SOCIAL ISSUES

• During UK PM Keir Starmer’s India visit, a 125-member delegation, including 14 vice-chancellors, underscored the UK’s interest in India’s education sector. PM Modi announced that nine UK universities will soon open campuses in India under NEP 2020, which promotes the internationalisation of education. Governed by UGC’s 2023 regulations, this move aims to enhance quality, research, and access while raising concerns about regulation, affordability, and parity with Indian institutions.

SCIENCE

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 states, covering 20,933 km of National Highways to collect and analyse road condition data for better maintenance. These specialised vehicles use laser scanners, GPS, and 360° cameras to detect cracks and potholes. Data will be uploaded to the Road Asset Management System (RAMS) developed by MoRTH, enabling scientific, transparent, and data-driven management of India’s highway infrastructure.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

• On September 17, 2025, India and the European Union (EU) launched a New Strategic EU–India Agenda with five pillars: prosperity, technology, security, connectivity, and enablers. A key highlight is linking the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), ensuring carbon prices paid in India are deducted from CBAM levies. The initiative promises fair climate cooperation but faces hurdles like weak ICM design, carbon price disparity, and political tensions.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

• Late astrophysicist Prof. Jayant Narlikar was posthumously honoured with India’s highest science award, the Vigyan Ratna Award, on October 26, 2025. Founder of IUCAA, Pune, Narlikar was celebrated for his pioneering work in cosmology and science communication. His daughter Leelavati Narlikar accepted the award. IUCAA also celebrated Prof. Surhud More’s recognition with the Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award. Both awards are part of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), instituted in 2023 to honour scientific excellence.