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AI boosts breast cancer detection in routine scans, landmark trial shows

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Artificial intelligence can significantly improve the detection of breast cancer during routine screening, according to findings from a world-first clinical trial released on Friday. The results point to AI as a potential solution to both diagnostic gaps and rising workload pressures faced by radiologists globally. Published in The Lancet, the study is the first completed randomised controlled trial to rigorously evaluate AI-assisted breast cancer screening. Conducted in Sweden, the trial followed more than 100,000 women who underwent routine mammography in 2021 and 2022. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group had their scans reviewed by a single radiologist supported by an AI system, while the other followed the standard European protocol of double reading by two radiologists. The outcomes showed that the AI-assisted approach identified 9% more cancer cases than the conventional method. Importantly, over a two-year follow-up period, women in the AI-supported group had a 12% lower incidence of “interval cancers” — cancers detected between regular screening rounds, which are often more aggressive. The benefits were consistent across age groups and breast density levels, and the rate of false positives remained comparable between both groups. Kristina Lang, senior author of the study and a researcher at Lund University, said the findings indicate that large-scale adoption of AI-supported mammography could ease staffing pressures in radiology departments while improving early cancer detection. However, she emphasised that any rollout must be done carefully, with ongoing evaluation and oversight. Experts cautioned that AI should complement, not replace, human expertise. Jean-Philippe Masson, head of the French National Federation of Radiologists, noted that radiologists must validate AI-generated findings, as the technology can sometimes flag benign tissue changes as cancer. He also pointed out that high costs and concerns around overdiagnosis have slowed AI adoption in countries like France. Stephen Duffy, emeritus professor of cancer screening at Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved in the research, said the trial adds to growing evidence that AI-assisted screening is safe. However, he flagged that the reduction in interval cancers was not statistically significant and called for longer follow-up to assess whether outcomes between the two groups eventually converge. Earlier interim results from the trial, published in 2023, showed that AI nearly halved the time radiologists spent reviewing mammograms. The AI system used in the study, Transpara, was trained on over 200,000 mammography exams from 10 countries. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the disease and around 670,000 died from it in 2022. Source: PTI

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Union Budget 2026–27: Leaders Share Their Priorities and Expectations

