Researchers from IIIT-Delhi and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation have developed SICKLE, a multi-satellite dataset designed to enhance AI systems' ability to monitor crops, identify growth, and estimate yields across vast agricultural areas. This dataset combines satellite imagery with field-level information, enabling machine learning models to understand various aspects of crop cultivation and predict key parameters like phenology and productivity.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) and two others in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to release a subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) scheme.
The Anti-corruption Bureau in Jammu and Kashmir has arrested a senior government officer and a middleman for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The officer, Naseer Ahmad Khan, from the Agriculture Department, was accused of demanding Rs 2 lakh from a seed dealer, with Rs 1 lakh already paid. The arrests were made during a trap laid by the ACB.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a sub-divisional agriculture officer and two others in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a bribery case. The officer allegedly demanded a bribe for releasing a subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch's Special Crime Wing has filed a chargesheet against three public servants, including a retired officer, for alleged fraud and corruption involving the manipulation of service records to obtain undue benefits. The case centres on a forged date-of-birth certificate and the facilitation of its incorporation into official records.
Odisha Vigilance apprehended Alan Behera, a revenue inspector in Bolangir district, on Tuesday for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000. The bribe was sought to process a land conversion application from agricultural to homestead land. Behera was caught in a trap, and a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) is set to host its inaugural women's conclave in New Delhi, aiming to advocate for increased representation of women farmers in agricultural policymaking. The event will bring together 7,000 women farmers to discuss their significant contributions to farming, livestock, and fisheries, and to push for policy changes, including a shift from MSP to MRP for produce.
IIT Ropar's ANNAM.AI, in collaboration with Syngenta and Google, has launched 'HACK CORE 2026', a national AI hackathon. It invites innovators to develop AI-driven solutions for critical agricultural challenges like crop health, pest management, and climate-resilient farming, offering significant prizes and mentorship.
At a function in Anand, ministers and the chief minister all in attendance, Varghese Kurien called the IAS lobby termites.
Telangana's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a Disproportionate Assets case against a Civil Supplies department official in Mahabubabad district. Searches at seven locations revealed assets worth approximately Rs 9.41 crore, including immovable and movable properties. The investigation is ongoing, with further verification of assets and their sources underway.
Punjab Police, in a joint operation with the BSF, recovered over 20 kg of heroin in Ferozepur. The drugs were airdropped via drone from across the border. The seizure also included other items like rods, motorcycles, and silver anklets with Pakistani markings.
The Maharashtra government has declared 265 out of 358 talukas as drought-affected, covering 74% of the state, due to significant rainfall deficit. This declaration activates 'Trigger-1' of the state's drought management framework, leading to the announcement of various relief measures for farmers and residents, including loan restructuring, revenue concessions, and provisions for water and fodder.
Punjab Police dismantled two illegal arms and narcotics supply networks in Amritsar, arresting four individuals and recovering an M16 rifle, nine pistols, and 15 kg of opium. The accused are allegedly linked to foreign-based smugglers, with further investigation underway to uncover complete linkages.
While India and the US have narrowed their differences, the remaining issues will be the hardest to resolve
Police in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, have arrested six individuals after uncovering two acres of illegal ganja cultivation hidden within a maize field. The bust, part of 'Operation Trishul', involved the use of drones and revealed a sophisticated drip irrigation system. Investigators believe the operation, which could have yielded crores of rupees, had links to trafficking in major Indian cities.
Madhya Pradesh's Lokayukta police raided 15 premises linked to head constable Firoz Khan in Indore and Dewas, uncovering assets worth Rs 6.27 crore. This amount is more than three times his legitimate income over 24 years of service. Khan is accused of misusing his position in property dealings, and an FIR has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with a woman associate also named as an accused.
A University of Delhi study has found significant heavy metal contamination in agricultural soil and vegetables grown along the Yamuna river in the capital. The research highlights potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to consumers due to crops irrigated with polluted wastewater, with specific vegetables showing dangerously high levels of metals like nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, have developed an innovative nature-based wastewater treatment system utilising taro plants and an engineered "zig-zag flow" design. This low-energy, compact technology offers a promising solution for treating highly polluted swine wastewater in decentralised livestock farms, particularly in rural and resource-limited regions.
Researchers at NIT Rourkela have developed a novel material from discarded jackfruit peels, capable of removing over 90% of fluoride from contaminated water in about 10 minutes under laboratory conditions. This patented technology, which uses activated carbon modified with zirconium, offers a promising, cost-effective, and sustainable solution for decentralised water treatment, particularly in fluoride-affected regions of India.
Maharashtra is grappling with an escalating drought crisis, with 305 talukas now declared drought-hit, prompting the state government to announce Rs 5,000 in financial aid for farmers before Diwali and extend comprehensive relief measures.
