News for 'Department of Science and Technology'

Ancient achievements or state-supported pseudo-science?

Ancient achievements or state-supported pseudo-science?

Rediff.com12 Jan 2015

The 102nd Indian Science Congress, which concluded last week, saw claims on ancient aviation and surgery, and created quite a stir

Panel headed by former ISRO chief to oversee NTA reforms

Panel headed by former ISRO chief to oversee NTA reforms

Rediff.com22 Jun 2024

Amid a row over irregularities in competitive exams National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and National Eligibility Test (NET), the education ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA).

How Jamsetji Tata created the Indian Institute of Science

How Jamsetji Tata created the Indian Institute of Science

Rediff.com19 Nov 2018

The Indian Institute of Science topped the HRD ministry's 2017 national rankings. In 2016, the IISc was ranked among the world's top 15 universities in the Times Higher Education University Rankings. In his book The Creation of Wealth: The Tatas from the 19th to the 21st Century, R M Lala recounted how Jamsetji Tata's grand vision and immense personal contribution laid the edifice of arguably India's finest educational institution.

Obama appoints Indian American to national science board

Obama appoints Indian American to national science board

Rediff.com4 Jul 2014

Dr Sethuraman 'Panch' Panchanathan, senior vice president, Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development, ArizonaStateUniversity, was last week appointed to the United States National Science Board by President Barack Obama.

Bharat Biotech's nasal Covid vaccine iNCOVACC launched

Bharat Biotech's nasal Covid vaccine iNCOVACC launched

Rediff.com26 Jan 2023

'iNCOVACC' is priced at Rs 800 for private markets and at Rs 325 for supplies to the government of India and state governments.

'Matured boy' GSLV places gen-next INSAT-3DS weather satellite into orbit

'Matured boy' GSLV places gen-next INSAT-3DS weather satellite into orbit

Rediff.com17 Feb 2024

ISRO chairman S Somanath said the success gave the space agency "greater confidence," as the GSLV will be next deployed in the NISAR mission, a collaborative effort with the US' NASA.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Wrong to assume that sacked H-1B staffers have to leave America within 60 days: USCIS

Wrong to assume that sacked H-1B staffers have to leave America within 60 days: USCIS

Rediff.com28 Mar 2023

Amid mass layoffs in the tech sector, the federal agency for immigration services has said it is wrong to assume that sacked workers holding the much-sought-after H-1B visas have to leave the country within 60 days, asserting they have multiple options to stay in the US. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

India alerts citizens about UK travel amid violent clashes

India alerts citizens about UK travel amid violent clashes

Rediff.com6 Aug 2024

"Indian travellers would be aware of recent disturbances in some parts of the United Kingdom. The High Commission of India in London is closely monitoring the situation," reads the message entitled 'Advisory for Indian Citizens Visiting the UK.'

The Star Gazer Stars At TIME Gala

The Star Gazer Stars At TIME Gala

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

At this year's TIME ball in New York City on Thursday, April 25, you would have run into a Coimbatore-born American scientist, looking lovely in Sabyasachi Mukherjee designer finery, who would most likely have been hanging out with Dua Lipa.

15 Kashmiri Pandits fight elections from Valley

15 Kashmiri Pandits fight elections from Valley

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

So far 14 Kashmiri Pandits have filed nominations to contest from the valley for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, aiming to ensure the return and rehabilitation of their fellow community members, whose number run up to 3 lakh.

ISRO, NASA in talks to place Indian on ISS next year

ISRO, NASA in talks to place Indian on ISS next year

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

India and the US on Friday said they have started talks to put in place a strategic framework for human space flight by year-end as they plan to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024.

US scholarships for Indian PhD students

US scholarships for Indian PhD students

Rediff.com26 Feb 2008

The 2009 International Fulbright Science and Technology Award for outstanding students invites applications.

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

China also removed Finance Minister Liu Kun and appointed Lan Fo'an in his place. Liu is the third senior Cabinet minister to be replaced without any explanation.

Scientists hail Chandrayaan-3, say feat will inspire youngsters

Scientists hail Chandrayaan-3, say feat will inspire youngsters

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Leading scientists and experts said this monumental accomplishment not only marks India's indelible imprint on lunar exploration but also demonstrates the prowess of human collaboration, determination, and cutting-edge technology.

