Across various aspects of modern life, women frequently report feeling exhausted, attributing it to their hectic schedules. Nevertheless, healthcare providers indicate that overlooked low iron levels may be a significant contributor. This silent deficiency disproportionately impacts women, particularly during menstrual cycles and pregnancy.

A large number of women live with constant tiredness and assume it is simply part of modern life. Work pressure, family duties, irregular meals, and poor sleep often take the blame. Yet doctors continue to see a quieter, more common cause behind this exhaustion: low iron levels.Dr Manjula Anagani, Padmashree Awardee and Clinical Director at CARE Hospitals, observes this pattern repeatedly. “A surprising number of young women walk into hospitals complaining of one thing: constant tiredness. Not dramatic illness, not severe pain — just a lingering lack of energy that refuses to improve despite rest. Many assume it is stress, poor sleep, or a demanding schedule. Often, the real reason is far simpler and far more common: low iron levels.”Iron deficiency rarely creates alarm. It settles in quietly. And that is exactly why so many women miss it.

The silent slide into deficiency

Iron deficiency does not strike suddenly. It develops over months, sometimes years. The body adapts slowly as iron stores drop, so symptoms do not appear dramatically.“Iron deficiency continues to be one of the most widespread nutritional concerns among women, particularly during the reproductive years. What makes it tricky is how quietly it develops. The body adjusts slowly as iron stores decline, so symptoms rarely appear all at once,” explains Dr Anagani.This slow adjustment becomes dangerous. When changes are gradual, they feel normal. Slight fatigue blends into daily routine. Reduced stamina is blamed on age. Decreased focus is blamed on stress.By the time haemoglobin levels fall significantly, the body has already been compensating for months.

Iron deficiency does not strike suddenly. It develops over months, sometimes years.

Why women are more vulnerable than men

The biology of menstruation plays a central role. Monthly blood loss slowly reduces iron reserves. Women with heavy periods are at even higher risk.“Menstruation remains a major reason women are more vulnerable to iron deficiency than men. Monthly blood loss gradually reduces iron reserves, especially in those with heavier cycles. Over time, even a balanced diet may struggle to compensate if intake does not match loss,” says Dr Anagani.Pregnancy increases the demand further. The body must produce more blood to support the growing baby. Without adequate iron intake, reserves deplete quickly.The scale of the issue is significant. According to a study published in the BMC Public Health, over 67% of women aged 15–49 years are anaemic. These are not small numbers. They represent millions of women functioning below their full physical capacity.

Diet patterns that look fine, but aren’t

Many women eat enough calories but still lack iron.Dr Anagani notes, “Meals are frequently irregular — breakfast gets skipped, lunch happens in a hurry, and snacks from packets quietly replace proper food. Over time, iron intake simply doesn’t keep up with the body’s needs.”In many Indian households, vegetarian diets are common and often nutritious. However, the iron in plant foods (non-heme iron) is absorbed less efficiently than iron from animal sources.“Unless meals are thoughtfully planned — for example, combining iron-rich foods with ingredients that improve absorption — iron stores can slowly decline even when overall food intake seems adequate,” she explains.Tea and coffee immediately after meals further reduce absorption. Crash dieting and intense fitness routines without nutritional planning add another layer of risk.Iron deficiency, in this sense, is not always about poverty or food scarcity. It is often about absorption, timing, and balance.

The symptoms that hide in plain sight

Iron’s main job is to help produce haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. When iron levels fall, oxygen delivery drops.“Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. When iron levels drop, tissues receive less oxygen than they need. The change is subtle at first. Daily tasks begin to feel slightly more exhausting. Climbing stairs feels harder than usual. Concentration slips,” says Dr Anagani.

Iron deficiency rarely creates alarm. It settles in quietly. And that is exactly why so many women miss it.

Common signs include:

These symptoms develop gradually. Many women dismiss them as routine stress. That dismissal delays testing.

