The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Semiconductor Laboratory has developed the country’s first fully indigenous chip, which will be rolled out from a pilot facility at Sanand (Gujarat). This is part of India’s efforts to emerge as a global player in the $600+ billion semiconductor industry, where the country currently holds only a small share of $45–50 billion.
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The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) is a proposed unified regulatory body aimed at reforming India's higher education system by replacing the fragmented oversight of multiple bodies — the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Envisioned under the National Education Policy 2020, HECI will have four distinct verticals responsible for regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standards. It aims to streamline governance, ensure academic quality, promote institutional autonomy with accountability, and align Indian higher education with global standards while addressing long-standing issues of duplication, bureaucratic delays, and inconsistent standards. However, challenges remain around centralization, transparency, and maintaining regional diversity.
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The Regional Tourism Conclave 2.0 held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, marked a major push to transform the Chambal region from its historical association with dacoits into a vibrant tourism destination known for its rich wildlife, including tigers and migratory birds. The conclave attracted investment proposals worth around ₹3,500 crore, focusing on rural tourism development across 125 villages, cultural heritage promotion, skill development, and infrastructural improvements like the Chambal Expressway and renovation of historic sites such as Man Singh Fort and Gwalior Fort. This initiative aims to boost local employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable tourism, positioning Madhya Pradesh as a leading tourism hub in India.
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Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, on whose birth anniversary India celebrates Teachers’ Day every September 5, was not only a philosopher and India’s second President but also a visionary who foresaw the emergence of a united global society. He emphasized the oneness of humanity, the interconnectedness of nations, and the need for a new world order based on spiritual values, peace, and cooperation beyond narrow nationalisms—ideas that are remarkably relevant in today’s globalized world.
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Sergio Gor’s appointment as Washington’s Ambassador to India is notable because he is not a career diplomat but a political loyalist to President Donald Trump, raising concerns in India about his ability to manage the delicate bilateral relationship. His role also covers South and Central Asia, including Pakistan, a sensitive area for India, making his appointment both a potential challenge and an opportunity given his close personal ties to the U.S. President. This underscores how personal loyalty has sometimes taken precedence over traditional diplomatic experience in Trump's foreign policy approach.
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The recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, registering a magnitude of six, has exposed the severe vulnerability of remote mountain communities in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, highlighting the country's lack of disaster preparedness and fragile governance under the Taliban. With over 1,400 deaths and major infrastructure damage, rescue efforts are impeded by blocked roads and limited communication, underscoring Afghanistan’s ongoing struggles with conflict, economic instability, and political isolation that compound the humanitarian crisis caused by natural disasters.
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In a symbolic assertion of sovereignty, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake became the first head of government to visit Katchatheevu island—claimed by India in political discourse but legally ceded to Sri Lanka in the 1974 and 1976 maritime boundary agreements—marking it firmly as Sri Lankan territory.
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The Supreme Court clarified that under Article 200 of the Indian Constitution, once a state legislature passes a Bill again without changes after the Governor's return for reconsideration, the Governor must give assent; the Governor cannot indefinitely withhold assent or reserve the Bill for the President at that stage. This ruling restricts the discretionary powers of Governors and reinforces constitutional limits to protect democratic legislative processes and federalism principles. The Court also set specific timelines for Governors to act on Bills, preventing procedural delays that obstruct state legislatures.
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The ICC has announced equal prize money in men’s and women’s cricket tournaments, with the women’s World Cup 2025 winner set to receive $4.48 million—surpassing the prize money of the 2023 men’s World Cup—marking a historic step towards gender pay parity in sports.
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The GST Council approved a major simplification of India’s Goods and Services Tax regime, reducing the slab structure from four rates (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to two main rates of 5% and 18%, effective September 22, 2025. This reform cuts taxes on a wide range of common use items like hair oil, corn flakes, TVs, and personal health and life insurance policies to boost domestic consumption and cushion economic challenges from US tariffs. A special 40% GST slab remains for luxury items such as high-end cars and tobacco products.
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