IIT Madras and the Agriculture Ministry are collaborating on Project VISTAAR, a digitalization initiative aimed at improving the agricultural extension system. The initiative will integrate information from over 12,000 start-ups, enhancing farmers' productivity and efficiency. The platform will provide accurate information on crop production, marketing and government agricultural and rural development programs.
Badge engineering is a sales strategy where car manufacturers share a platform or vehicle without designing a new model. Successful examples include Toyota Kirloskar Motor's rebadged Maruti Suzuki in India, leading to a 40% increase in unit sales. This practice reduces costs, increases production, and appeals to different customer segments.
The Export Inspection Council (EIC) is enhancing India's food-testing infrastructure to boost food exports. The council is implementing advanced technologies, opening new laboratories, and launching an integrated traceability module. It is also gaining international recognition through mutual recognition agreements and memorandums of understanding.
Researchers have developed an injectable hydrogel for localized breast cancer treatment. The hydrogel acts as a stable reservoir for anti-cancer drugs, releasing them at the tumour site without damaging healthy cells. The hydrogel's unique structure allows for controlled drug release over time, addressing limitations of current treatments like chemotherapy and surgery.
Researchers at the University of California have developed nanopore technology, a diagnostic tool that uses electrical signals from individual molecules to identify diseases. This technology can detect minute changes in protein structures, enabling early diagnosis and treatment, potentially saving lives. The technology is being scaled for real-world applications.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has implemented the Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS) to improve pension accessibility and simplify the process for millions of pensioners in India. This system eliminates physical verifications and allows pensioners to access their pensions from any bank or branch across India.
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has launched a revamped e-auction portal called 'Baanknet', consolidating information on properties listed for auction by public sector banks. The platform offers a one-stop destination for buyers and investors, covering residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural assets. It supports PSBs in recovering distressed assets and improving balance sheets.
The Karnataka High Court upheld a transgender woman's request to change her birth certificate, citing a legal gap between the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. The court ordered amendments and ordered local authorities to process the application, emphasizing the need for transgender rights recognition.
The rise in international trade has led to cross-border insolvency issues, necessitating effective regulation. India's insolvency laws, including the IBC, have not been updated, and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) lacks authority to enforce foreign insolvency judgments. The adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law and Judicial Insolvency Network could improve coordination and efficiency.