When iron deficiency becomes anaemia

If untreated, deficiency progresses to iron-deficiency anaemia.Dr Anagani cautions, “If iron deficiency progresses into anaemia, the effects extend beyond tiredness. Immunity may weaken, mood changes can occur, and productivity suffers. During pregnancy, untreated anaemia increases health risks for both mother and baby, making early detection especially important.”Research from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has repeatedly highlighted the link between maternal anaemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Anaemia does not only affect physical health. It affects work performance, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive function. The body runs, but not efficiently.

Why so many women don’t realise it

There is a cultural layer to this problem.Many women prioritise family health before their own. Routine fatigue is accepted as part of responsibility. Regular blood testing is postponed unless symptoms become severe.Dr Anagani emphasises early screening: “Routine blood tests remain the simplest way to identify the problem. Checking haemoglobin levels — and doing iron tests when required — can identify a problem well before symptoms start affecting daily life. Regular screening is especially useful for adolescents, women with heavy menstrual cycles, and those preparing for pregnancy, instead of waiting until fatigue becomes difficult to ignore.”Fatigue should not feel permanent. When it does, it deserves investigation.

Small corrections, real impact

Correction rarely requires extreme measures. It begins with steady, practical adjustments.“Including iron-rich foods such as lentils, green leafy vegetables, dates, jaggery, nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals helps rebuild stores gradually. Pairing these foods with vitamin C sources — lemon juice, citrus fruits, or tomatoes — improves absorption significantly. Spacing tea or coffee away from meals can make an unexpected difference,” advises Dr Anagani.In moderate to severe cases, doctors may recommend iron supplements after testing. Self-medication is not advised, as excess iron can also cause harm.Restoring iron levels restores clarity, stamina, and mood. Many women describe feeling “like themselves again” after treatment.Florence Nightingale once said, “The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm.” In the context of iron deficiency, harm comes from silence and delay rather than disease itself.Iron deficiency is common. But common does not mean harmless. Persistent fatigue should not be accepted as normal life.

NEW DELHI: Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, will travel to India from February 26, according to an official statement from Carney’s office.“Prime Minister Carney will first visit Mumbai, then New Delhi, India, where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders will focus on elevating and expanding the Canada-India relationship, with ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), talent and culture, and defence. He will meet with business leaders to identify investment opportunities in Canada and create new partnerships between businesses in both nations,” the statement read.It further said that Canada’s new government was focused on what it could control in a “more divided and uncertain world” and deepen regional ties through visits to its strongest Indo-Pacific partners including India, Australia and Japan.Speaking ahead of the visit, India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, said he was hopeful that India and Canada could finalise a comprehensive trade agreement within a year, despite earlier delays in talks, according to The Canadian Press.This will be Carney’s first visit to India since assuming office after Justin Trudeau, and comes amid signs of improving relations between the two countries.In 2024, India was Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner in goods and services, with total bilateral trade reaching $30.8 billion. At the G20 Leaders’ Summit last year, Canada and India agreed to formally begin negotiations on an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The proposed deal aims to help more than double two-way trade to $70 billion by 2030.

In a high-stakes encounter that reshaped the Group 1 standings, South Africa delivered a masterclass in clinical T20 cricket to defeat India by 76 runs in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026. Held on Sunday (February 23), at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the 43rd match of the tournament saw the Proteas break India’s 12-match winning streak in emphatic fashion.

Despite a sensational opening spell by Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with 3 for 15 and became India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history, the Indian batting lineup faltered under pressure. Chasing a formidable target of 188, the Men in Blue were bundled out for a mere 111 in 18.5 overs, leaving their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread.

Suryakumar Yadav explains where the game slipped away from India

Following the crushing defeat, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was candid about the turning point of the match. While the bowlers initially had South Africa reeling at 20/3, the Indian chase suffered an identical, if not more damaging, collapse.

“Sometimes, you have to think you cannot win the game in the powerplay, but you can lose it. We lost too many wickets early on, and when you are chasing 185-plus, you need those small partnerships to keep the scoreboard ticking. We simply did not have the partnerships we needed today. We could have batted much better,” Suryakumar remarked during the post-match presentation.

