ISRO has signed a memorandum of understanding with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to cooperate on space medicine and research. The MoU will study how the human body responds to long-duration space travel and develop medical systems for astronauts in orbit. It was signed by ISRO's HSFC director Dinesh Kumar Singh and AIIMS director Dr M Srinivas. Scientists from both organisations will conduct ground-based and space-based studies across physiology, immunology, nutrition, microbiome, neuroscience, and related areas. The partnership supports India’s future human spaceflight missions and strengthens cross-institutional capabilities.
Parties: ISRO and AIIMS sign MoU on space medicine.
Focus: human physiology and medical systems for long-duration space travel.
Impact: supports future human spaceflight missions.
ZSI describes two new lichen moth species in Eastern Himalayas
Zoological Survey of India scientists describe two new lichen moth species, Caulocera hollowayi and Asura buxa, in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa on 2 March 2026. The discoveries originate from specimens collected in the eastern Himalayas, including Golitar in Sikkim and Panijhora in West Bengal. The new species increase India's Lepidoptera diversity and highlight the region’s biodiversity. Descriptions include morphology, habitat notes, and comparisons with similar species. This research supports ongoing fieldwork in biodiversity hotspots and informs conservation planning for high-altitude ecosystems. The findings contribute to global taxonomic databases and regional biodiversity strategies.
New species: Caulocera hollowayi and Asura buxa described in Zootaxa (2 March 2026).
Locations: Golitar, Sikkim; Panijhora, West Bengal.
Significance: expands Lepidoptera diversity in India.
Content: morphological descriptions and habitat data.
Impact: supports conservation planning and biodiversity databases.
New Lepidoptera species discovered in Sikkim and West Bengal
In the eastern Himalayas, scientists report additional Lepidoptera discoveries connected to recent moth descriptions. The team provides diagnostic characters and habitat notes to distinguish these new taxa from known relatives. Specimens were collected from Golitar in Sikkim and Panijhora in West Bengal, underscoring the region’s rich biodiversity and ongoing taxonomic work. This work builds on earlier identifications of Caulocera hollowayi and Asura buxa and contributes to the understanding of Lepidoptera diversity in India. The findings have practical value for future biodiversity surveys and conservation planning in northeast India.
Additional Lepidoptera discoveries from eastern Himalayas (Sikkim and West Bengal).
Key data: diagnostic characters and habitat notes.
Sites: Golitar (Sikkim) and Panijhora (West Bengal).
Relation to prior work: follows Caulocera hollowayi and Asura buxa descriptions.
Implication: informs future surveys and conservation planning.
India to host Asia Cup Archery 2027 second leg in Delhi
India is set to host the Asia Cup Archery 2027 second leg in Delhi, after a 22-year gap. The decision followed discussions with World Archery Asia president Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol and Archery Association of India secretary general Virendra Sachdeva. The last major international archery event in Delhi was the Asian Archery Championships in 2005. Hosting the event signals India’s return to the international archery stage and is expected to boost the development of archery infrastructure, coaching, and youth participation. Officials emphasised good organization, competitive schedules, and regional sports diplomacy benefits for Delhi and India.
Event: Asia Cup Archery 2027, Delhi second leg confirmed.
Historical note: last major international archery event in Delhi (2005).
Key figures: Chapol (World Archery Asia) and Sachdeva (AAI).
Implications: infrastructure, coaching, and youth participation in archery.
Strategic value: sports diplomacy and national profile.
Sumit Antil wins gold at World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in New Delhi
Sumit Antil won gold in Men’s Javelin Throw at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in New Delhi with a 69.25 metres performance. Pushpendra Singh took silver with 56.91 metres, and Poonam Ram won bronze with 49.48 metres. India delivered strong results on Day 2, dominating several track events. In the Men’s 400 metres Run T13, Subodh Bhatt won gold (51.88s), followed by Priyanshu Kaushik with silver (53.19s) and Avnil Kumar with bronze (56.91s). In the Men’s 400 m Run T46/T47, Bhavikkumar Din Bharwad secured gold (49.89s) with Jasbeer close behind for silver. India also swept the podium in the wheelchair category 400m (T53/T54).
