News for 'State for Earth Sciences'

Rijiju shunted out of law ministry, given earth sciences

Rijiju shunted out of law ministry, given earth sciences

Rediff.com18 May 2023

In a major cabinet reshuffle, Arjun Ram Meghwal has replaced Kiren Rijiju as the Union law and justice minister, a communique from the President's Secretariat said on Thursday.

Rashtra Sevika Samiti Calls for Women's Day to Reflect Indian Values

Rashtra Sevika Samiti Calls for Women's Day to Reflect Indian Values

Rediff.com18 hours ago

Rashtra Sevika Samiti emphasizes the importance of guiding International Women's Day with Indian cultural values, focusing on social awareness, mindset change, and women's empowerment through unity and family values.

NCERT textbook row: Govt promises action after SC ban

NCERT textbook row: Govt promises action after SC ban

Rediff.com2 days ago

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has expressed strong disapproval of a chapter in an NCERT Class 8 textbook addressing judicial corruption, prompting government action and a Supreme Court ban on the book's circulation.

Meet The 'Waste Warrior' Of India!

Meet The 'Waste Warrior' Of India!

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Her mission: Making Mother Earth cleaner and greener!

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'This Budget has a one-year agenda, which you can call the sprint, and the marathon is towards Viksit Bharat.'

Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, 608 days in space

Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, 608 days in space

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, completing three missions aboard the International Space Station and setting numerous spaceflight records. She is currently visiting India.

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'For the first time in a hundred years, the army has been taken out of the political equation. And for the first time ever, there is only one man who calls the shots. Not even Mao had this kind of power.'

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

For the first time, there will be an Indian connection to a crewed Moon mission.

India, US engaged on early trade deal as space tie-up deepens: Envoy Kwatra

India, US engaged on early trade deal as space tie-up deepens: Envoy Kwatra

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Kwatra termed India's successful launch of an American communication satellite on Wednesday as a 'very important and big day' for partnership between Washington and New Delhi, saying it caps a series of achievements in 2025 in bilateral space cooperation between the countries.

Isro's NISAR mission enters critical 90-day phase

Isro's NISAR mission enters critical 90-day phase

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

The NASA-ISRO NISAR mission has entered its 90-day commissioning phase, involving rigorous checks and calibrations to prepare the satellite for Earth observation. Scientists highlight the collaborative benefits and technological advancements of the mission.

Historic! ISRO's 'Bahubali' rocket launches heaviest-ever satellite

Historic! ISRO's 'Bahubali' rocket launches heaviest-ever satellite

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

Weighing 6,100 kg, the communication satellite would be the heaviest payload to be placed into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in LVM3 launch history from Indian soil.

After NISAR mission, ISRO to launch 6,500 kg US satellite

After NISAR mission, ISRO to launch 6,500 kg US satellite

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

ISRO to launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the US, marking a significant milestone in the Indian space program after the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission.

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

'The natural barrier that is Aravalli, you are demolishing it, then who will stop the desert?' 'In future, I predict that people will roam around with oxygen cylinders in Delhi because they won't be able to breathe.'

ISRO's POEM-4 successfully re-enters Earth's atmosphere

ISRO's POEM-4 successfully re-enters Earth's atmosphere

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the fourth edition of the PSLV Orbital platform Experiment Module (POEM-4), used for the space docking experiment mission, has successfully re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. The module, a repurposed spent upper stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, impacted at 02:33 UTC (08:03 IST) on April 04, 2025, in the Indian Ocean. This successful re-entry signifies ISRO's commitment to mitigating space debris and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the outer space environment. POEM-4 had hosted 24 payloads during its mission life, yielding valuable science data. ISRO and the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) closely monitored the module's orbit decay and predicted the re-entry date. This event showcases ISRO's proactive approach to responsible space operations.

