11, Nov 2026
Herbalife India and IISc Launch Landmark Study on Healthy Ageing
The multi-city initiative will evaluate metabolic health, gut diversity, and biological age across 1,000 participants
BENGALURU, India, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Herbalife India and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have joined hands to kick off a landmark multi-centric research study, conceptualized around ‘Health & Happiness,’ designed to explore the relationships between metabolic health, community participation, health and happiness, wellness coaching, and biomarker-based scientific evidence in shaping healthy ageing outcomes among Indian adults. The study will be conducted in collaboration with IISc and supported by Herbalife across multiple centres in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
As India’s population continues to age, there is growing interest in understanding not only how long people live, but how well they live. While scientific research has increasingly highlighted the importance of nutrition, lifestyle, and metabolic health, less is understood about how factors such as social connection, purpose, wellness support systems, and biological markers interact to influence metabolic health and overall wellness.
The ‘Health & Happiness Study’ is designed to include over 1,000 participants, with each participant being part of the study for approximately six months. Through a multidimensional assessment approach, the study will evaluate physical health, biological markers, gut microbiome composition, nutrition, lifestyle practices, and wellbeing indicators to generate personalized insights and contribute to a deeper understanding of health, happiness and wellness.
“At Herbalife India, we believe people stay healthy when they have the right support around them, whether that’s proper nourishment, people who keep them active or a community that keeps them motivated,” said Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India. “What we want to know is how much those everyday choices matter as people grow older, and we want the answer to come from Indian lives. Partnering with IISc brings the scientific rigour that kind of question needs.”
“Community, nutrition and daily habits are easy to praise and harder to prove,” said Prof Deepak Saini, Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science. “Through this collaboration with Herbalife India, we have the opportunity to generate meaningful scientific evidence by tracking real changes in people’s health over time. At IISc, our commitment is to conduct independent, rigorous research and communicate the results transparently, wherever the evidence leads. The knowledge generated could contribute to a deeper understanding of what helps Indians stay healthier for longer and support better health decisions for individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.”
About Herbalife International India Private Ltd.
Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food and non-food products to consumers in more than 95 markets through independent entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.
About the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was established in 1909 by a partnership between Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata, the Mysore royal family, and the Government of India. Over the last 117 years, IISc has become India’s premier institute for advanced scientific research and education. Selected as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) in 2018, IISc consistently ranks among the top Indian institutions in global university rankings.
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11, Nov 2026
IBM Quantum Nighthawk Demonstrates New Levels of Speed and Quality, with Plans to Scale Beyond 1,000 Qubits in 2027
New Nighthawk r3 processor will be built to execute 10,000 quantum operations, enabling larger and more complex computations as IBM advances its roadmap toward fault tolerance
Clients and partners including E.ON, Algorithmiq, and Q-CTRL have run more than 34 billion circuits on Nighthawk r2, reporting speedups of up to 19x beyond previous IBM quantum processors
Enhanced IBM Quantum Platform unites quantum with classical computing in one environment
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced IBM Quantum Nighthawk r3, its next-generation processor, will be built to accurately execute 10,000 quantum operations across 520 qubits to tackle larger, more complex problems while maintaining the speed and quality demonstrated by the current generation Nighthawk available today.
In 2027, IBM plans to link two Nighthawk r3 processors into a single system with more than 1,000 qubits.
To be at the frontier of quantum computing, industry-relevant applications demand both computational quality and speed. Speed matters because a quantum computer delivers its answer in samples: each run of a quantum circuit returns one result. Applications increasingly require circuits executing thousands of quantum operations on approximately 100 qubits or more, generating millions to billions of samples. Scale and quality enable increasingly complex computations, but speed determines whether these demanding workloads can be completed in practical timeframes and at a reasonable cost.
“Useful quantum computing hinges on whether results can be delivered with accuracy and speed, both are fundamental,” said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. “Nighthawk is already showing us what that looks like today. As we scale this architecture to larger and more powerful quantum computers, the capabilities of quantum computation will reach new levels as we integrate more closely with classical resources and march ahead to fault tolerance.”
Nighthawk r2: Delivering Speed for Real-World Workloads
Introduced in September, IBM Quantum Nighthawk r2 delivers up to 100,000 samples per second while supporting accurate computations with more than 7,500 quantum operations on 120 qubits. Its high-speed qubit reset technology dramatically reduces the time between circuit executions, enabling applications to collect the millions or billions of samples needed for complex computations far more efficiently.
Clients and partners including E.ON, Algorithmiq, and Q-CTRL have executed 34 billion circuits on Nighthawk r2 to date, reporting performance improvements of up to 19x while maintaining the quality needed for scientific computation.
The results are already demonstrating value across industries. E.ON reported a 15x speedup on Nighthawk r2 in quantum machine learning for energy grid optimization. IBM used Nighthawk r2 for a 12x speedup of an experiment ran earlier this year with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which simulated real magnetic materials and produced results consistent with neutron scattering experiments. Both of these speedups were achieved over previous work on IBM Quantum Heron. Quantum Elements and ParityQC are also among the partners reporting significant performance improvements on their own Nighthawk r2 workloads.