India’s top order, featuring Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma, struggled against the pace and bounce of Marco Jansen, who dismantled the lineup with figures of 4 for 22. By the time the powerplay concluded, India was already staring at a steep climb, unable to recover from the early loss of rhythm.

Also WATCH: Washington Sundar and David Miller engage in explosive mid-pitch confrontation during IND vs SA Super 8 clash

South Africa deliver statement performance against India to secure a dominant victory

The narrative of the match was defined by how each team handled the middle overs. After the initial wobble, South Africa found heroes in David Miller (63 off 35) and the young Dewald Brevis (45 off 29), who stitched together a 97-run partnership. This recovery allowed Tristan Stubbs to provide a late flourish, propelling the Proteas to 187/7.

Suryakumar acknowledged that while India started well with the ball, the game slipped away between overs 7 and 15. He stated, “We were always in the game when we started. We bowled really well in the beginning, but from 7-15, they batted exceptionally well to take the game away. We did manage to come back toward the end, but the damage was done.”

He also heaped praise on the South African bowling duo of Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, noting their tactical discipline.

“Everyone knows their combination has been lethal. They bowl well in partnerships, picking up key wickets while keeping the run rate under control. Chasing on this surface required a more measured approach, and they didn’t give us any room to breathe,” Suryakumar concluded.

With this loss, India’s Net Run Rate has taken a massive hit, making their upcoming fixtures against Zimbabwe and West Indies must-win encounters.

Also READ: Fans troll Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma after viral reaction to his dismissal vs South Africa in T20 World Cup Super 8

South Africa players celebrate the wicket of India’s Washington Sundar during the T20 World Cup cricket match in Ahmedabad. (AP)

TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: “We’ve watched other games and it was nice to just have both left-handers, with the ball spinning away. It gives some sort of option where if it’s not turning it can go straight through the gate or if it does hold a little bit like it did, it gives you that hope that we can get a wicket in the first over.“Light giggles broke out in the press conference room when David Miller was asked about the plan to start with Aiden Markram. The South African batter’s response was what most reporters had heard before, in the same hall when the Netherlands’ Bas de Leede responded to a similar query. South Africa took a cue from the Netherlands, who must have been encouraged by how the game against Pakistan unfolded. The arch-rivals would have surely been encouraged by how Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus bowled in the Delhi fixture.

Different venues, different teams but all kept the approach simple. Bring in an off-spinner early and wait for the Indian batters to make a mistake. And they did. The part-time off-spin bowling from Salman Agha and Markram secured early wickets in their respective matches and Erasmus applied the middle-overs choke, especially with many left-handers to bowl at. Netherlands Aryan Dutt followed the basics and removed both Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma in the powerplay. Obsessed with match-ups, India have been way off the mark in the tactical battles.From poor shot selection and a lack of game awareness to having no Plan B, the T20I World Cup has been a very bumpy ride lacking any careful maneuvering. Panic was palpable in the dugout when Miller and Dewald Brevis put South Africa back on track, from being 20/3, and their calculated takedown of Varun Chakravarthy came as a rude shock to the think-tank. There was no one to apply that choke from the other end because the only bowler, Axar Patel, who was capable of doing that with his sharp game awareness and ability to deliver under pressure, was warming the bench.

Washington Sundar plays a shot during an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and South Africa. (PTI)

Washington Sundar, still an unproven commodity in the shortest format, was preferred because of the left-handers in the opposition camp. However, the moment two of them – Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton – were dismissed early, the lack of a Plan B exposed India and Miller-Brevis were in the mood to capitalise. The defence mechanism regarding Washington over Axar was fully displayed in post-match pressers, but it lacked the conviction and logic which everyone was looking for.“We spent so much time deliberating about the XI, the last couple of days. And I guess the only way that it sort of didn’t play into our hands is if we did have the ideal start like we did today with getting Quinton and Rickelton out so early. We were kind of looking at matchups more in the middle. And then obviously, someone has to give way. So – do we leave a batter out and get another bowler in, in hindsight, that looks like the right decision? “But obviously, playing it forward and making decisions at the time, we felt we needed Rinku, as an eighth batsman, so to speak. And the decision was based around there. But certainly, it’s not to take anything away from Axar and his leadership and how important he is to the team. But look we face almost every week to try to squeeze 11 places into 15, We’re finding tricky. And we need to make sure we get that spot on for the next two Super 8 games,” said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.

