period ELS supported more than 20 million emergency calls and SMS messages successfully identifying caller locations even when calls disconnected within secondsThe system is powered by Androidâs machine learningâbased Fused Location Provider which helps deliver accurate locations whether callers are indoors outdoors or on the moveThe service works on all compatible Android devices running version 60 and above Once an emergency call is placed the callerâs location is instantly visible to responders through the UP112 command system along with routing intelligence provided by PertsolThis enables authorities to quickly decide whether police medical or fire services are needed and dispatch help without delay IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-activates-android-emergency-location-service-in-india-655326.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cobrapost-alleges-related-party-transactions-in-cholamandalam-finance-murugappa-group-refutes-charges-655332.html New Delhi Dec 23 Cobrapost news website on Tuesday alleged that for close to a decade more than Rs 10000 crore has moved through a web of related parties involving the Cholamandalam Investment amp Finance Company Ltd and a network of related Murugappa Group entities family members and key management personnel raising raising regulatory and governance concerns âOur investigation further indicates that portions of these funds were routed onward through additional transactions the nature and purpose of which merit closer regulatory scrutiny The investigation has also found CIFCL Cholamandalam Investment amp Finance Company Ltd to have made cash deposits of more than Rs 25000 crore across 14 banks over the past six years Of these eight are private entities and the rest are public sector banks These figures are approximations and may vary if examined by a competent statutory authorityâ Cobrapost alleged in a statementCobrapost claimed its investigation is based on the examination of statutory filings and public disclosures which show âa worrying pattern of largevalue cash transactions questionable related party arrangements shocking statutory disclosure and compliance gaps involving Cholamandalam Investment amp Finance Company Ltd one of Indiaâs largest listed nonbanking financial companiesâCobrapost further alleged that the principal recipient entities identified in the analysis include Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Co Ltd CMGICL Chola Business Services Ltd CBSL and Murugappa Management Services apart from CIFCL A nonbanking finance company NBFC CIFCL has diverted sums worth around Rs 6419 crore This amount includes Rs 4103 crore that CBSL a privately held Murugappa Group entity has received from CIFCL since 2015 Similarly CMGICL has made payments amounting to around Rs 3040 crore to nine Murugappa Group entities including CBSL since 2017Cobrapost also alleged that its analysis has identified some credit rating agencies auditing firms nonprofit organisations such as Isha Foundation which have also received funds from CIFCL and other Murugappa Group companies Based on filings and related records reviewed by Cobrapost these entities together received approximately Rs 120 crore during the period under examination the news website statement allegedHowever the Murugappa Group in a stock exchange filing dismissed the allegations as baseless and attributed them to ulterior motivesThe entire allegations in the report are malicious and baseless stated with ulterior motives said Cholamandalam Investment and Finance in the filing The company reassured investors that performance asset quality and liquidity position remain robustThe Company wishes to reassure its investors that the performance of the Company its asset quality and its liquidity position continues to be robust as disclosed in the audited financial statements of the Company for the half year ended September 2025 There is no revision in its guidance provided in the past and the Company will continue to deliver as per its Board approved business plan The liquidity position of the Company continues to be strong with its cash and bank balances of Rs 14900 crore as of November 30 2025 Cholamandalam saidAs far as large cash deposits are concerned the company stated that it predominantly caters to the needs of small road transport operators and selfemployed nonprofessionals numbering over 50 lakhs spread over 1700 branches across cities and towns in India This collection process and amount has been subject to internal and external scrutiny This is also covered by our robust internal systems and subject to statutory audit All KYC and income tax compliance for such collection is done in compliance with applicable legal requirementsIn compliance with legal and accounting requirements all related party transactions are disclosed in full and complete detail in our financial statements Cholamandalam further stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cobrapost-alleges-related-party-transactions-in-cholamandalam-finance-murugappa-group-refutes-charges-655332.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-to-lead-quantum-technology-revolution-in-india-says-cm-naidu-655340.html Amaravati Dec 23 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday exuded confidence that Andhra Pradesh will lead the quantum technology revolution in India He said the state government has prepared an action plan to produce experts in quantum and related fields He was addressing over 50000 students of quantum technology professionals and industry partners on a digital platform under an initiative aimed at building a futureready quantum workforce and strengthening the Amaravati Quantum Valley ecosystemThe Chief Minister announced that the state would train one million experts in areas such as quantum mechanics and algorithms 300000 people in the quantum software and hardware sectors and 100000 experts in advanced researchStating that Amaravati will be developed as Indiaâs Quantum Valley on the lines of Silicon Valley in the US he exuded confidence that quantum computing devices will be produced here in the next two yearsHe claimed that the announcement of the quantum programme received an overwhelming response Through a single announcement to train quantum experts 54000 people registeredThe programme is being implemented through a strategic partnership led by WISER The Washington Institute for STEM Entrepreneurship and Research and Qubitech as the India partnerâTwentyfive years ago I presented a vision for IT Today I am presenting a vision for Quantum Just like Silicon Valley anchored the digital age Amaravatiâs Quantum Valley will anchor the knowledge economy of the futureâ he saidHe stated that by embracing the IT revolution IT professionals were produced in undivided Andhra Pradesh and provided to the world He recalled that through the development of Cyberabad Hyderabad was turned into a global IT hubHighlighting the global success of Telugu professionals he noted that Indianorigin households in the United States report a median income nearly double the national average driven largely by STEM and professional employmentHe cited that Telugu entrepreneurs have founded over 1200 technology startups in Silicon Valley over 25 lakh Telugu professionals hold key positions in top tech firms and Teluguorigin leaders are at the helm of several Fortune 500 companiesRecalling his earlier call of âone IT professional per familyâ the Chief Minister issued a similar call for quantum urging students to understand the vision and plan their future accordingly He also announced a Rs 100 crore award for the first Nobel laureate in Quantum Science from Andhra PradeshâThe Amaravati Quantum Computing Centre will help ensure that our research reaches that level That is why we have planned for a quantum ecosystem in Amaravati Personalised medicine preventive and curative healthcare can be provided through quantum applications Capabilities speed and accuracy can be achieved through quantum technology Revolutionary changes can be brought about in various fields through quantum technology I hope that Indians will seize the firstmover advantageâ he saidHe noted that through the National Quantum Mission the central government is making efforts to attract largescale investments and skill development in this sector He believes that just like the IT revolution this will have a global impactIndians must also embrace the quantum revolution Quantum computing research will benefit humanity in areas such as medicine electricity sustainable agriculture financial modelling materials discovery and weather forecasting With technologies like AI quantum computing satellites and drones it will be possible to achieve sustainability in various sectors Services can be provided to the public at a very low cost With quantum technology the sky is the limit for research the Chief Minister remarked IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-to-lead-quantum-technology-revolution-in-india-says-cm-naidu-655340.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-army-nsut-join-hands-to-develop-ai-driven-defence-solutions-655108.html New Delhi Dec 22 The Indian Army has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with Netaji Subhas University of Technology NSUT New Delhi to work jointly on the development of software and artificial intelligencebased solutions for defencerelated applications The collaboration aligns with the Centres Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and is aimed at strengthening indigenous innovation in defence technology a Defence Ministry statement saidUnder the agreement students and faculty members of the NSUT will engage in live problemsolving projects provided by the Indian Army enabling them to gain practical and handson exposure to realworld military requirementsThe Army stated that the NSUT will also support capacity building by conducting Faculty Development Programmes FDPs and customised training programmes for Army personnelNSUT will also facilitate capacity building through Faculty Development Programmes FDPs and tailormade programmes for the Indian Army strengthening indigenous innovationdriven defence preparedness the statement saidWhile the primary focus of the MoU is on artificial intelligence and software development the initiative reflects a broader visionSimilar agreements with other academic institutions point to an expanded emphasis on areas critical to modern warfare including robotics cyber security data analytics and geoinformaticsThe collaboration is designed to bridge the gap between operational military experience and academic research and innovation with the objective of building a technologically advanced and futureready armed forceThe Indian Army has already signed comparable MoUs with several prominent educational and research institutions including the Delhi Technological University DTU the IIT Bhubaneswar and the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO to speed up the development of indigenous defence technologiesIn the MoU signed with DTU in October the Army aims to promote research and offer specialised courses for military personnel in key areas such as defence technology artificial intelligence and cyber securityThe collaboration focuses on research and courses for military personnel in key domains including Defence Technology Artificial Intelligence Robotics Cyber Security Geoinformatics Data Analytics and Soldier Upskilling By bridging operational experience with academic excellence the partnership aims to build a technologically empowered futureready force and drive Indias Decade of Transformation the Indian Army had said in a post IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-army-nsut-join-hands-to-develop-ai-driven-defence-solutions-655108.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/60-pc-gcc-bases-operate-from-green-certified-grade-a-flex-centres-in-india-report-655109.html New Delhi Dec 22 About 62 per cent of global capability centre GCC bases operating within flex spaces in India are located in greencertified centres while an even higher 85 per cent function from gradeA buildings a new report showed on Monday Across the top seven cities 42 per cent of flex centres are greencertified and 69 per cent are located in premium gradeA buildings said the report by VestianAccording to Vestian Research India currently hosts over 1750 GCC companies with nearly 3800 bases resulting in a demand for more than 40 per cent of the total office space over the past two yearsAs per the report more than 475 out of the 1400 flex centres across major tier 1 cities currently host GCC basesâAs Indiaâs GCC landscape continues to evolve flex operators will remain indispensable partners â offering flexibility faster speed to market and enterprisegrade infrastructure that global companies require to scale efficiently in a highly competitive marketâ said Shrinivas Rao FRICS CEO VestianPeripheral Business Districts PBD have emerged as preferred locations for GCC expansion compared to central city areasThese zones offer strong connectivity competitive pricing better scalability and larger office campuses â factors that appeal to rapidly growing global enterprisesReflecting this shift 77 per cent of the flex area occupied by GCC bases is located in peripheral regions compared with 61 per cent of the overall flex stock the report notedDriven by strong demand from GCCs Indiaâs flex ecosystem has expanded to 823 million square feet spread across nearly 1400 centres in the top seven citiesHowever the market continues to remain consolidated with the top 10 operators controlling 67 per cent of the total stock Bengaluru leads with 332 per cent share of the countryâs flex stock followed by DelhiNCR at 204 per cent and Pune at 147 per centIndiaâs flex stock is projected to exceed 100 mn sq ft across tier 1 cities by 2026 as flex operators expand and upgrade their portfolios to effectively accommodate the growing demand from Global Capability Centres said Rao IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/60-pc-gcc-bases-operate-from-green-certified-grade-a-flex-centres-in-india-report-655109.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655110.html New Delhi Dec 22 The electronics sector is creating largescale bluecollar jobs for women in India said Ashwini Vaishnaw the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology on Monday He said this referring to reports on Taiwanbased company Foxconn onboarding nearly 30000 employees nearly 80 per cent women at its new iPhone assembly facility in Bengaluru within just eight to nine monthsIn a post on social media platform X Vaishnaw noted that âa womenled mega factory would have been unimaginable just 10 years agoââElectronics sector continues to create largescale skilled bluecollar jobs especially for women Technology transfer women empowerment and Ease of Living in full displayâ he addedFor its new iPhone assembly facility in Devanahalli Foxconn has reportedly hired women most of whom are firsttime entrants to the formal workforce largely in the 1924 age group By next year employment in the factory is expected to rise to nearly 50000 workersThe trial production at the facility began in AprilMay this year with the iPhone 16 Currently the plant is assembling the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models Over 80 per cent of the output is destined for export marketsThe Taiwanese contract manufacturing giant is investing approximately Rs 20000 crore in the projectWith a production floor spanning nearly 250000 square feet the facility will also become the companyâs largest manufacturing facility in India in terms of both production capacity and employmentThe new facility is also expected to overtake Foxconnâs first iPhone manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu which currently employs around 41000 workersIn October Foxconn announced it would invest Rs 15000 crore in Tamil Nadu creating 14000 highvalue jobsFoxconn currently has operations in Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Telangana and these new plans signal a major expansion of its footprint in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655110.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655112.html New Delhi Dec 22 The electronics sector is creating large scale bluecollar jobs for women in India said Ashwini Vaishnaw the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology on Monday He said this referring to reports on Taiwanbased company Foxconn onboarding nearly 30000 employees nearly 80 per cent women at its new iPhone assembly facility in Bengaluru within just eight to nine monthsIn a post on social media platform X Vaishnaw noted that âa womenled mega factory would have been unimaginable just 10 years agoââElectronics sector continues to create largescale skilled bluecollar jobs especially for women Technology transfer women empowerment and Ease of Living in full displayâ he addedFor its new iPhone assembly facility in Devanahalli Foxconn has reportedly hired women most of whom are firsttime entrants to the formal workforce largely in the 1924 age group By next year employment in the factory is expected to rise to nearly 50000 workersThe trial production at the facility began in AprilMay this year with the iPhone 16 Currently the plant is assembling the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models Over 80 per cent of the output is destined for export marketsThe Taiwanese contract manufacturing giant is investing approximately Rs 20000 crore in the projectWith a production floor spanning nearly 250000 square feet the facility will also become the companyâs largest manufacturing facility in India in terms of both production capacity and employmentThe new facility is also expected to overtake Foxconnâs first iPhone manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu which currently employs around 41000 workersIn October Foxconn announced it would invest Rs 15000 crore in Tamil Nadu creating 14000 highvalue jobsFoxconn currently has operations in Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Telangana and these new plans signal a major expansion of its footprint in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/electronics-sector-creating-large-scale-blue-collar-jobs-forindianwomen-ashwinivaishnaw-655112.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-among-highest-ai-adopters-globally-86-pc-employees-believe-ai-boosts-productivity-655128.html New Delhi Dec 22 Around 62 per cent Indians are using GenAI at work regularly whereas 90 per cent employers and 86 per cent employees believe that AI impacts productivity positively a report showed on Tuesday Also 75 per cent employees and 72 per cent employers believe that GenAI enhances decision making 82 per cent employees and 92 per cent employers believe it positively impacts quality of work said the âEY 2025 Work Reimagined SurveyâThe report shows that India is among the highest AI adopters globally and leads with 53 points on the âAI Advantageâ score developed to quantify the real impact of AI at work by measuring how much time employees save while the global average score sits at 34 pointsThe survey now in its sixth edition draws insights from 15000 employees and 1500 employers across 29 markets globally In India where 800 employees and 50 employers were surveyed a strong environment supports employee engagement and resilience in the changing AI landscape according to the reportIndia also holds a Talent Health score of 82 the highest among all geographies assessed This score measures employee sentiment regarding culture rewards and development areas that collectively form the foundation of Talent HealthThe global average Talent Health score stands at 65 out of 100 with culture accounting for 44 per cent rewards 32 per cent and development 24 per cent the report mentionedâIndia has made strong strides in AI adoption and organizations are taking a more intentional approach to balancing productivity skills and employee experience Technology including AI is increasingly shaping how work gets done but the real impact comes from how employers are using it to strengthen talent health capability and workforce resilienceâ said Anurag Malik Partner and National Leader â People Consulting EY IndiaThe findings also reveal how employers and employees view AI governance Around 94 per cent employers and 89 per cent employees consistently report higher levels of confidence across ethical and responsible AIWhile both 87 per cent employees and 90 per cent employers in India say learning new skills is essential â actual learning hours remain limitedMost employees globally report spending fewer than 40 hours a year on AI learningThe data makes a compelling case for structured skilling employees who invest more time in AI learning show markedly lower intent to leave Higher learning hours also translate directly into more hours saved per week reinforcing the productivity impact of continuous skill development said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-among-highest-ai-adopters-globally-86-pc-employees-believe-ai-boosts-productivity-655128.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/office-occupancy-levels-in-delhi-ncr-projected-to-cross-80-pc-by-march-2027-655154.html New Delhi Dec 22 The office occupancy levels are on a steady upward trajectory in DelhiNCR and are projected to rise to 80581 per cent by March 2027 a report showed on Monday The GradeA office market in Delhi National Capital Region NCR continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals driven by sustained leasing demand that is outpacing new supply according to an ICRA reportThe market has witnessed a significant turnaround since March 2023 with occupancy increasing by 600 basis points to reach 786 per cent by September 2025âIn FY25 while fresh supply stood at 74 million square feet msf net absorption was a robust 114 msf This trend persisted into the first half of FY2026 with 73 msf of new supply against a net absorption of 80 msf The demand is primarily fuelled by healthy leasing activity from the consulting and ITBPM sectorsâ the report mentionedLooking ahead despite an expected new supply of approximately 14 msf in FY2026 and around 11 msf in FY2027 the continued healthy leasing momentum is expected to further tighten the marketâOccupancy is forecast to reach 785790 per cent by March 2026 before climbing to the 805810 per cent range by March 2027 Notably a significant portion of the upcoming supply is already committed with nearly 31 per cent of the approximately 175 msf expected during H2 FY2026âFY2027 period being preleasedâ said the reportDelhiNCR remains a critical office hub accounting for 20 per cent approximately 204 msf of the total GradeA office space across Indiaâs top six citiesGurugram is the undisputed leader within NCR commanding a 60 per cent market share followed by Noida and DelhiKey micromarkets such as Sector 24 Cyber City Sector 62 Noida and Sector 48 Gurugram collectively account for 17 per cent of the cityâs total office supplyWhile the market exhibits overall strength vacancies in Delhi NCR are the highest among Indiaâs top six cities This is largely attributed to lower occupancy rates of 5055 per cent in the peripheral business districts PBD of Gurugram where some older assets have moderate occupancy levelsIn terms of growth the Delhi NCR office stock recorded a Compound Annual Growth Rate CAGR of nearly 6 per cent between FY2018 and FY2025 slightly lower than the 7 per cent CAGR observed across the top six cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/office-occupancy-levels-in-delhi-ncr-projected-to-cross-80-pc-by-march-2027-655154.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/coupang-daily-user-count-slips-to-14-million-range-after-data-breach-655158.html Seoul Dec 22 Coupangâs daily active user DAU count has fallen to the 14 million range following the ecommerce giants disclosure of a massive data breach late last month industry data showed on Monday Coupangs estimated DAU had stood at 1488 million as of Friday according to MobileIndex a data platform operated by industry tracker IGAWorks reports Yonhap news agencyThe figure marked the first time Coupangs daily user count dropped into the 14 million range since Oct 25 when it recorded 1491 million usersOver the roughly threemonth period from early October through Friday Coupangs daily user count fell below 15 million on only three occasions Oct 46 during the Chuseok holiday period Oct 25 and Dec 19On Nov 29 Coupang confirmed that the personal information of 337 million customer accounts had been exposed far exceeding the 4500 accounts initially reported to authorities on Nov 20The number of affected accounts is equivalent to nearly twothirds of South Koreas populationGiven that active users of Coupangs Product Commerce division including its delivery service reached 247 million in the third quarter the scale of the breach suggests that nearly the entire user base may have been affectedThe company said the compromised data included users names phone numbers email addresses and delivery addressesCoupangs DAU temporarily surged following the disclosure rising into the 17 million range from Nov 30 through Dec 3 and reaching an alltime high of 1798 million on Dec 1 as users accessed the platform to check their accounts and review security settingsSince Dec 10 however the figure has slipped back to the mid15 million range showing a gradual downward trendMeanwhile the ruling Democratic Party said it plans to hold a joint parliamentary hearing involving five standing committees on Dec 30 and 31 to address the data breach incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/coupang-daily-user-count-slips-to-14-million-range-after-data-breach-655158.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/non-it-sectors-emerge-as-primary-drivers-of-hiring-in-india-in-2025-655160.html New Delhi Dec 22 NonIT sectors emerged as the primary drivers of hiring in India through most of the year while IT hiring remained largely stable after a subdued start a report showed on Monday NonIT sectors recorded stronger momentum Hospitality emerged as a standout posting 23 per cent growth in the latter part of the year Education hiring rose sharply closing the year with 28 per cent growth while real estate registered a 17 per cent increaseInsurance also delivered doubledigit growth in the second half following a sharp rebound earlier in the year according to the report by NaukriAfter a cautious start the Indian whitecollar job market gathered momentum through the year averaging midsingledigit growth and closing 2025 on a healthy footing supported largely by nonIT sectors and a continued surge in AI and machine learning rolesHiring activity in 2025 started with a steady growth of 2 per cent during the JanuaryâMarch period before accelerating through the rest of the yearOverall hiring averaged approximately 6â7 per cent yearonyear growth with notable spikes in November 23 per cent June 11 per cent and September 10 per centâAs the year draws to a close the hiring trends of 2025 point to optimism Demand for AIML and other specialised roles is expected to remain strong while nonIT sectors and emerging cities are likely to continue playing a larger role in job creationâ the report mentionedITsoftware hiring declined by 2 per cent in Q1 calendar year 2025 but showed signs of stabilisation from Q2 onwards with marginal improvements in select monthsAI and machine learning stood out as the strongest growth engine of 2025 AIML hiring grew 41 per cent yearonyear between January to November and recorded uninterrupted growth for six consecutive quarters Growth accelerated through the year crossing the 50 per cent mark in the second half of 2025Fresher hiring gained momentum through the year particularly in the second half A notable shift was the increasing prominence of nonmetro cities in fresher hiringCities such as Kolhapur Guwahati Patna Mangalore and Udaipur featured among the top locations for fresher hiring across different quarters highlighting the gradual decentralisation of entrylevel opportunities beyond traditional metros said the Naukri reportGlobal Capability Centre GCC hiring remained broadly stable in 2025 recording around 3 per cent yearonyear growth in the latter part of the year it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/non-it-sectors-emerge-as-primary-drivers-of-hiring-in-india-in-2025-655160.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/66-pc-employees-ready-to-take-pay-cut-for-better-workplace-report-655176.html New Delhi Dec 22 Twoâthirds or 66 per cent of employees contemplating leaving their workplace would accept a pay cut in exchange for improved workplace conditions and greater flexibility a report showed on Monday The report from Great Place To Work India found that 62 per cent of employees in typical workplaces are actively looking for new rolesAmong those considering to change workplace 70 per cent expect to leave their current organisation within the next yearFindings from our study show that workplace culture can directly influence retention leadership trust and employeesâ readiness to exchange compensation for better workplace experiences Balbir Singh CEO Great Place To WorkSingh said that six in 10 employees who do not have a great workplace experience plan to leave but the figure halved when employees experience a positive environmentSo investing in culture and leadership capability is critical to business resilience and longterm performance Singh addedBreakdowns of specific workforce segment showed particularly high intent to switch in healthcare biotech and pharmaceuticals where 81 per cent of employees considering leaving expect to move within 12 monthsAmong younger professionals 76 per cent of Generation Z and 68 per cent of millennials plan a job change within the year while 73 per cent of supervisors and frontline managers contemplating a switch expect to exit their roles in near termAround 87 per cent of employees thinking about leaving cited workplace culture as a key factor when evaluating potential employers the report saidEmployees preparing to leave reported 20 per cent to 27 per cent lower satisfaction compared to those intending to stay The dissatisfaction centred around fair pay worklife balance recognition and management communicationThe report said that employees intention to leave falls by 16 per cent with strong confidence in leadership and the intention falls by 12 per cent when employees see meaningful opportunities for innovation at work IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/66-pc-employees-ready-to-take-pay-cut-for-better-workplace-report-655176.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-at-forefront-of-digital-health-innovative-technologies-anupriya-patel-655179.html New Delhi Dec 22 India is at the forefront of digital health and innovative technologies said Anupriya Patel Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare on Monday Addressing the seventh annual convocation ceremony of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College amp Safdarjung Hospital the Minister urged the new doctors to hold onto the touch of humanity during medical practiceâToday India is at the forefront of digital health and innovative technologies because we want to fulfil the larger goal of universal healthcareâ the Union Minister saidâAs doctors you have entered into a social contract so that touch of humanity should not go anywhereâ she addedPatel congratulated the graduating students and emphasised the pivotal role of public medical institutions in strengthening Indiaâs healthcare systemâThe degrees that you will receive today are more than certificates of merit They are the qualities and traits of compassion dedication and perseverance that you will follow from now onwards in your medical professionâShe urged the young doctors to uphold ethical medical practice compassion and a strong commitment to serving underserved and marginalized communitiesNotably the Minister also highlighted the transformation achieved in Indiaâs Healthcare landscape in the last 11 yearsâAt the primary level there are more than 182 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operational in the country which are providing comprehensive primary care services to the people The government is fixing up the critical gaps in secondary healthcare facilities like CHCs and district hospitals and we are also expanding the network of tertiary care facilities and reimagining medical educationâ Patel saidâIn the last 11 years the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 819 The number of AIIMS has increased from 7 to 23 Undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51000 to 128000 and postgraduate seats from 31000 to around 82000 todayâ she addedThe Union Minister further informed that more than 62 crore people accounting for over 40 per cent of Indiaâs population are being provided with free health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat â PMJAY scheme the largest health coverage scheme in the worldâThere are also schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and Amrit Pharmacies which are providing medicines medical devices and surgical implants at discounted ratesâ she addedOn the occasion more than 217 postgraduate students 136 undergraduate students and 40 superspecialty students were awarded degrees and 43 students were awarded medals in recognition of their outstanding performance and dedication IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-at-forefront-of-digital-health-innovative-technologies-anupriya-patel-655179.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ready-to-adopt-techno-legal-approach-to-ai-governance-psa-655196.html New Delhi Dec 22 India is ready to adopt a technolegal approach to AI governance the Principal Scientific Adviser PSA to the government Prof Ajay Kumar Sood said on Monday Addressing a highlevel roundtable conference here Prof Sood highlighted the need to embed legal and regulatory principles directly into AI systems to ensure accountability transparency data privacy and cybersecurity by designHe urged participants to evaluate all plausible ways of creating a technolegal governance frameworkThe roundtable an official presummit event ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 was organised by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser in collaboration with the iSPIRT Foundation and the Centre for Responsible AI IIT Madras to discuss TechnoLegal Regulation for Responsible InnovationAligned AI GovernanceThe experts highlighted the need for robust data privacy and consent mechanisms across AI training inference and deployment convergence with the DEPA framework and the adoption of compliancebydesign architectures to support the global scalability of Indian AI governance models The discussions also addressed regulatory responses to nondeterministic AI systems and AIgenerated content including copyright concerns while underscoring the challenges of operationalising technolegal frameworks for AI governance Participants emphasised that AI model robustness must be balanced against technical and socioeconomic tradeoffs and that emerging solutions should be practical accessible and consumable at the enduser levelThe discussions underscored the need to develop a standardised evaluation framework for responsible AI across the full lifecycle of AI systems translate these insights into effective policy levers and embed safety and governance measures directly into AI technology stacks to mitigate risks and promote equitable accessThe roundtable was attended by Preeti Banzal AdviserScientist âGâ Office of PSA Kavita Bhatia Scientist âGâ and Group Coordinator Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Hari Subramanian Volunteer iSPIRT Foundation and Cofounder amp CEO Niti AI and Prof Balaraman Ravindran Head Centre for Responsible AI IIT MadrasBanzal noted that the insights derived from the roundtable will contribute to the Safe and Trusted AI Chakra of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 supporting the development of a proinnovation trustworthy AI ecosystem and strengthening Indiaâs role in global AI governance Banzal also spoke about Indiaâs approach to technolegal regulation emphasising the importance of having a practical implementation mechanism and setting exemplary pathways to AI Governance enabling policy mechanisms capacity building and global cooperationThe comoderators Subramanian and Ravindran discussed key challenges and metrics including data protection leakage risks differential privacy accuracy and throughput noting the tradeoffs between privacy and system performance They underlined the importance of equity in access data sovereignty and broader economic and strategic considerationsProf Mayank Vatsa Professor IIT Jodhpur Jhalak Kakkar Director Centre for Communication Governance National Law University Delhi Abilash Soundararajan Founder amp CEO PrivaSapien and other subjectmatter experts were also present at the roundtableThe Office of PSA will also be releasing an explanatory white paper on TechnoLegal Regulation for AI Governance incorporating all the suggestions and recommendations made in the roundtable IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ready-to-adopt-techno-legal-approach-to-ai-governance-psa-655196.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nhpc-to-start-commercial-operations-of-subansiri-projects-2nd-unit-on-dec-23-654990.html New Delhi Dec 21 Stateowned power producer NHPC on Sunday announced that it will begin commercial operations of the second unit of the 2000 megawatt Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project from Tuesday The company announced that Unit2 with a capacity of 250 MW will start commercial generation from midnight on December 23 2025In an exchange filing NHPC said it has declared the commercial operation of the second unit of the Subansiri Lower project which is being developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 27000 croreThe project is being executed under the Ministry of Power The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is located at Gerukamukh near North Lakhimpur along the border of Arunachal Pradesh and AssamâIt is to inform that after successful completion of trial run NHPC Limited declares Commercial Operation CoD of Unit 2 250 MW of Subansiri Lower HE Project 2000 MW 8 x 250 MW AssamArunachal Pradesh from 0000 hours on 23122025â NHPC said in its exchange filingâThe COD of balance units of Subansiri Lower HE Project will be intimated in due courseâ it addedOnce fully commissioned it will be the largest hydroelectric power station in the country with an installed capacity of 2000 MW through eight units of 250 MW eachThe project is a runoftheriver scheme with water storage on the Subansiri riverNHPC has said that this design helps harness the riverâs natural flow while keeping environmental impact lower compared to large reservoirbased projectsNHPC Director Projects Sanjay Kumar Singh visited the project site to oversee the start of commercial operations of Unit2During his visit he reviewed key structures such as the main dam diversion tunnel and spillway and held discussions with contractors and other stakeholders to assess pending workEarlier this month the first 250 MW unit of the project was successfully testsynchronised with Indiaâs national power grid on December 3 indicating that the project is steadily moving towards fullscale operationsAccording to NHPC the project is expected to generate around 742159 million units of electricity in a year with 90 per cent dependability IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nhpc-to-start-commercial-operations-of-subansiri-projects-2nd-unit-on-dec-23-654990.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/innospaceplans-s-koreas-1st-commercial-orbital-rocket-launch-this-week-655061.html Seoul Dec 22 South Korean space startup Innospace plans to launch the countrys first commercial orbital rocket this week following three delays according to the company on Monday The company officials stated that the HanbitNano rocket is scheduled to lift off from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil at 345 pm Monday local time or 345 am Tuesday Korean time Yonhap news agency reportedThe HanbitNano vehicle will carry eight payloads including five satellites and deploy them into a 300kilometer low orbitIf successful Innospace will become the first private South Korean company to place a customer satellite into orbitThe twostage vehicle employs a 25tonne thrust hybrid engine that powers the first stage and the second stage is backed by a liquid methane and oxygen engineThe launch has been postponed three times since the companys original plan to blast off on November 22It was first delayed last Wednesday due to a defect in avionics electronics and was later rescheduled for FridayOn Friday the launch attempt was again delayed due to an issue with a fuel tank after which the launch operator suspended the attempt and postponed the liftoffFor Tuesdays launch Innospace said weather conditions could be a factor due to a rain forecastThe exact launch time is expected to change depending on weather conditions a company official said The launch will take place when there is no rainEarlier in September the South Korean space launch startup signed a 58 million contract with Media Broadcasting Satellite MBS a German satellite communications company to provide launch services Yonhap had reportedUnder the agreement Innospace will carry out two launch missions using the companys Hanbit launch vehicle to deploy MBS satellites into low Earth orbit between 2026 and 2029In a separate deal Innospace also named MBS as its exclusive launch service and marketing agent in Germany a move aimed at bolstering the South Korean firms presence in the European space marketMBS will hold exclusive rights to distribute and market launch services based on Innospaces Hanbit vehicle to satellite customers in Germany IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/innospaceplans-s-koreas-1st-commercial-orbital-rocket-launch-this-week-655061.