CIRC e-course on AI & Competition: Regulatory and Enforcement Perspectives | April–May 2026

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The CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition (CIRC) is pleased to invite students, faculty members, and professionals to enroll in "AI & Competition: Regulatory and Enforcement Perspectives," a 6-week online certification course designed to explore how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping markets, competition law, and regulatory enforcement in the digital economy. The course provides practical insights into emerging issues such as algorithmic pricing, data-driven market power, and automated decision-making, while examining regulatory responses and competition policy developments in India and across global jurisdictions.

Course Details

• Duration: 03 April – 09 May 2026

• Format: Online (Fridays & Saturdays)

• Learning Mode: 20+ hours of interactive sessions with access to recorded lectures, curated readings, and case studies via CIRC's e-learning portal

Course Fees

Category	Students	Working Professionals
Indian Participants	₹6,000 (₹5,085 + ₹915 GST)	₹18,000 (₹15,255 + ₹2,745 GST)
International Participants	USD 150	USD 390
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)*	USD 100	USD 220

*Fees include all academic support and course materials.

*Eligibility for LDC participants follows the official UN LDC list.: View UN LDC Country List

Register:  Registration link for the course 

Course Details: visit the course website.

For any queries or group registrations, please contact us at courses[@]circ.in.

We look forward to your participation.

Thanks & Regards,

 

Team CIRC CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition (CIRC) Flat #5, House No. 658, Lane No. 4,  Westend Marg, Saidulajab, New Delhi-110030 Tel: +91 11 46170236 Email: courses[@]circ.in Web: www.circ.in