David Miller and Dewald Brevis stitched a 97-run partnership during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 Group 1 match against India. (ANI)

India complicated the Playing XI selection more than necessary, and captain Suryakumar Yadav wasn’t proactive enough to regain control while Miller and Brevis were scoring freely. Every bowler can have an off day, and Varun did. However, giving the extra over to Arshdeep Singh during the powerplay — a desperate move to take another wicket — probably backfired, as both he and Jasprit Bumrah were forced to bowl their remaining overs in the death.Had there been more cushion for the slog overs, one Bumrah over could have well made the difference in the middle-overs because the local boy was in a different mood at the Narendra Modi Stadium. His spell of 3/15 was the sole reason South Africa didn’t cross the 200-run mark. However, 187 proved to be far more than India would have liked in that chase and South Africa’s takedown of India’s X-factor, Varun, deserves significant appreciation.“He’s a world-class bowler and he has had huge success, in all different formats that he’s played, all different leagues and, yeah, especially international. So I think for us it was more just, I mean, it’s not like in the past where we’ve been quite tentative but I think it’s just about really making sure that we were on it in terms of if he bowls a bad ball we got to put it away – so a little bit more intent. “And it wasn’t spinning too much tonight, so you can kind of trust the line. And once we felt that, then we felt, OK, we’ve got to take him down, because he is a threat to every team that he does play against. So it was definitely something that we did speak about,” said Miller on their plans for Varun.

Jasprit Bumrah was one bright spark for India on an otherwise poor day against South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super Eight. (AP)

South Africa showed how and why India are very much “beatable.” Their emphatic win, which severely impacted the hosts’ net run rate has increased calls for a lot of soul searching before the next game against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday. Ahead of the South Africa fixture, Surya was categorically asked about Sanju Samson‘s potential place in the Playing XI to add a right-hander to the mix but he chose to laugh the suggestion off. A day later, the conversations around the same thought are getting louder with coach Ryan confirming that the wicketkeeper-batter will remain a talking point leading up to the crucial games.Should you drop the woefully out-of-form Abhishek Sharma? Or a struggling-to-get-going Tilak Varma? The options are on the table and it looks extremely difficult for the two left-handers to retain their place in the XI for the Zimbabwe clash.“They’re all fantastic players. So you stick with the guys who we feel have performed really well over the last 18 months and who are maybe shy of a few runs now? Or do we twist and bring Sanju, who’s also a fantastic player and obviously helps tactically with having a right hander at the top of the order and I’m sure that’ll be a talking point over the next few days going into these two very important games,” explained ten Doeschate.India have some time to make that crucial call but if they stick to the left-is-right approach, it will be a no-brainer to see Sikandar Raza at the top of the bowling mark when India’s openers walk out to bat in Chennai. He, too, would have seen the previous games involving the defending champions and could well have a response similar to Miller at the end of the match. It’s all very predictable and the ball is now in India’s court to surprise their opponents with tactical smarts.

NEW DELHI: India’s underwater deterrence is set to enter a decisive new phase with the induction of INS Aridhaman, the third Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, by May 2026. Once INS Aridhaman joins INS Arihant and INS Arighat, India will operate three indigenously built SSBNs under the Strategic Forces Command.At a time when China is expanding its nuclear and conventional submarine footprint across the Indo-Pacific and Pakistan is inducting advanced Chinese-origin boats with air-independent propulsion, New Delhi’s strategic planners are steadily reinforcing the most secure and resilient leg of the nuclear triad — the sea. Larger, quieter and armed with longer-range K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, Aridhaman strengthens India’s second-strike capability and moves it closer to continuous at-sea deterrence.