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-capital-market-infra-generates-over-rs-700-billion-revenue-in-fy25-report-655067.html New Delhi Dec 22 Indiaâs capital market infrastructure sector comprising brokers stock exchanges depositories and registry and transfer agents RTAs generated revenues of over Rs 700 billion in FY25 a report has said The report from global brokerage Jefferies said the growth in revenues was due to rise in market volumes and increasing investor participation The sectorâs outlook will be shaped by faster growth in select segments diversification into adjacent businesses and resilience to regulatory change it addedThe brokerage projects mutual fund assets under management to grow at a 16 per cent compound annual rate over FY26âFY28 with mutual fund AUM projected to rise from Rs 67 trillion in FY25 to Rs 103 trillion by FY28Cash market average daily turnover ADTO is projected to grow 15 per cent and FampO premium ADTO will rise 12 per cent reflecting moderation in derivatives activity after recent regulatory changes the report forecastedThe brokerage expects the number of demat accounts to increase from 192 million in FY25 to 304 million by FY28 and mutual fund folios to climb from 235 million to 377 millionBrokers accounted for nearly Rs 500 billion of FY25 revenues and exchanges about Rs 200 billion with depositories and registry and transfer agents contributing to the restBrokers and exchanges are expected to grow faster than other capital market infrastructure segments it addedThe stock exchanges growth will come from rising traction in index options estimated to grow to around 35 per cent share of options market by FY28Brokers growth will come from expansion across products including margin trading facilities commodities bonds and wealth management the report notedYounger investors are driving incremental participation with those below 30 years constituting about 40 per cent of the base in FY25Analysts noted that the market is likely heading for a yearend rally The rupees sharp reversal and FIIs cash market purchases can accelerate this rally as they lead to short covering pushing benchmark indices higher IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-capital-market-infra-generates-over-rs-700-billion-revenue-in-fy25-report-655067.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ready-tolaunchbluebirdblock-2-satellite-ondecember24-isro-655074.html New Delhi Dec 22 The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO on Monday said it is ready to launch the BlueBird Block2 satellite on December 24 The launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center will place the BlueBird Block2 satellite also referred to as BlueBird6 in Low Earth OrbitBlueBird communications satellite developed by the USbased AST SpaceMobile will be launched on board Indiaâs most powerful rocket LVM3It is one of the heaviest commercial satellites weighing 65 tonnes The Low Earth Orbit LEO satellite arrived in India from the US on October 19âMeet LVM3M6 ISROâs operational heavylift launch vehicle with a proven record of reliable missions Ready to deliver BlueBird Block2 to Low Earth Orbitâ ISRO shared in a post on the social media platform XEarlier AST SpaceMobile in a statement said that âwhen launched it will feature the largest commercial phased array in low Earth orbit at nearly 2400 square feet This represents a 35 times increase in size over BlueBirds 15 and supports 10 times the data capacityâThis is the second collaboration between the US and ISRO In July the ISRO successfully launched the 15 billion NASAISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission NISAR aimed at taking highresolution Earth scans with a capacity to penetrate through fogs dense clouds and ice layersAST SpaceMobile has already launched five satellites BlueBird 1 to 5 in September 2024 With an aim to expand this network further the company has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators worldwideMeanwhile as per ISRO BlueBird 6s liftoff it is being handled by its commercial wing the New Space India Limited NSILLVM3 developed by ISRO is a threestage launch vehicle comprising two solid strapon motors S200 a liquid core stage L110 and a cryogenic upper stage C25âIt has a liftoff mass of 640 tonnes a height of 435 m and a payload capability of 4200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit GTOâ ISRO saidLVM3 had recently put Indiaâs heaviest CMS3 satellite weighing 44 tonnes into its orbit on November 2In its earlier missions LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan2 Chandrayaan3 and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ready-tolaunchbluebirdblock-2-satellite-ondecember24-isro-655074.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dgca-to-probe-1-engine-shutdown-incident-on-air-indias-delhi-mumbai-flight-655092.html New Delhi Dec 22 Following an engine shutdown on Air Indiaâs DelhiMumbai flight the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA on Monday said it will probe the incident Earlier in the day the Mumbaibound Air India B777300ER aircraft returned to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue The aircraft landed safely at DelhiâThe AIC 887 DelhiMumbai was involved in Airturnback as during flap retraction after takeoff the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure on Engine No 2 RightHand engineâ the regulator saidSoon after the takeoff the engine oil pressure dropped to zero Following the procedure the crew shutdown the No 2 engine and the aircraft landed safely at Delhi it addedThe DGCA noted that âthe inspectionrectification is in progressââThe incident would be investigated by the Permanent Investigation Board of the Airline under the supervision of Director Air SafetyNR DGCAâ it addedAir India said that the airline is providing immediate assistance to the affected passengers and âalternative arrangements have been made to fly them to their destination shortlyâAmid flight disruptions Air India said earlier that it has stepped up preparations to minimise passenger inconvenience during the ensuing fog season announcing measures including CAT III B crew rostering deployment of CAT III Bâcertified aircraft networkwide airport readiness techenabled passenger assistance and proactive communicationsCAT III B crew roster and certified aircraft mean assigning specially trained and certified flight crews along with deploying aircraft that can land in low visibility conditionsAir India has also activated its âFog Careâ initiative to help passengers in scenarios where there are delays or schedule changes due to situations beyond our control a release saidUnder the initiative flights that are likely to be affected by fog based on the met forecast are proactively identified and passengers are alerted about any delay or a change in schedule the company saidThe DGCA has designated December 10 2025 to February 10 2026 as the official fog window this season IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dgca-to-probe-1-engine-shutdown-incident-on-air-indias-delhi-mumbai-flight-655092.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/anant-raj-shares-crash-35-pc-in-2025-mark-worst-year-in-6-years-654947.html Mumbai Dec 21 Shares of Anant Raj have had a rough run in 2025 with the stock witnessing a sharp reversal after years of strong gains After delivering extraordinary returns over the last two years the real estate and data centre player has seen its share price fall nearly 355 per cent so far this year making 2025 its worst annual performance in the last six yearsThe sharp decline comes after Anant Raj delivered massive gains of 190 per cent in 2024 and 163 per cent in 2023In contrast the stock has struggled in 2025 and is now on track for its steepest annual fall since 2018 when it had plunged more than 49 per centThe weakness was visible right at the start of the year Anant Raj shares slid nearly 46 per cent cumulatively in the first two months of 2025Although the stock managed to recover some ground in the following months the rebound did not last and selling pressure soon returnedThe fall marks a sharp turnaround from the strong rally seen between June 2022 and December 2024 when the stock surged by an astonishing 1757 per cent in a largely oneway moveThat rally had positioned Anant Raj as one of the standout performers in the real estate and infrastructure spaceFounded in the 1970s Anant Raj has been a wellknown name in the NCR real estate market with projects spanning residential housing affordable homes hotels IT parks and commercial developmentsIn 2021 the company entered the data centre segment which later became a key growth driver and a major reason behind the stockâs sharp riseThe recent crash in the share price began after concerns emerged in the global artificial intelligence spacePanic was triggered after Chinaâs lowcost AI model DeepSeek raised questions about the heavy capital spending on dataintensive AI modelsSince data centres are closely linked to the AI ecosystem these concerns weighed heavily on companies exposed to the sector including Anant RajAnant Raj aims to expand its data centre capacity from the current 28 megawatts to 63 megawatts by FY27 and further to 307 megawatts by FY32 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/anant-raj-shares-crash-35-pc-in-2025-mark-worst-year-in-6-years-654947.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-biogas-sector-likely-to-attract-rs-5-000-crore-investment-in-2026-27-654952.html New Delhi Dec 21 Indias biogas sector is expected to attract an investment exceeding Rs 5000 crore during the financial year 202627 on the back of rising market demand for gas according to the Indian Biogas Association IBA According to government data 94 compressed biogas CBG plants sold more than 31400 tonnes of CBG during FY 202425 which reflects the growth in the sector and strong market uptake the IBA said in a statementThe IBA expects significant commissioning of new CBG facilities effective and organised supply chains for feedstock and unified and integrated policy frameworks to support the rapid adoption of biogasThere is also ample scope for efficiency improvement and capacity utilisation in the several million smallscale traditional biogas digesters and the country programmes are scaling up support for the various mediumsized plants which offer the benefits of cleaner cooking fuel rural employment and organic manure the statement addedThe relaxed GST regime is going to augur ease of doing business in the CBG ecosystem We anticipate that a reduction of 7 per cent in the applicable GST rate for the CBG sector shall significantly improve project viability and the direct impact would translate into a 45 per cent increase in new investments in the industry over the short to medium term IBA Chairman Gaurav Kedia saidIndirectly across the industry value chain the multiplier effect would be much largerâ he addedCBG a renewable green fuel made by purifying and compressing biogas from organic waste like farm waste dung sewage to be identical to Compressed Natural Gas CNG Its a key part of Indias strategy to reduce oil imports manage waste responsibly cut emissions and boost rural economies with government schemes like SATAT promoting its production and use as a clean alternative fuel for vehicles industries and cookingThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MNRE currently provides central financial assistance covering 15â20 per cent of a projectâs capital cost Additionally marketing development assistance of Rs 150 per kilogram is offered to promote the offtake of organic fertilisers a key byproduct of biogas plants There are also incentives for pipeline laying to connect plants to the gas grid IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-biogas-sector-likely-to-attract-rs-5-000-crore-investment-in-2026-27-654952.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ultratech-cement-faces-rs-390-crore-gst-demand-654956.html Mumbai Dec 21 UltraTech Cement Limited has received a tax demand order from the Joint Commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax and Central Excise Patna asking the company to pay alleged dues of about Rs 390 crore Along with this the company has also been asked to pay a penalty of a similar amount and interest of around Rs 28 lakhIn a regulatory filing UltraTech Cement Ltd said the demand relates to alleged short payment of Goods and Services Tax improper use of input tax credit and other related issuesâThe Company has received an Order from the Joint Commissioner Central Goods and Services Tax amp Central Excise Patnaâ it said in its filingThe case covers the period from the financial year 201819 to 202223The total penalty and interest together account for nearly twothirds of the companyâs profit of Rs 1232 crore reported for the second quarter ended September 2025During the same quarter the countryâs largest cement maker reported a strong performance with revenue rising 203 per cent yearonyear to Rs 19607 croreâOrder in Original passed upholding tax liability of Rs 3909558194 plus applicable interest on tax demand additional interest Rs 2768289 and penalty of Rs 3909558194â the company addedHowever the company said it is considering all legal options and plans to challenge the orderUltraTech added that it does not expect the tax demand to have any impact on its operations or financial positionThe company is scheduled to announce its earnings for the ongoing third quarter on January 24 2026âThe Company is reviewing the Order considering all legal options and accordingly would be contesting the demand and does not expect the said Order to have any operationalfinancial impact on the Companyâ it addedMeanwhile UltraTech Cement shares have remained largely flat so far this year On the latest trading day the stock closed at Rs 11497 up Rs 36 or 031 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ultratech-cement-faces-rs-390-crore-gst-demand-654956.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/health-minister-nadda-urges-new-doctors-to-work-towards-society-654848.html New Delhi Dec 20 The government spends Rs 3035 lakh for every MBBS student said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday while urging new doctors to work towards society Addressing the 21st annual convocation ceremony of King Georgeâs Medical University KGMU in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh the Minister highlighted the remarkable progress achieved in Indiaâs healthcare and medical education sector over the past decadeâThe government spends between 3035 lakh for every MBBS student said Nadda while urging âthe graduating students to actively contribute to academics and researchand shoulder more responsibilities towards societyââFrom just one AIIMS at the end of the past century today there are 23 AIIMS institutions across India reflecting the governmentâs commitment to expanding quality healthcare and medical training to every regionâ the Health Minister saidHe 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 119000 and postgraduate seats from 31000 to 80000Nadda added that till 2029 under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi an additional 75000 seats will be added across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of which more than 23000 seats have already been added in one yearNadda highlighted that currently there are more than 182 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operational in the country which are providing comprehensive primary care services to the peopleHe also informed that more than 62 crore people accounting for over 40 per cent of Indiaâs population are being provided with health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme the largest health coverage scheme in the worldThe Union Minister also congratulated the graduating students and commended KGMU for its contribution towards advancing medical science education and patient care in IndiaâKGMU is ranked 8th in the 2025 NIRF rankings and 12 of its faculties have been listed in the top 2 per cent scientists by Stanford University which is a remarkable achievementâ he statedThe Minister also encouraged the students to remain lifelong learners and innovators committed to advancing medical science and serving society with compassion IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/health-minister-nadda-urges-new-doctors-to-work-towards-society-654848.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tn-claims-top-spot-in-national-patent-registrations-records-62-pc-growth-in-year-654850.html Chennai Dec 20 Tamil Nadu has reaffirmed its position as a national leader in intellectual innovation with the state government on Saturday announcing a remarkable surge in patent registrations Citing a recent report by the Industry Guide Institute the government declared that Tamil Nadu continues to shape Indiaâs intellectual future under the leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin According to the report out of 68201 patent applications submitted across the country Tamil Nadu accounted for 15440 registered patentsâa significant share amounting to 23 per cent of all patents filed nationwide By achieving this feat the state has not only secured the top position in the country for patent filings but has also strengthened its reputation as Indiaâs Intellectual Capital This performance marks a substantial yearonyear increase Comparing figures from the 202324 financial year to 202425 Tamil Naduâs patent registrations rose from 9565 to 15440 an impressive growth rate of 62 per cent Officials say this surge reflects the rapid acceleration of indigenous innovation research activities and technological development within the state In a statement the Tamil Nadu government said the latest data validates the stateâs longterm vision of fostering an ecosystem that supports invention scientific exploration and knowledge creation The government emphasised that dynamic policy reforms enhanced research support collaboration between academic institutions and industries and a conducive environment for startups and MSMEs have all contributed to this patent boom Increased funding for research improved access to filing mechanisms and heightened awareness among innovators have also played a key role Experts believe the momentum showcases not just numerical growth but a qualitative shift in Tamil Naduâs scientific and technological landscape Sectors such as renewable energy healthcare technology artificial intelligence industrial engineering and automotive research are reportedly among the primary contributors to the surge The stateâs leadership views this achievement as a stepping stone toward positioning Tamil Nadu prominently on the global innovation map With an expanding pool of skilled professionals researchfocused institutions and proactive governance officials say Tamil Nadu is well on course to attract further investment and collaborative ventures from both national and international partners As the report underscores Tamil Naduâs rise is reshaping Indiaâs innovation narrative setting an example for other states and reinforcing the importance of intellectual property in national development IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tn-claims-top-spot-in-national-patent-registrations-records-62-pc-growth-in-year-654850.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/fii-selling-in-dec-crosses-rs-21-100-crore-trend-set-to-reverse-analysts-654851.html Mumbai Dec 20 Foreign institutional investors FIIs have net sold shares worth Rs 21104 crore in December but there are signs of a reversal of foreign institutional investor outflows due to macro strength and earnings visibility analysts said on Saturday Strengthening of the currency in the last two days has helped to stem the tide of FII selling they said During the last three trading days FIIs were buyers in the cash market with a total buy figure of Rs 3596 croreAs the year 2025 draws to a close there are signs of a reversal of FII outflows witnessed this year and indications of capital inflows in 2026 said Dr VK Vijayakumar Chief Investment Strategist Geojit Investments LtdWith Indiaâs GDP growth improving steadily and corporate earnings growth indicating an uptrend in the coming quarters FIIs are likely to turn net buyers in 2026â he addedThe longterm trend of FII buying or investing through the primary market continues with an investment of Rs 11454 crores in November so farTotal FII sell figure through exchanges stood at Rs 230964 crores yeartodate in CY25 The total FII buy figure for the primary market stood at Rs 73106 croresAnalysts said that sustained FII selling along with the high trade deficit contributed significantly to the depreciation of the rupee in 2025The rupees annual depreciation crossed above 5 per cent but the last two days witnessed a reversal of the currency depreciation Rupee bounced back from the low of 9114 to the dollar on 16th December to 8929 on December 19Though selling pressure dominated most sessions of the Indian market this week a recovery was seen in the final trading day driven by value buying and renewed interest from foreign portfolio investors FPIs which helped limit the downsideThe FY26 September quarter earnings season delivered broadbased strength with several sectorsâincluding hospitals capital goods cement electronics manufacturing services ports NBFCs and telecomâreporting doubledigit growth in EBITDA and profits IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/fii-selling-in-dec-crosses-rs-21-100-crore-trend-set-to-reverse-analysts-654851.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indiaoman-cepa-to-boost-exports-energy-security-654860.html New Delhi Dec 20 The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA with Oman is expected to enhance Indiaâs export competitiveness secure energy supplies at favourable prices and strengthen IndiaâOman economic ties a report said on Saturday The report from Bank of Baroda said that CEPA aims to expand trade and investment increase export opportunities for labourâintensive micro small and medium enterprise MSME sectors such as textiles leather footwear gems and jewellery and engineering productsFurther it aims to increase service commitments in education health computer business professional and RampD servicesThis marks a significant move towards increasing access towards global markets and building on export competitiveness the bank saidZero duty access on 9808 per cent of Omanâs tariff lines for Indian goods is allowed while India is offering 7779 per cent of its total tariff linesIndiaâs exports to Oman stood at 41 billion in FY25 about 09 per cent of overall exports and have risen at a fiveâyear compound annual growth rate of 124 per cent versus 69 per cent for overall exportsThe agreement would help reduce Indiaâs oil import bill and exploration of more options in the future it said adding the major sectors in focus outlined in the agreement constitute around 39 per cent of Indiaâs exports to OmanâIt is positive for Indiaâs overall export basket at a time when some rerouting of exports is happening to reap cost advantage against the backdrop of higher tariff rate by the USâ the report saidThe bank noted the zeroduty agreement covers 9938 per cent of Indiaâs exports to Oman by value and would cover 9481 per cent of Indiaâs imports from Oman by value For exportâsensitive products liberalisation is largely via tariffârate quotas allowing a set quantity of specific products to be imported mainly affecting agriculture IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indiaoman-cepa-to-boost-exports-energy-security-654860.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/wont-allow-unrestricted-deployment-of-high-risk-ai-systems-minister-654760.html New Delhi Dec 20 The India AI governance guidelines do not allow unrestricted deployment of highrisk AI systems but adopts a riskbased evidenceled and proportional governance approach according to the government The guidelines recognise that AI is a major driver of economic growth and social change At the same time it can also pose risks to individuals and society Some of these include bias discrimination unfair outcomes exclusion and lack of transparency according to Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin PrasadaIn line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision the government is democratising the development and usage of technology The focus is using Artificial Intelligence AI for solving realworld problems and ultimately improving lives across various sectorsThe government has taken a balanced and pragmatic technolegal approach towards its regulation Indiaâs AI strategy has been formed after studying legal frameworks around the world and extensive consultation with stakeholdersâIndia combines legal safeguards with technological solutions rather than relying only on laws or market forces The Government is funding RampD projects at premier institutions such as IITs to develop AI tools for deepfake detection privacy protection and cybersecurityâ said the ministryIt further stated that this approach reflects Indiaâs belief that effective AI governance must be supported by practical technical interventions This will ensure that innovation continues without compromising the safety trust and rights of citizensThe India AI Governance Guidelines were released on November 5 2025 It provides a comprehensive national framework to ensure the safe responsible and inclusive development of Artificial Intelligence in the countryâSafeguards are outlined to address risks to individuals and society The Guidelines state that sectoral regulators will remain responsible for enforcement and oversight within their legal mandateâ according to the ministryThe guidelines are designed to be agile and flexible They are principlebased and not prescriptive Their purpose is to support responsible AI adoption without stifling innovation They do not introduce new statutory mechanisms such as independent audits appeals or new oversight bodies Instead the Guidelines rely on existing laws These include the Information Technology Act the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and sectorspecific regulations IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/wont-allow-unrestricted-deployment-of-high-risk-ai-systems-minister-654760.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-indices-end-week-in-bullish-tone-over-positive-global-cues-654765.html Mumbai Dec 20 Indian equity benchmarks closed on a strong note this week snapping a fourday losing streak amid positive global cues stemming from US inflation data The market ended the week in a bullish tone with Nifty surging 018 per cent during the week and 058 per cent on the last trading day to 25966 after a softer US CPI print boosted expectations of a milder Fed stanceAt close the Sensex was up 44755 points or 053 per cent at 84929Indian equities were traded in a cautious tone for most of the week weighed down by persistent FII outflows rupee depreciation and heightened global uncertaintiesFurther early sessions also saw pressure from rising Japanese bond yields and expectations of Bank of Japan BoJ tightening which amplified riskoff sentiment across emerging marketsBargain hunting and lower crude prices helped large caps drive a late rebound trimming most of the weekâs losses market watchers saidBroader indices also rose marginally during the week with the Nifty Midcap100 up 004 per cent while Nifty Smallcap100 was unchanged during the week It gained 134 per cent at the closeOn the sectoral front all sectors traded with a positive bias Major contributions came from Nifty Realty Auto Healthcare and Chemicals while other sectors also posted modest gainsNifty has 2620026300 as stiff resistance levels while 25700â25800 levels will act as support zone they addedAnalysts said markets will likely maintain a cautiously positive bias in near future but remain highly sensitive to global cuesKey drivers going forward include comments from the global central banks for the 2026 policy trajectory While sentiment remains constructive nearterm volatility may persist amid uncertainty over trade deal timelines and the Indian rupee stability they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-indices-end-week-in-bullish-tone-over-positive-global-cues-654765.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-national-ai-olympiad-2026-registrations-open-to-nurture-school-level-ai-talent-654775.html New Delhi Dec 20 ACM India the Indian arm of the Association for Computing Machinery on Saturday announced the launch of the Indian National AI Olympiad 2026 a nationwide initiative to identify and nurture exceptional schoollevel talent in Artificial Intelligence Registration for the INAIO 2026 test for Indian students pursuing Classes IX to XII to be conducted online on January 18 2026 is open until December 31 2025Test results will help candidates born after August 2 2006 qualify for IOAI 2026 in Abu Dhabi from August 2â8 2026 ACM India said in a statementThe Indian National AI Olympiad to be proctored live and administered by assessment technology platform HireMee will serve as an accredited gateway to the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence IOAIIOAI will offer students global exposure advanced innovation skills and worldâclass academic opportunities it addedToppers of related Olympiads such as INMO Indian National Mathematical Olympiad INOI Indian National Olympiad in Informatics PLO Panini Linguistics Olympiad and Bebras will receive direct entry into Stage 2 of INAIOThe multiâstage structured evaluation model of INAIO is designed to strengthen conceptual understanding of machine learning and develop realâworld modelling abilities with the Olympiad selecting students to represent India at IOAIKey benefits include international recognition potential scholarships from top universities and enhanced higherâeducation pathways in globally recognised universities the statement saidFurther the top three national rankers will receive attractive prizes as all participants will be awarded digital certificates the statement notedThe first 500 applicants to the programme will receive access to HireMeeâs Career Navigation Assessment worth Rs 1599 it addedDemand for AI and machine learning engineers data scientists and AI governance specialists is set to surge in 2026 while cybersecurity is being reshaped by AIdriven threatsAround 74 per cent of corporate leaders in India ranked artificial intelligence AI among their top three technology adoption choices according to a recent report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-national-ai-olympiad-2026-registrations-open-to-nurture-school-level-ai-talent-654775.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-court-restores-musks-2018-tesla-pay-package-boosting-his-control-stake-654782.html New Delhi Dec 20 The Delaware Supreme Court in the US has restored Elon Muskâs 2018 pay package from Tesla overturning a lowerâcourt decision that had struck it down as âunfathomableâ The ruling reverses a 2024 decision that rescinded the package and found that total rescission âleaves Musk uncompensated for his time and efforts over a period of six yearsâ the 49âpage ruling said according to multiple media reportsThe erstwhile ruling had reportedly damaged Delawares businessfriendly reputation and the new ruling assured Musk greater control over the company alleviating his main concern even after shareholders recently approved a new pay package that could be worth 878 billion if Tesla meets certain âtargetsThe 2018 package is now worth about 139 billion based on Teslaâs closing stock price on Friday and if Musk exercises all stock options from the pay package his stake would rise from about 124 per cent to 181 per cent of an expanded share baseMusk posted on social media platform X that he was âvindicatedâ while lawyers who challenged the pay package were cited as saying they were considering next steps and were proud calling to account the Tesla board and its largest stockholder for their breaches of fiduciary dutyâThe 2018 pay deal provided Musk options to buy about 304 million shares at a discounted price if Tesla met specific milestones Teslas board had warned that Musk the worlds ârichest person leading the SpaceX rocket venture could leave the electric car company if his pay was disruptedHe had recently defended the H1B visa programme saying that the US economy has benefited immensely from Indian immigrantsMusk said that America needs highskill workers from India now more than ever while also calling out the misuse of the visa system by some outsourcing firms Musk said America has been an immense beneficiary of talent from India adding that his companies constantly struggle to fill specialised roles because there is always a scarcity of talented people IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-court-restores-musks-2018-tesla-pay-package-boosting-his-control-stake-654782.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/common-air-pollutantsmay-impair-mood-memory-in-adolescents-study-654787.html New Delhi Dec 20 Exposure to air pollution may have serious implications for a childs developing brain and cause damage to language development memory and mood regulation according to a study Air pollution causes harmful contaminants such as particulate matter nitrogen dioxide and ozone to circulate in the environmentThe study led by physicianscientists at Oregon Health amp Science University in the US warned that exposure to air pollution is associated with structural changes in the adolescent brain specifically in the frontal and temporal regions the areas responsible for executive function language mood regulation and socioemotional processingWhat we discovered was a slow and subtle effect happening on the brain and while it might not be causing symptoms immediately it could be shifting developmental trajectories and outcomes over time said lead author Calvin Jara resident in otolaryngologyhead and neck surgeries in the OHSU School of MedicineFor the study the team analysed data from nearly 11000 childrenThe results published in the journal Environmental Research showed that baseline exposure to specific air pollutants in the early phase of adolescence or the onset of puberty generally ages 9 to 10 was associated with both persistent and developmental changes in cortical thickness a measurement of the structural maturation of the outer layer of the brainAtypical cortical thinning especially thinning that is accelerated can be an indication of an underlying neurological disruption and result in associated cognitive impairmentResearchers warn that these structural changes in the brain could have impacts on a childs overall health wellbeing and life trajectoryAlterations in the development of these critical brain regions could impair attention memory and emotional regulation potentially leading to academic difficulties and behavioural concerns Future research should continue to examine these broader longterm consequences researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/common-air-pollutantsmay-impair-mood-memory-in-adolescents-study-654787.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tickermapping-error-likely-behind-sudden-spike-in-infosys-adrs-report-654793.html New Delhi Dec 20 A suspected dataâfeed anomaly and algorithmâdriven buying â rather than companyâspecific news seems to have triggered the sudden surge of around 50 per cent in Infosys Ltdâs American Depository Receipts ADRs a report has said The report from The Chronicle Journal said the spike in Infosys ADRs on December 19 2025 was likely caused by a tickerâmapping error across multiple financial data platforms that confused automated trading systems and set off a selfâreinforcing buying loop in a thinly traded counterThe sharp move prompted multiple Limit UpâLimit Down volatility halts on the New York Stock Exchange the report saidSeveral data providers had erroneously mapped the âINFYâ ticker to an unrelated entity while continuing to attach it with Infosysâspecific metrics and headlinesThis mismatch led algorithmic models to interpret as a pricing anomaly and triggered aggressive buy orders and the impact was magnified by low liquidity and thin trading volumesThe ADRs which had closed the previous session near 1918 spiked to as high as 27 within minutes of the market opening before volatility controls kicked in to bring prices down Corresponding reaction was absent in the companyâs Indiaâlisted shares the report notedThe market anomaly underlined the vulnerabilities of ADRs which trade when home markets are closed exposing the system to more data errors liquidity gaps and automated trading feedback loopsUS exchanges and regulators are expected to review the anomaly to assess whether data inconsistencies played a material role and whether volatility safeguards functioned as intendedMeanwhile US tech giant Microsoft recently announced strategic partnerships with IT companies including Infosys to deploy over 50000 Microsoft Copilot licenses collectively surpassing 200000 licenses and accelerating the adoption of agentic AIThis partnership underscores the transformative potential of agentic AI â intelligent systems capable of taking initiative driving decisions and generating insights autonomously â aims to create new avenues for growth and competitiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tickermapping-error-likely-behind-sudden-spike-in-infosys-adrs-report-654793.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hpv-vaccinecanhelp-preventprecancerous-lesionsin-girls-women-654796.html New Delhi Dec 20 The Human papillomavirus HPV vaccine known for preventing cervical cancer can also help safeguard against precancerous lesions of the vulva and vagina in girls and women according to a study The study published in the journal JAMA Oncology showed that women who received at least 1 dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine had a 37 per cent lower incidence of highgrade vulvovaginal lesions than those unvaccinatedThe incidence reduction of highgrade vulvovaginal lesions was statistically significant among women vaccinated at 10 to 16 years as their rate of vaginal or vulvar precancers was 57 per cent lower compared to unvaccinated womenâThe findings emphasise the critical role of HPV vaccination initiated at an early age The enhanced risk reduction in younger women may be attributable to the reduced probability of prior HPV exposure before vaccinationâ said researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in SwedenThe team conducted a cohort study of 778943 women born from 1985 to 1998 and living in Sweden from 2006 to 2022During the followup 98 cases of highgrade vulvovaginal lesions were found in vaccinated women and 547 cases were found in unvaccinated womenCompared with unvaccinated women the fully adjusted incidence rate ratio of highgrade vulvovaginal lesions was 063 in vaccinated womenVulvar and vaginal lesions are diverse skin changes bumps sores cysts discoloration around the genitals ranging from benign infections cysts skin conditions like lichen sclerosus to precancerous VIN or cancerous These often cause itching pain burning or dischargeFinding vulvar and vaginal lesions at the precancerous stage before they transform into lifethreatening cancer is important because early detection increases the odds of being curedHPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally and is responsible for more than 690000 new cancer cases annually It is the primary cause of cervical cancer along with several other genital and head and neck cancers in both women and menA recent study showed that the HPV vaccine may not only prevent cervical cancer but also provides significant herd immunity effects offering protection even to young women who were not vaccinated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hpv-vaccinecanhelp-preventprecancerous-lesionsin-girls-women-654796.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/several-key-bridges-exemplify-scale-and-vision-of-indias-infrastructure-654802.html New Delhi Dec 20 As India continues to grow its bridges â from Atal Setu to Chenab Bridge will remain among the clearest expressions of a country in motion always reaching forward and building its own path an official statement said on Saturday Indiaâs bridges are more than infrastructure they are statements of intent connecting a nation defined by scale and contrast They rise from mountainsides pierce through monsoon clouds and skim the surface of some of the subcontinentâs most volatile watersâThrough every corner of this vast terrain various bridges continue to reflect Indiaâs drive and determination The Bogibeel Bridge and the New Saraighat Bridge in Assam across the mighty Brahmaputra carry both road and rail to strengthen connectivity Similarly the DighaâSonpur Bridge in Bihar enhances movement across the river Ganga with its robust railcumroad designâ the statement saidStretching across the Arabian Sea like a bold stroke on the cityâs canvas the Atal Setu also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link MTHL marks Mumbaiâs biggest step towards a horizon unrestrained by traffic and timeSpanning 165 kilometres over the sea and extending another 55 kilometres on land the project was approved at a cost of Rs 17843 crore and stands as Indiaâs longest sea bridge Even amid the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid19 pandemic the project managed to stay on trackIndiaâs engineering prowess has reached a new pinnacle with the completion of the Chenab Bridge the worldâs highest railway arch bridgePerched 359 metres above the Chenab River the bridge forms a crucial segment of the UdhampurâSrinagarâBaramulla Railway Link USBRL With Vande Bharat trains set to operate on the route travel time between Katra and Srinagar will reduce to just about three hoursThe 1315metrelong steel arch structure has been designed to withstand wind speeds up to 260 kmph and built with a projected lifespan of 120 years Constructed at a cost of Rs 1486 crore the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as a symbol of Indiaâs ambition technical excellence and advancing infrastructure capabilities according to the statementThe newly constructed Pamban Bridge connecting Rameswaram with the mainland is Indiaâs first vertical lift railway sea bridge Built at a cost exceeding Rs 700 crore the 207 km structure includes a 725metre vertical lift section that can rise 17 metres allowing ships to pass safely without halting train movementThrough innovative engineering and advanced technology over 1400 tons of fabrication liftspan launches 99 girders and extensive track and electrification work at sea were completed with zero injuriesCrafted with stainless reinforcement highperformance protective coatings and fully welded joints the bridge promises greater longevity and lower upkeep It has also been prepared for future growth with space for a second railway line IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/several-key-bridges-exemplify-scale-and-vision-of-indias-infrastructure-654802.