Gold: Sumit Antil, 69.25 m (Men’s Javelin F64).
Medalists: silver to Pushpendra Singh; bronze to Poonam Ram.
Day 2: India strong in track events (400 m T13).
Javelin and wheelchair categories highlighted.
Event context: Day 2 national-level podiums emphasize depth of talent.
PCI outlines lineup for New Delhi 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix
Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has announced the lineup for the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026, set for 8–13 March. The event will host Indian stars alongside international entrants, competing across sprints, jumps, and throws. Authorities emphasise robust classification, anti-doping controls, and accessible venues to ensure fair competition. The meet aims to raise para-sport visibility in India, encouraging school and community involvement and inspiring a new generation of disabled athletes. Organisers expect the event to bolster India’s capacity to host larger international competitions in the future and attract sponsors and media attention.
Dates: 8–13 March 2026.
Participants: Indian stars + international athletes.
World Consumer Rights Day 2026: Protecting consumer rights and promoting sustainable choices
World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15 March each year to promote protection and empowerment for consumers worldwide. The day began in 1983 to mark John F. Kennedy's 1962 speech to the U.S. Congress where he highlighted consumer rights for the first time on a global stage. In 2025, the theme was A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles, emphasizing affordable, healthy choices for all while protecting rights. India marks the occasion with campaigns on consumer protection, redress mechanisms, and fair-trade practices. Authorities highlight the role of digital platforms in transparent pricing and safe products. The observance aligns with national consumer protection goals and inclusion.
Origin of World Consumer Rights Day: 1983, JFK's 1962 speech.
2025 theme: A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles.
KSRTC wins PSU National Award for Dhwani Spandana accessibility initiative
KSRTC, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, has received the Governance Now 12th PSU National Award in Excellence in Innovation for its 'Dhwani Spandana' project. This system uses audio cues and accessible technology to help visually impaired passengers identify buses and navigate stations. The award recognises government-run enterprises for innovative public service. KSRTC aims to improve mobility and independence for visually impaired travellers, enhancing overall accessibility of public transport. The initiative has potential for replication across other state transport networks and urban services, encouraging inclusive design and user-centric technology. The award emphasizes ongoing governance and social inclusion through practical innovations in public transport.
Award: Governance Now 12th PSU National Award in Excellence in Innovation.
WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk collaborate on childhood obesity prevention in India
The WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk are joining forces to address childhood obesity in India. The collaboration aims to strengthen obesity prevention and health-system readiness through a scalable school-based health program. The WHO Foundation provides funding and technical support, while Novo Nordisk contributes expertise on prevention, nutrition, and physical activity. The program plans phased expansion across Indian states, targeting school children, families, and communities. This aligns with global goals to reduce noncommunicable diseases. Officials highlight rising childhood obesity and stress early preventive measures, healthy meals in schools, safe physical activity, and broad public awareness campaigns.
Partnership: WHO Foundation with Novo Nordisk for India obesity prevention.
Program type: scalable school-based health initiative.
Contributors: funding/tech support from WHO Foundation; prevention expertise from Novo Nordisk.
Expansion plan: phased across states with school/community focus.
Chhattisgarh Cabinet approves Freedom of Religion Bill 2026
The Chhattisgarh State Cabinet has approved the draft Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, aimed at preventing illegal religious conversions. The bill targets conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraudulent means, or undue influence, and will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly for discussion and possible passage. Its primary aim is to prevent unlawful conversions while protecting the constitutional right to practice faith freely. The legislation seeks to address cases where individuals may be pressured to change religion, balancing public order with religious liberty under the Constitution.
Bill: Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 approved by Chhattisgarh Cabinet.
Purpose: curb illegal religious conversions through force/inducement/fraud.
Process: to be introduced in Legislative Assembly.
Rights protected: freedom to practice faith; safeguards against coercion.
Context: addresses undue influence in conversions.