The quantum advantage experiments IBM and its partners published in July were first run on IBM Quantum Heron, with circuits and results openly available for independent testing through the community-led Quantum Advantage Tracker. An experiment with Algorithmiq to simulate a heterogeneous quantum material has now been extended to Nighthawk r2, leveraging its speed and connectivity to execute circuits 8 times faster than the original experiment on Heron. At the same time, the new circuits are significantly more challenging for classical computers to simulate, requiring an estimated 240 times more memory to achieve comparable accuracy when using leading classical tensor-network methods.
Nighthawk r3: Scaling to More Than 1,000 Qubits
Building on the performance demonstrated by Nighthawk r2, Nighthawk r3 will extend the same high-speed architecture to larger quantum computers. The new processor is designed to support 10,000 quantum operations on 520 programmable qubits, with 2,034 total physical qubits. It retains r2’s square-lattice connectivity and fast operations while introducing 10 chip-to-chip interconnects, called l-couplers, designed to connect processors into larger systems.
IBM has already demonstrated two critical technologies that enable this modular approach. This year, IBM connected Nighthawk r1 processors using four l-couplers, achieving 99.3 percent quantum state transfer fidelity and progressing toward its 99.9 percent target. IBM also connected two cryogenic modules into a single system for the first time, reaching operating temperature in under five days and cooling below 15 millikelvin.
Together, these advances demonstrate critical progress in modularity and provide confidence in IBM’s ability to scale Nighthawk to larger quantum computers. In 2027, IBM plans to connect two Nighthawk r3 processors into a single 1,040-qubit system, extending its high-performance architecture to larger and more complex computations.
Quantum Meets Classical on the IBM Quantum Platform
Advancing quantum computers requires continued progress in how they work alongside classical compute to handle errors. Industry-relevant workloads will demand layers of quantum error correction and error mitigation techniques alongside noise learning and post-processing. As quantum workloads scale, they will call for more classical resources, and the challenge now is how to best scale this integration.
To unite these paradigms, IBM Quantum Platform is bringing high-performance (HPC) classical and quantum computing together into a single managed environment. Users can now integrate quantum workflows directly with a range of classical compute – whether from their laptop or a powerful supercomputer – or with the HPC and classical resources that are newly available on the platform.
Users are seeing promising results from these integrations. For example, using the new environment, IBM and RIKEN* scientists executed their original sample-based quantum diagonalization (SQD) workflow roughly 5 times faster while performing 100 times more computations than in the original study. Cleveland Clinic and RIKEN also leveraged the platform to automatically process 608 million samples for modeling biologically relevant structures, 33 times faster than without workflow automation.
Enhanced capabilities will also fuel breakthroughs in quantum error correction. IBM Quantum Platform offers pulse-level capabilities to give researchers precise control over how they can detect, understand, and better correct errors within quantum and classical architectures. This helps them better time operations, reset qubits faster, and extract more information from quantum measurements – giving researchers the visibility to improve error correction at its most fundamental levels.
IBM recently launched a new co-design platform for quantum error correction with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and AMD that physically co-locates Nighthawk with ORNL’s Umbra High-Performance Computing (HPC) system, powered by AMD Instinct™ MI355X GPUs and 5th Gen AMD EPYC™ CPUs.
About IBM
IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.
For more information, visit https://research.ibm.com.
Media contacts:
Brittany Forgione
IBM
Brittany.forgione@ibm.com
Erin Angelini
IBM
edlehr@us.ibm.com
* This project is supported by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), an organization under the jurisdiction of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)’s “Research and Development of Quantum-Supercomputers Hybrid Platform for Exploration of Uncharted Computable Capabilities” (Project Leader: Mitsuhisa Sato) as part of the “Project for Research and Development of Enhanced Infrastructures for Post 5G Information and Communications Systems (JPNP20017).”
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11, Nov 2026
India-Moldova Relations: Both Nations Discuss Cooperation In Energy, Agriculture And Connectivity
New Delhi, Nov 11: India and Moldova have agreed to explore wider cooperation in key sectors, including energy, agriculture, connectivity and capacity building, during their third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held on Wednesday.
The discussions covered a broad range of bilateral issues, with both countries expressing interest in strengthening political, economic, educational, cultural and consular ties, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
The Indian delegation was led by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while the Moldovan side was headed by Corina Calugaru, State Secretary in the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Talks Cover Bilateral And Global Issues
According to the MEA, the two delegations reviewed the overall progress of India-Moldova relations and discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments and explored ways to work together through multilateral platforms.
The consultations are expected to provide fresh momentum to the partnership, particularly in areas that offer opportunities for economic and institutional cooperation.
President Murmu’s Visit Gave Fresh Momentum
The latest diplomatic engagement follows President Droupadi Murmu’s historic state visit to Moldova in July 2026, the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the Eastern European country.
During the visit, President Murmu highlighted the contribution of the Indian community, including students, in strengthening friendship and cultural ties between the two nations.
