India's burgeoning franchise volleyball ecosystem, particularly with dedicated Under-21 tournaments like the Guardians Trophy, is creating a structured pathway for young players. This initiative aims to develop talent from the grassroots to professional levels, fostering cultural adaptation and skill enhancement, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the senior national team and achieving Olympic qualification.
Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has advocated for increased use of technology, especially drones and geospatial systems, to enhance governance and create employment opportunities for the state's youth. During his visit to the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre and Drone Centre of Excellence, he highlighted the broad applications of drone technology and the importance of skill development. The centre is actively training youth in various drone-related courses, aiming to meet the demand for drone pilots in the Northeast.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has approved the establishment of India's first dedicated Quantum and AI University campus in Amaravati by NIELIT. This significant project, funded by the MeitY, Government of India, will focus on advanced technologies like Quantum, AI, and Semiconductors, integrating education, research, and entrepreneurship.
Former badminton coach Vimal Kumar expresses optimism about India's medal prospects at the upcoming Asian Games, suggesting they can surpass their previous tally of three. He stresses the critical need for Indian singles players, including Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty, to overcome inconsistencies and deliver under pressure. Kumar also highlights the challenges posed by the new 15-point format and the highly competitive nature of men's singles badminton.
Microsoft has announced the activation of its latest data centre in Hyderabad, significantly expanding its Cloud infrastructure in India and enabling organisations to leverage AI-era services with enhanced local choice and security.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel has indicated that India might field three left-arm spinners - Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Manav Suthar - in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Arundhati Bhattacharya, Salesforce President and CEO for South Asia, stated that cloud and AI are democratising capabilities, offering India a unique opportunity to leapfrog in technology. Speaking at the IMC Chamber of Commerce, she emphasised that AI will create more jobs and urged Indian businesses to transform using technology, rather than merely digitising. She also highlighted the significant economic potential of AI adoption for India.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde concluded a two-day visit to the UK, focusing on attracting foreign direct investment and promoting the state's economic potential. His engagements included receiving leadership awards, meeting with sports figures like Virat Kohli to discuss Olympic aspirations, and appealing to British investors to bring technology and capital to Maharashtra, leveraging the India-UK FTA.
Mizoram's school education minister inaugurated the northeast region's first 'New Age Tech Skills Centre' at the Government Comprehensive Model School in Aizawl. The centre, established under Bharat Forge Limited's CSR initiative, will offer training in AI, robotics, IoT, 3D printing, CAD, CNC simulation, and drone technology.
West Bengal has launched an Emerging Quantum and Semiconductor Technologies (EQST) section at CSIR-CGCRI to attract investments and position the state as a hub for next-generation technology. Minister Kalyan Chakraborti highlighted India's need to invest in these crucial sectors and outlined the state's plans to collaborate with institutions and leverage budget initiatives to foster research and start-ups.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a two-day meeting of BRICS Sports and Youth Ministers in Visakhapatnam, aiming to strengthen cooperation in youth affairs and sports, with a focus on sports manufacturing, indigenous disciplines, and youth development.
Punjab Kings all-rounder Shashank Singh is intensifying his bowling practice and rebuilding his fielding confidence during the off-season camp, aiming for an India call-up by excelling in his all-rounder role in the upcoming domestic season.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that revised NCERT textbooks for classes 10 to 12 are being prepared in "mission mode," while textbooks for classes 1 to 9 under the new National Curriculum Framework have already been released. He emphasised NCERT's role in building a 'Viksit Bharat' and highlighted the need for curricula to evolve with AI advancements and the importance of India's young population as a global asset.
A Niti Aayog report reveals that an estimated 8.7 crore Indian youth aged 15 to 29 are not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET), underscoring the critical need for subsidised training programmes focused on self-employment and emerging sectors.
Computer-based testing can make the examination more secure and transparent. Ensuring equal opportunities to prepare will make it fair as well. India needs both, suggests Dibyasree Ganguly.
Employers are increasingly prioritising professionals with four to 10 years of experience.
Himanshu Dhillon, on his 21st birthday, won the silver medal in the men's 10m air rifle at the Asian Games.
The Karnataka government is collaborating with ElevenLabs to explore pilot projects using voice AI across various sectors including skilling, investment promotion, healthcare, culture, and citizen services. This initiative aims to leverage advanced AI to enhance accessibility and efficiency of government services, with a strong focus on responsible AI use and safeguards against misinformation.