With Aridhaman joining INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, India now operates three indigenously built SSBNs under the Strategic Forces Command. This marks not just an incremental addition to naval inventory but a structural shift in India’s strategic posture. As Beijing fields one of the world’s largest submarine fleets and Islamabad bolsters its underwater arsenal, India’s expanding SSBN force ensures credible minimum deterrence along with a devastating second-strike capability —stealthy, nuke-proof, and unstoppable — from the deepest depths of the Indian Ocean.

INS Arihant: The pioneer of India’s sea-based deterrence

Commissioned in August 2016, INS Arihant was the culmination of decades of classified work under the Advanced Technology Vessel programme. Built at the Shipbuilding Centre in Visakhapatnam, Arihant displaced around 6,000 tonnes and was powered by an 83 MW Compact Light Water Reactor developed with significant indigenous input.Measuring roughly 111.6 metres in length, Arihant introduced India to the elite group of nations operating nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Its propulsion allows virtually unlimited range, with endurance limited primarily by crew supplies. Capable of speeds of around 24 knots submerged, it is designed for extended stealth patrols in the Indian Ocean Region.In terms of armament, Arihant carries four vertical launch system tubes. These can be configured to deploy up to 12 K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a range of approximately 750 km, or four K-4 missiles with a reach of around 3,500 km. It also features six 533 mm torpedo tubes for defensive and conventional strike roles.The most important milestone came in 2018, when Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol. That patrol marked the operationalisation of India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, completing the triad alongside land-based missiles and air-delivered systems. For Indian planners, Arihant represented assured retaliation — the guarantee that even in the worst-case scenario, India would retain a secure response capability beneath the sea.

INS Arighaat: Strengthening and sustaining deterrence

Commissioned on 29 August 2024, INS Arighaat built upon the foundation laid by Arihant. While similar in baseline displacement at around 6,000 tonnes, Arighaat is considered a refined and improved iteration of the class.Constructed at the same Visakhapatnam facility, Arighaat underwent extended harbour and sea trials before induction. Its nuclear propulsion system remains based on the pressurised light water reactor design, enabling prolonged submerged operations with minimal acoustic signature.Arighaat retains four vertical launch tubes but is widely regarded as optimised for longer-range K-4 missile deployment. The K-4 significantly expands India’s maritime strike envelope, allowing strategic targets to be held at risk from deeper within the Indian Ocean, reinforcing India’s protected retaliatory capability.Like Arihant, Arighaat carries six torpedo tubes and incorporates indigenous sonar suites such as USHUS and Panchendriya for underwater detection and combat management. Improvements in onboard systems, quieting measures and operational protocols are believed to make it more capable during deterrence patrols.The induction of Arighaat was strategically important. A single SSBN cannot guarantee continuous deployment due to maintenance cycles and crew rest requirements. With two boats available, India moved closer to rotational deterrence patrols, ensuring greater availability of a secure and enduring second-strike platform.

INS Aridhaman: The 7,000-tonne evolution

INS Aridhaman represents the most advanced evolution of the Arihant-class to date. Weighing approximately 7,000 tonnes, it is significantly larger than its predecessors, allowing expanded missile capacity and system enhancements.One of its most consequential upgrades is the increase in vertical launch system tubes from four to eight. This expanded configuration enables Aridhaman to carry up to 24 K-15 missiles or eight K-4 intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Reports also suggest potential accommodation for future K-5 missiles with ranges extending to around 6,000 km.Aridhaman is powered by an upgraded 83 MW Compact Light Water Reactor designed for reduced acoustic signature. A seven-blade propeller, advanced sound-dampening measures and extensive use of anechoic tiles enhance stealth characteristics. Submerged speeds are estimated at around 24 knots, with surface speeds between 12 and 15 knots.The increase in displacement provides greater internal volume for improved command-and-control systems, crew habitability during long patrols and advanced combat systems integration. Sonar systems, including USHUS and Panchendriya, enhance underwater situational awareness, while improved quieting measures strengthen its stealth advantage against adversary anti-submarine warfare platforms.Strategically, Aridhaman is pivotal because it accelerates India’s transition toward Continuous At-Sea Deterrence. With three SSBNs, the navy can maintain at least one submarine on patrol at any given time, while others undergo maintenance or training cycles. This layered deployment model is central to India’s assured retaliatory posture.