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As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026–27 on February 1, expectations are running high across education, industry, healthcare, technology, and women’s empowerment sectors. The Budget comes amid global geopolitical uncertainty, subdued domestic demand, and weak FDI and investment growth, yet India’s economic fundamentals remain robust, offering a foundation for progressive, long-term reforms. Stakeholders are urging a balance between fiscal prudence, infrastructure spending, and strategic investments in human capital, AI and deep technology, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, emphasizing that policy clarity and outcome-oriented measures will be key to sustaining India’s growth trajectory and global competitiveness. Against this backdrop, leaders from education, industry, and healthcare have shared their priorities, highlighting the need for structural reforms, capacity building, and innovation-focused allocations. From strengthening school and higher education outcomes to fostering AI-driven entrepreneurship, preventive healthcare, and women’s economic empowerment, these voices collectively underscore the role of the Budget in shaping India’s future-ready workforce and resilient economy. Kanak Gupta, Group Director, Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools, says the Union Budget 2026 must mark a decisive reset in school education, particularly beyond India’s metros. He notes that as India prepares for Budget 2026, the conversation must move “beyond allocations and announcements to a harder question: are our schools building capability at the pace India’s future demands?” With over 250 million school-going children—nearly two-thirds in Tier 2, Tier 3 and semi-urban regions—Gupta emphasises that India’s next phase of growth “will not be decided in a few global cities, but in the quality of schooling available across districts and emerging towns.” He urges stronger execution, teacher capability, and outcome-linked funding aligned with NEP 2020 priorities, institutionalised continuous professional development, AI as core infrastructure, early skills integration, school–industry linkages, and systemic inclusion, noting “Inclusion is not welfare—it is an investment in human capital.” According to him, Budget 2026 is an opportunity to treat school education as “India’s most strategic economic investment,” not merely a social obligation. Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor of Chitkara University (Punjab & Himachal Pradesh) says “The Economic Survey 2025-26 reminds us that India’s education story is no longer about enrolment alone—it is about transformation. We stand at a juncture where access has expanded, but quality and relevance must take center stage. My expectation from the Union Budget 2026–27 is that it should boldly reimagine education as the nation’s most strategic economic investment. This means embedding digital learning across classrooms, empowering teachers with cutting-edge training, and bridging rural-urban divides with equitable infrastructure. More importantly, higher education must be aligned with the skills of tomorrow—artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing—so that our youth are not just degree holders but innovators and job creators. If the Budget can turn India’s demographic dividend into a knowledge dividend, it will secure not only inclusive growth but also global leadership. Education must be the engine that powers India’s next decade of prosperity.” Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, GTT Data Solutions & 5F World, says the Budget comes amid global uncertainty and weak domestic demand. While acknowledging these challenges, he notes that “the fundamentals of the Indian economy remain strong and provides a strong foundation for a progressive budget.” He expects “a careful balancing of infrastructure and fiscal deficit, rationalisation of taxes and investments in foundational AI and Deep Tech where India has been lagging in comparison to the US and China.” Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-Founder & Chancellor of Shobhit University and Chairman, National Education Council, ASSOCHAM, stresses that “budgets do not transform education—institutions do.” While financial allocations matter, without academic capacity, regulatory trust, and institutional autonomy, they “remain accounting entries.” India’s challenge, he says, is strengthening universities as spaces of knowledge creation, ethical leadership, and national purpose. Education, according to Vijendra, must be treated as long-term nation-building infrastructure—“patiently funded, thoughtfully governed, and purposefully empowered.” Abhishek Ballabh, Co-Founder & CEO, ExtraaEdge, says that as founders building AI products from India for a global market, there is “a clear uncertainty many of us are carrying—not about ambition or talent, but about whether India will be a producer of AI or remain a large consumer of it.” He sees the Budget as “an opportunity to remove that uncertainty,” calling for decisive support for AI infrastructure, including local compute, affordable GPUs, reliable inference capacity, and India-hosted data centers. He also emphasises local models and applied AI, noting that “vertical AI companies solving real problems in education, healthcare, BFSI, manufacturing, and public services need equal support.” Predictable policy and capital frameworks, he adds, will attract long-term foreign investment into Indian AI. Dr. Aloke Mullick, Chief Growth Officer, OMNI Hospitals says “As an ex CEO of national hospital chains, my budget expectations are clear: protect affordable care while supporting capacity expansion. Private equity has poured significant capital into Indian healthcare — estimates show PE/VC flows of roughly $5–6 billion annually in recent years and a cumulative multi-billion-dollar push into hospitals (sector 2023–24 figures vary by source).  To curb a creeping PE takeover of community healthcare, I urge the government to offer a matching public support package — soft loans or a sovereign equity vehicle sized to roughly match recent PE inflows (i.e., several billion dollars spread over 3–5 years). Such instruments should carry patient-care covenants, caps on profit extraction, and lock-in periods to preserve clinical autonomy and affordable pricing. Complementary measures: tax incentives for greenfield capacity in Tier-2/3 cities, faster MSME-style credit for smaller hospitals, and transparent PPP reimbursement timelines. These steps will balance capital needs with national health interests.” Sameer Mehta, Chairman, Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals, Chennai, says the Union Budget 2026–27 should prioritise practical, system-level reforms that lower healthcare costs and improve patient experience. He calls for a sandbox approach in which the government subsidises private and trust hospitals to pilot new technologies that can significantly reduce operating costs, with proven models later scaled across government hospitals. He also emphasises the need to standardise insurance authorisation processes—before, during and after discharge—to ease consumer pain and reduce administrative delays. Additionally, Mehta advocates the creation of a centralised group purchasing portal for drugs,

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Supreme Court clears way for CCI probe into JioStar over alleged abuse in Kerala cable TV market