She also attended a banquet hosted in her honour by Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Chisinau.
Welcoming the Indian President at the time, Sandu described India as a valued partner and emphasised the importance of building a relationship based on democratic values, mutual trust and cooperation.
Next Consultation To Be Held In Chisinau
Both countries agreed to organise the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, at a mutually convenient date.
The MEA said the discussions would contribute to further strengthening the India-Moldova partnership, building on the goodwill generated by the presidential visit earlier this year.
The renewed diplomatic engagement reflects the two countries’ interest in expanding their cooperation amid changing regional and global circumstances.
11, Nov 2026
Cabinet Approves Rs 62,370 Crore Fertiliser Subsidy For Rabi 2026-27
New Delhi, Nov 11: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a budgetary allocation of approximately Rs 62,370.02 crore for nutrient-based subsidies on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the 2026-27 rabi season.
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The increased allocation is aimed at ensuring that farmers continue to get essential fertilisers at affordable and reasonable prices despite fluctuations in international fertiliser and raw material costs.
According to an official statement, the approved subsidy outlay is around Rs 24,417.73 crore higher than the Rs 37,952.29 crore allocated for the corresponding rabi season in 2025-26.
Subsidy To Cover DAP And NPKS Fertilisers
The approved Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates will remain applicable from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, covering the entire rabi season.
The subsidy will apply to various P&K fertilisers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and different grades of NPKS fertilisers. The government said the decision was taken after reviewing international price trends for fertilisers and key inputs such as urea, DAP, Muriate of Potash (MOP) and sulphur.
Under the arrangement, fertiliser companies will receive subsidies according to the approved and notified rates, helping ensure the availability of these products to farmers at controlled prices.
28 Grades Of P&K Fertilisers Under Subsidy Scheme
The Centre currently makes 28 grades of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, including DAP, available to farmers at subsidised rates through manufacturers and importers.
The NBS scheme has been in operation since April 1, 2010. It determines subsidy support for P&K fertilisers based on their nutrient content, with the objective of making essential agricultural inputs accessible to farmers.
Focus On Affordable Fertiliser Supply
The latest Cabinet decision is expected to cushion farmers against the impact of rising international fertiliser prices and input costs during the ongoing agricultural season.
The government said the revised subsidy structure would support the uninterrupted availability of P&K fertilisers and help farmers manage cultivation expenses during the rabi crop cycle.
11, Nov 2026
Stand-Up India Scheme Extended Till 2031: 2.5 Lakh Entrepreneurs To Get Loan Support
New Delhi, Nov 11: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a five-year extension of the Stand-Up India Scheme, continuing the programme until March 31, 2031, with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship among women and members of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
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The extended scheme is expected to provide financial assistance to an additional 2.5 lakh entrepreneurs over the next five years. The Cabinet has also approved a credit guarantee corpus of Rs 4,111 crore to strengthen the programme’s lending support.
Launched in April 2016, the initiative has so far facilitated loans to more than 2.75 lakh women, SC and ST entrepreneurs, helping them establish new businesses and expand their economic activities, according to the government.
Loans Of Up To Rs 1 Crore For New Businesses
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries can access loans ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore to establish greenfield enterprises, or businesses set up for the first time in a particular sector.
The financial assistance is offered through composite loans, combining working capital and term loans, or through standalone term loans. The loan amount can cover up to 85 per cent of the total project cost, subject to the scheme’s eligibility conditions.
The programme covers several sectors, including manufacturing, services, trading and allied agricultural activities, offering aspiring entrepreneurs opportunities to establish businesses across different areas.
Credit Guarantee Support To Improve Access
To encourage banks and financial institutions to extend credit to eligible entrepreneurs, the scheme provides credit guarantee coverage of up to 85 per cent of the loan amount. The standard guarantee fee has been fixed at 0.50 per cent.
The government expects the continuation of the programme to improve access to institutional finance for entrepreneurs from underserved communities and encourage the creation of new enterprises.
With the extension, the Centre aims to build on the progress made since 2016 and widen opportunities for women, SC and ST entrepreneurs to participate in India’s economic growth.
11, Nov 2026
India’s Growing AI Skills Demand: How Businesses Are Investing in Employee Development
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming India’s business environment, creating new opportunities for innovation, productivity, and economic growth. From information technology and banking to healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail, companies are increasingly adopting AI-powered technologies to improve business operations and enhance customer experiences. As this digital transformation continues, the demand for employees with artificial intelligence knowledge and technical skills is growing across different industries.
Indian companies are now recognizing that investing in advanced technology alone is not enough to achieve long-term success. They also need a skilled workforce that can understand, manage, and effectively use AI solutions. As a result, organizations are investing in employee training, professional certifications, digital education, and workforce development programs. This growing focus on AI skills is creating a new learning culture in which continuous upskilling and reskilling are becoming essential for professional growth.
1. The Growing Importance of AI Skills in India
India is becoming an important destination for artificial intelligence development, digital innovation, and technology-driven business services. As organizations adopt intelligent technologies, AI knowledge is becoming valuable not only for IT professionals but also for employees working in finance, marketing, human resources, healthcare, and other business sectors.
