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DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar Virtually Inaugurates IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation in TNOn December 10, 2025, Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology(MoS&T), virtually inaugurated Indian Institute of Technology -Madras (IIT-M), Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) Samgnya Technologies Foundation, India’s National Hub for Quantum communication, at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).This foundation has been established under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), an initiative by the Government of India (GoI).About National Hub for Quantum communication: Collaboration: The IITM C‑DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation will lead India’s work in quantum-secure communication by working with universities, industry, and global partners.Focus: It will focus on Quantum Cryptography and Post-Quantum Security; Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Networks; Quantum Memory and Repeaters; and Satellite-based Quantum Communication.Significance: This initiative marks India’s first dedicated national-level hub focused on quantum communication technologies under NQM. It is one of the four thematic hubs established under NQM. The other three thematic hubs includeQuantum Computing Hub at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru (Karnataka)Quantum Sensing & Metrology Hub at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai (Maharashtra)Quantum Materials & Devices Hub at IIT Delhi, New Delhi (Delhi).
DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar Virtually Inaugurates IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation in TNOn December 10, 2025, Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology(MoS&T), virtually inaugurated Indian Institute of Technology -Madras (IIT-M), Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) Samgnya Technologies Foundation, India’s National Hub for Quantum communication, at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).This foundation has been established under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), an initiative by the Government of India (GoI).About National Hub for Quantum communication: Collaboration: The IITM C‑DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation will lead India’s work in quantum-secure communication by working with universities, industry, and global partners.Focus: It will focus on Quantum Cryptography and Post-Quantum Security; Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Networks; Quantum Memory and Repeaters; and Satellite-based Quantum Communication.Significance: This initiative marks India’s first dedicated national-level hub focused on quantum communication technologies under NQM. It is one of the four thematic hubs established under NQM. The other three thematic hubs includeQuantum Computing Hub at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru (Karnataka)Quantum Sensing & Metrology Hub at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai (Maharashtra)Quantum Materials & Devices Hub at IIT Delhi, New Delhi (Delhi).
DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar Virtually Inaugurates IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation in TNOn December 10, 2025, Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technol...
PFRDA Issues New Investment Rules For Government-Sector Pension SchemesOn December 10, 2025, the Pension Fund and Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) released ‘Master Circular on Investment Guidelines issued for government‑sector pension schemes’, including Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), National Pension System (NPS) for Central/State Government subscribers, Corporate Government (CG) NPS, NPS Lite, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and APY Fund Scheme.The PFRDA master circular takes effect immediately and replaces the guidelines issued in March 2025.Pension Fund Investment and Allocation Framework:Government Securities (G-secs): Pension funds are allowed to invest up to 65% of the portfolio in the G-secs, the safest instruments.Debt Instruments: Funds may invest up to 45% in corporate bonds and other debt instruments such as infrastructure debt and bank deposits, subject to credit-rating requirements.Short-term debt instruments: Pension Funds can make investments up to 10% in short term debt instruments like Commercial Paper (CP), Certificate of Deposit (CoD) etc.Equity Exposure: Equity exposure is capped at 25%, with funds allowed to buy shares through IPOs, FPOs and offers for sale, as well as through index-linked investments.Asset Backed Funds: A maximum of 5% can be invested in Asset Backed, Trust Structured and Miscellaneous Investments.Broadened Investment Options: Pension funds (PFs) can now invest in Gold & Silver Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) (with rating and exposure limits), AAA-rated Municipal Bonds (MBs), and Government Debt ETFs, enhancing diversification, risk management, and liquidity.