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to interfere with a Kerala High Court order that permitted the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to continue its investigation into allegations of unfair trade practices in Kerala’s cable television market, dealing a setback to broadcaster JioStar India. JioStar, which holds over 34% share of India’s TV network market, had challenged the high court’s ruling that upheld the CCI’s decision to probe allegations of abuse of dominant position raised by Asianet Digital Network (ADN). The Kerala High Court bench hearing the matter comprised Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Syam Kumar VM. Before the Supreme Court, JioStar was represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, while the CCI was defended by additional solicitor general N. Venkataraman. Dismissing the plea, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Sandeep Mehta said it found “no good ground” to interfere with the high court’s order after examining the submissions and the record. The case has wider corporate linkages, as Viren and Akshay Raheja—promoter shareholders in Reliance-controlled Hathway Cable—along with their family investment firm, Hathway Investments, also hold stakes in Asianet Satellite Communications, the parent company of ADN. The dispute traces back to February 2022, when the CCI ordered an investigation into Star India, then owned by Walt Disney, following a complaint by ADN. Since then, Star India has merged with Reliance Industries-owned Viacom18 to form JioStar, which is now under Reliance’s control. ADN has accused JioStar of abusing its dominant position and denying market access, allegedly in violation of Sections 4(2)(a)(ii) and 4(2)(c) of the Competition Act, 2002. The complaint centres on alleged “sham” marketing and advertising agreements between Star and Kerala Communicators Cable Limited (KCCL). Under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) New Tariff Order, broadcasters are allowed to offer a maximum discount of 35% on the maximum retail price (MRP) to distributors and must adhere to transparent and non-discriminatory pricing. ADN alleged that Star circumvented these norms by offering KCCL discounts of up to 50% through separate marketing and advertising arrangements. According to ADN, these agreements were purportedly aimed at promoting Star’s flagship Malayalam channel—popularly known as Asianet—which commands more than 60% viewership share in Kerala. However, the advertisements were allegedly aired on a low-visibility ‘Test’ channel with negligible audience reach, raising questions over the genuineness of the promotional activity. ADN claimed that these practices resulted in discriminatory discounts, restricted market access for competitors, and gave KCCL an unfair competitive edge. While upholding a single-judge order dated May 28, 2025, the Kerala High Court had dismissed JioStar’s challenge and directed the CCI to hear all stakeholders before issuing a reasoned order. The court also instructed the regulator to first decide, as a preliminary issue, whether it has jurisdiction in light of the TRAI Regulations, 2017. If necessary, the CCI may pause its proceedings until TRAI examines the matter. The high court directed that the entire exercise be completed within eight weeks from December 3, 2025, while allowing the parties to seek an extension if required. Source: Economic Times

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Economic Survey 2025–26 flags learning gaps, higher education quality as key education challenges