Companies are increasingly looking for professionals who understand machine learning, data analytics, generative AI, automation, and digital technologies. These skills help employees improve productivity, solve business problems, and support innovation.
The growing demand for AI capabilities is also encouraging students and fresh graduates to explore technology-based education and career opportunities. Understanding artificial intelligence is gradually becoming an important part of preparing for the future workplace.
2. Why Companies Are Investing in Artificial Intelligence Training
Artificial Intelligence is changing workplace responsibilities and business processes. Companies are investing in employee training to ensure their workforce can adapt to these changes.
Improving Employee Productivity: AI tools help employees complete repetitive tasks, organize information, prepare reports, and analyze data more efficiently.
Bridging the Skills Gap: Organizations are developing training programs to help employees gain the technical knowledge required to work with emerging technologies.
Encouraging Business Innovation: AI-skilled employees can identify new opportunities, develop creative solutions, and improve existing business processes.
Preparing for Future Technologies: Training helps employees understand modern AI applications and adapt to changing industry requirements.
Strengthening Competitiveness: Companies with digitally skilled employees can respond more effectively to technological developments and changing market demands.
3. Most In-Demand Artificial Intelligence Skills
As AI adoption expands, companies are focusing on developing several important technical and professional skills.
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Machine Learning: Understanding how computer systems learn from data and make predictions.
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Data Analytics: Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information to support business decisions.
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Generative AI: Using intelligent systems to create text, images, code, and other digital content.
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Prompt Engineering: Learning how to communicate effectively with AI tools to generate useful results.
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Python Programming: Developing programming knowledge for AI applications and data analysis.
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AI Automation: Using intelligent technologies to simplify repetitive business activities.
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Responsible AI: Understanding ethical AI practices, privacy, transparency, and responsible technology use.
These skills are becoming increasingly useful for professionals across technical and non-technical industries.
4. How Companies Are Building an AI-Ready Workforce
Indian companies are adopting different strategies to prepare employees for an AI-driven business environment.
Corporate AI Training Programs
Organizations are introducing internal training sessions, workshops, and practical learning activities to help employees understand AI applications and tools.
Employee Upskilling and Reskilling
Upskilling helps employees improve their existing knowledge, while reskilling prepares them for new responsibilities and emerging job opportunities.
Online Learning and Certifications
Digital learning platforms allow employees to participate in AI courses, develop technical knowledge, and earn professional certifications without interrupting their regular work schedules.
Industry-Academia Partnerships
Companies are collaborating with universities, educational institutions, and technology providers to develop industry-relevant training programs and prepare future professionals.
Practical AI Projects
Hands-on training helps employees understand how AI works in real business situations. Working on practical projects also improves problem-solving abilities and technical confidence.
5. Industries Driving AI Workforce Development in India
Artificial Intelligence is creating opportunities across several major industries.
Information Technology: AI is transforming software development, application testing, cybersecurity, automation, and data management.
Banking and Finance: Financial institutions are using AI for fraud detection, risk analysis, customer support, and intelligent financial services.
Healthcare: AI applications are supporting medical research, diagnostic assistance, healthcare data analysis, and hospital management.
Manufacturing: Intelligent technologies are improving production planning, quality control, predictive maintenance, and supply chain operations.
Education: AI-powered learning platforms, virtual tutors, and automated assessment systems are transforming teaching and learning experiences.
Retail and E-Commerce: Businesses are using AI for customer recommendations, inventory management, digital marketing, and personalized shopping experiences.
As AI becomes more integrated into these sectors, employees will need relevant digital knowledge to remain competitive.
6. The Role of Generative AI in Workplace Transformation
Generative AI is becoming an important part of modern business operations. It helps employees create content, summarize documents, generate ideas, assist with coding, and organize information.
For example, marketing professionals can use generative AI to prepare content drafts and explore campaign ideas. Software developers can use AI assistants to support coding activities, while business analysts can summarize reports and explore data.
However, employees must understand that AI-generated information may contain errors. Human review, professional judgment, and responsible usage remain essential.
7. Government Initiatives Supporting AI Skill Development
The Indian government is also supporting the development of artificial intelligence and digital skills through various initiatives.
The IndiaAI Mission, approved in 2024, aims to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem through computing infrastructure, innovation, datasets, applications, and skill development.
The FutureSkills PRIME initiative, supported by MeitY and NASSCOM, focuses on developing skills in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The Skill India Mission supports vocational training, professional development, and employability across different sectors.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes digital learning, technology integration, innovation, and skill-based education.
These initiatives help create opportunities for students, professionals, and organizations to develop the knowledge required for India’s growing digital economy.
8. Benefits of AI Training and Workforce Development
Investing in artificial intelligence training offers several advantages for companies and employees.
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Higher Productivity: Employees can use AI tools to complete tasks more efficiently.
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Better Career Opportunities: AI knowledge can help professionals explore emerging job roles.
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Improved Innovation: Skilled employees can develop new ideas and business solutions.
