Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, was conferred the CII Industry-Academia Partnership Award in the Platinum Category at the CII Industry-Academia Partnership Summit held on December 5, 2025, in New Delhi. Dr. Harish Kumar S, Director - Corporate Relations, received the award on behalf of MAHE.

The Summit brought together leaders from industry, academia, government bodies, startups, technology innovators, and venture capital communities. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event served as a collective platform for science leaders, business pioneers, policy makers, and emerging entrepreneurs.

The CII Global Summit on Industry - Academia Partnership 2025 aims to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and government. It showcases path-breaking innovations, highlights transformative partnership opportunities, and recognizes institutions demonstrating excellence in industry-aligned research and innovation.

INR 1 Crore Seed Funding Support or More to be Awarded to Each Winner Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (NewsVoir) The Technology Innovation Hub for Translational Research on IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay is set to host ATMAN 3.0, an eight-week accelerator designed to transform early-stage HealthTech ventures into investment-ready businesses. The initiative will culminate in a Demo Day on January 9, 2026, at Novotel, Mumbai International Airport, where participating startups will pitch before investors, industry leaders, and members of the investment committee. The current cohort of 13 startups was chosen from a competitive pool of 173 startups that pitched their ideas to TIH IIT Bombay. Each winning participant will be awarded funding support of INR 1 crore or more, based on startup evaluation.

Backed by the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and DST (Department of Science and Technology), Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Bombay was established as a Section 8 not-for-profit company to advance translational research and technology-driven entrepreneurship. The Hub works across sectors such as healthcare, BFSI, agriculture, Industry 5.0, smart infrastructure, and education, translating innovation into practical outcomes that serve both industry and society.

The National Biodiversity Authority on Thursday released Rs 6.2 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to support the conservation of the endangered Red Sanders and strengthen livelihoods of farmers and forest-dependent communities in five states, the Environment Ministry said.

The ABS funds have been released to state forest departments, state biodiversity boards and Red Sanders growers, who "continue to play a pivotal role in protecting this endemic and globally valued species", the ministry said in a statement.

Of the Rs 6.2 crore, Rs 17.8 lakh will go to farmers in Telangana and Rs 1.1 crore to farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

Policybazaar, one of India's largest insurance platforms, has launched Claim Kavach, a comprehensive support programme that aims to transform how customers experience motor insurance claims. The service is designed to remove confusion, reduce waiting time and make the policyholder's journey smoother by offering step-by-step guidance throughout the claim process.

The pioneering initiative provides every customer with a dedicated claims manager who owns the journey from the moment a claim is raised. At a time of tension, the service allows customers to focus on what matters to them, while the claims manager handles filing, documentation support, regular updates and complete coordination. In the service of the customer, a 24x7 helpline offers round-the-clock access to trained specialists who can help during emergencies or address urgent questions.

In situations where claims face delays or rejection, Policybazaar's escalation team steps in to put forth the customer's case in front of the insurer. Working closely with insurers, the team helps resolve frictions and, where a claim is valid, makes every effort to quicken the process. This includes written submissions, ensuring fair and timely attention, and offering expert guidance on common pain points such as disagreements on fault or clarity around specific paperwork requirements.

The summit’s inaugural session focused on the urgent need for transformation in India’s manufacturing landscape. Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, highlighted India’s remarkable achievement in production and exports.

“The remarkable achievement of ₹14 lakh crore in production and ₹5.3 lakh crore in exports has created over 11.5 lakh jobs. This is not just a number; it represents the livelihoods, aspirations, and economic momentum that drives our nation forward. The expansion of our manufacturing portfolio and the rise of mobile phone exports—crossing ₹1.29 lakh crore since 2014—demonstrate India's capability to compete globally. However, while our manufacturing exports are growing, they still lag behind services exports, signalling an opportunity for transformation,” he stated.

Director General of CII, Chandrajit Banerjee, framed India’s potential in the context of its economic future. “India stands at the crossroads of an industrial revolution—one that will define our economic destiny for generations to come. While we celebrate our progress, we must also confront the challenges ahead with unwavering resolve. To transform India from a $3.7 trillion economy to a $30–35 trillion powerhouse by 2047, manufacturing must claim its rightful place—contributing at least 25% to our GDP. This is not just an economic necessity; it is a national imperative.” he said.

Researchers have developed an AI-based framework 'OncoMark' that examines the internal processes a cancer cell employs to grow -- "reading the mind of cancer" -- in order to predict how it will behave.

The framework, described in a paper published in October in the journal Communications Biology, can help inform the understanding of tumour biology and support personalised cancer treatments.

The team from Ashoka University in Sonipat, Haryana, and S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata said currently, diagnosis of cancer rarely measures 'hallmarks of cancer'.

Alia Bhatt emerged as one of the most celebrated figures at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival, where she was honoured with the Golden Globe Horizon Award.

The recognition, announced by the festival on Instagram, marks a significant milestone in her international journey. Red Sea Film wrote, "We’re proud to partner with the Golden Globes Awards to honor Hind Sabri with the Omar Sharif Award and Alia Bhatt with the Golden Globe Horizon Award on the sidelines of the 5th Red Sea International Film Festival. Noteworthy, these two awards highlight the achievements of the brightest creative talents in the Middle East and North Africa."

The honour coincided with a curated showcase of Alia’s filmography, a festival tribute that traced her evolution from debutante to one of Indian cinema’s most versatile and bankable stars. The segment spotlighted her growth as an actor, revisiting performances in Highway, Dear Zindagi, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Brahmastra. International audiences responded enthusiastically, praising the emotional breadth and genre range she has mastered across arthouse drama, mainstream romance, biographical storytelling, and high-volume commercial cinema.

India celebrated a proud moment today at the Asian Youth Para Games 2025 as Abdul Quadir Indori delivered a stunning performance in the swimming events, securing two Gold Medals for the nation.

Abdul dominated the pool with exceptional skill and determination, winning the gold medal in 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke.

His remarkable victories reflect his dedication, discipline, and the high-quality training he has undergone. Abdul’s success also strengthens India’s medal tally and boosts the morale of the entire contingent.

President Droupadi Murmu will be on a two-day visit to Manipur from December 11 to 12, during which she will participate in a series of ceremonial and developmental events across the state.

The President will arrive in Imphal today and be accorded a traditional guard of honour. She will visit the historic Mapal Kangjeibung to witness a polo exhibition match, celebrating the state’s rich sporting heritage. In the evening, the President will attend a civic reception hosted by the Manipur government at the City Convention Centre, Imphal. During the visit, she is expected to lay foundation stones and inaugurate several key developmental projects, signalling the government’s continued focus on regional progress.

On Friday, the President will visit the Nupee Lal Memorial complex in Imphal to pay her respects to the brave women warriors of Manipur, acknowledging their historic contribution to the state. She will then proceed to Senapati, where she will address a public gathering and lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects aimed at boosting development in the district.

Pravasi Rajasthani Diwas is being celebrated in Jaipur today, with participation from Non-Resident Rajasthanis from across India and abroad.

The event aims to connect NR Rajasthanis with their cultural roots and ensure their contribution to the State’s development. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that Rajasthan is a land of immense opportunities, offering vast potential for trade and industry.

He added that Pravasi Rajasthanis have made a name for themselves across the country and the world, yet they have always remained connected to their roots.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the state has abundant mineral reserves, and its rich heritage, culture, and robust infrastructure make Rajasthan truly distinctive. He urged Pravasi Rajasthanis to come forward and invest in the State, assuring them full support from the government.