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The Economic Survey 2025–26, presented in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, has underlined learning outcomes and the quality of higher education as the next major hurdles for India’s education system. While India has largely achieved universal enrolment at the school level, the Survey cautions that enrolment gains have not translated evenly into learning outcomes. The challenge becomes sharper beyond the elementary stage, with the net enrolment ratio (NER) at the secondary level standing at just 52.2%. This, the Survey notes, underscores the urgent need to retain students beyond Class 8. A major concern highlighted is the uneven distribution of schools across regions. Around 54% of schools in the country offer only foundational and preparatory education, whereas just 17.1% provide secondary education in rural areas. In contrast, urban regions have a significantly higher share of secondary schools at 38.1%. This imbalance restricts rural students’ access to higher classes, leading to longer travel times, higher dropout rates and significant transition losses. The data shows a steady decline in enrolment as students move from foundational and preparatory stages to middle and secondary levels in rural India. Urban areas, however, witness an increase in enrolment from middle to secondary stages, pointing to persistent rural–urban disparities. Grade-wise trends further confirm a sharp drop in participation at the secondary level. The Survey acknowledges progress made through investments in infrastructure and teacher capacity, supported by schemes such as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and Poshan Shakti Nirman, which have improved access and equity. However, it stresses that the policy focus must now shift decisively from enrolment to learning outcomes. To improve retention and optimise resources, the Survey recommends expanding composite and integrated schools, upgrading schools up to Class 7, and strengthening open schooling systems. It also calls for better infrastructure, enhanced teacher training through District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), and greater involvement of parents and communities in school governance. Aligning curriculum and assessment reforms with the National Education Policy (NEP), along with the effective use of digital platforms such as PM e-Vidya, could help deliver equitable and high-quality education, even in remote areas, the Survey suggests. On higher education, the Survey notes the rapid growth in institutions and student enrolment over the past decade but raises concerns about quality, faculty shortages and uneven research capabilities. It advocates greater institutional autonomy, stronger academic leadership, and deeper integration of research and innovation to enhance global competitiveness. The Survey also emphasises the need for experience-based and skill-oriented learning, observing that conventional classroom models often fail to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Expanding vocational education, internships and industry partnerships is seen as critical to improving employability and aligning education with labour market needs. While digital education initiatives are recognised as powerful tools for expanding reach, especially in underserved regions, the Survey cautions that technology cannot replace strong pedagogy and well-trained teachers, and must be supported by sustained investments in human capacity. Source: Indian Express

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Infosys limits WFH exemptions to five days per quarter, aligning with stricter policies at TCS and Wipro

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Infosys has further tightened its work-from-home (WFH) framework, placing a cap on exemptions from working at the office (WFO) at five days per quarter, except in cases involving serious medical conditions of employees or their dependents. Any request beyond this limit will require valid medical documentation, including a doctor’s verification. Currently, employees at job level 5 and below are mandated to work from the office for at least 10 days every month. The new restriction specifically applies to requests seeking additional WFH days beyond this requirement. Managers have informed teams that there has been a sharp rise in last-minute WFH requests, prompting the company to enforce stricter planning and system-based pre-approvals rather than informal email requests. Managers have also clarified that requests not aligned with policy leave them with little flexibility. While Infosys has not officially commented, people familiar with the matter said that the company continues to allow up to 30 additional remote working days in cases of critical medical emergencies. The move is notable as Infosys leadership had recently stated that no changes were planned to its hybrid working approach. CEO Salil Parekh, during a post-earnings interaction earlier this month, had emphasised flexibility in how employees engage with the company and its clients. Infosys, which employs over 300,000 people, introduced its return-to-office policy in November 2023, requiring a minimum of 10 in-office days per month, though strict enforcement began in March last year. Employees must also spend at least three hours per day in the office. The tightening of norms mirrors similar steps by peers. Wipro has revised its policy effective January 1, requiring employees to work from the office three days a week for at least six hours daily, while cutting allowable remote days to 12 from 15 earlier. Meanwhile, TCS implemented a five-day office workweek last year and linked variable pay to office attendance, allowing limited WFH only for health-related reasons. Industry observers say these measures reflect the IT sector’s push for greater in-person collaboration amid shorter project cycles and slowing revenue growth, especially as AI-driven automation reduces dependence on large, people-intensive delivery models. Staffing experts suggest that 2026 could see more firms moving towards full-time office attendance, at least on designated workdays, to maintain agility and team coordination. Source: Economic Times

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Nipah outbreak under control in India, government says as neighbouring countries step up vigilance

