Researchers at IIT Madras have patented a chemical-free antibacterial surface that physically eliminates harmful bacteria, including "superbugs," without relying on antibiotics or disinfectants. This innovative technology uses specially engineered nanostructures to rupture bacterial cell walls, offering a sustainable solution to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for biomedical and public health applications.
Tata Chemicals has stated its commitment to resolving outstanding issues with the Kenyan government after President William Ruto reportedly ordered its subsidiary, Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd, to cease operations, citing a lack of benefit to citizens.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that its nationwide study investigating cancer-causing chemicals in car interiors is projected to be completed by May 2027. This study follows a media report highlighting the presence of flame retardants like TCIPP, TDCIPP, and TCEP in car cabin air, which are considered potential carcinogens.
Researchers at IIT Indore have developed a groundbreaking method to convert carbon dioxide and glycerol, two common waste materials, into valuable green chemicals like lactic acid and formic acid in just seven minutes. This low-energy process uses a specially designed ruthenium-based catalyst and microwave heating, offering a sustainable solution for waste management and green manufacturing.
Tata Chemicals reported an 81 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 60 crore for the quarter ended June, primarily attributed to higher expenses, despite an increase in total income.
A Solapur court has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Pandharpur temple committee from applying a chemical protective coating on the idol of Lord Vitthal. The decision came after devotees argued that modern chemicals violate religious traditions, while the committee cited preservation needs ahead of the Ashadi Ekadashi pilgrimage. The court emphasised the idol's ownership by devotees and the lack of immediate emergency for the controversial coating.
A new review reveals that microplastics are not just pollutants but also act as carriers for toxic chemicals, microorganisms, and antibiotic resistance genes across various environmental compartments. This "Trojan horse effect" allows them to transport persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, releasing them into organisms upon ingestion. Additionally, microplastics foster microbial communities, known as the plastisphere, which can accelerate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, amplifying ecological hazards.
Researchers from IIT Guwahati and BHU have devised an eco-friendly biological method to treat textile wastewater, specifically targeting toxic azo dyes. Their novel bacterium, 'Brevundimonas sp. AJZ05', effectively degrades 98.50 per cent of Direct Blue-6 dye, producing non-toxic byproducts, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical treatments.
Delhi is set to establish its first underground Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) command centre at the new Delhi Fire Services headquarters, a facility designed to ensure uninterrupted coordination and protection for personnel during nuclear warfare, radiological leaks, or chemical disasters.
India's wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) increased to 9.92 per cent in August, up from 9.78 per cent in July, primarily due to rising prices across food, manufactured items, and fuel and power sectors.
New research from the University of Sheffield indicates that greenhouse gas emissions from petrochemical production could increase by 50 per cent by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, provides the first detailed global map of these emissions, identifying key sources and highlighting the challenge of decarbonising the sector.
India's deposit growth has reached a 15-year high of 17.8 per cent, primarily driven by a surge in foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR(B), deposits. This influx of funds is expected to lead to a softening of corporate loan rates as banks seek to deploy their excess liquidity.
India needs to move beyond ease and cost of doing business and focus on the "speed of doing business" as the next leg of reforms to sustain economic growth and private investment, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) President R Mukundan said.
India's exports saw a significant increase of 26.12 per cent to USD 43.81 billion in August, leading to a narrowed trade deficit of USD 26.86 billion, driven by strong demand from key global markets and diverse sectors.
Mumbai police have dismantled a mephedrone drug manufacturing network, seizing chemicals and equipment worth Rs 4 lakh from three locations in the city, following an initial raid in Mira Road that led to the arrest of 13 people and the seizure of mephedrone worth Rs 2.66 crore.
A seminar in New Delhi commemorated Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray's birth anniversary, focusing on his significant contributions to pharmaceutical sciences and his vision for indigenous research and self-reliance. Organised by DPSRU and VIBHA, the event highlighted Ray's pioneering efforts in "Swadeshi science" and his role in establishing India's pharmaceutical industry.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed mixed on Friday. While a drop in crude oil prices offered some relief, weakness in IT stocks and several Tata Group counters, including a significant dip in Tata Chemicals and ongoing boardroom issues at Tata Sons, limited a broader market recovery.
Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has called for a shift away from chemical fertilisers in Punjab, warning that their overuse was degrading soil quality across the state.
Researchers at Delhi's Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology have developed 'MutAIverse', a generative AI platform designed to decode DNA damage and identify potential causes of cancer. Tested on head and neck cancer patients in Guwahati, the platform successfully traced exposure to smokeless tobacco as a contributing factor. This innovation aims to shift focus from just diagnosis to understanding causative factors, potentially aiding in prevention and protection.
Gujarat Police have arrested 13 additional individuals, including a man from Madhya Pradesh identified as Anand Chhandi, for their involvement in the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy that claimed 13 lives. Chhandi is accused of playing a significant role in manufacturing the methanol-laced spurious liquor and procuring chemicals, bringing the total arrests to 27.