New all-in-one vaccine may prove effective against all coronaviruses

New all-in-one vaccine may prove effective against all coronaviruses

Rediff.com7 May 2024

The research published in 'Nature Nanotechnolog' on Monday is based on a new approach to vaccine development called "proactive vaccinology", where scientists build a vaccine before the disease-causing pathogen even emerges, which has shown promising results in mice.

With Samariya India gets CIC after a month, but 6 openings remain

With Samariya India gets CIC after a month, but 6 openings remain

Rediff.com6 Nov 2023

Samariya, the first Dalit to have been appointed to the post, was working as information commissioner in the transparency panel Central Information Commission (CIC). A 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Telangana cadre, Samariya retired after serving as the labour and employment secretary in the Government of India. He was sworn in as the information commissioner on November 7, 2020.

2018: When technology took a quantum leap

2018: When technology took a quantum leap

Rediff.com28 Dec 2018

Irrespective of what the future may have in store, the year 2018 has ushered humanity towards an era of next generation technology, demonstrating that there is no looking back in scientific innovations.

'Ratan Tata Always Displayed His Kindness'

'Ratan Tata Always Displayed His Kindness'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

'When the bombing happened in the Taj Mahal hotel in 2008, that was a very sad moment, but he really took care of the people, took care of everybody and that was when you saw some of his best moments.' 'There are some things which we will never forget. That is when the best of a person comes out.'

India to launch 7 Singapore satellites from Sriharikota on July 30

India to launch 7 Singapore satellites from Sriharikota on July 30

Rediff.com24 Jul 2023

Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the government of Singapore.

'I Had 10 Ideas When I Quit My Job'

'I Had 10 Ideas When I Quit My Job'

Rediff.com19 Dec 2023

'When I was toying with 10 different ideas, my father was diagnosed with lung fibrosis and his condition deteriorated so badly that we lost him in six months. He was very unsatisfied with the lack of proper diagnosis.' 'It made me think will anyone do a biopsy if there is no symptom? Why is it that we do not have any non-invasive diagnostic method?' 'This idea was the strongest out of the ten, and with Snahlata Singh with her cancer biology background joining me, the idea got a real boost.'

Expert panel to look into Kerala varsity stampede that claimed 4 lives: Govt

Expert panel to look into Kerala varsity stampede that claimed 4 lives: Govt

Rediff.com26 Nov 2023

State higher education minister R Bindhu has directed a three-member team, comprising the principal secretary of higher education, and Cochin University's vice-chancellor and registrar, to inquire into the stampede incident, an official release said.

Can't say yet if an outfit was behind Bengaluru blast: Karnataka HM

Can't say yet if an outfit was behind Bengaluru blast: Karnataka HM

Rediff.com2 Mar 2024

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said the police are conducting in-depth investigation into the bomb blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe and are looking into all angles.

Indian-origin MIT professor Hari Balakrishnan bags Marconi prize

Indian-origin MIT professor Hari Balakrishnan bags Marconi prize

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

Hari Balakrishnan, an Indian-origin MIT professor, has received the prestigious Marconi Prize for his fundamental discoveries in wired and wireless networking, mobile sensing, and distributed systems.

Why is Wayanad Quiet About Tragedy?

Why is Wayanad Quiet About Tragedy?

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

There is a definite attempt to put the landslides on the backburner because news of them and climate change worry Wayanad's tourism and real estate businesses greatly. Whatever I experienced of Wayanad's 2024 by-elections; the July landslides were not a burning issue, observes Shyam G Menon.

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

The successful launch of Aditya-L1 - the country's maiden mission to study the Sun - is expected to garner increased investor interest in the Indian space sector and trigger more funding for private players. Several private sector players, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), MTAR Technologies, and Ananth Technologies, have played a pivotal role in the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) solar observatory mission. Aditya-L1 on Saturday set off on a 125-day journey on a PSLV-C57 rocket, in its attempt to study various elements relating to the nearest star from the halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from Earth.

