News for 'Ministry of Information and Biotechnology'

India, US in talks for mutually beneficial trade agreement

India, US in talks for mutually beneficial trade agreement

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The Indian government informed Parliament that India and the US are engaged in negotiations for a mutually beneficial multi-sectoral bilateral trade agreement. The two countries also cooperate on strategic, economic, and defense matters, managing divergences through high-level dialogues.

5 Tips To Pick The Best Engineering College

5 Tips To Pick The Best Engineering College

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

rediffGURU Chocko Valliappa offers crucial career advice to engineering aspirants.

Modi holds 'insightful discussion' with Vivek Ramaswamy

Modi holds 'insightful discussion' with Vivek Ramaswamy

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Indian-American billionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in Washington, D.C., discussing India-US relations, innovation, biotechnology, and the role of entrepreneurship. Modi also met with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard during his visit.

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

In a double-dose bid to boost growth and employment prospects, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs 2.07 trillion outlay for a research development and innovation (RDI) Scheme to fund private sector innovations, and an employment-linked incentive (ELI) to create over 35 million new jobs over the next two years.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Indian Diaspora has been able to carve a niche in their adopted countries as a result of their talent, perseverance and hardworking nature, asserts Rup Narayan Das.

India sees biggest Chandipura virus outbreak in 20 yrs: WHO

India sees biggest Chandipura virus outbreak in 20 yrs: WHO

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

A total of 43 districts in India are currently reporting AES cases.

Modi urges global tech CEOs to be part of India growth story

Modi urges global tech CEOs to be part of India growth story

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged CEOs of US majors to take advantage of India's growth story as the country is making all efforts to become the third largest economy of the world in his third term. India is currently the fifth largest economy of the world after the US, China, Germany and Japan with a GDP of around $3.9 trillion. India has been the fastest growing large economies of the world with GDP growth rate of over 7 per cent for the last three consecutive years.

Bharat Biotech finally names ICMR as co-owner in Covaxin patent filings

Bharat Biotech finally names ICMR as co-owner in Covaxin patent filings

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

After reports claimed that filings in patent offices in India, the US, and Europe did not mention ICMR or its scientists, but only BBIL and its scientists, the Hyderabad-based biotechnology (biotech) company clarified that in the "rush" to develop vaccines and file appropriate patents, BBIL had missed adding ICMR's name in the original filings.

Govt ushers in de-layering in bureaucracy, jt secretary reports to secretary

Govt ushers in de-layering in bureaucracy, jt secretary reports to secretary

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

The Centre has taken a major step towards increasing efficiency in decision-making by empowering joint secretaries to report to secretaries directly, officials said on Wednesday.

Lockdown tamed doubling rate of COVID-19 cases: Health ministry

Lockdown tamed doubling rate of COVID-19 cases: Health ministry

Rediff.com17 Apr 2020

Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal claimed that India has been doing better than many other countries on the outcome ratio, which is the number of recoveries from coronavirus infection versus the number of deaths.

Finding missing JNU student: Rs 1 lakh reward for information

Finding missing JNU student: Rs 1 lakh reward for information

Rediff.com25 Oct 2016

JNU students staged a march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar demanding expedited efforts to trace the student. A delegation of JNU students union went to submit a memorandum to the office of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung in this regard.

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.

Health ministry ready to roll out COVID-19 vaccine in around a week

Health ministry ready to roll out COVID-19 vaccine in around a week

Rediff.com5 Jan 2021

Addressing a press briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said healthcare workers and frontline workers need not register themselves as their database has been populated on to the Co-WIN vaccine delivery management system in a bulk manner.

Covid: Omicron, sub-lineages dominant variant in India

Covid: Omicron, sub-lineages dominant variant in India

Rediff.com6 Aug 2022

"The COVID-19 cases are rising, but hospitalization and deaths are still less," said sources.

COVID effect: No motorcycle stunts at R-Day parade this year

COVID effect: No motorcycle stunts at R-Day parade this year

Rediff.com23 Jan 2021

The spectator size too has been reduced to 25,000, officials said.

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

Phase-I clinical trials have revealed "excellent safety" of the two candidate vaccines indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and Cadila Healthcare Ltd and their immunogenicity testing is now in progress, minister of state for health Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Several JNU, IIT professors duped of crores by ex-staffer

Several JNU, IIT professors duped of crores by ex-staffer

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

Several professors of Jawaharlal Nehru University and other institutions have accused a former JNU employee of duping them of crores of rupees promising them homes on a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) plot under a housing development scheme which was never there.

Govt expects speedy launch of single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine

Govt expects speedy launch of single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine

Rediff.com27 May 2021

The government is hopeful of a speedy launch of single-dose COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik Light in India and all stakeholders, including the Russian manufacturer and its Indian partners, have been directed to fast-track the application and regulatory approval procedures for the jab to boost the country's vaccination drive, sources said.

Govt exploring possibility to produce Covaxin abroad

Govt exploring possibility to produce Covaxin abroad

Rediff.com21 May 2021

To address the shortage of COVID-19 jabs in the country, the government is exploring the possibility of boosting production of vaccines, including identifying manufacturing sites for indigenously developed Covaxin outside India, sources said.

