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Government to Support 100 Engineering Colleges with ₹1 Crore Each for Quantum Research Labs

/ Education Community

The Centre will extend financial assistance of ₹1 crore each to 100 engineering colleges to establish quantum research laboratories aimed at strengthening undergraduate minor programmes, according to Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar. Speaking at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on Monday, he revealed that over 500 proposals have already been submitted, from which the final 100 institutions will be chosen. Prof Karandikar also announced that the DST plans to create a specialised quantum algorithms technical group to enhance capacity building, aid start-ups, and accelerate research and technological development in the quantum domain. He highlighted the significant strides made under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems and the National Quantum Mission (NQM), with IIT Bombay playing a pivotal role. He noted that the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Bombay has been instrumental in supporting start-ups, driving innovation, and initiating work on Indian-language large language models. Under the NQM, all four quantum hubs—Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and IIT Bombay—have shown rapid advancement, with IIT Bombay’s quantum sensing hub earning particular recognition. During his visit to IIT Bombay, Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced two major state-of-the-art quantum fabrication and central facilities under the NQM. With an investment of ₹720 crore, these facilities at IIT Bombay and IISc Bengaluru aim to indigenise the fabrication of quantum computing chips and sensors—reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure. Two smaller facilities will also be set up at IIT Delhi and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. These fabrication centres will be open to academia, industry, start-ups, MSMEs, and strategic agencies, enabling faster prototyping, technology development, and small-scale production. The minister added that these advancements will significantly strengthen India’s capabilities in superconductivity, cryogenic engineering, quantum computing, sensing, photonics, healthcare applications, and green energy devices. A new cryogenics facility, equipped with an efficient helium recovery system, is also expected to substantially reduce the cost of cryogenic experiments while conserving the scarce resource. Singh emphasised that as global demand for quantum technologies grows, India must expand its cryogenics infrastructure accordingly. He further remarked that IIT Bombay exemplifies how collaboration between academia, government, and industry can build a world-class scientific ecosystem capable of shaping future technologies. Source: PTI Photo Credit: Getty Images

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Broadcasters Gear Up for Legal Battle Against TRAI’s Ad Cap Notice

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

TV broadcasters are preparing to challenge the recent show cause notices issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) over alleged violations of the 12-minute-per-hour advertising cap. Broadcasters, along with industry bodies such as the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation and the News Broadcasters and Digital Association, are evaluating legal strategies, with a final decision expected next week. Executives across the sector said the notices caught them off guard, especially as the matter is still pending before the Delhi High Court. They argued that enforcing the cap now could worsen the financial stress on broadcasters, who are already grappling with rising operational costs, weak advertising demand, and audience migration to OTT streaming platforms and DD Free Dish. The notices, issued on November 18, have given broadcasters 15 days to explain why action should not be taken for allegedly exceeding the advertising time limit. Industry leaders say many free-to-air channels currently rely heavily on ad-heavy prime-time slots for revenue, and cutting inventory now would strain them further. They added that despite reduced inventory theoretically pushing up ad rates, the current muted advertiser sentiment makes price hikes unrealistic. Executives also questioned the regulatory imbalance, pointing out that digital video platforms face no similar restrictions on ad volumes. They argued that the TV sector is over-regulated at a time when it is already losing market share. According to TAM AdEx, TV ad volumes fell 10% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025. The FICCI EY media report showed that TV advertising revenues dropped 6% to ₹29,400 crore in 2024 due to reduced ad volumes and a decline of over 10% in the number of advertisers. Legal experts said TRAI may push for an expedited hearing on the ad cap case, which has been pending for more than a decade. The Delhi High Court had granted interim protection in 2013, barring coercive action against broadcasters. The case is now scheduled for its next hearing on January 27, 2026, with the interim order remaining in force until then. Source: Economic Times

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New Study: 45% of Heart Attack Risks Go Undetected by Current Screening Methods

/ Health & Wellness Community

A new study has revealed that widely used cardiac screening methods may be overlooking 45% of individuals who are genuinely at risk of a heart attack. The research, conducted by experts at the Mount Sinai, highlights a significant gap in current patient assessment practices, showing that depending solely on standard risk scores and symptoms may leave many vulnerable. The findings, published in JACC: Advances, point to the dangers of silent plaque buildup in arteries—often undetected until it becomes life-threatening. Lead author Amir Ahmadi said population-based risk tools fail to capture true individual risk. He noted that if patients were assessed just two days before their heart attack, nearly half would not have qualified for further testing or preventive treatment under current guidelines. Researchers evaluated two major tools—the traditional ASCVD risk score and a newer, more detailed model called PREVENT calculator—using data from 474 patients under age 66 with no known coronary artery disease. They found that: ASCVD would have classified almost 50% of patients as low or borderline risk. PREVENT would have misclassified more than 60% of them. Additionally, 60% of patients reported no symptoms—such as chest discomfort or breathlessness—until less than two days before their heart attack, making symptom-based screening unreliable. The study suggests shifting from symptom- and score-based evaluation to atherosclerosis imaging, which can detect silent plaque early and potentially prevent heart attacks before they occur. Source: IANS

