Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently emphasized that India is seeing a rapid decline in inequality and is steadily moving toward becoming one of the world’s most equitable societies. Speaking at the Rozgar Mela via video conference—where more than 51,000 job appointment letters were distributed—he cited a recent World Bank report to support his assertion. A substantial portion of the new appointments—over 40,000—came from the Indian Railways, reinforcing the government’s commitment to employment generation. PM Modi praised the foundational pillars of democracy, equality, and demographic strength as key drivers of the nation’s transformation. He recalled his recent five-nation tour and noted…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Thursday after concluding a significant five-nation diplomatic tour that spanned Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The journey highlighted India’s proactive role in shaping a multipolar world and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening bonds with key nations, especially in the Global South. A central moment of the trip was Modi’s participation in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he engaged with global leaders to deliberate on reforming multilateral institutions, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing global economic governance. In Argentina and Brazil, the Prime Minister…

India could be positioned as a key winner under the latest US tariff framework, according to a recent report by Arihant Capital, which suggests Washington may impose lower duties on India compared to several other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This preferential treatment could help India attract increased foreign investment and drive momentum in its manufacturing sector. As global trade realigns, the report underscores India’s rising strategic appeal, highlighting that while countries like Brazil, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar face steep new duties, India might be spared the harshest penalties. This relative leniency could channel production shifts into India, especially as…

In a significant leap toward India’s maiden human spaceflight program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted two hot-fire tests of the Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. The tests were carried out on July 3 at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The twin evaluations featured short-duration firings—one lasting 30 seconds, the other 100 seconds—and were aimed at verifying the configuration and functionality of the propulsion system. ISRO reported that the system performed flawlessly, with all engines operating within the expected parameters. Crucially, the 100-second trial showcased the simultaneous operation…

India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector continues to gain momentum, recording a 28.6% year-on-year (YoY) growth in total sales in June 2025, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Associations (FADA). This significant rise is credited to favorable government policies—particularly the Prime Minister e-Drive Scheme—along with expanding investments in domestic EV development and increasing public awareness about sustainability. In total, 180,238 EV units were sold during June, showcasing robust gains across all segments. Electric passengervehicles (e-PVs) experienced exceptional growth, with sales rising nearly 80% YoY—from 7,323 units in June 2024 to 13,178 units this year. Their market share within total EV…

Dr. Prateek Prasanna, an Indian-American assistant professor at Stony Brook University, has earned the prestigious CAREER Award from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). His groundbreaking project centers on leveraging how expert clinicians visually interpret complex medical images—specifically through their eye gaze—to improve artificial intelligence systems used in diagnostics. Titled “CAREER: Towards Gaze-guided Medical Image Analysis,” Prasanna’s work focuses on enhancing AI interpretability and accuracy by incorporating how radiologists and pathologists naturally view and assess radiology and pathology scans. This approach marks a significant step toward merging human cognitive behavior with machine learning, with the ultimate goal of improving patient…

India has climbed to the fourth position worldwide in terms of income equality, according to the World Bank database, as reported by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). The country’s Gini Index score now stands at 25.5—placing it just behind the Slovak Republic (24.1), Slovenia (24.3), and Belarus (24.4). The Gini Index, which measures how evenly income is distributed across a nation’s population, ranges from zero (perfect equality) to 100 (extreme inequality). With its latest score, India falls within the “moderately low inequality” range and is nearing the “low inequality” category. This achievement highlights India’s continued progress in promoting balanced economic…

Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly advocated for an immediate revamp of global governance institutions. Highlighting their growing irrelevance in today’s world, he emphasized that organizations like the UN Security Council, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Trade Organization (WTO) must undergo structural reforms to remain effective in the 21st century. “These institutions were created in a different era and no longer have the capacity to respond to modern-day challenges,” Modi said, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). He underscored the importance of building…

Effective July 1, 2025, Professor Sabyasachi Sen has assumed the role of Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis. Known for his deep commitment to cross-disciplinary research, Sen expressed his vision to strengthen the department’s collaborations within the College of Engineering. “I see this department’s interdisciplinary foundation as a unique asset,” said Sen. “In my new role, I aim to foster stronger partnerships across departments and enhance a shared, collaborative research culture.” Sen’s academic journey into materials science began with a fascination for naturally formed glasses from volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts…

During a military technology event hosted by FICCI, India’s Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, revealed that China actively supported Pakistan with real-time intelligence during Operation Sindoor. He said that while Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level discussions were underway, Pakistan had startlingly accurate knowledge of India’s deployments—insights they received from Chinese surveillance. According to Lt Gen Singh, Pakistan specifically referred to India’s prepared military vectors and requested their withdrawal—clear proof of Chinese involvement. He stated that during Operation Sindoor, India was effectively up against three adversaries: Pakistan at the frontline,…