Star javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra was officially conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army at a special pipping ceremony in New Delhi.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and senior officers from the Indian Army and Territorial Army were present at the event.
Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, Neeraj joined the Indian Army in 2016 and has served with The Rajputana Rifles. He has brought immense pride to the nation through his outstanding achievements in athletics.
Neeraj created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He went on to win a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and a gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
He has also won multiple gold medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League events.
His personal best throw of 90.23 metres in 2025 remains a landmark in Indian sports history.
In recognition of his exemplary service and achievements, President Smt Droupadi Murmu granted Neeraj the honorary commission in the Territorial Army on April 16, 2025.
Over the years, he has also been honoured with the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
With India surpassing the $20-billion mark in cumulative and new investment commitments in artificial intelligence (AI) till date in 2025 — according to the latest estimates by the ministry of electronics and information technology (IT) — the country is well poised to become a key player in the race for a place in global AI sweepstakes.
Stanford AI Index Report in 2025 said India’s cumulative private investment in AI from 2013 to 2024 was at $11.1 billion in 2024 (adding the government’s, it is $12.3 billion).
India and the United Kingdom (UK) have launched a new research fellowship programme aimed at fostering collaboration between young scientists of both countries. Named after renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, the Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme will allow young Indian physicists and mathematicians,
to undertake joint research at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS).
The initiative, supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), was announced following UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to India. It draws inspiration from Ramanujan’s historic 1913 collaboration with British mathematician G.H. Hardy.
Under the DST-funded first phase, PhD students — called Ramanujan Junior Visitors — from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) will be selected. Up to six students will spend several months at LIMS in London’s Mayfair, attending lectures and collaborating with researchers.
In its second phase, the scheme will expand to include Ramanujan Junior Fellowships, open to early-career researchers across India. These fellowships will offer three-year positions at LIMS, enabling young Indian scientists to work closely with their British counterparts.
LIMS, located at the Royal Institution, is known for its focus on full-time theoretical research. It has been associated with several Nobel Prizes and major scientific discoveries, including the principles of electromagnetism and the identification of ten chemical elements.
Coal India Limited (CIL), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish the “Centre for Sustainable Energy” at the IIT Madras.
The Centre will serve as a hub for cutting-edge R&D and capacity-building initiatives in sustainable energy technologies. Supported by CIL’s funding and aligned with its strategic diversification goals, the Centre will focus on developing solutions for repurposing coal mines, creating low-carbon technologies,
and reimagining coal as a valuable feedstock in India’s clean energy future. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to leading India’s energy transition through indigenous research, innovation, and technology development to achieve the nation’s net-zero ambitions by 2070.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, attended the XVIth Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, where he delivered India's national statement and participated in key discussions.
UNCTAD, established in 1964, plays a crucial role in promoting the integration of developing countries into the global economy through trade, investment, and sustainable development policies.
In his address at the 16th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XVI), the Commerce and Industry Minister of India underscored India’s transformation into one of the top five economies globally. India has been the fastest-growing large economy with over 7% average annual growth over last three years.
The nation doubles its economy every eight years. Shri Goyal highlighted lifting millions of people out of poverty in the last decade. These individuals then join the middle class. They fuel rising incomes and demand.
The visit reaffirms India's commitment as a trusted partner in global trade and development, aligning with the UNCTAD XVI theme of "Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Development."
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, participated in the Sea phase of JAIMEX-25 (Japan India Maritime Exercise) from 16 to 18 Oct 2025 and made a port call at Yokosuka, Japan, on 21 Oct 2025 for the Harbour phase.
Prior to arriving at Yokosuka, INS Sahyadri and JMSDF Ships Asahi, Oumi and Submarine Jinryu participated in the sea phase of JAIMEX-25. The sea phase included advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare and missile defence drills, enhancing interoperability by undertaking flying operations and underway replenishment.
JAIMEX-25 underscores the strong and burgeoning Navy-to-Navy interactions that underpin the ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ established between India and Japan in 2014. This partnership is a crucial pillar for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.
In a significant step toward empowering local communities and facilitating equitable benefit sharing, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released a sum of ₹67 lakhs to the Dapur Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), located in Sinnar Taluk, Nashik District, Maharashtra, through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board.
In this instance, a company accessed microorganisms from the soil in Dapur Grampanchayat and subsequently developed probiotic supplementary products.
Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) targets school students from class 6 to class 12 and educators to enable a future-ready India in this increasingly digital world.
SOAR incorporates 3 targeted 15-hour modules for students and one independent 45-hour module for educators, focusing on topics like ethical AI use and basic concepts of machine learning.
The Union Budget 2025-26 allocates ₹500 crore to establish a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for education, aimed at advancing AI-driven learning and innovation.