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Parliament to Introduce Bill Creating a Single Higher Education Regulator to Replace UGC, AICTE, NCTE

/ Education Community

Parliament is set to take up a landmark reform bill aimed at overhauling India’s higher education regulatory framework. The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, scheduled for introduction in the winter session beginning December 1, proposes replacing key regulatory bodies—the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)—with one unified authority. According to the Lok Sabha bulletin, HECI will act as the central regulator for higher education across the country, except for medical and legal education. The new body will focus on regulation, accreditation, and setting professional standards. Funding responsibilities, however, will continue to remain with the administrative ministry and not under HECI’s purview. The concept has been in discussion for years, with a draft bill first released in 2018 for public feedback, proposing the repeal of the UGC Act. Efforts to revive the plan gained momentum after Dharmendra Pradhan became the Union Education Minister in 2021. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 strongly advocates for such a unified regulator, noting that India’s higher education system requires a complete structural overhaul. The policy stresses that regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard-setting should function independently yet cohesively under empowered bodies to strengthen the sector. Source: Indian Express

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From Wages to WFH: 12 Key Labour Rule Changes Every Employee Should Know Under New Codes

/ Human Resource Community

The Union government has rolled out a major transformation of India’s labour laws, bringing 29 separate regulations under four comprehensive labour codes effective November 21. These include the Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020). This overhaul aims to modernise the labour landscape, improve ease of doing business, and ensure stronger protection for workers. Whether you work full-time, part-time, on contract, or through digital platforms, these changes will influence your pay structure, job conditions, benefits, and rights. Here are the major updates employees should be aware of: Universal Minimum Wages: Every worker—across organised and unorganised sectors—will now be entitled to statutory minimum wages. A national “floor wage” will be set by the central government. Revised Wage Structure & Lower Take-Home: A uniform definition of “wages” requires that basic pay must form at least 50% of total salary. While this may reduce take-home income, it boosts long-term PF and gratuity benefits due to higher contributions. Social Security for Gig & Platform Workers: For the first time, gig workers are covered under social security. Aggregators must allocate a share of their annual turnover to a dedicated fund offering life, disability, and health benefits. Quicker Gratuity for Fixed-Term Employees: Fixed-term staff can now claim gratuity after just one year of service instead of five, offering improved financial protection. Mandatory Appointment Letters: All employers—including those in the unorganised sector—must issue formal appointment letters, ensuring documentation of employment terms, wages, and entitlements. Double Pay for Overtime: Any work done beyond standard hours must be compensated at no less than twice the regular wage rate. Enhanced Leave Benefits: The number of days required to qualify for annual leave has been reduced from 240 to 180, enabling newer employees to enjoy paid leave sooner. Women Allowed in Night Shifts: Women can now legally work night shifts in all sectors, provided they consent and employers ensure safety and security. Gender-based wage discrimination is strictly prohibited. Work-From-Home Option: WFH provisions are now officially recognised for service-based industries through mutual agreement. Free Annual Health Checkups: Employees aged 40 and above must be given free yearly health check-ups by their employers. Timely Wage Payments: Wages must be paid within fixed timelines—for example, within seven days of the following month for monthly wage earners, and within two working days after employment ends. Travel-Related Accidents Covered: Commuting accidents between home and workplace are now deemed work-related, making employees eligible for compensation. Source: NDTV

From Wages to WFH: 12 Key Labour Rule Changes Every Employee Should Know Under New Codes Read More »

Thyrocare rolls out GLP-1 Health Check packages to support safe use of weight-loss and diabetes drugs

