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Supreme Court Directs NHRC to Oversee Mental Health Authorities Nationwide

/ Health & Wellness Community

In a significant move to strengthen mental healthcare governance, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) directed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to monitor the functioning of Central and State Mental Health Authorities across India. The decision, issued by a Bench led by Justice P.S. Narasimha, came in response to a 2018 petition filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, which exposed the inhumane treatment of mentally ill inmates who were found chained in a faith-based asylum in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh. The petition had called for the establishment and independent monitoring of Central and State Mental Health Authorities, along with dedicated funding and mental health review boards, as mandated under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. Following the petition, the Union Health Ministry informed the Court through an affidavit that these authorities had been formally notified and were operational. Acknowledging this development, the Bench observed: “Since both the Central and State Mental Health Authorities are now functioning, the NHRC shall oversee the matter, hear the concerned bodies, and issue necessary directions to ensure their effective working.” The Supreme Court further instructed that the petition be treated as a “complaint” by the NHRC and monitored accordingly under existing legal provisions. The NHRC has been empowered to issue appropriate orders to ensure that mental health institutions and review boards function efficiently and uphold human rights standards. This directive marks an important step toward ensuring accountability and systemic reform within India’s mental healthcare framework. Source: The Hindu  

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University of Queensland and IIT Delhi invite applications for Joint PhD Programme – July 2026 intake

/ Education Community

The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), has opened Expressions of Interest (EoI) for its Joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme, set to begin in July 2026. This unique initiative enables research scholars to pursue doctoral studies under the joint supervision of faculty from both UQ and IIT Delhi, providing them exposure to two world-class academic and research ecosystems. As part of the programme, students will spend one year at UQ’s Brisbane campus and three years at IIT Delhi, gaining valuable international research experience. Participants will benefit from fellowships, travel grants, and relocation assistance, along with access to the extensive academic infrastructure and research facilities of both institutions. Upon successful completion, scholars will be awarded a joint PhD degree from UQ and IIT Delhi. Applications are open to candidates from diverse fields including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Interested applicants can submit their EoIs online at uqiitd.org/study until 7 pm (IST) on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. To guide prospective applicants, two online information sessions are scheduled — the first on November 11, 2025 (registration: shorturl.at/QQoIe) and the second on December 10, 2025 (registration: shorturl.at/vjVp1). These sessions will provide detailed insights into the programme structure, eligibility criteria, and application procedure. The UQ–IITD Research Academy accepts applications twice annually — the first round in February for the July intake, and the second round in September for the January intake of the following year. In the previous admission cycle, all enrolled PhD candidates were granted scholarships covering up to four years of full-time study. Additionally, the Academy has partnered with The Weir Group to advance research in slurry transportation through a dedicated PhD project. For complete details on eligibility, scholarships, and submission guidelines, applicants can visit the official website: uqiitd.org. Source: Indian Express

University of Queensland and IIT Delhi invite applications for Joint PhD Programme – July 2026 intake Read More »

CPCB detects heavy metals in air across Delhi and nine other Indian cities

/ Health & Wellness Community

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that heavy metals such as copper, zinc, chromium, and molybdenum have been detected in the air of ten Indian cities, including Delhi, where they constitute between 0.1% and 2.1% of the total PM10 concentration. The other cities included in the study are Jaipur, Bhopal, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai. For Delhi, the CPCB collected air samples from Pitampura, Siri Fort, Janakpuri, and Shahdara during June and July 2025. The analysis followed an NGT directive from last year, which took suo motu cognisance of a Times of India report highlighting the presence of heavy metals in PM2.5 particles in East Delhi’s air. According to CPCB’s findings, these metals are typically bound to airborne particulate matter, meaning that reducing PM concentrations would likely lower their levels as well. During the monitoring period, Delhi’s average PM10 concentration was recorded at 130 µg/m³, with copper at 55.13 ng/m³, chromium at 12.25 ng/m³, molybdenum at 0.91 ng/m³, and zinc at 243.5 ng/m³. Previous studies have shown that chromium, copper, zinc, molybdenum, and lead are among the most common heavy metals present in PM2.5 in Delhi and other cities. The Heavy Metal Exposure Index (HEI) developed by researchers showed that East Delhi had one of the highest toxicity loads before the COVID-19 lockdown, later surpassed by Ludhiana. Areas such as Mayur Vihar, Dilshad Garden, and Laxmi Nagar were found to have significant levels. Lead researcher Kanhaiya Lal noted that India lacks national ambient air quality standards for several heavy metals, unlike countries such as Canada, which have established benchmarks. He also warned that airborne heavy metals pose serious health risks due to their toxic nature. The CPCB reiterated that under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) — launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — India aims to achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels or meet the national standard of 60 µg/m³ by 2025–26, using 2017–18 as the baseline year. Source: TNN