The broader Indian Navy nuclear framework

India’s SSBN fleet operates under the Strategic Forces Command, which oversees nuclear assets. The sea-based leg is considered the most important component of the nuclear triad, as submarines operating silently beneath the ocean are far more difficult to detect and neutralise compared to fixed land-based systems.The submarines are expected to operate from Project Varsha, a high-security naval base near Visakhapatnam featuring underground pens designed to protect nuclear assets. The location provides strategic access to the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indian Ocean.India’s nuclear submarine ambitions extend beyond ballistic missile platforms. The navy is also set to induct Chakra III, a Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine expected by 2027–28. Unlike SSBNs, attack submarines focus on anti-ship, anti-submarine and escort missions, complementing strategic deterrence assets.

Conventional submarine modernisation: Project-75I

Parallel to the SSBN expansion, India is pushing forward with Project-75I, a programme to build six next-generation diesel-electric submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion. These boats are intended to replace ageing conventional platforms and enhance sea denial capability.The project, valued at approximately $8 billion, is designed to boost indigenous manufacturing under the Strategic Partnership Model. The selected German Type-214 Next Generation submarine features fuel-cell-based air-independent propulsion, allowing extended submerged endurance without snorkelling.

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Air-independent propulsion provides critical tactical advantages in contested waters, reducing detection risk and enabling covert surveillance and strike roles. Under the current plan, the submarines will be constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited with technology transfer arrangements.Project-75I complements the SSBN fleet by strengthening conventional underwater capabilities, ensuring that India’s submarine arm can perform both strategic and tactical missions across the Indo-Pacific.

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Towards continuous at-sea deterrence

Continuous At-Sea Deterrence requires more than one submarine. Maintenance, refuelling, crew training and refits create availability gaps. Three operational SSBNs allow staggered deployments, ensuring that at least one remains on patrol.Aridhaman’s expanded missile payload also increases strike flexibility. The ability to deploy longer-range K-4 missiles from safer patrol areas enhances operational depth and strategic reach. As missile ranges increase in future variants, patrol patterns may evolve further into secure ocean bastions.India’s pursuit of second-strike capability reflects a doctrine rooted in credible minimum deterrence. The objective is not numerical parity but guaranteed retaliation capability.

Comparison with China and Pakistan’s submarine fleets

India’s expanding SSBN fleet must be viewed against the backdrop of rapid underwater modernisation by both China and Pakistan. While New Delhi has prioritised a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent anchored in three Arihant-class boats, Beijing and Islamabad are pursuing parallel — though structurally different — submarine strategies.China operates one of the world’s largest submarine forces under the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Open-source defence assessments estimate that China fields more than 50 diesel-electric submarines and around 10 nuclear-powered submarines, including both attack submarines (SSNs) and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Its Jin-class SSBNs are armed with JL-series submarine-launched ballistic missiles, giving Beijing an established sea-based nuclear capability. Chinese nuclear submarines have increasingly deployed into the Indian Ocean, occasionally docking at regional ports, a development closely monitored by Indian naval planners.

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Pakistan, though operating a much smaller fleet, is upgrading steadily with Chinese assistance. The Pakistan Navy currently relies on ageing Agosta-class submarines but is in the process of inducting eight Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines from China, many equipped with air-independent propulsion. While Pakistan does not yet operate nuclear-powered submarines, its conventional fleet — particularly with AIP — enhances underwater endurance and sea-denial capability in the Arabian Sea.