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Indian authorities have moved to reassure the region after confirming that a recent outbreak of the Nipah virus has been successfully contained. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said late Tuesday that swift action helped prevent further spread after two cases were detected in West Bengal. According to the ministry, a total of 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases were traced, monitored and tested, with all results returning negative. Officials said the clarification was issued to counter what they described as “speculative and inaccurate reporting” in sections of the media. “The situation is under constant monitoring and all necessary public health measures are in place,” the ministry said, noting that enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing and field investigations have been rolled out to ensure early detection of any new cases. Despite India’s assurance, several Asian countries have introduced additional health screening for travellers arriving from India. China said it was tightening disease prevention measures in border regions, with state media reporting risk assessments and specialised training for medical personnel. Countries including Indonesia and Thailand have stepped up airport checks through health declarations, temperature screening and visual assessments. Myanmar advised against non-essential travel to West Bengal and intensified fever surveillance at airports, a system originally introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnam and Malaysia also directed authorities to strengthen monitoring at borders, ports of entry and healthcare facilities. The Nipah virus, a zoonotic disease first identified in Malaysia in the late 1990s, spreads through fruit bats, pigs and close human contact. There is no vaccine or specific treatment, with care limited to managing symptoms and complications. With a fatality rate estimated by the World Health Organization at 40–75%, Nipah is considered significantly more lethal than coronavirus infections. The first known human outbreak in 1998 led to more than 100 deaths among pig farmers and butchers in Malaysia and Singapore. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh, the Philippines and India, with Kerala witnessing Nipah cases almost annually since 2018. Source: Aljazeera

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Nagaland University Researchers discover new plant species in North East

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The findings provide strong evidence that community-protected forests in Nagaland are critical refuges for rare, endemic plant species, contributing valuable data to global plant science & strengthening India’s botanical records   LUMAMI, NAGALAND, 27th January 2026: Nagaland University  researchers have discovered a new plant species located in the high-altitude forests of Nagaland, underscoring the region’s significance as a biodiversity hotspot in Northeast India and the importance of community-led forest conservation. The newly identified species is called Hoya nagaensis and was discovered during systematic botanical explorations of under-explored forest areas in the State. Large parts of Nagaland’s forests remain scientifically undocumented, limiting accurate biodiversity assessment and effective conservation planning. The research team undertook detailed field surveys and taxonomic studies to address this gap and improve scientific understanding of the region’s plant diversity. The study was led by Principal Investigator Dr. Gyati Yam, Department of Forestry, Nagaland University with Ms. Vieneite-o Koza and Mr. Joynath Pegu, Researchers, Nagaland University. The research was funded by Nagaland University under the Start-Up Project for Young Faculty (SUPYF). The findings were published in Kew Bulletin (DOI: 10.1007/s12225-025-10359-9), a peer-reviewed international journal publishing authoritative research on plant and fungal taxonomy, systematics, nomenclature and global biodiversity. Congratulating the researchers, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “The discovery of a new plant species by Nagaland University researchers highlights the extraordinary biodiversity of Northeast India. It provides strong evidence that community-protected forests in Nagaland are vital refuges for rare and endemic plants. This work not only strengthens India’s botanical records but also contributes valuable data to global plant science and conservation efforts.” Elaborating on the study, Dr. Gyati Yam, Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Nagaland University, “Our focused on exploring high-altitude forests, identifying and describing previously unknown plant species, documenting regional biodiversity, and assessing the conservation status of rare and endemic plants. A key emphasis was also placed on understanding the role of community-reserved forests in protecting fragile ecosystems.” Future work will focus on monitoring the species in the wild, studying its ecology, pollination biology and ornamental potential, assessing long-term conservation threats, and exploring nearby forest areas for additional undocumented plant species. Ms. Vieneite-o Koza, Researcher, Nagaland University, said, “The unique aspect of research includes is the discovery and formal scientific description of Hoya nagaensis, a species previously unknown to science. The plant displays distinctive leaf shapes and floral characteristics that clearly differentiate it from other known species in the Hoya genus. The findings provide strong evidence that community-protected forests in Nagaland are critical refuges for rare and endemic plant species, contributing valuable data to global plant science and strengthening India’s botanical records.” Mr. Joynath Pegu, Researchers, Nagaland University, added, “The species is currently known only from a single location in the Kavünhou Community Reserved Forest in Phek district. Owing to its extremely restricted distribution and threats such as shifting cultivation and forest disturbance, it has been provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered. The discovery highlights the effectiveness of traditional forest stewardship practiced by local Naga communities in conserving biodiversity.” Beyond its scientific identification, the discovery highlights the Eastern Himalaya’s temperate forest ecosystems as rich sources of botanical novelty. The study provides detailed habitat information and comparisons with related taxa, offering valuable baseline data for future botanical and ecological research in the region. By documenting the unique physical traits and ecological context of the plant, the researchers have enhanced the taxonomic framework for the genus Hoya and opened avenues for further study on morphological diversity within the group. (Disclaimer: This report is generated from PRO services. ‘ArdorComm Media’ holds no responsibility for its content.)

