India - The Purbottar

13 Nov

Mahindra & Mahindra, Manulife form 50:50 life insurance joint venture

Purbalee DuttaIndia

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) announced on Thursday that its board has approved forming a 50:50 life insurance joint venture with Canada’s Manulife Financial Corporation, subject to regulatory clearances. Under the agreement, both companies will hold equal stakes in the new entity. The partnership aims to strengthen their presence in India’s growing financial sector and enhance customer financial wellbeing. This marks an expansion of their existing collaboration, which began with the launch of Mahindra Manulife Investment Management in 2020. Each partner has committed capital of up to ₹3,600 crore ($400 million) over ten years, with an expected initial investment of…

13 Oct

Coral Reefs Face Widespread Dieback as Warming Crosses 1.2 °C Threshold

Mohini BarmanIndia

A major report led by scientists from the University of Exeter, involving 160 experts globally, asserts that the Earth has passed its first catastrophic climate tipping point: extensive dieback of warm-water coral reefs. The report warns that reefs, vital for marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods, are now exposed to conditions beyond their resilience. The global mean temperature has already hit around 1.4 °C above preindustrial levels—well past the 1.2 °C threshold identified for reef collapse. Other ecosystems are also nearing tipping points, such as the Amazon rainforest, polar ice sheets, and major ocean current patterns. The findings emphasize that the…

11 Oct

New Delhi to Host Second WHO Traditional Medicine Summit in December

Mohini BarmanIndia

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of India have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-host the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from December 17 to 19, 2025. The summit aims to bring together global experts, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to scale integration of traditional medicine into health systems, promote evidence-based practices, and explore harmonization frameworks. The MoU was signed in the presence of India's Minister of AYUSH and senior WHO officials. India has positioned itself as a leader in traditional health care, combining Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems with modern medicine.…

01 Jul

Commercial LPG costs Rs 58.50 less, while domestic prices stay the same

Banasree SarkarIndia

With effect from July 1, oil marketing companies have lowered the cost of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by ₹58.50, which is a positive step for businesses nationwide. Businesses that depend significantly on commercial LPG, like the food and hospitality industries, will benefit from the price reduction, which lowers the new tariff in Delhi to ₹1,665 per cylinder. This represents the third price cut in as many months, indicating a persistent decreasing trend. Prices were reduced by ₹24 in June, whereas in April they were ₹1,762 before being changed to ₹1,723.50. The tariff was lowered by ₹7 earlier in February and…

30 Jun

Kolkata Metro Trains Delayed Due To Severe Waterlogging From Rain

Purbalee DuttaIndia, Kolkata, weather, West Bengal

Metro services in Kolkata were affected on Monday due to heavy rain and waterlogging, creating significant discomfort for passengers. Services between Mahatma Gandhi Road and Park Street were interrupted, leaving numerous trains stranded and forcing passengers to find alternate transportation. The interruption was caused by a ruptured water pipe between Jatin Das Park and Netaji Bhavan stations, which occurred between 3:40 and 4:35 pm. Overcrowding was reported at many stations, and Maidan's escalators were closed owing to pressure. This comes just two days after a similar event on Saturday, when water overflowed the drainage canal between tracks, causing a brief…

06 Jun

India and Malaysia Explore Semiconductor Collaboration

Mohini BarmanIndia

India and Malaysia are engaging in discussions to collaborate on semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to strengthen their positions in the global chip industry. Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, emphasized the potential for structured engagement between the two nations, highlighting Malaysia's expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and India's growing market. India's semiconductor market is projected to grow from US$38 billion in 2023 to US$109 billion by 2030. Major global players like Foxconn, Micron Technology, Applied Materials, and AMD have already invested in India, signaling confidence in its semiconductor roadmap. Malaysia's longstanding experience in the semiconductor sector positions…

05 Jun

India’s Semiconductor Ambitions Attract Global Interest

Mohini BarmanIndia

India's burgeoning semiconductor industry is drawing international attention, with Malaysia expressing a keen interest in collaboration. Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, highlighted the potential for structured engagement between the two nations, emphasizing Malaysia's expertise in key areas of semiconductor manufacturing. India's semiconductor market is projected to grow from US$38 billion in 2023 to US$109 billion by 2030. Major global players like Foxconn, Micron Technology, Applied Materials, and AMD have already invested in India, signaling confidence in its semiconductor roadmap. Malaysia's longstanding experience in the semiconductor sector positions it as a valuable partner for India. …

09 May

India, France Launch Joint Satellite for Climate Monitoring

Mohini BarmanIndia

India and France successfully launched the Trishna satellite, a joint mission to monitor heat emissions, water stress, and climate impacts across the globe. The satellite was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre using India’s PSLV rocket. The mission, led by ISRO and France’s CNES, aims to track urban heat islands, forest degradation, and glacial melt—critical for South Asia where climate vulnerability is rising. Trishna will assist in water resource planning, especially for agriculture-heavy economies like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. This collaboration marks a significant step in South-South scientific diplomacy and underscores India’s growing role in global climate surveillance.

08 Mar

Candidates Advised to Download TANCET 2025 Admit Cards

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

The Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) admit cards for the 2025 examination cycle have been released. Aspirants seeking admission to postgraduate programs in Tamil Nadu can now download their hall tickets from the official website. The TANCET exam is scheduled to be held in two shifts, with the first from 10 AM to 12 noon and the second from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Candidates are advised to verify their details on the admit card and adhere to the examination guidelines provided.

08 Mar

Economic Indicators Show Positive Trend in India

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

India's composite flash Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) has recorded an increase for the first time after three consecutive quarters of decline. This uptick suggests a potential revival in economic activity, driven by improvements in both manufacturing and service sectors. Economists view this development as a positive sign, indicating resilience in the Indian economy amidst global uncertainties. The government continues to focus on reforms and policies aimed at sustaining this growth momentum in the coming months.