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India Records 38% Decline in TB Mortality Since 2015, WHO Report Shows

/ Health & Wellness Community

India has recorded a 38 per cent decline in tuberculosis (TB)-related deaths since 2015, surpassing the global reduction of 35 per cent, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026. The country has also achieved a 94 per cent treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB. The report highlights that the South-East Asia Region accounted for the largest share of new TB cases globally in 2025, at 35 per cent, followed by the Western Pacific Region at 27 per cent and the African Region at 25 per cent. Around 88 per cent of newly reported TB cases were concentrated in 30 countries. India alone contributed approximately a quarter of the global burden, followed by Indonesia (10 per cent), the Philippines (6.8 per cent), China (6.5 per cent), Pakistan (6.4 per cent), Nigeria (4.9 per cent), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.9 per cent) and Bangladesh (3.7 per cent). The five countries with the highest burden collectively accounted for 55 per cent of global cases. Globally, TB continues to impose a significant financial burden on affected households. Nearly half of people receiving TB treatment and their families face catastrophic expenses, exceeding 20 per cent of their total household income, when medical and non-medical costs and income losses are taken into account. The report also identifies several factors that increase the risk of developing TB, including HIV infection, undernutrition, diabetes and tobacco use. An estimated 9.6 lakh new cases were linked to undernutrition, 9.2 lakh to diabetes, 7.3 lakh to alcohol use disorders, 6.9 lakh to smoking and 5.5 lakh to HIV infection. Worldwide, approximately 10.6 million people developed TB in 2025, including 5.7 million men, 3.7 million women and 1.2 million children. The disease claimed an estimated 1.13 million lives during the year, remaining the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Drug-resistant tuberculosis, particularly multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), continues to pose a serious public health and health security challenge. Only around two in five people diagnosed with drug-resistant TB received treatment in 2025. However, global interventions against the disease have helped save an estimated 86 million lives since 2000. In India, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has expanded screening efforts significantly. Between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026, the campaign brought more than 25 crore individuals within the ambit of TB screening activities. According to the Union Health Ministry, the decline in TB mortality has been driven by interventions under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). These include active case detection using AI-enabled X-rays, rapid diagnostic services, timely treatment initiation, differentiated care and nutritional assistance through the Nikshay Poshan Yojana and Nikshay Mitra initiative. The ministry also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence tools to identify disease hotspots, predict high-risk patients likely to experience adverse outcomes and support patient engagement through Khushi, an AI-powered chatbot and avatar-based videobot. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits. Despite its continued global impact, the disease is both preventable and curable. Source: The Hindu  

India Records 38% Decline in TB Mortality Since 2015, WHO Report Shows Read More »

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Resigns Amid Scandal; CFO Colette Kress Named Interim Chief

/ Human Resource Community

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned with immediate effect amid a mounting controversy surrounding the US technology giant, marking a major leadership shake-up at the company. In an announcement dated November 12, Nvidia said its Board of Directors had accepted Huang’s resignation as President, Chief Executive Officer and board member. Colette Kress, the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed interim CEO while the board begins searching for a permanent successor. The search will consider both internal and external candidates. Kress, who joined Nvidia in September 2013, has overseen the company’s financial operations and played a significant role in its expansion. Before joining Nvidia, she spent nearly 25 years in finance leadership positions at major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft. She will retain her CFO responsibilities alongside her interim CEO role. The board has also appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever Chair. Jones brings more than three decades of experience as an entrepreneur, technology executive and venture investor. He previously served as CEO and Executive Chairman of Synopsys. Commenting on the transition, Jones expressed confidence in Kress and the existing leadership team, highlighting their understanding of the company’s operations, customers and business strategy. He added that Nvidia’s operations, customer commitments and product development roadmap would continue without disruption. Kress said her immediate priority would be to build on the foundation established by Huang during his 33-year association with the company. She reaffirmed Nvidia’s commitment to advancing accelerated computing and artificial intelligence while maintaining its focus on customers, partners, developers and shareholders. The board acknowledged Huang’s significant contribution to Nvidia and the wider technology industry, describing his legacy as instrumental in shaping the company’s global position. Meanwhile, Nvidia is scheduled to announce its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on November 17, followed by an earnings conference call later that day. Source: NVIDIA