PFRDA Issues New Investment Rules For Government-Sector Pension SchemesOn December 10, 2025, the Pension Fund and Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) released ‘Master Circular on Investment Guidelines issued for government‑sector pension schemes’, including Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), National Pension System (NPS) for Central/State Government subscribers, Corporate Government (CG) NPS, NPS Lite, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and APY Fund Scheme.The PFRDA master circular takes effect immediately and replaces the guidelines issued in March 2025.Pension Fund Investment and Allocation Framework:Government Securities (G-secs): Pension funds are allowed to invest up to 65% of the portfolio in the G-secs, the safest instruments.Debt Instruments: Funds may invest up to 45% in corporate bonds and other debt instruments such as infrastructure debt and bank deposits, subject to credit-rating requirements.Short-term debt instruments: Pension Funds can make investments up to 10% in short term debt instruments like Commercial Paper (CP), Certificate of Deposit (CoD) etc.Equity Exposure: Equity exposure is capped at 25%, with funds allowed to buy shares through IPOs, FPOs and offers for sale, as well as through index-linked investments.Asset Backed Funds: A maximum of 5% can be invested in Asset Backed, Trust Structured and Miscellaneous Investments.Broadened Investment Options: Pension funds (PFs) can now invest in Gold & Silver Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) (with rating and exposure limits), AAA-rated Municipal Bonds (MBs), and Government Debt ETFs, enhancing diversification, risk management, and liquidity.
PFRDA Issues New Investment Rules For Government-Sector Pension SchemesOn December 10, 2025, the Pension Fund and Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) released ‘Master Circular on Investment Guidelines issued for government‑sector pension sch...
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India and Sweden Launches 7 Green Tech Projects to Carbonize Steel and Cement SectorsIn December 2025, India and Sweden have launched seven collaborative decarbonisation projects to reduce carbon(C) emissions in the steel and cement sectors, marking a joint effort to support India’s net‑zero by 2070 goals and promote sustainable industrial practices.The projects span hydrogen use in rotary kilns for low-carbon steelmaking, steel-slag recycling to produce green cement, and the application of Artificial Intelligence(AI) tools to accelerate decarbonisation in cement production.Key Details of Partnerships:Project Framework: The seven selected initiatives are structured as pre-pilot feasibility studies under the LeadIT Industry Transition Partnership.Support: They are jointly supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology(DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology(MoS&T) and the Swedish Energy Agency.Indian Companies: Tata Steel Limited, JK Cement Limited, Ambuja Cements Limited, Jindal Steel and Power Limited, Prism Johnson Limited, and My Home Industries Private Limited.Swedish Partners: Cemvision, Kanthal, Swerim, Höganäs AB, Metsol AB, Captimise AB.Research Institutes: IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Bombay, IIT-ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Dhanbad, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Hyderabad, Datta Meghe College of Engineering.Alignment : Supports India’s net-zero targets by 2070, contributing to the country’s long-term climate ambitions and clean infrastructure development.
India and Sweden Launches 7 Green Tech Projects to Carbonize Steel and Cement SectorsIn December 2025, India and Sweden have launched seven collaborative decarbonisation projects to reduce carbon(C) emissions in the steel and cement sectors, marking a joint effort to support India’s net‑zero by 2070 goals and promote sustainable industrial practices.The projects span hydrogen use in rotary kilns for low-carbon steelmaking, steel-slag recycling to produce green cement, and the application of Artificial Intelligence(AI) tools to accelerate decarbonisation in cement production.Key Details of Partnerships:Project Framework: The seven selected initiatives are structured as pre-pilot feasibility studies under the LeadIT Industry Transition Partnership.Support: They are jointly supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology(DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology(MoS&T) and the Swedish Energy Agency.Indian Companies: Tata Steel Limited, JK Cement Limited, Ambuja Cements Limited, Jindal Steel and Power Limited, Prism Johnson Limited, and My Home Industries Private Limited.Swedish Partners: Cemvision, Kanthal, Swerim, Höganäs AB, Metsol AB, Captimise AB.Research Institutes: IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Bombay, IIT-ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Dhanbad, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Hyderabad, Datta Meghe College of Engineering.Alignment : Supports India’s net-zero targets by 2070, contributing to the country’s long-term climate ambitions and clean infrastructure development.
India and Sweden Launches 7 Green Tech Projects to Carbonize Steel and Cement SectorsIn December 2025, India and Sweden have launched seven collaborative decarbonisation projects to reduce carbon(C) emissions in the steel and cement sectors, marking ...