Thiruvananthapuram, April 24 (IANS) The CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), one of the country’s premier research institutions, located in the state capital, will host a Techno-Fest cum Customer Meet on May 11, to mark National Technology Day.The initiative is aimed at strengthening engagement with industry stakeholders and customers while providing a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.The event is expected to bring together…

New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) The Central government’s Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has signed two memoranda of understandings (MoU) with two government institutes to strengthen quality assurance, ensure rational use of medicines, pharmacovigilance and collaborative research, an official statement said on Friday.One MoU with the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India aims to enhance the quality assurance framework for medicines made available through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaus…

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) There is clear evidence that exposure to micro and nanoplastics can trigger oxidative stress, fibrogenesis and inflammation in animals, features that resemble those of advanced liver disease in humans, researchers said on Thursday.With the liver acting as the body’s first major firewall, processing and detoxifying everything humans consume, there is a clear potential for these particles to enable the transporting of microbial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance deter…

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) Approximately 10 per cent of districts in the country currently do not have a blood centre, underscoring the need for accelerated expansion of infrastructure, an official statement said on Wednesday.Similarly, gaps remain in digital integration, with a significant number of blood centres yet to be onboarded on eRaktKosh and BBMS, limiting real-time visibility and monitoring, according to the outcomes of a national-level meeting convened by Health Ministry on India’s …

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) In order to ensure the smooth implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, an amount of Rs 17,744.19 crore is being released to states and union territories towards the wage component as the first instalment for the financial year 2026–27, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said.The minister urged states to ensure timely and effective utilisation of these funds so that wage payments are made without delay. He further highlighted that necessary funds are also b…

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) Leading specialists on Sunday warned that excessive consumption of energy drinks is emerging as a leading cause of liver damage among India’s youth, on the occasion of the ‘World Liver Day’.Doctors warned that the trend is accelerating, with young patients increasingly showing early signs of liver disease.Energy drinks are aggressively marketed to young consumers as performance enhancers and fatigue relievers but these drinks often contain caffeine levels far exceeding…

Jaipur, April 18 (IANS) In a result that is turning heads across Rajasthan, Virendra Charan from Pokharan in Jaisalmer has secured the second rank in the Rajasthan Administrative Service Examination, without stepping into a single coaching institute.​ The son of a Head Constable and currently serving as a Tehsildar, Virendra’s journey is not just about rank; it is about rethinking how India prepares for competitive exams. While most aspirants rely heavily on coaching hubs, Virendra chose a d…

Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 (IANS) In a key leadership transition at one of India’s premier biotechnology institutions, the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) has appointed noted scientist Dr Beena Pillai as its new Director.The appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet, is for a five-year term.Functioning under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council of the Department of Biotechnology, BRIC-RGCB plays a crucial national role in advancing …

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) A SpiceJet aircraft collided with a stationary plane of Akasa Air at Delhi airport on Thursday afternoon, causing minor damage to both aircraft, though no injuries were reported.The incident took place around 2:15 pm when the SpiceJet aircraft, arriving from Leh, was taxiing towards its designated gate and made contact with the Akasa Air plane, which was preparing for departure to Hyderabad.According to initial reports, the right winglet of the SpiceJet aircraft sustai…

Jaipur, April 15 (IANS) Taking a significant step towards addressing global energy challenges, Dr Shahab Ahmad, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at IIT Jodhpur, is leading pioneering research in advanced energy materials work that has the potential to fundamentally transform future methods of energy generation and storage. At the Advanced Energy Materials Lab, established in 2019, Dr Ahmad and his team are working at the intersection of physics, materials science, and engineering…