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Resigns Amid Scandal; CFO Colette Kress Named Interim Chief Read More »

NTA invites educational institutions to establish exam centres, sets minimum requirement of 285 workstations

/ Education Community

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has invited schools, colleges, universities and examination service providers across India to apply for empanelment as examination centres for conducting computer-based tests (CBT) and pen-and-paper tests (PPT). The move is part of the agency’s efforts to strengthen and expand its nationwide examination infrastructure following concerns over examination security in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy. In its Expression of Interest (EoI) notice, NTA has called upon eligible institutions and organisations to register as examination centres. The deadline for submitting applications is December 6. The agency has also opened applications for serving and retired personnel from government institutions who wish to work as observers for various CBT and PPT examinations conducted by NTA. Eligible applicants include government, government-aided and private schools, colleges, universities, polytechnics, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and institutions of national importance such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIMs, IISERs and AIIMS. Educational and training institutions, government skill development centres and authorised CBT service providers with dedicated testing facilities can also apply. Infrastructure requirements for examination centres According to the NTA guidelines, institutions seeking approval as CBT examination centres must have a minimum capacity of 285 computer workstations per shift. For pen-and-paper examinations, centres must provide at least 250 seats per shift. CBT facilities with fewer than 285 workstations may also be considered, but only in locations where the availability of examination infrastructure is limited. Additionally, applicants for CBT centres must have at least four separate computer laboratories or halls, each equipped with a minimum of 30 workstations, or an equivalent infrastructure arrangement. For PPT examinations, institutions must provide at least six separate examination halls, with each hall accommodating 40 candidates, or an equivalent seating arrangement. Interested institutions and eligible government personnel can refer to the detailed notification on the NTA’s official website for information on eligibility conditions, infrastructure standards and the application process. Source: Indian Express  

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India needs specific PM2.5 reduction targets to combat air pollution: FICCI-EY report

/ Health & Wellness Community

India must adopt a health-focused strategy to tackle air pollution, with clearly defined targets for reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), according to a new knowledge paper by FICCI and EY titled “Clean Air, Healthy India.” The report highlights the serious public health consequences of air pollution, noting that more than two million deaths in India were attributed to pollution in 2023. It identifies PM2.5 particles, which measure 2.5 microns or less, as a major health concern because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure to these pollutants is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, strokes and cognitive impairment. The resulting health burden also increases healthcare costs and affects workforce productivity. Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Chair of the FICCI Health Services Committee and MD and CEO of Fortis Healthcare, emphasised that clean air should be treated as a central public health priority rather than solely an environmental concern. He highlighted the role of healthcare institutions in raising public awareness, monitoring pollution-related illnesses and improving healthcare preparedness. He also called for stronger cooperation among government, industry and healthcare providers to achieve measurable health improvements. Similarly, Dr. Arun Agarwal, Chair of the FICCI Working Group on Air Pollution (Healthcare Perspective), former Dean of MAMC and Medical Advisor to Apollo Hospitals Group, stressed the need to move beyond seasonal measures and make pollution exposure reduction a year-round public health priority. He underlined the importance of integrating air-quality monitoring with health surveillance, strengthening preventive measures and developing interventions based on local pollution sources. Ahead of the peak pollution season, FICCI-EY has called for immediate action and outlined 10 practical recommendations to address major sources of emissions. Among the proposed measures is the introduction of closed-loop dust management systems at large construction sites to control construction and demolition pollution. The report also recommends identifying pollution hotspots associated with traffic, industrial activity, construction and waste burning, followed by testing targeted interventions. To reduce vehicular emissions, the paper suggests deploying smart traffic signals to minimise congestion, vehicle idling and stop-start traffic. For industrial and backup-power pollution, it recommends using real-time stack-emission data to strengthen industrial pollution management, upgrading conventional brick kilns to zigzag firing technology and replacing diesel-based backup power systems with battery-hybrid alternatives. The report further advocates technology-driven solutions to monitor and control industrial emissions, diesel soot and pollution in areas with high human exposure. Addressing agricultural and waste-related pollution, the recommendations include converting crop residue into fuel and commercially viable products to reduce stubble burning. It also proposes using recovered plastic, industrial waste and construction and demolition debris in building houses and infrastructure. The FICCI-EY paper emphasises that effective implementation will require clear government standards and consistent regulatory frameworks. It calls on industries to prioritise efficiency, competitiveness and innovation, while healthcare institutions strengthen health surveillance and public advisories. The report also highlights the importance of community participation, stressing that people must have access to reliable information and opportunities to contribute to local clean-air initiatives. Source: Economic Times

