NATIONAL NEWS

India MedTech Expo 2025 Organised in New Delhi

The India MedTech Expo 2025 is being held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary, DoP, called upon the MedTech industry to utilise growth opportunities and highlighted that India’s share in the global MedTech market is 2% currently, projected to rise to 17% by 2047.

He also updated on the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma (PRIP) scheme and chaired the CEO Roundtable with global and domestic industry leaders and start-ups.

Under the MedTech Mitra forum (a CDSCO–ICMR initiative), test licences are being issued to start-ups and innovators for product testing.

The Expo is witnessing participation from 150+ international buyers from over 30 countries.

It has strong industry backing from leading associations including AIMED, ADMI, MTAI, AMTZ, AMCHAM, APACMED, ADVAMED, APMEI, ASSOCHAM, CII, FICCI, INVEST INDIA, PHDCCI, NATHEALTH, USIBC, and USISPF, making it a major platform to boost India’s MedTech ecosystem.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Unveils Vedic Clock And Mobile App

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the Vedic Clock and its mobile application, integrating the Hindu Panchang and traditional time calculation with modern technology.

The Vikramaditya Vedic Clock, the first clock based on traditional Indian timekeeping methods, was revived in Ujjain by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in February 2024.

The Vikramaditya Vedic Clock symbolizes Indian tradition, showcasing scientific and cultural heritage of Vedic time systems.

It is based on Indian Kaal Ganana, dividing the day into 30 muhurtas (each ≈ 48 minutes) instead of the 24-hour format.

The mobile app covers 7,000 years of history, starting from 3179 BCE (birth of Lord Krishna) to the present, with references to the Mahabharata era.

The clock and app act as a cultural symbol, promoting the resurgence of India’s timekeeping systems on the global stage.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Sports Authority of India NCSSR and IIT Delhi Sign MoU

Under the guidance of Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of Sports Science Research (NCSSR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation in sports sciences, advanced technology, and indigenous innovation.

The initiative supports the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision and the campaign ‘Garv se Swadeshi’, focusing on minimizing dependence on imported sports tools and promoting home-grown solutions.

The MoU will facilitate high-quality research in sports science and engineering.

It will promote innovation-driven projects for athlete performance enhancement.

The partnership enables knowledge sharing between experts and institutions.

It will contribute to injury prevention and athlete well-being.

Alongside the MoU, a new Biomechanics Laboratory at IIT Delhi was inaugurated by Shri Hari Ranjan Rao.

The lab is equipped to conduct advanced sports science assessments and biomechanical research, providing scientific insights into athlete movement, optimizing performance, and mitigating injury risks.

The laboratory aims to strengthen India’s sports science infrastructure and support both able-bodied and para-athletes, promoting inclusivity.

BANKING

Life Insurance Corporation of India Marks 69th Anniversary

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) celebrated its 69th anniversary on September 1, 2025, showcasing its leadership and digital transformation

LIC retained 83% market share in policies and 57.05% in first-year premium income during FY25.

LIC offers a diverse portfolio of 35 individual products, 12 group products, 7 individual riders, and 1 group rider, covering endowment, term insurance, annuity, child, health, micro-insurance, and ULIPs.

In FY 2024–25, LIC advanced in digital transformation with 4 crore registered users on its customer portal and digital app.

Key digital initiatives include the LIC Digital NRI App, QR-based collections, and WhatsApp-based payment and alerts.

Association of Mutual Funds in India Proposes Mutual Fund–Voluntary Retirement Account Scheme

The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has proposed a Mutual Fund–Voluntary Retirement Account (MF-VRA) scheme.

The scheme is designed as a voluntary, employer-linked retirement product managed by mutual funds, similar to the US 401(k) plan.

Key features include: voluntary participation, employer-sponsored options, management by mutual funds, tax incentives, portability, and flexibility.

AMFI acts as a nodal association of mutual funds in India, providing knowledge and insights on mutual fund investments.

AMFI is an Indian trade association for all the asset management companies of SEBI registered mutual funds in India.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund Gets Nod to Launch First Specialised Investment Fund

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has received approval for its first Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) and plans to launch it by September 2025.

Nearly 10 fund houses have secured SIF licences, but none have launched a product yet.

Quant Mutual Fund is also preparing to launch its first SIF in the equity category this month.

Edelweiss’s product, the Altiva Hybrid Long-Short Fund, will be the first hybrid SIF in India.

The fund will follow an absolute return strategy with allocation in fixed income, equity arbitrage, special situations, and low-risk derivatives.

SIFs were introduced by SEBI in April 2025, allowing MFs to offer complex strategies like long-short equity and debt.

The minimum investment in SIFs is ₹10 lakh per investor.

FINANCE

India’s Foreign direct investment Rises 15% to USD 18.62 Billion in April–June Quarter

According to a government data release, Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India rose 15% to USD 18.62 billion during April-June this fiscal year.

Total FDI inflows (equity, reinvested earnings, other capital) increased to USD 25.2 billion in Q1 FY26, up from USD 22.5 billion in Q1 FY25.

The United States emerged as the largest FDI source, with inflows of USD 5.61 billion, nearly tripling from USD 1.50 billion in the same quarter of FY25, despite tariff issues.

Other major FDI sources were Singapore (USD 4.59 billion), Mauritius (USD 2.08 billion), Cyprus (USD 1.1 billion), UAE (USD 1 billion), Cayman Islands (USD 676 million), Netherlands (USD 667 million), Japan (USD 551 million), and Germany (USD 191 million).

Karnataka received the highest FDI inflow of USD 5.69 billion during the quarter.

It was followed by Maharashtra (USD 5.36 billion), Tamil Nadu (USD 2.67 billion), Gujarat (USD 1.2 billion), Haryana (USD 1.03 billion), Delhi (USD 1 billion), and Telangana (USD 395 million).

DEFENCE

Indian Armed Forces Leave For Multilateral Exercise ZAPAD 2025 In Russia

An Indian Armed Forces contingent of 65 personnel departed for the Mulino Training Ground, Nizhniy, Russia to participate in Exercise ZAPAD 2025 from September 10–16, 2025.

The contingent includes 57 Indian Army personnel, 7 Indian Air Force personnel, and 1 Indian Navy personnel.

The Indian Army contingent is led by a battalion of the KUMAON Regiment, along with troops from other arms and services.

Exercise ZAPAD 2025 is a multilateral joint military exercise aimed at enhancing military cooperation, interoperability, and sharing of tactics, techniques, and procedures in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations.

The exercise will focus on joint company-level operations in open and plain terrain, including joint planning, tactical drills, and special arms skills.

The exercise will provide opportunities to hone joint operational capabilities, integrate emerging technologies, and operate in a multinational combat environment.

Participation will strengthen India–Russia defence cooperation and promote camaraderie, collaboration, and mutual trust.        

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Director of CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research

Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam assumed charge as the new Director of CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR).

She emphasized that India’s science, technology and innovation (STI) policy must adopt agile and flexible models to stay relevant in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and global challenges.

She highlighted the theme of “Connecting the Unconnected”, positioning NIScPR as a role model for the Global South and beyond.

Focus areas include aligning science communication with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting high-quality Indian journals, digital platforms, citizen science initiatives, and science–art collaborations.

Partnerships were underlined, suggesting collaborations of SMCC and SVASTIK with the Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Education, science museums, and other stakeholders.

She also recommended joint projects with global bodies like WHO, World Bank, UN, OECD, and industry bodies to enhance NIScPR’s global footprint.