Centre’s decision on mix-and-match boosters likely in two weeks: Official, Army investigates espionage angle over security breach in WhatsApp group, IMF slashes India's growth forecast to 8.2% in 2022-23 and other top news in this bulletin. The government may be able to decide in two weeks whether to mix and match the booster doses of approved Covid-19 vaccines based on India-specific trial data being prepared by the Christian Medical College in Vellore, according to people familiar with the development. CMC Vellore, which was permitted to conduct homologous as well as heterologous booster dose trial by the national drugs regulator last year, is soon going to generate adequate data to be able to present before the subject experts of Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). “We got permission from the health ministry screening committee to test samples from the study late last week. Two weeks would be needed to generate data,” said Gagandeep Kang, senior vaccine expert and faculty at CMC Vellore, who is spearheading the study. “The sample testing has begun and in a week or so we should be able to generate relevant data that will be submitted first to the data safety and monitoring board. Following their approval, we will present the data to CDSCO,” Kang said. “We have already sought an appointment from the drugs regulator on this,” The Indian Army is investigating a possible espionage angle in an alleged security breach in which some military personnel are under the scanner for leaking sensitive information on social media, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The alleged breach took place in some WhatsApp groups, and the probe is looking into the possibility of the information falling into the wrong hands, said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named. It appears to be a case of cyber security breach, and all angles are being investigated and strict action will be taken if anyone is found to be guilty as the matter could fall under the Official Secrets Act, said a second official, who also asked not to be identified. The Official Secrets Act (1923), applicable to government servants and citizens, provides the framework for dealing with potential threats to the integrity of the nation, and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment. While the army spokesperson did not comment on the case, officials familiar with the matter refused to give out further details on the exact nature of the breach, the number of people under the scanner, or where the information may have ended up. India has emphasised right from the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine crisis the need to pursue the path of diplomacy and dialogue and maintains the stance, India’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, R Ravindra, said speaking at the United National Security Council meeting on Ukraine’s humanitarian situation on Tuesday. “We have emphasized right from the beginning of the conflict the need to pursue the path of diplomacy and dialogue. When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option,” the diplomat said. “The humanitarian situation in Ukraine has deteriorated further since the Council last discussed this issue. From reports coming out of Ukraine, women and children have been disproportionately impacted and they form the bulk of people who have moved to neighbouring countries and displaced internally in Ukraine,” India said. Highlighting India’s humanitarian help in Ukraine’s situation, the diplomat said India has been sending medicines and other essential relief and will continue to provide more to Ukraine. The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday allowed academic collaboration between the Indian and foreign colleges in a move that will make it easier for Indian students to study in foreign universities, even earn a degree from one, and vice versa. Regulations allowing some of these provisions were first announced in 2012, and subsequently modified in 2016, but with few takers among either Indian or foreign universities, have been eased further now. This, however, is the first time joint degrees are being permitted. Regulations allowing some of these provisions were first announced in 2012, and subsequently modified in 2016, but with few takers among either Indian or foreign universities, have been eased further now. This, however, is the first time joint degrees are being permitted. The Commission on Tuesday approved UGC (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to offer Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree Programmes) Regulations, 2022. These regulations lay down the minimum standards for academic collaboration between Indian and foreign colleges. IMF Slashes India’s Growth Forecast To 8.2% In 2022-23 Over Russia-Ukraine War Concerns. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slashed the growth forecast for India for the current financial year by 80 basis points to 8.2 per cent, cautioning that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war will in the long run hurt consumption and also growth as inflation will rise. The funding body has made the growth forecast in its “World Economic Report”, which was released today.
Commenting on India’s growth forecast in the report, the IMF said that higher oil prices are expected to weigh on private consumption and investment.