/ Health & Wellness Community

Thyrocare Technologies Ltd. has introduced a new set of diagnostic packages called the GLP-1 Health Check, designed to help individuals using GLP-1–based medications for weight management and type 2 diabetes track their overall health. The nationwide offering includes up to 81 tests, starting at ₹2,799, aimed at monitoring key metabolic, nutritional, liver, kidney and thyroid markers both before beginning GLP-1 therapy and during ongoing treatment. GLP-1 agonists—drugs that replicate the action of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1—have rapidly grown in demand for obesity and diabetes management. With their rising use, doctors have stressed the need for continuous health monitoring to ensure treatment efficacy and early detection of adverse reactions. According to Thyrocare, the panels were developed with guidance from leading clinicians to help users establish baseline health data, identify possible nutrient deficiencies and track metabolic changes. The test menu includes lipid profile, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, liver and kidney function tests, and cardiac risk markers. Kidney assessments have been emphasized as GLP-1 medicines may cause dehydration or electrolyte disturbances. Since these therapies can suppress appetite and contribute to vitamin deficiencies, the packages also check vitamin D, vitamin B12 and hemoglobin levels. Tests for amylase and lipase help screen for pancreatitis, while thyroid markers (T3, T4, TSH) monitor potential therapy-related hormonal shifts. Thyrocare said that offering all these tests in one bundle simplifies comprehensive monitoring for people on GLP-1 medications. Rahul Guha, managing director and CEO of Thyrocare, said the growing adoption of GLP-1 drugs in India calls for reliable diagnostic support. “These therapies are powerful and effective when used responsibly, and consistent monitoring ensures better outcomes,” he noted. Endocrinologist Dr. Shehla Shaikh added that structured medical oversight is crucial for safe weight-management treatment. Comprehensive testing, she said, helps safeguard nutritional balance, organ function and long-term safety. The GLP-1 Health Check packages can be booked through Thyrocare, PharmEasy, and partner platforms, aligning with Thyrocare’s broader push toward preventive and precision healthcare for metabolic and lifestyle-related conditions. Source: Economic Times

Thyrocare rolls out GLP-1 Health Check packages to support safe use of weight-loss and diabetes drugs Read More »

Reliance Power forms new Board of Management to boost governance, sharpen oversight

/ Governance Community

Reliance Power Ltd., part of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, has approved the creation of a Board of Management (BOM) to strengthen governance standards and enhance strategic oversight across the organisation. The new structure, cleared by the board on November 19, will include the company’s CEO, key managerial personnel, and senior business leaders. The company said the move reflects its push toward a more agile, future-ready operating model, aligned with global best practices in corporate governance and long-term value creation for stakeholders. During the meeting, the board also reviewed growth developments at its subsidiary Reliance NU Energies, which has emerged as a leading player in the solar-plus-BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) segment. The subsidiary has secured up to 4 GW of solar capacity and 6.5 GW of BESS capacity through competitive bids, positioning it as a major force in India’s clean energy transition. Reliance Power said the formation of the BOM, along with its expanding renewable energy footprint, underscores its strategy to build a strong foundation for sustainable and forward-looking growth. Source: The Hindu

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PM Modi Releases 21st PM-KISAN Instalment, ₹18,000 Crore Disbursed to Farmers Nationwide

/ Governance Community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday disbursed the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme during an event in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. With this release, ₹18,000 crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of nearly 9 crore farmers across India through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Launched on February 24, 2019, PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 per year to every eligible landholding farmer family, delivered in three instalments of ₹2,000 each. The funds reach beneficiaries through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, making it one of the largest DBT programmes globally. To date, over ₹3.70 lakh crore has been distributed to more than 11 crore farmer families, with women farmers making up over 25% of the beneficiaries. A robust digital ecosystem underpins the scheme, enabling strong transparency measures. Aadhaar-based e-KYC, digital verification of land records and the dedicated PM-KISAN portal ensure reliable beneficiary authentication. Farmers can self-register online, while payments are seamlessly processed via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS). Technological upgrades continue to make the scheme more accessible. The PM-KISAN mobile app, revamped in 2023 with face authentication, allows farmers to complete e-KYC remotely and track payments. The bilingual Kisan-eMitra AI chatbot, available in 11 regional languages, has helped resolve over 95 lakh farmer queries on eligibility, registration and payment issues. The Centre has also expanded beneficiary coverage through saturation drives. During the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in 2023, over one crore new eligible farmers were added. Another 25 lakh farmers were onboarded in the first 100 days of the new government in mid-2024. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of beneficiaries in the 20th instalment, followed by Maharashtra. For India’s small and marginal farmers — over 85% of the farming population — PM-KISAN provides critical financial support, especially during sowing and harvesting seasons when inputs and labour costs rise. The scheme has also reduced dependence on informal moneylenders and increased financial stability during challenging times. Implementation is closely monitored by both Central and State governments. Beneficiary lists are displayed at the village level to ensure transparency and allow eligible farmers who were excluded to apply. States and Union Territories are required to recover funds paid to ineligible individuals — as of August 2025, ₹416 crore has been reclaimed. To improve delivery of welfare schemes further, the Ministry of Agriculture is developing a National Farmer Registry, which aims to create a unified digital database. This will help farmers access government benefits more easily without repeatedly submitting documentation. Source: DD News