India needs specific PM2.5 reduction targets to combat air pollution: FICCI-EY report Read More »

Keralam to establish 300 science centres, launch anonymous anti-ragging app for students

/ Education Community

The Keralam government has announced plans to establish 300 science centres to promote scientific awareness among 15 lakh young people and introduce a mobile application that will allow students to confidentially report ragging and other campus-related concerns. Chief Minister V D Satheesan will launch both initiatives at Government Women’s College on Wednesday. He will also inaugurate the first sub-centre of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Scientific Temper at an event scheduled for 11.30 am. Higher Education Minister Roji M John will preside over the programme, with Transport Minister C P John also expected to attend. The science outreach programme, led by the Kerala State Higher Education Council, aims to encourage scientific temper, humanism and critical thinking among students and the general public. It will cover 15 lakh young people through 300 centres across the state. As part of the initiative, the government will introduce online courses, educational handbooks and short video reels. An online course developed in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) will also be launched. New app to enable anonymous campus complaints The government will introduce the Siddharth Student Welfare App to provide students with a secure and confidential channel to report ragging, safety concerns and other problems within educational institutions. The application will allow students to submit complaints anonymously, including through audio recordings, and notify the relevant authorities so that necessary assistance can be provided. The app has been named after J S Sidharthan, a 20-year-old veterinary student from Nedumangad who allegedly died by suicide in February 2024 after facing ragging by fellow students at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Pookode, Wayanad. The state government is also considering a draft of the Siddharth Anti-Ragging Act. The proposed legislation is intended to establish a legal framework for addressing ragging and enable the formation of a state-level anti-ragging commission, the minister said. Student aspirations survey also planned The government will additionally release a Student Aspiration Survey to assess the expectations, interests and aspirations of students pursuing higher education in the state. According to the higher education minister, these initiatives form part of a broader effort to strengthen scientific thinking, safeguard student welfare and create more inclusive, progressive and student-friendly higher education institutions across Keralam. Source: Indian Express

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Government proposes immediate suspension of manufacturing licences for substandard drugs

/ Health & Wellness Community

The Union Health Ministry has proposed changes to the Drugs Rules, 1945, that would allow authorities to immediately suspend the manufacturing licences of pharmaceutical companies producing medicines that fail to meet specified critical quality standards. The proposed amendments, announced on November 4, 2026, aim to strengthen drug quality monitoring, enable faster regulatory action against substandard medicines and prevent potentially unsafe products from remaining in circulation. Under the existing rules, suspension or cancellation of a drug manufacturing licence generally involves a prescribed regulatory process, including the issuance of a show-cause notice. This can create a delay between the identification of a Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drug and the initiation of action, during which the medicine may continue to be available in the market. To address this gap, the ministry has proposed empowering the Central Licensing Approving Authority or the concerned State Licensing Authority to immediately suspend a drug’s manufacturing licence after receiving a Government Analyst’s report declaring it NSQ on specified parameters. These include assay, dissolution, related substances, impurities and sterility. According to the ministry, failures involving these parameters can directly affect medicine quality and patient safety, requiring immediate regulatory intervention. Manufacturers must implement corrective measures The proposed framework also specifies conditions for revoking a suspension. Manufacturers will be required to conduct a comprehensive root cause analysis to identify the reasons behind the quality failure and implement appropriate Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA). The suspension will remain in force until the licensing authority is satisfied that the necessary corrective measures have been implemented and verified. This is intended to ensure that quality deficiencies are properly addressed and measures are taken to prevent similar failures in the future. The ministry has also proposed changes to Form 13, which covers Government Analyst test reports, to improve communication and coordination among regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders. Under the revised mechanism, copies of NSQ reports will be sent to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the relevant State or Union Territory Licensing Authority overseeing the manufacturing facility, and the manufacturer and marketer of the concerned medicine. The government said the arrangement would facilitate faster information sharing, coordinated regulatory action and greater accountability across the pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution chain. Draft amendments open for public consultation The proposed changes follow discussions at the 65th meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee held on December 20, 2024, and recommendations made during the 92nd meeting of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board on April 24, 2025. The amendments are expected to improve post-marketing drug surveillance, strengthen action against manufacturers of substandard medicines and enhance accountability among pharmaceutical companies and marketers. The draft rules have been released for public consultation. Stakeholders and members of the public can submit their objections and suggestions within 30 days from the date on which the relevant Gazette of India notification becomes available. Source: The Hindu

