IDRBT, IIIT-Hyderabad Sign MoU for BFSI Research

Hyderabad: The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad to collaborate in academics, research, training, student exchange and skill development in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

The MoU was signed under the leadership of Prof. Sandeep Shukla, director, IIIT-Hyderabad, and Dr Deepak Kumar, director, IDRBT, in the presence of Prof. H. Krishnamurthy, chief research scientist (Retd.), IISc Bengaluru, and member of the governing councils of both institutions.

The institutions agreed to explore areas of collaboration for public welfare by leveraging their combined reach and capacity. Joint PhD programmes will be offered to researchers in areas such as digital payments, cyber security, vulnerability management, adoption of AI for customer ease, cryptography, blockchain, and fungible and non-fungible tokens.

Other areas of collaboration include standardisation and validation of technology in BFSI, development of domain-specific SLMs, cyber security initiatives, and improving user experience.

529 Selected for Vikasit Bharat PPT Challenge

A total of 529 participants have been selected to represent Telangana in the Viksit Bharat PPT Challenge at the National Youth Festival in New Delhi from January 10 to 12. The competitions were held in three stages on December 19 and 20 at Vivekananda Degree College, Vidyanagar. A jury panel of 20 teachers selected the meritorious students based on their presentations.

The selected participants were moderated by Bisati Bharat from the ministry of youth affairs, with the competition conducted under the supervision of Dr. Sonibala Devi, director, youth services.

TGRERA Interim Order Against Vasavi Nirmaan

Based on complaints, the Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TGRERA) has issued an interim order seeking an explanation from Vasavi Nirmaan Private Limited. The allegations include failure to construct common washrooms as per plan on the northwest side of floors 1 to 4, demolition or conversion of washrooms into saleable commercial spaces, and restricted access to toilets.

The complaint also stated that circulation spaces and common entrances meant to enable free movement within commercial floors were not provided. The developer has been directed to file a counter-affidavit by the next hearing date, failing which the matter will proceed ex parte. The case is posted for further hearing on January 23.

Telangana IPE Registrations Cross 10 Lakh

Registrations for the Intermediate public examinations (IPE) have crossed the 10-lakh mark. According to the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education, 9,91,488 regular students across first and second years, along with about 10,000 private once-failed candidates, have registered.

This is the highest number since the formation of Telangana, with 10,44,133 admissions recorded in junior colleges this year. Officials said registrations may rise further as the government has permitted mixed-occupancy colleges operating in residential and commercial buildings. Colleges have been asked to submit undertakings ensuring no student is left out of registration.

Rank List for 2,322 Nursing Officer Posts Ready

The medical and health services recruitment board (MHSRB) has completed scrutiny of 40,000 candidates who appeared for the recruitment of 2,322 nursing officer posts. The rank list is expected within two days.

Officials said the file was in the final stage of approval before publication on the official website. The provisional rank list will be released first, allowing candidates to raise objections before the final list is published.

The recruitment drive has seen intense competition, with aspirants awaiting results for months. Officials indicated that appointment orders could be issued soon after the final list, with selected candidates likely to join duties in government hospitals by January.

200 Papers Presented at OU Botechnology Confab

Osmania University’s department of genetics and biotechnology hosted the two-day International Conference on Biotechnological Innovations for Sustainable Development 2025 (ICBISD 2025), featuring over 200 research presentations.

The event included 21 oral and 177 poster presentations, with 490 participants from more than 500 registrations, including faculty, doctoral scholars, and students. Registrar Prof. G. Naresh Reddy, Dr. R.M. Sundaram of ICAR–IIRR, and Prof. M. Satyanarayana Swamy attended the valedictory session.

Prof. Naresh Reddy praised the department’s initiative, noting that such conferences foster interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance the university’s global standing. Organisers said the event drew 22 faculty members, 31 PhD scholars, and nearly 400 students, making it one of the department’s most well-attended scientific gatherings.