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India’s Digital Trust Revolution: National Blockchain Framework Redefines Governance

/ Governance Community

In the backdrop of India’s fast-evolving digital ecosystem, a quiet yet powerful transformation is underway—rooted not in additional red tape, but in a foundation of trust. The National Blockchain Framework (NBF), introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in September 2024 with an outlay of ₹64.76 crore, represents India’s strategic push toward embedding transparency, integrity, and accountability within digital governance. For decades, governance in India operated through siloed databases and hierarchical permissions, often slowing down service delivery and leaving room for inefficiencies or manipulation. The NBF signals a fundamental shift—from centralized control to decentralized validation, leveraging blockchain’s core principles of immutability, shared ledgers, and trust-by-design systems. At its core, the framework is powered by the Vishvasya Blockchain Stack—a homegrown, modular “Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS)” platform managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The stack operates across data centers in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad, forming the technological backbone of this nationwide initiative. Complementing it are two crucial components: NBFLite, a sandbox environment fostering innovation by allowing startups, researchers, and educational institutions to experiment with blockchain-based solutions. Praamaanik, a blockchain-enabled verification tool ensuring mobile applications’ authenticity. The results, even at this early stage, are impressive. As of October 21, 2025, over 34 crore documents have been verified using the platform—spanning property records, judiciary databases, logistics systems, and educational certificates. What began as an ambitious architectural blueprint has swiftly evolved into a functional ecosystem delivering real-world trust and efficiency. For citizens, this translates to instant verification and reduced dependency on intermediaries. For governments, it ensures secure, auditable processes resistant to tampering. For businesses, it creates a transparent environment that enhances compliance and confidence. Collectively, it strengthens India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat, by nurturing indigenous technology and reducing reliance on external blockchain systems. However, this transformation isn’t without hurdles. Integrating blockchain across diverse state systems and departments demands continuous skill-building, harmonization of legal frameworks, and alignment between policy and technology. Equally vital is citizen awareness—without which digital trust cannot fully take root. Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that “Digital India is an empowered India,” the NBF stands as more than an infrastructure project—it’s a reimagination of governance built on verified truth and transparency. As the framework expands, India is poised to witness governance that’s faster, verifiable, citizen-driven, and inherently trustworthy—anchored by a digital backbone designed for trust. Source: DD News

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Abundantia Entertainment Launches AI Division to Revolutionize Storytelling

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

Vikram Malhotra-led Abundantia Entertainment has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-focused division named ‘Abundantia aiON’, aimed at fusing technology with human creativity to redefine storytelling. The initiative will integrate AI across stages like ideation, visual design, and production to craft innovative films, series, and characters. Built on the philosophy of “Human First. AI Empowered.”, aiON seeks to position AI as a creative catalyst rather than a replacement for human imagination. The division will collaborate with global tech leaders to develop creative infrastructure and train writers, artists, and filmmakers to use emerging technologies in storytelling. The move follows Abundantia’s partnership with Collective Artists Network for Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal, touted as a “Made-in-AI” feature film set for release in 2026. Commenting on the launch, Vikram Malhotra, Founder & CEO of Abundantia Entertainment, said, “At Abundantia, we believe technology should amplify imagination, not replace it. AI isn’t here to take over creativity—it’s here to magnify it. We see AI as a collaborator, a force multiplier for human imagination.” The company plans to announce its first slate of AI-driven projects soon. Meanwhile, Abundantia continues to expand its lineup with upcoming releases including Subedaar (starring Anil Kapoor), Daldal (featuring Bhumi Pednekar), an untitled comedy with Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Dharna Durga, and Ravi Kishan, and a business drama series directed by Hansal Mehta. Source: Economic Times

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Nearly 8,000 Indian Schools Have No Students but 20,000 Teachers on Payroll