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The strategic distinction lies in composition and doctrine. China maintains a full-spectrum submarine fleet spanning nuclear attack submarines, ballistic missile submarines and advanced conventional boats. Pakistan focuses on sea denial and coastal defence, aiming to counterbalance India’s conventional naval superiority. India’s approach sits between the two: a modest but growing SSBN fleet for strategic deterrence, complemented by conventional submarines under Project-75 and Project-75I, and future nuclear-powered attack submarines.Numerically, India trails China in total submarine count. However, its objective is not parity but credible deterrence within its maritime theatre. Against Pakistan, India retains an edge in nuclear-powered capability, as Islamabad lacks SSBNs or SSNs. The induction of INS Aridhaman and the planned arrival of Chakra III strengthen that qualitative advantage.In effect, India’s submarine modernisation is less about fleet size and more about stealth, endurance and strategic depth. As China expands its blue-water reach and Pakistan upgrades its conventional arm, India’s triad-backed SSBN force is intended to ensure that deterrence remains intact beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday issued a warning to banks against mis-selling financial products, stressing that such practices now constitute an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and must stop as regulators tighten oversight.Addressing reporters after her customary post-Budget interaction with the RBI Central Board, Sitharaman said banks should return their focus to traditional banking functions instead of aggressively selling insurance and other non-core products.The minister welcomed the Reserve Bank of India’s move to introduce stricter norms on mis-selling, saying the regulator’s draft guidelines send a clear signal that such conduct will not be tolerated. PTI reported.“I am glad that the RBI is coming up with guidance on why mis-selling is not going to be entertained. And I think the message should go to banks that you cannot afford to mis-sell. Mis-selling is an offence… under … Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” Sitharaman said.The RBI on February 11 issued draft directions mandating banks to refund the entire amount paid by customers for products sold through mis-selling and compensate them for any losses under an approved policy framework. Public feedback has been invited until March 4, with the norms set to take effect from July 1.Highlighting regulatory gaps that previously enabled such practices, Sitharaman said mis-selling often fell between the jurisdiction of the RBI and insurance regulator IRDAI, leaving customers unprotected.“Banks should concentrate on their core business… My pet peeve has always been …. you’re spending more time on selling insurance when it is not required, and conveniently, it fell between two stools (of RBI and IRDAI),” she said.She pointed to instances where customers were pushed to buy insurance products despite already having adequate coverage, particularly while availing loans.“…The individual deposit holder, the citizen of this country who kept saying, why am I being asked to take an insurance when I’m giving my property, my piece of land and taking a home loan, he wants a loan for which the property is already there. So what is he being asked to de-risk? Why should he come up with another insurance there,” the minister said.Sitharaman reiterated that banks should prioritise understanding customers’ financial needs and strengthen their deposit franchises, especially low-cost CASA (Current Account Savings Account) deposits, rather than focusing on cross-selling non-bank products.Meanwhile, RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra said deposit growth in the banking system currently stands at around 12.5 per cent, while advances are expanding at about 14.5 per cent.Malhotra added that future policy rate decisions would depend on evolving growth and inflation dynamics. Since February 2025, the RBI has reduced the benchmark repo rate by 125 basis points to 5.25 per cent to support growth amid benign inflation, though the monetary policy committee maintained status quo with a neutral stance earlier this month due to global uncertainty.The next bi-monthly monetary policy announcement — the first for FY27 — is scheduled for April 6.Assuring markets on liquidity conditions, Malhotra said the central bank would continue taking measures to provide durable liquidity across all market segments.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said it would examine whether the sharp reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26 would affect standards in postgraduate medical education.Justice Narasimha observed that while the Union was justified in stating that NEET-PG was not an entry-level MBBS exam and that candidates are already qualified doctors, the court would still have to consider the impact of drastically lowering the cut-off.“Adversely affecting the quality of education is what we are more concerned, more than anything. More than anything, it is about the quality. You will have to satisfy us that the reduction of the cutoff so drastically, virtually bringing it to zero and non-existence… Though you are justified in saying that this is not like entry into MBBS, this is like a post-graduation. It stands on a different footing because those who apply are already doctors. But still in the context of competition, we will have to reflect,” he said.Defending its decision, the Centre told the court that NEET-PG did not certify minimum competence. “NEET-PG is not to certify minimum competence, which stands established by the MBBS qualification itself of the candidates but to generate an inter se merit list for allocation of limited postgraduate seats,” the Union said in its affidavit. It added that NEET-PG scores reflected relative performance and exam design and “cannot be construed as determinative of clinical incompetence”.The government further said concerns about patient safety were misplaced, as all candidates admitted to postgraduate courses are already licensed MBBS doctors and are legally allowed to practise. During postgraduate studies, they work under constant supervision of senior faculty.It also said the decision to reduce the percentile was taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission due to a large number of vacant seats. Around 70,000 postgraduate seats were available for 2025-26, with over 2.24 lakh candidates appearing. After Round 2, 9,621 all-India quota seats remained vacant.A plea has challenged a January 13, 2026 notice issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences reducing the qualifying percentile for the third round of NEET-PG 2025-26 counselling.Under the revised criteria, the minimum qualifying percentile for unreserved candidates was reduced from the 50th percentile to the 7th percentile. For unreserved persons with disabilities candidates, it was reduced to the 5th percentile. For Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes candidates, the percentile was reduced to zero.