UNESCO PRESS - Agenda : UNESCO highlights from April to June 2026

UNESCOPRESS Agenda   UNESCO highlights from April to June 2026   Journalists are kindly required to be accredited for each event. Contact: Maria Sanchez Aponte, m.sanchez-aponte@unesco.org, +33145680237   MULTILATERALISM 8-23 April, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) 224th session of the Executive Board The Executive Board, consisting of representatives of 58 Member States elected by the General Conference, will meet in its regular session to discuss the implementation of the programme adopted by the General Conference. UNESCO's response to ongoing crises will be front and center of the discussions. Learn more.   EDUCATION 14 April, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) Roundtable "Remembering the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi" In line with UNESCO's work to support education and dialogue initiatives related to the memory of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, including through the four Rwandan memorial sites inscribed onto the World Heritage List, the event will bring together experts from memorial sites, academia and civil society to examine how memory, educational initiatives and community dialogue can contribute to long-term peacebuilding. Learn more   CULTURE 16-19 April, Paris (France) Festival du Livre de Paris As a Special Guest at the Paris Book Festival 2026, UNESCO will be present throughout the event and will organize two round tables on contemporary issues in literary creation and the sharing of knowledge. A first round table will focus on the publishing industry in Africa, and a second round table will be devoted to Indigenous knowledge and its essential role in preserving cultural and natural heritage. Learn more CULTURE/SCIENCE 21 April, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) Launch of the "People and nature in UNESCO sites: Global and Local Contribution" report Ahead of Earth Day on April 22, UNESCO will present  the first-ever global assessment of UNESCO-designated sites. This report, which brings together new insights and data on the state of its globally recognized sites — from trends in biodiversity and wildlife populations, to ecosystem health, climate impacts, and the communities that depend on these places. It also explores patterns in carbon storage, water resources, cultural diversity, and the pressures affecting these landscapes over time. These living sites, shaped by generations, sustain cultures, support local economies, and protect extraordinary natural heritage. As environmental and climate challenges intensify, the report highlights what is at stake while pointing to the solutions needed to safeguard this shared heritage for the future. Learn more about UNESCO-designated sites.   CULTURE 30 April, Chicago (USA) and several other locations International Jazz Day On the 15th anniversary of this Day, activities will take place around the world to show appreciation for jazz music and to the contribution it makes to building more inclusive societies. A global concert, organised with the iconic musician and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, will take place in his home city, Chicago, USA. Among the artists confirmed to perform are Melissa Aldana, John Beasley (Musical Director), Terence Blanchard, Kris Bowers, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Till Brönner, Terri Lyne Carrington, James Carter, Emmet Cohen, Jacob Collier, Kurt Elling, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, James Genus, Robert Glasper, Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bobby Watson, and Lizz Wright—alongside additional surprise guests throughout the evening. Learn more.     COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION 4-5 May, Lusaka (Zambia) World Press Freedom Day 2026 Global Conference On the heel of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the 2026 Global Conference "Shaping a Future at Peace" will be held on 4-5 May in Lusaka, Zambia. Bringing together press freedom advocates and digital rights communities at a time when the boundaries between journalism, technology, civic space, and human rights are increasingly intertwined, the conference will offer a critical moment to reaffirm the need for freedom of expression. According to the UNESCO World Trends Report in Freedom of Expression and Media Development (2022-2025), freedom of expression around the world has declined by 10% since 2012, a regression comparable in scale to the most unstable periods of the 20th century (First World War, Second World War, Cold War).   EDUCATION 12 May, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) Launch of the UNESCO Higher Education Trends Report UNESCO's first-ever report on the state of higher education will include data from nearly 150 countries on key trends and policies regarding participation and completion, equity and inclusion, financing, digital transformation and teaching personnel. The report will also provide an analysis of international student mobility, including the recognition of foreign qualifications and the situation of refugees. The report will be launched during an event at UNESCO's Headquarters dedicated to the UNESCO-China Project for higher technical education in Africa. Learn more   PRIORITY AFRICA 19-22 May, Paris (France) Africa Week UNESCO Africa week is the annual flagship event of the Africa Group at UNESCO, a body that brings together the Member States of the African continent. Africa's heritage through exhibitions, conferences, film screenings, gastronomy and many other activities await you at UNESCO Headquarters during Africa Week. Africa week includes a kaleidoscope of cultural, scientific, artistic and epicurean events in honor of Africa Day (25 May), when the Organization of African Unity (OAU), today the African Union (AU), was founded in 1963. The theme of this year's edition is water, in parallel to the AU's theme of the year "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063", which guides the various activities and reflections throughout the week. As part of the celebrations, and in the Biennale of Luanda framework, a General History of Africa exhibition is presented in the Hall Ségur, highlighting key elements of the continent's historical narrative.  Learn more.     CULTURE 25-31 May, Paris (France) UNESCO Culture and Arts Education Week Culture and arts education plays a vital role in building inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable societies. Celebrated each year, this week highlights the power of culture and the arts to inspire creativity, foster empathy, and support lifelong learning.  In a world marked by complexity, uncertainty, and profound transformation, the integration of culture and education is more critical than ever. Together, they equip individuals with the creativity, critical thinking, resilience, and social awareness needed to navigate change and contribute meaningfully to the common good. Learn more     SCIENCE 5 June, Paris (France) World Environment Day The United Nations designated 5 June as World Environment Day to highlight that the protection and health of the environment is a major issue, which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world. The 2026 theme underscores that climate action is not just about reducing carbon emissions—it is about rethinking the systems that power our economies and repairing our relationship with the climate. This Day is an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and communities to deepen their understanding and take responsible action to protect our environment. Learn more   OCEANS 8 June, Paris (France) World Oceans Day In the context of this International Day, UNESCO will publish its flagship stocktake of progress in ocean science worldwide, tracking research capacity, funding, and infrastructure across the countries that drive most global ocean research (42 countries accounting for 80% of ocean research). The 2026 edition will assess a decade of progress since 2015, including key findings on gender balance in ocean research, funding of ocean science, from governments to philanthropy, or how much ocean research is open access. Learn more   SCIENCE 12 June, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (France) L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards Created in 1998, the International Awards L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science honours - every year - 5 eminent women scientists from 5 regions of the world. On 12 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, these researchers will be recognised for their pioneering contributions to physical sciences, mathematics and computer science. Learn more   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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Dr. Papia Sengupta, SSS-JNU, Elected as Fellow at the Royal Historical Society since February 2026

Very glad to inform you that Dr. Papia Sengupta has been elected as Fellow at the Royal Historical Society since February 2026. 

