📚 1) IIM Kozhikode Launches Gyanodaya Centre for Innovation

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K), one of India’s premier management institutes, has inaugurated the Gyanodaya Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship.

This initiative aims to nurture entrepreneurial talent and foster innovation-driven startups, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

• Why it matters: IIM-K is already a globally ranked B-school and has been known for its inclusive and socially responsive approach.
• Historical context: The centre aligns with India’s growing startup ecosystem, which is currently the third-largest in the world, with over 115 unicorns as of 2025.
• Focus areas: Rural innovation, women entrepreneurship, and social impact ventures.

🧬 2) Gujarat Becomes First Indian State to Launch Tribal Genome Sequencing Project

In a groundbreaking move, Gujarat has launched India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project, aimed at understanding the unique genetic makeup of its tribal populations.

• Objective: To identify genetic predispositions to diseases, improve healthcare, and tailor medical treatments (personalized medicine) for tribal communities.
• Significance: This project puts Gujarat at the forefront of genomic research, joining global efforts like the UK Biobank and the US Precision Medicine Initiative.
• Tribal context: Gujarat is home to over 90 lakh tribal citizens across regions like Dang, Narmada, and Chhota Udepur, making this project a vital step in inclusive healthcare.

🗳️ 3) ECI Appoints Nitu Chandra & Prakash Jha as SVEEP Icons for Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has named acclaimed actress Nitu Chandra and filmmaker Prakash Jha as the new SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) icons for Bihar.

• Goal: To boost voter awareness and participation through creative outreach and mass campaigns.
• Track Record: Prakash Jha is known for political dramas like Rajneeti and Gangaajal, while Nitu Chandra has represented Bihar on the national and international stage.
• SVEEP history: Since its inception in 2009, the SVEEP initiative has contributed to record voter turnouts in multiple elections.

🛩️ 4) Ajay Kumar Shrivastava Appointed Director at HAL

Senior aerospace engineer Ajay Kumar Shrivastava has been appointed as a Director at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), one of India’s strategic defense PSUs.

• Responsibility: He will oversee key operations in manufacturing, R&D, and modernization of India's indigenous aircraft programs.
• Background: HAL is the backbone of India’s defense aviation industry, producing aircraft like Tejas LCA, Dhruv helicopters, and the Sukhoi Su-30MKI under license.
• Relevance: His leadership comes at a time when India is pushing for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense, with increasing exports to countries in Asia and Africa.

🏑 5) Deepika Shehrawat Wins Prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award

Indian women's hockey star Deepika Shehrawat has clinched the Poligras Magic Skill Award, a global honor recognizing exceptional individual flair and technique in field hockey.

• What is the award? Sponsored by Poligras (official turf supplier for the Olympics), the award celebrates creative play and technical excellence.
• Historical context: Deepika joins a league of international greats and becomes the first Indian woman to receive this accolade.

Impact: Her win is a testament to the rising dominance of Indian women's hockey, which reached the Olympic semifinals for the first time at Tokyo 2020.