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-warns-employees-against-travel-outside-us-due-to-stamping-delays-of-up-to-12-months-654803.html New Delhi Dec 20 US tech giant Google has warned some employees not to travel abroad after learning that US visa reâentry processing at American embassies and consulates is facing âsignificantâ delays that can stretch up to 12 months The report from Business Insider said that Googleâs external counsel BAL Immigration Law cautioned employees needing visa stamping to return to the US saying overseas travel could leave them stranded due to visa stamping appointment delays up to 12 monthsBAL Immigration Laws email urged affected staff to avoid international trips because of unusually long appointment backlogs at diplomatic missions and warned travellers they could ârisk an extended stay outside the USâThe delays are being reported across several countries as US missions implement enhanced socialâmedia screening requirements that apply to Hâ1B workers their dependents and to students and exchange visitors on F J and M visasThe US Department of State acknowledged the delays the report said adding that it is conducting âonline presence reviews for applicantsâ and that applicants can request expedited processing on a casebycase basisThe White House in November had clarified its position on the visa policy telling IANS that the 1 lakh application fee is a âsignificant first step to stop abuses of the systemâThe administrationâs H1B visa policy has faced broad opposition from lawmakers and legal challenges with two major lawsuits filed in courts including the one by the US Chamber of Commerce the countryâs biggest business organisationIndiaborn workers received over 70 per cent of the total approved H1B visas in 2024 primarily due to a huge backlog in approvals and a high number of skilled immigrants from IndiaElon Musk had recently defended the H1B visa programme saying that the US economy has benefited immensely from Indian immigrantsMusk said that America needs highskill workers from India now more than ever while also calling out the misuse of the visa system by some outsourcing firms IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-warns-employees-against-travel-outside-us-due-to-stamping-delays-of-up-to-12-months-654803.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-icmr-study-unravelsbreast-cancer-risk-factors-among-indian-women-654804.html New Delhi Dec 20 A new study conducted by scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR has decoded the specific risk factors for breast cancer among women in India Breast Cancer is among the top three cancers amongst women in India The incidence of breast cancers in the country is expected to rise by about 56âper cent annually translating to an estimated increase of 005 million new cases per yearThe team from ICMRâs National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research NCDIR Bengaluru conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis on 31 studies covering a total of 27925 participants with 45âper cent being diagnosed with breast cancerThe findings published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology showed that âreproductive timing hormonal exposure central obesity and family history influence breast cancer risk primarily among Indian womenâWomen with late menopause more than 50years first pregnancy after 30 years of age higher age at marriage multiple abortions and central obesity with waisttohip ratio more than 85 cm are at significant risk the researchers said in the paperAmong lifestyle factors poor sleep quality irregular sleep patterns sleeping in a lighted room and elevated stress levels were also positively associated with risk in individual studies In contrast higher levels of physical activity showed an inverse associationThe analysis found that women over 50 years had a threefold higher risk and women aged 3550 years had a 163fold increase in risk highlighting the importance of early screening for women in their fortiesHowever variations in age group classifications across studies may explain the observed heterogeneity In highincome countries breast cancer incidence rises significantly after the age of 50 with the majority of cases occurring in postmenopausal womenIn contrast India exhibits a relatively higher incidence of breast cancer in younger women typically between their 40s and 50sGenetic susceptibility earlier reproductive transitions and distinct lifestyle factors may contribute to this disparity These findings highlight the importance of early screening programmes for women in this age group to enable timely detection and intervention said the researchers led by Saravanan Vijayakumar from the ICMRNCDIR in the paperThe study stressed that it is important to consider low BMI as a potential risk factor for breast cancer prognosis and treatment outcomes as these findings highlightAs India has a high prevalence of abdominal obesity lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing waist circumference may be beneficial for preventing breast cancerNotably the review also highlighted the critical need for large extensive populationbased prospective cohort studies in India to define breast cancer prevention and early detection strategies with greater precision IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-icmr-study-unravelsbreast-cancer-risk-factors-among-indian-women-654804.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/eggs-safe-for-consumption-cancer-risk-claimsmisleading-not-scientific-says-fssai-654809.html New Delhi Dec 20 Amid the ongoing concerns of carcinogenic substances being found in eggs the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI on Saturday categorically stated that eggs available in the country are safe for human consumption Refuting the contamination claims as âmisleadingâ the regulator in a statement noted that âthese are not supported scientifically and capable of creating unnecessary public alarmâThis comes as in recent days several media reports and social media posts alleged the presence of nitrofuran metabolites AOZ carcinogenic substances in eggsThe FSSAI officials clarified that âthe use of nitrofurans is strictly prohibited at all stages of production of poultry and eggs under the Food Safety and Standards Contaminants Toxins and Residues Regulations 2011âAccording to FSSAI an Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit EMRL of 10 micrograms per kg has been prescribed for nitrofuran metabolites solely for regulatory enforcement purposes This limit represents the minimum level that can be reliably detected by advanced laboratory methods and does not indicate that the substance is permitted for useâDetection of trace residues below the EMRL does not constitute a food safety violation nor does it imply any health riskâ an official notedFSSAI further emphasised that Indiaâs regulatory framework is aligned with international practicesNotably the European Union and the US also prohibit the use of nitrofurans in foodproducing animals and employ reference points for action or guideline values only as enforcement tools Differences in numerical benchmarks across countries reflect variations in analytical and regulatory approaches not differences in consumer safety standardsOn public health concerns FSSAI cited scientific evidence indicating that âthere is no established causal link between tracelevel dietary exposure to nitrofuran metabolites and cancer or other adverse health outcomes in humansâNo national or international health authority has associated normal egg consumption with increased cancer risk the authority reiteratedAddressing reports related to the testing of a specific egg brand officials explained that such detections are isolated and batchspecific often arising from inadvertent contamination or feedrelated factors and are not representative of the overall egg supply chain in the countryâGeneralising isolated laboratory findings to label eggs as unsafe is scientifically incorrectâ the regulator statedThe FSSAI also urged consumers to rely on verified scientific evidence and official advisories reiterating that âeggs remain a safe nutritious and valuable component of a balanced diet when produced and consumed in compliance with food safety regulationsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/eggs-safe-for-consumption-cancer-risk-claimsmisleading-not-scientific-says-fssai-654809.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bse-proposes-cap-on-free-order-messages-plans-charges-beyond-10-crore-daily-limit-654811.html New Delhi Dec 20 The Bombay Stock Exchange BSE has proposed to introduce a daily brokerwise cap on free order messages in the Equity Cash Segment a move aimed at improving order flow discipline and operational efficiency across the market According to the report under the proposed framework brokers will be allowed to send up to 10 crore order messages per day without any charge Any order flow exceeding this threshold will incur a fee the exchange stated in a circularAccording to the BSE it will track each brokerâs total daily order messages and levy charges if the count exceeds the prescribed limitThe charge has been set at Rs 00025 per additional order message which effectively works out to Rs 250 for every extra 10 lakh messages generated beyond the free thresholdFor monitoring purposes BSE will count all types of order messages placed by a broker in the Equity Cash Segment including order additions modifications and deletions Oddlot orders will also be included in the calculation However settlement auction orders will be excluded from the order message countTo provide operational flexibility the exchange stated that the first instance of a broker breaching the daily threshold in a calendar month will be exempt from charges Charges will apply only if the broker exceeds the limit again within the same monthAs part of the rollout the stock exchange will start sharing daily order message data files with brokers from January 1 2026 These files will show the total number of order messages generated by each broker From January 15 2026 the daily files will also indicate applicable charges in cases where the threshold is breachedAny fees arising from excess order messages will be accumulated daily and recovered through the exchangeâs regular monthly billing processThe proposed framework is scheduled to come into effect from January 1 2026 However to ensure a smooth transition BSE clarified that no charges will be levied during the first month of implementation covering the period from January 1 to January 31 2026Actual billing for excess order messages will begin from February 2026 in line with the proposed charging mechanism The exchange said the initiative is intended to encourage balanced order flow management at the broker level and support a more efficient market ecosystem IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bse-proposes-cap-on-free-order-messages-plans-charges-beyond-10-crore-daily-limit-654811.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/south-korean-startup-again-delays-1st-commercial-orbit-launch-654823.html Seoul Dec 20 South Korean space startup Innospace said on Saturday that its first commercial orbit launch has been delayed again due to technical problems The HanbitNano rocket was scheduled to lift off from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil earlier in the day but the launch was delayed Innospace had originally aimed to launch the vehicle on WednesdayThe space startup said it will reschedule the liftoff in cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force reports Yonhap news agencyThe HanbitNano vehicle will carry eight payloads including five satellites and deploy them into a 300kilometer low orbitThe twostage vehicle employs a 25ton thrust hybrid engine that powers the first stage and the second stage is backed by a liquid methane and oxygen engineIf successful Innospace will become the first private South Korean company to place a customer satellite into orbitMeanwhile South Korea aims to launch a lunar communication orbiter in 2029 and a lunar lander in 2032 as part of its longterm space exploration road map the head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA said last weekKASA Administrator Yoon Youngbin unveiled the goals during his agencys policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung held in the central administrative city of Sejong while highlighting the agencys plan to bolster the countrys space capabilitiesYoon said the agency will attempt the 2029 orbiter mission using the countrys homegrown Nuri rocket Last month the country successfully completed the fourth launch of the homegrown space launch vehicle placing 13 satellites into orbitHe explained that securing deepspace communications technology through the lunar communication orbiter will serve as groundwork for the goal of sending an unmanned lunar lander in 2032A lunar communications orbiter is essential for moon missions as communication with Earth from the far side of the moon is not possibleAccording to Yoon KASA plans to conduct at least one Nuri launch per year through 2032 to raise its success rate to over 90 percent and develop a reusable nextgeneration launch vehicle by 2035 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/south-korean-startup-again-delays-1st-commercial-orbit-launch-654823.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/us-researchers-find-gut-bacteria-that-can-help-lose-weight-boost-metabolic-health-654846.html New Delhi Dec 20 US researchers have found a gut bacterium that may help people lose weight and enhance their metabolic health This comes amid several weightloss injections and medications that have proved their ability to help people lose weightIn studies on mice the team from the University of Utah found that a specific type of gut bacteria called Turicibacter can improve metabolic health and reduce weight gainPeople with obesity tend to have less Turicibacter suggesting that the microbe may promote healthy weight in humans as well The results could lead to new ways to control weight by adjusting gut bacteria said the team in the paper published in the journal Cell MetabolismTuricibacter a rodshaped bacterium was found to singlehandedly reduce blood sugar levels of fat in the blood and weight gain for mice on a highfat dietTuricibacterâs effects are unlikely to be unique many different gut bacteria probably contribute to metabolic health And results based on animal models may not apply to peopleâWe have improved weight gain in mice but I have no idea if this is actually true in humansâ Round saidBut the researchers remain hopeful that Turicibacter could provide a starting point for developing treatments that promote healthy metabolism and prevent excessive weight gainTuricibacter appears to improve metabolic health by affecting how the host produces a fatty molecule called ceramides the researchers foundCeramide levels increase on a highfat diet and high levels of ceramides are associated with many metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes and heart disease But the fats produced by Turicibacter can keep ceramide levels low even for mice on a highfat dietâWith further investigation of individual microbes we will be able to make microbes into medicine and find bacteria that are safe to create a consortium of different bugs that people with different diseases might be lackingâ said first author Kendra Klag from the varsity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/us-researchers-find-gut-bacteria-that-can-help-lose-weight-boost-metabolic-health-654846.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cdsco-labs-flag-205-drug-samples-as-not-of-standard-qualityinnovember-654606.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO on Friday declared 205 drug samples tested by the Central and state drugs regulatory authorities as âNot of Standard Quality NSQ in its monthly drug alert for November While the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 64 drug samples as NSQ the State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 141 drug samples as NSQAs per routine regulatory surveillance activity the list of Not of Standard Quality NSQ and Spurious drugs is being displayed on the CDSCO portal on a monthly basisâFor the month of November 2025 Central Drugs Laboratories have identified 64 Drug Samples to be Not of Standard Quality NSQ and State Drugs Testing Laboratories have identified 141 Drug Samples as Not of Standard Quality NSQâ the alert saidIdentification of drug samples as NSQ is done based on failure of the drug sample in one or the other specified quality parameters The failure is specific to the drug products of the batch tested by the government laboratory and it does not warrant any concerns on the other drug products available in the market the health officials saidFurther in November âtwo drug samples from North Zone Ghaziabad were identified as spurious drugs which were manufactured by unauthorised manufacturers using brand name owned by other companyâ they added The matter is under investigation and action will be taken as per the Act amp RulesThis action of identifying NSQ and Spurious medicines is taken regularly in collaboration with state regulators to ensure that these drugs are identified and removed from the marketIn October the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO had declared 211 drug samples tested by the Central and state drugs regulatory authorities as NSQWhile the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 63 drug samples as NSQ the State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 148 drug samples as NSQ IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cdsco-labs-flag-205-drug-samples-as-not-of-standard-qualityinnovember-654606.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hanwha-ocean-wins-175-billion-order-for-7-lng-carriers-from-europe-654616.html Seoul Dec 19 Hanwha Ocean said on Friday it has secured an order worth 259 trillion won 175 billion to supply seven liquefied natural gas LNG carriers for a European shipowner With the latest deal Hanwha Ocean has secured orders for 51 vessels worth a combined 983 billion so far this year exceeding its annual order of 898 billion recorded last year reports Yonhap news agencyThis years deals include 20 very large crude carriers VLCCs 17 container ships 13 LNG carriers and one icebreaking research vesselHanwha Ocean said the contract reflects strong confidence among European shipowners in the companys highpressure LNG engine technology and its ability to reduce carbon emissionsAlso Hanwha Engine said it will acquire Seam AS a Norwegian shipboard electric propulsion systems maker becoming the first South Korean company to enter the maritime technology market in Northern EuropeThe marine engine producer under Hanwha Group has agreed to acquire the entire stake in the Norwegian firm for around 290 billion won 1966 million the company saidBased in Avaldsnes Seam is a leading developer of zeroemission maritime solutions such as control software and energy storage systems ESS for shipsNorway is considered one of the most active adopters of electric propulsion ships and Seam holds around a 40 percent share in Norways maritime marketHanwha Engine said it plans to expand the scope of maritime propulsion solutions provided by the company through the acquisition and prepare for growing demand for ecofriendly vesselsMeanwhile HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Co HD KSOE the shipbuilding subholding company of HD Hyundai Co said on Friday it has won an order worth 6896 billion won US4662 million to supply four container ships for an Oceaniabased shipping company according to Yonhap news agencyThe vessels will be built at the shipyard of HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co with deliveries to be made sequentially by the second half of 2028 the company saidWith the latest order HD KSOE has won contracts worth a combined 1733 billion for 122 vessels so far this year reaching 96 percent of its annual order target IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hanwha-ocean-wins-175-billion-order-for-7-lng-carriers-from-europe-654616.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-railways-run-niryat-cargo-express-from-gurugram-to-mundra-port-654623.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indian Railways have achieved another milestone in freight transportation by operating the Niryat Cargo Express an exportfocused assured transit service it was announced on Friday The doublestack container train was operated from Ichhapuri Container Terminal in Gurugram to Mundra Port in Gujarat Earlier 20 trips of assured transit service have been operated from Garhi Gurugram according to a Railways Ministry statementâSuch a time tabled train is being operated for the first time from Ichhapuri Gurugram This assured timebound weekly service will help exporters by providing faster reliable and predictable movement of goods to Mundra Port reducing delays and logistics costsâ the ministry said in a statementIt further stated that Delhi Division Northern Railway has strengthened assured freight movement for exportersThe train was operated as a crack train means minimal halts and uninterrupted movement allowing faster transit and timely delivery â particularly useful for highvalue export cargoMeanwhile the government recently approved an Export Promotion Mission with a total outlay of Rs 25060 crore for FY 2025â26 to FY 2030â31 to consolidate export support and strengthen competitiveness especially for the MSMEs and labourintensive sectorsBy merging fiscal incentives financial facilitation digital governance and regulatory flexibility into a single missionmode framework the government has created a powerful platform to enhance Indiaâs global trade competitivenessTwo integrated subâschemes namely Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha will operate under the missionNiryat Protsahan focuses on improving access to affordable trade finance for MSME exporters through interest subvention exportâfactoring deepâtier financing and credit cards for eâcommerce exportersFurther Niryat Disha aims to raise market readiness and competitiveness through support for export quality and compliance international branding and packaging assistance participation in trade fairs and buyerseller meets export warehousing and logistics etcThe government also expanded the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters CGSE providing up to Rs 20000 crore in additional support with 100 per cent government guarantee to member lending institutions Further RBI announced several measures such as moratorium on repayments and extension of export credit tenure to 450 days IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-railways-run-niryat-cargo-express-from-gurugram-to-mundra-port-654623.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/vijayawadavisakhapatnam-flight-cancelled-over-safety-concerns-air-india-express-654624.html New Delhi Dec 19 An Air India Express flight operating between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam was cancelled after the pilot detected a technical issue before departure the airline said on Friday In a statement Air India Express said that the aircraft returned to the ramp in the interest of safety after the issue was identified during predeparture checksFollowing this the flight was cancelled as a precautionary measureâIn the interest of safety our VijayawadaâVisakhapatnam flight returned to the ramp after the pilot identified a technical issue prior to departure The flight was subsequently cancelledâ an Air India Express spokesperson saidâGuests were promptly provided with hotel accommodation and refreshments Guests were also offered options including a full refund or complimentary reschedulingâ the spokesperson addedThe airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated that passenger safety remains paramount in all aspects of its operationsIn a separate recent incident reported earlier this week an Air India Express flight from Jeddah to Kozhikode was diverted to Kochi after suspected damage to the aircraftâs tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah AirportThe aircraft made a safe landing in Kochi with emergency procedures activated as a precautionâOur JeddahKozhikode flight was diverted to Kochi and made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraftâs tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airportâ the airline statedAll passengers were safely escorted to the terminal and later connected to Kozhikode by roadMeanwhile the airline has in recent weeks issued advisories to passengers regarding possible disruptions due to weather conditionsEarlier this month the airline warned that fog at select airports in North India could impact flight schedules affecting services on several domestic and international routesPassengers impacted by such disruptions were offered a onetime flight change without additional charges or a full refund IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/vijayawadavisakhapatnam-flight-cancelled-over-safety-concerns-air-india-express-654624.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/wholesale-volumes-of-2wheelers-in-india-jump-19-pc-at-18-million-in-nov-654650.html New Delhi Dec 19 Wholesale volumes of domestic twoâwheelers grew by 19 per cent yearâoverâyear in the month of November reaching 18 million units a report said on Friday The report from ICRA attributed the rise to Goods and Services Tax GST cuts and original equipment manufacturerâdealer offers that sustained showroom footfalls after the festive season prompting dealers to replenish inventory and support wholesale dispatchesThe ratings firm forecasted twoâwheeler volume growth of 6â9 per cent for FY26 supported by improved replacement demand following GST rate cuts an expected recovery in urban consumption and healthy rural incomes driven by a normal monsoonRetail sales in November however eased by 31 per cent yearâonâyear largely due to an early festive season that shifted demand into Octoberâs recordâbreaking sales periodDealers continue to report steady customer footfall buoyed by positive GST sentiment and strong demand from the ongoing wedding season it addedElectric twoâwheeler retail volumes dipped marginally by 14 per cent YoY with electric twowheeler retail volumes reaching 117335 units in November Monthly electric twowheeler penetration within the overall twoâwheeler segment remained stable at 6â7 per cent through the first eight months of FY26 reflecting gradual adoption it saidExport volumes continued to grow in double digits rising 279 per cent yearâonâyear while industry volumes were up 236 per cent during the AprilNovember period supported by a relatively low base in the corresponding period of FY25Inventory levels improved to 44â46 days by November 2025 from 60 days at the end of September according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association FADA data aided by stronger retail offtake according to another recent reportUtility vehicles held a 67 per cent share of passenger vehicle volumes in November down from 69 per cent in October while mini compact and superâcompact segments revived after GST cuts Continued supportive policy reforms and improved market sentiments would drive this growth trajectory well into 2026 it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/wholesale-volumes-of-2wheelers-in-india-jump-19-pc-at-18-million-in-nov-654650.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/silent-dengue-infections-may-hold-clues-to-future-vaccine-design-study-654668.html New Delhi Dec 19 A team of researchers has found evidence that people who quietly clear the dengue virus without ever developing symptoms may hold important clues to developing new vaccines for the mosquitoborne disease While such patients remain difficult to examine directly the team from Mahidol University in Thailand and the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK provided a uniquely detailed singlecell map based on a fiveyear household surveillance study that followed close contacts of confirmed dengue patientsThe first singlecell immune atlas of asymptomatic dengue published in Science Translational Medicine offers a rare look at how the immune system can defeat the virus without triggering illnessThe work could help guide the design of safer and more effective dengue vaccinesThe detailed celllevel data revealed sharp differences between immune responses in those who became sick and those who did not said Dr Waradon Sungnak an immunologist and computational biologist at Mahidol UniversityThose without symptoms showed distinct patterns in key immune cell types including CD8 T cells natural killer cells and antibodyproducing cells such as those making IgA which set them apart from symptomatic cases Sungnak addedAsymptomatic dengue is practically invisible to medical systems People feel perfectly healthy rarely seek care and the window of detectable viruses in the blood is shortIn the five yearsurvey only eight true asymptomatic dengue infections were captured while the virus was still in the bloodThese cases are incredibly rare and valuable Without them we might not understand why some people clear dengue without any symptomsThese eight cases along with others with mild and severe symptoms became the foundation for a highresolution immune map built from over 134000 individual immune cells profiled using singlecell RNA sequencing and immune receptor sequencing said Assoc Prof Ponpan Matangkasombut an immunologist at Mahidol UniversitySymptomatic dengue by contrast displayed immune hallmarks associated with more harmful processes The features present in asymptomatic cases were largely absent in symptomatic dengue which instead showed signs of antibodymediated viral uptake and inflammation the researchers saidOther biological signals helped distinguish asymptomatic cases from more severe diseasesIn addition cytokinerelated signals were also found to be more pronounced in symptomatic dengue offering clues to why some infections escalate while others resolveThe findings collectively paint a clearer picture of the pushandpull between protective antiviral responses and inflammatory pathways that drive symptoms IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/silent-dengue-infections-may-hold-clues-to-future-vaccine-design-study-654668.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dot-undp-hold-national-workshop-to-push-circular-economy-in-telecom-sector-654687.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Department of Telecommunications DoT in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme UNDP on Friday organised a national workshop aimed at accelerating the adoption of circular economy practices in Indiaâs telecom industry The workshop titled Advancing Circular Economy in the Telecom Sector Enabling Policy and Practice brought together policymakers industry executives technology providers academics international organisations and other valuechain stakeholders to discuss ways to make the telecom sector more sustainable resourceefficient and environmentally responsible a Communications Ministry statement saidDiscussions focused on rethinking the telecom supply chain to improve circularity including design for sustainability component reuse and harvesting sustainable procurement and policy interventions required to overcome existing challenges Participants also deliberated on government initiatives supporting circular practices and the role of industry in adopting scalable solutionsA key session examined the use of digital tools to support the transition towards a circular economy Speakers highlighted how digital platforms data tools and emerging technologies such as blockchain artificial intelligence AI and the Internet of Things IoT can enhance traceability improve material recovery and bring greater transparency to extended producer responsibility EPR implementationOfficials and experts also discussed the Central Pollution Control Boardâs perspective on leveraging digital systems for effective monitoring as well as the integration of data analytics to support better decisionmaking across the telecom value chainIn the concluding session participants stressed that Indiaâs telecom sector must move beyond discussions and focus on implementation The need for coordinated ecosystemlevel action was underlined along with the importance of creating an enabling policy framework and strengthening multistakeholder collaborationThe workshop concluded with a call for shared ownership of the transitionâwhere the government provides strategic direction and enabling conditions industry leads innovation and adoption and partners support implementation capacity building and financingâto ensure that circular economy principles are effectively embedded in Indiaâs rapidly expanding telecom sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dot-undp-hold-national-workshop-to-push-circular-economy-in-telecom-sector-654687.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sbi-declares-results-for-po-recruitment-2025-fills-541-vacancies-654695.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indias largest stateowned lender State Bank of India on Friday declared the results of the Probationary Officer Recruitment 2025 filling 541 vacancies across the country The bank said the list of selected candidates is available on its official website and that the newly inducted Probationary Officers will be deployed nationwide across business verticals with select international postings and a structured pathway for progression to senior and top management rolesThe recruitments form part of SBIâs broader plan to hire 18000 people in FY26 in one of its biggest drives the bank said in a press releaseâOur total recruitment across categories is about 18000 people out of which around 13500 will be clerical recruitment 3000 will be probationary officers and locally based officers As we onboard this new talent pool we further aim to strengthen our human resource capabilities by implementing structured skill development programmes aligned with evolving customer service and technological requirementsâ said CS Setty Chairman State Bank of IndiaThe recruitment drive aimed to induct young talent into SBIâs junior management cadre building the bankâs leadership pipeline the bank said adding the drive follows the hiring of 505 Probationary Officers in June 2025The selection process included online preliminary examinations in August 2025 Mains in September 2025 and Phase III assessments including psychometric tests group exercises and personal interviewsMeanwhile the home loan portfolio of the bank has crossed Rs 88 lakh crore As of September 2025 the bank has a deposit base of over Rs 5591 lakh crore with a CASA ratio of 3963 per cent and advances of more than Rs 4419 lakh croreThe bank witnessed 64 per cent of new savings accounts being opened through the integrated digital and lifestyle platform YONO in Q2 FY26SBI in November announced plans to divest 32060000 equity shares or 63007 per cent of the total equity capital of SBI Funds Management Limited SBIFML through an initial public offering IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sbi-declares-results-for-po-recruitment-2025-fills-541-vacancies-654695.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 22:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbis-central-board-deliberates-on-domestic-and-global-economic-situations-654699.html Mumbai Dec 19 The Reserve Bank of Indias RBI central board on Friday deliberated on the state of the local and international economies and related issues with Governor Sanjay Malhotra presiding over the 620th meeting of the Central banks central board of directors According to a statement from the RBI the Board also approved the riskbased deposit insurance framework for banksThe 620th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India was held today in Hyderabad under the Chairmanship of Governor Sanjay Malhotra RBI said in an official statementThe Board discussed the global and domestic economic situation and associated challengesAdditionally it examined the Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2024â2025 draft report and the operations of a few Central office departmentsIt approved the riskbased deposit insurance framework for banks The Board also reviewed the activities of select Central Office Departments and the draft report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 202425 the statement addedThe meeting was attended by Deputy Governors T Rabi Sankar Swaminathan J Poonam Gupta and Shirish Chandra MurmuOther directors of the Central board Nagaraju Maddirala Department of Financial Services Secretary Satish K Marathe Revathy Iyer Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel and Ravindra H Dholakia too attended the meetingEarlier the RBI had issued a compounding order under Section 15 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act FEMA 1999 in the case of Nearbuy India Private Limited which has resulted in the termination of proceedings against the company for alleged contraventions of the Act the Enforcement Directorate ED saidThe order was passed by the RBI on October 17 after the issuance of No Objection by the ED an agency statement saidIn this case based on credible information received an investigation was taken up by the ED under the provisions of the ActAfter completion of investigation the agency filed a complaint under FEMA before the Adjudicating Authority on December 3 2024 pointing out the contraventions under the FEMA which include late reporting of foreign inward payments under Para 91A of Schedule 1 to FEMA 202000RB covering Rs 3582 crore late filing of Form FCGPR after issuing shares under Para 91B of the same schedule covering Rs 7301 croreThe RBI has now done the compounding for these contraventions the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbis-central-board-deliberates-on-domestic-and-global-economic-situations-654699.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 22:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-teams-satellite-internet-concept-wins-nasas-2025-space-apps-challenge-654480.html Washington Dec 19 An Indian team proposing a sovereign phasedarray satellite internet infrastructure to expand broadband access across remote regions has emerged as a global winner of NASAâs 2025 International Space Apps Challenge the US space agency announced The Chennaibased team Photonics Odyssey won the Most Inspirational Award for reimagining satellite internet as a national public infrastructure rather than a private serviceThe project aims to reduce ground dependency and help connect more than 700 million people in India who currently lack access to broadband connectivity The winning team members according to NASA Space Apps are Manish D M K Prasanth G Rajalingam N Rashi M and Sakthi RNASA said the 2025 edition of its flagship global hackathon brought together more than 114000 participants across 551 local events in 167 countries and territories making it one of the most significant international STEM collaborations organised by the agencyThe winners were selected from more than 11500 project submissions and evaluated by judges from NASA and its partner organisationsâThe Space Apps Challenge puts NASAâs free and open data into the hands of explorers around the worldâ said Karen St Germain director of NASAâs Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in WashingtonIndian American students and participants of Indian origin also featured prominently among the winners reflecting the strong presence of the Indian diaspora in global science and technology innovationThe Best Use of Data Award went to Resonant Exoplanets This USbased team developed an AIpowered system capable of automatically analysing large volumes of telescope and satellite data to identify exoplanets and detect possible biosignaturesThe team includes Adhvaidh S Gabriel S Jack A and Sahil S and worked on the challenge âA World Away Hunting for Exoplanets with AIâ Their system ingests datasets such as spectra from missions including the James Webb Space Telescope enabling automated analysis rather than manual identificationAnother winning project with Indianorigin participation was Astro Sweepers which received the Galactic Impact Award at a universal event The team â Harshiv T Pragathy S Pratik J Sherlin D Yousra H and Zienab E â developed an endtoend orbital debris compliance and risk intelligence platform that automatically ingests public orbital data to generate debris assessment reports and compute a risk index for resident space objectsThe project addresses operational regulatory and environmental challenges associated with the commercialisation of low Earth orbitThe winners were selected from more than 11500 project submissions and evaluated by judges from NASA and its partner organisationsLaunched in 2012 the International Space Apps Challenge is NASAâs annual global hackathon designed to engage citizens worldwide in solving realworld problems using the agencyâs open data It has grown into one of the worldâs largest collaborative platforms for STEM innovation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-teams-satellite-internet-concept-wins-nasas-2025-space-apps-challenge-654480.