Despite near gender parity in basic bank account ownership, women in India remain significantly underrepresented in the growing platform economy due to gaps in digital financial capability and access to credit, according to a joint report by the International Labour Organization and National Council of Applied Economic Research.
Employees with artificial intelligence skills are likely to see better salary increments in the coming years, especially in technology, GCCs, and BFSI sectors, according to TeamLease Edtech.
Indian Teqball player Quimcy Dsouza lost her Asian Games women's singles semifinal to Indonesia's Sumaya in a gruelling three-game match. Despite a strong start, Dsouza, a former state-level footballer, was overcome by Sumaya's sepak takraw background. Dsouza will now compete in the bronze medal playoff, aiming for a podium finish in Teqball's debut at the Asian Games.
Indian women's hockey team captain Savita Punia believes their recent FIH Nations Cup triumph has instilled the confidence needed to challenge top teams and secure a podium finish at the upcoming World Cup.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan has criticised the current generation of pacers for their lack of skill development, attributing it to Pakistan's decline in Test cricket. He emphasised the importance of artful bowling over mere speed and highlighted how T20 cricket and internal politics are hindering player development.
The 'CHESS+' initiative, Championing Excellence in Sport Skills, has been launched to establish a structured chess curriculum in schools across India. This program, a collaboration between the All India Chess Federation and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, aims to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students, starting with a pilot in 30 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
India's women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction with the team's 6-1 victory over South Africa at the FIH Women's World Cup but emphasised the need for improved precision in passing and finishing. Despite topping their group, Marijne cautioned against complacency, highlighting the upcoming crucial match against England. He also praised forward Lalremsiami, who found added motivation from her Arjuna Award nomination.
'My suggestion to Nandan Nilekani is that it would be worthwhile for him to take a holistic review in a manner in which examination is just one critical component.'
Former Australian hockey legend Jamie Dwyer believes the Indian team possesses the talent and infrastructure to become a dominant force in world hockey but stresses that 'they need to maintain consistency as a team' to realise their true potential.
Five young Indian women's hockey players - Ishika, Lalthantluangi, Sakshi Rana, Shilpi Dabas, and Sunelita Toppo - are set to make their World Cup debut, having overcome various challenges and long waits to reach this significant milestone.
Top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal discusses his new role as India A captain, viewing it as a valuable learning experience that will positively influence his batting ahead of the upcoming New Zealand tour. He also reflects on his recent good form and the challenges of adapting to different playing conditions.
The highlight of the successful BRICS Summit was its ability to deliver a joint statement that all members, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates, embroiled in the war in West Asia, signed.
India's Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand staged a remarkable comeback victory in the women's doubles quarter-finals at the BWF World Championships 2026, defeating China's Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian to secure a semi-final spot and guarantee India a medal.
Cook up one of the most elegant desserts of France at home -- it's a cinch to make.
BMW India CFO Carsten Lammers has expressed surprise at the extensive scale and prolonged duration of tax and Customs litigation in India, advocating for faster dispute resolution and simpler procedures to ensure business stability.
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh successfully tested his four-day cricket fitness in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final, delivering a strong performance for North Zone. He expressed satisfaction at the rare opportunity to play red-ball cricket, focusing on building rhythm and assessing his endurance, which he believes will benefit his overall game.
Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath has underscored the critical role of Test cricket in developing depth within the game, despite the growing popularity of the T20 format. Speaking at an awards ceremony, Srinath advised young players to prioritise Test cricket, noting the difficulty for T20 specialists to transition to the longer format. He also stressed the responsibility of cricket associations, parents, and coaches in guiding emerging talent.
The Iran national women's kabaddi team conducted a six-day practice camp at the Sports Authority of India's Sonepat centre, engaging in matches against the Indian team and local sides.
'Companies are getting selective about what they pay a premium for.'
From ancient gurus to pioneering educationists and social reformers, India's history is peopled by remarkable teachers who saw learning as a force for change.
A Kishore Kumar song, a birthday cake, a prince's break from protocol to thank his driver, a Persian painting on the ceiling of the presidential residence -- the BRICS Summit had many memorable moments.
rediffGURU Nagarajan JSK, a career counsellor with over 30 years of experience, addressed readers' queries and offered practical advice on how to make the right decision.