/ Education Community

In a startling revelation, official data shows that nearly 8,000 schools across India recorded zero student enrolments during the 2024–25 academic year, despite having over 20,000 teachers on their payrolls. West Bengal leads the list with the highest number of schools without students (3,812) and 17,965 teachers still employed in them. According to the Ministry of Education’s latest statistics, 7,993 schools across the country had no enrolments, marking an improvement from 12,954 such schools the previous year. Telangana ranked second with 2,245 schools having no students and 1,016 teachers, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 463 schools and 223 teachers. Interestingly, Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura reported no schools with zero enrolments. The same was true for Union Territories such as Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, and Chandigarh, along with Delhi. A senior education ministry official said that since school education is a state subject, respective governments have been advised to tackle the issue by merging underutilized schools to make better use of infrastructure and staff resources. In Uttar Pradesh, 81 schools had no enrolments. The UP Board has already begun the process of revoking recognition for institutions that have not recorded any admissions for three consecutive years. The data also highlights another pressing issue — the existence of over 1 lakh single-teacher schools across India, catering to more than 33 lakh students. Andhra Pradesh leads in the number of such schools, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep. However, in terms of student enrolment, Uttar Pradesh tops the list, followed by Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. Notably, the count of single-teacher schools dropped by nearly 6%, from 1,18,190 in 2022–23 to 1,10,971 in 2023–24, signaling gradual progress toward teacher rationalization. Source: PTI 

Nearly 8,000 Indian Schools Have No Students but 20,000 Teachers on Payroll Read More »

Google Expands India Footprint with Major Office Lease in Gurugram

/ Human Resource Community

In one of the largest office space deals of 2025, US tech giant Google has leased 617,000 sq ft of space at Atrium Place, Gurugram, a premium commercial property jointly developed by DLF and Hines, according to sources familiar with the matter. While the lease duration and financial terms remain undisclosed, the transaction marks another milestone in Google’s ongoing expansion in India. This comes shortly after the company leased 550,000 sq ft from managed workspace provider Table Space in another Gurugram commercial hub. “Google’s expansion reflects its strong commitment to India’s digital and economic ecosystem,” said one of the people aware of the deal. “The company follows a rigorous evaluation process before finalizing properties, and only a handful of developers meet its standards.” Neither DLF nor Google responded to media queries on the deal as of Friday evening. Interestingly, Google had earlier terminated a 700,000 sq ft lease in a Gurugram office complex in 2022, an agreement initially signed in June 2020. As per data from Cushman & Wakefield, the Delhi-NCR region recorded a 5.1 million sq ft gross leasing volume in the third quarter of 2025, a 10% rise quarter-on-quarter and 56% increase year-on-year, highlighting the region’s growing appeal for global corporations. Source: Economic Times  

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$100 Million Hopes Fade: FIFA and IOC Struggle to Attract Indian Broadcasters Amid Market Slowdown

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

India’s once-booming sports broadcasting market is undergoing a sharp correction, weighed down by broadcaster consolidation, the ban on real-money gaming (RMG), and challenging time zones for upcoming global events. As a result, global sports bodies like FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are finding it increasingly difficult to secure higher media rights deals from Indian broadcasters, industry insiders revealed. Both FIFA and the IOC are reportedly eyeing over $100 million each from the Indian market — nearly four times what local networks are prepared to offer. In comparison, India contributed around $61 million for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and $31 million for the Paris 2024 Olympics during the last rights cycle. FIFA floated its invitation to tender (ITT) in July for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, while the IOC launched a similar tender for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, progress has been sluggish as Indian broadcasters balk at the steep asking prices. The market’s competitive edge has dulled significantly, with only two major contenders — JioStar and Sony — now dominating negotiations. JioStar, heavily invested in cricket, is reluctant to stretch further, while Sony remains conservative amid weak advertising prospects for non-cricket sports. The government’s ban on RMG platforms has also dealt a severe blow, wiping out an estimated ₹6,000–₹7,000 crore from the sports advertising ecosystem — a crucial source of funds for premium sports rights. Compounding the issue, both the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will air during late-night hours in India, reducing live viewership potential and ad revenue. Industry veterans argue that global bodies are misreading the Indian market. The IOC, sources say, expects ICC-level valuations due to cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympics, while FIFA is benchmarking against its record-breaking global contracts. “The era of irrational bidding is over,” said a senior media executive. “With broadcaster consolidation, the RMG ban, and inconvenient time zones, even top-tier events don’t offer viable returns. The mismatch between global expectations and Indian realities has never been greater.” Another executive added that while India’s growing Olympic ambitions — including its potential bid for the 2036 Games — could boost interest, time zone differences and the mandatory feed-sharing rule with Doordarshan under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act continue to erode the commercial appeal of exclusive rights. Sources noted that JioStar had initially approached FIFA for a two-cycle rights deal, but the global football body opted for an open bidding process, anticipating higher offers. That strategy has backfired — JioStar has since pulled back, and Sony remains cautious. Viacom18, which merged with Star India to form JioStar, was the previous rights holder for both FIFA and IOC events. Despite structural challenges, both properties performed decently in their last outings. The Paris 2024 Olympics attracted over 170 million Indian viewers across JioCinema and Sports18, generating roughly ₹110 crore in ad revenues. Since then, JioCinema has merged with Disney+ Hotstar to form JioHotstar, while Sports18 has been absorbed under Star Sports. Source: Economic Times