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 07:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/s-korea-to-mandate-facial-recognition-for-opening-new-mobile-numbers-654506.html Seoul Dec 19 South Korea will make it mandatory for people to undergo facial recognition when opening a new mobile phone number as part of efforts to root out illegally registered handsets used for scams the science ministry said on Friday Under the plan South Korea will require the countrys three mobile carriers SK Telecom Co KT Corp and LG Uplus Inc along with mobile virtual network operators to carry out the additional verification step to prevent the activation of new numbers through identity theft reports Yonhap news agencyThe announcement came after South Korea unveiled a set of comprehensive measures to fight voice phishing scams in August including tougher punishment for mobile carriers that fail to carry out sufficient preventive effortsBy comparing the photo on an identification card with the holders actual face on a realtime basis we can fully prevent the activation of phones registered under a false name using stolen or fabricated IDs the ministry said in a releaseThe ministry noted scammers will face more hurdles in activating new phones using information obtained from hacking attacksThe new policy will be officially implemented in March 2026 with a trial run set to begin next weekThe number of voice phishing scams reported came to 21588 as of November this year with the combined amount of damage reaching 113 trillion won US760 million surpassing the 1 trillionwon mark for the first time the ministry added citing a report from the police agencyMeanwhile the government said Thursday it will form an interagency task force to handle the recent largescale data breach at ecommerce giant Coupang CorpThe decision was made at a meeting of science and technologyârelated ministers chaired by Science Minister Bae Kyunghoon the government saidLed by Ryu Jemyung second vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT the task force will consist of officials from the science ministry and other organizations including the Personal Information Protection Committee the Korea Media Communications Commission and the Financial Services Commission IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/s-korea-to-mandate-facial-recognition-for-opening-new-mobile-numbers-654506.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-open-higher-amid-positive-global-cues-654512.html Mumbai Dec 19 Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Friday taking cues from supportive global markets even as benchmark indices remained on track to close the week in the red for the third consecutive session In early trade the Sensex was trading at 8486606 up 38425 points or 045 per cent at around 920 AMThe Nifty index was also higher quoting at 2592690 up 104 points or 04 per centBuying interest was seen in several heavyweight stocks Shares of TMPV Eternal Infosys Power Grid BEL Sun Pharma and Bajaj Finserv gained up to 15 per cent and emerged as the top performers on the SensexOn the other hand ICICI Bank and Bharti Airtel were the only stocks trading in the red during early dealsSectorally all indices were trading higher The Nifty Healthcare index led the gains rising 114 per cent followed closely by the Nifty Pharma index which was up 11 per centThe Nifty Auto index also gained around 05 to 057 per centThe broader markets mirrored the positive sentiment with the Nifty Midcap index gaining 045 per cent while the Nifty Smallcap index was up 047 per centMeanwhile investors remain cautious ahead of several key global and domestic triggersGlobally market participants are keeping an eye on retail sales data from the UK wage tracker data from the euro area and the US Federal Reserveâs balance sheet numbers On the domestic front investors are awaiting the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs Monetary Policy Committee meeting minutes and the latest foreign exchange reserve data IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-open-higher-amid-positive-global-cues-654512.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aiimsconductsindias1stdeep-brain-stimulationworkshop-forparkinsons-movementdisorders-654529.html New Delhi Dec 19 The All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS here is hosting Indiaâs first workshop on advanced Deep Brain Stimulation DBS to enhance doctors expertise in deviceassisted therapies for Parkinsonâs disease and other movement disorders The workshop to be held from December 19 to 20 is dedicated exclusively to DBS in movement disorders and was endorsed by the International Movement Disorders SocietyDBS is a wellestablished and highly effective treatment that significantly improves motor symptoms and quality of life in carefully selected patientsâDeep Brain Stimulation has transformed the management of Parkinsonâs disease and building expertise in advanced imaging surgery and programming is essential to deliver optimal and equitable care for patients across Indiaâ said Dr Elavarasi A and Dr Animesh Movement Disorders Faculty AIIMS New DelhiOver 1 million people suffer from Parkinsonâs in India in which brain cells producing dopamine die leading to movement issues like tremors stiffness and slow movement When the condition is no longer optimally controlled with standard medical management it can be effectively treated using deviceassisted therapiesWhile DBS is available in India its successful delivery requires advanced technical expertise for surgical implantation as well as sophisticated postoperative programmingThe workshop aims to highlight recent advances in DBS including imageguided programming and emerging closedloop approaches enabling tailored patientspecific management and improved clinical outcomesThe programme provides structured training to over 200 registered delegates and faculty members from across the countryFive international faculty members also shared their expertise through focused lectures handson sessions and casebased discussions facilitating an indepth understanding of advanced DBS programming strategiesDedicated sessions were also conducted for clinicians new to DBS supporting skill development among beginnersâThe workshop reinforced AIIMS New Delhiâs commitment to advancing cuttingedge neurological care fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and building national capacity to improve outcomes for patients with Parkinsonâs disease and other movement disordersâ the hospital said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aiimsconductsindias1stdeep-brain-stimulationworkshop-forparkinsons-movementdisorders-654529.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ibm-to-skill-5-million-indian-youths-in-ai-cybersecurity-and-quantum-by-2030-654536.html New Delhi Dec 19 IBM on Friday announced a major skill development push in India saying it will train 5 million learners in advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence cybersecurity and quantum computing by 2030 The initiative will be delivered through IBM SkillsBuild and is aimed at creating a futureready workforce by improving access to digital and joboriented skills for students and adult learners across the countryIBM said the programme will focus on making advanced technology education more inclusive and accessibleAs part of this commitment IBM will expand AI and emerging technology education across schools universities and vocational training ecosystemsThe company will also work closely with institutions such as the All India Council for Technical Education to promote handson learning through AIfocused courses faculty training programmes curriculum integration hackathons and internship opportunitiesIBM Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna said India has the talent and ambition to become a global leader in AI and quantum technologiesâIndia possesses the talent and ambition to lead the world in AI amp Quantum Fluency in frontier technologies will define economic competitiveness scientific progress and societal transformationâ Krishna saidâBy democratising access to advanced skills we are enabling the youth and students to build innovate and accelerate Indiaâs growthâ he mentionedIBM is also strengthening AI education at the school level The company is codeveloping an AI curriculum for senior secondary students and providing teaching resources such as an AI Project Cookbook a teacher handbook and explainer modulesThese efforts aim to introduce computational thinking and responsible AI concepts at an early stage and help teachers deliver AI education effectivelyAt the centre of this effort is IBM SkillsBuild one of the worldâs largest and most accessible digital learning platformsIt offers more than 1000 courses covering AI cybersecurity quantum computing cloud data sustainability and workplace skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ibm-to-skill-5-million-indian-youths-in-ai-cybersecurity-and-quantum-by-2030-654536.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/openai-google-perplexity-go-free-in-india-to-grow-ai-user-base-654541.html New Delhi Dec 19 OpenAI Google and Perplexity have launched free access to their premium artificial intelligence tools in India stepping up competition in one of the worldâs fastestgrowing digital markets The move is aimed at rapidly expanding their user base in the country where low data costs and a massive smartphone population are driving strong demand for AIpowered servicesIndia has become a key battleground for AI firms due to its large smartphone user base of around 730 million and some of the cheapest mobile data rates in the worldUsers in the country consume about 21 gigabytes of data every month paying just 92 cents per gigabyte making heavy usage of AI tools far more affordable than in many other countriesOpenAI has taken a similar route by making its ChatGPT Go plan free for one year in India The plan which allows higher usage than standard versions of ChatGPT is usually paid in over 100 countries and was earlier priced at 54 in India The free offer launched nationwide in November is available only to Indian usersThese moves have led to a sharp jump in usage Data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower shows daily active users of ChatGPT in India surged 607 per cent yearonyear to 73 million as of last weekThis figure is more than double the number of daily users in the United States India has now become the largest market by daily users for both chatbotsPerplexity has also stepped up its India push by offering its Pro plan which costs 200 a year globally free for one year to customers of AirtelThe company said the plan gives users unlimited access to its most advanced research tools Following the offer India now accounts for more than onethird of Perplexityâs global daily active users up from just 7 per cent last yearUser engagement data suggests ChatGPT currently leads in India In November about 46 per cent of its monthly users opened the app daily compared with 20 per cent for Perplexity and 14 per cent for Gemini IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/openai-google-perplexity-go-free-in-india-to-grow-ai-user-base-654541.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-scientists-findmissing-linkin-bodys-cellsto-boost-therapiesforalzheimers-cancer-654542.html New Delhi Dec 19 Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research JNCASR have uncovered a surprising player in autophagy or the âselfeatingâ process that removes damaged parts of cells that can pave the way for developing therapies for diseases such as Alzheimerâs Parkinsons and cancer Autophagy is a key biological process where cells clear out damaged and unwanted materials When a cell fails to clear waste its health suffers especially in longlived neurons The autophagy pathway which removes damaged material and defends against infections is disrupted in diseases like Alzheimerâs and HuntingtonâsIn cancer autophagy plays dual roles Autophagy initially prevents cancer but later supports tumour growth Autophagy also acts as a tumour suppressor by maintaining genome integrity and cellular homeostasis by clearing cellular junk such as protein aggregates and damaged mitochondriaBut it is also a doubleedged sword as certain types of cancer cells hijack autophagy for their own survival and propagation Understanding its regulation is crucial for the development of effective therapiesThe team from JNCASR an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology DST found that a group of proteins called the exocyst complex which normally helps move important molecules to the cell surface also plays a key role in autophagyThis complex comprises a team of 8 proteins interestingly 7 of the 8 proteins are required to help the cell grow the trash bag so that it can completely wrap up the waste When this complex is missing the cellâs bagmaking factory stops working properly and even starts producing faulty nonfunctional factoriesThe researchers led by Prof Ravi Manjithaya used simple yeast cells to elucidate the formation of autophagosomes cellular âtrash bagsâ thereby providing insights into how this vital process operates in higher organismsThey elucidated the mechanism by which a protein complex exocyst previously recognised for its role in secretion also contributes to the autophagy pathway which is crucial for maintaining cellular healthSince defects in autophagy are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases and cancers the findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences will open new avenues for modulating this pathway to restore cellular balance and develop potential therapeutic IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-scientists-findmissing-linkin-bodys-cellsto-boost-therapiesforalzheimers-cancer-654542.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-digital-economy-to-reach-12-tn-by-2030-led-by-ai-depth-654544.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs digital economy is projected to reach 12 trillion by 2029â30 as depth of AI capabilities will shape the next phase of growth a report said on Friday The report from Team Lease Digital said that Indiaâs AI market could touch 17 billion by 2027 with AI talent expected to double to nearly 125 million professionals accounting for about 16 per cent of global AI talentThis growth is being driven by enterprise AI spending national digital rails and a strong STEM pipeline it said adding that highâvalue AI roles are expanding fast while demand for legacy roles plateausThe firm identified six enterpriseâgrade AI skills emerging as foundational skills in 2026 such as Simulation Governance that can fetch up to Rs 26â35 LPA Agent Design with Rs 25â32 LPA salary expectation AI Orchestration Rs 24â30 LPA Prompt Engineering Rs 22â28 LPA LLM Safety and Tuning Rs 20â26 LPA and AI Compliance and Risk Operations Rs 18â24 LPAGlobally up to 40 per cent of roles are expected to be impacted by AI especially sectors such as IT services healthcare BFSI and customer experienceThe report emphasised that organisations are reframing AI capability building as an enterpriseâwide priority extending beyond data science to leadership operations risk and compliance and prioritising broadâbased upskilling and hybrid humanâAI workflowsThe strongest demand is for enterprisegrade AI skills that enable governance trust orchestration and scalability rather than for generic AI roles it saidDemand for these skills is concentrated in hubs including Bengaluru Hyderabad and Pune driven by global capability centres AIâfirst startups and large enterprises across BFSI healthcare and manufacturingThe importance of midlevel professionals is growing as they can bridge applied AI with governance orchestration and realworld business needs the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-digital-economy-to-reach-12-tn-by-2030-led-by-ai-depth-654544.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-direct-tax-collection-clocks-8-pc-growth-at-rs-1705-lakh-crore-in-april-dec-654562.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs net direct tax collections recorded an 8 per cent growth to Rs 1705 lakh crore so far in the current financial year 202526 on the back of a steady growth in corporate tax receipts according to figures released by the Income Tax Department on Friday Net direct tax collections between April 1 and December 17 2025 touched Rs 1704725 crore compared with Rs 1578433 crore in the same period of the previous year Gross direct tax collections grew 416 per cent yearonyear to Rs 2001794 croreCorporate tax collections were the biggest contributor with net corporate tax rising to Rs 817310 crore from Rs 739353 crore a year ago Net noncorporate tax collections which include taxes paid by individuals and other entities such as Hindu undivided families increased to Rs 846905 crore from Rs 796181 croreTax refunds issued during the AprilDecember by the Income Tax Department declined by 1352 per cent to Rs 297069 crore from Rs 343499 crore in the same period of the previous yearSecurities transaction tax collections posted a flat growth at around Rs 40195 crore while the share of âother taxes in the total collection fell during this periodAdvance tax collections have also clocked a robust growth with Corporate advance tax increased nearly 8 per cent to Rs 607300 crore Total advance tax paid has gone up by 427 per cent to Rs 788388 crore so far in the current financial year However advance tax contributions by noncorporate taxpayers declined by 649 per cent to Rs 181088 crore during this periodThe government has set a target of Rs 2520 lakh crore in direct tax collections representing a 127 per cent increase over the previous yearFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced significant income tax relief measures to put more money in the hands of the middleclass to increase the demand for goods and services in the economy to spur growth For individuals in the new tax regime salaried taxpayers can have an income of up to Rs 1275 lakh with zero tax liability due to an increased standard deduction of Rs 75000The limits for Tax Deducted at Source TDS have also been raised for various sections such as on interest for senior citizens to Rs 1 lakh from Rs 50000 and on rent to Rs 6 lakh annually from Rs 240 lakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-direct-tax-collection-clocks-8-pc-growth-at-rs-1705-lakh-crore-in-april-dec-654562.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pune-records-14-234-property-registrations-in-nov-stamp-duty-collections-reach-rs-565-crore-654569.html New Delhi Dec 19 Puneâs real estate market recorded 14234 property registrations in November 2025 up 6 per cent yearâonâyear with stamp duty collections touching Rs 565 crore a report said on Friday The report from real estate services firm Knight Frank found that revenue collections increased 19 per cent in the same period On a monthâonâmonth basis registrations were up 12 per cent in November while stamp duty collections grew 7 per cent it saidOn a yearâtoâdate basis JanuaryâNovember Pune achieved its highest registrations and stamp duty collections in the past four years with 173578 registrations and revenue of Rs 6675 croreOn a yeartoyear basis the registrations and stamp collection for the first eleven months of the year were up 05 per cent and 3 per cent respectively versus the same period last yearThe distribution of ticket sizes remained largely unchanged with homes priced up to Rs 1 crore accounting for 85 per cent of transactions and segments above Rs 1 crore accounting for 15 per cent of transactionsIn November the share of ticket size for residential property transactions was 27 per cent for properties under Rs 25 lakh Properties ranging from Rs 25 lakhâRs 50 lakh accounted for 29 per cent of transactions while the Rs 50 lakhâRs 1 crore segment also stood at 29 per centProperties ranging from Rs 1 croreâRs 25 crore accounted for 13 per cent of transactionsâWhile activity moderated after the festive peak earlier in the year the market has remained resilient and wellbalanced With yearâtoâdate registrations and revenues now at a new high in four years Pune residential remains stable with sustainable volumesâ said Shishir Baijal Chairman amp Managing Director Knight Frank IndiaCentral Pune including Haveli Taluka Pune Municipal Corporation PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation PCMC accounted for 66 per cent of transactions during the month IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pune-records-14-234-property-registrations-in-nov-stamp-duty-collections-reach-rs-565-crore-654569.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/shanti-bill-2025-how-can-it-help-india-achieve-self-reliance-in-nuclear-energy-654573.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India SHANTI Bill 2025 passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha aims to achieve selfreliance in the nuclear sector and meet Indiaâs 2047 clean energy goals The proposed law aims to create an enabling ecosystem for clean reliable energy while also upholding the longstanding commitment to the peaceful use of atomic energyIt is also a reflection of Indiaâs commitment to global best practices in nuclear governanceThe Bill enables responsible private and joint venture participation to bridge resource constraints shorten gestation periods and support the national goal of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 without compromising national security or public interestWhat are the provisions under the BillThe Bill consolidates and rationalises provisions from the Atomic Energy Act 1962 the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage CLND Act and now accords statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board making it part of the parent legislationThe Bill opens up the nuclear sector to privatisation a move aimed at achieving selfreliance and meeting Indiaâs 2047 clean energy goals It comes after the privatisation of the space sector which saw significant growthHowever the new Bill will involve private partners under defined conditions for the exploration activities The uranium mining beyond specified thresholds will continue to remain exclusively with the governmentSimilarly spent fuel management will always remain under government custody following a clearly defined longterm storage and handling protocol Strategic materials such as source material fissile material and heavy water will continue to be under strict government controlThe Bill also explicitly recognises environmental and economic damage within the definition of nuclear harm With dedicated investments announced for small modular reactors and research and innovation the proposed law aims to create an enabling ecosystem for clean reliable energyNuclear energy has applications beyond power generation including cancer care agriculture and industry The Bill will help scale up the industry to meet rising demand from sectors such as data processing healthcare and industry alongside renewablesHow the Bill addresses safety concernsUnion Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha said that nuclear safety standards remain unchanged and uncompromised governed by the same stringent principles enshrined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 âsafety first production nextâThe safety standards include a rigorous inspection regime including quarterly inspections during construction biannual inspections during operation fiveyearly licence renewals enhanced powers to the nowstatutory Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and oversight aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency parametersNotably as Indiaâs nuclear plants are geographically located far from seismic fault zones the radiation levels at Indian reactors are many times below prescribed global safety limitsHow the Bill will workThe proposed law is closely linked to Indiaâs longterm energy and climate goals and outlines the countryâs roadmap for decarbonisation by 2070At the operational level the Bill lays down provisions for licensing and safety authorisation for specified persons involved in the production or use of nuclear energy along with clear grounds for suspension or cancellationIt seeks to bring under regulation the use of nuclear and radiation technologies in areas such as healthcare food and agriculture industry and research while exempting research development and innovation activities from licensing requirementsThe Bill also proposes a revised and pragmatic civil liability framework for nuclear damage confers statutory status on the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and strengthens mechanisms related to safety security safeguards quality assurance and emergency preparednessIt provides for the creation of new institutional arrangements including an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council designation of Claims Commissioners and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for cases involving severe nuclear damage with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity acting as the appellate authorityThe proposed legislation seeks to balance the expansion of nuclear energy with safety accountability and public interest placing nuclear power within the broader national effort towards energy security and a lowercarbon future IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/shanti-bill-2025-how-can-it-help-india-achieve-self-reliance-in-nuclear-energy-654573.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/fii-selling-puts-pressure-on-rupee-as-domestic-flows-support-equities-report-654584.html New Delhi Dec 19 Consistent foreign institutional investor FII selling weighed on the Indian rupee in November while domestic flows supported equity markets and bond yields hardened a report said on Friday The report from JM Financial noted that the rupee depreciated about 6 per cent in 2025 compared to the historical average annual depreciation of roughly 35 per cent citing FII outflows and tradeâdeal overhang with the USIt also highlighted robust growth in Banking Financial Services and Insurance BFSI and the automobile sectorBFSI indicators reflected stable system credit growth improving deposit growth and rising insurance premiums while asset management flows were largely stable the report saidOutside BFSI auto wholesales showed broadbased onyear growth infrastructure ordering moderated metal prices and steel volume softened sequentially and port cargo volume grew at a slower pace compared to the previous monthIndiaâs external balance improved as the merchandise trade deficit normalised to 245 billion in November from a steep 42 billion deficit in OctoberServices surplus continued to cushion Indiaâs external balance the report notedBond markets appeared to have called an end to the rateâcut cycle as yields hardened despite open market operations by the RBI and a 25 basisâpoint policy cut in DecemberSteady system credit growth in banks was steady at 115 per cent yearâonâyear and deposits grew to 102 per cent YoY Private banksâ Marginal Cost of Fundsbased Lending Rate MCLR eased to 94 per cent while PSU banksâ MCLR was flat at 88 per centThe report also noted that auto wholesales accelerated to 222 per cent growth onyear and commercial vehicles CV sales were up 266 per cent in NovemberIn December FPIs were net sellers in nine of 11 trading days Bank of Baroda in a recent report suggested that the rupee may remain volatile until a deal with the US is reached possibly by March 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/fii-selling-puts-pressure-on-rupee-as-domestic-flows-support-equities-report-654584.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/telecom-pli-clocks-rs-96-240-crore-sales-in-2025-5g-now-covers-999-pc-of-districts-654588.html New Delhi Dec 19 Indiaâs telecom sector saw major gains in 2025 as 5G services were rolled out across all States and Union Territories and became available in 999 per cent of the countryâs districts Ministry of Communications said on Friday The governmentâs productionlinked incentive PLI scheme helped generate Rs 96240 crore in sales Rs 19240 crore in exports and around 30000 jobs the ministry saidThe Department of Telecommunications said 2025 marked a year of deep transformation for the Indian telecom ecosystem driven by rapid 5G expansion stronger digital infrastructure and a clear push towards selfreliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat visionWith population coverage of about 85 per cent 5G services are now widely accessible supported by the installation of over 508 lakh 5G base transceiver stations across the countryThe DoT noted that telecom growth has gone hand in hand with rising connectivity Overall teledensity rose to 8665 per cent by September 2025 up from 7523 per cent in 2014 while rural telephone connections grew by nearly 43 per cent outpacing urban growthInternet usage also surged with connections crossing the 100crore mark compared to just over 25 crore a decade agoBroadband adoption expanded sharply rising from 61 crore connections in 2014 to nearly 100 crore in 2025At the same time average monthly data consumption per wireless user jumped to 2401 GB making India one of the highest dataconsuming nations globallyMobile broadband speeds also improved significantly reflecting the impact of fibre expansion and 5G rolloutA major highlight of the year was the success of the telecom PLI scheme Under Atmanirbhar Bharat domestic manufacturing recorded sales of Rs 96240 crore exports worth Rs 19240 crore and employment generation of around 30000 jobsIndia also became only the fifth country in the world to develop its own indigenous 4G stack which is upgradable to 5GThe DoT said security and citizen protection were key priorities during the yearInitiatives such as Sanchar Saathi and the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator helped prevent telecomenabled fraud and protected citizens from financial lossesBanks and payment platforms flagged over 70 lakh suspicious transactions preventing losses of about Rs 450 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/telecom-pli-clocks-rs-96-240-crore-sales-in-2025-5g-now-covers-999-pc-of-districts-654588.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-empowering-sc-and-st-entrepreneurs-in-mses-minister-654590.html New Delhi Dec 19 In a bid to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Triberun Micro and Small Enterprises MSEs the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSME is implementing National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub NSSH Scheme to fulfill the mandated 4 per cent of procurement from SCST MSEs under the Public Procurement Policy the government said on Friday The scheme has undertaken several initiatives to provide support which include capacity building programmes market linkage programmes organisation of Special Vendor Development programmes workshopsawareness programmes subsidy on purchase of plant and machineryequipment financial assistance for registration under Single Point Registration Scheme and enrollment on governmentpromoted ecommerce portals etcUnder the âSpecial Marketing Assistance Scheme SMASâ component of the NSSH Scheme SCST entrepreneurs are facilitated to participate in domestic and international exhibitions to strengthen and develop their capacities to participate in public procurement 3929 SCST entrepreneurs at a cost of Rs 3641 crore were facilitated for participation in domestic exhibitions in the country during the last five years said Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje in a written reply in Lok SabhaTo spread awareness about various benefits available under NSSH Scheme Conclaves Special Vendor Development Programmes SVDPs and awareness workshops are being organized at various locations in the countryThe scheme also actively uses social media platforms for wider dissemination particularly focusing on the intended audience said the ministerMeanwhile MSMEs exported goods worth Rs 95202335 crore in the current financial year up to SeptemberKarandlaje said the export data is based on MSMErelated products identified from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics portal The government noted that Indiaâs export performance during this period showed strong momentum especially in highvalue and technologydriven sectors such as electronic goods pharmaceuticals and engineering products where MSMEs play a significant role IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-empowering-sc-and-st-entrepreneurs-in-mses-minister-654590.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-be-global-ai-leader-by-prioritising-value-realisation-innovation-report-654336.html New Delhi Dec 18 India has the potential to be a global AI leader but faces a gap in value realisation and innovation with 44 per cent of executives still investing less than 10 per cent of tech costs in AI and only 25 per cent realising real value a report said on Thursday The report from Boston Consulting Group BCGX and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry FICCI said that Indian corporates often limit AI to micro problem solvingâuse cases instead of pivoting to functional transformationAIfirst businesses will redefine how Indian enterprises operate where AI will have the first right to perform a task Over 7080 per cent of routine tasks and 3050 per cent of reasoningbased tasks can be performed by AI the report notedIt further urged joined effort from corporates startups MSMEs and policymakers to enable significant economic value from AIThe report identified strategic priorities including investing in deep innovation and democratising access to the last mileFirms classified as âAI future builtâ can achieve up to 27 times return on invested capital and 17 times revenue growth the report saidâIndiaâs AI momentum is formidable driven by ambitious enterprises national institutions and a vibrant startup ecosystem The gap between AI adoption and AI impact persists and true value will come from building AIfirst businesses driving deep innovation and ensuring inclusive accessâ said Nipun Kalra Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG and Head of BCGX IndiaIndia ranks in the top quartile globally for AI readiness but contributes less than 1 per cent of global AI patents the report noted adding that startup ecosystem is applicationrich but needs to significantly improve its innovation depthWith subsidised access to over 38000 GPUs for less than Rs 100 per GPU hour India has provided one of the lowest costs of compute There are plans to develop indigenous highend GPUs in the next 34 years it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-be-global-ai-leader-by-prioritising-value-realisation-innovation-report-654336.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indiaoman-cepa-to-boost-trade-in-green-energy-agri-startups-industry-654382.html New Delhi Dec 18 The IndiaOman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA will catalyse bilateral trade and investment in several sectors including green energy and agriinnovation startups industry leaders said on Thursday Chandrajit Banerjee Director General CII welcomed the IndiaâOman CEPA as an important step in strengthening Indiaâs economic engagement with a key partner in the GulfThe agreement reflects Indiaâs proactive trade strategy and boosts highquality mutually beneficial partnerships that support export growth investmentled development and trusted economic cooperation Banerjee addedFor the Indian industry the CEPA with Oman enhances market access and trade facilitation while creating an enabling framework for services investment technology collaboration and mobility of professionalsThe resultant boost to emerging areas such as green energy and agriinnovation startups will contribute to competitiveness job creation and longterm economic collaboration he saidAnish Shah Group CEO and MD Mahindra Group noted that Oman is already Indiaâs thirdlargest export destination in the GCC with bilateral trade of 106 billion in 202425The CEPA will deepen this partnership by enabling nearcomplete dutyfree access for Indian goods and catalysing greater trade and investment across sectors such as energy minerals technology tourism and agricultureTech Mahindraâs technology development centre in Muscat is already supporting key industries through AI cloud and 5G with over 300 associates Shah said adding that CEPA will help expand the collaboration in digital transformation clean energy supply chains and mobilityPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described the CEPA as a âblueprint of our shared futureâ while Indian investments in Oman have more than tripled since 2020 to 5 billion spanning sectors including green steel green ammonia aluminium manufacturing and logisticsIndia has signed many FTAs in recent years which are reaping rewards for the farmers traders and exporters in the country The CETA with the UK this year will reduce tariffs on more than 90 per cent of traded goods and significantly expand bilateral trade IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indiaoman-cepa-to-boost-trade-in-green-energy-agri-startups-industry-654382.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-oman-cepa-to-facilitate-easier-mobility-for-skilled-professionals-piyush-goyal-654388.html New Delhi Dec 18 The IndiaâOman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA will facilitate greater market access for professionals and companies from both countries Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday Addressing the IndiaâOman Business Forum in Muscat Goyal said that the agreement will provide a fair and predictable visa regime for Indian skilled professionals while fully respecting Omanâs sovereign employment policies He said the agreement reflects a shared vision to build a diversified and resilient economic partnership covering trade investment tourism innovation and technology Goyal emphasised the vast scope for collaboration across key sectors and urged businesses and investors on both sides to leverage these opportunities to drive mutual growth and shared prosperity He observed that the bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed 10 billion but said that this milestone was âjust the beginningâ âWe have miles to go and lots of achievements that await usâ he remarked Goyal said that CEPA will pave the way for a more ambitious phase of cooperation by offering dutyfree access addressing trade barriers and simplifying rules which would make exports from both sides more competitively priced in each otherâs markets He invited Omani businesses to leverage Indiaâs large and vibrant domestic market while positioning Oman as a strategic gateway for Indian companies to the Gulf Africa and West Asia Goyal said that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA is the culmination of our shared vision and dedicated efforts to build a mutually prosperous future for our people The minister said CEPA would open significant opportunities across sectors including textiles food processing automobiles gems and jewellery agrochemicals renewable energy and auto components He highlighted Omanâs strategic location as a gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC Eastern Europe Central Asia and Africa which offers enhanced market access for Indian businesses He also acknowledged the role of the 700000strong Indian diaspora in Oman describing it as a living bridge that strengthens bilateral ties Omanâs Minister of Commerce Industry and Investment Promotion Qais Al Yousef in his address said that India has emerged as Omanâs thirdlargest trading partner and Oman continues to be a key destination for Indian investments across strategic sectors The CEPA will be signed on December 18 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-oman-cepa-to-facilitate-easier-mobility-for-skilled-professionals-piyush-goyal-654388.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-to-address-2nd-who-global-summit-on-traditional-medicinetomorrow-654390.html New Delhi Dec 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the closing ceremony of the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine the Prime Ministers Office said on Thursday The threeday programme being held at Bharat Mandapam New Delhi underscores Indiaâs growing leadership and pioneering initiatives in shaping a global sciencebased and peoplecentred traditional medicine agendaâPrime Minister Modi has constantly emphasised for mainstreaming traditional medicine and the Indian Knowledge System through research standardisation and global collaborationâ said the PMODuring the programme the Prime Minister will launch several landmark Ayush initiatives including My Ayush Integrated Services Portal MAISP a master digital portal for the Ayush sector He will also unveil the Ayush Mark which is envisioned as a global benchmark for the quality of Ayush products and servicesFurther PM Modi is expected to release the WHO technical report on training in Yoga and the Book âFrom Roots to Global Reach 11 Years of Transformation in AyushâSymbolising the global resonance of Indiaâs traditional medicinal heritage he will also release a commemorative postal stamp on AshwagandhaPM will felicitate the recipients of the Prime Ministerâs Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga for the years 20212025 recognising their sustained dedication to Yoga and its global promotionThe awards reaffirm Yoga as a timeless practice for balance wellbeing and harmony contributing to a healthier and stronger New IndiaPrime Minister will also visit the Traditional Medicine Discovery Space an exhibition which showcases the diversity depth and contemporary relevance of traditional medicine knowledge systems from India and across the worldThe Summit being held from December 17 to 19 is jointly organised by the World Health Organization WHO and the Ministry of Ayush It is themed as âRestoring balance The science and practice of health and wellbeingâThe summit witnessed intensive deliberations among global leaders policymakers scientists practitioners Indigenous knowledge holders and civil society representatives on advancing equitable sustainable and evidencedriven health systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-to-address-2nd-who-global-summit-on-traditional-medicinetomorrow-654390.