Atomic Energy Commission chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty stated that India is on the verge of a significant technological transformation, driven by advancements in AI, quantum technologies, and other fields. Speaking at BIT Mesra's convocation, he emphasised the need for strong indigenous capabilities, skilled professionals, and interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve a developed India. Other speakers, including BIT Mesra's Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, echoed the importance of continuous learning and contributing to national progress.
The Indian Navy is enhancing its operational capabilities across all domains, including air, underwater, AI, and quantum technology, to become a multi-domain network force. Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, highlighted lessons from recent conflicts, the exploration of directed-energy weapon systems, and significant procurement plans, including 42 new platforms on order and RFPs issued for LPDs and next-generation frigates. The Navy's focus on indigenous innovation and technology absorption, guided by "scale, sophistication, speed, and spiral development," aims to meet evolving operational requirements and protect maritime interests, especially amidst ongoing global crises.
The University of Melbourne and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati have launched a new 2+2 Bachelor of Science Integrated (Honours) dual degree. This programme offers Indian students a globally connected, research-intensive science education, allowing them to study two years at IISER-Tirupati and two years in Melbourne, graduating with two honours degrees.
Should the Tata Sons board heed the views of its majority shareholder? asks Laveesh Bhandari.
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain the Centre's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's decision to uphold the maintainability of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) against the Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project. The PILs allege violations of the Forest Rights Act and impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The apex court directed the High Court to proceed with hearing all related petitions.
TCS chief executive and managing director K Krithivasan stated that the US is unlikely to target tech companies based on their domicile, with actions like the recent green card application programme suspension being driven by local sensitivities around jobs.
The Asian Champions Trophy returns to Punjab after 17 years, marking a special occasion for Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, whose family will watch him play internationally for the first time. The tournament, featuring six teams, highlights Punjab's rich hockey legacy and will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations have accused the government of attempting to influence electoral outcomes by allegedly deleting over 13 crore voters. They have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in voter rolls and criticising the police crackdown on protesters. Leaders questioned the government's protection of the CEC and linked voter deletions to the narrow victory margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has increased India's growth forecast to 7 per cent for 2026-27, up from 6.4 per cent, attributing this robust outlook to resilient domestic demand and strong services activity, positioning India as one of the fastest-growing major economies.
India's anti-terror agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has registered a case to investigate a mid-air attack on Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, inside the cockpit of an Israel-bound flydubai flight, citing an "apparent attempt to hijack or cause it to crash."
Madhya Pradesh has achieved the top rank in India for drug destruction, eliminating over 2.74 lakh kilograms of narcotics in two years. The state is implementing a comprehensive strategy, including forming anti-drug committees in educational institutions, launching a three-year campaign to dismantle drug networks, strengthening intelligence, and expanding de-addiction centres. Authorities have also seized significant quantities of drugs, attached properties, and conducted extensive public awareness programmes.
'Nobody could have played this character better than Rajkummar Rao.'
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran affirmed India's robust economic position amidst global uncertainty, emphasising that energy security, advanced manufacturing jobs, and investment in human capital are 'critical' for sustaining the nation's long-term growth.
Kanpur police have uncovered a Rs 2.66-crore cyber fraud operation, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the identification of 89 bank accounts nationwide. The investigation began after a bank manager reported alleged fake complaints filed by one of the accused, Akhil Singh Chauhan, who was denied banking facilities. The fraud involved a fake investment scheme that targeted an exporter, with money routed through numerous mule accounts.
Shubman Gill has affirmed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are indispensable to India's ODI team, highlighting their vast experience and skill.
A group of 124 former IAS, IFS, IPS, and allied services officers have issued an open letter defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. They argue that the electoral system cannot be deemed rigged only when a party loses, citing instances where the ruling BJP lost elections under the same EC. The officers highlight the legitimacy and necessity of the SIR for cleaning voter rolls and underscore the robust safeguards within India's electoral system.
Former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has criticised former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's approach to judicial appointments, alleging that he was "too deferential to the government". Kaul, in his forthcoming memoir, details instances where Chandrachud sought government "pre-approval" for appointments, raising concerns about judicial independence and executive pressure.
Cathy Li, Head of the Centre for AI Excellence at the World Economic Forum, advocates for integrating AI literacy into India's education curriculum and incentivising AI companies to prioritise child safety. She stresses the need for localised solutions that account for India's linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as varying levels of connectivity and digital literacy, to ensure AI systems are safe and beneficial for children.
The US Department of Justice has initiated its largest denaturalisation effort in modern history, targeting 40 individuals for various serious offences, including fraud and espionage. Among those facing citizenship revocation is Balwinder Singh of California, accused of using a fraudulent identity, and Jinchao Wei, a former US Navy sailor convicted of espionage for China.
Dedicated Ayush dispensaries increased from 26,130 in 2013-2014 to 37,804 in 2024-2025, while hospitals rose much more slowly, from 3,605 to 3,885.
Technopark-based space-tech startup HEX20 has been selected by the UAE Space Agency to develop a spacecraft for an asteroid probe, marking the first time an Indian private company has been chosen for a deep-space mission by the Gulf nation. HEX20 is contributing its expertise in developing the spacecraft bus and software for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, which is scheduled for launch in March 2028 to study asteroid 269 Justitia.