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Digital Transformation: AI training helps organizations adopt modern technologies more effectively.
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Continuous Learning: Employees can regularly upgrade their knowledge and professional capabilities.
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Better Decision-Making: AI and data analytics skills support informed business decisions.
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Workforce Adaptability: Training prepares employees to respond to changing technological requirements.
9. Challenges in Developing an AI-Skilled Workforce
Although AI training offers significant opportunities, companies also face challenges while developing an AI-ready workforce.
Skills Gap: Many employees need additional technical knowledge and practical experience to work effectively with advanced AI systems.
Rapid Technological Changes: AI technologies evolve quickly, requiring continuous training and skill updates.
Training Costs: Organizations must invest in learning platforms, software, expert trainers, and employee development programs.
Digital Inequality: Employees in smaller cities and rural areas may have limited access to advanced digital learning resources.
Data Privacy: AI applications must be used carefully to protect sensitive business and personal information.
Ethical Concerns: Companies need clear guidelines to prevent misuse of AI, inaccurate outputs, and unfair decision-making.
Addressing these challenges will be essential for building a responsible and skilled workforce.
10. Emerging AI Career Opportunities in India
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence is creating new career opportunities for students, graduates, and working professionals.
Some important AI-related career options include:
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AI Engineer
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Machine Learning Engineer
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Data Scientist
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AI Researcher
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Data Analyst
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AI Product Manager
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Prompt Engineer
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AI Consultant
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AI Ethics Specialist
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Automation Specialist
Apart from technical careers, AI knowledge is also becoming useful in marketing, finance, human resources, education, administration, and business management.
Professionals who combine AI knowledge with communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills may find new opportunities in the evolving job market.
11. How Students and Professionals Can Prepare for the AI Revolution
Preparing for an AI-driven future requires continuous learning and practical experience. Students and working professionals can take several steps to develop relevant skills.
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Learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
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Develop basic programming knowledge, particularly Python.
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Explore generative AI tools and their practical applications.
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Improve data analysis and digital literacy.
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Participate in online AI courses and professional training programs.
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Work on practical projects to gain hands-on experience.
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Develop communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills.
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Stay updated with emerging AI technologies and industry trends.
By combining technical knowledge with practical experience, individuals can improve their professional capabilities and prepare for future career opportunities.
12. The Future of India’s AI Workforce
The future of India’s workforce will increasingly depend on the ability of businesses and individuals to adapt to technological advancements. As artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday business activities, employees across industries will need to develop new digital capabilities.
Companies are likely to place greater emphasis on continuous learning, employee development, AI literacy, and practical technology training. Educational institutions will also play an important role by introducing relevant courses and preparing students for emerging professional requirements.
At the same time, human skills such as creativity, leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking will remain important. AI will change how people work, but human judgment and innovation will continue to contribute to business success.
India’s ability to build a skilled, adaptable, and responsible workforce will be an important factor in strengthening its position in the global AI economy.
Conclusion: Building a Future-Ready Workforce Through AI Skills
India’s AI skills revolution is creating a major transformation in the country’s employment and business landscape. Companies are investing in artificial intelligence training, employee upskilling, professional certifications, and digital workforce development to prepare for the future of work.
From IT and banking to healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail, AI is creating opportunities to improve productivity, encourage innovation, and develop new career pathways. However, bridging the skills gap, ensuring equal access to training, and promoting responsible AI adoption will remain essential.
Ultimately, India’s success in the AI-driven economy will depend on how effectively companies, educational institutions, government organizations, and individuals work together. By investing in both technology and human talent, India can build a skilled, innovative, and future-ready workforce.
11, Nov 2026
Woxsen University and Apollo Healthcare Academy Sign MoU to Launch a Department of Allied Health Sciences
HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Woxsen University and Apollo Healthcare Academy, part of Apollo Knowledge, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a Department of Allied Health Sciences under Woxsen’s School of Sciences. The department will offer bachelor’s programmes in allied health from the academic year 2027-28. The partnership aims to address the shortage of allied health professionals in India and worldwide. It will give students strong academic foundations along with firsthand clinical training.
In Phase 1, the department will offer four undergraduate programmes: Bachelor of Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (B. MRIT), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Bachelor of Anesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology (B.AOTT), and Bachelor of Cardiovascular Technology (B.CVT). The programmes will combine Woxsen University’s academic infrastructure with Apollo Healthcare Academy’s clinical expertise to produce graduates who are ready to work in hospitals. More allied health disciplines will be added in Phases 2 and 3.
The curriculum will follow the guidelines set by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP). Students will train at Apollo Hospitals and affiliated healthcare facilities. Every programme ends with a full year of structured internship across Apollo and partner hospitals network.
Addressing a National and Global Need
India faces a shortage of an estimated 6.2 million allied health professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) and health systems around the world also report a growing shortage, and it will widen as populations age and the demand for care rises. This partnership will help close the gap by preparing graduates who are skilled, confident, and ready to work from day one.