These Scientists Shaped India

These Scientists Shaped India

Rediff.com15 Aug 2023

I suggest we build a Vigyan Mandir (Temple of Science) with the ambience of a place of worship, so that it becomes a destination for pilgrims. We should embed on its walls bronze plaques describing each scientist mentioned here along with about a dozen of our ancient mathematicians, recommends Professor Kalyan Singhal, historian of science and technology.

Can India Be A Developed Nation By 2047?

Can India Be A Developed Nation By 2047?

Rediff.com6 Jan 2024

One hopes in his next term, Narendra Modi will take up the mission of inculcating respect for following rules in Indians as a mission. Therein lies the chance for India to become a developed country, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Indian Americans galore in Obama-Biden team

Indian Americans galore in Obama-Biden team

Rediff.com25 Nov 2008

The presence of more Indian Americans in the team has made the whole community proud.

IIT-B students move police against prof for pro-Palestinian talk

IIT-B students move police against prof for pro-Palestinian talk

Rediff.com10 Nov 2023

Students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have lodged a police complaint against a professor and a guest speaker for allegedly speaking in support of Palestinian militants during a virtual lecture, an official said on Friday.

Meet Asha, the robotic nurse

Meet Asha, the robotic nurse

Rediff.com17 Dec 2020

'Imagine taking care of a patient who is infected with Covid. A human nurse is unable to do that due to fear of infection. The robot can do that task, while it is controlled or supervised by the human nurse. So the robot becomes an extension of the nurse.'

Karnataka approves cyber security policy for curbing crimes, data privacy

Karnataka approves cyber security policy for curbing crimes, data privacy

Rediff.com10 Aug 2023

Responding to a question, he said, "It may also deal with fake news, though there is no specific mention in this regard."

IT Hiring Slowdown Worries Students

IT Hiring Slowdown Worries Students

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

'Students of Tier-II and Tier III engineering colleges in the south may find 2023 to be one of the toughest years for getting jobs.'

India set to launch first-ever offshore mineral auction in Q1 FY24

India set to launch first-ever offshore mineral auction in Q1 FY24

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

In a step towards diversifying its resource base and securing green energy minerals, India is poised to launch its first-ever offshore mineral auction in the first quarter of 2024, announced Union Minister of Mines Pralhad Joshi during the launch event of the National Geoscience Data Repository portal. The government plans to hold auctions in March, offering 10-15 blocks for bidding. Meanwhile, the ministry of mines is currently developing rules and regulations for offshore mining.

Why this ISRO scientist has not visited his Manipur home for over 2 years

Why this ISRO scientist has not visited his Manipur home for over 2 years

Rediff.com25 Aug 2023

Meet Indian Space Research Organisation scientist Ningthoujam Raghu Singh, who was one of the bright sparks responsible for sending Chandrayaan-3 to the moon.

Artificial rain not a sustainable solution to pollution crisis: Experts

Artificial rain not a sustainable solution to pollution crisis: Experts

Rediff.com19 Dec 2023

The sustainable impact of this process is under scrutiny, Tripathi added.

A technology designed to touch many lives

A technology designed to touch many lives

Rediff.com22 Sep 2015

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur have developed technologies that will enable people with disabilities enjoy the digital world, says Indrani Roy.

4000 dengue cases reported in Bengaluru, 7000 in Karnataka

4000 dengue cases reported in Bengaluru, 7000 in Karnataka

Rediff.com11 Sep 2023

Amid a surge in dengue cases in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he has instructed officials to take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent spread of the vector borne disease and urged the people to give utmost priority to cleanliness in their neighbourhoods.

Google unveils a slate of AI tools for Indian developers

Google unveils a slate of AI tools for Indian developers

Rediff.com29 Jun 2023

Google unveiled on Wednesday a slate of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies for Indian developers at its first I/O Connect event for India, being held in Bengaluru. The company made accessible for Indian developers its faster, more accurate large language AI model accessible through PaLM API, Makersuite, as well as features on Google Cloud's Vertex AI. Google Cloud officially launched a new initiative in collaboration with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, to help sellers build and scale commerce platforms across the country.

Can India Create Multi Language AI Like Chat GPT?

Can India Create Multi Language AI Like Chat GPT?

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

Creating an LLM trained on Indian languages is not easy. Experts say each language in India has a nuance of its own, so creating a ChatGPT-like product is an ambitious challenge.