Author: Nupur Rohila

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have developed a simpler and more efficient method to recover immune cells grown in laboratories, a breakthrough that could significantly improve T-cell-based cancer therapies. T-cell immunotherapies, including CAR T-cell treatment, involve extracting T-cells from a patient’s blood, modifying and multiplying them in controlled laboratory conditions, and then infusing them back into the body to fight cancer. One of the most critical challenges in this process is recovering these cells without damaging their viability or function. The research team, led by Professor Prakriti Tayalia from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, focused on…

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a record milestone, reaching Rs. 230 lakh crore (US$ 2.56 trillion) in transactions between April 2025 and December 2025, according to a government briefing in the Rajya Sabha. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year’s Rs. 139 lakh crore (US$ 1.54 trillion) in FY24-25, highlighting the accelerating adoption of digital payments across the country. The surge in UPI usage is attributed to increased digital literacy among consumers, wider acceptance by merchants, and seamless interoperability across multiple payment apps and banking partners. These factors have established UPI as a central component of…

India has set an ambitious target to attract US$ 100 billion in investments for its oil and gas sector by 2030, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Energy Week 2026 summit. The initiative underscores the government’s plan to accelerate energy infrastructure development while reducing dependence on imported energy. As one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, India aims to enhance domestic exploration, covering nearly 1 million square kilometers and allocating over 170 hydrocarbon blocks to energy companies. The Andaman and Nicobar basin has been highlighted as a promising new hydrocarbon region, with ongoing reforms in exploration and production…

On January 27, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the expanding partnership between India and the European Union, emphasizing that the cooperation serves the “global good.” Speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa in New Delhi, PM Modi announced that both sides would extend trilateral projects spanning the Indo-Pacific to the Caribbean. The initiatives aim to promote sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and women’s empowerment, while positioning the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) as a critical link in global trade and connectivity. The Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable progress in India-EU relations in recent…

On the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation, acknowledging the invaluable contributions of citizens across all walks of life. She paid tribute to artists, sanitation workers, armed forces personnel, and entrepreneurs for their relentless efforts in rebuilding and advancing the nation. Highlighting India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, President Murmu emphasized the country’s role as a messenger of global peace, stating that the stability of humanity depends on worldwide harmony and cooperation. President Murmu also reflected on India’s journey toward economic integration, particularly lauding the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). She…

India has secured a strategic “Southern Anchor” through its newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, sending a message of pragmatism and long-term partnership amid ongoing global trade uncertainty, according to a report. The report noted that the deal lays the groundwork for a comprehensive bilateral economic partnership that aligns with India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific trade strategies, and strengthens cooperation between the world’s fastest-growing major economy and New Zealand. The new FTA, concluded last month after negotiations that began in March 2025, is viewed as a key component of economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, complementing India’s…

India is making some of the most forward-looking investments in the global healthcare sector by strengthening the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and rolling out the Future Health Districts programme, according to experts speaking at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has emerged as the cornerstone of India’s efforts to build a unified national digital health ecosystem. Since its launch, the initiative has enabled hundreds of millions of citizens to access digital health services through unique health identities, while integrating hospitals, clinics, laboratories, insurers, and healthcare professionals onto a common interoperable platform. Complementing this effort, the…

Kochi, Jan 17 – Indian American community leader Andrew Pappachen was honored with the 2025 Good Samaritan Award by the Global Malayalee Christian Forum at a ceremony held at the Kochi Ramada Inn. The award recognized over three decades of dedicated service to the Indian diaspora, celebrating his leadership and commitment to community development. In a separate event, Pappachen was felicitated by his former classmates and professors from CMS College, Kottayam. The gathering highlighted his impact on the global Malayalee community, with mentors and friends presenting him with a ceremonial shawl as a mark of respect and admiration. Renowned personalities,…

India and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on shared strategic goals amid an increasingly uncertain global environment, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi co-chaired the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi. The talks covered a broad spectrum of cooperation, including economic engagement, maritime security, supply chains, critical minerals, technology collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, and multilateral coordination. Both sides underlined the growing importance of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in shaping regional stability and contributing to global economic resilience. EAM Jaishankar noted that the partnership is on a steady upward…

Sergio Gor officially began his term as the United States Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia after presenting his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu on January 14. The ceremony marked the formal start of his diplomatic assignment in New Delhi. Speaking to guests at the U.S. Embassy following his oath-taking, Gor emphasized that relations between India and the United States are firmly rooted at the highest levels of leadership. He noted that cooperation between the two countries remains strong despite differences, adding that genuine partners are able to resolve disagreements through dialogue. Gor said he…