As on June 2025 1,480 apprentices have been trained between FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-2026 in AI-related roles like AI Data Engineer and Machine Learning Engineer under NAPS-2.
5% GST on Pashmina, Namda rugs, and woodcrafts to help 10,000+ artisans
Dairy and organic farming see better earnings and competitiveness through reduced GST; 6,000+ farming families engaged in apricot cultivation to benefit
5% GST on hotel tariffs ≤₹7,500 set to make travel more affordable and sustain livelihood of 25,000+ people.
GST cuts to support yak dairy, wool producers and organic farming, promoting self-sustainability in Ladakh.
Pashmina Wool & Products-
One of Ladakh’s most valuable traditional crafts, Pashmina wool is produced in the Changthang region in Leh, sustaining over 10,000 nomadic herders.
Pashmina is known for its warmth, softness, and fineness, and is used to make premium shawls, stoles, and garments.
The GST reduction from 12% to 5% is expected to boost competitiveness of authentic Ladakhi pashmina against imported or machine-made alternatives.
Handwoven Woolens & Namda Rugs
Handwoven woollens and Namda rugs from Leh and Kargil represent Ladakh’s rich tradition of wool craftsmanship, using yak and sheep wool to create dyed and distinctive textiles. The GST reduction from 12% to 5% helps lower production costs and encourages the revival of traditional handicraft practices.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant launched the official logo and anthem of the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025. The official anthem, sung by popular singer Daler Mehndi, and the event logo – inspired by Goa’s culture and the game of chess were unveiled at the launch.
Emphasizing the significance of chess in building focus, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities among students Chief Minister urged schools and colleges across the state to introduce chess as part of student learning.
The FIDE chess World Cup 2025 will be held in Goa from October 31 to November 17, marking the tournament’s return to India after 23 years.
The event will see participation from 206 players representing 82 countries. Total prizes worth of $2 million will be awarded to winners. Renowned chess players including Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, Hans Niemann, and Faustino Oro will compete in the tournament.
Justice Prathiba M. Singh, from the Delhi High Court, has been appointed as chairperson of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Advisory Board of Judges for the 2025–2027 term.
Justice Singh, who also serves as the co-chair of the Working Group on Regulatory Considerations on Artificial Intelligence in Health formed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Apart from Justice Singh, the board includes nine other members who will provide guidance and direction to WIPO’s work with judiciaries. “Members of the Advisory Board serve in their personal capacity for a defined term,” WIPO said, adding that it is “very fortunate to benefit from the invaluable support of all the judges who have generously served on the Advisory Board.”
According to WIPO, Justice Singh served as the chairperson and presiding judge of the first Intellectual Property Division of the High Court of Delhi during the 2021-2022 session. She began her legal career in 1991 and regularly appeared before the Supreme Court of India, the Delhi High Court, the IP Appellate Board, and the Indian Patent Office.
Currently, she serves as the co-chair of the World Health Organisation’s Working Group on Regulatory Considerations on AI in Health.
She was named among the 50 most influential people in intellectual property globally for both 2021 and 2022.
The newly appointed members include Luis Antonio Camargo Vergara from Panama, Du Weike from China, Zhanar Mukhamedkaliyevna Duisenova from Kazakhstan, Mohammad ElZend from Egypt, Jean-Christophe Gayet from France, Michael Manson from Canada, Mustapher Mohamed Siyani from Tanzania, Savvas S. Papasavvas from the European Union, and Woo Sungyop from South Korea.
A real-time flood forecast and spatial decision support system (RTFF & SDSS) has become completely operational for Chennai.
Billed as a comprehensive urban flood management system and the first-of-its-kind in the country, the Chennai RTFF & SDSS, estimated to cost about ₹107.2 crore, covers lakes, rivers, storm water drainage system and the sea.
It envisages not only the provision of reliable forecasts of water level in rivers and tanks but also that of street-level inundation forecasts for vulnerable areas of the city such as Pulianthope, Nungambakkam, Mambalam, Saidapet, Velachery, Meenambakkam and Mudichur.
Even though its focus area is Chennai city, the system covers an area of approximately 4,974 sq km, encompassing Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Ranipet districts. The Adyar, Cooum, Kosasthalaiyar and Kovalam river sub-basins are being observed under the system.
In 2024, the General Assembly proclaimed 23 October as International Day of the Snow Leopard in order to enhance international and regional cooperation in support of efforts to conserve the snow leopard, given its role in the overall ecosystem.
Big cats are elusive, but the snow leopard, especially so. Locals living alongside the leopards often refer to them as the ‘ghosts of the mountains’ as they are hardly ever seen.
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is found in the high mountain regions of Asia.
is an iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous areas, including in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Safeguarding and conservation of the snow leopard contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
