The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the extension of additional charge of the post of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), Digital India Corporation (DIC) to Nand Kumarum (IAS).

Kumarum, who is currently serving as President & CEO of the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), will continue to hold the additional charge of MD & CEO, DIC for a further period of six months with effect from July 9, 2025, or until the appointment of a regular incumbent, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Digital India Corporation functions under MeitY and plays a pivotal role in conceptualising, managing, and implementing projects aligned with the vision of transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

Ankathi Raju has been appointed as the Director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. Additionally, Dr M. Raghavendra Rao has been appointed as the Director of the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) and assumed charge. Both officers assumed charge of the post on Saturday (November 1).

A native of Hyderabad, Ankathi Raju holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the University College of Engineering, Osmania University, and an M.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering (Propulsion) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai. Before his current appointment, he served as the Director of the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), where he led key indigenous defence projects, including the Enhanced Rocket System, Guided Pinaka, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).

NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub today unveiled a major roadmap titled “Reimagining Agriculture: A Roadmap for Frontier Technology Led Transformation” in Gandhinagar.

The launch, attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, outlines a vision to use advanced technologies to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability. The roadmap focuses on harnessing frontier technologies such as climate-resilient seeds, digital twins, precision agriculture, and Agentic AI. It offers tailored solutions by categorizing farmers into three groups: Aspiring, Transitioning, and Advanced.

Chief Minister Patel stated that Gujarat is uniquely positioned to lead this shift, citing state initiatives like the Digital Crop Survey and the i-Khedut portal. He affirmed that empowering farmers is essential for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. NITI Aayog CEO Subrahmanyam emphasized the need for customized solutions.
The roadmap, developed in collaboration with partners like BCG, Google, and CII, aims to enhance agricultural resilience, inclusive rural prosperity, and India’s global competitiveness in agri-tech innovation.

Sanjay Garg, a senior civil servant of IAS-1994 batch from the Kerala cadre, has assumed charge as the Director General (DG) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), with effect from the 1st of this month. Prior to joining BIS as DG, he served as the Secretary of Indian Council of Agriculture Research and additional Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Research and Education. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, highlighted that as the DG of BIS, Mr Garg will also serve as the President of India’s national committee in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been felicitated with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Indian Institute of Technology- Kanpur in Kanpur today.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award started in year 1989, is the highest award given by IIT Kanpur in recognition of outstanding achievements of its alumni. Mr Kumar graduated from IIT Kanpur with a B.Tech in Civil Engineering in the year 1985. He was conferred the award by the Institute’s 66th Foundation Day celebration today.

State Bank of India (SBI) on Saturday announced executing its inaugural gold trade as a special category client (SCC) on the India International Bullion Exchange (IFSC) Ltd.

This event heralds a transformative era for bullion imports in India, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for the industry, particularly the MSME jewellers, SBI said in a statement.

SBI was also the first bank to become a Trading-cum-Clearing (TCM) Member at India International Bullion Exchange in 2024, it said.

As a special category client, SBI is positioned to facilitate seamless bullion transactions, supporting jewellers, bullion dealers, and other stakeholders in importing gold through IIBX and meeting the escalating demand for precious metals across the country, it said.

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals on Sunday but he will play for the Black Caps in the test series against West Indies.

The 35-year-old batsman has played 93 T20s for his country since making his debut against Zimbabwe in 2011, captaining the side on 75 occasions and leading them to the World Cup final in 2021 and semi-finals in 2016 and 2022.

“It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time and I’m so grateful for the memories and experiences,” he said.

Russia has launched its newest nuclear submarine ‘Khabarovsk’ designed to carry the underwater nuclear drone ‘Poseidon’, also known as ‘doomsday missile’, capable of intercontinental travel and immense destruction.

The Khabarovsk was ceremonially launched at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, in the presence of Russian Naval Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev and other top shipbuilding officials. Belousov called it a significant momment for Russia’s navy.

India delivered its best-ever performance at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, winning 48 medals including 13 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze, surpassing previous tallies from 2009 and 2013.

Among 222 Indian athletes, standout moments included the girls’ kabaddi team winning India’s first gold, Priteesmita Bhoi setting a world youth record in weightlifting, and a strong finish with seven golds on the final day, led by boxing and beach wrestling.

India’s first medal came from Khushi, who won bronze in girls’ kurash, while Ranjana Yadav earned the first athletics medal with silver in the 5000 meter race walk. The girls’ kabaddi team secured India’s first gold by defeating Iran, and Priteesmita Bhoi set a world youth record in the girls’ 44kg clean and jerk to clinch the nation’s first individual gold.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said Nauradehi Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in the state after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

Cheetahs will be brought from Namibia in Africa and released into the Nauradehi Sanctuary, he said.

Yadav said the state government is continuously taking steps to conserve various wildlife species.