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ITC’s employee costs surge 14% to Rs 1,887 crore in Q2 FY27 as net profit falls 18.7%

/ Human Resource Community

ITC Ltd reported a 14 per cent year-on-year increase in employee benefit expenses to Rs 1,886.52 crore in the second quarter of FY27, up from Rs 1,654.49 crore in the corresponding period last year. The rise of approximately Rs 232 crore came even as the diversified conglomerate witnessed a decline in its consolidated net profit. The company’s consolidated net profit attributable to owners fell 18.7 per cent to Rs 4,168.40 crore in Q2 FY27, compared with Rs 5,126.11 crore in Q2 FY26. Meanwhile, consolidated net revenue grew 3.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 20,269 crore. ITC’s EBITDA declined 16.8 per cent to Rs 6,126.53 crore, while its operating profit margin narrowed to 27.85 per cent from 34.33 per cent in the year-ago quarter. The higher employee expenditure was reported amid varied performances across the company’s business segments, with non-cigarette FMCG and paperboards businesses registering growth, while the cigarette segment continued to face challenges. FMCG and paper businesses support growth ITC’s non-cigarette FMCG segment recorded a 19.1 per cent increase in revenue to Rs 7,218.36 crore during the quarter. Segment profit before tax rose 31.4 per cent to Rs 576.69 crore. According to the company, its FMCG business achieved double-digit revenue growth for the fourth consecutive quarter. Biscuits, snacks, noodles, spices, salt, frozen foods, homecare products and notebooks were among the categories contributing to the performance. The paperboards, paper and packaging segment also reported a strong recovery, with revenue climbing 35.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,017.45 crore. Segment profit increased 50.7 per cent to Rs 273.32 crore. ITC’s agri business posted a 12.7 per cent rise in revenue to Rs 4,550.60 crore, while segment profit grew 14.3 per cent to Rs 518.41 crore. However, the cigarette business remained under pressure, with segment profit declining 26 per cent to Rs 4,044.49 crore from Rs 5,462.10 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. The company attributed the challenging business environment to the impact of changes in cigarette taxation. While employee benefit expenses recorded substantial growth during the quarter, ITC’s financial disclosures did not specify the reasons behind the increase, leaving it unclear whether the rise was linked to salary revisions, additional hiring, changes in employee benefits or other workforce-related costs. Source: Economic Times    

ITC’s employee costs surge 14% to Rs 1,887 crore in Q2 FY27 as net profit falls 18.7% Read More »

Netflix introduces AI Discover tab to offer personalised viewing recommendations based on users’ moods

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

Netflix has introduced a new experimental feature, AI Discover, designed to help users find movies and shows based on their moods, preferences and viewing habits. Announced on Tuesday, the feature will initially allow subscribers to explore personalised recommendations through a dedicated tab on the streaming platform. The new AI Discover tab will offer curated themes featuring clips from movies and television shows. Users can select categories based on what they feel like watching, the time available to them or current entertainment trends. Options include themes such as ‘Something Light’, ‘Scare Me’, ‘Family Movie Night’ and ‘Quick Watches’. The move reflects Netflix’s efforts to simplify content discovery as its entertainment library continues to expand. Instead of browsing endlessly through titles, viewers will be able to use AI-powered suggestions to find content that better matches their immediate interests. According to Netflix, AI Discover operates through a new intelligence layer that responds to users’ inputs in real time and continuously learns from their preferences. Users can customise recommendations After selecting a theme, subscribers will receive a list of relevant viewing suggestions. They can further narrow their choices by exploring more specific categories or select the ‘Something Different’ option to restart the discovery process. The platform is also introducing a ‘Tune Your Recommendations’ button alongside the existing ‘Play’ and ‘My List’ options. This feature will allow users to save titles they enjoy or exclude content they do not want to see in future recommendations. Netflix said the new feature builds on its existing recommendation system, which already considers user activity, including titles they give a thumbs-up rating and programmes they add to their watchlists. The company described AI Discover as a testing ground for experimenting with new content discovery features. Feedback from users will help Netflix assess which features should be refined, retained or eventually integrated into its main platform experience. Initial rollout limited to US users AI Discover is initially being rolled out in the United States to users accessing Netflix in English through supported television devices. The company plans to extend access to more users over the coming weeks. Subscribers with access to the feature will find a new ‘Discover’ option marked with a red gem icon and a ‘New’ label in the top navigation bar on their television screens. Source: Techcrunch  