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-defence-production-reaches-all-time-high-in-fy25-shripad-naik-654406.html New Delhi Dec 18 Indias defence production reached an alltime high of Rs 154 lakh crore in FY 2024â25 rising from Rs 46429 crore in 2014â15 demonstrating the scale depth and maturity of Indiaâs indigenous defence manufacturing base Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said on Thursday While interacting with reporters here Naik informed that defence exports surged to a record Rs 23622 crore in FY 2024â25 compared to less than Rs 1000 crore in 2014 underscoring Indiaâs emergence as a credible and competitive global defence supplierIndia has supplied a wide spectrum of defence products â including ammunition arms subsystems complete systems and critical components â to around 80 countries reaffirming its role as a reliable partner in the global defence supply chainHe further said that the private sectorâs contribution has risen to nearly 23 per cent of total defence production reflecting growing competitiveness innovation and confidence of Indian industry while Defence Public Sector Undertakings continue to play a critical role accounting for about 77 per cent of total defence production within a more accountable and performanceoriented frameworkFive positive indigenisation lists covering over 5500 items have been notified with more than 3000 items already indigenised decisively reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic capabilityThe Minister observed that indigenous platforms such as LCA Tejas LCH Prachand ATAGS Akash missile systems radars corvettes armoured vehicles and drones are significantly enhancing the operational readiness and combat capability of the Armed ForcesOperation Sindoor executed on the strength of indigenous equipment and systems marked a milestone in Indiaâs journey towards technological selfreliance in drone warfare layered air defence and electronic warfare clearly demonstrating the operational relevance of AtmanirbhartaHe further said that Indiaâs journey towards Atmanirbharta in defence has been decisively shaped by the visionary and resolute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose clear articulation that national security economic strength and technological sovereignty are deeply interconnected has transformed defence manufacturing from a strategic necessity into a national missionThe minister noted that the country has moved with confidence from being a major importer of defence equipment to a nation that designs develops manufactures and increasingly exports advanced defence systems firmly positioning defence selfreliance as a cornerstone of Indiaâs rise as a strong secure and selfassured global power IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-defence-production-reaches-all-time-high-in-fy25-shripad-naik-654406.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-researcherstap-ai-model-toshow-how-h5n1canjump-to-humans-654412.html New Delhi Dec 18 Even as the bird flu virus H5N1 is evolving rapidly with the potential to become a significant threat to human health a team of Indian researchers using an Artificial Intelligence AIbased model has decoded how the deadly virus can actually spillover to humans In the study published in the BMC Public Health journal the team used BharatSim an ultralargescale agentbased simulation framework for infectious diseases that was originally built for Covid19 modelling to describe the sequential stages of a zoonotic spilloverâWe modelled the possibility of initial spillover events of H5N1 from birds to humans followed by sustained humantohuman transmissionâ said Philip Cherian and Gautam I Menon from the Department of Physics at the Haryanabased Ashoka University in the paperâOur model describes the twostep nature of outbreak initiation showing how crucial epidemiological parameters governing transmission can be calibrated given data for the distribution of the number of primary and secondary cases at early timesâ they addedAvian flu which first emerged in China in the late 1990s has since occasionally infected humansAs South and SouthEast Asia have the worldâs fastestgrowing poultry markets the region is predicted to be the likely location for an initial outbreakNotably the World Health Organization WHO has reported 990 human H5N1 cases across 25 countries including 475 deaths with a 48 per cent fatality rate between 2003 and August 2025The computational model showed that culling birds is the most effective measure to curb H5N1 outbreaks both in the case of a farm outbreak or a wet market However this will work only when no primary infection has occurredâIn our study of the tertiary attack risk we found that even if an infection of a primary case occurs onward infections are limited if cases are isolated and their household contacts quarantined However once tertiary contacts are infected establishing control becomes impossible unless far more stringent measures are applied including a total lockdownâ the experts notedThey stressed that it is in the very early stages of an outbreak that control measures make the most differenceOnce community transmission takes over cruder publichealth measures such as lockdowns compulsory masking and largescale vaccination drives are the only options leftâ the researchers addedThe study shows how such models allow for the systematic realtime exploration of policy measures that could constrain disease spread as well as guide a better understanding of disease epidemiology for an emerging infectious disease IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-researcherstap-ai-model-toshow-how-h5n1canjump-to-humans-654412.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/79-pc-of-indias-railway-tracks-support-speed-above-110-kmph-vaishnaw-654421.html New Delhi Dec 18 Upgradation and improvement of railway tracks by Indian Railways over the last 11 years have increased the share of tracks with speed potential of 110 kmph and above to 79 per cent in November CY25 from 40 per cent in 2014 Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Parliament on Thursday Upgradation and improvement of railway tracks on Indian Railways to increase the speed potential have been carried out in a big way during the last 11 years Vaishnaw said in a written reply to a question in the Lok SabhaThe measures for track upgradation include use of 60 kg rails wider base concrete sleepers thick web switches longer rail panels H Beam sleepers modern track renewal and maintenance machines interlocking of level crossing gates intense monitoring of track geometry etc he saidA comparison of sectional speeds over 10 years shows a marked transformation with track under 110 kmph potential fell to 217 per cent of the network in 2025 from 604 per cent in 2014Further tracks supporting 110â130 kmph speed rose to 575 per cent from 333 per cent and the share of tracks with 130 kmph and above potential rose to 218 per cent from just 63 per centThe Parliament was also informed that network electrification on Indian Railways has been taken up in mission mode and so far about 992 per cent of the Broad Gauge BG network has been electrifiedThe feat is far ahead of the UK 39 per cent Russia 52 per cent and China 82 per centRailway electrification achieved during the financial year 202324 and 202425 is 7188 and 2701 Route kilometres RKM respectively Further all new linemultitracking projects are being sanctioned and constructed with electrification the minister saidThe existing BG network in Arunachal Pradesh Meghalaya Nagaland Tripura and Mizoram in the northeastern region has been 100 per cent electrified IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/79-pc-of-indias-railway-tracks-support-speed-above-110-kmph-vaishnaw-654421.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/banned-veterinary-drug-still-threatening-endangered-vultures-warn-tn-researchers-654431.html Chennai Dec 18 Tamil Nadu researchers have sounded a fresh warning over the continued threat posed by a banned veterinary drug to Indiaâs critically endangered vultures after a major new study confirmed that diclofenac â prohibited nearly two decades ago â is still being used to treat livestock across several regions in the country The findings are part of the study The continued threat of toxic NSAIDs to Critically Endangered Gyps vultures in South Asia conducted by 13 researchers between 2012 and 2024 and published recently in Bird Conservation InternationalThe study reveals that three Gyps species endemic to Asia â the whiterumped vulture redheaded vulture and longbilled vulture â continue to suffer population decline due to unintentional poisoningWhen these birds feed on carcasses of cattle treated with diclofenac they suffer fatal kidney failure a phenomenon identified as the primary cause of the rapid crash in vulture numbers since the 1990sDespite the Union governmentâs ban on veterinary use of diclofenac in May 2006 and additional restrictions on multidose vials in 2015 the drug is still being stocked illegallyResearchers found that Rajasthan a state where intensive conservation advocacy has not been undertaken recorded the highest prevalence with up to 25 per cent of surveyed pharmacies offering diclofenacTamil Naduâs Vulture Safe Zones VSZs fared better but enforcement challenges persistAccording to S Bharathidasan secretary of conservation organisation Arulagam which helped survey VSZs in the state more than 100 court cases have been filed against suppliers manufacturers and retailers He said the diclofenac vials detected in Tamil Nadu originated largely from Karnataka outside the VSZ where conservation outreach remains limitedThe study also reveals that access to veterinary NSAIDs varies widely with 643 per cent of pharmacies in Tamil Nadu and 100 per cent in Rajasthan offering themMuch of the diclofenac found was stocked in 3ml vials â legal for human use but illegal for veterinary treatment making them a loophole for misuseWhile the Centre has additionally banned ketoprofen and aceclofenac since July 2023 Tamil Nadu has taken proactive steps by restricting the use of flunixin in key vulture habitats such as The Nilgiris Erode and Coimbatore from 2019 and curbing ketoprofen as early as 2015However researchers warn that banning known toxic drugs is not enough if untested substitutes with similar risks enter the market They emphasised the need to curb pilferage of humanuse vials for veterinary purposes and ensure strict enforcement warning that vulture populations will remain vulnerable unless the illegal use of diclofenac is eliminated statewide and nationally IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/banned-veterinary-drug-still-threatening-endangered-vultures-warn-tn-researchers-654431.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtel-appoints-shashwat-sharma-as-airtel-india-md-amp-ceo-654442.html New Delhi Dec 18 Bharti Airtel on Thursday announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership with the board approving multiple key appointments across management including the appointment of Shashwat Sharma as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer MD amp CEO of Airtel India Sharmas appointment will come into effect from January 1 2026 the telecom firms said in an exchange filing Currently the CEOdesignate he will assume the role for a fiveyear term subject to shareholder approval and will be designated as a key managerial personnel of the companyWe wish to inform that based on recommendations of HR amp Nomination Committee the Board of Directors of the Company has approved Appointment of Shashwat Sharma currently CEO Designate as Managing Director and CEO Airtel India and Key Managerial Personnel âKMPâ of the Company with effect from January 01 2026 for a period of five years subject to the approval of shareholders the telecom firm said in the exchange filingThe decisions were approved by Airtelâs board at its meeting held on December 18 based on recommendations from the HR and Nomination Committee the company said in an exchange filingAdditionally the board also approved the appointment of Gopal Vittal as Executive Vice Chairman Vittal who currently serves as Vice Chairman and Managing Director will take on the new role as a wholetime director from January 1 2026 for a period of five years subject to shareholdersâ nodFurthermore Somen Ray the current Chief Financial Officer has been appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer while Akhil Garg will assume charge as Chief Financial Officer for Airtel IndiaThe Bharati Airtels board further approved changes in the compliance function appointing Rohit Krishan Puri as Company Secretary and Compliance Officer with effect from January 1 2026 Pankaj Tewari will continue as Group Company Secretary providing leadership and oversight at the group level IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bharti-airtel-appoints-shashwat-sharma-as-airtel-india-md-amp-ceo-654442.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/suspected-damage-to-aircraft-tyre-leads-to-diversion-of-the-flight-air-india-express-654317.html Kochi Dec 18 A potential aviation incident was avoided on Thursday after an Air India Express flight from Jeddah to Kozhikode was diverted to Kochi due to suspected damage to the aircraftâs tyre The airline said the tyre damage was likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah Airport following which the aircraft was diverted as a precautionary measureâOur JeddahKozhikode flight was diverted to Kochi and made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraftâs tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airportâ the airline statedThe flight made a safe landing at Kochi ensuring the safety of all passengers on boardIn a statement an Air India Express spokesperson said the JeddahâKozhikode flight was diverted after suspected tyre damage was detectedâThe aircraft landed safely in Kochi and all guests are being connected to Kozhikode by road We regret the inconvenience caused and reiterate that safety remains our highest priority in every aspect of our operationsâ the spokesperson addedThe aircraft landed safely in Kochi and all passengers are being connected to Kozhikode by roadThe airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated that passenger safety remains its top priorityAs reported earlier by IANS the flight was carrying around 160 passengers when the pilot noticed a technical issue related to the landing gear while en routeActing promptly the pilot sought permission for diversion and made a precautionary landing at Cochin International AirportFollowing the diversion airport authorities activated full emergency procedures as a safety measureFire and rescue teams medical staff and security personnel were kept on standby while the aircraft landed safely on the runwayPostlanding inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to its tyres confirming the seriousness of the issue and validating the crewâs decision to divert the flightAirport officials coordinated the emergency response smoothly and passengers were safely escorted to the terminal IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/suspected-damage-to-aircraft-tyre-leads-to-diversion-of-the-flight-air-india-express-654317.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/is-high-fat-cheese-healthy-for-your-brain-654325.html New Delhi Dec 18 While cheese high in saturated fat and sodium is known to raise the risk of high cholesterol or blood pressure a new study has linked it to a lower risk of developing dementia The study published in the journal Neurology showed that some highfat dairy products such as cheddar Brie and Gouda as well as whipping cream double cream and clotted cream may actually lower the risk of dementia The findings challenge some longheld assumptions about fat and brain healthHowever researchers from Lund University Sweden clarified that âthe study does not prove that eating highfat cheese and highfat cream lowers the risk of dementia it only shows an associationâResearchers analysed data from 27670 people in Sweden with an average age of 58 at the start of the study They were followed for an average of 25 years During the study 3208 people developed dementiaThe results showed that people who ate more highfat cheese had a 13 per cent lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who consumed less When looking at specific types of dementia they found people who ate more highfat cheese had a 29 per cent lower risk of vascular dementiaIn addition a lower risk of Alzheimers disease was also found among those who ate more highfat cheese but only among those not carrying the APOE e4 gene variant a genetic risk factor for Alzheimers diseaseSimilarly people who consumed highfat cream daily had a 16 per cent lower risk of dementia compared to those who drank noneHowever no associations were found between dementia risk and eating lowfat cheese lowfat cream high or lowfat milk butter or fermented milk which includes yogurt kefir and buttermilkThese findings suggest that when it comes to brain health not all dairy is equal said Emily Sonestedt from Lund UniversityWhile eating more highfat cheese and cream was linked to a reduced risk of dementia other dairy products and lowfat alternatives did not show the same effect she added The team urged for more research to confirm the results IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/is-high-fat-cheese-healthy-for-your-brain-654325.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bjp-slams-rahul-gandhis-claim-says-indias-production-and-manufacturing-are-rising-654331.html New Delhi Dec 18 BJP Information Technology cell chief Amit Malviya on Thursday refuted Leader of the Opposition LoP Rahul Gandhiâs claim that production and manufacturing in India have gone down calling it misleading and unsupported by data In a series of posts on social media platform X Malviya said available government and industry data clearly show that Indiaâs production capacity has expanded significantly over the past decade especially in manufacturing sectors such as electronics mobile phones and automobilesâThe claim that production in India has declined is not supported by available dataâ Malviya wrote on XâOver the past decade Indiaâs manufacturing base particularly in electronics and mobile phones has expanded substantially and the country has emerged as a net exporter in several key sectorsâ he mentionedHe said India has emerged as a net exporter in several key sectors including electronics pharmaceuticals engineering goods and defence which contradicts the claim that production has declinedâIndia is now a net exporter in sectors such as electronics pharmaceuticals engineering goods and defenceâ the BJP IT cell chief saidAccording to the data shared by Malviya electronics production has increased sharply from about Rs 19 lakh crore in 201415 to around Rs 113 lakh crore in 2024â25âElectronics exports have also risen from Rs 38000 crore to more than Rs 327 lakh crore during the same periodâ Malviya addedHighlighting growth in mobile manufacturing Malviya said India had only two mobile phone manufacturing units in 201415 which has now increased to around 300 unitsMobile phone production has grown from Rs 18000 crore to Rs 545 lakh crore while exports have surged from Rs 1500 crore to nearly Rs 2 lakh croreThe BJP leader also pointed to employment data saying manufacturing continues to be one of the largest jobcreating sectors in the country especially for semiskilled and skilled workersHe said around 17 crore jobs have been created over the past decade In another post Malviya addressed claims that manufacturing in India is declining by comparing Indiaâs performance with global trends particularly in the automobile sectorHe said that among the worldâs top 10 automobileproducing countries eight produced fewer vehicles in 2024 than in 2014 including major economies such as Japan the US South Korea and GermanyIn contrast India has almost doubled its automobile production over the past decade making it one of the few major countries to record growth in this sectorMalviya said automobiles form a critical part of Indiaâs manufacturing ecosystem with strong links to steel electronics chemicals MSMEs and services IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bjp-slams-rahul-gandhis-claim-says-indias-production-and-manufacturing-are-rising-654331.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-aims-for-a-128-crore-job-expansion-in-2026report-654081.html New Delhi Dec 17 While the Indian job market closed 2025 on a strong note the countryâs hiring outlook for 2026 signals steady growth with an estimated 128 crore jobs a report said on Wednesday The report by foundit a jobs and talent platform showed that the surge in hiring in 2025 was led by robust employer confidence steady recruitment across major industries and the rising prominence of Tier2 and Tier3 cities as strategic talent hubsHowever growth in the second half of the year moderated to 4 per cent over six months indicating a shift toward more calibrated productivityled hiringBut 2026 is shaping up to be a skillsled year of hiring as growth expands beyond metros and strengthens Indiaâs position as a resilient and futureready talent market the report saidâ2025 shaped up as a year of strong expansion but disciplined hiring We witnessed the decentralisation of talent with Tier2 hubs becoming operational anchors for tech BFSI logistics and retailâ said Anupama Bhimrajka VP Marketing founditâAs we head into 2026 demand for AIready skills strategic leadership and midcareer digital talent will keep momentum high despite measured intake in some sectorsâ Bhimrajka addedThe report noted that in 2026 the demand will be strongest for midtosenior talent in digital AI cloud data and cybersecurity driven by continued enterprise transformationTech BFSI manufacturing infrastructure and renewable energy are set to lead hiring with emerging sectors like fintech health tech and electric mobility creating niche opportunitiesHiring is also expected to expand beyond metros as companies develop talent hubs in Tier 2 cities to optimise costs and access wider talent poolsFurther in 2026 Bengaluru and Hyderabad are set to lead hiring driven by tech GCCs AI cloud and semiconductor operationsMumbai Chennai Pune Kochi and Tier2 cities such as Coimbatore Jaipur and Baroda are expected to record steady growth Overall the trend reflects Indiaâs shift toward a distributed multicity talent model IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-aims-for-a-128-crore-job-expansion-in-2026report-654081.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/akzo-nobel-india-shares-tumble-15-pc-on-rs-1-640-crore-block-deal-buzz-654097.html Mumbai Dec 17 Akzo Nobel India shares fell sharply on Wednesday sliding nearly 15 per cent to around Rs 3080 apiece after reports of a large block deal worth about Rs 1640 crore hit the market According to multiple reports around 519 million shares of Akzo Nobel India Limited were traded in a block dealThe shares which represent about 114 per cent of the companyâs total equity were sold at a price of Rs 3159 per share taking the total deal value to nearly Rs 16385 croreThe identities of the buyers and sellers involved in the transaction were not immediately known the report saidThe sharp fall in the stock price came a day after reports suggested that Akzo Nobelâs promoter Imperial Chemical Industries was planning to sell up to a 9 per cent stake in the company through a block dealThat proposed sale was said to be worth about Rs 12906 crore with a floor price of Rs 3150 per share which was roughly a 13 per cent discount to Tuesdayâs closing priceAs of the end of the September quarter Imperial Chemical Industries held a 4546 per cent stake in Akzo Nobel IndiaThe recent block deal appears to be largely in line with market expectations following the reports of a potential stake saleThe stock has also been in focus due to recent changes in the companyâs ownershipEarlier this month JSW Paints acquired a 607 per cent controlling stake in Akzo Nobel India becoming the new promoterWith this acquisition JSW Paints which is just five years old has emerged as the thirdlargest player in Indiaâs decorative paints market when combined with Akzo Nobel Indiaâs businessOn the financial front Akzo Nobel India reported a sharp jump in consolidated net profit for the JulyâSeptember quarterThe company posted a net profit of Rs 1682 crore compared with Rs 97 crore in the same period last yearHowever this surge was mainly due to a onetime exceptional gain of Rs 1874 crore booked during the quarter IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/akzo-nobel-india-shares-tumble-15-pc-on-rs-1-640-crore-block-deal-buzz-654097.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/modified-electronics-manufacturing-clusters-generated-nearly-180-lakh-jobs-minister-654102.html New Delhi Dec 17 The Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters EMC 20 located in 10 states with projected investments of Rs 146846 crore have estimated to generate about 180 lakh jobs the Parliament was informed on Wednesday Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha that so far 11 EMC and 2 CFC common facility centre projects have been approvedThese cover an area of 439968 acres with project cost of Rs 522649 crore including Central financial assistance of Rs 249274 crore the minister informedFurther under the EMC 20 scheme at least 10 per cent of the saleableleasable area within the cluster has been provisioned for the Ready Built Factory RBF shedsThe Ready Built Factory RBF sheds under the approved EMC 20 parks are in various stages of constructionAn investment commitment of Rs 113000 crore has already been received from 123 land allottees manufacturers in the approved EMCs Out of this nine units have started production and grounded an investment of Rs 1256969 crore with employment generation of 13680 jobs said the ministerFurther an independent impact assessment of the EMC 20 Scheme was conducted by the National Institute for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises under the Ministry of MSMEThe assessment highlights accelerated development of electronics manufacturing infrastructure improved supplychain responsiveness availability of RBFPlugandPlay facilities costefficient logistics and significant direct and indirect employment generation along with enhanced skill development within the cluster ecosystem said PrasadaThe government notified the Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters EMC 20 Scheme in April 2020 The scheme supports the creation of worldclass electronics manufacturing infrastructure by funding dedicated clusters with common facilities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/modified-electronics-manufacturing-clusters-generated-nearly-180-lakh-jobs-minister-654102.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/86-pc-high-growth-firms-prefer-managed-office-spaces-for-expansion-in-india-amid-gcc-surge-654105.html New Delhi Dec 17 Managed office spaces MOS have emerged as the strategic workspace model in India for global capability centres GCCs and highgrowth companies with 86 per cent of firms preferring them for their next phase of expansion in the country a report said on Wednesday As GCCs accelerate their expansion and enterprises reevaluate real estate portfolios MOS is becoming the preferred blueprint for creating secure brandaligned and futureready centres across the countryThe report from Awfis Space Solutions Limited Awfis and Anarock Research amp Advisory also found that 71 per cent of firms rank costâefficiency as the singlemost important factor in office decisionsâThe workplace transformation we are witnessing in India isnt simply about flexible leases or shared amenities its about enterprises fundamentally rethinking how workspace strategy enables business agility talent attraction and operational excellenceâ said Amit Ramani CMD Awfis Space Solutions LtdCompanies are seeking partners who can deliver not just space but a unified workplace ecosystem combining design excellence operational efficiency technology enablement and a seamless client experience the report saidAround 57 per cent of clients reported major savings on fitâout and ongoing maintenance with MOS compared to traditional officesFor organisations navigating hybrid work rapid expansion and distributed teams MOS provides the precision and adaptability that traditional real estate models struggle to deliver cohesively the report notedIt highlighted that growth drivers for MOS adoption include the transition to flexible workspaces emergence of startups and SMEs urbanisation and talent mobility cost efficiency and technological advancementsLooking ahead the report projects continued evolution across several dimensions increased enterprise adoption as corporations shift from ownership to outcomebased real estate strategies geographic expansion into tier 2 and 3 cities supported by improved infrastructure and hybrid work normalisation technology integration through IoT AI and analytics for workspace optimisation sustainability alignment with global ESG standards and community building that balances private secure environments with meaningful engagement opportunities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/86-pc-high-growth-firms-prefer-managed-office-spaces-for-expansion-in-india-amid-gcc-surge-654105.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/no-aadhaar-data-breach-so-far-govt-654106.html New Delhi Dec 17 There has been no breach of Aadhaar card holdersâ data from the Unique Identification Authority of Indiaâs UIDAI database till date Ministry of Electronics amp IT said on Wednesday The ministry emphasised about the safety of the worldâs largest biometric identity systemâAadhaar is the worlds largest biometric identity system with approximately 134 crores live Aadhaar holdersâ the ministry saidâIt has completed more than 16000 crore authentication transactionsâ it addedResponding to a question in the Lok Sabha on December 17 Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said Aadhaar continues to remain secure due to strong technological and institutional safeguards put in place by the governmentAadhaar issued by UIDAI has around 134 crore live Aadhaar number holders Since its launch the system has processed more than 16000 crore authentication transactions making it the largest biometric identity programme in the worldThe minister said UIDAI follows a multilayered security framework based on the âdefenceindepthâ approach to protect personal dataâThis means several levels of protection are built into the system so even if one layer is compromised others continue to safeguard the dataâ the ministry statedâThe entire system is regularly reviewed and audited to ensure it remains secureâ it addedTo prevent misuse or interception Aadhaar data is protected using advanced encryption technologies both when it is being transmitted and when it is storedThe Aadhaar system has been declared a protected system which brings it under the continuous watch of the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre NCIIPCThe agency regularly provides security advisories to strengthen UIDAIâs cybersecurity postureIn addition an independent audit agency has been engaged to build and monitor a Governance Risk Compliance and Performance framework for the Aadhaar ecosystemThe minister further informed the House that UIDAI carries out continuous cybersecurity audits of its applications including static and dynamic security testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities at an early stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/no-aadhaar-data-breach-so-far-govt-654106.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/no-aadhaar-data-breach-from-uidai-database-to-date-govt-654107.html New Delhi Dec 17 There has been no breach of Aadhaar card holdersâ data from the Unique Identification Authority of Indiaâs UIDAI database till date Parliament was informed on Wednesday The ministry emphasised about the safety of the worldâs largest biometric identity systemâAadhaar is the worlds largest biometric identity system with approximately 134 crores live Aadhaar holdersâ the ministry saidâIt has completed more than 16000 crore authentication transactionsâ it addedResponding to a question in the Lok Sabha Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said Aadhaar continues to remain secure due to strong technological and institutional safeguards put in place by the governmentAadhaar issued by UIDAI has around 134 crore live Aadhaar number holders Since its launch the system has processed more than 16000 crore authentication transactions making it the largest biometric identity programme in the worldThe minister said UIDAI follows a multilayered security framework based on the âdefenceindepthâ approach to protect personal dataâThis means several levels of protection are built into the system so even if one layer is compromised others continue to safeguard the dataâ the ministry statedâThe entire system is regularly reviewed and audited to ensure it remains secureâ it addedTo prevent misuse or interception Aadhaar data is protected using advanced encryption technologies both when it is being transmitted and when it is storedThe Aadhaar system has been declared a protected system which brings it under the continuous watch of the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre NCIIPCThe agency regularly provides security advisories to strengthen UIDAIâs cybersecurity postureIn addition an independent audit agency has been engaged to build and monitor a Governance Risk Compliance and Performance framework for the Aadhaar ecosystemThe minister further informed the House that UIDAI carries out continuous cybersecurity audits of its applications including static and dynamic security testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities at an early stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/no-aadhaar-data-breach-from-uidai-database-to-date-govt-654107.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-staffing-industry-surges-5-pc-in-q2-fy26-sequentially-654108.html New Delhi Dec 17 The overall staffing industry in India witnessed robust quarteronquarter QoQ growth at 5 per cent in the second quarter of the current financial year Q2 FY26 while maintaining an annual growth rate of 58 per cent yearonyear YoY a report said on Wednesday The surge in employment reflects a positive demand for a formal staffing workforce across various key sectors The general and IT staffing industries both contributed positively to the overall growth trajectory in Q2 FY26The General Staffing Industry witnessed a growth of 5 per cent QoQ in the quarter under review and at 55 per cent YoY driven by demands from FMCG ecommerce retail and others Banking financial services and insurance fueled by digital transformation and compliance hiring added new employment the Indian Staffing Federation said in its reportThe IT staffing industry demonstrated a more robust performance witnessing a 16 per cent YoY growth and a high 49 per cent QoQ growth benefitting from ongoing global demand for AI cloud computing digital services as well as new demands from Global Capability Centres GCCs âThe members of the federation maintained a growth adding 92K new formal temporary jobs in the last four quarters Indian Staffing Federation President Lohit Bhatia saidThis represents a demand momentum driven primarily by sectors such as FMCG ecommerce logistics and energy he added The sequential recovery in Q2 FY26 was notably driven by the rebound in the IT consulting sector largely spearheaded by tier2 tech firmsIndiaâs IT sector coming out of the red after a long time has started showing signs of strong resilience strategically addressing market dynamics with scale of operations The growth was at a significant 16 per cent yearonyear in Q2 FY26 the highest in three years ISF Vice President Manmeet Singh said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-staffing-industry-surges-5-pc-in-q2-fy26-sequentially-654108.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kerala-cm-vs-guv-tiff-blows-over-as-ciza-thomas-assumes-charge-as-ktu-vice-chancellor-654140.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 17 Ciza Thomas on Wednesday assumed charge as Vice Chancellor of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University KTU marking a crucial development amid the prolonged tussle between the Governor Rajendra V Arlekar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the appointments Expressing satisfaction after taking charge Thomas said the focus should now be on moving forward rather than revisiting past controversiesAddressing the media she said she was happy with the reception she received and would work in close cooperation with the governmentThere is no need to dwell on what has been lost What matters is correcting shortcomings and taking the institution forward she said asserting that there had been no administrative paralysis during the period of uncertaintyThomas also responded emotionally to allegations levelled against her during the controversyIt hurts to hear accusations including claims that I stole official minutes I have not taken any minutes I do not understand why I am being portrayed as a thief she saidEmphasising institutional primacy she added that the KTU as an institution was far bigger than any individual including herselfHer assumption of office follows a breakthrough in the ongoing standoff between the Raj Bhavan and the state governmentA consensus was reached earlier this week on the appointments of Vice Chancellors at both the KTU and the Kerala Digital UniversityAs part of the agreement it has been decided to appoint Saji Gopinath as Vice Chancellor of the Digital UniversityThe appointments will be formally communicated to the Supreme Court where the matter is listed for hearing again on ThursdayDuring an earlier hearing the court noting the lack of agreement between the Governor and the government had directed a committee headed by former apex court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to submit names for Vice Chancellor appointmentsHowever with the two sides now arriving at a settlement the court is expected to take note of the consensusBut the moot question is that had better sense prevailed before the state exchequer could have saved precious money as the state government had shelled out a fortune to fight the case and for the expenses of Justice Dhulia IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kerala-cm-vs-guv-tiff-blows-over-as-ciza-thomas-assumes-charge-as-ktu-vice-chancellor-654140.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-top-200-self-made-entrepreneurs-reach-rs-42-lakh-crore-valuation-in-2025-654144.html New Delhi Dec 17 The cumulative value of all companies belonging to Indiaâs top 200 selfmade entrepreneurs stands at Rs 42 lakh crore 469 billion in 2025 up from Rs 36 lakh crore 431 billion last year reflecting a 15 per cent growth and underscoring the rapid wealth creation among Indiaâs selfmade entrepreneurs a report showed on Wednesday The number of billiondollar companies founded by the âSelfmade Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2025â stands at 128 up from 121 last year adding 22 new companies to the elite club according to the IDFC FIRST Private and Hurun Indiaâs listThe 2025 edition welcomed 102 new founders and 53 new companies Five companies on list are worth Rs 1 lakh crore or more up from three last year indicating a strong growth in ultrahighvalue businessesBengaluru retained its position as Indiaâs top startup hub with 52 companies although down by 14 from last year Mumbai followed with 41 companies 5 and Gurugram with 36 companies 5 reflecting a dynamic shift in entrepreneurial activity across major cities said the reportBengaluru also continued to lead as the top city for founder residences with 88 entrepreneurs followed by Mumbai with 83 and New Delhi with 52 together accounting for a significant share of Indiaâs top selfmade entrepreneurs in 2025âIndia stands tall as one of the worldâs leading nations for the quality of its entrepreneurship ecosystem This report honours the extraordinary stories of visionary leaders who are reshaping the countryâs economic landscapeâ said Vikas Sharma HeadWealth Management and Private Banking IDFC FIRST BankFinancial services led the sectors with 47 companies followed by Software and Services 28 Healthcare 27 and Retail 20 Notably 189 companies â nearly 95 per cent of the list â have external investors with the rest bootstrappedâFive companies founded post2020 are now collectively valued at Rs 78000 crore These entrepreneurs are driving growth and contributing to nationbuilding with employee benefits increasing from Rs 54000 crore to Rs 57200 crore this year reflecting their investment in peopleâ said Anas Rahman Junaid Founder and Chief Researcher Hurun IndiaDeepinder Goyal took the top spot as his company Eternal led with a valuation of Rs 32 lakh crore up 27 per cent from last yearWomen entrepreneurs are making significant strides in building some of the most valuable businesses of this millennia Twenty women feature in the list IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-top-200-self-made-entrepreneurs-reach-rs-42-lakh-crore-valuation-in-2025-654144.