Baba Mastnath University

Rainfall variability and drought occurrence pose significant challenges to water resources, agriculture, and livelihoods in semi-arid regions of India. This study examines the spatio-temporal characteristics of rainfall and drought across Haryana using long-term district-level rainfall data for the period 1981–2024. Mean annual rainfall, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, skewness, and kurtosis were employed to assess rainfall magnitude, variability, and distributional behaviour. Long-term trends were analysed using the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator, while drought characteristics were evaluated using the 12-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI-12). The results reveal a distinct east–west and north-east to south-west rainfall gradient, with the highest mean annual rainfall recorded in Yamunanagar (1095 mm), Panchkula (1077 mm), and Ambala (949 mm), while the western districts remain comparatively drier. Rainfall variability shows marked spatial heterogeneity, with relatively more stable rainfall regimes in the wetter north-eastern districts and moderate to high variability across several central, western, and southern districts. Trend analysis indicates predominantly increasing but statistically non-significant rainfall trends across most districts, including Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Ambala, Karnal, and Kurukshetra, whereas only a few western and southern districts show significant increases. SPI-based analysis demonstrates that mild droughts are frequent throughout Haryana, while moderate to extreme droughts are more concentrated in the drought-prone western districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar. The findings suggest that spatial variability and rainfall distribution characteristics, rather than long-term trends alone, are the primary determinants of drought vulnerability, underscoring the need for district-specific climate adaptation and water-management strategies under increasing climatic uncertainty.

The stock market is an important pillar in the economic development of India. It provides the platform for companies to raise capital from the general public, offers investment opportunities to the public where they can invest and also reflects the economic health of the country. The Indian stock market has changed significantly from liberalization in the year 1991 due to technological innovations, regulatory reforms and more participation from all the investors. However, duri g these transformations many challenges appeared. Some of them are

ABSTRACT This study examines a comparative study on consumer satisfaction with core retailing and scrambled merchandising practices in utensil markets across Gurugram District. A total of 200 respondents were surveyed, comprising 100 consumers of core retail outlets and 100 consumers of scrambled merchandising stores. Data was collected through structured questionnaires focusing on satisfaction determinants such as product quality, assortment, pricing, service, and overall shopping experience. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive measures and independent sample t-tests to compare satisfaction levels between the two formats. The results indicate that while core retailing scores higher on trust, specialization, and service quality, scrambled merchandising performs better on variety and price competitiveness. Comparative findings provide empirical insights into consumer preferences and highlight the need for retailers to balance structured retailing with innovative merchandising strategies to enhance satisfaction in Gurugram’s utensil sector. Keywords: Consumer Satisfaction, Core Retailing, Scrambled Merchandising, Utensil Retailing, t-test Analysis etc.

Iron nanoparticles (FeNPs), particularly iron oxide–based nanomaterials, have attracted significant scientific and industrial interest due to their unique physicochemical and magnetic properties, including superparamagnetism, high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable surface chemistry, and excellent biocompatibility. These characteristics enable their extensive application across diverse fields such as biomedicine, agriculture, environmental remediation, energy, electronics, and advanced materials. Conventional physical and chemical synthesis approaches provide controlled nanoparticle formation but are often associated with high energy consumption, toxic reagents, and environmental concerns. Consequently, green and biological synthesis strategies have emerged as sustainable alternatives, employing plants, bacteria, fungi, algae, and their metabolites as natural reducing and stabilizing agents. This review comprehensively summarizes the fundamental properties of iron nanoparticles, outlines major physical, chemical, and biological synthesis routes, and highlights recent advances in green synthesis using plant extracts and microbial systems. Special emphasis is placed on the role of phytochemicals and biomolecules in nanoparticle reduction, stabilization, and functionalization. Furthermore, the review critically discusses the multifarious applications of iron nanoparticles, including targeted drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, hyperthermia therapy, biosensing, nanofertilizers, pollutant removal, wastewater treatment, energy conversion, defense technologies, construction materials, textiles, and electronics. Current challenges related to nanoparticle stability, aggregation, toxicity, and large-scale production are also briefly addressed. Overall, this review provides an integrated perspective on the synthesis–property–application relationship of iron nanoparticles and underscores their growing importance in sustainable and interdisciplinary technological development. Graphical Abstract

Mirror repeats (MRs), the repetitive DNA sequences, known to accumulate variations in the gene or genome, are important tools for evolutionary, taxonomic, and vector ecology-oriented research. Present study is first of its kind to identify MRs in the pheromone detecting gustatory receptor gene, Gr37 of yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Linn.). Overall, 39 mirror repeats were retrieved from the complete gene sequence (1454 bp) using nucleotide BLAST. Of these, 8 MRs were categorized as Perfect Mirror Repeat (PMR), 6 as Imperfect Mirror Repeat (IMR) and remaining (25 MRs) as Perfect Mirror Repeat with Single Spacer (PMR-SS). The various gene fragments namely, exon-1 (842 bp), exon-2 (461 bp), intron (151 bp), mRNA (1326 bp) and coding DNA sequence (CDS) (945 bp) possessed 24, 7, 8, 31 and 26 MRs, respectively. Distribution studies using megaBLAST revealed the presence of three MRs viz. TTTAATATAATTT, ATAGTGTGATA and TTTCACCCACATT within the genome of most of the mosquito species except Anopheles culicifacies Giles.

This study provides a comprehensive literature-based examination of the present status of the health insurance industry in India, with a focus on key reforms, program performance, financial protection, and systemic challenges. Drawing on evidence from peer-reviewed research, government reports, and national datasets, the review synthesises findings across public schemes (such as RSBY and PM-JAY), private health insurance markets, and mixed public–private models. The analysis shows that while public health insurance has improved access to inpatient services for low-income households, its ability to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure remains limited due to exclusions, inadequate coverage of outpatient care, and provider-related inefficiencies. Private health insurance has expanded rapidly but continues to serve predominantly urban, higher-income groups, with persistent issues of affordability, claim settlement delays, and product complexity. Cross-scheme comparisons highlight fragmentation, low awareness, inequitable coverage, and significant gaps in regulation. The study identifies critical research gaps, including the need for longitudinal assessments of PM-JAY, evaluations of digital claims and TPAs, comparative state-level analyses, and behavioural studies on enrolment and retention. Overall, the findings suggest that India’s health insurance ecosystem is expanding but remains structurally fragmented, requiring strengthened governance, improved benefit design, strategic purchasing, and integrated risk pooling to advance towards Universal Health Coverage.