Researchers have for the first time directly visualised how two DNA molecules, despite their identical negative charges, zip together. This breakthrough, achieved using high-powered atomic force microscopy and advanced simulations, confirms the 'DNA zipper' model, revealing that positively charged metal ions act as molecular bridges to facilitate this crucial biological process. The discovery has significant implications for understanding genetic recombination, gene silencing, chromosome packaging, cancer development, and future biotechnology.
The CBI has registered an FIR in the Disha Salian death case, following a Bombay High Court order that criticised Mumbai Police for its six-year delay and "glaring discrepancies" in the investigation. Salian, former manager of Sushant Singh Rajput, died in June 2020, a week before Rajput's own death, which led to speculation about a connection. The High Court had expressed concerns over the Mumbai Police's handling of the case, which was initially treated as an accidental death.
The Defence Acquisition Council, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved the procurement of military hardware worth an estimated Rs 1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This significant move aims to enhance India's combat prowess and reduce dependency on foreign vendors, with approximately 98 per cent of procurements sourced from Indian industry.
Bank credit to industry in India surged by 20 per cent year-on-year in July, significantly accelerating from the previous year, driven by strong expansion in sectors like engineering, gems and jewellery, and petroleum-related industries, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, growth in gold loans, while still expanding, saw a sharp moderation.
The Delhi High Court has sought a response from sustainable consumer goods startup Beco regarding a suit filed by Hindustan Unilever (HUL). HUL alleges that Beco disparaged its products, Surf Excel and Vim, by claiming they cause skin irritation in its advertising campaign.
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 later on Friday (local time). A White House official confirmed the development to ANI without revealing further details.
Six initial public offerings, including Rentomojo Ltd and Karamtara Engineering, were fully subscribed on their final day of bidding, with Rentomojo's IPO subscribed 72.88 times and Karamtara's 62.63 times, reflecting robust investor appetite in the primary market.
The United States and the European Union have strongly criticised India's trade policies at the World Trade Organization review, highlighting concerns over high tariffs, quality-control orders (QCOs), and restrictions on digital trade and services, which they argue undermine India's economic openness.
A police constable has been arrested in connection with the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy, which has claimed 13 lives in Gujarat. This brings the total number of arrests to 39, as investigations reveal the constable's links to the prime accused and his involvement in the offence.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
The Centre has spent 28 per cent of its FY27 capital expenditure budget of Rs 12.21 trillion in the first three months against around 24.5 per cent during the corresponding period a year ago.
China has denied any links to the Iranian cargo ship seized by the US in the Gulf, which allegedly contained chemical materials for manufacturing missiles. The denial follows allegations by former US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley, who claimed the ship was headed from China to Iran.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Kyiv, reiterating India's readiness to assist in ending the Ukraine-Russia war. He emphasised that solutions would not emerge from the battlefield and highlighted Prime Minister Modi's call for an end to the conflict. Discussions also covered humanitarian aid, the impact on commercial shipping, and bilateral trade, with Jaishankar inviting his Ukrainian counterpart to India for further talks.
A new UN Security Council report has 'officially attributed' the November 2025 Red Fort terror attack in New Delhi, which killed about 15 people, to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The report highlights AQIS's evolution into a regional terrorist entity and its efforts to establish networks.
'You can't be selfish when you're thinking about nature. It has to be good karma.' 'If we prevent textile waste from going to the landfills, it's good karma.'
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a permanent, year-round food safety calendar to ensure public health during major festivals. This first-of-its-kind initiative categorises festivals into three levels and implements a four-stage inspection mechanism, focusing on preventing adulteration and unsafe food practices for high-demand products like sweets, dairy, and edible oils.
Doctors and researchers are increasingly concerned about the potential link between exposure to polluted air during pregnancy and its influence on foetal development, particularly the male reproductive system. While hypospadias, a common congenital abnormality, is multifactorial, endocrine-disrupting chemicals in air pollution are being investigated for their role. Experts call for more research and advise expectant mothers on preventive measures.
MiniMines Cleantech Solutions has secured an Indian patent for its Hybrid Hydrometallurgy technology, which efficiently recovers critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and electronic waste. This innovative process, developed in India, supports sustainable battery recycling and strengthens resource security for the nation's growing demand for critical minerals.
India's wholesale price index (WPI) inflation marginally eased to 9.78 per cent in July 2026, down from 9.87 per cent in June, primarily due to a cooling in the prices of fuel, power, and food items, marking the first month-on-month drop under the new 2022-23 base year.
Researchers at BRIC-RGCB in Thiruvananthapuram have developed a novel nanopore-based sensing technology. This innovation allows for the early and highly sensitive detection of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and ALS, addressing a critical challenge in current diagnostic methods. The technology, published in Nature Nanotechnology, uses self-assembling dual-diameter nanopore sensors to identify disease-specific biomarkers even at low concentrations.