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/state-ledreformskey-to-strengtheninghighereducationin-india-cea-anantha-nageswaran-654147.html New Delhi Dec 17 The next phase of higher education reform in India must be led by states said Dr Anantha Nageswaran Chief Economic Adviser to the government on Wednesday Speaking at the CII Global Higher Education Summit in New Delhi Nageswaran outlined key priorities for states including a shift from control to stewardship and the need to urgently address faculty shortages through mechanisms such as professors of practiceHe noted that moving from inputbased to outcomebased regulation adopting an entrepreneurial approach in public administration and financing institutions based on differentiated roles and outcomes can help scale the reformsNageswaran also called for deeper industry engagement in curriculum design research and governanceâIndustry can codesign curricula offer creditbearing internships support applied research share infrastructure and participate meaningfully in governanceâ he saidâCollaboration between government states industry and citizens can help India move from scale to leadership and emerge as a global hub for learning research and ideasâ the CEA addedNageswaran shared that Indiaâs demographic and economic inflection point structural shift in global higher education landscape AIenabled pedagogy and the change in policy with National Education Policy NEP 2020 and evolving regulatory thinking are the four converging factors that show that the present time is uniquely suited for ambitious reformAt the event Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe Chairman National Education Technology Forum highlighted how recent reforms in higher education are creating a futureready studentcentric ecosystem anchored in quality flexibility and innovationHe noted that the proposed new regulatory framework will bring all higher education regulators under a single umbrella with a singlewindow approval system enabling institutions to offer multidisciplinary programs with greater easeDr Naushad Forbes Past President CII amp Chairman highlighted that the deepest source of longterm resilience for any economy or institution lies in the quality of its human capital which is built through a combination of education and accumulated skillsEconomic transformation depends not only on the creation of knowledge but on the ability of skilled individuals to translate ideas into practical outcomesEmphasising the central role of higher education in innovation he called for a substantial increase in public research funding within universitiesThe expert argued that universities must primarily be seen as creators of talent and advocated a shift from prescriptive regulation towards greater autonomy and competition IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/state-ledreformskey-to-strengtheninghighereducationin-india-cea-anantha-nageswaran-654147.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-achieved-self-reliance-in-space-transportation-systems-jitendra-singh-654153.html New Delhi Dec 17 India has achieved selfreliance in space transportation systems and can launch satellites up to 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit LEO and 42 tonnes to GeoSynchronous Transfer Orbit GTO said Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology in the Parliament on Wednesday In a written reply in the Lok Sabha Singh shared that the feat has been achieved through the currently operational PSLV GSLV and LVM3 launch vehiclesâThese launch vehicles have enabled independent space access to satellites for earth observation communication navigation and space exploration In order to enhance the launch vehicle capabilities towards meeting the expanded space vision the government has approved the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle NGLV which will provide a maximum payload capability of 30 tons to Low Earth Orbitâ Singh saidâTowards achieving lowcost access to space reusable launch vehicle technologies are also being developed including a partially reusable variant of NGLV with 14 tonnes payload capability to LEO Another development is of a winged body upper stage which will fly back from the orbit to the Earth and autonomously land on a runwayâ he addedThe Minister further informed that ISRO has undertaken the development of a highthrust 2000kN semicryogenic engine for inducting in the LVM3 vehicleIn addition an environmentally friendly methanebased propulsion system for a highthrust engine is also being conceptualised for NGLVThe âdevelopment of an airbreathing propulsion system is underway towards a DualFuel Scramjet engineâ Singh saidHe also mentioned the current status of Gaganyaan Indias human spaceflight programme and the timelines fixed for crewed missionsGaganyaan mission which aims to demonstrate indigenous human spaceflight capability to LEO is expected to launch the first crewed mission in 202728For the Gaganyaan programme ISRO is developing and realising various systems for accomplishing the planned missions Considering the stringent human rating requirements extensive testing of propulsion elements structures of HumanRated Launch Vehicle HLVM3 Service Module Propulsion System and Crew Module Propulsion System the parachutebased deceleration system has been completedâ the Minister saidFor the first uncrewed mission G1 all HLVM3 stages and CES motors are ready While crew and service module systems have been realised assembly and integration activities are nearing completion Singh saidMeanwhile Singh noted that a total of 22 ISRO satellites have been launched between December 2020 and December 2025Of the 22 âseven satellites are Earth Observation four are communication two are navigation three are space science and six are technology demonstration missionsâ Singh saidWhile 2020 and 2021 saw one satellite launch each 2022 saw six four in 2023 and six in 2024 The year 2025 saw the launch of satellites NVS02 CMS03 GSAT7R RISAT1B and NISAR IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-achieved-self-reliance-in-space-transportation-systems-jitendra-singh-654153.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/video-subscription-revenues-in-india-surge-11-pc-to-rs-9-200-crore-minister-654172.html New Delhi Dec 17 The overthetop OTT sector has significantly contributed towards Indiaâs soft power by enabling global access to Indian stories creative talent cultural heritage and independent filmmaking Parliament was informed on Wednesday In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan said that as per industry estimates FICCIEY Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2025 the video subscription revenues posted an 11 per cent growth rate in 2024 to scale the Rs 9200 crore mark The number of users paying for streaming content on OTT platforms are estimated between 95118 crore individualsHe also stated that Prasar Bharatiâs platform WAVES OTT has further strengthened this outreach by making Doordarshan and All India Radioâs rich archives regional arts documentaries classical music literaturebased programming and multilingual content accessible to audiences worldwideWAVES OTT has recorded a robust growth with more than 80 lakh downloads by users in the first year of its launch This reflects the rising demand for multilingual Indian content and public service media on digital platforms the minister pointed outThe platform is currently in a growth and expansion phase with a steadily increasing international user footprint Revenue streams from international markets are being progressively developed through strategic partnerships he explainedIt has introduced a framework to support emerging filmmakers and creators providing them with a technologydriven distribution platform to reach diverse global audiencesWAVES OTT is primarily a subscriptionfree public service platform and does not operate on a subscriptionbased model Advertising is its main source of revenue It focuses on democratising access to public broadcasting content across India and globally the minister further statedThe newlyinserted Section 71Bii of the Cinematograph Act 1952 as amended in 2023 empowers the Central Government under Section 793 of the Information Technology Act 2000 to take remedial action against intermediaries hosting pirated film contents the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/video-subscription-revenues-in-india-surge-11-pc-to-rs-9-200-crore-minister-654172.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/foreign-portfolio-investors-act-as-major-driver-of-daily-rupee-moves-654177.html New Delhi Dec 17 Foreign portfolio investors FPIs are playing a major role in the daily movements of the Indian rupee as it crossed the 91 mark to the dollar a report said on Wednesday The report from Bank of Baroda said that FPIs spot interventions of RBI and changes in the forwards segment are significant when explaining currency shiftsBut often there is intervention through sale and purchase of dollars which does dilute the statistical relationship the bank said after a study of monthly dataIn December FPIs were net sellers in nine of 11 trading days The bank suggested that the rupee may remain volatile until a deal with the US is reached possibly by March 2026 However it noted that this is a sentimentbased factor and not an economic oneDaily currentâaccount flows including IT receipts or remittance payments and capital flows such as foreign direct investment and external commercial borrowings also affect the market but are not captured daily limiting direct linkage to rupee moves the bank saidThe bank noted that the external account appears to be fairly steady with the current account in check adding that capital flows â particularly FPI flows â could be the decisive factor with the âshadow of the dealâ between India and the USA guiding market decisionsThe report also said the trade deficit shows no notable bearing on shortâterm rupee changesAnother recent report by Bank of Baroda said that Indiaâs retail inflation is expected to remain well under control in the third quarter of FY26 with headline CPI inflation likely to settle at 04 per cent slightly lower than the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs projection of 06 per centThe bank said easing food prices and stable core inflation have continued to provide relief to consumers despite some recent sequential rise in vegetable prices IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/foreign-portfolio-investors-act-as-major-driver-of-daily-rupee-moves-654177.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-fy26-gdp-growth-expected-to-be-at-75-pc-amid-resilient-domestic-demand-654197.html New Delhi Dec 17 Indiaâs gross domestic product GDP growth is projected to be at 75 per cent in the current financial year FY26 and 7 per cent in FY27 supported by resilient domestic demand and stable macro fundamentals a report showed on Wednesday Meanwhile inflation is expected to remain benign with average CPI inflation projected at 21 per cent in FY26 before normalising to around 4 per cent in FY27CareEdge Ratings projected the current account deficit percentage GDP at 1 per cent in FY26 and FY27According to the rating agency the centre will meet its fiscal deficit target of 44 per cent in FY26 with continued fiscal consolidation likely to lower it to 42â43 per cent in FY27The 10year Gsec yields are expected to be in the range of 6466 per cent by the end of FY26 while USDINR is projected to trade around 8990 by the end of FY27âIndiaâs macroeconomic outlook remains constructive heading into FY27 Even with external uncertainties lingering the Indian economy is expected to record healthy growth of 7 per cent in FY27 Rajani Sinha Chief Economist CareEdge Ratings saidThe growth momentum will be supported by factors like comfortable inflation lower interest rates and lower tax burden Likely USIndia trade deal would provide further impetus Sinha addedIndiaâs capex cycle is showing early signs of revival as reflected by strong growth in the order book of capital goods companiesForeign investors are also making a note of Indiaâs growth opportunity getting reflected in a jump in gross FDI inflows into the country especially in the new age sectors like EV renewables electronics data centre and AI infrastructure Factor market reforms like the new labour code will give further confidence to domestic and global investors the report notedAccording to the report global economic conditions remain challenging with global growth expected to stay below prepandemic average levels However Indiaâs growth is projected to hold up relatively well in comparison with other economies IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-fy26-gdp-growth-expected-to-be-at-75-pc-amid-resilient-domestic-demand-654197.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/need-robust-one-health-approach-effective-preparedness-to-combat-future-pandemicsdr-rajiv-bahl-654199.html New Delhi Dec 17 India needs a robust One Health approach and effective measures to combat future pandemics said Dr Rajiv Bahl Director General Indian Council of Medical Research ICDR amp Secretary Department of Health Research DHR He said this while speaking at VIROCON 2025 a threeday international conference organised recently by the ICMRNational Institute of Virology NIV Pune in collaboration with the NIV Research Foundation and the Indian Virological Society IVSThe event themed âChanging Landscapes in Human Animal and Plant Viruses Bridging Basic Science Innovation and Public Healthâ brought together experts to address emerging viral threats and innovations in virologyâVIROCON is a very important meeting where I believe that academia institutes of national importance the National Institute of Virology as well as industry together deliberate on how to do surveillance and contribute to the development of countermeasures so that we are better prepared for any future outbreak or pandemicâ Bahl saidâMost pandemics over the past 100 years have been viral and zoonotic in nature underscoring the need for a coordinated onehealth approachâ he added while calling for the development of effective countermeasures for future pandemic preparednessVIROCON 2025 saw a strong commitment to advancing viral research fostering collaboration and strengthening public health preparednessThe event focused on emerging viral threats advances in virological research and pandemic preparednessThe conference saw the participation of over 650 delegates including scientists clinicians public health experts industry partners and students from India and abroadRepresentatives from four countries the US Canada Thailand and India attended the event along with delegates from premier Indian institutions such as IISc IISERs IITs Central Universities ICAR ICMR DRDO DBT CSIR and several State UniversitiesScientific sessions were held across three major tracks One Health and pandemic preparedness development of countermeasures and fundamental virology with 13 keynote lectures 44 lead talks 154 oral presentations and 251 postersPrestigious recognitions including the IVS Oration Awards 2025 and IVS Young Scientist Awards were presented along with VIROCON 2025 oral and poster awards IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/need-robust-one-health-approach-effective-preparedness-to-combat-future-pandemicsdr-rajiv-bahl-654199.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-leveraging-geospatial-tech-as-national-asset-for-viksit-bharat-jitendra-singh-654201.html New Delhi Dec 17 Geospatial technologies are a foundational pillar of Indiaâs development journey and the government is leveraging them as a national asset for Viksit Bharat said Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science amp Technology on Wednesday Addressing the National Workshop on âStrengthening of Geospatial Ecosystem Geospatial Mission An Enabler of Viksit Bharatâ through a video message the Minister underscored that Indiaâs geospatial transformation over the last decade reflects a decisive shift from regulation to empowerment in the last decadeâGeospatial information has emerged as a critical enabler of planning execution and service delivery across sectors such as infrastructure agriculture defence urban development climate action and disaster managementâ Singh saidHe highlighted the landmark geospatial liberalisation reforms of 2021 followed by the National Geospatial Policy 2022 stating that these measures have democratised access to highaccuracy geospatial data spurred innovation strengthened industry participation and significantly expanded the use of geospatial technologies across domainsBuilding on this momentum the National Geospatial Mission has been launched as a transformative wholeofgovernment initiative to create a modern accurate and accessible national geospatial infrastructure aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047The Minister emphasised that national priorities such as smart cities road and rail infrastructure precision agriculture logistics optimisation natural resource management disaster risk reduction climate action and next generation defence preparedness will increasingly depend on reliable interoperable and robust geospatial dataProf Abhay Karandikar Secretary Department of Science and Technology said that the Geospatial Guidelines 2021 and the National Geospatial Policy 2022 have created an innovationdriven ecosystemThe forthcoming National Geospatial Mission will focus on geodetic modernisation interoperability strengthening of geoICT infrastructure integration of emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning promotion of RampD and capacity building for a skilled geospatial workforce he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-leveraging-geospatial-tech-as-national-asset-for-viksit-bharat-jitendra-singh-654201.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/demand-for-ai-governance-cybersecurity-roles-in-india-shows-a-notable-surge-report-654214.html New Delhi Dec 17 Indiaâs technology workforce is entering a decisive new phase with a surge in AI governance roles an acceleration in cybersecurity hiring and a rise of tierâ2 cities as digital talent engines a report said on Wednesday The report from tech solutions provider Randstad said that foundational skills such as Java Salesforce and Agile still account for nearly oneâthird of IT roles but demand is surging for AIâenabled and governanceâfocused functionsDemand for AI and machine learning engineers data scientists and AI governance specialists is set to surge in 2026 while cybersecurity is being reshaped by AIdriven threats it saidCompanies are forced to rebuild security operations creating new opportunities for forensic analysts AI security experts ethical hackers and incident respondersSkills in large language model orchestration prompt engineering and humanAI interaction are seeing doubledigit growth ensuring that AI systems remain accurate secure and contextaware the report notedWe are witnessing the most profound redefinition of work in a generation By 2026 ubiquitous AI and deeper humanâmachine collaboration will make every role a technology role AI is no longer a support technology but the strategic foundation of business Randstad Digital India Managing Director Milind Shah saidOrganisations today need professionals who can not only build AI systems but also govern and secure them responsibly â balancing innovation with ethics compliance and trust he addedRandstad highlighted that Assisted AI Augmented AI and Autonomous Intelligence AI require distinct expertise with growing demand for the workforce in prompt engineering and Cloud FinOpsCloud FinOps expertise is increasingly sought as companies seek to optimise cloud spending within AIenabled infrastructures it notedBengaluru leads the demand for AI talent with 3588 per cent share followed by Hyderabad Pune and Chennai and tierâ2 cities including Chandigarh Visakhapatnam Coimbatore Indore Jaipur and Kochi are emerging as specialised talent hubs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/demand-for-ai-governance-cybersecurity-roles-in-india-shows-a-notable-surge-report-654214.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/irdai-entities-should-adopt-1600-calling-series-by-feb-15-2026-trai-654223.html New Delhi Dec 17 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI has mandated that entities regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India IRDAI should adopt â1600â series numbers by February 15 2026 the government said on Wednesday TRAIs direction requires IRDAIâregulated firms to use 1600âseries numbers for service and transactional calls to enhance consumer trust curb spam and prevent voiceâcall fraud an official statement saidThe 1600 series helps customers clearly distinguish the official service and transactional calls from other commercial communicationsEntities continuing to use standard 10digit numbers for service and transactional calls should shift to 1600 series numbers to reduce the risk of fraudulent or misleading calls being made in the guise of trusted financial institutions it saidTRAI said that about 570 entities related to Telecom Service Providers and BFSI have already adopted 1600âseries numbers subscribing to more than 3000 numbersThe Ministry of Communications said in the statement that the deadline was set in consultation with IRDAI and follows earlier mandatory adoptions of the 1600 series for entities regulated by the Reserve Bank of India Securities and Exchange Board of India and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development AuthorityThe 1600 series is a phone numbering range exclusively designated for all voice calls originating from regulated entities in the banking financial services insurance BFSI and securities sectorsThe government had earlier noted the misuse of Session Initiation Protocol SIP and Primary Rate Interface PRI telecom lines for bulk spam Options under discussion include issuing these lines from a designated number range and imposing additional safeguards to ensure responsible useTRAI had earlier informed that a major pilot project is underway to give consumers more control over commercial communications by replacing unverifiable offline consents with a secure digital consent framework This will enable consumers to digitally register review and revoke consents through a simple unified and tamperproof interface IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/irdai-entities-should-adopt-1600-calling-series-by-feb-15-2026-trai-654223.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-annual-telecom-exports-jump-up-by-72-pc-in-last-5-years-654232.html New Delhi Dec 17 Indiaâs annual telecom exports have jumped by 72 per cent to over Rs 18406 crore in the last five years Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia informed Parliament on Wednesday Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha the minister stated that Indiaâs telecom exports have risen from Rs 10000 crore in 2020â21 to Rs 18406 crore in 2024â25 while imports have remained capped at around Rs 51000 crore He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India is not only moving rapidly towards selfreliance in the telecom sector but is also preparing itself for global leadershipIn response to a supplementary question Scindia highlighted Indiaâs achievements in 5G deployment He informed that out of 778 districts in the country 767 districts have already been connected to the 5G network He further stated that India currently has 36 crore 5G subscribers a number expected to rise to 42 crore by 2026 and reach 100 crore by 2030About SATCOM Scindia said that the worldwide experience shows that areas which cannot be connected through conventional BTS or backhaul or through broadband connectivity using optical fibre cable can only be served through satellite communications In this context India has taken a decisive step to ensure that SATCOM services are made available to customers across the length and breadth of the countryHe noted that the objective of the government is to offer a full bouquet of telecom services to every customer enabling individuals to make informed choices based on their needs and preferred price pointsThe Union Minister highlighted that the SATCOM policy framework is firmly in place with spectrum slated for administrative assignment Three licences have already been issued â to Starlink OneWeb and RelianceHe further said that two key aspects must be addressed before operators can commence commercial services The first pertains to spectrum assignment including the determination of administrative spectrum charges which falls under the purview of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAIThe second aspect relates to security clearances from enforcement agencies To facilitate this process operators have been provided with a sample spectrum to conduct demonstrations and all three licensees are currently undertaking the required compliance activitiesOnce the operators demonstrate adherence to prescribed security norms â including the requirement to host international gateways within India â the necessary approvals will be granted enabling the rollout of SATCOM services to customers the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-annual-telecom-exports-jump-up-by-72-pc-in-last-5-years-654232.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/corporate-growth-profitability-improve-in-q3-in-s-korea-bok-654033.html Seoul Dec 17 South Korean companies reported improved overall growth and profitability in the third quarter driven by robust semiconductor exports amid an artificial intelligence AI boom the central bank said on Wednesday The combined sales of 26067 companies subject to external audits rose 21 per cent from a year earlier in the JulySeptember period reversing a 07 per cent onyear decline in the second quarter according to data from the Bank of Korea BOK reports Yonhap news agencyThe increase in sales was driven by rising exports of high valueadded products such as HBM and DDR5 amid expanding global AI investment along with higher memory prices Moon Sangyoon chief of the BOKs corporate statistics team told a press briefingSales growth in the machinery and electrical and electronics industries jumped 89 per cent more than quadrupling from 22 per cent in the previous quarter Excluding these industries the sales growth rate stood at around 11 per centThe strong performance by some large ecommerce retailers increased sales of imported electric vehicles and solid earnings at digital platform companies also contributed to the upturn Moon addedProfitability indicators also improvedThe operating profit margin of the surveyed companies stood at 61 per cent in the third quarter up from 58 per cent a year earlierFinancial stability indicators strengthened as wellThe debttoequity ratio declined to 888 per cent in the third quarter from 898 per cent in the second quarter while companies reliance on borrowing fell 04 percentage point to 262 per centNegative effects from new US tariffs continued into the third quarter but uncertainty has largely eased and the strong performance of the semiconductor industry helped offset the impact Moon saidNegative effects from new US tariffs continued into the third quarter but uncertainty has largely eased and the strong performance of the semiconductor industry helped offset the impact Moon said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/corporate-growth-profitability-improve-in-q3-in-s-korea-bok-654033.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-trade-flat-in-early-deals-amid-weak-global-cues-654037.html Mumbai Dec 17 Indian equity benchmark indices traded on a flat note in early deals on Wednesday as mixed trends in banking stocks kept investors cautious The Sensex opened 176 points higher at 84856 but soon gave up its early gains and slipped into the red touching a low of 84649At around 925 AM the index was trading 134 points higher or 02 per cent up at 84820 The Nifty was also marginally higher trading at 25913 up 53 points or 02 per centCommenting on Niftyâs technical outlook analysts said that the immediate support is placed around 25700 and a breakdown below this level could lead to further consolidation toward 25600â25550âOn the upside resistance is seen at 26000â26050 which remains a crucial hurdleâ market watchers addedBanking and financial stocks showed a mixed trend Shares of SBI Bajaj Finance Eternal and Axis Bank were among the top gainers on the Sensex rising around 1 per cent eachOn the other hand ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank were among the notable laggards weighing on the marketâs upsideIn the broader market performance remained muted The BSE MidCap index was slightly higher by 01 per cent while the SmallCap index slipped 01 per centMeanwhile the Indian rupee opened at 9107 against the US dollarAsian markets traded with mild gains recovering from recent losses Japanâs Nikkei Hong Kongâs Hang Seng and Chinaâs Shanghai Composite were up between 02 and 04 per cent during midday trade while South Koreaâs KOSPI and Taiwanâs benchmark index gained around 07 per cent eachOvernight in the US Wall Street indices ended on a mixed note The SampP 500 fell for the third straight session closing 024 per cent lower as investors reacted to the delayed release of the November jobs reportThe Nasdaq Composite edged up 023 per cent while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 062 per centOn the institutional front foreign institutional investors remained net sellers in the Indian market FIIs sold shares worth Rs 206076 crore on Tuesday while domestic institutional investors provided some support by buying shares worth Rs 77076 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-trade-flat-in-early-deals-amid-weak-global-cues-654037.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-blood-test-can-detect-monitorlung-cancer-in-real-time-654049.html New Delhi Dec 17 A team of UK researchers has developed a pioneering blood test that could enable doctors to detect and monitor lung cancer in real time which will help reduce diagnostic delays and improve patient outcomes Using the technique Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR microspectroscopy the team detected a single lung cancer cell in a patients bloodThe technique combines advanced infrared scanning technology with computer analysis focusing on the unique chemical fingerprint of cancer cells said researchers from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust UHNM Keele University and Loughborough UniversityThis approach has the potential to help patients receive earlier diagnoses personalised treatments and fewer invasive procedures and it could eventually be applied to many types of cancer beyond lung cancer said lead author Professor Josep SulÃSuso Associate Specialist in Oncology at UHNMCirculating tumour cells CTCs are a type of cancer cell that can break away from a tumour and travel in the bloodstream They can provide vital clues about how the disease is progressing and how well treatment is working CTCs are also the cells that can lead to the spread of cancer metastasesCurrent methods for detecting CTCs can be complicated expensive and timeconsuming and they can sometimes miss cancer cells altogether as the cells often change their characteristics while circulating in the bloodThe research teams method detects CTCs in a blood sample by shining an infrared beam onto it similar to the light in a TV remote control but far more powerfulDifferent chemicals absorb infrared light in different ways and CTCs have a distinct absorption pattern or chemical fingerprintComputer analysis of the infrared absorption data can quickly identify whether circulating tumour cells are presentThe technique published in the journal Applied Spectroscopy is simpler and more affordable than existing approaches and uses standard glass slides already found in pathology labs to prepare blood samples for analysis under the infrared instrument making it easier to adopt into everyday clinical practiceThe team now aims to test this method in larger patient groups aiming to develop a rapid automated blood test that could be integrated into cancer care pathways IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-blood-test-can-detect-monitorlung-cancer-in-real-time-654049.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indialaunchesai-drivencommunityscreeningfordiabeticretinopathy-654052.html New Delhi Dec 17 In a bid to curb the rising vision loss cases due to diabetes India has launched the first Artificial Intelligence AIdriven community screening programme for Diabetic Retinopathy DR The initiative is launched by the Armed Forces Medical Services AFMS in collaboration with the Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences RPC AIIMS and the eHealth AI Unit of the Health MinistryIt marks a significant step towards strengthening early detection of diabetic eye disease and building a realtime national health intelligence framework said the Ministry of Defence MoDTrained medical officers nursing staff and healthcare assistants will conduct screening using MadhuNetrAI the webbased AI tool developed by RPCThe platform facilitates automated screening grading and triaging of retinal images captured using handheld fundus camerasThe system also generates realtime data on disease prevalence and geographic distribution supporting evidencebased planning and policy formulationâAs part of the pilot phase the Armed Forces Medical Services AFMS will implement the initiative at seven locations Pune Mumbai Bengaluru Dharamshala Gaya Jorhat and Kochi covering metropolitan rural hilly coastal and remote regions Personnel from each site will undergo intensive training at RPC AIIMS followed by largescale community screeningâ the Ministry saidPatients identified with diabetic retinopathy will be referred for optimal diabetic management And cases of visionthreatening diabetic retinopathy will be referred to vitreoretina specialists at designated district hospitalsDistrict health administrations will coordinate referral mechanisms and integrate DR management within existing noncommunicable disease programmes to ensure continuity of careAccording to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2019 conducted by RPC nearly 12 per cent of the population aged 50 years and above had diabetesAmong them approximately 17 per cent had diabetic retinopathy Alarmingly only about 10 per cent of people with diabetes had ever undergone a retinal examination for diabetic retinopathy reflecting a significant gap in early detection and preventive careThe new initiative is envisaged as a scalable and replicable model demonstrating effective integration of AIenabled solutions into public health systems through the combined efforts of AFMS AIIMS and the Ministry of Health amp Family Welfare the MoD said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indialaunchesai-drivencommunityscreeningfordiabeticretinopathy-654052.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-see-35-billion-worth-retail-investments-in-3-years-as-western-malls-crumble-654066.html Mumbai Dec 17 India which is on track to become a 6 trillion consumption economy by 2030 is projected to see over 35 billion of capital inflows in the retail space in the next three years as malls in western countries brace for an existential crisis a report showed on Wednesday While the US has witnessed a net closure of nearly 1200 mall stores since 2020 with rising vacancies forcing almost 40 per cent of empty malls to undergo rezoning or repurposing India is experiencing a retail resurgence driven by strong consumer demand and growing institutional investor confidence according to the report by AnarockâLatest data shows that in the next three years Indian malls are set to see over 35 billion of capital inflows Meanwhile over 88 foreign brands have entered the Indian retail market and are seeking to expand aggressively Several more global brands are in the pipeline seeking space in the severely restricted GradeA assets currently availableâ explained Anuj Kejriwal CEORetail Leasing and Industrial and Logistics Anarock GroupIndia has over 600 operational malls but less than 100 meet the institutional benchmarks that attract global funds â triggering aggressive competition for toptier assetsMoreover Indiaâs per capita retail stock remains one of the lowest in the world tier 1 cities operate with just 4 to 6 square feet per person Tier 2 and 3 cities with 2 to 3 sq ft and Grade A mall space alone sits at barely 06 sq ft per capitaIn contrast the US averages close to 23 sq ft while China exceeds 6 sq ftThis gap combined with Indiaâs percapita income nearly doubling in the last decade has created a demandâsupply mismatch virtually unheard of in global retail said KejriwalGradeA malls are running nearfull occupancy reporting 95100 per cent occupancy with long waitlists for key zones Rental growth has consistently surpassed prepandemic levels and developers now find leasing cycles outpacing construction cycles a rarity anywhere in the world he notedUnlike their Western counterparts Indian malls are lifestyle destinations anchored in entertainment dining and social experiences Daily footfalls in major malls routinely exceed 20000 on weekdays and surge beyond 40000 on weekendsFood and beverages FampB and entertainment now account for 30â35 per cent of footfalls resulting in a resilient retail mix almost completely immune to the online retail disruptions that are defeating Western malls the report mentionedAmong the most attractive dynamics for global investors is that Indian malls have not capitulated to ecommerce they are in fact benefiting from itIndiaâs ecommerce penetration remains around 8 per cent far below the 20 per centplus levels seen in China and the USMany leading D2C brands report that offline conversions are 23 times higher than online In India physical retail has retained its relevance in a digital age said the reportâThis renders India unique among the worldâs leading retail marketsâ Kejriwal said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-to-see-35-billion-worth-retail-investments-in-3-years-as-western-malls-crumble-654066.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-now-largest-market-in-world-in-ai-model-adoption-bofa-654078.html New Delhi Dec 17 India has emerged as the worldâs largest and most active market for large language model LLM adoption according to an analysis by Bank of America BofA on Wednesday The country now leads globally in the number of users for popular AI apps such as ChatGPT Gemini and Perplexity both in terms of monthly active users MAUs and daily active users DAUsBofA said Indiaâs rapid rise as a key AI market is driven by a combination of scale affordability and demographicsIndia has the secondlargest online population in the world with more than 700â750 million mobile internet usersAffordable data plans have made AI access easier with users able to consume 20â30 GB of data a month at around 2In addition more than 60 per cent of Indian internet users are under the age of 35 and a large part of this population is Englishspeaking and quick to adopt new technologiesAI adoption in India is also getting a push from telecom companies BofA noted that telcos such as Jio and Bharti Airtel are offering complimentary subscriptions to paid versions of AI apps like Gemini and PerplexityThis according to the report is creating a winwin situation for users AI companies and telecom operatorsFor consumers access to advanced AI tools at a low cost is helping create a level playing fieldIndian users are using these tools to improve learning outcomes and boost productivityThe availability of AI models in multiple Indian languages is also helping bridge the digital divide and reduce language barriers leading to what BofA described as the democratisation of AIThe report also highlighted that India could emerge as a testing ground for the next phase of AI known as agentic AIThese are AI applications that can reason plan and execute tasks independently Given Indiaâs massive and diverse user base BofA believes the country is well suited to stresstest such applications in realworld conditions before they are rolled out globallyIt also suggested that global AI companies could partner with Indian firms for fulfilment services similar to how AI agents in the US have tied up with travel platforms like Booking and Expedia IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-now-largest-market-in-world-in-ai-model-adoption-bofa-654078.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-demand-boosts-india-as-export-orders-hit-3-month-high-hsbc-flash-pmi-653828.html New Delhi Dec 16 Indiaâs private sector closed 2025 on a positive and resilient note with business activity continuing to grow at a strong pace according to the HSBC Flash India PMI for December on Tuesday The data underlined a year of steady expansion for the economy supported by healthy domestic demand and a pickup in export ordersThe HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index stood at 589 in December comfortably above the 50mark that separates growth from contractionWhile this was slightly lower than Novemberâs reading of 597 it still indicated a sharp expansion in overall business activity across manufacturing and services marking one of the strongest performances among major economiesBusiness activity continued to rise in both manufacturing and services during the month although the pace of growth softened marginallyCompanies reported that demand conditions remained favourable helping new orders stay firmly in expansion territory even as growth eased from earlier highsA key positive highlight was exports While overall new order growth moderated new export orders accelerated in December and rose at the fastest pace in three monthsFirms reported fresh demand from a wide range of global markets including Australia Bangladesh Canada Germany the Middle East Sri Lanka the UK and the US reflecting the improving global footprint of Indian businessesIn the manufacturing sector output and new orders continued to increase though at a slower pace compared with NovemberThe HSBC Flash India Manufacturing PMI came in at 557 in December down from 566 in the previous monthDespite the moderation the reading still pointed to a solid improvement in manufacturing conditions and remained above the longterm averageEmployment trends suggested stability across the private sector Companies largely maintained their existing workforce levels indicating that current staffing was sufficient to manage incoming ordersManufacturing firms added marginally to their staff while employment in services remained broadly stableBacklogs of work also stayed steady for the third consecutive month showing that firms were coping well with workloads IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-demand-boosts-india-as-export-orders-hit-3-month-high-hsbc-flash-pmi-653828.