• Also sharing here her latest publication:

• Migrant Workers and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Delhi, by Papia Sengupta, pp. 159–186, DOI: 10.33134/HUP-36-7. In: Protecting Workers? Crisis, COVID-19, and South Asia, edited by Kanchana N. Ruwanpura and Wilfried Swenden, Helsinki: Helsinki University Press, 2026. Abstract: The chapter critically analyses the pandemic measures adopted towards migrant workers in Delhi to investigate their consequences. This is important given the high density of migrant workers from neighbouring states. Utilising oral testimonies of workers and document analysis of the Delhi government's special programmes, the chapter analyses the case of the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi through three lenses: state support, pandemic inequities, and vulnerability. This is undertaken by using narratives of migrant workers in Delhi and their experiences of the pandemic and how it affected them. I used qualitative methods based on long oral testimonies of 25 migrant workers in the two industrial sites of Wazirpur and Kapashera. These accounts were collected between December 2021 and June 2022, which coincided with the lowering of the first wave in 2021 and just in the aftermath of the devastating second wave in 2022. This was a period of pain, loss, and suffering for the poor and marginalised. This chapter gives a nuanced perspective from below, that is, how the workers experienced policies on the ground: the hardships of the pandemic was felt by everyone but many of these workers lost jobs and family members to the virus. Others, who were fortunate not to lose a family member, lost out on the possibility of vertical mobility.

Articles "The quality challenge for generic medicines in India: An industrial policy-sensitive perspective" & "Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025: In Search of an Alternative" by Abrol and others

The quality challenge for generic medicines in India: An industrial policy-sensitive perspective by Dinesh Kumar Abrol, Rollins John, Nidhi Singh, 2026, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics. DOI:10.20529/IJME.2026.017
Abstract: This article provides an industrial policy-sensitive understanding of the problem of quality of Indian generic medicines supplied both to the domestic market and to weakly regulated markets in Asia, Africa, and South America. Most of these medicines come from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). While all drugs manufactured in the country must comply with standards under the revised Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1945, the deadline for MSMEs' compliance has been extended repeatedly, and even as of March 2026, drugs are manufactured in the country in two categories of manufacturing facilities — one compliant with the revised standards and another non-compliant with the revised standards. While double standards are unacceptable, the policy discourse on medicine quality focuses entirely on uniformity of standards, and their regulation, without setting an industrial policy-sensitive context for the reasons for poor quality, and for developing an appropriate response. We argue that the problem of medicine quality is closely connected to the structural changes in the industry after India signed the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Large-scale enterprises depend on MSMEs — many of which are poorly equipped — for supplying branded generic medicines in the domestic market and poorly regulated markets abroad. Further, a sharp decline in the indigenous manufacture of raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients has left the industry vulnerable, because of its dependence on China for the import of these materials. We propose that poor quality must be addressed through industrial policy-specific changes, institutional collaboration, and technical support, not merely by closing down MSMEs. Quality assurance cannot depend on a system of inspection alone; quality by design must be built into the manufacturing process, and there must be strict enforcement of standards.

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025: In Search of an Alternative by Dinesh Kumar Abrol, Economic & Political Weekly, 2026, LXI(13), 17-19.

New Article "Technopolitics of tinkering and the ‘new’ innovation economy: insights from India", by Mishra & Bhaduri

Technopolitics of tinkering and the 'new' innovation economy: insights from India

by Rajiv K. Mishra and Saradindu Bhaduri, Innovation and Development, 2026, DOI: 10.1080/2157930X.2026.2640738.