Voices from the Partnership
Mr. Vishal Khurma, Group CEO, Woxsen University, said, “At Woxsen, we are committed to setting new benchmarks in Allied Health Sciences education by moving decisively beyond conventional classroom-led learning to an immersive, industry-integrated model. Our partnership with Apollo Knowledge gives students unparalleled access to world-class clinical infrastructure, innovative laboratories, advanced medical equipment, and simulators, alongside the expertise of Apollo’s leading healthcare specialists, who will actively shape their learning journey. With a full year dedicated to structured internships across Apollo’s extensive hospital network, we are ensuring that every student graduates with substantial firsthand clinical experience and industry readiness. Our vision is to develop exceptionally skilled, clinically confident healthcare professionals who are ready to make a difference from day one.”
Dr. Daya Shankar Tiwary, Dean, School of Sciences, Woxsen University, said, “We are committed to building the next generation of Allied Health professionals who combine rigorous scientific foundations with deep clinical competence. With Apollo’s unmatched hospital network and our academic strength, we are building a pipeline of healthcare talent that India urgently needs.”
Asheesh Sharma, Chief Business Officer, Apollo Knowledge, said, “Hospitals need allied health professionals who can work with patients from their first day on the job. Apollo Healthcare Academy trains students to the standard that hospitals expect. With Woxsen, students will learn the science on campus and practise it in our hospitals, and they will spend a full year working alongside Apollo clinicians. Apollo has placed more than 5,000 healthcare professionals in India and abroad. Woxsen graduates will have access to these same career pathways.”
What Students Can Expect
- Industry-relevant curriculum co-developed by academic experts and hospital clinicians, in line with NCAHP guidelines
- Expert faculty from Woxsen University and Apollo Healthcare Academy
- Modern laboratories, advanced medical equipment, and simulators
- Structured clinical training, with a full-year internship across Apollo’s hospital network
- Scholarships for eligible students
- Global readiness support, including bridge programmes, language training, and licensing support
- Placement assistance through Apollo Hospitals and partner networks
Shaping the Future of Healthcare
With this MoU, Woxsen University and Apollo Healthcare Academy reaffirm their commitment to allied health education and to tackling the healthcare workforce shortage. Together, they aim to build a steady supply of skilled allied health professionals for India and the world.
About Woxsen University
Woxsen University, Hyderabad, in 2014 as the Woxsen School of Business and received university status in 2020. It is one of the first private universities in Telangana. The university is located on a 200-acre residential campus at Sadasivpet, near Hyderabad. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes through its schools of Business, Technology, Art and Design, Liberal Arts, Law, Architecture and Sciences. Woxsen is ranked No. 5 in the Asia-Pacific region in the Bloomberg Businessweek B-School Rankings 2026-27. The new Department of Allied Health Sciences under the School of Sciences extends the university’s work into healthcare education.
About Apollo Healthcare Academy
Apollo Healthcare Academy, part of Apollo Knowledge, is dedicated to developing high-quality, workforce-ready healthcare talent across India. With a focus on allied health sciences, the academy delivers practically immersive programmes co-developed with leading clinicians and academic experts. Through its strong integration with Apollo Hospitals, the academy provides students with hands-on clinical exposure, internships, and career pathways in India and abroad.
Media contact: Ahana Bose | ahana.bose@woxsen.edu.in
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11, Nov 2026
Odisha Vegetable Prices Rise During Kartik As Crop Damage Disrupts Supply In Cuttack
Cuttack, Nov 11 (UDN): Consumers in Cuttack are facing higher vegetable prices during the holy month of Kartik, as increased demand and disruptions in supply push up the cost of essential kitchen items.
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With many households observing Kartik by following a vegetarian diet, demand for fresh vegetables has risen. At the same time, rainfall-related crop damage in neighbouring states and flood losses in parts of Odisha have reportedly affected the supply chain, adding to the pressure on prices.
Brinjal is currently selling at around Rs 60 per kg in Cuttack markets, while pointed gourd (potala), yardlong beans (jhudanga) and French beans are priced at nearly Rs 100 per kg.
Rainfall And Flood Damage Disrupt Supply
Odisha depends on neighbouring states for supplies of several varieties of vegetables. However, prolonged rainfall in those states has reportedly damaged crops and disrupted the flow of produce into local markets.
The situation has been compounded by flood-related damage to vegetable cultivation in parts of Odisha. Many local farmers are also yet to harvest their crops, leaving markets with limited arrivals.
The gap between demand and available supply has contributed to the rise in retail prices, affecting household budgets during Kartik.
Vendors Hope For Improvement In Arrivals
Vegetable sellers say the supply of fresh produce has not improved sufficiently with the onset of winter, keeping prices elevated.
A vendor said pointed gourd was being sold at around Rs 70 per kg, while yardlong beans, which were earlier available for Rs 50 per kg, were no longer being sold at that rate. The seller attributed the higher prices to limited arrivals and expressed hope that rates would decline once supplies improve.
Consumers Say Transport Costs Also Matter
Consumers, however, have differing views on the price rise. Some believe the current rates are reasonable, considering that a significant quantity of vegetables is being brought into Odisha from outside the state.
