India has achieved significant milestones at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) held in Geneva in Switzerland. The session was organised from 6th to 10th of this month. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said that the Commission adopted seven Codex standards and guidelines developed under India’s chairmanship andco-chairmanship. It reinforces India’s contribution to the development of science-based international food standards. The Indian delegation, led by Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India participated actively in the Commission’sdeliberations along with technical experts.

In an another major achievement, the Commission approved India’s proposal to undertake new work for the development of a Codex Standard for Cashew Kernels. The Commission also adopted the Codex Standards for Dried Coriander Seeds and Fresh Curry Leaves, both developed under India’s chairmanship. The Standard for Dried Coriander Seeds would facilitate trade in one of the world’s most widely traded spices, while the Standard for Fresh Curry Leaves provides an international benchmark for this regionally important culinary herb. India has also been elected Co-Chair of the Electronic Working Group established regarding New Food Sources and Production Systems. It will review existing regulatory frameworks, identify gaps in Codex risk analysis principles, and consider the need for any future Codex guidance. The Ministry said that India remains committed to working closely with the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Food and Agriculture Oganisation, World Health Organisaiton and Member Countries in developing science-based, transparent and globally harmonized food standards that support food safety, consumer protection and fair trade.

Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed an advanced ammonia sensor capable of detecting toxic gas at extremely low concentrations while operating efficiently at room temperature.

The breakthrough technology is expected to improve workplace safety, environmental monitoring and public health by enabling portable, self-powered and wearable devices that can detect hazardous ammonia leaks in real time.

Ammonia is widely used in industries such as fertiliser manufacturing, refrigeration, chemical production and agriculture. However, accidental exposure to the gas can cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory system, while prolonged exposure may result in serious health complications, making continuous monitoring essential.

Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL) announced on Tuesday the commencement of scheduled international operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with Air India Express launching direct services between Navi Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from July 15, 2026.

The thrice-weekly service opens NMIA's international network in less than 200 days after the airport commenced domestic operations on December 25, 2025.

Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AAHL, said, “The launch of our first scheduled international flight marks the beginning of a new phase in Navi Mumbai International Airport's journey. As we expand our network with more airline partners and destinations, our focus remains on delivering seamless operations and a world-class travel experience while strengthening Navi Mumbai's position as a preferred gateway for international travel."

The Delhi government has approved a law that will make time-bound service delivery into a public legal right, the CMO said on Wednesday.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday.

The reform is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and efficiency in delivery of government services, officials said.

"Under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi Cabinet has approved the Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound and Ease of Delivery of Services) Bill, 2026, replacing the 2011 law with a modern, technology-driven legal framework for citizen-centric governance," the Delhi CMO said in a post on X.

Amid escalating maritime security concerns in West Asia following attacks on two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has launched a comprehensive ‘Seafarer-First’ initiative to safeguard Indian seafarers operating in the conflict-affected region. The Minister has directed a whole-of-government response to ensure their safety and welfare.

Chairing a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting in New Delhi, Mr Sonowal ordered real-time vessel-by-vessel monitoring, and the appointment of dedicated liaison officers for every affected Indian seafarer in the region. The Minister also ordered for round-the-clock coordination by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in association with Ministry of External Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Chemicals and Fertilisers, the Indian Navy, the Directorate General of Shipping and Indian Missions in Iran and Oman.

Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI) is set to invite bids for the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package (NIMEP) for the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) Units 1 to 4.

With an estimated value of over ₹28,000 crore, it will be the largest Nuclear Island EPC package ever issued for India's indigenous 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) programme.Geographic Reference

ASHVINI is a joint venture of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and NTPC Limited. The upcoming tender is expected to create major business opportunities for engineering, manufacturing and infrastructure companies across the country.

Spain's Submer Group here on Monday announced an investment of $2 billion (₹19,000 crore) in the semiconductor industry in Madhya Pradesh, a senior state government official said.

This would create nearly 5,000 direct employment opportunities, he said.

"A $2 billion investment (₹19,000 crore) in the semiconductor industry was announced today by Spain's Submer Group at the MP Tech Growth Conclave 3.0: GCC - Data Centres and Semiconductors," the official said in a statement.

An email requesting land allotment for a data centre project was received, and 15 acres of land were allotted in the Acharpura industrial area within six days, he added.

A drone flight costing patients almost nothing could replace journeys that once left suspected tuberculosis (TB) patients spending an average of ₹9,451 out of their own pockets. A study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bibinagar in Telangana has found that transporting sputum samples by drone reduced patients’ average expenditure to just ₹91 while cutting diagnosis time from 15 days to five days.

The study, published in the ‘International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease’ evaluated the impact of using drones to transport sputum samples from remote villages to TB testing centres in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district under the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) i-DRONE initiative.

A day after Ladakh Lt Governor V K Saxena approved the creation of 17 new tehsils in the Union Territory and increased the number of tehsils from 15 to 32, a Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leader has alleged glaring imbalance and disparity in the distribution of tehsils.

KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili claimed that the erstwhile Leh district has been allocated 12 new tehsils while the erstwhile Kargil district, comprising Zanskar, Drass and Kargil, has been allocated only 5 Tehsils.

Kargili alleged that the disparity is difficult to reconcile with objective parameters. He termed the move 'brazen injustice' and said that, though Kargil has a larger population and more villages than the other five newly created districts combined, its administrative needs appear to have been overlooked.

Sahitya Akademi Award-winning and one of the most distinguished figures in Tamil literature, Poomani (Pulithurai Manickavasagam) passed away at the age of 79 years after a prolonged illness on Sunday night. Expressing deep grief over the demise Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, on Monday, announced that as a mark of respect and in recognition of Poomani's invaluable contribution to literature, the government will accord State honors for his final journey.

In a statement on X, the CM said Poomani enriched Tamil literature through his remarkable works, which vividly captured the essence of the Karisal landscape, the subtle realities of the lives of marginalised communities, and the profound testimonies of history.