Abstract: Tinkering and its role in the innovation economy have captured the imagination of policymakers across the globe. In India, a variety of tinkering spaces have emerged in recent years. In this paper, we make an attempt to analyse the mandates, motivations, actors and networks of these evolving spaces of tinkering. Tinkering has the potential to make innovation ecosystems more inclusive, offer solutions that are affordable, need-based and pro-social. Tinkering can delay technological obsolescence by promoting, re-use, and re-combination of technology. Our analysis, however, brings out that the policies on tinkering seem restricted to promoting technological temper, and entrepreneurship. A robust focus on local development and ecosystem building around tinkering remains wanted. The paper emphasizes the need for better embedding of tinkering into the policies on innovation, education, skill development and the local economy.

Press briefing - UNESCO’s first People and Nature report: the state of the world’s most protected places

PRESS BRIEFING   UNESCO's first People and Nature report: the state of the world's most protected places   UNESCO invites you to a press briefing presenting the results of its first global assessment of all 2,270+ World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks – a network spanning an area larger than China and India combined, which supports 10% of the world population. The report, People and Nature in UNESCO sites, provides the most comprehensive picture to date of what these sites mean for the planet, and the accelerating threats they face.   Press briefing on the People and Nature in UNESCO Sites report Thursday 09 April, 14:00 CET Online, in English Click here to register     Drawing on scientific collaboration involving more than 20 leading research institutions, this report brings together data across all UNESCO designations to quantify their role in stabilizing the climate, sustaining human communities, and sheltering biodiversity. The report also examines the economic value, cultural significance and Indigenous knowledge embedded in these landscapes.   The press briefing will present the key findings of the report, provide an early opportunity for journalists to put questions directly to the authors, and learn how it impacts their own regions and audiences.   The full report, executive summary and factsheet will be shared with registered participants, under strict embargo until the official launch on Tuesday 21 April.   Press contact François WIBAUX, f.wibaux@unesco.org, +33 (0) 1 45 68 07 46   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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Global water crisis aggravated by gender inequalities according to new UN Report