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Tragic End of an Era: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Killed in Baramati Plane Crash

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Maharashtra’s political landscape has been shaken by the sudden and tragic demise of Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar. On Wednesday morning, a chartered Bombardier Learjet 45, en route from Mumbai to Baramati, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all five individuals on board perished in the accident. Alongside the veteran leader, the victims include pilots Sumit Kapoor and Sambhavi Pathak, as well as Pawar’s personal security officer and an attendant. Preliminary reports suggest that poor visibility may have been a primary factor in the fatal descent. A Career Defined by Power and Pragmatism Affectionately known as “Dada,” Ajit Pawar was more than just a politician; he was a titan of Maharashtra’s cooperative sector. Rising from the shadow of his uncle, Sharad Pawar, Ajit carved a distinct path through administrative efficiency and bold, often controversial, political maneuvers. Political Roots: Entering the fray at age 23, he began his journey in a Baramati sugar cooperative before moving to the Lok Sabha in 1991 and eventually securing the Baramati Assembly seat for eight consecutive terms. Cabinet Mastery: At just 40, he became the state’s youngest Cabinet minister. Over the decades, he held critical portfolios including Finance, Irrigation, and Energy, establishing himself as a leader who was rarely away from the levers of power. The Great Realignment: His career reached a fever pitch in 2023 when he led a major faction of the NCP to join the BJP-Shiv Sena (Mahayuti) alliance, securing his place as Deputy CM once again after the 2024 elections. The Scene at Baramati Witnesses and initial visuals from the site described a harrowing scene. The aircraft was reportedly reduced to debris and ashes, with smoke visible across the Baramati skyline. Pawar was traveling to his stronghold to lead public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections—a testament to his lifelong commitment to grassroots campaigning. He is survived by his wife, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, and two sons, Parth and Jay. As the state enters a period of mourning, Maharashtra remembers a leader who was a central pillar of its governance and a champion for the farming community. Source: India Today

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Sun Pharma, Cipla, Zydus and Graviti recall multiple medicines in US over quality lapses

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Several Indian drugmakers, including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Cipla, Zydus Pharmaceuticals and Graviti Pharmaceuticals, have initiated recalls of various products in the US market, largely due to manufacturing and quality-related issues, according to the latest enforcement reports issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sun Pharma has recalled 24,624 bottles of Fluocinolone Acetonide topical solution (60 ml), distributed by its subsidiary Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc., after the product failed to meet specifications for a known impurity. The company has also pulled back batches of Clindamycin Phosphate topical solution (60 ml), an acne treatment manufactured by Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, following out-of-specification results related to total impurities and assay values. Cipla, meanwhile, is recalling over 15,000 pre-filled syringes of Lanreotide Injection (120 mg/0.5 ml), a drug used to treat a rare hormonal disorder, which is marketed by Cipla USA Inc. Earlier this month, the company clarified that the drug is manufactured exclusively by Greek pharmaceutical firm Pharmathen, which supplies it to Cipla’s US arm. Lanreotide is among Cipla’s top three products in the US by sales. Manufacturing of Lanreotide has been temporarily halted as Pharmathen undertakes remediation following a US FDA inspection that resulted in nine observations at its facility in Greece. Cipla said supplies of the drug will remain constrained until production restarts and quality clearance is obtained. In a separate action, Cipla is also recalling 92,376 tubes of Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel (100 g), manufactured by DPT Laboratories, after the product failed to meet pH specifications. Hyderabad-based Graviti Pharmaceuticals has recalled 4,212 bottles of Furosemide Tablets USP (40 mg, 1,000 tablets per bottle), produced for Rising Pharmaceuticals Inc., due to the presence of a foreign substance. Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) is recalling 22,896 bottles of Icosapent Ethyl capsules (1 gram, 120-count bottles) manufactured by Softgel Healthcare. The recall was initiated after oxidation caused by leakage from the capsules was detected. According to the FDA, use of the affected batches could result in inconsistent therapeutic outcomes and a higher risk of gastrointestinal side effects in some patients. Source: The Hindu