Top defence officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye have affirmed their commitment to the Makkah Defence Alliance, a trilateral pact aimed at collective security against threats, particularly from Yemen's Houthi rebels. The alliance, formed last month, considers an attack on one as an attack on all, and its members met in Riyadh to discuss intelligence sharing, military coordination, and capability integration to defend Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Experts at a national symposium in Shillong discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence in tourism, emphasising that AI should support human judgment, local knowledge, and cultural values rather than replace them. Discussions highlighted the need for robust policies to address ethical concerns, safeguard livelihoods, and preserve cultural heritage while leveraging AI for innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector, particularly in Meghalaya.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively pursuing a strategy to expand cricket in China, leveraging the sport's recent inclusion in the Olympics. Plans include establishing a Centre of Excellence, supporting a Tier 2 event, and promoting women's cricket, with significant investment and collaboration with the Chinese Cricket Association to embed the sport deeper into the country's sporting system.
National Stock Exchange (NSE) Chairman Srinivas Injeti stated that post-listing, the exchange's duties as a stock trading marketplace and its responsibilities as a commercial entity will see public interest overriding business interests if the two intersect.
The objective should be clear: Energy security without abandoning environmental responsibility; water security without ignoring local concerns; and strategic resilience without sacrificing public confidence, notes Varun Arya.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to disclose the specific rules and policies behind its requirement for shooters to submit an affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper for date of birth verification. The directive came after an RTI appeal sought clarity on the basis for this mandatory requirement, which the NRAI stated was part of its age fraud prevention measures.
The White House has launched a major crackdown on the 'Great Transhipment Scam', accusing India and over 40 other nations of helping Chinese exporters bypass US tariffs by misrepresenting the origin of goods. The US plans to use AI-driven monitoring and anti-transhipment clauses in future trade agreements to strengthen enforcement.
India's GST Council has approved changes allowing small online sellers to register in states without physical premises by using an e-commerce operator's warehouse as their principal place of business, aiming to boost national sales for small businesses.
Tata Projects has forged a strategic partnership with Canada-based MDS Aero Support Corporation to develop advanced aero-engine testing infrastructure in India. This collaboration combines Tata Projects' infrastructure capabilities with MDS Aero Support's global expertise in gas turbine engine testing, aiming to support India's rapidly growing aerospace and propulsion ecosystem.
Five Indian nationals aboard a Kuwait-flagged tanker were safely shifted ashore after the vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the Embassy of India in Oman said.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that foreign nationals do not possess an inherent or legally enforceable right to enter India, even if they hold a valid visa. The court emphasised that entry is a sovereign function, subject to national security, foreign policy, and administrative discretion. This observation came while dismissing a plea from a Turkmenistan national who was denied entry despite having a business visa, citing adverse inputs and national security concerns.
Jio Platforms (JPL) is preparing a capex-light strategy to commercially launch 6G services in the early 2030s through software upgrades, rather than fresh infrastructure investments, according to Akash Ambani, managing director of JPL.
Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar stated that artificial intelligence is not making India's Business Process Management (BPM) industry obsolete but is instead driving its significant reinvention. He highlighted that the sector has an opportunity to become the world's "intelligent operations and transformation hub" by leveraging AI, analytics, and cloud-based operations, moving beyond traditional call centres. Nambiar outlined three key priorities for the industry, including reimagining processes, building hybrid human-AI operating models, and redefining India's global BPM representation.
Ericsson CEO Andres Vicente emphasised the critical need for technology alignment and ecosystem collaboration to ensure security in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Speaking on Wednesday, he highlighted that AI's benefits in productivity and innovation cannot be forgone, making shared security concerns across interconnected tech layers paramount. Ericsson is actively working with partners through the Trusted Tech Alliance to establish common AI-era security understandings.
India is deeply concerned by the growing consolidation of Pakistan-backed jihadi and radical Islamist groups in Bangladesh, particularly in the strategically vital Chittagong Hill Tracts, which experts warn is transforming the country into a new safe haven for these networks and posing a direct threat to India's security.
Indian firm Bharat Forge and US defence major Pratt & Whitney Canada have announced a collaboration to support the development of India's high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle. This partnership involves integrating advanced turboprop engines into a DRDO-designed UAV, bolstering India's indigenous defence capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Tata Power has partnered with Norway's Ocean Sun to introduce innovative membrane-based floating solar technology to India. A 300 kWp pilot project will be undertaken at Tata Power's Mulshi reservoir in Maharashtra to evaluate the technology's performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness under Indian conditions. This collaboration aims to leverage India's significant floating solar potential and contribute to its renewable energy goals.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the INDIA bloc will stage a major protest in Delhi on Monday to protect voting rights, following meetings with the President and a planned meeting with the Chief Justice of India. He accused PM Modi and Amit Shah of attempting to protect Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and criticised the Centre for denying an AIIMS facility to Keralam despite past assurances. Venugopal affirmed the bloc's commitment to ensuring free and fair elections and expressed hope for AIIMS if they come to power.
Ramlila Maidan, recently designated as one of Delhi's new protest sites, is proving to be a costly and difficult option for demonstrators. With no free dates for the next two and a half months and booking fees exceeding Rs 1 lakh, it contrasts sharply with the previously free Jantar Mantar. The ground, rich in political history, also poses logistical challenges due to its busy commercial location and impact on traffic.