PRESS RELEASE   Global water crisis aggravated by gender inequalities according to new UN Report   Paris/New York March 19, 2026 - Despite decades of progress, inequalities continue to compromise global water security, disproportionally impacting women and girls, who despite of being the main collectors of water, continue to be excluded from water management and leadership roles.   This is the conclusion of the United Nations World Water Development Report, published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water. The report reveals that women are responsible for collecting water in over 70% of unserved rural households.   "Ensuring women's participation in water management and governance is a key driver for progress and sustainable development. We must step up efforts to safeguard women and girls' access to water. This is not only a basic right, when women have equal access to water, everyone benefits," said Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO's Director General. "It is time to fully recognize the central role of women and girls in water solutions – as users, leaders and professionals. We need women and men to manage water side by side as a common good that benefits the whole of society," said Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Chair of UN-Water. The United Nations World Water Development Report is released annually in the context of World Water Day. This year's report, Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities, warns that 2.1 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with women and girls bearing the heaviest burden. Women and girls are most often responsible for collecting and managing water for their households, exposing them to physical strain, lost education and livelihoods, health risks, and heightened vulnerability to gender-based violence — particularly where services are unsafe or unreliable. Please visit UNESCO's Media Corner where you will find the report, the executive summary, a factsheet and a list of specialists to interview. Link to the report Key findings Globally, women and girls spend a total of 250 million hours every day collecting water, time that could otherwise be spent on education, leisure, or income-generating activities. Girls under 15 (7%) are more likely than boys under 15 (4%) to fetch water. Poor sanitation facilities disproportionately affect women and girls, especially in urban slums and rural areas. Lack of toilets and water for menstrual hygiene leads to shame and absenteeism: an estimated 10 million adolescent girls (15–19), across 41 countries, missed school, work, or social activities between 2016 and 2022. Despite their central role in household water provision, agriculture, ecosystem stewardship, and community resilience, women remain systematically underrepresented in water governance, financing, utilities, and decision-making. Despite numerous gender equality declarations and policies, progress towards equal access to water and sanitation, and women's participation in water management, remain insufficient due to weak integration into operational plans. Gender inequalities in land and property ownership directly impact women's access to water. Water rights are often linked to land rights, directly impacting the availability of water for productive uses such as farming. Land tenure-related laws and regulations that discriminate against women leave them at social and economic disadvantages. In some countries, men have ownership over twice the amount of land than women. Women remain under-represented in water management and governance, available data from 64 utilities in 28 low- and middle-income countries indicated that fewer than one in five water workers were women, and they were paid less than their male counterparts (World Bank, 2019). In 2021/2022, women held fewer than half of WASH positions in government jobs in 79 of 109 responding countries and fewer than 10% in almost a quarter of responding countries (WHO,2022).    Gender inequality in times of crisis   Climate change, water scarcity and hydro-meteorological disasters are exacerbating existing gender inequalities, particularly in water-stressed and disaster-prone contexts. Gender remains a key determinant of vulnerability, shaping exposure to risk as well as access to early-warning systems, recovery support and long-term livelihood security. Evidence shows that climate change disproportionately affects women: a 1°C rise in temperature reduces incomes in female-headed households by 34% more than in male-headed households, while women's weekly labour hours increase by an average of 55 minutes relative to men.   A call to bridge the gender gaps in water access and leadership The report provides concrete recommendations to drive meaningful progress, including: Removing legal, institutional and financial barriers to women's equal rights to water, land and services Scaling up gender‑responsive financing and budgeting, with strong accountability mechanisms Investing in sex‑disaggregated water data to expose inequalities and guide policy Valuing unpaid water‑related labour in planning, pricing and investment decisions Strengthening women's leadership and technical capacity, particularly in scientific and technical fields of water governance Moving beyond "low‑cost" solutions that rely on unpaid labour and exacerbate inequality.   About UNESCO's work to advance gender equality in water   Aligned to its Gender Equality Priority, UNESCO devotes effort to improve women's participation in water resource management, governance and sciences across the world. Our World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP): develops tools and guidance to help integrate gender-equality considerations into water policies and practices. The WWAP Toolkit on Water and Gender is the cornerstone resource and a global reference to support decision makers and practitioners worldwide. It contains over 100 gender-responsive indicators, guidelines for their application and use, and nearly 400 ready-to-use questions to support data collection and analysis; fundraises and implements field projects in diverse regions of the world directly impacting communities and promoting water co-operation; has trained over 1000 water practitioners in 35 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pacific Small Island Developing States, West Africa and Southeast Asia expanding capacities in inclusive water management; targets government leaders and decision-makers, water practitioners, academia and general audiences, relying on a multi-donor approach and combining financial mechanisms and voluntary contributions from a range of partners; and leads wide-scale advocacy efforts, supports efforts and mobilizes concrete gender equality action that help transform societies.   About UN-Water's work to advance water and gender equality UN-Water is the United Nations' coordination mechanism for water and sanitation, comprised of 36 Members (UN entities) and 52 international Partners. UN-Water supports United Nations system-wide efforts to advance gender equality in water and sanitation by promoting coordinated action, shared evidence and joint advocacy across its Members and Partners. Through global campaigns such as World Water Day, analytical work including the United Nations World Water Development Report, and implementation of the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, UN-Water helps integrate gender perspectives into water policies, programmes and financing discussions.   Press contacts UNESCO : Clare O'HAGAN, c.o-hagan@unesco.org, +33 (0) 1 45 68 17 29 UNESCO : François WIBAUX, f.wibaux@unesco.org, +33 (0) 1 45 68 07 46 UN WATER : Felicia Vacarelu , felicia.vacarelu@unwater.org   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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