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India–EU Trade Pact Opens Doors for Exports, Services and Talent Mobility

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India and the European Union have formally concluded what is being described as the world’s largest trade agreement, significantly cutting tariffs and widening market access on both sides, while ring-fencing three politically and economically sensitive sectors — automobiles, steel and agriculture. Under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the EU will eliminate duties on 90% of Indian exports at the outset, with coverage expanding to 93% within seven years. Around 6% of goods will see partial tariff reductions or quota-based access, while nearly the entire bilateral trade basket — 99.5% — will benefit from some form of tariff concession. For India, the immediate gains are strongest in labour-intensive industries. Sectors such as marine products, chemicals, plastics and rubber, leather and footwear, textiles and apparel, base metals, gems and jewellery will enjoy zero-duty access to the European market, sharply boosting competitiveness. As a result, the EU’s average tariff on Indian goods will fall dramatically from 3.8% to just 0.1%. At the same time, both sides have taken a cautious approach to sensitive areas. In automobiles, EU cars priced below €15,000 are fully excluded from tariff concessions. Higher-end vehicles are divided into three categories, each subject to quotas and differentiated tariff reductions. Import duties on most cars will be lowered gradually from 30–35% to 10% over five years. Electric vehicle tariff reductions will begin only from the fifth year, and no concessions apply beyond quotas or to completely knocked-down (CKD) kits. Steel has been kept outside full tariff elimination, reflecting strategic and employment concerns. India, however, is pushing for better access to the EU’s duty-free steel import quotas, with discussions expected to conclude by June 30. On climate-linked trade measures, India has not secured an exemption from the EU’s carbon border duties. Instead, it will join a technical working group to verify carbon footprints and receive EU assistance to support emissions reduction efforts. Agriculture has also been carefully balanced. India has shielded key products such as dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, and select fruits and vegetables. At the same time, Indian exports of tea, coffee, spices, fresh produce and processed foods will gain improved access to European markets. On the import side, India will lower tariffs on EU agri-food products including wines, spirits, beer, olive oil and processed foods. Duties on premium wines, for instance, will drop from 150% to as low as 20%, while EU food safety standards will remain unchanged. Beyond goods, the agreement includes wide-ranging provisions on services, sustainability and digital trade. India will gain access to 144 EU services subsectors, while opening 102 of its own to European firms. These include IT, financial services, maritime trade, professional services and education. Binding commitments have been included on labour rights, environmental protection, women’s empowerment and climate cooperation. Digital trade rules aim to facilitate business while safeguarding privacy, security and public policy interests. The pact also lays the groundwork for enhanced business mobility, student exchanges, post-study work opportunities, social security coordination, and recognition of Indian traditional medicine practitioners in select EU countries. In exchange, India will reduce tariffs to zero on 93% of EU goods by trade value over a ten-year period. Overall, the EU will liberalise 96.8% of its tariff lines, while India will open 92.1%, making this one of India’s most comprehensive trade agreements with a developed economy. Alongside the FTA, both sides signed multiple agreements and memoranda covering security and defence cooperation, mobility, green hydrogen, disaster risk management and financial regulation. A joint roadmap titled “Towards 2030 – A Joint India–European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda” was also adopted, setting out collaboration priorities for the next decade. The political declaration concluding the FTA negotiations was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. The India–EU Security and Defence Partnership was signed by EU Vice President Kaja Kallas and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while a comprehensive mobility framework was inked by Šefčovič and Jaishankar. Source: Economic

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