$100 Million Hopes Fade: FIFA and IOC Struggle to Attract Indian Broadcasters Amid Market Slowdown Read More »

Digital Colleagues Incoming: Nvidia CEO Says AI ‘Employees’ Will Work Alongside Humans, IT to Become HR for Agentic AI

/ Human Resource Community

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has offered a bold vision of the corporate workforce’s future — one where digital employees powered by artificial intelligence (AI) will work hand-in-hand with humans. These AI “agents,” he says, will not only perform professional roles but also undergo formal hiring and onboarding processes to learn company values, culture, and workflows. Huang believes this emerging “agentic AI workforce” could create a trillion-dollar market opportunity. In a recent conversation with Citadel Securities, Huang said he expects future enterprises to employ digital nurses, lawyers, accountants, and marketers — some licensed from AI developers, others trained in-house. “You’ll hire some and license some, depending on their expertise,” he explained. “The future workforce will blend humans with digital humans.” Huang emphasized that these AI agents will need structured orientation and integration, much like their human counterparts. “I tell my CIO that our IT department will one day be the HR department for agentic AI,” he remarked. “Our digital employees will collaborate with our biological ones — that’s the future shape of our company.” These AI “workers” could come from multiple platforms, including OpenAI, Harvey, OpenEvidence, Cursor, Replit, and Lovable. Some may be internally developed — Nvidia already employs more AI cybersecurity agents than human experts to protect its data and systems. The conversation around agentic AI — self-directed, task-performing digital entities — is gaining traction across the tech industry. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the current generation of executives will likely be the last to lead all-human workforces. “From now on, leaders will manage both human and digital employees,” Benioff said. Similarly, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicted that by 2026 or 2027, AI systems will surpass humans “in almost all domains,” underscoring the rapid pace at which artificial intelligence is evolving toward autonomy and workplace integration. Source: TOI

Digital Colleagues Incoming: Nvidia CEO Says AI ‘Employees’ Will Work Alongside Humans, IT to Become HR for Agentic AI Read More »

NMC Approves 10,650 New MBBS Seats, 41 New Medical Colleges Across India

/ Education Community

In a major boost to India’s healthcare education landscape, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 10,650 additional MBBS seats for the 2024–25 academic session, along with the establishment of 41 new medical colleges nationwide. This development aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day 2024 commitment to create 75,000 new medical seats within five years, aimed at strengthening the country’s medical education and healthcare capacity. With these new additions, India now has a total of 816 medical colleges offering approximately 1,37,600 MBBS seats, including those under Institutes of National Importance (INIs). According to Dr. Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson of the NMC, the commission reviewed 170 proposals for seat expansion — 41 from government institutions and 129 from private colleges — ultimately approving the new capacity of 10,650 seats. The commission has also received over 3,500 applications for new and renewed postgraduate (PG) medical seats, with expectations of adding around 5,000 new PG seats, taking the national total to about 67,000. In total, the combined increase in UG and PG medical seats this year is projected to be nearly 15,000. Although the approval and counselling process experienced slight delays, NMC officials have assured that all procedures will conclude as per the designated timelines. A comprehensive blueprint for the upcoming academic year — including schedules for accreditation, examinations, and seat matrix approval — will be released soon. The application portal for 2025–26 is slated to open in early November. In a notable first, all appeals against the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) decisions were resolved without court intervention, reflecting greater efficiency in regulatory procedures. Dr. Sheth further revealed that the NMC is working to integrate clinical research into the MBBS curriculum through a proposed collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This initiative aims to build stronger research infrastructure and encourage medical students to engage in clinical innovation and applied learning. These reforms represent a transformative step in India’s journey toward enhancing medical education quality, healthcare accessibility, and workforce readiness, in line with the government’s broader vision of a healthier, self-reliant India. Source: Indian Express

NMC Approves 10,650 New MBBS Seats, 41 New Medical Colleges Across India Read More »