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Defence Ministry panel to discuss military modernisation, border security in Jaisalmer

/ Governance Community

The Defence Ministry’s Consultative Committee is scheduled to meet in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss key national security matters and the preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces. The discussions are expected to focus on modernising the armed forces, promoting the use of indigenous defence equipment and incorporating emerging military technologies into India’s defence capabilities. The committee will also review security preparedness along the western border and explore measures to strengthen the operational effectiveness of the armed forces. Other key areas likely to feature in the deliberations include addressing evolving security threats and preparing the military to tackle future strategic and operational challenges. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived in Jaisalmer to attend the meeting, accompanied by several Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Senior officials from the Defence Ministry and representatives of the armed forces are also expected to participate. The meeting will provide a platform for discussions on India’s defence priorities, military preparedness and the role of indigenous technologies in strengthening national security. Source: News on AIR  

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NTA empanels over 5,000 experts to strengthen question paper security

/ Education Community

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has empanelled more than 5,000 academicians, scientists, researchers, educationists, professionals, translators and moderators to support various examination-related activities, including question paper preparation, translation, scrutiny and verification. The development is part of the agency’s wider efforts to strengthen examination security following the NEET-UG paper leak in May 2026, which triggered widespread protests and led to significant changes within the organisation. As part of its restructuring exercise, the NTA also removed around 600 subject matter experts and relocated its headquarters from Okhla in South East Delhi to the Government of India Press building on Minto Road. The agency has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from eligible academicians, researchers, scientists, educators and translators to join its three-year panel of subject matter experts. According to sources, the empanelment process is ongoing, with no fixed deadline for applications. Officials clarified that the selected individuals are not being recruited as employees but are being added to a verified panel after undergoing multiple levels of scrutiny. The expanded panel will contribute to developing a centralised question bank, allowing the NTA to maintain a large repository of questions and reduce the possibility of examination paper leaks. Under the proposed system, experts will be assigned responsibilities such as setting questions, translating examination material, vetting papers, moderating questions, verifying answer keys, mapping curricula and conducting research and psychometric assessments. The assignments will be structured to ensure that experts do not know which questions will eventually be selected or the examination for which they are being prepared. The NTA has introduced a four-stage verification mechanism for empanelment. Initially, applicants’ eligibility, academic qualifications, professional experience and supporting documents are examined. A dedicated subject matter committee subsequently evaluates their academic credentials, research contributions and experience in question paper preparation. Applicants who clear these stages undergo additional background verification. The agency also checks whether candidates have links with coaching institutes or have previously developed question bank material for students. To safeguard confidential examination-related information, all empanelled experts must sign a comprehensive Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). They are also required to reaffirm their confidentiality commitments before undertaking every assignment. The agency has already begun developing its question bank, with plans to finalise examination papers shortly before the scheduled tests. Officials said the objective is to enable the selection and assembly of questions just minutes before an examination begins, thereby reducing the risk of advance access or leaks. The system has reportedly started being implemented in some of the entrance examinations conducted by the NTA. The agency is responsible for conducting several major national-level examinations, including JEE (Main), CUET (UG and PG), UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and NEET. While most of these examinations are conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, NEET is conducted in the pen-and-paper format. Additionally, the NTA is working towards adopting an ‘exam-agnostic’ framework to reduce dependence on individual technology providers, examination platforms or vendors. The proposed approach is aimed at creating a more flexible examination infrastructure while strengthening the overall conduct and security of national-level entrance tests. Source: Indian Express

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