PM Modi Releases 21st PM-KISAN Instalment, ₹18,000 Crore Disbursed to Farmers Nationwide Read More »

ICC Unveils Full Schedule for U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the complete fixture list for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026. The event will feature 16 teams competing in 41 matches, culminating in the final at the Harare Sports Club on February 6. The tournament will open with three exciting clashes: India vs USA, Zimbabwe vs Scotland, and a landmark moment as Tanzania makes its maiden U19 World Cup appearance against the West Indies. Matches will be staged across five venues — Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club, Queens Sports Club (Zimbabwe), and Namibia Cricket Ground along with HP Oval (Namibia). Adopting the familiar structure, the competition will begin with four groups of four teams, progressing to the Super Six, followed by the semi-finals and the title match. Reigning champions Australia will commence their title defence against Ireland on January 16 in Windhoek. A highly anticipated face-off between traditional rivals India and Bangladesh is scheduled for January 17 in Bulawayo. Automatic qualification was granted to ten teams based on their 2024 World Cup showing, while hosts Zimbabwe and five regional qualifiers completed the lineup — a strong reflection of cricket’s expanding global footprint. Teams are expected to arrive on January 8, with warm-up games set between January 9 and 14. Group allocations are as follows: Group A: India, Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa Sharing his enthusiasm for the upcoming edition, ICC Chairman Jay Shah highlighted the tournament’s legacy in nurturing cricket’s biggest names — from Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Shubman Gill. He noted that the 2026 tournament promises to provide young talents with a platform that mirrors the pressures of top-tier international cricket. Shah also celebrated Tanzania’s debut, calling it a sign of the sport’s increasing global reach, and extended his best wishes to all participating teams. Key schedule highlights include: January 15: USA vs India (Bulawayo), Zimbabwe vs Scotland (Harare), Tanzania vs West Indies (Windhoek) January 16: Pakistan vs England (Harare), Australia vs Ireland (Windhoek), Afghanistan vs South Africa (Windhoek) January 17: India vs Bangladesh (Bulawayo), Japan vs Sri Lanka (Windhoek) February 6: Final (Harare Sports Club) The complete schedule spans from January 15 to February 6, featuring the group stage, Super Six matches, semi-finals, and the championship finale. Source: IANS

ICC Unveils Full Schedule for U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 Read More »

IIT-Madras researchers uncover physiological markers that can predict and manage test anxiety among students

/ Education Community

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have identified key physiological signals that can help detect students who are most prone to test anxiety, potentially transforming how educational institutions understand and address academic stress. The findings, published in the international peer-reviewed journal Behavioural Brain Research, explore the interaction between the brain and heart in students facing exam-related anxiety. This scientific approach offers early detection possibilities and paves the way for personalized coping strategies. According to NCERT (2022), nearly 81% of Indian students experience some level of test anxiety, which can adversely affect academic outcomes and long-term mental well-being. Led by Venkatesh Balasubramanian from the Department of Engineering Design, the IIT-Madras team emphasized the value of using objective physiological data rather than relying solely on students’ self-reported feelings. Their research shows that a disruption in the brain-heart communication network during stressful situations can make certain students more vulnerable to anxiety and avoidance behaviours, highlighting a biological difference between healthy and unhealthy responses to exam pressure. The study identifies two critical markers: Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA): a brain-based indicator linked to emotional control Heart Rate Variability (HRV): a measure of how effectively the heart adjusts to stress Researchers found that students exhibiting a negative FAA pattern showed weaker heart regulation under pressure, suggesting a biological predisposition to heightened anxiety. This deeper understanding reframes academic stress as a condition rooted not only in psychology but also in measurable physiological interactions. According to Swathy Parameswaran, Research Scholar at IIT Madras, these insights could lead to practical tools powered by artificial intelligence. Such tools may enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring systems capable of alerting educators and mental health professionals before visible symptoms arise. The research also supports the creation of personalized stress management strategies that can be integrated into school and university wellness programs. Though based on a preliminary sample of 52 participants, the study marks a promising advancement in combining neuroscience with educational psychology. The team plans to expand the research with larger, more diverse groups and explore additional factors like sleep quality and physical activity. Upcoming phases will also include advanced methods such as EEG-based connectivity mapping to further unravel heart-brain dynamics during stress. Source: PTI

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