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-demand-boosts-as-india-export-orders-hit-3-month-high-hsbc-flash-pmi-653832.html New Delhi Dec 16 Indiaâs private sector closed 2025 on a positive and resilient note with business activity continuing to grow at a strong pace according to the HSBC Flash India PMI for December on Tuesday The data underlined a year of steady expansion for the economy supported by healthy domestic demand and a pickup in export ordersThe HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index stood at 589 in December comfortably above the 50mark that separates growth from contractionWhile this was slightly lower than Novemberâs reading of 597 it still indicated a sharp expansion in overall business activity across manufacturing and services marking one of the strongest performances among major economiesBusiness activity continued to rise in both manufacturing and services during the month although the pace of growth softened marginallyCompanies reported that demand conditions remained favourable helping new orders stay firmly in expansion territory even as growth eased from earlier highsA key positive highlight was exports While overall new order growth moderated new export orders accelerated in December and rose at the fastest pace in three monthsFirms reported fresh demand from a wide range of global markets including Australia Bangladesh Canada Germany the Middle East Sri Lanka the UK and the US reflecting the improving global footprint of Indian businessesIn the manufacturing sector output and new orders continued to increase though at a slower pace compared with NovemberThe HSBC Flash India Manufacturing PMI came in at 557 in December down from 566 in the previous monthDespite the moderation the reading still pointed to a solid improvement in manufacturing conditions and remained above the longterm averageEmployment trends suggested stability across the private sector Companies largely maintained their existing workforce levels indicating that current staffing was sufficient to manage incoming ordersManufacturing firms added marginally to their staff while employment in services remained broadly stableBacklogs of work also stayed steady for the third consecutive month showing that firms were coping well with workloads IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-demand-boosts-as-india-export-orders-hit-3-month-high-hsbc-flash-pmi-653832.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/s-korean-construction-companies-sales-fall-for-first-time-in-4-yrs-in-2024-653833.html Seoul Dec 16 Sales of South Korean construction companies fell for the first time in four years in 2024 amid a prolonged industrywide slump government data showed on Tuesday The combined sales of local builders totaled 4877 trillion won 33167 billion last year down 38 per cent from the previous year according to the data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics reports Yonhap news agencyIt marked the first decline since 2020 when the country was hit by the COVID19 pandemicThe figure contrasts with a 123 per cent increase in 2022 and a 99 percent rise in 2023Domestic sales sank 56 per cent onyear to 4393 trillion won while overseas sales advanced 171 per cent to 484 trillion wonThe number of construction firms in the country stood at 89101 last year up 14 per cent from the previous yearGeneral construction companies numbered 15861 down 03 per cent from a year earlier with that of specialised builders rising 17 per cent onyear to 73240But their combined workforce decreased 28 per cent onyear to 176 million in 2024The construction industrys added value stood at 1432 trillion won last year down 52 per cent from the previous yearThe data also showed local builders construction costs shed 26 per cent to 4777 trillion won last yearThe downturn in the construction sector came as financing and construction costs rose amid inflation while risks related to project financing and unsold homes increased particularly in sluggish nonmetropolitan property marketsMeanwhile the South Korean economy is showing gradual recovery in industrial production led by the growth of domestic consumption despite the continued weakness of the construction sector a staterun think tank saidAlthough the construction sector has remained weak for an extended period consumption continued to improve as the effects of interest rate cuts gradually took hold supported by government policies the Korea Development Institute KDI said in its monthly economic assessment report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/s-korean-construction-companies-sales-fall-for-first-time-in-4-yrs-in-2024-653833.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-records3genaienrollmentseveryminute-report-653835.html New Delhi Dec 16 GenAI continued to dominate Indiaâs learning patterns in 2025 with the country recording three GenAI enrollments every minute according to a report The report by global online learning platform Coursera based on insights from more than 328 million registered learners showed that India contributed to more than 36 million enrollments the highest globallyIt noted that 2025 saw strong nationwide momentum across GenAI data cybersecurity and core professional skills reflecting Indiaâs rapid transition toward a digital and AIready workforceIndian learners engaged deeply across both introductory and applicationbased programmes like Google AI Essentials Generative AI for Everyone and Generative AI Introduction and ApplicationsBeyond AI learners continued building strong foundations in data cybersecurity digital marketing project execution and finance reflecting a workforce preparing for increasingly specialised digitalfirst rolesThe report revealed 95 per cent of Indian learners reported positive career results such as securing a new role or progressing in their current one 55 per cent reported a salary increase and 96 per cent reported personal benefits like greater confidence and a deeper sense of achievementâIndiaâs learning momentum is extraordinary reinforcing why the country sits at the heart of Courseraâs missionâ said Ashutosh Gupta Managing Director India and Asia Pacific CourseraâWith a young ambitious workforce and a fastgrowing digital economy India has a unique opportunity to lead globally in the AI era â but this will require rapid skilling at scaleâ added Gupta noting that Coursera is committed to expanding access to verified jobaligned learning that helps India fully realise this opportunityThe report also highlighted a set of fastestgrowing skills in India including LangChain Python cloud technologies NLP AIpowered design thinking data storytelling and ideation data architecture cybersecurity digital resilience humancentred communication and workplace inclusivity IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-records3genaienrollmentseveryminute-report-653835.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai--653853.html New Delhi Dec 16 The Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity recently observed National Energy Conservation Day with students from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC schools in Mumbai Under its Corporate Social Responsibility CSR programme Project âUtthanâ Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity celebrated the day on December 14 with students engaging in several educational and fun activitiesâA massive success for National Energy Conservation Day Adani Electricity and Adani Foundations CSR project Utthan aimed at enhancing learning outcomes in BMC schools across Mumbai in collaboration with BMC and the dedication of BMC school teachers and Utthan Sahayaks engaged students in vital energy awarenessâ according to an official statementâFrom the fun Switch Off Game and innovative science models to the Energy Pledge this partnership is actively fostering a culture of energy efficiency among the younger generationâ it addedA variety of interactive and educational activities were conducted under the guidance of BMC school teachers and Utthan Sahayakâs throughout the day to drive home essential energysaving conceptsThese included interactive games like an Ice Breaker Activity and a fun Switch Off Game similar to RedGreen LightThe Adani Electricity team spearheaded a short talk using reallife examples to illustrate the importance of energy conservation and the benefits of adopting energysaving habitsThe students participated in a postermaking competition on the theme Energy Conservation for a Greener Planet while teachers performed an energy conservation skit or role playFurther a dedicated exhibition showcased innovative studentmade models focused on energy conservation including solar energy models wind energy demonstrations biogas plant models and comparisons of energyefficient appliances LED vs CFLThe students also took a solemn energy pledge to adopt energysaving habits at home and schoolSince 2021 Project Utthan has been successfully run under a publicprivate partnership between BMC Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity focusing on fundamentally enhancing the quality and learning outcomes in BMC schools across MumbaiThe project prioritises strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy FLN for primary students This is achieved through activitybased learning the creation of robust learning resources like reading corners and targeted personalised support provided by dedicated Utthan Sahayaks who work alongside BMC teachers to ensure student retention and academic improvementIt has made significant strides in transforming foundational learning across BMC schools across Mumbai The initiative has already shown measurable improvements in learning outcomes student engagement and the creation of more joyful inclusive classrooms The initiative also fosters holistic development by empowering teachers and engaging the communityBeyond academic metrics Project Utthan aims to fundamentally transform Mumbais public education system by building strong foundational learning environmentsThe initiative is strategically aligned to improve the citys performance in the National Achievement Survey NAS 202728 with a focus on ensuring that no child is left behind in acquiring essential literacy and numeracy skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai--653853.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/old-trade-routes-can-power-future-prosperity-says-pm-modi-at-india-jordan-business-forum-653855.html Amman Dec 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Jordan have the potential to convert geography into opportunity and opportunity into longterm growth Emphasising the importance of deeper economic ties PM Modi said Jordan has emerged as a key bridge connecting different regions under the leadership of King Abdullah IISpeaking at the IndiaJordan Business Forum in Amman the Prime Minister said he had detailed discussions with King Abdullah II on strengthening cooperation between the two countriesâIndia is the third largest trading partner of Jordan In the world of business numbers have immense value We are here not just to count numbers but to build a longterm relationshipâ PM Modi statedâThere was a time when trade took place from Gujarat to Europe via Petra We will need to revive our old links for our future prosperity the Prime Minister notedHe said that Jordan plays an important role in building links across regions which can help both nations expand trade and investmentâIn my meeting with His Majesty yesterday we discussed in detail how to convert geography into opportunity and opportunity into growthâ PM Modi further saidâUnder your leadership Jordan has emerged as a bridge which is helping to build cooperation with various regions the Prime Minister mentionedHighlighting the strong trade relationship PM Modi said India is currently Jordanâs thirdlargest trading partnerReferring to historical trade links the Prime Minister recalled that goods once travelled from Gujarat to Europe through Petra and said reviving these old connections would support future prosperityPM Modiâs remarks came during his official visit to Jordan which he described earlier as an important step in expanding ties between New Delhi and AmmanHe said the outcomes of the visit reflect the growing depth of the partnership covering areas such as renewable energy digital innovation and cultural cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/old-trade-routes-can-power-future-prosperity-says-pm-modi-at-india-jordan-business-forum-653855.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-offers-8mnfor-indias-aicentersfor-health-agriculture-education-and-sustainable-cities-653859.html New Delhi Dec 16 In a bid to support Indiaâs research ecosystem Googleorg the philanthropic arm of Google on Tuesday announced a funding of 8 million for four AI Centres of Excellence for health agriculture education and sustainable cities The centres were established by the Government aligning with the vision to Make AI in India and Make AI work for IndiaThe centres include TANUH at IISc Bangalore which will focus on developing scalable AI solutions for effective treatment of noncommunicable diseases Airawat Research Foundation at IIT Kanpur which will focus on pioneering research on AI to transform urban governanceThe AI Centre of Excellence for Education at IIT Madras will focus on developing solutions to enhance learning and teaching outcomes while ANNAMAI at IIT Ropar will focus on developing datadriven solutions for agriculture and farmer welfareIn addition Google announced a 2 million founding contribution to establish the new Indic Language Technologies Research Hub at IIT BombayThe hub set up in memory of Professor Pushpak Bhattacharyya a pioneer in Indic language technologies and a Visiting Researcher at Google DeepMind will aim to ensure that global AI advancements serve Indiaâs linguistic diversityâIndia is approaching artificial intelligence as a strategic national capability not as a shortterm technology trend The four AI Centres of Excellence have been conceived as a coordinated national research mission advancing foundational research responsible AI and applied solutions that serve public purpose and contributing to our larger aspiration of Viksit Bharat 2047â said Dharmendra Pradhan Minister of EducationâBuilding a globally competitive AI ecosystem requires not only public investment but also strong institutional leadership and longterm partnerships with industry This effort is supported by Google and Googleorg through their 8 million contribution to the AI Centres of Excellence and a 2 million founding contribution to the Indic Language Technologies Research Hub at IIT Bombayâ he addedAt Googleâs âLab to Impactâ dialogue supported by the India AI Impact Summit 2026 the company also committed 400000 to support the development of Indiaâs Health Foundation model using Googleâs MedGemma the specialised AI model designed for healthcareAs a first step Ajna Lens will work with experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS to build models that will support Indiaspecific use cases in Dermatology and OPD TriagingThe resulting models will contribute to Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructure and their outcomes will be made accessible to the ecosystemGoogle is also working with Indiaâs National Health Authority NHA to deploy its advanced AI to convert millions of fragmented unstructured medical records such as doctors clinical and progress notes into the international machinereadable FHIR standardFrom foundational research to ecosystem deployment to scaled impact our fullstack approach is equipping the country to lead a global AIpowered future with innovations from Indiaâs labs benefiting billions across the world said Dr Manish Gupta Senior Research Director Google DeepMind IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-offers-8mnfor-indias-aicentersfor-health-agriculture-education-and-sustainable-cities-653859.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/poco-c85-5g1stsalegoeslive-withbestbatteryexperience-ata-disruptiveprice-653865.html New Delhi Dec 16 POCO one of Indiaâs most trusted consumer technology brands has kicked off the first sale of its allnew POCO C85 5G exclusively on Flipkart Equipped for the best battery experience the POCO C85 5G packs a 6000mAh battery that delivers over two days of powerIt offers 33W fast charging where individuals can get a 50 per cent charge in just about 28 minutes In addition a 10W wired reverse charging allows the device to double as a portable power bank for mobiles TWS earbuds smartwatches and other accessories This powerpacked phone sets a new benchmark under Rs 12000The POCO C85 5G lets you flaunt your style effortlessly boasting a sleek modern design with a quadcurved back a slim 799mm profile and a premium dualtone finish in Mystic Purple Spring Green and Power BlackPowered by the highly efficient MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset it delivers ultrasmooth lagfree performance for everything from gaming to multitasking Meanwhile the 50MP AI dualcamera setup ensures your most meaningful moments are captured in stunning clarityThe POCO C85 sale is live exclusively on Flipkart at an introductory price of Rs 10999 for the 4GB128GB variant Rs 11999 for the 6GB128GB variant and Rs 13499 for the 8GB128GB variantAs part of the launch offer consumers can avail an instant bank discount of Rs 1000 using HDFC ICICI or SBI Bank credit and debit cards or opt for a Rs 1000 exchange bonus on eligible devicesAdditionally a threemonth nocost EMI is available across both credit and debit cards These offers are only applicable for the first day of saleWhy choose POCO C85 5GThe smartphone offers the best battery experience with a 6000mAh battery offering over two days of use paired with 33W fast charging and a highly practical 10W wired reverse charging featureIt features a quadcurved back for an excellent inhand feel a slim 799mm profile a premium dualtone finish and a distinctive camera deco that stands out effortlesslyPOCO C85 5G comes with the segments largest 69inch display coupled with a 120Hz refresh rate for ultrasmooth scrolling swiping gaming and bingewatchingPowered by MediaTek Dimensity 6300 the smartphone delivers impressive performance with an AnTuTu score of over 450KIt runs HyperOS 20 on Android 15 out of the box and offers the segmentâs best software promise 2 Android upgrades and 4 years of security updatesAs compared to its predecessor POCO C85 5G takes a big leap forward with a more powerful battery an upgraded larger and sharper display and a premium quadcurved back design that ensures exceptional inhand comfortPOCO C85 has been designed for young dynamic users seeking trendy yet functional devices Donât Miss Out First Sale Offers LIVE ONLY on Flipkart Grab yours before itâs gone IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/poco-c85-5g1stsalegoeslive-withbestbatteryexperience-ata-disruptiveprice-653865.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/realmeintroducesmasterdesign-tonumberserieswith-naotofukasawa-653868.html New Delhi Dec 16 Design has never been just about how something looks it defines how it is felt lived with and remembered As technology races forward at unprecedented speed true innovation is no longer measured by performance alone but by restraint not by features but by the sense of calm and presence a device brings into everyday lifeFor todayâs young urban audience design has quietly become a form of selfcare A colour palette inspired by nature can bring a sense of balance in the middle of a hectic schedule Thoughtful proportions and ergonomics can make a device feel effortlessly integrated into daily lifeThe evolution of smartphone design has therefore expanded beyond sleek forms to include harmony craftsmanship and emotional resonance The philosophy behind how a device is designed now matters as much as the hardware it carriesAgainst this backdrop realme has steadily built a reputation for elevating design as a core brand pillar driven by a clear commitment to delivering thoughtful highquality design for a new generation of usersOver the years strategic design partnerships have become instrumental in shaping realmeâs visual and emotional identityCollaborations with Matteo Menotto for the realme 11 Pro Series Ollivier SavÃo for the realme 12 Pro Series and Valeur Designers for the realme 14 Pro Series each introduced distinct design languages ensuring every generation stood apartDesign excellence has also been a defining force within the realme GT Series where performanceled innovation met refined aestheticsrealmeâs collaboration with renowned Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa began with the realme GT Master Edition followed by the GT 2 Series both of which brought his philosophy of âquiet designâ and everyday sensibility to highperformance smartphonesThese milestones marked a shift proving that even performance flagships could be emotionally resonant minimal and deeply humancentricYet among these is the partnership with Naoto Fukasawa one of the worlds most influential industrial designers whose work is defined by simplicity sensory awareness and a deep understanding of how objects should integrate with human lifeHis longterm partnership with realme has produced several awardwinning Master Editions each redefining material exploration in smartphonesNow in a significant milestone Fukasawa collaborates with the realme Number Series for the very first time shaping the design identity of the realme 16 Pro Series This collaboration is shaped by a simple yet powerful insight young people navigating dense fastpaced cities crave small pockets of mental freedom where they can breathe and unwindThe realme 16 Pro Series brings this insight to life through the Urban Wild Design concept which blends the purity of nature with the refinement of urban craftsmanship to create a smartphone that feels grounded yet modernThe natural aspect of this idea comes through in the NatureTouch Design inspired by elements like wheat and pebbles that carry an inherent calming qualityThe device introduces an industryfirst material biobased organic silicone with a resilient and skinfriendly texture that replicates the gentle qualities of natureThe AllNature Curve Design ensures a continuous and harmonious flow from the back panel to the midframe and the curved display making every grip comfortable and naturalThe design speaks through refined restraint Master Gold draws from sunlit wheat fields while Master Grey echoes the calm neutrality of natural stone both meticulously refined by Naoto Fukasawa to preserve the purity and depth of natureâs tones Encased in an ultraslim 849 mm body the device feels light effortless and unobtrusive in everyday useThis softness is balanced by urban precision expressed through the Metal Mirror and Volcanic Camera Deco Luxury PVD craftsmanship nanoscale metal coatings and a polished metallic midframe deliver durability elegance and a confident gripMore than a smartphone the realme 16 Pro Series is a thoughtfully crafted emotional experience uniting natural serenity urban sophistication and Fukasawaâs philosophy of intuitive simplicity to bring calm comfort and expression into daily lifeWith this collaboration realme elevates the Number Series to a new level of design refinementThe 16 Pro Series becomes a personal âfield of freedomâ a moment of ease carried in the palm shaped to support both the fast pace and the quiet pauses of modern lifeLaunching soon it sets a new benchmark for smartphone design inviting users to experience a device made for comfort crafted for expression and designed to help them find their own field of freedom IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/realmeintroducesmasterdesign-tonumberserieswith-naotofukasawa-653868.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-leads-aiforward-payroll-market-innovation-globally-report-653873.html New Delhi Dec 16 India is emerging as one of the most AIâforward markets in payroll transformation with 35 per cent of businesses identifying artificial intelligence adoption as the primary enabler of HR and payroll innovation a report said on Tuesday The number of businesses in India that identified AI as the driver in payroll innovation over the next two to three years was the highest across the AsiaâPacific region the report from ADP India saidMeanwhile 68 per cent of organisations reported integrating AI to streamline workflows and reduce reliance on manual processesThe report however noted that only 12 per cent of Indian organisations have payroll functions fully equipped for future demands highlighting a readiness gap that must be closed to sustain growth and resilienceIndiaâs workforce is entering a decisive phase of transformation as organisations adapt to diverse geographies generations and employment models the report saidRahul Goyal Managing Director of ADP India and Southeast Asia said that skills are becoming the new currency automation is reshaping how work gets done and employees are expecting work experience that supports both productivity and personal wellâbeingThe report outlined key HR and payroll trends set to define workplace strategies in 2026 including automation as a scale enabler workforce management gains with biometric tools a redefined employee value proposition with wellbeing initiatives and digital transparent pay systemsOrganisations are expected to invest more in biometric systems secure mobile attendance tools and geolocationenabled solutions to ensure reliable records it is forecastMeanwhile integrated scheduling tools will help reduce roster inconsistencies minimise shift gaps and improve resource planning Realtime dashboards will enable leaders to track attendance patterns overtime usage and absenteeism transforming operational data into strategic insightsInteractive payslips digital pay wallets and earned wage access solutions will gain traction Skillsbased pay models are expected to grow steadily particularly in technology GICs and other specialised service sectors the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-leads-aiforward-payroll-market-innovation-globally-report-653873.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sees-taiwan-as-vital-technology-partner-653874.html New Delhi Dec 16 India sees Taiwan as a vital technology partner as it is a leading chip manufacturer and cooperation in this sector offers a critical pathway for economic growth technological advancement and strategic autonomy a media report said The Indian government has courted major Taiwanese companies for several years but awareness and engagement must expand across institutions industries and policymaking circles according to an article in the Taipei TimesIt highlights that a promising initiative already exists in the joint masterâs program in semiconductor technology between four Taiwanese universities and the Indian Institute of Science The program boosts links between Indian academia and Taiwanâs semiconductor ecosystem Indian engineers and technology professionals should be encouraged to participate ensuring the transfer of expertise and knowhow that India urgently needsBeyond education India should consider establishing a Taiwan science park A dedicated facility of that nature would attract Taiwanese companies facilitate structured and longterm collaboration and provide a visible symbol of Indiaâs commitment to advancing its technological and industrial capacity in partnership with Taiwan the article statedIt expressed the view that India must shed unnecessary caution and adopt a more confident and consistent approach to Taiwan Consultations and dialogue should be elevated Where unofficial channels already exist Indian officials beyond senior levels should participate Ministries responsible for economics technology and trade must engage with meetings conducted at least at the deputy minister level to ensure sustained and effective engagement Parliamentary channels must be leveraged to advance Indian interestsA dedicated parliamentary committee on TaiwanIndia relations could provide continuity oversight and strategic direction ensuring that engagement is deliberate and longterm rather than ad hoc and reactive the article further statedIt criticises Chinaâs increasing assertiveness highlighting the incident of an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh being detained and harassed at a Shanghai airport targeted solely because China claims her home state as its territory That was followed by a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserting that China has never recognised Arunachal Pradesh which Beijing calls ZangnanThe article observes that India cannot afford passivity in its dealings with China This is not about confrontation It is about asserting Indiaâs priorities protecting its sovereignty safeguarding strategic interests and recalibrating its regional posture If India continues to approach Taiwan with excessive caution it risks losing critical opportunities to bolster its position in Asiaâs evolving balance of powerIt also highlights that some Indian states have been engaging with Taiwan which has produced positive results in terms of commercial and technological collaboration with Taiwan However beyond those pockets of progress tangible outcomes remain limited IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sees-taiwan-as-vital-technology-partner-653874.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-leaders-adopt-political-declaration-to-combat-diabetes-highbpand-mental-health-by-2030-653881.html New Delhi Dec 16 In a first leaders from across the world adopted a political declaration to combat noncommunicable diseases NCDs such as diabetes high BP and mental health challenges by 2030 the World Health Organization WHO said on Tuesday NCDs including obesity and cancers are the leading causes of death These chronic conditions claim 18 million lives prematurely each year while mental health conditions affect over a billion people globallyAs both NCDs and mental health conditions are increasing in every country these require urgent action not only for better public health but also for productivity and sustainable economic growth said the WHOThe new political declaration adopted at the 80th United Nations General Assembly UNGA aims to accelerate global progress with a set of specific global targets for 2030It established three firstever global fasttrack outcome targets to be achieved by 2030 150 million fewer tobacco users150 million more people with hypertension under control and 150 million more people with access to mental health careTo ensure countries can reach these goals the declaration also set ambitious measurable process targets for national systems by 2030This includes having at least 80 per cent of countries with policy legislative regulatory and fiscal measures in place at least 80 per cent of primary health care facilities with access to affordable WHOrecommended essential medicines and basic technologies for NCDs and mental health at least 60 per cent of countries implementing financial protection policies or measures that cover or limit the cost of essential NCD and mental health servicesThe adoption of these bold targets to control noncommunicable diseases and promote mental health is a testament to the commitment of Member States to protect the health of their peopleâ said WHO DirectorGeneral Dr Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusâTogether we can change the trajectory of NCDs and mental health and deliver health wellbeing and opportunity for all he addedThe political declaration is the most comprehensive to date integrating lessons from the Covid19 pandemic and responding to new global challengesIt also addresses many pressing issues such as oral health lung health childhood cancer liver disease kidney disease and rare diseases air pollution clean cooking lead exposure and hazardous chemicals and evolving risk of digital harms social media exposure excessive screen time harmful content and the risks of mis and disinformation the WHO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-leaders-adopt-political-declaration-to-combat-diabetes-highbpand-mental-health-by-2030-653881.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-delhi-aiimss-new-ingestible-device-can-collect-microbial-samples-from-small-intestine-653888.html New Delhi Dec 16 Researchers at IIT Delhi on Tuesday announced the development of an ingestible device that can sample bacteria directly from the small intestine opening a new window into the human gut microbiome While not all bacteria are harmful nearly half of all cells in the human body are microbial These organisms line our gut and help us digest food regulate mood and build immunityYet studying them has remained difficult Existing tools are invasive such as endoscopy or ileostomy or indirect relying on stool samples that do not truly reflect conditions higher up in the digestive tractThe device a tiny pill once swallowed stays shut in the stomach It opens only in the intestine to collect bacteria then seals itself again to keep the sample safe while moving through the gut revealed the study conducted in collaboration with the AIIMS Delhi and funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMRâTo say there is a hidden universe of living microbes in our body is no exaggeration but a scientific reality we call it the human microbiome Just as we send rovers to explore outer space we need miniaturised devices to explore the inner space of the human bodyâ explained Prof Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava Principal Investigator at the Medical Microdevices and Medicine Laboratory 3MLab CBME IIT DelhiâThe prototype microdevice once swallowed can autonomously collect microbes from specific regions of the upper GI tract allowing specieslevel identification of the residing microbes among other biomarkersâ Srivastava addedThe device comprises an entericcoated gelatin cap that protects it in gastric pH 115 and disintegrates at intestinal pH 35 allowing luminal fluid via an inlet connected to activation and sampling chambersThe gutsampling technology publishing in the journal Small has been validated in an animal model using a microdevice no larger than a grain of rice The results showed promise without tissue injury or inflammationâThe small intestine plays a crucial role in health and disease Understanding the microbes and chemicals being released there could be key to early disease detection monitoring of chronic diseases and developing more targeted treatmentsâ said cosenior author Dr Samagra Agarwal from the Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition Unit at AIIMS New DelhiThe researchers noted that they aim to advance this platform technology to help Indian patients in the clinic after necessary approvals IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-delhi-aiimss-new-ingestible-device-can-collect-microbial-samples-from-small-intestine-653888.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-likely-to-touch-5-million-metric-tonnes-of-green-hydrogen-capacity-by-2030-653890.html New Delhi Dec 16 Indiaâs green hydrogen production capacity is likely to reach 5 million metric tonnes per annum by 2030 the Parliament was informed on Tuesday The National Green Hydrogen Mission NGHM aims to make India a global hub for production usage and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik told the Rajya Sabha in a written replyThe minister also listed the incentives and manufacturing initiatives under the NGHM to reduce the cost of green hydrogenUnder the incentive scheme for electrolyser manufacturing 15 companies have been awarded a total manufacturing capacity of 3000 MW per annum with incentives worth Rs 4440 crore Under the incentive scheme for green hydrogen production 18 companies have been awarded a cumulative production capacity of 862000 tonnes per annumTwo companies have been awarded 20000 tonnes per annum worth of incentives for refineries the minister addedAdditional measures to reduce costs include exemptions from interstate transmission system charges for 25 years for plants commissioned on or before December 31 2030 an official statement saidFurther duty benefits have also been allowed under Section 26 of the Special Economic Zones Act 2005 for installation as well as operation and maintenance OampM of renewable energy equipment exclusively for captive consumption of the unitThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is also supporting a research and development project titled Scaleâup of Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells PhaseâI with a total project cost of Rs 8319 crore to scale up and indigenise perovskite tandem solar cell technologyNaik said last month that India is steadily advancing toward 500 GW of nonfossil capacity by 2030 and netzero emissions by 2070The minister highlighted the National Green Hydrogen Missionâs transition from planning to implementation with incentive schemes worth Rs 17000 crore and projects awarded for 3000 MW per annum of domestic electrolyser manufacturing and 862000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-likely-to-touch-5-million-metric-tonnes-of-green-hydrogen-capacity-by-2030-653890.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-long-term-outlook-remains-positive-indices-to-remain-near-all-time-high-in-2025-653893.html New Delhi Dec 16 Indiaâs longterm outlook remains firmly positive underpinned by favourable demographics policy continuity rapid urbanisation and sustained productivity gains a report said on Tuesday As 2025 draws to a close Indian equity markets are sending mixed signals Benchmark indices remain close to record highs but beneath the surface the picture is far more nuancedSmallcase Managers in its report said that valuations are stretched across large parts of the market smaller stocks are under pressure and investors are becoming increasingly selective about where they deploy capitalThe managers noted that as US growth moderates and the Federal Reserve eventually pivots interestrate differentials should increasingly favour Emerging Markets with India standing out as the most attractive destinationDhiren Shah smallcase manager CoFounder Kamayakya said âWe remain bullish on Indian equities in 2026 with a clear focus on stock selection rather than index levels While public capex has driven growth so far the next phase will come from a revival in private capex as corporate balance sheets strengthen and capacity utilisation rises setting up the next leg of Indiaâs structural growthâIndiaâs macro backdrop remains constructive aided by moderating inflation the beginning of a ratecut cycle and continued policy focus on manufacturing infrastructure and exportsThe report expects the economy to grow at a steady 6â7 per cent in real terms with inflation anchored closer to 4 per cent implying a phase of more stable though slightly lower nominal growth compared to the previous decadeâTariffrelated noise from the US particularly around a potential Trump return is more of a sentiment and liquidity risk for India than a structural one It can tighten global liquidity lift volatility and lead to temporary FII outflows but it does not change Indiaâs core growth story said Vivek Sharma smallcase manager Investment Head Estee AdvisorsAt the same time the AIled surge in a few US megacap stocks has pulled a disproportionate share of global capital leaving emerging markets underowned despite stable fundamentalsThis has made Indian markets more vulnerable to shortterm flowdriven swings even as domestic growth and earnings remain on a solid footing Sharma addedThe report noted that in 2025 Indian equity performance had been uneven across market segmentsLargecap stocks have delivered relatively stable returns of around 8 per cent YTD with valuations holding steady at 22 times earningsThis suggests that gains have been driven more by earnings resilience than multiple expansion reflecting investor preference for stability and balancesheet strength according to the reportMidcap stocks have posted modest returns of about 3 per cent year to date YTD but have seen a sharp valuation reset with PE multiples compressing from 43 times to 33 timesSmallcaps have fared worse declining 75 per cent YTD alongside a fall in valuations from 34 per cent to 28 per cent Together these trends point to tighter liquidity rising risk aversion and greater scrutiny of earnings quality in the broader market Smallcase managers highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-long-term-outlook-remains-positive-indices-to-remain-near-all-time-high-in-2025-653893.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-29-151-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-8-805-fast-charging-ones-govt-653902.html New Delhi Dec 16 India now has 29151 electric vehicle charging stations EVCS all over the country the Parliament was informed on Tuesday Out of these 8805 EV charging stations are fast charging stations and 20346 EV charging stations are slow charging stations said Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in Lok SabhaAn allocation of Rs 2000 crore has been made under the PM EDRIVE Scheme for deployment of EV charging infrastructure on panIndia basis he addedThe second phase of FAME India scheme was implemented for a period of 5 years till 31032024 with an outlay of Rs 11500 croreA total of 1671606 lakh EVs have been sold under the scheme and 6862 ebuses have been sanctioned under the schemeBesides this 8932 EV Public Charging stations EVPCS have been installed by three oil marketing companies OMCs according to the ministerThe PM EDRIVE Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10900 crore is being implemented from 01042024 This scheme aims to support electric vehicles including e2W e3W eTrucks ebuses and eAmbulances and also EV public charging stations and upgradation of testing agenciesSetting up of electric vehicle charging stations is an unlicensed activity and private entrepreneurs can also participate in the activity as per the Ministry of Power guidelinesMoreover the Ministry of Heavy Industries is administering the Production Linked Incentive PLI scheme namely âNational Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell ACC Battery Storageâ approved in May 2021 with a total outlay of Rs 18100 crore to establish 50 GWh of domestic Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing capacityBesides the PLI ACC scheme applicants at least 10 manufacturers have announced a cumulative capacity of about 178GWh in the country over the next five years according to the ministerThe Union Cabinet has also approved the scheme to promote manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet REPM with financial outlay of Rs 7280 crore to establish 6000 metric tonnes per annum MTPA of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-29-151-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-8-805-fast-charging-ones-govt-653902.