In a significant step to advance Indo-German cooperation in science and technology, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and German Federal Minister Ms. Bettina Stark-Watzinger exchanged a Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation in research and development on advanced materials with commitment to seek mutual dividends.
The bilateral discussions also highlighted national initiatives such as India’s Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the National Quantum Mission, both aimed at scaling up R&D across priority areas including electric mobility, sustainable agriculture, and advanced materials.
NTPC has partnered with the Indian Army to establish a Solar Hydrogen-based Microgrid at Chushul, Ladakh. This significant step will provide a stable power supply using Green Hydrogen in off-grid Army locations.
NTPC has designed this innovative Solar Hydrogen-based microgrid system to operate independently, using hydrogen as an energy storage medium to supply 200kW of power round-the-clock throughout the year. NTPC will maintain the project for 25 years, aiming to support Indian soldiers stationed in these strategically significant tough terrains and challenging climate.
NTPC is committed to achieving 60GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032 and becoming a major player in green hydrogen technology and energy storage domain. The company is pursuing several initiatives toward decarbonisation, including hydrogen blending, carbon capture, electric buses, and smart NTPC townships.
Union Health Minister, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda launched five DHR-ICMR health research initiatives planned under the 100 days agenda. These initiatives aim to propel India to the forefront of global health research and innovation, aligning with the nation's vision of a Viksit Bharat.
One of the key initiatives launched is the "First in the World" Challenge, inspired by the success of Chandrayaan-3. This high-risk, high-reward research and development scheme is designed to foster the creation of health technologies that are unprecedented globally.
Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), ICMR is upgrading existing Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) to Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (IRDLs). This enhancement includes bacteriology, mycology, and parasitology, expanding diagnostic capabilities beyond virology.
ICMR also launched the ICMR Data Repository, a centralized, secure, and accessible platform of high-quality datasets, ensuring data integrity and privacy. The UNNATI Initiative (Upgrading Norms for Nutrition, Growth, and Development Assessment of Indian Children) aims to establish India-specific growth and development standards for children.
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the Pandemic Fund Project on "Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response". The Pandemic Fund Project is a $25 Million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund.
The “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response” initiative will play a key role in reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans. It will be implemented in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank.
On this occasion the Union Minister also released two important documents aimed at strengthening animal health management in India:
Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG): A comprehensive document that outlines best practices for veterinary care, aimed at improving the overall health and productivity of livestock and supporting to the national action plan for
Anti-microbial resistance.
Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases: A critical resource that will provide a framework for managing and responding to outbreaks of animal diseases, ensuring rapid containment and mitigation.
‘IndiaAI’ and Meta today announced the establishment of the Center for Generative AI, Shrijan (सृजन) at IIT Jodhpur and the launch of the “YuvAI initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building", in partnership with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). This is aimed at propelling the advancement of open source artificial intelligence (AI) in India.
Meta has committed to invest up to INR 750 Lakhs (as donation) over the period of three years. The IndiaAI will support the researcher working in the CoE being setup at IIT Jodhpur’s Centre Srijan. Meta, in collaboration with MeitY and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), also launched the “YuvaAI initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building".
Meta, in collaboration with MeitY and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), also launched the “YuvaAI initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building". This program aims to bridge the AI talent gap in the country by empowering 100,000 students and young developers aged 18-30 to leverage open-source large language models (LLMs) to address real-world challenges
This will include the establishment of a Gen AI Resource Hub with courses, case studies, and open datasets; an LLM for Young Developers Course designed by Meta; and Master Training Activation Workshops to introduce participants to foundational AI concepts. The program also features Unleash LLM Hackathons, where students will submit AI solutions to address real-world problem
‘Abhay ’, the seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being built by M/s GRSE for Indian Navy, was launched on 25 Oct 24 at M/s L&T, Kattupalli. The Launch Ceremony was presided over by VAdm Rajesh Pendharkar, FOC-in-C (East). In keeping with maritime tradition, Mrs Sandhya Pendharkar, President NWWA, Eastern Region, launched the ship.
Arnala class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations. The ASW SWC ships are approx 77 m long, with a maximum speed of 25 knots & endurance of 1800 NM.
The launch of Abhay highlights the nation’s resolve towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in shipbuilding. The ASW SWC ships are designed with over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has proposed stricter guidelines in an effort to stem online fraud after recent high-profile cases at insurers like Star Health Insurance Company. The Insurance Fraud Monitoring Framework Guidelines, 2024 requires insurers to adopt strict measures, including board-approved anti-fraud policies,
independent Fraud Monitoring Units (FMUs), enhanced cybersecurity defences, and regular fraud awareness programmes. The regulator has asked insurers to implement a board-approved anti-fraud policy aimed at ensuring zero tolerance for fraud, outline steps for fraud detection, internal controls, and investigative processes.
The RBI has revoked the certificate of authorisation of UAE Exchange Centre LLC for non-compliance with regulatory requirements and now it cannot transact the business of cross border in-bound money transfer. UAE Exchange Centre LLC, with registered office in Dubai, was issued Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) for cross border in-bound money transfer overseas Principle.
the RBI said the CoA of the payment system operator has been revoked for non-compliance with regulatory requirements. Following the revocation of CoA, UAEEC cannot transact the business of cross border in-bound money transfer as 'Overseas Principal', it added.
Swiggy, the food and grocery delivery platform, has introduced ‘International Logins’, a feature that allows users from 27 countries—including the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the UAE—to access all the offerings on the Swiggy app using their international phone numbers.
This permanent feature offers a seamless experience while ordering food, shopping on Swiggy’s quick commerce platform, Swiggy Instamart, and booking tables through Swiggy Dineout. Payments can be made using international credit cards or available Unified Payments Interface (UPI) options.
Following the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) action against Navi Finserv and Asirvad Microfinance, domestic rating agency CRISIL has placed Asirvad’s long-term ratings on "rating watch with developing implications" and Navi’s ratings on "watch negative."
Earlier this month, the RBI barred four non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), including two microfinance institutions (MFIs), from sanctioning and disbursing loans due to charging exorbitant interest rates to borrowers. These four entities were: Asirvad Microfinance, Arohan Financial Services (also an MFI), DMI Finance, and Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal’s Navi Finserv.
According to CRISIL, the 'ratings watch' will be resolved post lifting of all restrictions imposed by the RBI on Navi Finserv and the resumption of business operations. Additionally, CRISIL noted that Navi Finserv has unencumbered liquidity of Rs 1,450 crore, mainly in cash and cash equivalents, which is sufficient to meet debt obligations for up to two months.
Manika Batra has made table tennis history as she became the first Indian to qualify for quarter-finals at a WTT Champions event. Indian paddler Manika yesterday defeated Bernadette Szocs of Romania 3-1 in the round of 16 in Montpellier, France. She had become the 1st table tennis player from India to reach the last 16 in the singles table tennis competition in an Olympics.