Cloud seeding: What it means and how the process works

Cloud seeding: What it means and how the process works

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

An explainer on cloud seeding, the technique used to artificially modify clouds to produce more rainfall, including its process, history, potential environmental hazards, and considerations for conducting experiments.

Earliest monsoon onset in Maharashtra in 35 years

Earliest monsoon onset in Maharashtra in 35 years

Rediff.com25 May 2025

The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday, making it the earliest onset of the annual rainfall season over the state in 35 years, according to the India Meteorological Department. The monsoon is expected to advance to Mumbai and some other parts over the next three days. The monsoon advanced into some more parts of the Arabian Sea, Karnataka, entire Goa, parts of Maharashtra, north Bay of Bengal, and parts of Mizoram, parts of Manipur and Nagaland on Sunday. The northern limit of monsoon passes through Devgad, Belagavi, Haveri, Mandya, Dharmapuri, Chennai, Aizawl and Kohima. Conditions are favorable for further advance into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, some parts of Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, more parts of west-central and North Bay of Bengal and some more parts of North Eastern states during next three days. The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Saturday, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009.

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

IMD data shows in the 24 hours between September 1 and 2, Haryana received 806 per cent more rainfall than normal, Punjab 759 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 510 per cent, Delhi 740 per cent, Chandigarh a staggering 1,638 per cent, and Rajasthan 193 per cent.

India's Space Manufacturing Boom

India's Space Manufacturing Boom

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

The $1.2 billion in-space manufacturing market is expected to grow and be worth more than $20 billion by 2033.

'At 101, He Was Ready To Go To Jail'

'At 101, He Was Ready To Go To Jail'

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

'I dreaded meeting him these days because every time he'd say: We have to fight this government, even if it means going to jail.' 'He'd been in jails run by the British, he'd also been in jails in independent India, now he was ready to go to jail under this government.'

Indo-US NISAR Satellite Set for July Launch

Indo-US NISAR Satellite Set for July Launch

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

NISAR will not be used for surveillance and will be used to observe the earth.

You're the only leader who can talk to...: Chile Prez praises Modi

You're the only leader who can talk to...: Chile Prez praises Modi

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

India and Chile on Tuesday announced starting negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership pact as PM Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font held wide-ranging talks focusing on boosting the ties in areas of trade, defence, critical minerals and health.

Shuks leads pivotal muscle-loss study aboard ISS

Shuks leads pivotal muscle-loss study aboard ISS

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut at the International Space Station (ISS), conducted a critical biomedical experiment aboard the ISS on flight day 6 of the Axiom 4 Mission, focusing on how microgravity contributes to muscle loss.

Jaishankar carries Modi's letter to Trump's inauguration

Jaishankar carries Modi's letter to Trump's inauguration

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered a letter from Modi to US President Donald Trump at his inauguration on Monday. Jaishankar's presence at the inauguration is a common practice for India, sending special envoys to attend the swearing-in ceremonies of heads of state and government. The letter's content remains undisclosed.

'This Wasn't A Cloudburst...'

'This Wasn't A Cloudburst...'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

'The lakes up there were already at the brink due to accumulated rainwater, and then snowmelt occurred.' 'When one lake breached, it triggered a cascading effect -- other lakes breached subsequently.'

India braces for above-normal June rains, cooler temperatures: IMD

India braces for above-normal June rains, cooler temperatures: IMD

Rediff.com27 May 2025

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal rainfall across India in June, with most parts of the country likely to experience normal to below-normal maximum temperatures. The IMD also anticipates above-normal minimum temperatures across most of the country, except for some parts of central India and the adjoining south peninsula. The southwest monsoon reached Kerala on May 24, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009. The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture-dependent economy, providing vital water for crops and supporting drinking water and hydropower generation.

ISRO Ready To Launch NISAR In June

ISRO Ready To Launch NISAR In June

Rediff.com3 May 2025

Twice every 12 days, the NISAR satellite will scan nearly all of earth's land and ice surfaces to measure changes in the planet's ecosystems, growth and retreat of its land and sea ice, and deformation of its crust.