One customer said prices were not excessively high and had remained more or less stable in recent days. The customer added that transportation costs naturally affect the final retail price.
With Kartik-related demand continuing, consumers will be watching for an improvement in market arrivals and some relief in vegetable prices in the coming days.
11, Nov 2026
The Next Generation of Education: How AI Will Shape Teaching and Learning by 2027
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the education sector by making learning more personalized, interactive, flexible, and accessible. By 2027, AI-powered tutors, smart classrooms, personalized learning platforms, and automated assessment systems are expected to play an important role in education. These technologies help students understand difficult concepts, improve academic performance, and receive instant feedback. Teachers can also use AI tools to prepare lessons, create study materials, evaluate assignments, and monitor students’ progress.
However, the increasing use of AI in education also creates challenges related to data privacy, academic dishonesty, digital inequality, and overdependence on technology. It is important to use AI responsibly while maintaining the importance of human teachers. Overall, Artificial Intelligence will play a significant role in shaping the future of education by 2027, making learning more innovative, efficient, inclusive, and student-centered.
The Next Generation of Education
Education is entering a new era where technology is reshaping the way knowledge is shared, understood, and applied. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital learning platforms, smart classrooms, and virtual learning environments is creating new possibilities for students and educators. By 2027, learning is expected to become more personalized and interactive, allowing students to explore subjects according to their interests, abilities, and learning speed. AI-based tools will provide instant academic assistance, simplify complex topics, and help learners gain access to quality educational resources beyond traditional classrooms.
In this evolving educational landscape, the focus will shift from simply memorizing information to developing knowledge, creativity, innovation, and practical skills. Teachers will take on a more supportive role by guiding students, encouraging independent thinking, and connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world experiences. Although the adoption of AI brings challenges related to privacy, equal access, and responsible technology use, its potential to improve education is significant. Ultimately, the future of learning will be shaped by a balanced combination of human guidance and intelligent technology, making education more meaningful, inclusive, and future-ready.
1. Personalized Learning Through Artificial Intelligence
One of the most significant benefits of AI in education is personalized learning. Every student has different learning abilities, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Traditional classrooms often follow a common teaching pace, making it difficult to address every student’s individual requirements.
AI-powered learning platforms can analyze students’ academic performance, identify learning gaps, and recommend suitable educational materials. For example, students who struggle with mathematics can receive additional exercises, explanations, and practice questions, while advanced learners can explore more challenging topics.
This approach allows students to learn at their own pace and develop a stronger understanding of different subjects. By 2027, adaptive learning technologies may become increasingly integrated into digital classrooms, supporting more student-centred educational experiences.
2. AI-Powered Tutors and Virtual Learning Assistants
AI-powered tutors are changing how students access academic support. These intelligent systems can explain difficult concepts, answer questions, generate practice exercises, and provide immediate feedback.
Students can use AI assistants to prepare for examinations, improve their writing skills, understand scientific concepts, and explore new subjects. Unlike traditional tutoring, AI-powered applications can provide assistance beyond regular classroom hours.
Virtual learning assistants can also help students organize study schedules, summarize educational materials, and identify areas that require improvement.
By 2027, advances in generative AI may make virtual tutoring systems more interactive and responsive to individual learning needs. However, these systems should complement classroom teaching rather than replace qualified educators.
3. The Changing Role of Teachers in the AI Era
Artificial Intelligence is gradually transforming the responsibilities of teachers. In traditional education, teachers primarily deliver information and guide students through textbooks and classroom activities. With AI-powered learning tools becoming more accessible, students can independently explore educational information and receive additional academic assistance.
Consequently, the role of teachers is increasingly shifting towards mentoring, guiding, facilitating, and supporting students.
Teachers can use AI applications to prepare lesson plans, create quizzes, develop presentations, and analyze assessment results. This can reduce routine administrative work and provide more time for meaningful classroom interaction.
However, teaching involves empathy, motivation, creativity, emotional support, and ethical guidance. These human qualities remain essential to student development.
The future of education will therefore depend on collaboration between teachers and AI rather than the replacement of human educators.
4. Smart Classrooms and Digital Learning Environments
Smart classrooms are becoming an important part of modern educational development. These learning environments combine artificial intelligence with interactive displays, digital learning platforms, multimedia resources, and connected devices.
AI-powered classroom applications can help teachers evaluate student understanding, identify learning difficulties, and recommend additional learning activities.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can further improve classroom experiences by allowing students to explore scientific models, historical environments, and complex concepts through interactive simulations.
Such technologies can make learning more engaging and practical. By 2027, smart classrooms may become more advanced as educational institutions continue integrating AI into their teaching infrastructure.
5. Generative AI and the Future of Academic Learning
Generative AI is one of the most influential developments in educational technology. These tools can generate text, summaries, explanations, presentations, quizzes, and other educational resources.
Students can use generative AI to brainstorm ideas, understand complex topics, organize research, and improve their writing. Teachers can use these applications to develop lesson plans, prepare assignments, and create customized educational materials.