More testing, check hotspots: Centre to states on 'Omicron'

More testing, check hotspots: Centre to states on 'Omicron'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2021

As a proactive step, the government has already placed nations, where this VoC has been found, in the category of 'at risk' countries for additional follow-up measures of international travellers coming into lndia from these destinations, he said in a letter dated November 27.

Moderna's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India likely next year; Pfizer ready with 5 cr doses for 2021

Moderna's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India likely next year; Pfizer ready with 5 cr doses for 2021

Rediff.com25 May 2021

Currently, the country is using two 'made-in India' jabs -- Covishield and Covaxin -- to inoculate its billion-plus population and has administered 20 crore doses since launching the world's largest vaccination drive in mid-January. A third vaccine, Russian-made Sputnik V, has been approved by the government and is being used on a smaller scale at present.

Industry biggies bat for HAL airport, rap govt

Industry biggies bat for HAL airport, rap govt

Rediff.com19 May 2008

Bangalore's information and biotechnology majors have again trained their guns at the government over the closure of the existing HAL airport.

Govt extends gap between 2 doses of Covishield to 12-18 weeks

Govt extends gap between 2 doses of Covishield to 12-18 weeks

Rediff.com13 May 2021

The NTAGI has also stated that those having laboratory test proven SARS-CoV-2 illness should defer COVID-19 vaccination for six months after recovery, the sources said.

Karnataka: BJP-JD(S) to formulate CMP

Karnataka: BJP-JD(S) to formulate CMP

Rediff.com29 Jan 2006

B S Yediyurappa, deputy chief minister designate of the new Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government to be sworn-in in Karnataka on February 3, Sunday said the government would formulate a Common Minimum Programme.

Start-up policy to get makeover

Start-up policy to get makeover

Rediff.com15 May 2017

The move is expected to create space for more budding entrepreneurs in the country to be eligible for self-certification, relaxed public procurement norms, rebate in patent filing, start-up funding, investment and easier closure compliance.

Four states report 14 new Omicron cases, India tally rises to 87

Four states report 14 new Omicron cases, India tally rises to 87

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

While Karnataka reported five new cases, Delhi and Telangana reported four each, and Gujarat reported one fresh case of the Omicron variant.

47% Covid victims in India aged below 60 years: Govt

47% Covid victims in India aged below 60 years: Govt

Rediff.com13 Oct 2020

"Also, 35 per cent deaths were recorded in the age group of 45-60 years, 10 per cent in the age group of 26-44 years and one per cent each in the age group of 18-25 years and below 17 years," the health secy said.

Is India's economy crashing?

Is India's economy crashing?

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

'Defence funding is channelled to State-owned research organisations where scientists are merely bureaucrats holding meetings and sending out minutes of meetings and press releases, but have long ago stopped any innovative work.' 'Unless this tragedy is fixed, India's chances to create world-conquering and job-creating new industries are slim,' says Ajit Balakrishnan.

Investors not keen on SEZs; 57 to surrender zones

Investors not keen on SEZs; 57 to surrender zones

Rediff.com10 Feb 2015

The board would take a decision on these applications on February 20.

Genetically modified crops' field trials put on hold

Genetically modified crops' field trials put on hold

Rediff.com30 Jul 2014

The decision marks first successful policy intervention.

India's start-up world booms with 100,000 new firms in 2014

India's start-up world booms with 100,000 new firms in 2014

Rediff.com11 Sep 2015

About 80 per cent of the companies that are registered are essentially non-IT.

2018's top 20 science colleges in India

2018's top 20 science colleges in India

Rediff.com30 May 2018

Presenting the Top 20 of 100 science colleges as per India Today's findings.

2018's top 20 science colleges in India

2018's top 20 science colleges in India

Rediff.com30 May 2018

Presenting the Top 20 of 100 science colleges as per India Today's findings.

Startup India: Why progress is soooo slow

Startup India: Why progress is soooo slow

Rediff.com28 Jul 2016

Seven months down the line, not much progress has been made, except that the scheme is still being fine-tuned.

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

This is the joint statement issued by the ministry of external affairs on the visit of US President Barack Obama to India.

Thanks to Modi's push, GM mustard set to hit Indian markets

Thanks to Modi's push, GM mustard set to hit Indian markets

Rediff.com22 Jun 2015

Modi government is pushing GM food crops without adequate safety assessment and transparency, claim activists.

Indian-American political legend to run for Congress

Indian-American political legend to run for Congress

Rediff.com9 Mar 2015

'It is very important for Indian Americans to understand that we need to have as many seats at the table as we can get. I am going to see to it that I am going to get there," Kumar Barve, the longest-serving Indian-American legislator in America, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

Chopper scam: Budget session likely casualty as Centre, Congress trade charges

Chopper scam: Budget session likely casualty as Centre, Congress trade charges

Rediff.com28 Apr 2016

With an aggressive Opposition and unyielding government, important legislation could be the biggest casualty, as details of the helicopter contract surface.

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

Rediff.com25 May 2018

'Let me talk about young Indian startups with their hearts in the right place and how they are proving that innovations that represent 'affordable excellence' -- breaking the myth that 'affordability' and 'excellence' cannot go together -- is indeed possible!' says Dr R A Mashelkar, the eminent scientist, in this fascinating feature.