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Sunday, March 15, 2026 6:45 PM

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Netflix Launches Eyeline Studios in Hyderabad, Strengthening India’s VFX Ecosystem

Streaming platform Netflix has expanded its production technology presence in India with the launch of Eyeline Studios in Hyderabad, marking a significant investment in the country’s rapidly growing animation and visual effects (VFX) industry. The newly opened facility spans around 32,000 square feet and will focus on advanced visual effects, virtual production and next-generation filmmaking technologies that support Netflix’s global film and series projects. The Hyderabad centre becomes the fifth global hub for Eyeline Studios, joining its existing locations in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seoul and London. The move highlights a growing trend among international studios to build production technology capabilities closer to talent hubs instead of relying only on outsourced VFX services. Netflix views India’s strong base of engineers, artists and VFX professionals as a key advantage in scaling complex production workflows. Jeff Shapiro, CEO of Eyeline Studios, noted that India’s global influence in visual effects stems from both its scale and its strong creative and technical expertise. He added that Hyderabad was chosen due to its strong technology ecosystem, engineering talent and established film culture. Expanding a Global Production Network The new studio will recruit specialised VFX professionals from the local talent pool and operate as part of Eyeline’s worldwide production network. The facility is equipped with advanced infrastructure designed to handle complex visual effects and generative virtual effects workflows using hybrid cloud technology. India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector has been steadily gaining global importance as international studios increasingly collaborate with Indian talent for both technical execution and creative contributions. Industry observers note that Indian VFX professionals already play a significant role in major Hollywood and global streaming productions. The Telangana government has been actively promoting Hyderabad as a hub for digital production and creative technology, building on the city’s strong film and IT ecosystem. Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy said the investment highlights Hyderabad’s growing reputation as a global storytelling destination where technology and creative industries converge. Telangana’s IT and industries minister D. Sridhar Babu added that Netflix’s decision reflects confidence in India’s creative talent and aligns with the state’s push to strengthen its VFX and animation workforce. Boost for India’s AVGC Industry Support for the initiative also came from the Centre. Sanjay Jaju, secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted Hyderabad’s long-standing presence in the AVGC sector and noted that several international studios already operate digital production facilities in the city. As visual effects become increasingly vital in global entertainment — from blockbuster franchises to streaming originals — production pipelines now rely heavily on a blend of engineering, computing power and artistic creativity. By establishing its own production technology infrastructure in India, Netflix appears to be moving beyond traditional outsourcing and integrating Indian expertise directly into its global content creation ecosystem. Actor and producer Rana Daggubati, who attended the launch, said the development reflects the transformation of Hyderabad’s film ecosystem over the past two decades. He noted that the city’s growth into a global creative hub demonstrates how far the industry has evolved. Netflix’s latest move signals that India is no longer viewed merely as a back-end services provider but is emerging as a critical centre for the future of digital filmmaking. Source: Fortune India

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NCERT Launches ‘Kaveri’ as New Class 9 English Textbook with Focus on Indian Writers

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a new Class 9 English textbook titled Kaveri, bringing a stronger focus on Indian authors and the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The textbook has been developed in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF-SE 2023) and will replace the earlier English textbooks Beehive and Moments. Unlike the previous curriculum used between 2006–07 and 2025–26 — which featured 29 texts with a larger share of international authors — the new book contains 16 carefully selected pieces that give equal space to Indian and global writers. Of the 16 texts included, eight are written by Indian authors. The Indian contributors featured in the anthology include renowned figures such as poet Subramania Bharati, author Sudha Murty, Naga writer Temsula Ao, Assamese novelist Mitra Phukan, and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The book begins with a story from Murty’s 2004 collection How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories. The international section features works by American poet David Roth, English poet Charles Swain, children’s author Bryanna T. Perkins, poet Robert Langley, writer Maya Anthony, and Singapore-based author Irene Chua. The compilation also includes an anonymous poem titled Gifts of Grace: Honouring Our Vocations and a feature based on an interview with Paralympic champion Deepa Malik, highlighting her journey and achievements. According to officials, the revision also reduces the number of textbooks for the subject from two to one, while streamlining the syllabus by cutting the total number of texts from 29 to 16. The move aims to make the curriculum more balanced and manageable while ensuring equal representation of Indian and international literary voices. Source: PTI

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217 Organ Transplant Hospitals Fail to Submit Data to National Registry in 2025