For decades, modern agriculture assumed that high yields required heavy doses of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. Mariangela Hungria proved otherwise. Working quietly at Embrapa, she spent more than 40 years studying beneficial soil bacteria that allow crops to draw nitrogen directly from the air. Her research helped transform Brazilian agriculture, cut dependence on chemical fertilisers, and turn Brazil into the world’s largest soybean exporter. In 2025, her work earned global recognition with the World Food Prize.Nitrogen is essential for plant growth. It is a key building block of proteins, enzymes, and chlorophyll. While nitrogen makes up most of the air, plants cannot absorb it directly. For much of the 20th century, agriculture solved this problem with synthetic fertilisers produced using fossil fuels. These fertilisers increased yields but also brought high costs, pollution, and major climate impacts.

The science behind Mariangela Hungria’s breakthrough

Hungria focused on biological nitrogen fixation, a natural process in which certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use. In soybeans, these bacteria live in nodules on plant roots and form a mutually beneficial partnership. The plant provides sugars. The bacteria supply nitrogen.Her contribution was not discovering the process, which was already known, but identifying and improving the most efficient bacterial strains for tropical soils and proving that they could work reliably at commercial scale.

From laboratory to farm fields

At Embrapa’s soybean research centre, Hungria led efforts to develop practical microbial inoculants that farmers could apply to seeds before planting. These inoculants replaced or sharply reduced the need for nitrogen fertiliser. Crucially, her team also worked on quality control and farmer outreach, ensuring the technology performed consistently outside the laboratory.As adoption spread, millions of hectares of Brazilian farmland shifted to microbe-based nitrogen supply.

Transforming Brazilian agriculture

The impact was national. Brazil reduced its dependence on imported nitrogen fertilisers while maintaining high yields. Farmers cut costs and improved soil health. Emissions linked to fertiliser production and runoff fell. Over time, biological nitrogen fixation became standard practice in Brazilian soybean farming, underpinning the country’s rise as a global agricultural powerhouse.

Global recognition and wider implications

Hungria’s World Food Prize citation highlighted not only the scientific achievement but its scale. Few agricultural innovations reach tens of millions of hectares. Fewer still do so while lowering costs and emissions at the same time.Her work is now studied by researchers and policymakers in Africa, Asia, and Europe as fertiliser prices rise and climate pressures intensify.

A different model for the future of food

Hungria’s career offers a powerful lesson. Instead of forcing productivity through chemistry alone, agriculture can work with biology. Her approach shows that solutions rooted in local ecosystems can outperform imported industrial models.“This is not just about soybeans,” agricultural scientists often note. “It is about redesigning farming around living soil.”In an era searching for sustainable ways to feed a growing population, Mariangela Hungria’s work suggests that some of the most effective answers are already beneath our feet.