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the Crew Escape System and the Crew Module and Service Module are all in final stages of testing and integration.

The Man Who Said No To The Big Bang

The Man Who Said No To The Big Bang

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Jayant Narlikar wrote alternative what-if histories, explained difficult scientific theories with funny analogies, and leavened his lectures with jokes and humorous asides.

China begins $168-bn dam project over Brahmaputra amid India's concerns

China begins $168-bn dam project over Brahmaputra amid India's concerns

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

China has formally started the construction of a USD 167.8 billion dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh.

India to see above-normal rains this year, predicts IMD

India to see above-normal rains this year, predicts IMD

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal rainfall for the upcoming monsoon season in India (June to September). The cumulative rainfall is estimated to be 105 percent of the long-period average. The IMD has also ruled out the possibility of El Nino conditions during the entire season. The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture sector, which supports the livelihood of a significant portion of the population and contributes substantially to the country's GDP. However, while the prediction of normal rainfall brings relief, climate change is expected to cause variations in rainfall distribution.

The Alaska Fiasco: Lessons For India

The Alaska Fiasco: Lessons For India

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

The point to note for India is that we must not panic. The United States may be our largest export destination, but high tariffs will not exactly mean gloom and doom. Sure, we can throw some morsels as we continue negotiating, but we must be firm that some red lines cannot be crossed, no matter what, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

NDMA Plans 300 More Heat Action Plans as Mercury Rises

NDMA Plans 300 More Heat Action Plans as Mercury Rises

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

States are mandated to develop and implement 'heat HAPs' for prevention of heat-induced diseases. But most do not go beyond standard advisory on heat prevention.

'Have they totally lost it?': Ashoka univ prof's arrest sparks outrage

'Have they totally lost it?': Ashoka univ prof's arrest sparks outrage

Rediff.com19 May 2025

Mahmudabad, head of the political science department at the private university, was arrested on Sunday after two FIRs were lodged on stringent charges, including endangering sovereignty and integrity, for his social media posts related to Operation Sindoor, police and his lawyer said.

Mission Mausam: Know everything about Rs 2000 crore project

Mission Mausam: Know everything about Rs 2000 crore project

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

As weather patterns grow more unpredictable due to climate crisis, India is taking a giant leap with "Mission Mausam" to improve weather understanding and forecasting through expanded observation networks, better modeling and advanced tools like AI and machine learning.

Executive-judiciary relationship will stay cordial: New law minister Meghwal

Executive-judiciary relationship will stay cordial: New law minister Meghwal

Rediff.com18 May 2023

Soon after assuming office, Meghwal declared that there was no confrontation with the judiciary and that his priority would be to ensure speedy justice for all.

US removes restrictions on 3 Indian nuclear entities

US removes restrictions on 3 Indian nuclear entities

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

In a significant move, the United States on Wednesday removed restrictions on three Indian nuclear entities, over a week after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that Washington was finalising steps to 'remove' hurdles for civil nuclear partnership between Indian and American firms.

'Kerala needs mechanism for landslide prediction'

'Kerala needs mechanism for landslide prediction'

Rediff.com30 Jul 2024

The conditions that lead to landslides, including soil texture, soil moisture and slope are known, and it is important to put all this knowledge into an operational system, he said.

Be Prepared! Heat Waves Coming!

Be Prepared! Heat Waves Coming!

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

'The intensity and frequency of heatwaves will be much higher than in previous years over Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.'

COVID-19 Kills 1,700 People Globally A Week

COVID-19 Kills 1,700 People Globally A Week

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

WHO has urged people at risk to keep up with their vaccinations with boosters.

NDA allies get 11 ministerial positions

NDA allies get 11 ministerial positions

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party's National Democratic Alliance partners have got five cabinet ministerial berths in the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as against none in the outgoing government, given the party's dependence on allies for a majority in the Lok Sabha.