For example, an AI tool can explain a difficult scientific concept in simpler language or generate practice questions for examination preparation.
However, students must understand that AI-generated information is not always accurate. They should verify important information using textbooks, teachers, and reliable academic sources.
Responsible use of generative AI can encourage independent learning while maintaining academic honesty.
6. Inclusive Education and Greater Accessibility
AI has the potential to make education more inclusive by reducing barriers faced by students with different learning requirements.
Speech-to-text applications, text-to-speech systems, real-time translation, and automated captioning can support students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
These technologies can make educational materials easier to understand and improve classroom participation.
AI-powered digital learning platforms can also provide educational resources to students in remote areas who have limited access to traditional educational facilities.
However, achieving inclusive education requires affordable digital devices, reliable internet connectivity, accessible learning materials, and appropriate institutional support.
7. Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Education
Although AI offers many educational benefits, its implementation also creates several challenges.
Data Privacy and Security: AI platforms may collect personal information, academic records, and student learning behaviour. Educational institutions must protect student data and establish responsible information-management policies.
Academic Integrity: Excessive dependence on AI-generated assignments and answers can reduce independent thinking and create concerns about plagiarism and originality.
Accuracy and Reliability: AI systems may sometimes generate incorrect or misleading information. Students must learn to evaluate and verify AI-generated responses.
Digital Inequality: Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds may have limited access to digital devices, reliable internet connections, and advanced educational technologies.
Overdependence on Technology: Excessive use of AI may reduce opportunities for critical thinking, creativity, independent problem-solving, and direct human interaction.
Addressing these challenges requires clear educational policies, digital literacy programmes, responsible AI practices, and continuous teacher training.
8. Preparing Students for the Future of Education
As AI becomes more important in education and employment, students will need new skills to succeed in a technology-driven world.
Critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, digital literacy, and problem-solving will remain essential abilities.
AI literacy will also become increasingly important. Students should understand how artificial intelligence works, recognize its limitations, identify potential biases, and use AI tools ethically.
Educational institutions should integrate these skills into their curricula to prepare learners for changing academic and professional environments.
By 2027, the ability to work effectively with AI may become an important advantage for students entering higher education and the workforce.
Conclusion
The next generation of education will be significantly influenced by artificial intelligence. Personalized learning, AI-powered tutors, smart classrooms, generative AI, and accessible digital platforms are creating new opportunities to improve teaching and learning.
By 2027, AI is expected to become an increasingly important educational tool, helping students learn more flexibly and supporting teachers in delivering effective instruction.
However, technological development must be accompanied by responsible implementation, data protection, academic integrity, and equal access to educational opportunities.
Ultimately, artificial intelligence should strengthen rather than replace human teaching. A balanced combination of AI technology and human guidance can create a more personalized, inclusive, interactive, and future-ready education system.
11, Nov 2026
Char Dham Yatra 2026: Kedarnath, Gangotri Close For Winter; Yamunotri To Shut Soon
Dehradun, Nov 11: The 2026 Char Dham pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand is drawing to a close as the portals of Kedarnath Dham were ceremonially shut on Wednesday morning, marking the beginning of the temple’s six-month winter break.
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The temple doors were closed at 8:30 AM on November 11, following traditional rituals and religious ceremonies on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj.
The closure ceremony was held amid freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall in the Kedarnath Valley. Despite the harsh weather conditions, thousands of devotees gathered at the Himalayan shrine to have a final darshan of Baba Kedar before the temple shuts for the winter.
The atmosphere turned devotional as chants of ‘Jai Baba Kedar’ echoed across the valley during the ceremonial closure. The temple premises were beautifully decorated with flowers, while priests performed the prescribed rituals before the portals were closed.
Gangotri Dham Also Closed For Winter
Kedarnath is not the only shrine to begin its winter closure. The portals of Gangotri Dham were also shut on Tuesday following traditional religious ceremonies.
With the closure, the temple will remain inaccessible to pilgrims for approximately six months during the harsh winter period.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the seasonal closure of Yamunotri Temple, which will mark another major milestone in the conclusion of this year’s Char Dham pilgrimage.
Heavy Snowfall, Freezing Temperatures Mark Final Darshan
The final days of the pilgrimage season witnessed severe cold and snowfall in the Kedarnath region. Nevertheless, devotees continued to arrive in large numbers to seek blessings before the temple doors were closed.
Reports also indicated heavy traffic congestion on roads leading to the shrine due to the rush of pilgrims.
According to estimates cited in reports, around 19 lakh devotees had gathered in the Kedarnath region during the closing period, braving challenging weather conditions for the final darshan.
Six-Month Winter Break Begins
The annual winter closure of the Himalayan shrines is a longstanding religious tradition. During the winter months, extreme snowfall and sub-zero temperatures make access to the high-altitude temples difficult.
With Kedarnath and Gangotri now closed, the 2026 pilgrimage season is nearing its end. Devotees will have to wait until the temples reopen next year to resume their pilgrimage to these sacred Himalayan destinations.