As many as 217 hospitals authorised to perform organ transplants across India did not submit their data to the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Registry Portal in 2025, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav stated that appropriate action against these hospitals will be taken by the respective state governments. In a written reply, the minister said that out of 804 hospitals registered to conduct organ transplantation, 217 failed to upload the required information on the registry portal during the year. Under the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, regulatory action against such institutions falls under the jurisdiction of state authorities where the hospitals are located. Hospital registrations for organ transplant procedures are handled by the appropriate authorities of the states and Union Territories. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Registry Portal has been operational since 2015 and can be accessed by authorised users through the website of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation. According to data uploaded by hospitals and transplant centres on the portal, the waiting list for major organ transplants in India stood at 89,839 as of March 3, 2026. During 2025, a total of 20,019 organ transplant procedures were carried out nationwide. The central government is currently implementing the National Organ Transplant Programme, which focuses on strengthening infrastructure for transplantation services and promoting awareness about organ donation. As part of this initiative, Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations and State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations have been established across several states and Union Territories in the northern, eastern, and north-eastern regions of the country, with a few exceptions. Source: PTI Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Getty Images

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Tilaknagar Industries Names Ina Bajwa as Chief People Officer

Tilaknagar Industries has appointed Ina Bajwa as its new Chief People Officer, the company announced on Tuesday. In her new role, Bajwa will report directly to Chairman and Managing Director Amit Dahanukar and will operate from the company’s head office in Mumbai. According to the company’s statement, Ameya Deshpande, who had been handling the human resources function on an interim basis, will now return to focusing fully on his primary responsibilities, including corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations. Bajwa brings more than 22 years of experience in human resources across multiple industries such as retail, e-commerce, technology, banking, consulting, and infrastructure, working with both Indian and global organisations. Before joining Tilaknagar Industries, she served as Group Head – Talent & Engagement for the Middle East at Landmark Group, where she led CEO and executive succession planning along with talent strategy across several retail brands. Earlier in her career, Bajwa held leadership positions including Chief Human Resources Officer at Tata 1mg and Chief Talent Officer at Tata Digital. She also worked in senior HR roles at Tata Communications, and previously held positions at HSBC and Essar Group. Commenting on the appointment, Dahanukar said Bajwa’s expertise in building high-performing teams and driving large-scale people transformation initiatives will support the company’s efforts to strengthen its talent base and develop a future-ready organisation. Bajwa holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Human Resources) from KJ Somaiya Institute of Management and a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Economics from Panjab University. Source: Economic Times

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Government Directs Oil Refineries to Increase LPG Production for Domestic Use

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has instructed oil refineries across the country to step up the production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and channel the additional output primarily for household consumption. The directive comes in response to ongoing geopolitical disruptions that are affecting fuel supply chains and tightening LPG availability. In a post on social media, the ministry said the government is prioritising LPG supply for domestic households. To prevent hoarding and curb black marketing, authorities have introduced a 25-day inter-booking gap for LPG cylinder refills. The government also clarified that non-domestic LPG demand will largely be met through imported supplies. Priority for such imported LPG will be given to essential sectors including hospitals and educational institutions to ensure uninterrupted services. To manage LPG allocation for other commercial users, such as restaurants, hotels and industrial establishments, a committee comprising three Executive Directors from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) has been formed. The panel will review requests and make recommendations regarding LPG distribution to these sectors. Source: newsonair

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UPSC Releases Cut-Off Marks for Civil Services Examination 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official cut-off marks for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 across the preliminary, mains and final stages. The announcement was made on March 9 following the declaration of the final results earlier this month. For the preliminary examination, the cut-off for candidates in the General category has been set at 92.66 marks in General Studies (GS) Paper 1. The cut-off for other categories stands at 89.34 for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), 92.00 for Other Backward Classes (OBC), 84.00 for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 82.66 for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Candidates in the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories recorded cut-offs ranging from 76.66 to 40.66 marks, depending on the specific disability category. The PwBD category includes candidates with disabilities such as locomotor impairment, blindness or low vision, hearing impairment, and multiple disabilities. UPSC clarified that the prelims cut-off is determined solely based on GS Paper 1, while GS Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying in nature and requires candidates to secure at least 33 per cent marks. For the Mains examination, the minimum marks required to qualify for the interview stage were 739 for General, 706 for EWS, 717 for OBC, 700 for SC, and 694 for ST candidates. In the final stage, which combines marks from the Mains examination and the Personality Test, the final cut-off was 963 for the General category, 926 for EWS, 931 for OBC, 905 for SC, and 902 for ST. Overall, 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment to prestigious services including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services. UPSC also stated that the detailed marks of candidates will be published on its official website within 15 days of the result declaration, by March 20. Source: Indian Express

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Vedanta Targets 35% Women Representation Across Workforce