Maharashtra CM Orders High-Level Probe into Tragic 18 Deaths at Thane's Kalwa Hospital, Shiv Sena MP Predicts Shocking Results if Priyanka Gandhi Challenges PM Modi in Varanasi, Ki ... Read more
Maharashtra CM Orders High-Level Probe into Tragic 18 Deaths at Thane's Kalwa Hospital, Shiv Sena MP Predicts Shocking Results if Priyanka Gandhi Challenges PM Modi in Varanasi, Kim Jong Un Boosts Weapons Production Amid North Korea-US Military Drill Tensions and other top news bulletin here Read more
AAP hits out at Centre over suspension of its MPs from both Houses of Parliament, Two-hour-long speech was filled with jokes, sarcasm, irrelevant talk: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's dig ... Read more
AAP hits out at Centre over suspension of its MPs from both Houses of Parliament, Two-hour-long speech was filled with jokes, sarcasm, irrelevant talk: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's dig at PM Modi and other top news bulletin here Read more
AAP MP Raghav Chadha suspended from Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah's Presents Bills to 'Transform' Criminal Justice System, 24 students of MCD school fall sick due to gas leak in Naraina a ... Read more
AAP MP Raghav Chadha suspended from Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah's Presents Bills to 'Transform' Criminal Justice System, 24 students of MCD school fall sick due to gas leak in Naraina and other top news bulletin here. Read more
PM Modi remarked that India has trust in the NDA but lacks confidence in the opposition. The suspension of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has stirred controversy, with Congress criticizing ... Read more
PM Modi remarked that India has trust in the NDA but lacks confidence in the opposition. The suspension of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has stirred controversy, with Congress criticizing the move as 'undemocratic.' Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Annual Instagram Influencer Ranking, and more news is featured in this bulletin. Read more
Centre tables bill on selection of CEC, ECs; drops CJI from panel; Opposition protests, accuses govt of diluting Supreme Court order, Past govts used to sell dreams to people’: Sit ... Read more
Centre tables bill on selection of CEC, ECs; drops CJI from panel; Opposition protests, accuses govt of diluting Supreme Court order, Past govts used to sell dreams to people’: Sitharaman in Lok Sabha, Markets fall post RBI monetary policy decision and other top news bulletin here. Read more
Amit Shah cites 1993 Riots to counter Opposition's demand for PM Modi's statement on Manipur violence, Anti-corruption presidential candidate assassinated at campaign event in Ecua ... Read more
Amit Shah cites 1993 Riots to counter Opposition's demand for PM Modi's statement on Manipur violence, Anti-corruption presidential candidate assassinated at campaign event in Ecuador's capital, Man who supplied weapons to kill Sidhu Moose Wala detained in US and other top news bulletin here. Read more
Smriti Irani counters Rahul Gandhi's No-Confidence motion speech, Chandrayaan-3 lander vikram can make landing even if everything else fails, Smriti Irani objects to Rahul Gandhi's ... Read more
Smriti Irani counters Rahul Gandhi's No-Confidence motion speech, Chandrayaan-3 lander vikram can make landing even if everything else fails, Smriti Irani objects to Rahul Gandhi's 'flying kiss' gesture and other top news bulletin here. Read more
Rahul Gandhi’s decision to not initiate debate stirs row, CAG report finds ‘faults’ in database of health scheme, world's largest, Supreme Court questions own order in Bilkis Bano ... Read more
Rahul Gandhi’s decision to not initiate debate stirs row, CAG report finds ‘faults’ in database of health scheme, world's largest, Supreme Court questions own order in Bilkis Bano case and other top news bulletin here. Read more
Congress questions PM Modi's silence on Manipur, Derek O'Brien allowed to attend Rajya Sabha as suspension motion not put to vote, Haryana Congress Delegation Stopped From Enter ... Read more
Congress questions PM Modi's silence on Manipur, Derek O'Brien allowed to attend Rajya Sabha as suspension motion not put to vote, Haryana Congress Delegation Stopped From Entering Nuh and other top news bulletin here. Read more
Parliament passes Delhi services bill, boost for NDA, Government is ready to discuss Manipur issue,' HM Amit Shah tells opposition in Lok Sabha, Niger coup leaders refuse to let se ... Read more
Parliament passes Delhi services bill, boost for NDA, Government is ready to discuss Manipur issue,' HM Amit Shah tells opposition in Lok Sabha, Niger coup leaders refuse to let senior US diplomat meet with nation’s president and other top news bulletin here. Read more
The Website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. If you continue browsing you will be providing your consent to our use of these.