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-and-warehousing-demand-grows-11-pc-in-9-months-of-2025-653905.html New Delhi Dec 16 Indiaâs industrial and warehousing market remained resilient in 2025 with cumulative demand across the top eight markets reaching 265 million square feet in the first nine months of the year reflecting an 11 per cent yearâonâyear increase a report said on Tuesday The report from Colliers said that annual demand could reach 30â40 million sq ft with new supply likely to remain elevated at 35â40 million sq ft in 2025Thirdâparty logistics 3PL players continued to dominate leasing activity accounting for nearly oneâthird of warehousing demand while eâcommerce and engineering firms also saw surge in demandColliers forecasts that policy support and modernisation will drive growth in 2026 for emerging markets as 3PLs accelerate Grade A demand across tier I cities and emerging hubsFurther the report said that rising traction in Tier 2 and 3 cities will be supported by enhanced regional connectivity through expressways dedicated freight corridors industrial corridors and upcoming MultiModal Logistics Parks MMLPsStrong policy push and better implementation of flagship programs such as Make in India the ProductionLinked Incentives PLI scheme and Gati Shakti masterplan are likely to accelerate Indiaâs transformation into a competitive manufacturing hubThe real estate services firm said that demand for ESG compliant and technology adept Grade A warehouses and logistics parks is set to rise in 2030âWith developers adopting global standards in design sustainability and automation the segment is expected to draw deeper institutional capital and accelerate the inclusion of premium warehouses in future REITsInvITsâ it saidIn alternative asset classes Data Centers DC capacity has scaled to over 1300 MW capacity with a real estate footprint of nearly 16 million sq ft across top seven marketsThis growth is driven by surging demand for cloud and digital services accelerated adoption of AI and IoT deeper internet penetration regulatory push and stricter data localization normsAlternative asset classes such as data centers senior living and coliving are poised for sustained momentum in 2026 as investors seek diversification and enhanced riskadjusted returns the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-and-warehousing-demand-grows-11-pc-in-9-months-of-2025-653905.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over-116-lakh-retail-sellers-from-630-cities-and-towns-live-on-ondc-govt-653921.html New Delhi Dec 16 More than 116 lakh retail sellers are now live on Open Network for Digital Commerce ONDC from over 630 cities and towns across the country as of December 9 the government said on Tuesday ONDC lowers entry barriers for small and micro businesses by enabling interoperability across multiple buyer and sellerside applications thereby increasing competition in digital commerceâThe presence of multiple platforms offering the same products and services promotes greater price transparency for consumers Additionally as sellers of different sizes and from diverse geographies become accessible on the network consumers benefit from a wider selection of products and services enabling more informed and competitive choices said Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada in Lok SabhaONDC unlike traditional e commerce platforms that operate in silos creates an open ecosystem where sellers can reach customers across multiple platforms without being restricted by platform specific terms and conditionsAccording to the minister it plays a big part in ensuring that small businesses local traders and MSMEs are not digitally excluded in the emerging ecommerce environments by providing a fair transparent and nondiscriminatory discovery within emerging ecommerce environments through open protocols that make all sellers equally visible across network regardless of size scale or digital sophisticationSellerside apps make their full catalogues discoverable to all buyerside apps while buyerside apps disclose key parameters used for sorting or listing search results enabling sellers to understand and improve their ranking Common open specifications adopted by all network participants further enhance transparency and prevent opaque or biased listing practicesFurther Ministry of MSMEâs Trade Enablement and Marketing TEAM scheme promote adoption of digital commerce by SMEs small sellers including Self Help Groups SHGs Farmer Producer Organisation FPOs artisans rural entrepreneurs and local retailers through the ONDCUnder this scheme these small sellers are provided support in digital literacy awareness cataloguing and onboarding with a focus on inclusivity by targeting 50 per cent of beneficiaries as womenled SMEs said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over-116-lakh-retail-sellers-from-630-cities-and-towns-live-on-ondc-govt-653921.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/inst-researchers-develop-new-nanoparticle-basedmultifunctional-therapy-for-alzheimers-653926.html New Delhi Dec 16 Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology INST Mohali have identified a new pathway involving nanoparticles to treat Alzheimerâs Disease AD said the Ministry of Science amp Technology on Tuesday Conventional Alzheimerâs therapies often target only a single pathological feature such as amyloid aggregation or oxidative stress yielding limited clinical benefitHowever the new therapy involves nanoparticles that integrate polyphenol with antioxidant properties found in green tea a neurotransmitter and an amino acidIt has the potential to treat Alzheimerâs Disease by changing the path of the progression of the disease slowing it improving memory and supporting thinking skills said the researchers in the paper published in the journal SmallThe therapy works by integrating epigallocatechin3gallate EGCG an antioxidant found in green tea dopamine a neurotransmitter important for mood and tryptophan an amino acid involved in many cellular functions into a nanoparticle called EGCGdopaminetryptophan nanoparticles EDTNPsThis enables it to simultaneously target amyloid aggregation oxidative stress inflammation and neuronal degeneration four key pathological hallmarks of AlzheimerâsâIncorporation of BrainDerived Neurotrophic Factor BDNF a protein crucial for the survival growth and function of neurons onto EDTNPs BEDTNPs creates a dualaction nanoplatform that not only clears neurotoxic Amyloid Beta aggregates protein clumps that disrupt neural function and drive Alzheimerâs disease pathology but also enhances neuronal regenerationâ said the team led by Dr Jiban Jyoti Panda from INST an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology DSTâThis is a rare approach in Alzheimerâs therapeutics which uniquely combines antioxidant antiamyloid and neurotrophic actions for the therapyâ they addedThe research conducted with support from Dr Ashok Kumar Datusalia NIPER Raebareli and Dr Nisha Singh Gujarat Biotechnology University involves the synthesis of EDTNPs using biocompatible assembly techniques like pressureassisted hydrothermal and electrostaticbased coincubation methods to combine antioxidant neurotransmitter and amino acid componentsThese nanoparticles were then functionalised with BDNF producing BEDTNPs with enhanced neuroprotective potentialIn lab experiments and mouse models these nanoparticles disassembled toxic plaques reduced inflammation restored balance inside brain cells and even improved memory and learning Computer simulations further confirmed that the nanoparticles latch onto harmful Amyloid beta fibrils and pull them apart at the molecular levelâThe research could help people with Alzheimerâs disease by offering a treatment that works on multiple levels The nanoparticles not only remove harmful protein plaques but also reduce brain stress inflammation and help nerve cells grow through BDNFâ said the researchers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/inst-researchers-develop-new-nanoparticle-basedmultifunctional-therapy-for-alzheimers-653926.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/74-pc-of-indian-business-leaders-choose-ai-as-top-tech-adoption-653932.html New Delhi Dec 16 Around 74 per cent of corporate leaders in India ranked artificial intelligence AI among their top three technology adoption choices a report said on Tuesday The report from Standard Chartered bank said that AI was followed by cloud computing at 64 per cent and digital assets at 46 per cent as next top choicesOn a global scale approximately seven in 10 corporate leaders are focusing on building strong foundational systems of emerging technologies in the short to medium term â notably cloud computingRespondents cited AI 55 per cent and digital assets 50 per cent among the top three drivers shaping the future of trade digitalisation reflecting a pragmatic view that robust underlying infrastructure must precede emerging technologies to deliver value at scaleâBy prioritising connected data flows compliance and consistency corporates are setting the stage for technologies like artificial intelligence and digital assets to scale responsibly and efficiently When these underlying layers are strong innovation can accelerate and sustain longterm growth across global value chainsâ said Michael Spiegel Global Head Transaction Banking Standard CharteredThe report said that bullish sentiment about AI is supported by government initiatives such as the National Strategy for Artificial IntelligenceSeveral AI firms have been investing and expanding their operations in the worldâs most populous market the report notedThe bank said that 68 per cent of Indian respondents reported outsourcing digitalisation work completely 30 per cent work with thirdâparty providers and 3 per cent handle it entirely inâhouseOver half of the corporates cited lack of interoperability and integration as the main challenge to trade digitalisation with regulatory and implementation challenges keeping many processes paperâbasedThe report based on a survey of 1200 Câsuite and senior leaders across 17 markets said that 80 per cent of respondents used banking partners to advise on digitalisation and the adoption of digital assets IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/74-pc-of-indian-business-leaders-choose-ai-as-top-tech-adoption-653932.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indiarecords1-13-440-dengue-cases-94-deathstill-november-govt-653935.html New Delhi Dec 16 India has recorded 113440 dengue cases and 94 deaths from January till November this year the government informed the Parliament on Tuesday In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel revealed the statewise incidence and deaths due to the vectorborne disease during 2025âIndia reported a total of 113440 cases of dengue and 94 deaths till November in 2025â Patel saidTamil Nadu 20866 reported the highest number of cases Maharashtra 13333 and Kerala 10239The highest number of deaths due to the mosquitoborne disease was reported from Kerala 49 followed by Maharashtra 13 and Tamil Nadu 12The Minister also shared the total number of dengue cases reported nationwide during the last five years as per the report submitted by the States UTs to the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control NCVBDCWhile the reported number of dengue cases in 2020 stood at 44585 it has since consistently risen to 193245 in 2021 to 233251 in 2023In 2024 the country reported 233519 in 2023 The cases in 2025 are the lowest since 2021Further Patel also shared the measures taken by the Centre to assist States in controlling vector breeding before the next transmission cycleThe government has been reviewing the situation and preparedness of states at a higher level before the transmission season for timely action It provides technical guidelines for integrated vector management case management prevention and control to the States for implementationIn addition to trainings being imparted to entomologists on integrated vector management ASHAs are also being engaged in sourcereduction and IEC activities to help the community protect itself from mosquito bites and Domestic Breeding Checkers DBCs are also involved in sourcereduction activitiesAdvisories and technical guidance are provided to StatesUTs for sensitisation and to enhance preparedness to deal with any future outbreakFree diagnosis for Dengue is provided to all including the poor and vulnerable patients Patel said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indiarecords1-13-440-dengue-cases-94-deathstill-november-govt-653935.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-sustainability-recognises-adani-power-for-outstanding-esg-performance-awards-aspiring-category-653941.html Ahmedabad Dec 16 In a fillip to its unwavering commitment to environmental social and governance ESG principles Adani Power Ltd on Tuesday said that NSE Sustainability Ratings and Analytics Limited a subsidiary of NSE Indices Ltd and part of the National Stock Exchange of India NSE group has appraised it based on publicly available information and awarded a score of â65â placing the company in âAspiringâ category Adani Power has been ranked higher than all other major thermal mixed fuel and integrated energy companies in the similar appraisal reflecting its strategic focus on sustainable growth with responsible business practicesAdani Powerâs continuous focus on a wide range of ESG initiatives and its operational excellence is benchmarked against best industry standardsIndiaâs largest private sector power generator said it has implemented advanced emission management technologies like âUltra Super Criticalâ boilers to further reduce its carbon footprint and has invested in continuous monitoring and corrective systemsIn addition to energy efficiency measures Adani Power has prioritised water conservation through the adoption of zero liquid discharge system ensuring minimal impact on local water resourcesThe Adani Group company has also expanded community development programmes emphasising education healthcare and skillbuilding for communitiesInitiatives such as scholarship programmes for underprivileged students health camps and livelihood enhancement projects reflect Adani Powers commitment to inclusive growthThe company also places a strong emphasis on workforce wellbeing safety training and promoting diversity and inclusion across its sitesOn Governance aspects Adani Power performs better than the minimum requirements stipulated by regulationsThe percentage of independent directors in Nomination and Remuneration Committee is better than the compliance requirementsSimilarly the Audit Committees independent director representation is better than the statutory guidelines and the composition of the Risk Management Committee is better than the required threshold of independent directorsThe company has also adopted stringent supplier and contractor ESG standards ensuring responsible practices throughout its value chainThrough these initiatives Adani Power continues to set new benchmarks for responsible and sustainable business in the energy sectorAdani Power has an installed thermal power capacity of 18110 MW spread across 12 power plants in Gujarat Maharashtra Karnataka Rajasthan Chhattisgarh Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu apart from a 40 MW solar power plant in Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-sustainability-recognises-adani-power-for-outstanding-esg-performance-awards-aspiring-category-653941.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ayush-expo-to-anchorsecond-who-global-traditional-medicine-summit-653942.html New Delhi Dec 16 The Ayush Expo will be a central feature of the second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit GTMC to be held this week and will showcase Indiaâs ancient medicine systems alongside global practices the Ministry of Ayush said on Tuesday GTMC being organised by the Ministry of Ayush in association with the World Health Organization WHO will be held from 17 to 19 December at Bharat Mandapam New DelhiThe Ayush Expo will present a comprehensive and curated showcase of Ayurveda Yoga Naturopathy Unani Siddha SowaRigpa and Homoeopathy using immersive exhibits scientific explanations and digital interfacesThe exhibition seeks to translate Indiaâs traditional knowledge systems into globally relevant narratives aligned with contemporary public health prioritiesâThe Ayush Expo at the Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit is designed to present Indiaâs traditional medicine systems in a scientifically grounded and globally relevant mannerâ said Prof Dr Tanuja Manoj Nesari Director Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda ITRAâBy bringing together classical knowledge evidencebased practices and emerging technologies on one platform the Expo seeks to foster informed dialogue strengthen research collaboration and support the responsible integration of traditional medicine into contemporary health systemsâ she addedAmong the major attractions is the Medicinal Plants and Seeds Pavilion displaying nearly 40 live medicinal plants and rare seeds highlighting Indiaâs botanical heritage and the ecological foundations of traditional medicineThe Spices of India Pavilion will present the scientific basis of commonly used culinary herbs and their role in preventive health while the Metallotherapeutics Zone will explain classical purification methods bhasma preparation processes and safety validation practicesThe Expo will also feature exhibits on Dinacharya Ritucharya and Panchakarma illustrating preventive care principles seasonal regimens and therapeutic practices through traditional instruments and explanatory formatsIndiaâs Traditional Knowledge Digital Library TKDL will be showcased as an internationally recognised initiative for protecting traditional knowledge and preventing biopiracy the Ministry saidIn addition the Expo will also host a dedicated WHO Zone featuring traditional medicine systems from across WHO Member States Countries from different regions will present their healing traditions communitybased health models and Indigenous knowledge systems The global exhibits will reflect the diversity of traditional medicine practices presented through WHOcurated zones focusing on healthy ecosystems social innovation and naturebased health solutions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ayush-expo-to-anchorsecond-who-global-traditional-medicine-summit-653942.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-mobility-market-to-cross-600-billion-by-2030-653953.html New Delhi Dec 16 Indias mobility landscape has moved into a phase of structural transformation with the market projected to more than double and exceed 600 billion by 2030 the National Association of Software and Service Companies Nasscom said on Tuesday This surge is driven by urbanisation rising incomes and rapid electric vehicle adoption Nasscom said in a statement as it announced the winners of the Mobility Innovation ChallengeAdvances in electrification automation clean energy and digital infrastructure are reshaping how mobility solutions are designed built and experienced it saidThe challenge reflected the growing maturity of the mobility ecosystem and the increasing convergence of deep technology industry priorities and largescale deployment ambitionsThe initiative focused on advancing innovation across electric and clean fuel technologies energy systems autonomous and connected mobility and the digital foundations required for scale and global competitivenessIndia is entering a defining decade for mobility The challenge before us is to move beyond just innovation and build the ability to translate breakthrough ideas into solutions that scale responsibly and competitively Nasscom Senior Vice President amp Chief Strategy Officer Sangeeta Gupta saidThe Mobility Innovation Challenge received 390 applications from 174 unique startups across 17 problem statements curated by leading automobile companiesThe number of applications reflected the scale of opportunity and the depth of innovation capability in India the statement saidNearly half of participating startups were earlyâstage ventures while a majority were marketâready or pilotâready most had existing customers and were funded while collectively they had filed more than 200 patents Nasscom saidThe technology stack was strongly AIled with notable representation across IoT robotics and immersive technologies alongside emerging areas such as physicsinformed neural networks postquantum cryptography and advanced battery recycling IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-mobility-market-to-cross-600-billion-by-2030-653953.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gujarat-launches-governance-performance-index-to-deepen-citizen-centric-governance-653718.html Gandhinagar Dec 15 The Gujarat government has taken a significant step to strengthen citizencentric governance by operationalising the Governance Performance Index GPI through the Chief Ministerâs Dashboard Aimed at enhancing ease of living and ensuring effective implementation of public welfare schemes the GPI serves as a comprehensive framework to evaluate and monitor the performance of various government departmentsChief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a highlevel review meeting in Gandhinagar to assess departmental progress under the GPI and offered strategic guidance to further improve outcomes The Governance Performance Index is designed to systematically track citizenfocused schemes public services development works infrastructure projects and grievance redressal mechanisms across departmentsIntegrated with the CM Dashboard the GPI brings key performance indicators onto a single technologydriven platform enabling realtime monitoring and databacked decisionmaking The dashboard conceptualised under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has positioned Gujarat as a national role model for good governance by institutionalising transparency accountability and efficiency Senior officials present at the review meeting included Chief Secretary MK Das Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister Dr Hasmukh Adhia Advisor SS Rathore Chairman of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Division Mukesh Puri Additional Chief Secretaries from Agriculture Energy and Narmada Water Resources departments Principal Secretaries of Tribal Affairs and Labour and Employment Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Avantika Singh and Secretaries of Roads and other concerned departmentsThe initiative reinforces Gujaratâs commitment to outcomedriven governance and sets a benchmark for other states in leveraging technology for public service deliveryIn India the Governance Performance Index GPI is a datadriven governance tool designed to objectively measure monitor and improve the performance of government departments and public service deliveryBuilt on digital dashboards GPI tracks key indicators related to citizencentric schemes infrastructure projects service delivery timelines grievance redressal and ease of living enabling realtime assessment and accountability By integrating data from multiple departments onto a single platform GPI helps political and administrative leadership identify gaps compare outcomes across sectors and take timely corrective action The framework reflects Indiaâs broader push toward technologyenabled transparent and outcomeoriented governance where policy implementation is continuously reviewed to ensure public welfare schemes translate into measurable groundlevel impact IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gujarat-launches-governance-performance-index-to-deepen-citizen-centric-governance-653718.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/fssai-orders-nationwide-enforcement-drive-to-curb-adulteration-of-milk-paneer-and-khoya-653983.html New Delhi Dec 16 Amid growing concerns over food safety and consumer health the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI on Tuesday directed all States and Union Territories to launch a special nationwide enforcement drive against adulteration and misbranding of milk and milk products including paneer and khoya As per sources in FSSAI the directive has been issued under Section 165 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 empowering the food regulator to take urgent measures in the interest of public healthThere have been multiple instances of adulteration and misbranding of dairy products reported across the country in recent times officials at FSSAI saidSuch products are often manufactured by illegal and unlicensed entities posing a serious risk to consumers they addedThe regulator reiterated that any misrepresentation of adulterated or analogue products as genuine dairy items constitutes a clear violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act and associated regulationsUnder the special enforcement drive State Food Safety Departments and FSSAI Regional Offices have been instructed to carry out intensive inspections of premises involved in the production storage and sale of milk and milk productsThis includes scrutiny of both licensedregistered as well as unlicensed food business operators FBOs the regulator saidFood Safety Officers have also been directed to draw enforcement samples of milk paneer and khoya as per prescribed procedures and verify the licensing and registration status of businessesThe officials further informed that the advisory mandates authorities to undertake traceability exercises in cases where samples are found nonconforming or suspicious patterns are detected This is aimed at identifying the source of adulteration and uncovering illegal manufacturing units and supply chainsStrict enforcement actions including seizure of unsafe food articles suspension or cancellation of licences closure of illegal units recall and destruction of adulterated products are to be initiated wherever violations are detected the officials saidMoreover to ensure accountability and monitoring FSSAI has asked States and UTs to promptly record all data on the Food Safety Compliance System FoSCoS to enable effective consolidation and analysis at the headquarters levelThe regulator has also called for strengthening interState coordination and development of local intelligence to curb the interState movement of adulterated and misbranded milk productsThe personal attention of Commissioners of Food Safety and Regional Directors has also been sought to ensure immediate compliance and strict implementation of the directions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/fssai-orders-nationwide-enforcement-drive-to-curb-adulteration-of-milk-paneer-and-khoya-653983.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/apple-clocks-record-exports-growth-in-india-in-november-653985.html New Delhi Dec 16 Apple Inc clocked the highest value of exports from India in November shipping iPhones worth 2 billion as per industry data Considering the latest numbers the USbased tech giant has exported iPhones worth 14 billion in the first eight months of the current financial year FY26 Last month a company filing showed that Apple India posted a record high domestic sales of 9 billion in FY25 and one in every five iPhones made globally in FY25 was manufacturedassembled in IndiaThe companys manufacturing in India contributed 12 per cent of Appleâs global production valueApples sales in India accounted for just over 2 per cent of Appleâs 4161 billion global revenue but Indiaâs role in iPhone production expanded sharply analysts saidThe iPhone maker also began local assembly of highend Pro and Pro Max models of iPhones in India for the first timeThe company filings showed that the Americas brought in 1784 billion in FY25 nearly 43 per cent of Apples global revenue and a growing share of those iPhones were shipped from IndiaEurope followed with a 267 per cent share and Greater China accounted for 154 per cent shareThe companyâs India revenue has climbed nearly eightfold over the past decade driven mainly by iPhones MacBooks iPads AirPods and accessories with services remaining a small singleâdigit share of total salesMeanwhile Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the USbased tech giant set a September quarter revenue record in emerging markets and an alltime revenue record in India led by robust iPhone salesIn an earnings call with analysts after posting strong quarterly results on Thursday US time Cook said that when it comes to retail weâre heading into our busiest time of year with our bestever lineup In the last few months weâve opened new stores in emerging markets like India and the UAE and new locations in the US and ChinaThe global iPhone revenue was 49 billion up 6 per cent yearoveryear driven by the iPhone 16 familyâiPhone grew in the vast majority of the markets we track with September quarter records in many emerging markets including Latin America the Middle East and South Asia and a record in Indiaâ added Kevan Parekh CFO Apple IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/apple-clocks-record-exports-growth-in-india-in-november-653985.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/corporate-earnings-in-s-korea-up-206-pc-in-2024-653781.html Seoul Dec 16 South Korean companies earnings recorded a 20 per cent onyear gain in 2024 on increased exports of semiconductors government data showed on Tuesday The combined beforetax net profit of South Korean companies reached 1819 trillion won 1239 billion last year up 206 per cent from 1508 trillion won tallied in 2023 according to data compiled by the Ministry of Data and Statistics reports Yonhap news agencyThe figure rebounded after declining for two consecutive years the data showedThe manufacturing sector considered the backbone of the South Korean economy posted a pretax net profit of 1235 trillion won in 2024 up 297 trillion won or 32 percent compared to a year earlierCorporate earnings were boosted by increased exports of semiconductors as 2024 was a transitional year for artificial intelligence AI Yoon Heecho an agency official saidIn line with such a trend South Korean companies increased their spending on research and development RampD with related expenditures rising 214 per cent onyear to 97 trillion wonThe surveyed firms combined sales reached 33711 trillion won this year up 52 per cent from the previous yearThe data meanwhile showed that 403 per cent of the polled firms or 6009 out of 14922 held subsidiaries at home and abroadBy country China accounted for the largest share of 219 per cent followed by the United States with 164 per cent and Vietnam with 118 per centA total of 401 companies expanded into new business areas in 2024 with 549 per cent of them in the manufacturing sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/corporate-earnings-in-s-korea-up-206-pc-in-2024-653781.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-power-gets-buy-rating-target-price-set-at-rs-187-antique-broking-653818.html New Delhi Dec 16 Antique Stock Broking on Tuesday initiated coverage on Adani Power Limited APL with a âBuyâ rating setting a target price of Rs 187 per share With the stock currently trading around Rs 144 the brokerage sees an upside potential of about 30 per cent driven by strong earnings visibility large capacity expansion plans and improving balance sheet strengthIn its report Antique said Adani Power is entering a multiyear earnings upcycle supported by a sharp increase in capacity and rising power demand in IndiaThe company plans to expand its installed capacity by more than two times from 1815 GW in FY25 to 419 GW by FY33This expansion positions Adani Power as the most efficient private sector baseload power producer in the country marking a clear turnaround from its earlier phase as a stressed thermal power playerThe brokerage highlighted that India is witnessing a structural upcycle in power demand with electricity consumption expected to grow at a 6 per cent annual rate between FY22 and FY32Rising demand from electric vehicles data centres artificial intelligence and manufacturing is also pushing peak power requirements higher which continues to support the need for reliable coalbased power generationThe brokerage noted that Adani Power has emerged as a clear leader in the ongoing stateled thermal power procurement cycleThe company has secured around 70 per cent of the awarded capacity so far winning 124 GW out of the total 177 GW allottedThis reflects its cost advantage strong execution capabilities and readiness of projectsEarnings visibility for the company remains strong as nearly 90 per cent of its operational capacity and about 67 per cent of its total 419 GW portfolio are already tied up under longterm power purchase agreementsAntique expects Adani Powerâs consolidated revenue EBITDA and profit after tax to grow at a healthy pace of 16 per cent 19 per cent and 17 per cent respectively between FY25 and FY32The brokerage added that the company plans to fund around 60 per cent of its nearly Rs 2 lakh crore capital expenditure pipeline through internal accrualsThis is expected to support steady deleveraging with net debttoEBITDA projected to fall below 1x by FY32 while return on equity is likely to remain above 15 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-power-gets-buy-rating-target-price-set-at-rs-187-antique-broking-653818.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai-653820.html New Delhi Dec 16 The Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity recently observed National Energy Conservation Day with 15 lakh students from schools in Mumbai Under its Corporate Social Responsibility CSR programme Project âUtthanâ Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity celebrated the day on December 14 with students from 947 schools that are part of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC across the cityâA massive success for National Energy Conservation Day Adani Electricity and Adani Foundations CSR project Utthan aimed at enhancing learning outcomes in BMC schools across Mumbai in collaboration with BMC and the dedication of BMC school teachers and Utthan Sahayaks engaged students in vital energy awarenessâ according to an official statementâFrom the fun Switch Off Game and innovative science models to the Energy Pledge this partnership is actively fostering a culture of energy efficiency among the younger generationâ it addedSince 2021 Project Utthan has been successfully run under a publicprivate partnership between BMC Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity focusing on fundamentally enhancing the quality and learning outcomes in BMC schools across MumbaiThe project prioritises strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy FLN for primary students This is achieved through activitybased learning the creation of robust learning resources like Reading Corners and targeted personalised support provided by dedicated Utthan Sahayaks who work alongside BMC teachers to ensure student retention and academic improvementIt has made significant strides in transforming foundational learning across 83 BMC schools in Malad Dahisar Borivali Chembur and Kurla directly benefiting over 25000 studentsThe initiative has already shown measurable improvements in learning outcomes student engagement and the creation of more joyful inclusive classroomsThe initiative also fosters holistic development by empowering teachers and engaging the communityBeyond academic metrics Project Utthan aims to fundamentally transform Mumbaiâs public education system by building strong foundational learning environmentsThe initiative is strategically aligned to improve the cityâs performance in the National Achievement Survey NAS 202728 with a focus on ensuring that no child is left behind in acquiring essential literacy and numeracy skillsBuilding on that success the project is now being expanded from academic years 202526 to 202728 to cover Grades 1 to 4 across 947 municipal schools reaching more than 15 lakh students IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai-653820.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/89-pc-business-leaders-prioritise-data-modernisation-for-meaningful-ai-impact-653583.html New Delhi Dec 15 Indian businesses data readiness needs to be improved with 89 per cent of data and analytics leaders saying they must modernise data strategies for AI to deliver meaningful impact a report said on Monday The report from Customer Relationship Management Salesforce said that 75 per cent of business leaders face increasing pressure to drive value with data but incomplete outdated and poorâquality data remains the biggest barrierThis gap between data ambition and data reality becomes even more critical in the agentic AI era the report notedTechnical teams are focusing on timely contextârich data stronger governance and zero copy architectures to unlock trapped distributed dataAround 52 per cent of organisations are adopting zero copy integration to access data in multiple different databases without having to move copy or reformat it the report saidSuch companies are 40 per cent more likely to have fully connected customer data sources and 22 per cent more likely to succeed with AI initiatives it notedAround 9 per cent of respondents said translation of business questions into technical queries is prone to error while 95 per cent believed in better performance if data questions could be asked in native languageThe report warned that poor data is derailing AI effortsm with 94 per cent of leaders with AI in production reported inaccurate or misleading outputs and 50 per cent said they wasted significant resources training AI models on bad dataâAI cannot fix what incomplete data creates For India to truly unlock the promise of agentic AI leaders must treat data as a strategic asset â unified governed and contextual said Deepu Chacko VP Solution Engineering at Salesforce IndiaData and analytics leaders estimated that 26 per cent of organisational data is siloed and inaccessible and 75 per cent believed their most valuable insights lie within that trapped data IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/89-pc-business-leaders-prioritise-data-modernisation-for-meaningful-ai-impact-653583.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-wpi-inflation-stays-in-negative-zone-in-nov-overall-outlook-benign-653586.html New Delhi Dec 15 Indiaâs inflation rate based on wholesale prices remained in the negative zone in November as prices declined by 032 per cent last month compared to the same month of the previous year according to figures released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Monday WPIbased inflation was 121 per cent in the previous month of October and 216 per cent in November last yearThe negative rate of inflation in November 2025 is primarily due to a decrease in prices of food articles mineral oils crude petroleum and natural gas manufacture of basic metals and electricityâ the ministryâs statement saidMeanwhile the inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index CPI was estimated at 071 per cent for November this year which was marginally higher than the 025 per cent in October according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics last weekFood inflation stayed in the negative zone during November at 391 per cent as prices of food goods fell compared to the same month of the previous year Food inflation has now stayed negative for the sixth month in a row easing the burden on household budgetsThe overall outlook for inflation remains benign with RBI slashing its forecast for Indiaâs inflation rate for the financial year 202526 to 2 per cent from 26 per predicted in October due to the sharp decline in food prices and the GST rate cuts playing outRBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra recently announced reduction in the repo rate by 25 basis points to 525 per cent from 55 per cent earlier as inflation had come down and the monetary policy could focus on boosting growthMalhotra said that the surge in economic growth to 82 per cent growth in the second quarter of the current financial year and the sharp decline in inflation to 17 per cent had provided a rare âGoldilocks periodâ for the Indian economyHe said âThe MPC noted that headline inflation has eased significantly and is likely to be softer than the earlier projections primarily on account of the exceptionally benign food prices Reflecting these favourable conditions the projections for average headline inflation in 202526 and Q1202627 have been further revised downwardsâMalhotra also pointed out that core inflation which excludes food and fuel remained largely contained in SeptemberOctober despite continued price pressures exerted by precious metals Excluding gold core inflation moderated to 26 per cent in October Overall the decline in inflation has become more generalised he addedThe RBI Governor observed that food supply prospects have improved on the back of higher kharif production healthy rabi sowing adequate reservoir levels and conducive soil moisture Barring some metals international commodity prices are likely to moderate going forward IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-wpi-inflation-stays-in-negative-zone-in-nov-overall-outlook-benign-653586.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:34:00 +0530