Vedanta Ltd is aiming to raise women’s representation across all levels of its organisation to 35%, up from the current 23%, as part of its broader push toward workplace diversity. The company has also launched a nationwide campaign titled #HerAtTheCore along with a LinkedIn-driven hiring initiative to encourage women to pursue careers in sectors such as mining, metals, oil and gas, power, and technology. Citing data from the Annual Survey of Industries, Vedanta noted that women accounted for around 18% of direct employment across industries in 2023–24. However, in core sectors like mining and metals, women make up only about 6% of the workforce. Through the campaign, the company aims to highlight India’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, driven by the global energy transition, the growth of EV supply chains, and advances in manufacturing and technology. According to Vedanta, sectors such as metals, minerals, oil and gas, and power will play a critical role in this transformation. Despite their importance, these industries continue to have low female participation. Vedanta said greater inclusion is essential for India to fully harness its talent pool and achieve its economic growth ambitions. Commenting on the initiative, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director at Vedanta Ltd and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited, said the company plans not only to increase representation but also to redesign workplace systems and provide support frameworks that help women thrive in core industries. She added that the #HerAtTheCore initiative is both a celebration of women in the workforce and a call for greater participation in sectors shaping India’s industrial future. Source: PTI  

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Govt Directs BARC to Pause News Channel TRP Ratings for Four Weeks

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has instructed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to temporarily halt the publication of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news channels for the next four weeks, or until further notice. In an order issued on March 6, the ministry stated that the move comes amid concerns over the coverage of the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict. It noted that certain news channels have been airing speculative and highly sensational content, which could potentially create unnecessary panic among viewers, especially those with family or friends in the affected regions. The ministry referred to Clause 24.2 of the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India, issued in 2014, which requires rating agencies to comply with directions issued by the government from time to time. Following this directive, BARC has been asked to suspend the public release of weekly TRP ratings for news television channels during the specified period in the interest of public welfare and responsible broadcasting. Source: Economic Times

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Delhi Govt to Open Online Admissions for 12 Special Schools from March 9

The Delhi Directorate of Education has announced that the online admission process for 12 government and government-aided special schools will begin on March 9 for the current academic session. The registration window will remain open until March 17. The admission process will cover classes from Nursery to Class 10 and Class 12 in special schools managed by the department. After completing the online registration, parents and guardians will need to visit the respective schools to submit and verify the required documents between March 18 and March 23 during working hours. According to officials, the allotment of schools to registered applicants will take place on April 1 based on seat availability, and the entire admission process will be completed by April 2. If applications for any class exceed the available seats, the selection will be carried out through a draw of lots. If required, the draw will be conducted on March 24 at 11 AM in the presence of school management committee members and parents. Following the document verification and draw process, school heads will submit the final list of selected students to the Inclusive Education Branch headquarters on March 25. If seats remain vacant after the first round of allotment, children placed on the waiting list will be admitted between April 3 and April 5 according to their position. The 12 special schools offer specialised learning support and facilities for children with disabilities, including those with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities. Admissions will follow specific eligibility criteria related to age limits and disability categories as defined in the department’s guidelines. Source: Indian Express

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Japan Approves World’s First Stem-Cell Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease

In a major medical breakthrough, Japan has approved pioneering stem-cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease and severe heart failure, marking the first time such treatments using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells will be commercially available. The therapies could begin reaching patients within months, according to reports and company statements. Pharmaceutical company Sumitomo Pharma announced that it has received approval to manufacture and sell Amchepry, a treatment designed to transplant stem cells into a patient’s brain to help manage Parkinson’s disease. The therapy aims to replace lost dopamine-producing cells, which are responsible for many of the motor symptoms associated with the condition. Meanwhile, Japan’s health ministry has also approved ReHeart, a treatment developed by medical startup Cuorips. The therapy uses sheets of heart muscle cells that can help regenerate blood vessels and improve heart function in patients suffering from severe heart failure. These therapies are based on groundbreaking research by Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka, who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for discovering iPS cells—cells that can develop into almost any type of cell in the human body. Japan’s health minister Kenichiro Ueno said the government aims to ensure the treatments become available to patients as quickly as possible. “I hope this will bring relief to patients not only in Japan but around the world,” he said during a press briefing. According to the company, Amchepry has been granted conditional and time-limited approval, allowing faster access for patients while further data on safety and effectiveness continues to be gathered. This system is designed to accelerate the availability of innovative regenerative therapies. Clinical trials conducted by researchers at Kyoto University tested the treatment on seven Parkinson’s patients aged between 50 and 69. Each participant received either five million or ten million stem-cell-derived dopamine precursor cells implanted in both sides of the brain. The patients were monitored for two years, and the study reported no serious side effects. Four of the participants showed noticeable improvements in their symptoms. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can cause tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, around 10 million people worldwide live with the condition. Current treatments mainly manage symptoms but do not stop or reverse the disease. The use of iPS cells—created by reprogramming mature cells back into a versatile, stem-like state—has become one of the most promising areas in regenerative medicine. Japan’s approval of these therapies marks a significant step toward translating this research into real-world medical treatment. Source: AFP

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