India's Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra has warned that the upcoming rabi (winter) crop season is likely to be challenging for rainfed areas due to the strengthening El Nio weather pattern, potentially affecting foodgrain production. This comes as Maharashtra declares drought in nearly 74 per cent of its talukas, highlighting the immediate impact of climate change.
The Gauhati high court has questioned the legality of the demolition of 21 dwelling units on private agricultural land in Goalpara, saying the action appeared prima facie illegal and unauthorised and may have involved misuse of the Disaster Management Act.
Despite the looming threat of El Nio and drought conditions in several states, the Indian government has set an ambitious foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonnes (mt) for the 2026-27 crop year, slightly lower than the previous year's actual output but higher than its target.
'Nearly two-thirds of Maharashtra has been drought-prone on and off, and climate change is making it worse.'
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Navi Mumbai has arrested an inspector and a security guard from the Grocery Markets and Shops Board for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 43,000 to issue a Mathadi worker registration receipt. The arrest followed a complaint from an autorickshaw driver seeking a worker appointment.
Google has chosen four Indian startups -- Terrastack, Varaha Climate, Farmers for Forests, and Climitra Carbon -- for its inaugural Google DeepMind Accelerator: AI for the Planet programme.
'Without that one critical irrigation, the entire crop can be lost.'
The Karnataka Assembly has passed a resolution rejecting the K Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats conservation in its current form. The state government urged the Centre to address deficiencies, particularly concerning the inclusion of agricultural lands and human settlements in Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) without proper physical surveys or livelihood support.
Four faculty members from Nagaland University have been named among the world's top 2 per cent scientists for their significant research contributions, according to an annual database by Elsevier and Stanford University. Three of them also feature in the Career-Long Top 2 per cent Scientists list, highlighting the university's growing global research impact across various scientific disciplines.
Navigating this geopolitical minefield requires a cold-blooded blend of immediate tactical pleading, structural domestic diversification, and aggressive collective resistance, suggests Ambassador Rajasekhar.
This was the fourth-lowest rainfall since 2001 and the 13th lowest since 1901, under the impact of El Niño.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is facing a thinning of its top management as Managing Director Dinesh Pant exits to join Irdai, leaving one of four MD posts vacant. This comes amidst broader staffing challenges across several public sector insurers and a headless Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB).
India's retail inflation surged to 5.54 per cent in September, primarily due to a significant increase in onion and other food prices, remaining just within the Reserve Bank of India's tolerance band. This marks the highest inflation since the new series with base year 2024 took effect in January.
Experts at AI Manthan 2.0 in Kanpur stressed the need for Artificial Intelligence to be customised for India's specific requirements in education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance. Discussions highlighted the development of local language models, AI solutions for farmers like crop loss assessment and a single-window platform, and AI's role in healthcare for diagnosis and reducing doctors' workload, all while ensuring data privacy through federated learning.
Karnataka authorities conducted a three-day statewide crackdown on illegal diversion of subsidised Public Distribution System (PDS) foodgrain, seizing 5.65 lakh kg of rice and 24 transport vehicles worth a total of Rs 4.76 crore. Six criminal cases have been registered against nine individuals, and two officials have been suspended for dereliction of duty.
The Maharashtra government announced a minimum 10 per cent water cut for all urban and rural local bodies starting October 16 due to a deficient monsoon and El Nino impact. The state is prioritising drinking water, planning for water stocks until August 2027, and implementing measures like preventing leakage, reusing treated wastewater, and curbing unauthorised extraction.
Asian Games bronze medallist Salman Khan received a grand welcome in his ancestral village of Pure Singai Kherouna, Amethi. He credited his achievement to his parents, coach, and community support, urging local youth to embrace sports, discipline, and hard work for success.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel addressed AI Manthan 2.0, advocating for the comprehensive integration of Artificial Intelligence across all university subjects rather than as a standalone course. She urged universities to develop clear, time-bound AI roadmaps covering education, research, healthcare, and agriculture, emphasising indigenous AI development, employment creation, and the importance of "Safe and Trusted AI." The event also saw the formation of an AI Policy Advisory Group and an AI Implementation Group to drive these initiatives.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed strong confidence in India achieving over 10 per cent economic growth, advocating for increased technology adoption and innovation. She urged overcoming scepticism and highlighted technology's transformative role in agriculture and public sector reforms, while also launching a new fund and book at an IIT Madras event.
If the new MDR regime is rolled out from the middle of this month, as scheduled, it should count as one of the boldest political actions by the Modi government on an economic-policy issue, and a signal that it is less worried about erosion of political capital it draws from one of its key constituencies, notes A K Bhattacharya.
