Looking at forming a committee to revisit UGC equity rules: Govt to Supreme Court

The Centre told the Supreme Court Thursday that it is planning to put in place a committee to reconsider the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which were stayed by the court earlier this year after petitions questioned neutrality of the rules.

Nearly 3-fold jumpin serious adverse events caused by medical devices: New data

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has, for the first time, disclosed the number of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) caused by the use of medical devices in the country since 2020: 9,373, with a nearly three-fold jump across six years, from 808 to 2,176 in 2025.

24-hr deadline for production before magistrate starts with detention: SC

Holding that any attempt to draw an artificial distinction between 'arrest' and 'detention' would dilute or negate the fundamental protection guaranteed by the Constitution under clause (2) of Article 22, the Supreme Court Thursday ruled that the 24-hour deadline for producing a person before a magistrate begins from the time of detention, and not formal arrest.

MHA relaxes passport, visa rules for foreign nationals in India

The Centre has relaxed passport and visa rules for several categories of foreign nationals residing in the country, including certain Pakistani citizens, minority refugees, Sri Lankan Tamils, and Tibetans, according to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, published on Thursday.

In first bilateral trip, Nepal PM Balen to visit India from Nov 22

In his first bilateral visit since assuming office in March, Nepal's PM Balendra Shah will embark on a three-day official visit to India from November 22, officials said.

This was the key takeaway from a meeting between Shah and visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday in Kathmandu. The decision is a turnaround for the Nepalese PM, who had earlier decided to not travel overseas for the first year in office.

India test-fires quasi-ballistic missile Pralay off Odisha coast

India on Thursday successfully test-fired quasi-ballistic missile Pralay which is capable of carrying conventional warheads. The missile was test-fired from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, the defence ministry said.

Developed by DRDO, Pralay is a shortrange surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg. "With this successful test, the induction of the system has become imminent," the ministry said.

Govt plans guidelines for solar module waste recycling

The Government is preparing guidelines to recycle solar module waste, said Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), on Thursday, with an eye on promoting a domestic circular economy.

NPCI defends UPI MDR in SC

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Thursday defended the decision to impose Merchant Discount Rate of 0.04% on specified UPI person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 and said that merchants cannot pass it on to customers.

Why India's rejection of a TB drug patent matters

Patients getting drug-resistant TB treatment through the public health system already get medicines free of cost.

If govt can buy each treatment course at a lower price, the same budget could potentially cover treatment for more patients.